That loving feeling....

Tonight I had the opportunity to take my friend Katie's engagement pictures. She comes from a farming family, and is marrying in to another one. I just think they are a great couple, and I'm excited to see what the future holds for them!

As I took their pictures, and then when I came home and edited them, I just loved looking at Katie and Travis. This probably sounds weird, but it's their expressions that I recognize. Those expressions that I'm sure I had right before Jeff and I got married. I can't quite put my finger on it, but maybe those feelings and expressions are those of excitment for the future, and the comfort of knowing you found the person you've dreamed of loving forever.

I just had to share what I was thinking tonight. Goodnight.

"I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance, a church filled with family and friends. I asked him what kind of wedding he wished for, He said one that would make me his wife."

These are the days you'll remember

What a beautiful weekend! Even though I was busy with the farmer's market for most of it, we managed to get some quality family time in. Last night we ate at Russ's. It's cheap food, and we were probably the only ones without walkers and white hair, but hey....that's whay you do when you have a kid. Caleb is starting to eat grown-up food, and slowly transitioning out of baby food. I think I like that!

Today we went to Holland for a picnic on the beach. I took a couple moments to reflect on my family as we sat and ate sandwhiches and watched the boats. I am so fortunate! Those sort of moments are the ones I'll remember. It's nothing very exciting, but a time when it's just me, Jeff, and Caleb. No interruptions or plans we have to attend to. I am finding out it's sort of a rare thing to enjoy this sort of time with our busy schedules. Sometimes you just need a break from the hussle and bustle, a time to focus on what's most important.

We have some busy weeks coming up, so I'm glad we had the time to enjoy eachother today.

"Life is a sucession of moments. To live each one is to succeed."

Why is it so hard to be Content?

In all honesty, lately I've been struggling with being content. It's nothing new, I've always found that to be a challenging aspect in my life. Am I the only one? Part of me thinks it plain human nature to always want something more, something different. For me, it's been looking for a new/bigger house. There are so many great deals out there, but on the flip side, it's a lousy time to sell. Hopefully I'm not bothering Jeff too much with my insistent house searching and news updates about open lots. But, I probably am. Jeff is one of the most content people I've ever met!

Sometimes I think, "Everything would be easier if I hadn't wasted my time away in college doing something that didn't get me anywhere." Yes, Mom and Dad, you were right! If only I'd used my smarts and became a nurse, I could make those bucks and put us in a newer and bigger house. But I'm starting to realize it's not worth the regret. I really do have everything I could ever need. (Well, ok... a horse would be nice...but not necessary ;) I live a blessed life; full of health, love, and comfort.

Times are tough these days, and financial struggles hit close to home for me and my family. My discontent is difficult some days, but I'm really trying to push my way through and put myself in another person's shoes. There are people out there struggling to eat, pay their bills, and keep their job. That's why I can't even believe I have the right to feel this way. So, I apologize.

"Do not spoil what you have now by desiring what you have not; remember that what you have now was once among the things you only hoped for."

Farmer's wife

Tomorrow the wives of Generation 4, Inc. are starting a farmer's market. After meeting and discussing just how involved we want to be in the family business, we decided to give it a trial run this year. Located on Byron Center Avenue, between 100th st. and 108th st., fresh produce will be for sale. We're hopeful this takes off, and we can reinvest what we earn to make the market bigger and better next year.

Being a farmer's wife comes with a few expectations that I was unaware of when I married a farmer. Really, I didn't know much about farming. Or at least, farming never really mattered to me. I just ate what I bought at the grocery store. Being married to a farmer, I've learned just how important weather, soil, seed, fertilizer, and hard work are in order to make a living. That sweet corn or squash or cucumber you buy at the grocery store is the result of a lot of time, money, sweat, and prayer.

Farming has its ups and downs, just like any other job. In my opinion, what makes farming so interesting is that it's been around for thousands of years. It's what feeds the world. It's what keeps families together and binds generations to something as simple as soil, water, and sun. I've gained a great respect for farmers and the farming industry, no matter what it is that you grow, feed, sell, or harvest. It's a simple and not so simple life; as time and technology change, so does farming. But, it always comes down to the prayers and hard work of those who aren't afraid to get their hands a little dirty.

"The farmer has to be an optimist, or he wouldn't still be a farmer."

The Power of a Positive Wife

I was recently given a book to read by my good friend Stephanie, who said this book was full of marriage changing words. I already consider my marriage to be a great one, but I thought, why not make it better? I'm almost done with this book, called "The Power of a Positive Wife", by Karol Ladd, and I must say that it has changed the way I look at certain aspects of being a wife. Some of the chapters have opened my eyes to what I am lacking, and what I can do to make myself and my marriage stronger.

This book is written with words of advice in a Christian format, using the Bible as its backbone. It's great to read short passages that apply to the content of each chapter. There are 7 Power Principles: The Power of Love, The Power of Commitment, The Power of Respect, The Power of Encouragement, The Power of Physical Attraction, The Power of Responsibility, and The Power of God's Presence. The parts that stuck out the most to me, and that I have decided to work on, are forgiveness, respect, and encouragement.

A powerful quote from the chapter on respect: " As positive wives we need to understand that respect is a powerful tool in our hands. What happens when a wife respects her husband? He moves forwarad, knowing that the person who is closest to him in all the world see his potential and backs him up. It's a powerful thing to have someone support you and believe in you."

Anyways, if you haven't read the book, and are interested, check it out! Marriage is a never ending work of love.

"Weather the storms of life by turning toward one another and building into each other rather than rejecting one another."

Saying goodbye to a part of babyhood...

Tonight was the first night of not giving Caleb a bedtime bottle. I know it's corny, and he is ready to stop drinking from a bottle, but that last precious bottle, before he tucks in for the night, is making me blue. He didn't seem to mind it all, and after reading a few books, he was more than happy to give me kisses and go to bed.

I've already noticed, in more ways than I can count, how fast that precious time of babyhood goes by. As I box up the bottles, I clearly remember the times where we rocked and cuddled and shared that special time while he drank a bottle. I know I'll probably bring them back out again someday for the next baby, but I'll never have those moments again with Caleb. Yes, there is a time and place for everything, and I know there are great moments ahead, but tonight I'm taking the chance to reflect on how far we've come in such little time.

So to you moms or moms-to-be out there, remember this:

"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait for tomorrow, because babies grow up I've learned from my sorrow. So quiet down cobwebbs, and dust go to sleep. I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep."

Mosquito heaven

It was a fairly uneventful weekend, except for the fact that Caleb is a fine feast for the mosquitos. The poor guy got a few bites above his eye, and the next thing you know, he looks like he got in a fist fight. Suprisingly, he wasn't bothered by his lack of eyesight in one eye. It seems the mosquitos are really bad this year with the humid, damp weather.

Caleb's swollen eye, and the fact that he's able to smile through sicknesses and pain, give us an even better view of what his personality is shaping up to be. In my eyes, this boy is one gentle little guy. His personality is quiet, light hearted, and gentle as far as I can see at this point. What wonderful attributes; hopefully they stick around. And I'm not just saying this because I am his mother. I truly think he is a gentle soul.

Hope your weekend left you ready to tackle this week.

"Your children will become what you are; so be what you want them to be"

Phew...what a day

What a busy day! Caleb slept in this morning, so I enjoyed some time for coffee, cereal, and facebook stalking without interruption. It never fails- I put food in Remmy's dish, and the clanking of his tags against the bowl wakes Caleb up. Oh well...I'll take what I can get.

After breakfast, Caleb and I went over to Steph's house and went for a walk. I value my friendship with Steph so much. She is such a kind, inspirational girl, and you just can't help but feel in a great mood when you're around her. Caleb went in a pool for his first time today over at Steph's mom's house. He really loved it! He also had a few little friends there to entertain him, but instead he chose to bang around the sunscreen bottle. If only staying busy and content in life was as easy as that!

Later this afternoon I went to Whistlestop park and took a few photos of a friend's two small boys. (See above pictures) It was very difficult to get some good shots while one was running around refusing to look at the camera, and the other was just learning to walk. I'm still working on this whole photography thing. Maybe I should stick to non-moving objects.

Well, it's just another exciting Friday night here at the Miedema household. Hot dogs for dinner, Jeff mowing the lawn, and me editing pictures. Sometimes I wonder when weekends became just like any other day. Oh wait....now I remember...

"The first sign of maturity is the discovery that the volume button also turns to the left".

Give it a try

After some thought and consideration, as well as reading some other blogs, I thought I would give this a try. It's always been easier, and faster, for me to write down news, thoughts, and feelings. Is this a van Baal trait? It very well could be, since us van Baal's aren't much of the talking type.

I'm hoping this blog is a way to share news, thoughts, comments, and feelings with friends and family. We don't live a very exciting life, and in fact our days may seem quite boring, but to us, our simple life is just another day in paradise.

Whether it's day-to-day, or week-to-week, topics I might write about will most likely include Caleb (since he is the center of our world!), thoughts, feelings, quotes, reflections, or maybe a recipe or good find thrown in. Just a way to let you in on a little slice of the Miedema family.

Enjoy!