remember me?

This is Kaitlyn.. remember me? Besides commenting on the rest of my family's posts, I've been silent on the blog for a few months. That's me, though, I guess - the quiet, calm one of the family. I think I'm like that with my friends at school, too. I like to sit back and take everything in, and I think deeply about a lot of things, too. I like to listen. I like to hear what's going on in other people's lives, and not just on the surface level, but what's going on underneath to make them feel or act the way they do. That's probably why I became a psychology major.. I like to understand how people think, and to try to understand the thoughts and motivations behind what goes on in my life and other people's lives. It's interesting.. there's usually always something deeper going on behind what happens on the surface. I don't really think I'm good at giving advice or fixing problems for myself or other people, but I like to listen and try to understand what's going on. Thinking like that probably seems weird to some people. I think my family sometimes wishes I would stop thinking about things so much, and I probably do over-analyze at times, but it's just the way my mind works. I don't do it to judge.. I do it to understand. I definitely know I cannot figure everything out - not even close. But still, many things that happen make a lot more sense when I look at what the below-the-surface reasons for them may have been.

I love God, a lot. I love that He continues to work in me to grow and challenge me and that He will never be through with me. I have seen and believe that He is good and loving. In Ann Arbor this school year, I have my own room, and it's been so good to have a place to myself where I can seek God. My room has been my sanctuary, my special place for connecting with the Lord.
Last year, when everything felt dark and confusing, I clung to the verse, "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27:13-14). Over the past 6 months, I have felt that God has shown me His goodness in this life in so many ways. Recently, the most exciting news in my life is that I've started dating a really awesome man, Michael. He loves God and is a humble servant, and I feel very honored to date him! We're having a lot of fun together, and we're in the process of figuring what it looks like to put God at the center of our relationship - which is our biggest desire. I've waited and prayed for a relationship like this for a long time, and I am so thankful that God has brought him into my life.. more than I can put into words!

Haiti has been on my heart so strongly these past few months. I think about it all the time. I have a deep love and passion for the country and for the Haitian people. My visits to Haiti have changed me. I would really like to spend some time there after I graduate, and God is opening doors for that to happen so.. we'll see! It's very exciting.

Well, I was putting off posting because I hadn't written in so long and I didn't know where to start, but that's what I came up with:) So, basically - I'm quiet because I like to take things in and think, but if you want to get me talking, bring up life, God, Michael, or Haiti!

---kait---

A very good song

Here is an awesome song called "Saviour King" by Hillsong. It is AMAZING. Enjoy!

Awaited

On Thursday night, Kait, Nick, Tim, Julia and I went to our church's Christmas production. It is called Awaited. It was very good...not like any Christmas production I've ever seen before. The music was beautiful.

Tomorrow we are seeing it again....this time taking Mike along. He didn't get to go with us on Thursday.

It was a great way for me to reflect on the true meaning of the Christmas season.

Love,

Karen

Update from Nick

Hello everyone!

Winter Break has been going great so far. We have not been doing much. I usually wake up at like 9:30 and then drink coffee/read/and talk to Kaitlyn. It has been nice relaxing and spending time with family. Today we went Christmas shopping. I am all finished shopping! Woohoo. Timmy taught our family a card game called KEMPS. We have been playing it a lot after dinner. It is so much fun! Rochelle people- we will teach it to you when we come!

Tomorrow night some of us are seeing a christmas play at our church called Awaited. We will see it as a whole family on Sunday morning. It should be pretty good!

Remember: JESUS LOVES YOU!!!!!

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well."
~Psalm 139:14

kait will be home tomorrow

Talked to Kait this morning and she said there was over a foot of snow in Ann Arbor! She said it's very pretty. So, thankfully she could wait until tomorrow to drive home. The forecast is for sunny skies! Kait, we are so looking forward to having you home for Christmas. I love you very much and will pray for driving mercies as you travel. Can't wait to see you!!

Love,

Mom

Update: Kait is home! Hurray!!

what kind of flower are you?

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

Try this. It's kinda fun.

Nick's Home!!!

Nick made it home at 3am this morning. Our forecast was for snow today and it was going to be worse in mid-Ohio. I knew if he left last night he would beat the snow. He left around 9:30pm with a Starbucks coffee in his hand! We are so thankful to have him home for Christmas!!! I smell the coffee brewing right now. I'm not a coffee drinker so we only smell coffee in our house when Kait and Nick are home! Kait will be coming home tomorrow, unless there is snow in the forecast! Kait, we can't wait until you are home with us!!!

It is now feeling more like Christmas!!
Karen

one year ago

One year ago today was my last chemo treatment. I am so thankful that it's this year and not last. Last year we were trying to make decisions about Mike's job. I felt I was in a chemo fog and honestly could not make a clear decision. I relied on God for guidance, and the confidence of Mike, Kaitlyn, and Nick gave me assurance. They were so positive that Mike should take the job in Cincinnati. They all prayed about it and it was clear to them that this was the route to go. It was truly a time where I trusted God to speak to them and I watched as God guided them towards a move. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. My "own understanding" was screaming that we should NOT move. My "own understanding" was very angry at God that we would have to face this decision as I finished chemo and was ready to start six weeks of radiation. I DID NOT want to move. My "own understanding" said it just didn't make sense. My "own understanding" did not want to be so far away from Kait and Nick during the school year. My "own understanding" said how will we sell our house in this horrible housing market? I wanted control and control was taken away from me. Over the next couple months, God kept whispering in my ear "Trust me. Has not my timing always been perfect?"

When I reflect back on this past year, I am so glad that I trusted God. It wasn't easy. When I think how our house sold, it is truly a miracle. His timing was perfect. Tim and Julia were able to finish the school year in East Lansing! He provided health insurance for me through my job. He lead us to our house in Cinci and a wonderful neighborhood. Thank you Mike, Kait and Nick for your strength during those days when I was in a fog and listening to God for His leading us to Cincinnati.

Thank you, God, for leading us to Cincinnati. Thank you for sticking with me as I struggled to understand why we would have to move during my treatment. Thank you for blessing Mike with his job and for providing a supportive work environment for him. Thank you that Tim and Julia are so happy in their new school and are making friends. Thank you that Kait and Nick have adjusted to us being so far away from them. Thank you for leading us to Crossroads Church.

Karen

Nick's Random Eight Things

Here are my random eight things!

1. I have shook hands with Dick Cheney and John McCain.
2. I have met a plethora of famous people: Aaron Carter, Diana DeGarmo, Magic Johnson, Ice Cube, Kelly Ripa, Regis Philbin, MANY Real World cast members, MANY Survivor cast members, JENNIFER HUDSON (pride myself on that one...she is a grammy award winner), Kimberley Locke.
3. I have been on the Dr. Laura show.
4. I have been to 8 countries (Canada, Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, The Netherlands)
5. I have never skipped a class in college yet (despite for the Wednesday before Thanksgiving this year, which half of the class was gone anyway)
6. I speak German. Kannst du Deutsch? Oder muss ich auf Englisch sprechen? Wenn du mich verstehst, dann kannst du Deutsch. Gut gemacht!
7. I love to fall down. I find it hilarious when people fall down, and if you fall down in front of me, I will laugh. It is my goal to get tapped by a Bus or a semi one day. Not to get hurt from it, just tapped and fall down.
8. The worst thing that could ever happen to me would be to be stuck out in the ocean without anyone else and far away from land. Sea animals freak me out.

I think those are the most random eight things.

Update on Yesterday

First, Julia's conference could not have gone better. They are very impressed with her abilities and her reading teacher called a "role model" for the other students in her group. We are very proud of her. Julia went through yet another change in October when her third grade teacher, Mrs. Gerstle (who is the epitome of what you want for your child's teacher) left on maternity leave that will last the rest of the school year. Mrs. McCann is Julia's new teacher. The transition has gone so smoothly for Julia. She is so happy about going to school and just a cheerful little girl. Her reading teacher also called her a "ray of sunshine." I feel the same way. We discussed Julia's anxiety about writing. Like Aunt Linda said, as she continues to read, the writing will naturally come. She has so much to say and writing it down would be a great outlet for her.

Her follow-up appointment went very well, too. Dr. Hirsch feels she is very stable in her Pulmonary Hypertension right now. Clinically, he said she is the same as she was when he did the Heart Cath in September. I asked about the future; will it progressively get worse like I've read online? He said that is the hard part about this condition. One can never predict what will happen as she goes through puberty. He is very optimistic though. She got bumped to a four month check up, which is positive. He also said she has NO restrictions at this time. He wants her to be able to participate in whatever she wants!!! PRAISE GOD! He did say that as long as the coach understands her condition and doesn't push her too hard. She needs to rest and catch her breath. Julia has wanted to play soccer so it seems like it will be in her future.

I'm off to volunteer at church this morning. I've started doing that about once a week and am meeting people over there. I really like that.

Love you all!
Karen

echo and other stuff

This morning, Julia has a follow-up echocardiogram and doctor visit with her cardiologist. We have no concerns at this point. She is doing very well physically. This is just a routine check up at Cincinnati Children's

Before this, Mike and I have a conference with Julia's classroom, ELL and reading teachers. Mostly I am expecting positive comments. She is struggling with the writing portion of her homework. This is often the case that this is the hardest and last skill for children like her. She has only known English for less than 18 mos. We think she is doing great.

Dad's Random Eight Things

Since I was tagged by my lovely wife, I'll post 8 random things about me.

1. I was questioned by the FBI regarding the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa (I didn't do it - I swear.)
2. I organized a slam dunk contest at Northwestern University and Michael Jordan came to judge the finals at halftime of a Northwestern basketball game.
3. I once ate 11 and 1/2 Big MAC's in 90 minutes (but lost out on the $50 I would have won if I ate 12. I could not eat one more bite after 11 and 1/2.)
4. I have spent four nights sleeping in the Grand Canyon (only one was a planned sleep over.)
5. I have met my favorite athlete (Magic Johnson) and my favorite singer (Burton Cummings), but my wife topped me by receiving hugs from both.
6. I have lived at 28 different addresses in my life.
7. One of my goals in my life is to ride my bike across the country.
8. Both Karen and I were engaged to other people prior to us meeting each other (I guess God knew we were meant for each other and didn't let the other engagements work out.)

I know tag Timmy, Julia, Linda and Tom.

Love you all,

Mike