Thankful Thursday

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for adversity.

Well we made it home from California! Still on CA time! Woke up the latest I have woke up in Michigan, but it's still only 6:30 in California, so it all evens out! I didn't participate in Thankful Thursday las week because I couldn't be on the internet too much! I was on vacation after all! I think Steve would have gotten concerned about me and a certain addiction I may have!! Anyway much to be thankful for this week! Iris' theme this week is relationships. Well we grew some relationships these past 11 days so this is going to be fun!

• I am so very thankful for the safety that we had on this trip! I am not a great flyer(?), but I had to be calmer for Jeremiah! God granted peace and calm during all flights! We managed LA traffic like pros! We traveled many miles in a little car that was the engine that could going up those mountains! Safety in the Ocean, Bekah took a mighty big wave at Malibu Beach! That was scary for both her and mom and dad, but it turned out fine!
• We got to see some of God's absolutely beautiful creation! From the Sierra Nevada's to the Coast (including the barren desert of the central valley!) The song indescribable came to mind so often!
• We were able to stay 7 days with Steve's brother Bern and his family; Wife - Tracy, and boys Kyle, Ryan and Eric. Jeremiah and Bekah got to form a relationship with all of them and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know their cousins! It was so much fun just watching them all goof off together! The boys are alot older, Eric being the youngest at 15, but they always made the kids feel welcome and included!
• We were able to stay a day and a half with Steve's sister Mary! Mary is the oldest and Steve is the youngest! She moved out when Steve was young and has lived out of state since then. Her husband was in the Military, Commander of the sub USS Groton, so they were stationed in alot of different places and settled in Calabasas, so Steve and Mary never really had much of a close relationship. We had such a nice time there. Both Mary and Nick made us feel right at home. Treated us to great meals and great conversations! So much was done to build a closer relationship there. Uncle Nick loved to tease the kids, and Bekah and Jeremiah enjoyed chasing down their elusive cats and seeing one Gecko!
• I'm thankful for the fun that Jeremiah and Bekah has together! Yes they had moments of arguing, but they were very few and far between, and let me tell you they spent alot of time in the back of the car!
• I am thankful that we celebrated our 13th year together as husband and wife! Besides my relationship with my Father, I cherish my relationship with my husband best!

I hope that you all are having a wonderful day today! Check out the other ladies over at Sting My Heart, who are thankful too!

Excitement at the Leonis Adobe and other things!

Well I hear southern California in the LA area made the news today! Kam called us to make sure we were O.K. after she heard there was an earthquake near LA! Well that is true we experienced our first and hopefully last earthquake today! We were at an old Adobe house museum on the 2nd floor. It started to shake and afterwards both Steve and I said that we thought someone was walking on the roof. Then one of the ladies giving the tour said no this is an earthquake and we should leave the house right away! It went on for a good while and we all just kind of stood there and looked at each other like "what is happening?" Everyone remained calm and exited the house! We didn't know the magnitude until Kam called and told us it was a 5.9! It didn't really seem that bad! Can you believe I said that! It didn't seem that bad!! Anyway we didn't let that stop our day! On to Santa Monica pier! There we got to watch them film part of the fox show: Sarah Conner Chronicles! Never heard of the show before but it was fun to watch! After that we headed to Malibu where Steve and the kids played in the huge waves until Bekah took one really hard, and I mean hard! Mary and I both say it happen and could only just stand there! After she came up the fun was over! We bid goodbye to the ocean and headed back to Calabasas!

I forgot to say that we have been staying with Steve' sister Mary since yesterday! Her and her husband Nick are very gracious hosts! This has been a wonderful trip! Much to process and retell here!

BTW just so you all know the fire started in Yosemite 2 days after we left, and no we had nothing to do with that!

So we have seen forest fires (we viewed one in Kings Canyon) and we have experienced an earthquake! I'd say we've had the whole CA experience wouldn't you?!

We leave LA at 10:40 California time tomorrow. That is 1:40 Michigan time. If you wouldn't mind praying us home that would be great!

Talk to you from Michigan next!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Well the trip is winding down! Today we leave for Calabasas to spend a day and a half with Steve's sister Mary. This has been a whirlwind of a tour! We have seen so much and had so much fun! All except for the hound of baskerville that has been outside our window here at the condo for 2 nights! He did not stop making noise all night and the owner slept perfect!!! I'm losing tract of days here, but I just thought I would let you in on where we've been and show just a couple of pictures! Are you tired of them yet? We have ALOT of pictures!! Friday we went to see the big trees at Sequoia and to Kings Canyon! They were beautiful and Kings Canyon (the high sierra's) was again breathtaking!!! Saturday we traveled to the coast. On the way stopping to see the elephant seals! Big, Ugly, but adorable too! Their blubber issues go far beyond mine!!! To keep it short or shorter, yesterday we went to Pismo Beach and the group of guys and one girl went boggy boarding! For the most part it went well! The two oldest boys (I'm mean Bern and Steve) stayed out the longest and were walking like crips latter on! They were like two little boys!! Jeremiah and Bekah did good! Jeremiah didn't think so but I have a picture of him catching a wave! Bekah didn't like swallowing all the salt water! After that we had a great meal of fish and chips (delicious!)

My two Boggyboading dudes!

The whole group (minus Kyle) entering the surf!

Jeremiah catching a wave!

Two studly surfer dudes Tracy and I picked up on the beach!

Bekah catching a wave!

Last but not least I guess, today is my 44th birthday! I can't think of a better place to spend it then with my family traveling down the California coastline! This has been a trip of a lifetime for our family! I don't think we will ever be able to do something like this again, what with gas and all! We have seen wonderful snapshots of the state of California and made some great memories! Jeremiah and Bekah have gotten to know their California cousins better and had a great time with them!

YOSEMITE!!!!!

On wednesday we took a trip of a lifetime (mine at least) to Yosemite! I have forever wanted to see this place! I was even emotional on the way to the big trees! All of us were effected by the day! The kids were in awe (as were Steve and I) all day! You couldn't look up anywhere, where there was not a breathtaking view!!!! There are actually people who live in California that have never seen this place! I can't believe it!!!
It was a long, but wonderful day! God must love us very much to create landscape like this for us to enjoy, huh!!!!!! FOR SANDY (and you all): Not many wild animals only squirrels, mule deer, one dead rattle snake and lizards! Oh and one big spider that went crunch when I promptly killed it!

Sunset at Inspiration Point!

Are you thinking Happy Days right now?! Nope Steve and I weren't somewhere alone parking! Monday night we all hiked up to a place called Inspiration Point! The climb about killed me, but it was so worth it when we got up there! I had to stop watching the kids climb on the rocks though! All the guys were like, "THEY'RE FINE!!!!" Go watch the sunset or something. So Tracy and I did! Here are some of the pictures from that night!

Beautiful vista!

Bekah enjoying the fun!

Jeremiah making Mom nervous!Jeremiah and Kyle making me more nervous!

The princess and her court of jesters!

I can't look anymore!!!!!

So many sites in California! I have so much to write about and so little time! Tuesday night (our anniversary) we went on a romantic cruise to dinner. Actually it was a flotilla of kayaks and canoes (about 7 in all) that kayaked and rowed to dinner across the lake! Can you see me kayaking across a lake?! I have pictures to prove I did it! Bekah kayaked one way which was quite a feat! Yesterday we went to Yosemite! Words cannot describe the beauty of God's creation there! I will post pictures tomorrow hopefully! Today we have relaxed at Bern and Tracy's in the 100 degree temps! The pool has been wonderful!!! Everything is going great! Hope you enjoy the pics!!

My lover is mine and I am his; Song of Solomon 2:16

13 years ago today at 1:34 pm I was pronounced the wife of my best friend! I am still amazed to this day how God brought us together! It seems like yesterday, yet it seems like we've been together forever! I remember being alone thinking I would never marry and finally becoming O.K. with that! Saying to God "If I'm single till I'm 50 or for the rest of my life - your picking the next one!" Enter Steven John Vander Helm! Right from the beginning I could sense something different about him and us. It was natural, never forced! It was comfortable in a good way, and he had the most beautiful blue eyes! I remember going to see "A River runs through it" with Kam and our friend Jamie and thinking "Brad Pitt has nothing on Steve"! Ah..... true love!

Steve is my calming force! He is my best friend; the one I desire to be with more then anyone (we just don't get enough time alone these days!) He is the best father a child could ask for! He is supportive and encouraging, always wanting whats best for me and our family! He is fun and funny! He's owned the same sweat shirt for close to 20 years and still wears it occasionally!

There are times I take him and us for granted, then something happens and I realize the treasure I've been given! In the words of Tom Cruise (even though I don't like TC) Steve Completes me! And isn't that how it should be?! We fit together like God planned! He knew who would be best for me, and for once I put it in His hands and how come I'm still amazed and surprised by it?!!! I don't know but I am forever grateful! If you haven't read the story of our wedding day happenings go here.

I think this song by Allison Krauss say it all for me about my husband, friend, lover and spiritual leader of our home! Steve I thank God everyday for bringing us together! I see his grace so clearly in this undeserved blessing! I love you so much! I look so forward to however many years God gives us together!! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!

A beautiful High Sierra day!

Hello again from Camp Keola! I am currently sitting underneath one of the many different species of pine trees up here typing on the Internet!! Even way (and I mean way) up here in the High Sierras they have wireless!!! What is this world coming too?! Who knows, but I really am glad we've got it!

Last night was a rough night for sleeping! We were all really tired, and our sleeping arrangements are shell we say rustic at best! We are sleeping in bunk beds in a cabin here at the Camp. I didn't sleep well for may reasons, so tonight we'll be taking a couple of simple sleep to catch up on some much needed rest! Steve is currently sailing solo after only one lessons! We watched him dump it once, but he managed to get the thing back out of the water. We have absolutely nothing to complain about here. We are feed 3 meals a day for free! Our lodging is free and the views are gorgeous! Our family went for our first family kayak trip today to a little island in the middle of the lake! It was alot of fun! It's about time to start thinking about dinner! They ring the bell for breakfast lunch and dinner and we all come running! Afterwards everyone helps clean their tables, it's really great! Camp Keola is a christian camp run by the Mennonite Church! They have a wonderful set up here! We have a group of junior highers here this week! Well that's about it for today, here are some pictures for your enjoyment! Thanks for the continued prayers, and please continue to pray for the Haiti Team!

View from the docks!

Kayak fun with cousins!

Bekah and dad coming back from their first kayak trip. Bekah has since gone out on her own, just not very far!!!!!

Another view of the mountains from a walk we were on

We were looking for Osprey and found one on it's nest!

Steve's virgin voyage as a sailor man, a skipper brave and sure!