My Dear Friend Sandy crossed the Finish Line.

 This is my dear friend Sandy. She is one of those dear souls who I feel I have lived a much richer,blessed life because she has been a part of my journey.She lived for Jesus everyday of her life. Now she has crossed over the finish line and is with Jesus in heaven. Adam and I often counted on Sandy and her husband Doug to pray for us or to offer us wisdom. Now she is in the very presence of God. Amazing. I can't quite grasp that she has left us. Sandy loved beautifully all who entered her life. Doug and Sandy met us when I was pregnant with Brooke. They were in a small group that met in our home. Then they journeyed with us through our son Dominik's short life. I will never forget the presence of God in our home the night that our small group along with our pastor prayed over us and we shared communion. Those memories are sacred treasures. I picture Sandy stepping into my front door and kicking  off her shoes so that she could slip into her slippers. Her warm spirit was always at home with us. My favorite was when she would bring her homemade peach pie or warm dinner rolls. Sandy had a great laugh, the kind that sparkles and warms your heart. She loved to recall stories of when her boys where young as she watched us with baby Brooke. Sandy was a master quilter. A true artist with thread. When Brooke was born she made her a beautiful quilt. That quilt is Brooke's favorite. It has pretty colors perfectly cut and stitched together, but the real treasure is the hand quilted hearts carefully stitched in alternating squares. There is a whole lot of love in that quilt. Knowing Sandy,I'm sure that she prayed for little Brooke as she placed each careful stitch. When we found out a few months ago that Sandy was sick I would pray for her in my heart each night as I laid the quilt over Brooke in her bed. Now tonight I held it close as if hoping for one last hug, a way to be near to my dear friend. I covered Brooke up and we struggled to get it just right so that her feet wouldn't peek out the bottom. It is getting a little bit small, but nothing can take it's place. Our sweet Sandy, no one will ever be able to fill the special place you have in my heart. You had big slippers to fill (size 11 if I remember right). I celebrate that you are free from this broken world. How glorious to be in heaven with the Lord who you love so much. I am so blessed to have called you friend. Love, Michelle Diane.

Brooke feels deeply, and wanted to thank the special friend who made her quilt. We had good conversation reminding her that we believe in Jesus as our Savior, so we will see Sandy in Heaven someday. 

Look closely and there is a perfect heart stitched into every white square. This makes me treasure handmade things even more. It is sobering to think that our cloth and our stitches out live our bodies. I want my treasure to be in heaven.

2012 A Year in pictures.

Camping at Christian Reformed Conference Grounds...Grand Haven Mi, Lake MI

Craft Barn painting

Carnival, Alexa with her favorite...duckies!

Brooke and Olivia Pelon

Adam and Chris, the Pelon family came up for an evening. 

Michelle, Kamra, and Addalyn

Henrik got to have his second birthday camping.(Cadillac MI)

Papa Doug and Grandma Jackie joined us for a day. 

Silly faces!

Twins? They are really 17months apart, but I get asked often if they are twins. 

Kendall and Lexi...I love how children play to practice for real life. Alexa has a baby in a pack on her back and Kendall in holding a baby while they switch the laundry. 

Alexa's Halloween bucket...made in a pinch out of an ice cream pail...turned out super cute!

Friday night family night...crafts. 

 Happy Birthday niece Lana! I made her apron and chef's hat and Brooke's sundress.

Brooke on opposite day at school.

Easter with cousins Katelyn and Kelsi

Super hero...instead of face paint they used washable marker...brilliant. 

Grandma Jackie and Papa Doug with Brooke, Henrik, Katelyn, Kelsi, and Alexa.

     

Alexa and Brooke

Brooke our beautiful ballerina. 

Grandma Bonnie and Papa Bill with Brooke. 

Visit from Grandpa Milton and Grandma Jo(Adam's Grandparents) from Florida. 

Dolly slumber party. 

Lollipop concert with Mommy. Grand Rapids Ballet with the Symphony. 

Brooke, Henrik, Greta and Ginger Williams. 

Valentines day..dress I made for Brooke the night before her school party out of a red long sleeve Tee and fabric from my stash. 

Brooke in sweater and hat from Aunt Angella. I made her skirt before school out of a tank top of mine that I had saved knowing that the girls would love the shiny fabric for something someday. I just left the original hem and added elastic to the waist band. 

Daddy Daughter Dance. 

sisters

I made the girls dresses, Grandma Jo crocheted the sweater. 

We love Aunt Missy!

Grandma Bonnie Papa Bill at Frederic Meijer Gardens. 

Dress and Ruffle pants I made for Brooke with the help of Aunt Jan. 

Field Trip

Dress and Ruffle pants I made. 

Dresses I made for girls from fabric my little designer Brooke picked. 

Brooke's Friend Jenny from Cross Creek

Brooke's Friend Anna from Dutton Christian with her Mom my friend Erin. 

Happy 4th!

This year Brooke has read so much Daddy says we should change her name to "Booker"

First Day of First Grade-Mrs. Kissinger, Cross Creek Charter Academy. 

Happy 7th Birthday cowgirl Brooke!

Pinata from a gift bag. 

Crazy hair day

Happy Halloween

Pajama superhero party at Ada Bible Kentwood

Friday night...family night..making ornaments.

I love volunteering in Brooke's classroom. 

Papa Doug and Henrik

Shaving cream fun.

Grandma and Grandpa Beemer(Michelle's Grandparents)

Fixing dresser with Papa Bill...Henrik and Grandpa love tools!

July 4th

Henrik gazed out his window one night...looking into the stary sky he said, "I 'm going to play hockey with Dominik".He was set on it, like he could see something we couldn't see. It was precious and a moment of deep grief all wrapped into one. I want his brother here to play hockey with him. While it's true that time helps to heal, there are places that hurt more fiercely now than I ever could have anticipated. We love you Dominik, and Henrik our little hockey guys. 

"I want tools for Christmas Santa."

Henrik missed his nap, then was so tired he just laid down and went to sleep on the floor!

This is a common sight...Henrik getting into my electronics. He is wired just like Adam and likes anything that plugs in , has buttons, or lights up.

A Few pictures...just for fun.Consider it make-up for a year of little posting.  It's January, the time for nesting has come. Christmas decorations are down and a thousand and one pine needles are vacuumed up. My closets again need organizing, my waist needs shrinking,I'm sure there is a list of things that need cleaning, but it's been a good year one worth reflecting on. It's been a very long time since I had a year with out a significant milestone or hardship. Honestly I was shocked when I looked at the calendar and realized that there was no big drama to report. I think the two years previously packed in enough trauma for my lifetime...diagnosed with Crohn's disease followed by my appendix rupture and complications that nearly took my life. This year my big news is things like Brooke my oldest starting first grade, and camping as a family. So, I think I'll let the lists of things to do wait a while and I'm going to linger in the memories of a year that I will always treasure. Thought you might want to share it with me with my friends.