Friesema Family Favorite Flicks

this is a guest post from Ellie age 7 1/2

Friesema Family Favorite Flicks:

Phineas and Ferb

Air Bud

Ramona and Beezus

Winn Dixie

Hairspray

Alpha and Omega

Little House on the Prairie

Pippi Longstocking

Curious George

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

Tinkerbell

Berenstain Bears

Charlotte's Web

Kit Kittredge

Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakquel

Bee Movie

Always watch with lots of good popcorn!!!

Father's Day

We started out Father's Day with giving Daddy his favor coupons. Each of the kids had made a card and included one or more things they would like to help Daddy with or do for him - favors. And we had a pair of "Perry the Platypus" boxer shorts for him too, which he really liked.

Church was great. The music was amazing, including a solo from Greg Cooper, Noah on the shaker, and a slideshow that made everyone cry. Miranda Netherton gave a killer performance like I've never seen before. And my brother-in-law Jason Friesema and Noah talked about their last month of stress and blessings with Noah's tumor experience.

We ate PB&J in the car on the way to take "big K" to her first week long church camp. I think I was more nervous than she was. Praying so hard this week for her to have an amazing camp experience and make great friends and learn how much God adores her.

We then headed down to rock climb at Red Rocks Canyon. Josh climbed once and then Ellie made it to the top four times and Isaac twice. So fun to hang out as a little family and rock climb.

The boys wore their too-small "Son of Super Dad" shirts and Ellie wore her "I love Daddy" shirt.

I love this picture of Kenny and his Daddy hiking to the rock climbing spot.

On belay? Belay on...

This was the first time Isaac made it past 1/2 way. He made it to the top twice. Go buddy!

Ellie made it up four times. She was a little climbing fool. She made her Daddy so proud.

And poor Kenny, our little climbing freak, didn't get to climb. Daddy is all about safety first and he couldn't follow the rules and stay safe. Made us sad that he didn't get to climb. Next time bud.

I honestly cannot imagine a better Daddy for my kids. He loves them and is so good with them. Thanks babe for all you do for these three and the other 25 and counting...

Love you Josh Friesema!

Happy Birthday Isaac

Happy Birthday Isaac!

Isaac is 5 today. Man I love that kid. He is sooooo happy to be 5. This morning he was more excited about his cupcake breakfast than his new watch he got to open. He took cupcakes with Nerds on them to church school today. Tonight we are having macaroni and cheese with hotdogs. Yummmm!!

Wanted to repost his birth story today that I posted back in February.

Back in my post about Mutual Care I mentioned a time that I mourned a baby named Sophie. I'm not sure I can put this into words but I'll try. Sophie never really existed. Really. But I mourned the loss of her as if she had. On a smaller scale so did Josh and Ellie and possibly a few friends and family members. How is that possible? To truely mourn someone that never existed?

Me 7 months pregnant
My sister Pamela 8 months pregnant

In my mind and in my heart and in my soul Sophie existed for 9 months. At 20 weeks gestation the sonographer told Josh, Ellie, and I that we were having a girl. I was elated. Two daughters = perfection! Matching outfits, matching jammies, Big Sister/Little Sister shirts, Quiet shy girl/Fiesty tough girl kid sister, Ellie and Sophie. That's the way it was to be. My family threw a small shower that included very small, very tiny, very adorable little dresses and...matching jammies for Ellie and Sophie. My mom knit Sophie a beautiful lavender blanket with a matching sweater and bonnet. Many times Ellie would lie on my belly and talk to Sophie, her little sister. One time she tried to put toys in through my belly button for Sophie to play with. That girl, little Sophie Louise, was loved. Her middle name was to be after her Grammie, Jean Louise and my Grandma, Moyne Louise. I loved that she would carry on the middle name of two women that I love and that would cherish her.

Ellie and Sophie's matching jammies

Her bag was packed with 2 cute little girlie outfits and her lavender blankie. We left the house around 2:00 in the morning on June 21st and met my precious friend and doula, Carol, at Penrose Hospital, in Colorado Springs. At 10:48 in the morning I pushed a beautiful healthy baby into this world. The first words I heard from my husband were, "Uhhhhh...It's a boy.?." and I think I said something like, "Shut up!" And then I looked at Carol who had tears in her eyes and a look of mixed emotion and disbelief on her face and all she could do was nod and look at me to see what my face was going to do next. I immediately was filled with disbelief, sadness, happiness, guilt (for the sadness), and the thought - what exactly am I supposed to feel at this very moment? I knew at that moment that I was supposed to feel happy and be grateful that my son was healthy and beautiful, but really I felt sad, and I felt guilty for feeling sad. I knew that Carol knew exactly what I was feeling. I knew that Josh knew I was disappointed. At the same time I felt like I had to supress those feelings of disappointment and sadness and only show how elated I was for this 8 pound 2 ounce beautiful, healthy, bald, baby boy I held in my arms.

It wasn't until I was home and Josh had gone to work and Brittney was at school and Ellie was at preschool that I sat nursing my sweet precious baby boy that I cried and cried and cried. Where was Sophie? She was here and then she wasn't? She was in me and then she wasn't. Why do I feel this way? She was never ever in me. I also felt guilty for not having a strong bond with this baby we had named Isaac. I did not feel that I had bonded with him while I carried him in my womb for 9 months. Everyone thought it was great that we had named him Isaac which means 'laughter'. I didn't think it was funny. I couldn't talk to anyone. How ridiculous was I to grieve over someone that never existed?

Isaac will be 5 years old in June. He brings me so much laughter. Isaac's love language is touch. He is my snuggler and loves to be held and cuddled and kissed-on and tickeled. He is very strong-willed and knows what he wants. He is bright and catches on to things so quickly. He loves to build things and figure out how things work. He is sensitive and kind and cares for others. I would not trade him for the world. He is perfect in every way and perfect for me and perfect for our family and is going to grow up to be something great I know it.

But I still wonder about Sophie and I still miss her and honestly sometimes I even cry when I think about her. And yes I still think it's ridiculous that I mourn over someone that never really existed. But to me she did.

Flashback Friday



Noah Summer 2006

This is my 10 year old nephew Noah. This kid has been through a lot. The summer of 2006 he spent the summer in a wheel chair after a climbing incident. He has been hospitilized for numerous other things in his short little life. A few weeks ago he had a large tumor removed from his nasal cavity. God has moved mountains for him already and so many lives have been changed through what God is doing in this kid's life. And I think that God has great things planned for Noah. Great things. I can't wait to see what they are.

Flashback Friday

Katelyn Zeller and my nephew Noah
Spring 2003 ~ Age 2
Love you Noah

Flashback Friday

June 28, 1927 ~ May 6, 2011
We love you Grandpa Friesema ~ You will be missed
Ray, John Sr., Josh, Isaac ~ July 2006

Flashback Friday

Happy Adoption Day Kenny!

Kenny's adoption into our family was official 2 years ago today. He was almost 3 years old! If you want to read more about Kenny's story, you can go here.

Sophie Louise

Back in my post about Mutual Care I mentioned a time that I mourned a baby named Sophie. I'm not sure I can put this into words but I'll try. Sophie never really existed. Really. But I mourned the loss of her as if she had. On a smaller scale so did Josh and Ellie and possibly a few friends and family members. How is that possible? To truely mourn someone that never existed?

Me 7 months pregnant
My sister Pamela 8 months pregnant

In my mind and in my heart and in my soul Sophie existed for 9 months. At 20 weeks gestation the sonographer told Josh, Ellie, and I that we were having a girl. I was elated. Two daughters = perfection! Matching outfits, matching jammies, Big Sister/Little Sister shirts, Quiet shy girl/Fiesty tough girl kid sister, Ellie and Sophie. That's the way it was to be. My family threw a small shower that included very small, very tiny, very adorable little dresses and...matching jammies for Ellie and Sophie. My mom knit Sophie a beautiful lavender blanket with a matching sweater and bonnet. Many times Ellie would lie on my belly and talk to Sophie, her little sister. One time she tried to put toys in through my belly button for Sophie to play with. That girl, little Sophie Louise, was loved. Her middle name was to be after her Grammie, Jean Louise and my Grandma, Moyne Louise. I loved that she would carry on the middle name of two women that I love and that would cherish her.

Ellie and Sophie's matching jammies

Her bag was packed with 2 cute little girlie outfits and her lavender blankie. We left the house around 2:00 in the morning on June 21st and met my precious friend and doula, Carol, at Penrose Hospital, in Colorado Springs. At 10:48 in the morning I pushed a beautiful healthy baby into this world. The first words I heard from my husband were, "Uhhhhh...It's a boy.?." and I think I said something like, "Shut up!" And then I looked at Carol who had tears in her eyes and a look of mixed emotion and disbelief on her face and all she could do was nod and look at me to see what my face was going to do next. I immediately was filled with disbelief, sadness, happiness, guilt (for the sadness), and the thought - what exactly am I supposed to feel at this very moment? I knew at that moment that I was supposed to feel happy and be grateful that my son was healthy and beautiful, but really I felt sad, and I felt guilty for feeling sad. I knew that Carol knew exactly what I was feeling. I knew that Josh knew I was disappointed. At the same time I felt like I had to supress those feelings of disappointment and sadness and only show how elated I was for this 8 pound 2 ounce beautiful, healthy, bald, baby boy I held in my arms.

It wasn't until I was home and Josh had gone to work and Brittney was at school and Ellie was at preschool that I sat nursing my sweet precious baby boy that I cried and cried and cried. Where was Sophie? She was here and then she wasn't? She was in me and then she wasn't. Why do I feel this way? She was never ever in me. I also felt guilty for not having a strong bond with this baby we had named Isaac. I did not feel that I had bonded with him while I carried him in my womb for 9 months. Everyone thought it was great that we had named him Isaac which means 'laughter'. I didn't think it was funny. I couldn't talk to anyone. How ridiculous was I to grieve over someone that never existed?

Isaac will be 5 years old in June. He brings me so much laughter. Isaac's love language is touch. He is my snuggler and loves to be held and cuddled and kissed-on and tickeled. He is very strong-willed and knows what he wants. He is bright and catches on to things so quickly. He loves to build things and figure out how things work. He is sensitive and kind and cares for others. I would not trade him for the world. He is perfect in every way and perfect for me and perfect for our family and is going to grow up to be something great I know it.

But I still wonder about Sophie and I still miss her and honestly sometimes I even cry when I think about her. And yes I still think it's ridiculous that I mourn over someone that never really existed. But to me she did.

Thank you my husband...

for...

• putting extra insulation around the house
• putting the boys to bed most every night
• reading Little House books to Ellie
• humoring the children daily
• cutting, splitting, and stacking wood so our home can be warm
• going to work most every day doing something that you only moderately love so we can have an abundant life
• teaching me...about things that I refuse to read in a newspaper
• being patient with me daily in the little things and the big
• fixing my car
• fixing my bike
• the blessing of grace
• being an amazing example of unconditional love to me and to many others
• taking me on dates to do things that I want to do more than you want to
• leading our family in devotions nightly
• expecting our boys to be respectful and kind and desiring them to be like you...and like Jesus
• appreciating me
• kissing me right before you walk out the door and right after you walk in
• always saying yes when I ask you for a time out for me
• desiring to be the husband and daddy God created you to be
• having a heart for others
• turning my electric blanket on before I go to bed
• encouraging me
• making me laugh
• loving me...just the way I am

...to be continued...


My sweet hubby and I
2002

 You are a gift to me daily. I thank God every day for you. And...I STILL like you!
~AM

Multitude Monday

116. "One Thousand Gifts" is Ann Voskamps book that finally came to my mailbox this week! It is where this list idea came from but I have never read the book! I've only visited her amazing website www.aholyexperience.com I'm only 32 pages in, but her book is incredible! I want to buy it and send one to each of you. But...that is not going to happen...so buy it! It's $9.23 on Amazon. After it's second week it is on the USA Today's top 10 list! It is life changing. So here is the continuation of my list that helps me "find joy in the midst of deadlines, debt, drama, and daily duties".

...to be continued (when I finish the book)!

117. cute, super excited kids in the swimming pool learning new skills at swimming lessons.

118. answered prayer

119. my big girls that call me when they need someone to be proud of them

120. daddy going to the store to buy 1000 craft sticks and making a stick city with the kids

121. Weight Watchers Snicker ice cream bars

122. continued perspective

123. a handy husband

124. Ronnie Freeman - I love this song. Take a minute to listen... 

125. cute 7 year old girl with two front teeth missing

126. encouragement from sisters in Christ
127. HuHot Mongolian Grill - new restaurant on North Academy
128. Daquiri Ice on a sugar cone from Baskin Robbins
129. Bierworks - new in Woodland Park!
130. date night with my husband that included 127, 128 AND 129!!!
131. new bikes and warm weather to ride all over town

132. zoo pass and warm weather to enjoy the zoo and learning all about the elephants while they got fed and trained!

133. pizza and big slide at Boriello Brothers with great friends!!!
134. memory foam
135. driving home from swimming lessons, dark, snow-packed roads, -1 outside, listening to three little angels in the back of my suburban singing praise songs. Actually brought me to tears. That's the good stuff.

Check back next Monday for another installment of One Thousand Gifts. God IS Good!

Dinosaur Party!

Several times a week at dinner Josh and I receive hand made invitations to a party happening either in the boys room or Ellie's room. Sometimes it's a board game party. Sometimes it's a carnival with games. Sometimes it's an animal party involving many stuffed animals. This night it was a dinosaur party that included a puppet show with sock puppets they had made that day (that looked nothing like dinosaurs) and...

the professional reading of a self-authored and illustrated book about dinosaurs...

and then actual dinosaurs...

Toothless

Ellie lost both of her top front teeth this week! She is 7 1/2. Late bloomer I guess. Seems like much more of a milestone than I thought it would be. No more cute little baby smile. Cute without any teeth though! This girl is growing up so fast. She is an amazing young lady. Looking forward (as long as it doesn't go too fast) to watching her grow and become something great.

My Girls



Brittney's Baptism at Camp Elim ~
 Proud Day for this Foster Mama



I cherish the phone calls from my girls. They call when they need a mommy to be proud of them. I'm getting my driver's license! I'm going to college! I got a job! I love love love that I am the one they want to call. And I hate hate hate that I am the only one they have to call. It's hard enough to spend years and sometimes a lifetime in and out of fostercare and in and out of stranger's homes. So many expectations and so many changes and so much inconsistancy. And then to be expected to get out there and be successful on your own without a family and a mommy to lean on. I am 37 and talk to my Mommy almost every day. Some of these girls have no real friends and no real family and they are just out there. As a foster mom there is no requirement that you have to maintain contact with anyone after they leave your home. And a lot of times that is the case. I try and be there for the girls and I LOVE to stay in contact with all of them. One of our girls is in college in California. One of our girls has her CNA and is working and going to school to be a dental hygenist. One of our girls is getting her driver's license and enrolling in college. One has kept a great career job for over a year. There are success stories. There are more stories that aren't successes. Our motto as foster parents is: love them unconditionaly and give them everything I can while I have them and hope and pray that something I did or didn't do or said or didn't say has a positive lasting effect on them. Thank you Lord for the opportunity to love these girls and let them go. Thank you for the contact I get to have with some of them. And thank you Lord for each of them.

(I took this last night ~ after this post was published) Anna and Julia call each other sisters. Julia came by and Anna was here. Fun for them to catch up.



Multitude Monday

 

 

93. snowflakes

94. answered prayer used to witness to someone who needs to see God in a big way

95. really truely amazing friends who offer to watch my children in a pinch

96. my big house that God amazingly provided. I love that when God provides the opportunity to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless, I can.

97. grandpa taking boys to breakfast

98. craft time for Ellie and Grandma

99. baking bread

100. Amish friendship cake

101. Isaac snuggles

102. 1:1 time with my Daddy

103. when Kenny compliments himself in the third person for good manners, "nice asking Kenny!"

104. when my kids play dress up and put on shows for me.

 

105. this picture of Isaac brushing his teeth...He was holding the two minute timer

 

106. God stirring in my heart...

 

Check back next Monday for another installment of Multitude Monday. God IS Good.

Multitude Monday

86. fun weekend in Sterling with my extended family

87. my new Zune ~ music really speaks truth to my soul and I love that I have access to anything I want anytime. I also love singing kids praise music in the car with the kids. I love it!

88. date night with my hubby ~ We went to Il Vicino downtown and to Narnia. Very fun night. Thanks Anna for babysitting! Our first date was at Il Vicino in Salida, Colorado 4 days after we met.

89. seeing the fruits of my labor this week. People read my blog and people care about what I have to say! Wow! I pray that God continues to use this blog as a tool for a ministry for kids that need loving parents.

90. snow

91. my sweet spirited Ellie Bellie ~ I love that girl so much.

92. how my God provides little reminders that He misses me and wants to engage in relationship constantly.

Check back next week for another installment of Multitude Monday. God IS Good!