First we laid new flooring in the living room and hall way
Then we had a company lay some new carpet in all of the bedrooms!
We decided its worth paying the extra from now on!
√ Check one more thing off our "to do before we sell list!"
As for our new house- well after we bought it... it seems that the work just stopped! haha maybe because we had some other super important things to do like ....
Going to my little Sisters Graduation from Hope College!!!
My gorgeous sister and her friend Jamie
To understand why this graduation was so important to not only me but my mom, I feel that I need to share some history that I have hardly ever talked about but now Im about to post on my blog for the whole world to read... so here goes..
Now for all who don't know I was born Sept. 20 and then my sister Nov. 3 the very next year. She was given away at birth because (summed up version) our father decided he only wanted three children total and told our mother she had to abort her. Well as you can tell she didn't. She gave Julie Ann up for adoption hoping it would save her marriage but later realized how strong and smart she really is and divorced him. One thing she couldn't get back was Julie Ann- when she was born my mother never even got to see her. So this graduation was more than just a graduation for us it was a huge day in all of our lives, especially our mothers, and it just happened to land on mother's day.. Pretty awesome!
Now due to email and the wonderful word of Facebook (FB) my sister and I have been talking and getting to know one another for a while. I wrote her my first email July 13th, 2010~ and wow did we have a bunch in common! Including our looks! *we laugh the same!*
The first time I seen a picture of her I asked my self when did I take that?! I don't remember being there!
Jumping ahead in our trip~ We made it in to Holland, MI rather late but Julie Ann said it was ok to go ahead and come over, so OF COURSE we did!
Jumping ahead in our trip~ We made it in to Holland, MI rather late but Julie Ann said it was ok to go ahead and come over, so OF COURSE we did!
This is a video of us seeing each other for the first time
*beware there is screaming!* :DOur mother on the other hand was very quite and after we left for the night I asked her if she was ok and she told me something that made me cry... "It was the first time I had ever seen her with my own eyes" I cant imagine how she was really feeling but the next day she was happy and she smiled the whole time we were up there. It was wonderful seeing her smile like that, really truly happy.
We had a wonderful trip and I will add more of it in a different post, right now I need to get to making some dinner!
A few more pictures....
Some of Julie Ann's adoptive family and us
From left to right:
Kathy (Mom), Jim (Julie ann's dad), Sue (her aunt),
Julie Ann, Me, Luke behind me, Evan holding him, Linda (Julie Ann's mother), Alex, and then Howard (Her uncle)
Kathy (Mom), Jim (Julie ann's dad), Sue (her aunt),
Julie Ann, Me, Luke behind me, Evan holding him, Linda (Julie Ann's mother), Alex, and then Howard (Her uncle)
She plays the organ beautifully!
Sneak peak of the chapel
and of course Alex being himself!
Hope you have a wonderful week! Love,
