Our Special Thanksgiving in DC

Amy and Stella waving good-bye

Tristan, Stella and Amy at dinner

Thanksgiving dinner with the Magee's and Hormel's

Graeme, Johnny and Nyle playing video games

John, Tristan and Nick playing poker

John relaxing on the back deck

Momoo, Grampoo and Stella at Build a Bear

Amy checking the rolls

This year we traveled to Washington DC to spend Thanksgiving with Amy, Tristan and Stella. They recently moved into a new house and they had plenty of room for all of us. John, Betsy, Johnny, the dog and I left home on Tuesday afternoon when Johnny was finished with school. We stopped in Pittsburgh to pick up Nick and arrived at their house at 1:30 a.m. We spent most of the day Wednesday in the kitchen baking pies (with the crust from scratch!), making apple crisp, peeling potatoes and preparing the turkey. Diz made her special stuffing and several other dishes. Needless to say, we had plenty of food!
While we were there, we celebrated Amy's 26th birthday and Stella's 6th birthday. We took Stella to Build a Bear and went to see the movie "Enchanted". John spent some time just relaxing on the back deck, reading. We had beautiful weather and walked to town a couple times.
We had a wonderful 5 days with the kids and got home late Sunday night.
We are thankful that we were able to spend some quality time with them and are looking forward to their visit for Christmas!

Happy Birthday John!

This blog post is a tribute to my husband on his 53rd birthday! John is a wonderful, dedicated husband, father and grandpa. He is a very consciencious, hard-working man and a friend to so many. I am so grateful to God that He brought us together almost 17 years ago. It has been an interesting ride, to say the least. I have learned so much from him. I don't know of anyone with a deeper faith or more integrity than John. I am blessed to be his wife.
Last weekend we did some celebrating with family. On Saturday night we went to dinner with John's family. We met at Papa Vino's and had an incredible meal, served family style. On Sunday afternoon, we had dinner with our children and grandchildren. We had a turkey with all the trimmings because on Thanksgiving Day we will be in Washington DC celebrating with Amy, Tristan and Stella. John received many beautiful cards and gifts from the kids and it was a beautiful day.
I want to wish him a very happy birthday and pray the year ahead will be full of "mercy drops".
If anyone deserves it, he does.



Nicholas, Grandpa, Joy, Andrew and Arianna. It takes alot of hot air to blow out the candles.

Arianna was laughing so hard she was crying over the musical card she gave her grandpa.

Chase was reading the birthday card he got for Grandpa. He sure does a good job!
John's sister Cory and her husband Bob
John's sister Jayne and her husband Bob John's brother Pete and his wife Judy

Our Annual Girls Shopping Trip

Betsy, Amy, Katie, Mom, Michelle and Sara in the hotel lobby. Ready for day #3 of shopping!


I hope the girls didn't see what I was buying for them!


Sharing the Sugar Mountain Moccasin and the Brownie Cobbler. Yummy!!


Michelle, Sara, Amy, Betsy and Katie

Every fall for the past 16 years, my girls and I go on a little shopping trip. We've been to the Detroit area a couple times, Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, Holland and Lansing. We always manage to have a great time and usually one of the girls are pregnant or nursing. If the babies are too small, we stick closer to home, but this year we decided to head to Detroit again.

Last weekend, Katie and I set out early Friday morning to drive to the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Amy's plane was due to arrive from DC at 10:00. Her plane was a few minutes early and by the time we pulled up to the curb, she was waiting with her suitcase. It was so good to see her. After our little reunion, we drove to Troy and shopped the Somerset Collection most of the day.
Betsy had a test at Calvin in the early afternoon, so she and Michelle and Sara left home around 3:00 and met us at the hotel at 6:00. We settled in our rooms and then went looking for food! We were all pretty hungry and we found Cosi, a little deli not too far from the hotel. After supper, we did our annual Target run.
Saturday morning we were up early and headed out to Great Lakes Crossings in Auburn Hills. We again shopped all day. By supper time we were pretty exhausted, especially the expecting mothers! We found a neat steak house called Montana's Cookhouse and had a nice dinner. We even shared two huge desserts, the Sugar Mountain Moccasin and the Brownie Cobbler.
We went back to the hotel and yakked until way too late. Sunday morning we went to Novi to the Twelve Oaks Mall. Michelle and Katie went to Ikea for a couple hours and met up with us later.
It was a wonderful weekend of girl time and power shopping. The weather was wonderful too. I think some of us even got a lot of our Christmas shopping done! We certainly missed Lia this year and are looking forward to 5 weeks from now when they will be home for the holidays!
Just a few pictures from our trip....

Our Short but Sweet Trip to Florida

Cher's sweet dog, Mitzi


Cher and her puppy, Mitzi



Mom and Rich in the pool



Rich, Mom, Denise and John by the restaurant on Anna Maria Island



Mother sharing her dessert with Rich



A week ago, John and I were in Florida visiting my mom and Rich. We had such a wonderful time so I wanted to share some photos with you.
We left on Thursday, the 18th and flew from GR to Tampa. We spent most of the day in airports and airplanes. By the time we got to Tampa, we were tired and hungry. We ate at one of our favorite restaurants, Sweet Tomatoes (Thanks Dan and Michelle!) and checked in to the Country Inn at 6:30 pm. We watched an in room movie and then slept 12 hours! It was great!
On Friday morning, we left Tampa and went South to the famous Outlet Mall. We spent most of the day there, where John went on his semi-annual shopping spree. It was fun to see him shop. Each time he went to the restroom, he came out wearing something new!
When we were finished there, we drove to Mom and Rich's house, our home away from home! The greatest accomodations anywhere! They are always so welcoming and fun to be with. We enjoyed some great meals at "The Club", breakfast on Anna Marie Island, golf, swimming and lots of R & R. We arrived back home late Tuesday night and were well rested, which was a good thing, because there was much to do when we got home!
Thanks to Mom and Rich for the much needed respite. We love you both!

I've been tagged - 3 Times!

Okay, I'm it I guess. Michelle, Katie and Lia have tagged me. Just when I was thinking I'm not really very good at this blog thing and I might give it up, I've been pushed to post. I know why they tagged me.
1) to get me to post on my blog
2) because they want the world to know my middle name
Well, I am not ashamed of my middle name and I will gladly share it with all who will read this, but first of all, I must pass on the rules of this game.

1) You have to post these rules before you give the facts
2) You must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.
3) At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog for the rules.

My middle name is Gay. My mother always told me it meant happy and that she and dad were so happy when I was born that they decided to name me Denise Gay. This world has somehow given this name a derogatory connotation. Oh well, John didn't always mean "John" either.

G - Gay. No, no, like that. Webster defines gay as:
gay /geɪ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[gey] adjective, -er, -est, noun, adverb –adjective

1.	having or showing a merry, lively mood: gay spirits; gay music.

2.	bright or showy: gay colors; gay ornaments.

3.	given to or abounding in social or other pleasures: a gay social season.

(If you want to see the rest of the definition, you'll have to check Webster yourself)
A - Active. I am active at home, at work, with my family, at church and with school activities. I have also been actively exercising lately, trying to lose the pounds I put on this past year.
Y - Young at heart. I have always felt young for my age and yet I think I'm the oldest mom
of Johnny's friends parents (does that make sense?) Oh well, the old saying is true that you're as young as you feel and I pray God continues to bless me with good health and I thank Him for my loving husband, children and grandchildren who keep me young.

Now, I tag La Familia Magee, Just News from Joan and Laiya. Have Fun! You're It!

Happy Birthday Mom!

When I think of my mom, so many images and memories come to mind. My earliest memory of my mom is at the cottage. She was painting the front door when I climbed onto the counter (against her wishes), took the plate I wanted out of the cupboard, stepped back on to the stool and it tipped over. I managed to cut my chin open on the plate and needed to get to the hospital for stitches. We made the one hour trip to GR and I received 17 stitches in the shape of a backwards "L". On the way back to the cottage, mom stopped at the Ice Cream shop in Cedar Springs and I got a butterscotch sundae. This memory is so vivid.
I also remember the time dad punished me and sent me to my room without dinner. After he left for a school board meeting, mom came up to my room with dinner for me. Dad never knew about that until many years later!
Mom was always home when we got home from school. She was usually watching General Hospital. I remember her ironing absolutely everything, even the bed sheets and dad's undershirts! Our home was always open to our friends. Mom and Dad did a lot of entertaining. Sunday nights were often spent with other families from our church. The summer was always busy at the cottage too. Family reunions, company picnics and many other friends were always welcome and mom would have lots of good food and dad would do the grilling.
Every summer my mom and sisters and I go on a girls overnighter. We just got back this year from Indiana where we had a wonderful time visiting the Amish, attending a gospel music show and just having a good time and a lot of laughs.
Mom has been a source of strength and a wonderful role model for me. She has seen many good times and many difficult times. She has been blessed financially and her generosity is overwhelming. She has been blessed with two wonderful husbands and she will be the first to tell anyone that! Above all, she has been blessed with good health and a wonderful, loving spirit.
I wanted to take this space and time to let you know what a blessing my mother is to me. I want to wish her a happy 81st birthday this Sunday, September 2. I pray that God continues to bless her with many more years of happiness and good health. Thank you mom for who you are. I love you.

Mom and Dad (in Paris maybe?)

Mom and Rich on Mother's Day, 2007

Where is the summer going?

Katie

Nicholas thinking "don't even think about taking one!"

Johnny and his friend, Kevin

Amy and Stella

Stella

Nicholas and his daddy

Gramps on the golf cart with Chase, Joy, Stella, Drew, Zoe and Nicholas. They are waving hello to Madison and Alex. Everyone misses them so much!

"Grampoo" swinging with Stella

Wow, where is the summer going? I can't believe August is just around the corner! I've had alot of things I wanted to blog about the past few weeks, but you have to understand, not too much time goes by without computer or internet problems at my house. Also, I spent two weeks at the cottage without the internet. So, that's my excuse for not posting a blog for such a long time. My sweet daughter-in-law set up a new internet connection for me so now I can post! (Aren't you lucky!)

One month and 3 days ago, Lia, Scott, Madison and Alex got on a plane for the long flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. This was after they had a garage sale, sold their house and loaded up a storage unit with all their earthly possessions. Family and friends came together to wish them well and say goodbye at a going away party. We also celebrated Lia's 30th birthday one month early. It was alot of fun. Many tears were shed that night and even more at the airport, but they definately feel God led them on this adventure and are trusting He has great plans for them in SA. We pray God continues to lead them daily as they try to find a comfortable, welcoming church, as Maddie goes to school, as Scott attempts to work in a very different environment and as Lia spends her days entertaining Alex and trying not to get too lonely for friends and family. We were looking at the stepping stones the kids made few years ago and Lia and Scott's says "Bloom where you're planted". Pretty appropriate, don't you think? I'm sure they will!

The day before Lia, Scott, Maddie and Alex left, Amy and Stella arrived in Grand Rapids from Washington DC. They wanted to be able to say good-bye to each other. Amy and Stella stayed with us for 3 wonderful weeks. On the 28th of June, we loaded up and went to the cottage on Big Whitefish Lake for 2 weeks. Katie, Scott and Nicholas joined us, and Dan, Michelle, Chase, Drew and Joy and Arianna were with us week two. Betsy and Nick came up on the weekends. We had such a wonderful time and beautiful weather. Time always goes too quickly when we're at the lake.

The 28th of June was also our 16th anniversary. Can you believe it?! When I even try to think of the events of the past 16 years, I'm overwhelmed. We have 8 wonderful children, 4 terrific "in-laws" who are such a special part of this clan, and 8 beautiful, precious grandchildren (with one more on the way!). God has truly blessed us in so many ways.

Now that I'm back in my "routine" at home, I hope to blog on a regular basis. I'm posting some pics of the past few weeks because Maddie and Alex will be checking tomorrow! I love you and miss you! Enjoy!

A Tribute to my Dad

Me and my dad on the Skylift in Gatlinburg Tennessee, July 1969

I've been thinking alot about my dad the past few weeks. Even more so than usual. Maybe it's because I have a birthday this week and I realize how young he was when he died. Maybe it's because Father's Day is next week. Maybe it's because I heard the song "Mansion Over the Hilltop" recently. I just wanted to share with my blog readers, how special my dad was and how much he has influenced my life.

• He was a tender man. He openly cried when he watched a sad show on TV. He cried standing next to the bed of a small, handicapped boy or when he saw one of his grandkids hurting.



• He was a generous man. Was blessed with so much and willingly, anonymously shared his gifts with so many. Every other year he took his entire family on Spring break vacation. We went to Florida numerous times and even Hawaii the year I was a Sophomore. He helped many families pay for Christian education and hospital bills they couldn't pay.



• He was a funny man. A great sense of humor and was a magnet for people. Everyone loved being around him and he made everyone laugh and feel special.



• He was a friend to more people than I could even know. I remember standing in the line at the funeral home and hearing so many times, "he was my best friend". It seemed that people felt special if they could say they knew him.



• He was a godly man. He was mostly private about his personal faith, but shared it with so many in ways that I don't think he even realized. Sunday was a day set apart in our home. Even in the summer when we were at the cottage, we were not to even sport our swim suits. We were to be an example to those living around us. I have always believed that he knew he was going to die when he did. He shared his feelings with one of his friends and I feel that God gave him a premonition and he was able to prepare himself. He said goodbye to us before he left for Florida that December in a way that he never did before. He was very emotional and I believe he knew he wouldn't be seeing us again.



• He was a family man. I remember him telling me how beautiful he thought my mom was. That always meant so much to me. I always knew he loved me because he was never shy about showing it. He was always hugging and telling me he loved me. Every time we had a few days off from school in the fall, we would go on a road trip, usually to the U.P. I have many memories of those times as a family. In the summer, he would come up to the cottage after working 10-12 hours and would pull me and my friends skiing until we couldn't ski anymore.



• He was a hard-working man. I remember bringing supper to him at his office many nights because he didn't have time to come home. He built his business on hard work and many hours and provided his family with a wonderful life. He left mom without financial worries and his hard work is still helping his entire family to this day.

My dad was not a perfect man but in my eyes he was the best. I am so proud to say he is my dad.
As father's day approaches, take the time to appreciate your dad and make sure you tell him how much you love him. I wish I could tell my dad one more time, but I'm sure he knows.

Mansion Over the Hilltop

I'm satisfied with, just a cottage below,

a little silver and a little gold.

But in that city where the ransomed will shine,

I want a gold one that's silver lined.

I've got a mansion, just over the hilltop

in that bright land where we'll never grow old.

And someday yonder we will never more wander

but walk on streets that are purest gold.

I've Been Tagged!

I've been tagged which means I am supposed to reveal 6 things you may not know about me.
I had a hard time thinking of 6 things but here goes:

• I have road rage. It really makes me crazy when people don't drive the way I think they should!
• I love Southern Gospel music.
• My first car was a brand new, 1972 Chevelle SS. It was blue with white stripes. Wish I would have kept it!
• I am spoiled. Always have been. (You're thinking, I knew that!)
• I hate eating off pewter plates. Makes my teeth hurt.
• When I was young, I refused to go potty on a toilet that had a black seat or one that had an open front. I'm told I rode all the way to Florida without going to the bathroom. Stubborn? Maybe...

Now, I tag Joan and Amy. You're it!

I'm back!

I've been getting quite a bit of flack for being a lame blogger and I'll be the first to admit, I have been. But, there is good reason for that. I've been too busy! Now you're probably saying, "I'm busy too" and I'm sure you are, but it has been absolutely crazy around here.
We finally finished our remodeling of the basement which began in November. It's wonderful and we will certainly get alot of use out of it.

We also replaced all the carpet on the main floor with wood laminate. It looks so nice and was worth it, but what alot of work and dust! We've got things cleaned up and even all the windows are washed, now it's outside to get the yard and gardens in order. After the winter, there's always so much to do. The weather has been so nice and I just want to be out there all the time!
I've also officially begun my job training at TFC. Sometime within the next couple of weeks, I will be taking over for Lia. I am actually looking forward to it and hope to get organized and in a routine before our time at the cottage.

My Mother's Day Gift From Amy - Apron

I hope you all had a good Sunday and that all of you who are mothers had a blessed day. Mine was wonderful. It started with a great worship service with most of my family. Then Dad took me out for dinner to First Wok with Betsy, Nick and Johnny. We came home and I made stromboli because we had the family over for supper. Even Grandpa and Grandma Zeeff were here.

The kids all took their first swim of the season which is always so exciting. All winter they look at the big, green cover and can't wait for Grandpa to take it off in the Spring.
My husband and my children are all so thoughtful and sweet and gave me so much love today. I was overwhelmed by it. I am so blessed.

Chase and Maddie Johnny and Nicholas

Well, time's a tickin' and I haven't even looked at the Sunday ads yet! Maybe if I used a debit card, I'd have more time to blog....

Well, I'm finally joining the blog-o-sphere. I've been inspired by my daughters and my sisters and when I told my daughter Katie about my "mis-hap" from yesterday, she said it would make a great first post on my blog. (she's been after me to get blogging and debit-carding for quite some time now!) So, I figured if I had a good place to start, I would get going, at least with the blogging.

Which brings me to yesterday...
many of you know we have been remodeling our basement, which in turn makes for a mess in the entire house. The cans in my food pantry were collecting a layer of dust and I had noticed about 10 half eaten bags of miscellaneous chips/pretzels/fritos that no one would eat, I decided it was that time again. Time to clean the pantry. A dreaded job, but one that is very rewarding in the end. As I was going through the things on one shelf, I came across a large box of instant mashed potatoes. It had been opened for a long time, maybe even years. There was about one cup of flakes left in the bottom of the box. I thought I would just dump the old flakes and, being the responsible recycler that I am, I would break down the box and put it in the recycle bin. The problem came when I was trying to decide where to dump the flakes. In the wastebasket or in the garbage disposal. Well, let me tell you, I made the wrong choice. I dumped them in the disposal, and as you can imagine, when I ran the water to wash them down, they expanded at least 10 fold and then clogged up my entire kitchen drain system. When I tried to drain the water, I had watered down mashed potatoes all over the kitchen floor and all over my wool kitchen rug. What a mess! I panicked because we had just repaired and painted the ceiling in the basement below from a previous leak in the kitchen. Well, to make a long story short, my brother came to fix the problem and it was more than his equipment could handle. I needed the "big" machine! A different service man came from Godwin and was finally able to clear up the problem and I had a mess to clean up. My minimal task of cleaning the pantry, became a day long mess! So,take it from me, when in doubt, throw it out in the garbage pail, not the garbage disposal.

Anyway, this is my first blog post. I did it!! Aren't you proud? Maybe someday I'll even use a debit card!