The honest confessions of a 3 year old

This conversation was had as Grace cried sadly for no explainable reason...

Joost (in an attempt to console Grace): "She's cute and a good sister."

Grace: "No! I'm not a good sister. I'm grumpy right now."

Brianne Lynn Lyzinski

On December 10th, the newest addition to the van Bastelaar family was made! Jeff's sister, Carolyn, gave birth to Brianne Lynn. The above picture was taken by Beth (Jeff's other sister) in the hospital.



On Saturday, we were delighted to see her ourselves in her home. The picture above is Brianne with her oldest brother, Joshua. She's a beauty and we're so glad to have another niece. (This brings the count up to 11 cousins in Jeff's family--including Joost and Grace--5 girls and 6 boys. Our tiny girl, due in January, should even things out nicely.)

The Year of the Ladybug

I know, according to the Chinese calender, that it's the Year of the Rat. But, I think that Gracie might actually be celebrating the Year of the Ladybug.

O Tannenbaum

It has become our annual tradition to cut down our Christmas tree the Friday after Thanksgiving. As the kids have gotten older, they have enjoyed the hunt more and more and, in turn, it has grown to be an even more special tradition to Jeff and I. We chose a tree farm this year owned by a local older man who grows the trees in his back"yard". He has a lot of trees to pick from and when you've cut the tree that you have decided is the best to grace your home for the next month and have brought it to him, he measures it with an outrageously long pole to figure the cost. As Jeff held the tree upright, we both eyeballed the measuring stick and saw that the tree was slightly under 7 feet. With the cost of $5/foot, we assumed we'd be paying $35. Maybe the man would charge us $32 or $33 since it was under 7 feet, but we'd be happy to pay the full 7 feet's worth since it looked so close. And so the kindly old man measured and double checked his measure-
ment, and then, without blinking, he told us that we owed him $34.21. Thirty four dollars and twenty one cents?! Who does that kind of exact calculation with a very long yard stick that towers several feet higher than the person holding it? None the less, we paid with a straight face and the Christmas tree man took several minutes hunting up our exact change in his kitchen. Then we stuffed the beautiful tree in the back of the van and headed for home.

Today, we were able to decorate the tree. This really is the best part of the whole Christmas tree tradition for the kids. I think this was the first year that Gracie fully anticipated and enjoyed the event. She squealed with delight as each ornament was pulled from her box and she took it to the tree to hang. Jeff performed his ceremonial hanging of the star. We stuffed the tree full of all the ornaments that hold Christmas sentiments from years past.











In the end, the kids were delighted with the final result and Jeff and I couldn't help but cherish the joy that Christmas traditions, such as these, bring our family.

Holiday Parade 2008

We braved the cold again this year to go downtown and see the holiday parade. It is a cold event, but well worth it. We mistakenly set up camp behind an angry woman who was saving a large space on the sidewalk for her supposed 4 children and friends who were to join her, and who figured that yelling at any passer-byer that even dared glance at the open space for their own use was the best way to spread holiday cheer. But, eventually, her friend showed up with donut holes and the children, and she calmed down nicely--even asking if we could see alright and making sure our kids in the back row received candy as it was thrown from the parade participants.


How can you hang onto territorial anger when there are high school marching bands and holiday floats?


We did have to leave the parade a bit early as we lost feeling in our fingers and toes and Jeff's griping about how much he missed California winters became too tiresome; but all in all, we had a grand time and will be sure to go again next year.

First day of snow

Today, we had our first real snow of the season. The kids woke up and found it as they looked out the big landing window. What excitement! Shortly after breakfast, snow gear was donned and the kids were out happily shoveling snow in the back yard.


Grace felt quite sorry for the poor roses that were covered in snow. She took a good deal of time to carefully brush off each bud so that they could see the sun.



Who knew that sand toys doubled so well as snow toys?

Sunday dinner

Growing up, the meal that we ate on Sundays directly following the morning service-- Sunday dinner--was always a major event. Mom would start a roast or a turkey cooking before we left for Sunday School and by the time we arrived home, the house smelled wonderful and preparation of wonderful side dishes would begin. Then, we would all sit together as a family--many times in the dining room with the good china--eating this special meal. My mother went to all this effort because Sunday is a special day, one for setting aside to worship God with His people, to find fellowship among family and friends and for rest.

That really helped guide my attitudes towards Sundays as I grew up. Jeff and I attempt to honor Sundays in our own home now--setting it aside and making it unique from the rest of the week. One way we've tried to do that is by having friends over after the Sunday services for dinner on a semi-regular basis. Yesterday we were delighted to have a table full of friends from church--including Lauren, Rick and Marina, and Dave, Amanda and Natalie. Lauren is living in State College right now, working on her doctoral studies, and so we're always so thrilled to be able to have a visit from her and some extra time with her. She is a dear friend. She took these pictures, and they were too fun not to post on our blog. (You'll probably be able to find them on several other blogs, as well.) It was great to celebrate the Lord's day with friends. It was also wonderful for me, in that, I was able to do all the food prep the day before, so it was very much a day of rest for me, even with hosting many in our home.

The kids enjoyed their time with little Natalie. Grace, especially, is always thrilled to be able to practice her baby skills in preparation for the one who is coming in two months.

We are so grateful that God has given us so many loving friends at Trinity. He has met our needs abundantly in our move from Philadelphia to Harrisburg. We left a wonderful community at Tenth Presbyterian and came to another wonderful community at Trinity Presbyterian. God is so good to us.

Field trip

This school year, Jeff and I decided to wait to send Joost to kindergarten (he turned five near the end of the summer), and to not put him back in preschool. I thought I'd try a little academic training at home in the areas that would be helpful for school next year. I also thought it would be fun to go on some field trips every few weeks. I wanted very much to get in a major trip before baby comes, so today we set out early for Philadelphia and The Franklin Institute Science Museum.


Mom and Andrew joined us for the day. The kids and I had a fun time at the museum. There was an incredible amount of hands-on displays. We could have spent much longer in each exhibit. They even made their own paper with the help of a kind museum guide.








After four hours, I had to pull them away so we could eat lunch. The kids were able to experience their first Philly cheesesteak (a true learning experience) at Abner's--the university city restaurant that Jeff and I frequented often while we dated (we first went there on our 2nd date.)


After a few other favorite stops in Philly, we made our way home with (amazingly) no traffic on 76. That, in and of itself, made it a really great field trip!

good byes

Before every baby arrives, Jeff and I try to take some time away just the two of us. This past weekend we were able to do that. The kids stayed with mom and dad (and had a great time). This shot was taken as we drove away on Friday morning. I'm not sure they were fully convinced, as that point, that our time away was actually going to make us better parents.

trick-or-treating

Tonight was trick-or-treating night in Harris-
burg. Yes, it's a day before Halloween, but you might remember that our area does it the Thursday before Halloween...however it might fall (last year it was six days early). It's such a fun community event and we're likely to get at least 150 kids coming to the house forcandy (other communities and neighborhoods seem to trickle into our streets, as well.) This year, Joost chose to go as a soldier and Grace was a ladybug. They made out pretty well and enjoyed perusing their loot at the end of the evening.

A busy weekend...

This past weekend was, apparently, the weekend to plan all events important. We had so many invitations to so many major happenings that we had to turn some down. Here's a brief overview of those which won out....

Friday night, Jeff and the kids and I decided we needed to hunt down some pumpkins before trick-or-treating came and we had no glowing faces to greet the candy seekers. So we went to Ashcombe Farms to find some autumn fun and some pretty pumpkins. We had a lot of fun in their corn maze. Fortunately, the maze was kid friendly, so even when we thought we might have lost one or both of the kids, their hysterical laughing guided us easily to them.Once all the fun in the hay and corn was had, we decided to head over to the store to check out the pumpkins. We were distracted by all the other fun things in the store (including decisions about snacks from the candy shelf for the ride home) and actually ended up leaving without a pumpkin! Luckily, our grocery store carries pumpkins, too...

Saturday started early as we headed to Doyles-
town for a triple birthday party of 3 of our nephews. This party was held on a steam engine and the kids had a blast with their cousins.



After the party, we skeedadled to Jeff's sister's house to get ready for a wedding that was an hour and a half away in northern New Jersey. We left the kids there with Jeff's mom and headed to the happy event of my dear friend's wedding. Esther and I met 10 years ago during our summer in Saskatchewan, Canada doing missions on Native American reserves and she has been such a good friend over time and distance since then. She was in our wedding and I was thrilled to be able to celebrate with her at her and Jimmy's wedding. It was also a lot of fun to see Jannie, another friend made way up in the prairies of Canada. It was a late night until we arrived home with children in toe, but worth every minute traveled.

"This is the year...."

All season, I've been saying that. For those of you who do not know, I coach high school field hockey. This is my second year as an assistant coach for Harrisburg Christian School's varsity field hockey team. (The same school I graduated from, the same team I played on.) It's great fun. I love field hockey and it's so wonderful to work with such amazing girls. Their athletic abilities vary, but they all love and serve Christ, and that makes such a difference in building a team.

And this year, they were an outstand
-ing team. It looked bleak coming into the season. We lost five seniors last year. We only had one senior this year. We had a new goalie and a bunch of brand new players (some who had never played field hockey before). But the girls dug deep and pulled out an amazing season with some amazing feats--they had the season with the most wins ever in the school's field hockey history, they won a district game (first time for any female sport at HCS), and today, they became CCAC league champions! What an exciting game it was against Lancaster Christian. This was the year for it to happen. The girls honored God with their hard work and attitudes and it has been wonderful to see that rewarded. On Tuesday we play in our next district game. The excitement continues, and I am glad to be a part of it.

And the number grows...

Since my last post, I have found out that there are 2 more near and dear women who are expecting a child between now and May. We're up to 17.

It must be something in the water

I have a ton of girlfriends/family members that are pregnant right now. Every sphere of life has at least 3 or 4 women who are expecting a baby sometime between now and May. Everyone always has a laugh about the "epidemic" and asks how many pregnancies I know of. I decided to sit down and figure it out yesterday.

The grand total comes out at 15 women who are pregnant (not including myself)...and I'm not counting my friend's friend's sister or anyone like that. Everyone is close enough to me that I could have Thanksgiving dinner with them and it wouldn't be odd. That's a lot of babies!

The annual Bosworth hiking trip

For many years during my schooling and after, my family and I would go hiking during the autumn. We would try out new trails within several hours of Harrisburg. After Joost was born, this annual tradition was overlooked. But this year, Andrew and I decided that the annual event needed to be reinstated.

So, yesterday, we went hiking at French Creek State Park which is con-
veniently located between Harrisburg and Andrew and Rachel's home in the suburbs of Philadelphia. We hiked for many hours. I was especially proud of Joost who walked the 3 miles without one complaint (minus the wet clothing he had from slipping into the lake near the end of the hike).

After a much needed pizza break, we continued on to Hopewell Furnace which is a preserved colonial iron plantation. We just happened to time it perfectly and were able to visit on a day with actors demonstrating life on the plantation during its years of operation in the 17 and 1800's. To top it off, the kids were able to pick apples at the orchard. What a fun day we had! It was a perfect way to spend a fall day.

The vote has been counted.

So, I'm getting bored with my voting spot and have decided to get rid of it. I already know what the gender of the baby is, and most other people know as well, so the polls might as well be closed. The final vote came out as 66% for a girl and 33% for a boy. Amazingly, the majority was correct (I will admit that I am suspicious and suspect that some no-do-gooders voted AFTER finding out the final verdict from the ultrasound, but I will allow their conscience to deal with them appropriately on that matter). God permitting, we are having a girl in January.


Now, I know the next question out of your mouth will be, "Have you chosen a name yet?"


Of course we have. The name was chosen long before we knew we were having a girl...or even before we knew we were having a third baby at all. But, you cannot know the name until after she has arrived--all pink and squishy and not looking as cute as she will be. Then the pink cigars and chocolate bars will be brought out and her name will be heralded before all the world. And not until then.

(In case there is any confusion--and there seems to be with some--we are not naming our daughter Amanda Elizabeth Jones. Her last name will continue to be van Bastelaar. That's the only hint I'll give you at this time.)

Three years old

Today Gracie turned 3 years old. We spent the weekend cele-
brating. Yesterday, the whole family came for a party. Gracie enjoyed spending time with her cousins, grandparents and aunts and uncles, opening her gifts and eating cake.

Today, we celebrated Gracie's life as a family. And, at this point, I have to say how grateful I am to God for giving me such a precious daughter. He has blessed her with such a happy, joyful spirit and it is wonderful being her mother.

When I was first diagnosed, she was only 7 months old. The rest of her first year was a rocky one with me spending much time in the hospital, many different faces caring for her and a very abrupt switch to feeding with a bottle. But through it all, she smiled and remained a happy baby. Even before my illness, she had severe acid reflux, but she never cried or complained about it. God knew how much I needed a child like that during the hard times He gave us and I praise God every day for that.

And she continues to fill our lives and family with joy. I am amazed daily that Grace has continued to stay such a happy and content child, always doing her best to bring smiles to those around her. I have often seen her tender ways with Joost when he is upset or sad about something. Jeff and I pray that we will have wisdom as we raise her and that she will be called by God to be joyful, not only because He has made her that way, but more so because of her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Happy Birthday, Grace! We love you so much.