So much has happened in the past couple weeks it's hard to know where to start!
I guess I'll start with August 22nd. We had a birthday/goodbye party for Abel as he was going to his mom's the next day. We had both our families over and a few neighbors. I wanted to do something with a Mexican theme so we had tacos (Krissy informed me American tacos) for dinner. Our neighbors Bill and Jen let us use their bags game so the kids had fun tossing bean bags and also tried their skill swinging at the pinata. Saturday, we packed up all Abel's belongings (a whole car full) and brought him to his mom's house. I did have trouble emotionally packing up his things - the little boy things that had been around the house for a few months. It wasn't easy to know that he wouldn't be coming back. We brought him to his mom's and explained all the new procedures to her and then we left. Paul took me out to Panera Bread and wasn't embarrassed by my red eyes. He was such an encouragement to me - reminding me that Abel is in the Lord's hands and that we could trust the Lord for Abel's care.
Sunday we went out to eat with my parents in honor of our 1st Anniversary. When we got out of the restaurant and Paul started up the car, it wouldn't move. He tried to turn it off and on several times but to no avail. He got out to see if the bumper was stuck on the curb, but it wasn't. He got back into the car and said "I hope it's not the transmission" (it was the car we were taking on vacation). I saw my dad in my mirror and looked in the back of his truck and saw Brittany in the back with a video camera so I got out laughing and said "OK guys, what did you do?" Then, all my siblings came out of the woodwork. They had jacked up the front of our car and put it on blocks and of course captured our attempt at leaving:) Life with the Knottnerus' - that sounds like a good book title:)
Monday I went to Abel's school and gave the school nurse all the info she would need to care for him. We found out that Abel's mom forgot to send his insulin with him (it's a different insulin system than last year) so I ran around and got it.
Monday night (August 25th) Paul and I watched the video of our wedding as Monday was our 1st Anniversary! We also finished the last piece of our cake (we ate a slice every month as we celebrated our "monthaversary's").
Tuesday we went to Lake Geneva and had lunch at a old-fashioned diner and then walked around the town. My parents had given us a gift certificate for an "ice cream social boat ride" on Lake Geneva. It was so relaxing and romantic:) We sat by the lake for awhile, had dinner, and then after searching the stores for a tea cup, we headed home. It was a relaxing day - just what we both needed after all the preparation we spent getting Abel ready.
Wednesday early morning Kristine came home! YEA! We all missed her so much while she was volunteering at the orphanage in Mexico for two months. Her flight was delayed around four hours, but she made it home safely. She said she enjoyed her time there but that she was very ready to come home. I sure hope when Krissy gets married some day, that she will stay nearby - I really missed talking to and seeing her while she was gone.
Friday night I got a call from Abel's new foster mom. At first I was confused as I was helping Abel's mom line up childcare. We don't know all that happened, but for some reason, his mom is unable to care for him. Abel is with a wonderful Christian family now that has three children including another six year old and he is now going to a Christian school. We truly believe that the Lord has His hand on Abel and protected him by putting him in the wonderful home he is in and will continue to protect him. He has been covered in prayer since before we received him into our home and we are praying daily for him.
Life right now is full of getting ready to go on our trip. We leave this Saturday! I am starting to get really excited - seeing our cousins again in Alberta will be so much fun! After the week of wedding preparations and ceremony, Paul and I will travel five hours south to Jasper, Lake Louise, and then to Banff. They are in a beautiful stretch of the Canadian Rockies with Glaciers and ice fields all around. We'll be camping (with an air mattress) so I have piles of gear all around the house:) Paul visited Jasper and Banff in '05 with his siblings Marie and the twins (Jesse and Jeremiah) when they went to Alaska, so he is already declared that he is going to be my personal tour guide:)
Last night we vacuumed out the cars and steam cleaned them - we are ending up having to take Mustard (yup the get away car at our wedding - go back to the wedding entry if you want to see why our car is called Mustard) as Mayo is having oil problems. That means less room, but I think we'll manage - we'll see Friday night I guess.
When we get back, I'll post some of the pictures from our trip.
Till then!
Rebecca
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Camping
Paul was able to get Monday and Tuesday off work so after church on Sunday we went up to Union, IL for a few days of camping. Monday we took Abel to the Wild West Town next door to the campground. It was fun to spend time together - we may not have much longer with Abel. It is likely that he'll be with us a little less than two weeks. It will be hard to see him go - he has been such a big part of our life for four months. It will be very different not having a busy six year old running around. Hopefully we'll be able to have continued contact with him and his mom. His mom needs to find a daycare that will bring him to school in the mornings and watch him on Saturdays in Aurora - we are praying his mom will find a place this week. We were hoping that they would move to Elgin so we could help out, but that wasn't meant to be.
Cousins
My cousin Jeremy from Nevada visited my family with his nine month old daughter in July. Unfortunately his wife Rhonda wasn't able to come with - hope to meet you soon Rhonda! We had a really good time laughing and watching London literally "run" around - an early walker.
She sure loves her daddy! After seeing them together, I think Paul won't mind if our baby is a daughter. Something about a daddy and his little girl:)
Jeremy and London
Paul and London
She sure loves her daddy! After seeing them together, I think Paul won't mind if our baby is a daughter. Something about a daddy and his little girl:)
Jeremy and London
Paul and London
Friday, July 18, 2008
Update
Since the last post...
I drove a 15 passenger van full of teenagers (mostly my siblings and siblings-in-law) up to Beulah, MI for our church's youth retreat. I have to say, this group was exceptional - well behaved, respectful, and a lot of fun! Abel had a blast too - he was never without a sibling (nine of mine were on the trip) and enjoyed being the youngest on the trip. A very generous couple from the Roselle church hosted all 28 of us including all the chaperones and the pastors family in their vacation home on Crystal Lake. Mr. Laslo took us out on his boat and many people went tubing (I admit I did jump on the tube - the last sporting activity for me for a long while). We went to the Sleeping Bear Dunes by Lake Michigan and most of the group did the 450 foot run down to Lake Michigan and the exhausting climb back up - this I didn't do but I did it last year with my family. It was a fun 5 days (June 27- July 1). I wish Paul could have come, but he has to save all his vacation days for our trip to Canada and the baby.
On July 16th Abel turned 6 years old! We went swimming at a pool with my family - a great way to spend a hot afternoon. We had a cupcake with his mom at our house this past Sunday and are going to have some of his friends over in a week for a little party.
For all of you who are wondering, Kristine is doing great and loving her time serving in Mexico!
I haven't talked to her on the phone but she has texted me a few times and I am kept updated by my mom. When she first got down there, the English teacher was gone for three weeks. Kristine became the full time English teacher for 30 kids (I think K-8th grade) within days of arriving. The school was using paces and a video program for the class, but the video system was down for awhile so she had to make up her own curriculum till it was fixed. The school at the orphanage is from 8:30 AM to 5 PM and runs all year round except for three weeks (she teaches the last hour of the day). One of those weeks was last week where the orphanage had a VBS - like camp. I think she worked even longer hours during that week! She told my mom that if she didn't have things to come back to, she'd love to stay longer! She gets back on August 26th.
Abel at a Lake Michigan beach.
Anna (Paul's sister), Brittany (my sister), Ruth (Paul's sister)
and a friend.
Some of my favorite guys: Caleb, Josh, Philip, Timothy, and Michael
Brothers: Caleb, Jesse, and Timothy
Bible study led by Wil Franco.
Abel hard a work on one of his creations!
Partial view of the 450' drop - you can't capture it in a picture.
Standing at the top you can't see all the way down as it is so steep!
The group almost back from their climb. They went swimming
while down at the bottom in Lake Michigan.
A little tired maybe?
Another brother shot
A beautiful sunset over Crystal Lake.
The clean up Freidel/Knottnerus crew!
The birthday boy!
Abel and Caleb
Here I am a couple weeks ago starting to get a little belly.
We heard the baby's heartbeat a couple weeks ago -
it was so nice to hear. The Lord has been very
gracious to me this pregnancy - I've hardly had
any nauseousness. I've been very tired, but still
have enough energy to keep on top of a very
active six year old! The due date of our first baby
was a couple days ago - God has given us peace about
the experience. If we had had that baby, we wouldn't
be having our little one now growing inside me and
we wouldn't have had the opportunity to love and care for Abel.
I am so glad that God knows what is best for us!
I drove a 15 passenger van full of teenagers (mostly my siblings and siblings-in-law) up to Beulah, MI for our church's youth retreat. I have to say, this group was exceptional - well behaved, respectful, and a lot of fun! Abel had a blast too - he was never without a sibling (nine of mine were on the trip) and enjoyed being the youngest on the trip. A very generous couple from the Roselle church hosted all 28 of us including all the chaperones and the pastors family in their vacation home on Crystal Lake. Mr. Laslo took us out on his boat and many people went tubing (I admit I did jump on the tube - the last sporting activity for me for a long while). We went to the Sleeping Bear Dunes by Lake Michigan and most of the group did the 450 foot run down to Lake Michigan and the exhausting climb back up - this I didn't do but I did it last year with my family. It was a fun 5 days (June 27- July 1). I wish Paul could have come, but he has to save all his vacation days for our trip to Canada and the baby.
On July 16th Abel turned 6 years old! We went swimming at a pool with my family - a great way to spend a hot afternoon. We had a cupcake with his mom at our house this past Sunday and are going to have some of his friends over in a week for a little party.
For all of you who are wondering, Kristine is doing great and loving her time serving in Mexico!
I haven't talked to her on the phone but she has texted me a few times and I am kept updated by my mom. When she first got down there, the English teacher was gone for three weeks. Kristine became the full time English teacher for 30 kids (I think K-8th grade) within days of arriving. The school was using paces and a video program for the class, but the video system was down for awhile so she had to make up her own curriculum till it was fixed. The school at the orphanage is from 8:30 AM to 5 PM and runs all year round except for three weeks (she teaches the last hour of the day). One of those weeks was last week where the orphanage had a VBS - like camp. I think she worked even longer hours during that week! She told my mom that if she didn't have things to come back to, she'd love to stay longer! She gets back on August 26th.
Abel at a Lake Michigan beach.
Anna (Paul's sister), Brittany (my sister), Ruth (Paul's sister)
and a friend.
Some of my favorite guys: Caleb, Josh, Philip, Timothy, and Michael
Brothers: Caleb, Jesse, and Timothy
Bible study led by Wil Franco.
Abel hard a work on one of his creations!
Partial view of the 450' drop - you can't capture it in a picture.
Standing at the top you can't see all the way down as it is so steep!
The group almost back from their climb. They went swimming
while down at the bottom in Lake Michigan.
A little tired maybe?
Another brother shot
A beautiful sunset over Crystal Lake.
The clean up Freidel/Knottnerus crew!
The birthday boy!
Abel and Caleb
Here I am a couple weeks ago starting to get a little belly.
We heard the baby's heartbeat a couple weeks ago -
it was so nice to hear. The Lord has been very
gracious to me this pregnancy - I've hardly had
any nauseousness. I've been very tired, but still
have enough energy to keep on top of a very
active six year old! The due date of our first baby
was a couple days ago - God has given us peace about
the experience. If we had had that baby, we wouldn't
be having our little one now growing inside me and
we wouldn't have had the opportunity to love and care for Abel.
I am so glad that God knows what is best for us!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Goings On
I hope all of you are enjoying this nice weather! I have been enjoying the low humidity - but I'm sure it's not for long:(
The newest thing around here is that I turned 23 yesterday. My family asked me if I feel 23 (you know that question you always get at birthdays) and this time I did have to say yes. I feel like I'm going into a new stage of life - and it is true. I'm pretty sure once this little one comes, life will start flashing by really fast. I hope I can slow down enough (something I have trouble with) to enjoy it to the fullest. I am so glad I am married to Paul - he is my "pacer" and lets me know when I need to slow down or say no to doing something that could become too much for me. Right now Paul is teasing me about being two years older than him (at least for nine days). He tells me I need to tease him back sometimes - you'd think that growing up in my family, I would have picked up more than I did. Oh well:)
Wednesday (the 18th) I spent teaching voice and piano lessons at my parents studio, having a birthday lunch with my family, and then a wonderful afternoon shopping, walking by the very high Fox River, and talking over dinner with Kristine. It was so much fun to spend time with her before she leaves for Mexico next week.
Here are some pictures of what we've (Rebecca and Abel) have been up to lately.
Joseph (Knottnerus) and Abel at Cosley Zoo in
West Chicago. Mom K. had to take Brittany, Josh, Caleb,
and Katie to a band marching camp so we tagged
along and went to this farm zoo.
Abel petting some goats.
Abel and I had lunch at Mrs. Van Dellen's on
the 19th (my birthday) and then went to
Anderson Garden's.
Abel feeding the huge Koi fish - I love that smile!
Here's all of us enjoying the cool shade. Thanks Mrs. Van Dellen
for a wonderful afternoon!
After the Anderson Garden's, Paul, Abel, and I picked up Mayo
(Paul's car) from the "car doctor" as Paul explained it to Abel and
then we dropped Abel off at Paul's parent's house. Paul took me to
a park in St. Charles were we ate the picnic dinner he made for us
and then we walked in the town of St. Charles and sat by the Fox River.
We also walked over to the Blue Goose Market and picked up a bag
of Swedish meatballs that our friend imports from Sweden
(it was also our favorite meatball at our wedding reception).
It was a wonderful birthday full of lots of memories!
The newest thing around here is that I turned 23 yesterday. My family asked me if I feel 23 (you know that question you always get at birthdays) and this time I did have to say yes. I feel like I'm going into a new stage of life - and it is true. I'm pretty sure once this little one comes, life will start flashing by really fast. I hope I can slow down enough (something I have trouble with) to enjoy it to the fullest. I am so glad I am married to Paul - he is my "pacer" and lets me know when I need to slow down or say no to doing something that could become too much for me. Right now Paul is teasing me about being two years older than him (at least for nine days). He tells me I need to tease him back sometimes - you'd think that growing up in my family, I would have picked up more than I did. Oh well:)
Wednesday (the 18th) I spent teaching voice and piano lessons at my parents studio, having a birthday lunch with my family, and then a wonderful afternoon shopping, walking by the very high Fox River, and talking over dinner with Kristine. It was so much fun to spend time with her before she leaves for Mexico next week.
Here are some pictures of what we've (Rebecca and Abel) have been up to lately.
Joseph (Knottnerus) and Abel at Cosley Zoo in
West Chicago. Mom K. had to take Brittany, Josh, Caleb,
and Katie to a band marching camp so we tagged
along and went to this farm zoo.
Abel petting some goats.
Abel and I had lunch at Mrs. Van Dellen's on
the 19th (my birthday) and then went to
Anderson Garden's.
Abel feeding the huge Koi fish - I love that smile!
Here's all of us enjoying the cool shade. Thanks Mrs. Van Dellen
for a wonderful afternoon!
After the Anderson Garden's, Paul, Abel, and I picked up Mayo
(Paul's car) from the "car doctor" as Paul explained it to Abel and
then we dropped Abel off at Paul's parent's house. Paul took me to
a park in St. Charles were we ate the picnic dinner he made for us
and then we walked in the town of St. Charles and sat by the Fox River.
We also walked over to the Blue Goose Market and picked up a bag
of Swedish meatballs that our friend imports from Sweden
(it was also our favorite meatball at our wedding reception).
It was a wonderful birthday full of lots of memories!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Hi Everyone!
Nothing really new except I've been getting over a sinus infection. Thankfully Abel didn't get it as being sick will make his blood sugar really high.
Kristine called me yesterday and told me that I had a setting on the blog that didn't allow anyone other than bloggers to leave comments. I have remedied that last night so now hopefully any of you can say hi.
Tonight Paul has chess club and tomorrow he goes to the banquet to receive the trophy for his chess club team for winning first place against all the chess clubs in Chicago area including Fermilab, Walgreens, and many others! Paul is the team captain of the St. Charles Baker Club. He also won MVP of the whole league this year! Go Paul!
Kristine called me yesterday and told me that I had a setting on the blog that didn't allow anyone other than bloggers to leave comments. I have remedied that last night so now hopefully any of you can say hi.
Tonight Paul has chess club and tomorrow he goes to the banquet to receive the trophy for his chess club team for winning first place against all the chess clubs in Chicago area including Fermilab, Walgreens, and many others! Paul is the team captain of the St. Charles Baker Club. He also won MVP of the whole league this year! Go Paul!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Abel
Here are some pictures of our friend Abel!
What a joy it has been to have this little guy
running around the house!
A four legged boy?
Abel at the park.
Abel holding the huge bullfrog Paul's brother Michael caught.
Abel being silly:)
Abel proudly displaying the first fish he ever caught!
Thanks Timothy for helping him!
Catching tiny tadpoles
Abel and his mom Edith at Great America sponsored by the
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Paul picked up Edith
and Pedro (her boyfriend) and took them there this past Sunday.
Unfortunately I was home with a good case of the flu:(
What a joy it has been to have this little guy
running around the house!
A four legged boy?
Abel at the park.
Abel holding the huge bullfrog Paul's brother Michael caught.
Abel being silly:)
Abel proudly displaying the first fish he ever caught!
Thanks Timothy for helping him!
Catching tiny tadpoles
Abel and his mom Edith at Great America sponsored by the
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Paul picked up Edith
and Pedro (her boyfriend) and took them there this past Sunday.
Unfortunately I was home with a good case of the flu:(
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