PF Changs Half-Marathon

On Sunday, January 16th, Janice ran her 4th long distance race: The PF Changs Rock-n-Roll Marathon in Phoenix, Arizona. She ran with her friend, Michelle Hansma.

Now, when you live in Michigan, and you have the chance to go to Arizona in January, you don't go for just a weekend. So, we stretched it to 5 days, and left the kids home with Uncle Kevin. It was unseasonably warm in Phoenix...about 75 degrees each day...and plenty of sunshine. It was one of the nicest vacations we've ever had.

Enjoy the photos

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Christmas Morning

We had a wonderful morning! Click here to see...and have a Merry Christmas.

A Note From Janice

Over the past few months, I've been mentoring a young single mom. She's working very hard to follow God, and put her life on the right path. I'm so proud of her and the progress she's making. Part of her journey is moving into a stable living environment, which she has found. However, because of her limited income, some of the nice things that would make a house a "home", she doesn't have or can't afford. So, I've been putting my feelers out, letting people know about the need, and seeing what God does with it.

Here's what she could use...

-A new bed with Linens Pillows
-A Reading chair with side table
-Shelf small for books, paper etc.
-Small rug for the reading area
-Reading lamp reading extends over chair
-Nightstand
-Window treatments
-Baskets for closet
-TV and Wall mount
-Picture frames (dark wood), Candles, decorations
-Bath toys
-Towels
-Wastebasket
-Bed for 2 year old, with linens
-Kids dresser
-Toy bin
-Plastic bins with drawers

If you want to know more, or want to help, comment on this post.

Thanks, Janice.

Giants vs Vikings...in Detroit!

On Sunday, the snows in Minneapolis collapsed the roof of the Metrodome. As a result, the Giants (our favorite team) game against the Vikings was moved one day later and two states over. Instead of playing Sunday at 1:00 in Minnesota, they played Monday night at 7:00 in Detroit. To sweeten the deal, the NFL offered free tickets to the first 30,000 people who showed up. When you’re a Giants fan living in the Midwest, you pretty much assume you’ll always watch your team on TV. But, when the NFL offers up free tickets only 2 hours away, you jump on it like a fat kid on a Twinkie.

So, Jay, Joey, Jack and Jack’s friend Ethan drove to Detroit Sunday night, braved the cold Monday to stand in line waiting for the game, and eventually got to watch the Giants beat the Vikings 21-3. For Joey, Jack and Ethan, it was their first NFL game. For Jay, it was one of those “I love being a dad” memories that will be cherished for a long time. Take a look…

Halloween 2010

I think the kids out did themselves this year. First of all, there were multiple costumes for multiple occasions: Halloween party at our church, parties at friends, and of course, Trick-or-Treating. Joey had three costumes, Maggie had three and Molly had two. Jack did one, but it was OUTSTANDING, as were the other kids on Halloween night.

And this year, the parents in the neighborhood were able to benefit from trick-or-treating too. It's amazing how many people are willing to refill your wine glass when you walk with it in your hand from door to door. I think that will be a tradition we continue.

Enjoy the slideshow here.

Another Half Marathon

Janice did it again...another half-marathon. This was her second time running the Grand Rapids Half Marathon, and she cut 5 minutes off her time from last year. It was a great day for running, and cheering mom on! Way to Go Runner Girl!!!!!!!!!!!

Waiting for Mom at the 3 mile mark.

Janice's running partner and friend, Gretchen

At the seven mile mark...with a little moral support from
Jack and Molly

That a Girl!!!!!!!

Colorado with the Cousins

We decided to spend as little time as possible at home this past August. Four days after we got home from Glen Arbor, we were on our way to Colorado to visit with Jay's brothers, one in Denver and one in Colorado Springs. Even though their cousins had started school, they all had a great time together. We got a hike in and a trip to Garden of the Gods as well.

Enjoy the pix here.

Glen Arbor

Before summer 2010 becomes too distant a memory, we wanted to get these Glen Arbor pictures up. This year, our friends the Pottengers came for a few days. We also took a day trip to South Manitou Island, and Jay completed a 100 mile bike ride. It was unseasonably hot this year, so lots of beach time. As always, we can't wait until next summer.

Take a look at our slide show here.

It's Official...He's a High Schooler!

Had a great time celebrating Joey's graduation from Walker Charter Academy. We all got our tears out earlier in the day, so Graduation night was all celebration. Have a look...

8th Grade Philadelphia Trip

The culmination of the Walker Charter Academy experience is the 8th grade trip to Philadelphia. Joey had a blast, Jay got to chaperone...enjoy the photos.

Getting ready for school...

Jack came downstairs this morning, and here is the conversation he had with Janice...

Janice:Why do you have that Mets shirt on again?

Jack: I have a rule about my clothes.

Janice: And what's that rule?

Jack: I can wear my clothes 2 days in a row. But, if they're dirty, then I can only wear them one day."

Can't argue with that logic

Beauty and the Beast

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Last night, Joey's school had their final performance of "Beauty and the Beast", in which Joey starred as The Beast. Not only was this their final performance, but it was Joey's last performance at Walker Charter Academy. He's been in the musical every year since 4th grade. For those of you who know Joey well, you'll know that this is his niche. He LOVES to perform, and he does it so effortlessly. To watch him in his element, in his final year, was an emotional highlight for Janice and I.

We've posted more pictures here.

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She Did It Again!!!!

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Well, Runner girl is at it again. This time, it was the 53rd Bank Riverbank Run. Janice ran and completed the 25K in just about 3 hours on a cold, rainy Saturday morning. Is she gearing up for an eventual marathon? Stay tuned...

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In the meantime, enjoy some more photos here

Jackie Boy Takes the Field

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This is Jack's first season of organized baseball. Needless to say, he was MORE than excited to take the field. He asks almost every day, "When's my next game".

Go here to see a few more photos

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Disney 2010

Had a great time during Spring Break at Disney this year. We drove down, spent a week with Mickey and friends, and on the way back, attended a wedding for our good friends, the Woodcocks. Click here to see the photos: Disney Pictures.
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Jack's Essay on our Trip to Disney

100th Day of School

Yesterday, was the 100th day of school. In commemoration, Jack's class was given the chance to draw a picture of what they thought they would look like in 100 years. Apparently, Jack is going to look like Mr. Miyagi with a beard.

Pictures from Haiti

Here are some of the pictures I took. I have been sick with a bad cold since I came back. Being up for 48 hours with very little sleep will do that. My thoughts are still bumping into each other in my head. It was an amazing trip that is hard to put into words. I am so thankful for everyones prayer and kind words sent. Look for a longer note coming soon. In the meantime if you have the time, means, or desire... Do SOMETHING to help Haiti. As one of my friends put it on his blog, "Put Haiti in a permanent place on your prayer list." They are going to need much help and they won't be in the headlines for much longer. Thank you again and enjoy the pictures. Love Janice

Click here to see the pictures: http://s896.photobucket.com/albums/ac166/julesahidalgo/Haiti%20Trip%202010/?albumview=slideshow&track=share_email_album_view_click

Video from Haiti

One of the team members Janice was with in Haiti kept a video journal. He's shared it with the rest of the team, and now we share it with you. This will give you a deeper look into what Janice experienced in Haiti...

One More Update

Hey all:

Thought I'd post one more update so you can have an idea of what Sunday and Monday were like for Janice.

First, here's another message from my friend Nate:

Sunday we attended to about 120 patients before we had to leave. A truck resembling a paddy wagon complete with a cage bounced us back over rough roads to Port Au Prince. We were happy to be back at our base to shower and eat a good meal. The Special Ops guys set up a 10 x 10 foot screen so we could all watch the Superbowl on the small soccer field. I ended up sitting next to the commander of the company and talking with him. It was not only an honor, but also a very fun way to watch the Superbowl! Afterwards we piled back into our paddy wagon for our ride to the airport. We put our names on a waiting list to see if we could hitch a ride back to the USA on an empty Air Force cargo plane. Then we laid out on the Tarmac to sleep until we were called. It's hard to call it sleep when C5-As, C-130s and other large aircrafts are taxiing past you with engines screaming. But finally at 6am we caught a ride on a large cargo plane that was flying to Charleston SC. We made it and are now waiting for our plane back to DFW. The team did an awesome job. We treated and prayed for just over 1000 people. At our debrief many on the team talked about this being one of their best trips ever. Praise God! We are glad to be home.

Janice flew from SC to Newark, then arrived in Grand Rapids at 6:00 PM. The kids were more than thrilled to see her. She got home, showered, ate and as I write this, snuggling with Maggie.
I leave you with a thought, a request and some more photos...

• A thought: Thank you all for praying. Please continue to do so for the people of Haiti, for Janice and our family. Our prayer is that this is the beginning of something bigger than ourselves for the Kingdom

• A request: As unbelieveable as this trip has been, she's drained. She'll need a few days to process, pray, sleep and sleep some more. She can't wait to thank and hug so many of you...and wants to do so on her time. So, like I told the kids before we picked her up, please give her the time she needs.

• Photos...
  

PATIENT CARE

Our friend, and team leader, Nate Bobbett

Inside the Airforce Cargo Plane

HOME!!!!