Welcome To The World!

Hello world, meet Adeline Claire Allen!  Today my friend Sarah gave birth to her first baby girl, Adeline Claire. And I had the great pleasure of meeting little Addy today!

 

 At 6lbs. 7oz. she's a tiny little nugget. 

 

Look at all of her black hair.   

 

I can't wait to have her join us for our girls' group.  
Congratulations Sarah and Josh! I am so happy for you!

An Erie Sunrise

This just happens to be the view from my bed at about 6:20 in the morning (yesterday). If I happen to leave the blinds open enough, I am able to watch the sun rise from my very bed. I have been wanting to capture this on camera for a while. And as tired as I was, I was able to will myself out of bed to find my camera and to take a few pictures of this beautiful Erie sunrise. (Please excuse the fuzziness in these pictures. I took them from behind the screen of the window. I didn't have the motivation to actually go outside and take the pictures.)

...and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord...Exodus 16:7



For his anger last only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5


But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 59:16


But I cry to you for help , O Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you. Psalm 88:13


Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14


It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. Psalm 92:1-2


Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Psalm 143:8


My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. Isaiah 26:9


O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2


Because of the Lord's rat love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." Lamentations 3:22-24


"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."

Hudsonville Fair...two years ago

Yes I know this happened two years ago but this is in response to the Ruiter's blog....

Yesterday, our brother and sister the Ruiter's (Addie and Holden's parents) posted about their trip to the Hudsonville fair. It got me all reminiscent about my trip to the Hudsonville fair two years ago (this is before Josh and I were engaged and pre-Holden). The fair was so fun! We walked around to the different barns, checked out a bunch of tractors, but what I remember the most was the fair food. When is it ever okay to eat fried dough covered with powdered sugar? At the fair of course.  I think it's called an elephants ear??? Is that right Chris? Anyways, it's darn good, enough said.

I was looking back at my pictures from the fair and most of them feature little Addie when she was about a year and a half. She just melts our hearts. I'm having a hard time believing that was two years ago and she is three now and I'm married to her uncle! Time sure does fly.  I'm sure she was making her papa proud of choosing to sit on only the green and yellow tractors.

I'm sure she was making her papa proud of only sitting on the green and yellow tractors.

Chillin' with Grandpa.

Now these pictures are priceless.

Standing by the dumpster watching the tractor pull, best seats in the house.

 This has become a Ruiter family tradition.

And here I am, just a little city girl with her new John Deere t-shirt. I totally look like I could drive this tractor, right? Don't answer that Chris.  

Student Doctor Josh

Last night I helped Josh prepare for a practical he has this afternoon. He is going to be evaluated on giving a patient a complete physical examimnation from head to toe. I was his pretend patient last night and now I don't feel like I need to see a doctor since I had like three physicals last night...just kidding...kind of. Can I just say how proud I am of my husband for all of his hard work and sacrifice during this season of medical school. He is working so hard and I am incredibly proud of him! Now...I honestly didn't fully understand how involved a physical exam was - listen to your heart, check blood pressure, look in your ears, you know the basics. But as Josh was doing all of these things he was saying what nerve or spot on the spinal cord (I'm not quite sure what) enabled you to flex your arm or hear during the hearing test. I must say, I was impressed.

When he was practicing last night it reminded me of when Josh's sister and her family came to visit us this spring. His sister Beth asked Josh to look in little Addie's ears which led to a short physical for Addie. She loved her Uncle Josh looking in her ears and eyes, she was so cute! Watching this and practicing last night makes it all seem real.

Checking her reflexes.

Addis is sporting her cute polka-dot jammies

Aunt Bethany got her for Christmas.

I love this little girl and I love this picture! Look at how serious she is. I think Addie would make a great doctor.

Ron & Tom For Dinner

Last night Josh and I had two of his friends from med-school over for dinner, Ron and Tom. I made dinner for them a couple times last year, and I look forward to keeping up with the tradition. For dinner...we started with a spinach salad and then on to the main course of shrimp and steak kebobs with pineapple, red onion, and red pepper with crash hot potatoes courtesy of The Pioneer Woman.  If I would have known the potatoes were going to be a hit, I wish I would have made more. Sorry guys.

And for dessert...well let me explain first...I couldn't decide what to make so I made two desserts. I know that sounds crazy but both of them were incredibly easy and super delicioso! Thanks again to PW for the recipe of pots de creme and thank you Brooke for your recipe to your fabulous cream cheese squares. Needless to say, both were a hit!.

Pots de Creme....pronounced “Po de Krehm”

Cream cheese square with fresh fruit.

Talk about yumm...lets just say if you're having a bad day, either of these desserts will to do the trick to totally redeem your day.

And now for pictures for whom this dinner was in honor of:

This is Tom and Tom is getting married!!! His fiancée,

Mary is from my hometown!

So she has to be a great girl if she's from Dayton.

This is Ron, he was a little bashful about having his picture taken.

It just took him a little while to warm up to my camera.

Ron threatened if I posted this picture of him he wouldn't come

back for dinner. I'm not too worried about that, I'm pretty sure he'll be back.

....Me and the boys...

After dinner, Josh broke out our Wii again for a few games of Mario Kart and Wii Sports. Things got interesting and pretty competetive during Wii bowling. Okay fine, I was really competetive. I may not have come out on top but at least I beat Ron!

That's Ron in 3rd place. He used my mother's mii as himself. Yes my mii has huge phat shades, that's how I rock it.

(I understand these quotes aren't going to be funny unless you were actually there and you heard Ron saying them, so these are just for our memory and I'll pretend you also find them hilarious.)

Quotes from Ron last night....while playing Wii:

"Monkey butt!"

"I'm a baller shot caller."

"Thank you Tiger."

"I haven't had something that juicy in my mouth since I met you Tom."

Thank you guys for a great night! Looking forward to having you over again soon!

After Test Tradition

Last year after Josh had an exam we usually did something special since he had worked so hard in preparation for the exam. I would ask him if he wanted me to make something special for dinner or go out to eat. His usual response was, "Go see puppies??"

This year is no different. I received a phone call at work from Josh pleading that the only thing that would cheer him up after a tough test and a long weekend devoted to studying would be to go see puppies. I find it kind of ironic that going to see puppies at our local pet store in the mall would cheer Josh up because we currently are not allowed to have pets in our townhouse. Every time we go to the pet store it is just another reminder that we aren't allowed to have dog.

Here, Josh's spririts are lifted because he loves puppies and puppies love him and for a brief moment the worries and stress and med-school are gone.

Oh wait, I'm sad now because I don't get to

bring this little guy home.

Please Bethany! Please can we have a puppy?

And I always have to play the bad guy like it's my fault we aren't

allowed to have pets in our townhouse.

If we could we would Josh.

And the cyle continues.

I too love dogs and look forward to someday having one, but I don't exactly long for one in the way my hubby longs for a dog.

But it was definitely hard walking away from this little guy.

Look at that face. Now I'm really sad!

A quick note to our puppy Nola who is currently living with my parents: Please don't get mad at Josh and I for going to visit puppies. We still think you are the best dog ever and no other can replace you. Josh and I just get really sad that you live in Dayton and we live in Erie and we miss you so much.

Mary Kay Party

 

Last night I hosted a Mary Kay party for my friend Elizabeth. Elizabeth has just started selling MK and I was her first facial party! I'm pretty excited for her new business adventure as I know she will do a wonderful job, and a perk for me is I will always know where to go when I'm looking to buy MK products. For those of you out there looking for MK products, just give me a holler cause I might know someone who sells MK.

This is Camille helping Nataliya with her lipstick. I have a few other pictures that also feature Camille from tonight, but I'm pretty sure she would kick me in the shins if I posted them on my blog.

Another plus to having the party last night was I got to see my girls! I haven't seen some of these girls all summer and I sure did miss them. I'm used to see these girls at least once a week, I have been going through serious girls' group withdrawal. Having quality girl time totally made my week and I look forward to seeing them once a week again (good Lord's willing). Thank you Elizabeth for a fun night of facials and fellowship with each other, it was fun!!! I'm looking forward to Sarah's MK party next Thursday!!

Waluigi

If you didn't know, my car used to belong to my sister and she named it Waluigi. She came up with the name from a character from the video game on Nintendo Game Cube and also because the car is purple (it's actually black amethyst, but who am I kidding, my car is purple and getting more purple).

This is Waluigie....I'm a-gonna win!

Anyways...last winter we noted when Waluigi hit 25,000 miles and at the beginning of June 30,000. Due to all of our traveling this summer we put 3,000 miles on Waluigi in 2 months! Waluigi is tired and is ready for a break from the highway.

I had the oil changed before Memorial day which is before all of the traveling began. Usually you get to wait a 3-4 months or at least 3,000 miles for your next one, but my sticker is saying it's time for another oil change. So do I get an oil change because I've hit the mileage that says it's due? Or can I go by the date which says October?

Happy 29th Anniversary Mommy & Papa!

Today is my parent's 29th wedding anniversary! I am so thankful for these two people in my life. They have set an incredible example to Josh and I of how to love the Lord and love each other in their marriage. Thank you Mommy and Papa for ALL you have done, taught, shared, and sacrificed for us. You are a blessing to us! Happy anniversary!!! We love you!

5 Songs I hate to say I love

I have been tagged by a new friend here in Erie named Brooke to reveal 5 songs I would be embarrassed to let you all know I love. First of all, I have a deep love for music and second, my taste in music is quite eclectic (i.e...MGMT). As I was perusing my Itunes library to find my songs, I've discovered I have more than 5 songs/CDs that I'm a little embarrassed by, so I'll do my best to keep the list short. Please don't think less of me because these are really embarrassing. Here we go... 

In high school my parents took me to see the musical Footloose. I loved it so much I bought the CD and a t-shirt and saw it again the next weekend with my sister. The movie with Kevin Bacon is good but you should really experience it in the theater. My favorite song from this probably is I'm Free (Heaven Helps The Man) check it out on Itunes. 

The CD: ABBA Gold The Greatest Hits. The Song:  S.O.S. 

It's hard for me to pick just one song from this CD. 

So my favorite songs are: 

That Kind of Girl, I Don't Want It, Socially Acceptable 

All Night Long by Lionel Richie

Song: She Bangs (Spanish Version). Thank you to Aunt Rachel for introducing Ricky Martin to Brittany and me while on Spring break in San Diego. 

Honorable mention:

1. Brandy and Monica's - The Boy is Mine

2. The Jackson Five's christmas album ---AMAZING! It's just not Christmas until I hear this entire CD. 

3. Mariah Carey - Always Be My Baby

4. Jennifer Lopez - Jenny From The Block

The Ho-Man Cometh

On Wednesday this week, Josh's parents and our nephew Holden stopped by for a quick visit. They drove through Erie on their way to North Carolina just so we could have dinner with them and stay with us for the night. Their visit was too short but definitely better than nothing. We ate dinner at Joe Root's Grill (if any of you have eaten at Joe Root's and haven't read his story, please do so here, and Camille's thoughts about our pal Joe). After dinner we grabbed some ice cream per Holden's request. Okay, I just lied, it was actually me that requested ice cream, sorry Holden. Hey, I only had a salad at dinner and figured ice cream was perfectly okay.

Sooooo....for Holden's parents who are going through withdrawal without their little man, here are a few pictures of their precious Ho-Man....

Holden sampling all of our ice cream, in true Holden style...shirtless.

My boys

Next time you come to Erie Holden you better bring your sister and your mom and dad, and come back soon. Love you!!! 

So You Think You Can Dance

The season finale of So You Think You Can Dance was on last night and I think next to Gilmore Girls this might be my favorite show. It's only on during the summer and I already can't wait for next season. The dancing on this show is phenomenal! From watching this season I became so emotionally attached to many of the dancers. As I'm watching I am laughing, crying, and applauding right along with the dancers and audience. And although there has to be a winner I hated seeing the dancers getting kicked off.

Well, this year's winner is Joshua! (Not my Joshua - though he'll always be my favorite dancer.) I'm am so happy for him even though I was really pulling for Twitch to win. Both guys are amazing when they dance and both only having very little training (compared to those who have been in formal training most of their lives). I am just so proud of them. For those of you who didn't get to watch this season, I will forgive you and no worries, I have most of the episodes DVRed. And yes, I will watch all of the dances again. I love watching dancing! I love dancing and I love watching dancing!. Speaking of, the top 10 (I think) from this contest are touring the country and performing dances from the show and a few new ones. If anyone is looking to go they're performing in Columbus and Pittsburgh and I'm always up for a nice road trip.

Tennis Pros

My family has been attending a tennis tournement called The Tennis Master's Cup in Cincinnati, Ohio for as long as I can remember. I can't think of a summer that we didn't go see tennis. I remember going to matches and seeing pros like Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Michael Chang and now we're getting see the newer players like Andy Roddick, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal (this year's Wimbledon champ). For those who enjoy tennis it's a really fun and exciting week! And, I cannot lie, I also go because of the food. One of my favorite vendors is La Rosa's Pizza. Even though it is really expensive it is so good! There is a La Rosa's in Dayton but it definitely not the same as the za in Cinci.

After Josh, my brother and I consumed a whole La Rosa's pizza we came up to the speed serve where a friend of our's was working and asked us if we wanted to do if for free. With much encouragment from me, I convinced Marc an Josh to try it.

Two of my favorite guys warming up and ready to impress.

I think the temp was probably in the high 80s that night, but that doesn't stop Marc from wearing his tight pants and awesome black boots.

Many may not know but my brother is actually an incredible tennis player. I honestly believe if he would have stuck with it he could have been playing at this tournement.

I didn't take any pictures of Josh but I did take a video and of course I messed it up. I don't think he'd be too happy if posted it. And now for the pros...this is Rafael Nadal serving.

I love these boys...Josh and Marc, not Nadal and Federrer,

though I'm sure they're nice guys too.