Reflections on 2007

Best Witnessed Historical Event - standing along the streets of downtown G.R. watching the funeral procession for Gerald R. Ford. Also witnessing the "missing man" flyover over the Grand River.

Welcomed New Friends and Family - Grant Mosher, Nolan Vieu, Nathan and Ella Stuive, Gina and Lovey Gates, Reuben Anderson (hope I didn't miss anyone!)

Travelled to Places Far and Wide - Germany, Austria, almost Italy :), and Anacortes, WA

God's Grace Was (and Is) Abundant - Grandma Kamps' life was spared through numerous hospitalizations, procedures, and surgeries. Mom is recovering well from diverticulitis.

Family Christmas

DeVries Family 2007

So now that Mom is recovered from her recent hospital stay we were able to celebrate Christmas as a family. We had a great time together. Good food (too good, actually!), nice gifts, and fun games. It ended up being a late night. I got home after midnight, but it was fun to just relax and enjoy each other's company.

Another Day Off. . .

Let me just say I am getting spoiled. I was supposed to work yesterday, but was offered the day off because of low census. That doesn't happen very often so I jumped at the chance. Tomorrow it's back to work for one day and then another five days off. I may in fact be bored by then, but I'm willing to give it a try. :)

I spent some time today with Michele and her boys. Isaac and Connor always manage to make me feel loved since they didn't want me to leave. Baby Nolan will be one month old tomorrow and seems gargantuan compared to Nathan and Ella.

This evening I met my church "dinner group" at Famous Dave's for dinner. Yes, dinner groups usually meet for dinner. :) It was a nice time with nice people. I was definitely the youngest, but that's OK.

Now I sit here listening to Sarah McLachlan's Wintersong album on my iPod. Great CD; I highly recommend it. Perfect music to listen to while I take down my tree.

Fellow bloggers, help! How can I get the pictures to attach after my text?

It was (mostly) a Merry Christmas!

Ella on the left, Nathan on the right

Aunt Becky can hardly stay away!



The Stuive family. Notice the babies are in stockings. Is that cute or what?



Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! Things were a little crazy for the DeVries' because my mom was in the hospital from Saturday until Christmas morning. We were supposed to celebrate as a family Sunday evening, but now we've rescheduled to this coming Sunday. So I have yet to open a single gift. :) Mom is doing so much better. She was having terrible abdominal pain so she went to the ER and found out that she has diverticulitis (outpouchings on the colon that became infected). Anyway, she was quite sick. I'm thankful it was nothing more serious.


Probably the highlight of the holiday though was the arrival of Alissa and Tim's twins on Christmas eve. Nathan Dean (6lb 2oz) and Ella Shermae (5lb 15oz) made their arrival at 4am-ish and are beautiful healthy little babies. Mom and Dad are doing good too and seem to be adjusting well to their new life.

Here We Go. . .

Hi All! I decided to start my own blog. At this point, I'm not sure what I'll put on here, but I hope to share thoughts/events/ideas frequently with all of you. It was a snowy day here today, well actually last night. I was definitely thankful for all wheel drive on the way to church this a.m. Many churches were cancelled, but I was so glad Providence wasn't because I love church (especially during the Christmas season). I feel like Christmas is sneaking up on me this year. Christmas cards are 1/2 done, shopping is almost done, and baking has yet to be started. Now's the time to be organized. Maybe I'll have to start my New Year's Resolution a little early. :)