Excited

I am so excited for Saturday.  We are having some friends over that we have not seen in a long time.  They are missionaries in Kenya!  There are back in the states for a year to relax and raise more funds before they go back. (check out their blog here.)  I am so excited for them to come over to our house and see where we live.  Four years ago when there they were here we met them at their place.  I am also excited for them to meet Mallorie.  They have only every seen pictures of her.  I met Jeff (the dad) when I was in 7th grade.  He was my youth leader at church until my Junior year in High school.  He has helped me through a lot and I was heart broken when he and his wife, Joyellen, decided to move to Kenya and be missionaries.  I think what they do is amazing and such an adventure!  I can not wait to hear stories and just spend time with them and their kids!

Christmas Program

My niece and nephew had their Christmas program at their church this past weekend.  My sister-in-law is the children's music director and my brother plays guitar for the kids choir.  Both my niece and nephew had special parts of the program.  Ruthie is learning to play guitar and she played along with her dad (my brother).  Link to video

My nephew is a break dancer.  He LOVES it and started less than a year ago. (I can tell the carpet tripped him up at times.  He is not use to dancing on carpet. Normal it is a hard smooth floor.)  I think that it is really cool that he is breakdancing in church.  He is using his talent to praise God! Link to video

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Pinterest Weekend

Looking back over the weekend I realized that I used a lot of ideas that I got off of Pinterest.  I am sure that almost everyone knows about Pinterest by now.  Here is a list all the "Pinterest things" I did this weekend!

1. Carrot and Zucchini Fingers
 

2.Mini Ham and Cheese Quinoa Cups


3.Pumpkin Muffins (I added Chocolate Chips too!)


4.Laundry Detergent


5.Ribbon and Pearls Necklace


6.Frame Thermostat


7.U of M hairbow (I used this pin to find the pattern I used.)

Welcome Back Hazards!

    I just wanted to write and share with you a prayer request I have.  Friends of mine that are missionaries in Kenya are coming back to the states on furlough for a year!  I am so excited to be able to see them again and for them to meet Mallorie.  Last time there were here was four years ago. You can see their whole story on their blog.

 They are a family of five... Dad - Jeff, Mom - Joyellen,


Children - Megan, Lyndsey, and Ian!


I can not imagine moving a family half way around the world.  They are so amazing.  Please pray for safe travels!  It is going to be a long trip!  Pray for peace and comfort as the kids adjust to a new lifestyle here in the states, and also pray for funding for the family!
    Jeff was my Youth Leader when I was in High School.  When I think back that was a while ago but it seems like yesterday! I will not get into to many details but he helped me though a lot of harder times.  He is a joker and loves to have fun but also is easy to talk to when you have a problem.  He started at our church when I was in 8th grade and I remember a year later he told us he was going to get married.  That is when I met Joyellen!  She is the sweetest person I think I have ever met.  She would do anything for anyone! When I was in 11th grade Jeff told us that they were going to becoming missionaries in Kenya.  I was crushed (to say the least).  I know now that there were just following a calling but I did not see that then.  I remember our last mission trip to Toronto the summer before he left...I don't think I ever cried so much in my life knowing that this was the last one!  I did support them in their journey of mission and still do.  I remember mailing them anonymous letters with money in them and in the last letter I told them it was me.  I think that what they do is amazing and would love to visit them in Kenya someday but I am excited to see them soon here in the States.  Please take the time to check out their blog and say a prayer for them and their family as they adjust to a new lifestyle here.

A new recipe

I got this recipe from a blog that I follow and I made it the other night and it was so Yummy!


Pasta Salad



1 cup shell macaroni (or twists or elbow...)
hard boiled eggs - I use 2, but you can add more or less to taste
1 small can tuna fish, or like amount of chopped ham, or diced chicken
1 can peas
1 tablespoon chopped pickles (optional)
1/2 cup salad dressing
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In 2 cups boiling water, cook pasta until tender. Place in colander and drain with cold water. Allow to cool.
Toss together meat, peas and pickles. Cut eggs fine and add to meat mix. Stir in pasta and salad dressing. Stir in cheese.
Refrigerate overnight. You may need to add more salad dressing before serving, as pasta may absorb some.

This makes a great summer supper!

Giveaway

I just love kids shoes so when I saw this giveaway I just had to enter.  I follow this blog and I love it but I also love the fact that we both love Kids shoes.  Go and take a look and look at Kids Foot Locker. 

Tuesday Tip

I will have to admit that I wish I could take credit for this idea but I cant.  I got the idea from another blog.  We keep most of our chargers in one drawer of out desk but I love this idea...it just would not work on our desk.  Here it is:

Binder Clips...who knew.  To get the cord into the binder clips all you need to do is pinch the top of the silver clip part together and you can slide them out of the black part.  Then just slip your cord in and pinch it back into the black part.  I just love this simple solution to a problem.  I hope that you will be able to use it.

101 things in 1001 days

I got this idea from a friend of mine.  The goal is to make a list of 101 things that you was to accomplish.  It can be as easy as sleep in one day, to as hard as run a 5K.  I started it on 10/23/2009 so if I calculated correctly that would make my end date 7/22/12!  Here is my list...I the tasks in red have been completed!

1. Pay off my Parents -(July 2010)
2. Pay off my student loan - (March 2011)
3. Pay off out loan for our new windows - (Feb. 2011)
4. Get pregnant - (Dec. 2009)
5. Have a baby - (Mallorie May Koetsier, healthy girl on 9/13/10, 9lbs.13oz. 21 inches)
6. Print off all photos
7. Organize photos
8. Get caught up on photo albums
9. Get a "big" digital camera -( I had been saving money and Brad surprised me with the rest!)
10. Get back into Photography
11. Move craft stuff upstairs -( I did this when we made the front room the Nursery)
12. Paint back entry way -(I painted the trim black. I was nervous but it turned out great.  & the walls sage)
13. Paint front bedroom -(we made this the nursery)
14. Redo the kitchen -(it was a mess but so worth it)
15.Get new living room furniture -(We have matching furniture now.  No more looking like a dorm room.)
16. Get a new mattress -(Brad wanted a Memory Foam... I love it it is like a cloud)
17. Take a day trip -(We went to Ludington for the day)
18. Make a fall tradition
19. Make a Christmas tradition
20. Don't drink pop for a week
21. No chocolate for a week
22. No eating out for one month
23. Start a blog -(Thank You to all who follow and read my blog!)
24. Be in a  craft show
25. Lose 30 pounds
26. Make Christmas gifts
27. Go to Ludington -(We took a day trip on a Sunday to just get away)
28. Go to Chicago
29.Go to the Zoo
30.Go to the Fair
31.Get family pictures taken
32.Get a new (to us) car -('01 Alero)
33.Host a cookie exchange -(Dec 2009)
34. Set up an Esty Shop
35. Run a 5K
36. Send out 10 "thinking of you cards"
37. Get Brad a riding lawn mower -(It is used but he loves it)
38. Raise money for something -(Molly's Miracle  I was not at the fundraiser because I had Mallorie earlier that week but I helped with the planning.
39. Drink only water for one week
40. Try making a menu plan again -(I stick to it about every other week...Better than nothing)
41. Get or make art for the living room
42. Be a better supervisor
43. Take a family vacation
44. Get a cute purse
45. Work out 3 times a week for a month
46. Go on a date with Brad
47. Have baby baptized -(it was a special day)
48. Be there for someone when they need it -(Brad when he lost two grandparents in one year.  My friend with daugthers medical problems)
49. Volunteer
50. Go antiquing with Brad
51. Dutch Dance
52. Play Softball -(this was fun)
53.  Ride on a train
54. Be happy with myself
55. Get new clothes
56. Look into ancestry
57. Use more features on my sewing machine
58. Organize photos
59. Go Camping
60. Christmas Tradition (I think getting into PJ's, get hot choco, and drive around and see Christmas lights would be fun)
61. Work overtime - (I have done to much of this one)
62. Go Fishing
63. Sleep 8 hours straight
64. Make a new friend
65. Go for a hike
66. Have a baking/cooking marathon
67. Pay off new car
68. Read a good book - (The Last Song - by Nicolas Sparks)
69. Watch a good movie -( Dear John)
70. Sell a photograph
71. Get Brad a new bike -(he got a new bike at the end of fall and got to ride it a few times before the snow fell)
72. Go for a family bike ride
73. Pick Apples
74. Decorate house for fall
75. Spend $300 a month on groceries
76. Surprise Brad with something
77. No tickets
78. Get new shoes - (I got new running shoes)
79. Get winter boots
80. Go to fireworks
81.Go to Tulip time concessions
82. Play Volleyball - (it was fun but not very successful)
83. Get new Jeans that I love
84. Subscribe to a magazine - (Parents)
85. Get a new phone
86. Get new glasses
87. Go to training at work
88. Follow a T.V. series - (Teen Mom 2)
89. Get a new hairstyle
90. Play pool
91. Play darts
92. Work in church Nursery
93. Put house up for sale - (It was for sale but no bites.  if anyone is interested let me know :) )
94. Get a Camcorder - (having fun recording memories)
95. Surprise someone -(I had a surprise baby shower for my sister-in-law)
96. Eat Tofu -(it was not good)
97. Try veggie burgers -(these were pretty good)
98. Get a jogging stroller -(now I just have to use it)
99. Have a girls night once a month
100. Organize my recipes
101. Finish this list

So far I completed 37 out of the 101.  I guess I better get to work.  I will keep you updated.

Tip Toes Cute of the Month

Please go to Tip Toes on Facebook and vote for Mallorie as the cute kid of the month for the month of March.  I could win a $50 gift card to Tip Toes and Home & Company, plus 20% off all month long, PLUS...Thanks to Engedi Salon, a FREE cut and style for me!  Here is a copy of the photo that I submitted.




Tip Toes is a local store here in Holland MI that has a ton of ADORABLE things from hair bows to piggy banks, toys and outfits.  I love this store!

Thank You!!!!!! and tell your friends!!!

Violet

Violet - The New Toy

I think this is the coolest toy.  Mallorie got this from my Parents for Christmas. It is a Leap Frog My Pal Violet.  Not only is it cute but very smart.  There is a USB Cable that comes with it so you can hold her up to the computer and download your child's name (with correct spelling) and their favorite things like animal, food, and color.  Then that information is put into songs and other activites that she does.  I just can not believe how far toys have come since I was little.  I remember toys that needed batteries were so cool... now they connect to the computer. 

What was your favorite Christmas gift?  Or what was your favorite gift as a kid? 

Old Photos

Old Photos

(photo of my Grandparents farm in Hopkins, MI)

I love old photos and I came across a really cool blog.  I love to see how people lived, dressed, and lived back in the "old days".  On this blog she finds old pictures and then posts then to see if family members can find old pictures that belong to their families.  I thought that this was a great idea.  I can not wait to explore the blog even more.