JULY

It is hard to believe that it is almost time to flip the calendar over to August...summer is officially over half way done. I say it every year, and every year it goes by quicker...where does time go?!

We've certainly been busy working on the house, but, it's not always hard, serious work...we have made it fun for the kids...one of their highlights was putting our hands in the wet concrete to our new basement storage area.

The addition to our future kitchen went on a few weeks ago, tying in the old with the new...we had a few surprises, but, nothing to big for daddy to handle...

This is the back of the house taken a few weeks ago...

It now has a roof, shingles, and soon will be insulated and drywalled.

Isabel absolutely loves going to the house, even though there aren't really many toys...she can't wait to see the neighbor kids, but, even more, she loves to help daddy pack things up at the end of the day!

We haven't just been spending time at the house. This has been a summer full of good fun with friends and family, too!

We enjoyed our 6th annual Colombian Fiesta at our friends, the Zubryd's home!


Our kids love this day. One of Silas' favorite little Amiga's is Ally. Below they are sharing a grande abrazo!

I love this photo of Silas, that Tanya took at the Fiesta!
(as you can imagine, I so badly want an upgraded digital camera...see the difference)!


Isabel had fun seeing her Amiga, Sara, from Traverse City!

And of course, the pinata is always a big hit for the kiddos after dinner!!!

We also celebrated a few birthdays this summer. Below is a picture celebrating Grandma VanderMaas' birthday!

We spent some great time out at Grandpa and Grandma Van's House on Mona Lake! Isabel always loves it when her cousin Cate is around!

On the 4th of July, Daddy was determined to teach the girls how to water ski...but, this is about as far as they got...we had a few issues with the Sea Doos (a typical day at the VanSolkema home)...maybe in August!

Here the cousins stop for a minute before the real 4th of July firework show begins! (That would be the sparklers that they nearly cause an accident with, the little whistling whatevers that barely come off the ground, and yes, the ending is grand with long lasting sprouts of light off the ground...) It's a wonderful time with the familia!

We've also had loads of fun with our friends this summer...whether with our old friends, or new friends, friends from church, or school...we have been so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing families in our lives! And the kids, well...see below...

From slumber parties (above is Isabel's good friend, Quincy, after they "styled" each other's hair)

...to more slumber parties, and American Girl Doll adventures (above is Isabel with her good friend, Preslie)

...to the shores of Lake Michigan...Silas could play in it by the hour (even though the water has been freezing this summer)...

We've also really ENJOYED our pool that we have available to us through our condo lease. The water is always warm, and there is always someone fun to play with...whether it's the new twins we met in our neighborhood or inviting friends over for an afternoon...

Isabel was very happy to see Abbi, it had been way to long...

And well, Silas, ever since we've moved to Zeeland, almost every day asks to play with his new friend Chase! They have lots of fun together...and so do us moms!

It has been so full and rich this summer. I am continually in awe how God orchestrated (once again) moving our family to this small town of Zeeland...purchasing this run down old home (that keeps growing on us each day)...bringing new friends into our lives, sweet fellowship, so it truly is already feeling like we have "community!" Never in a million years would I have picked or planned this out...how could I? Downtown Holland, yes, any day, but, Zeeland?! I love this place!! Only a loving God could know what is best for each person in our home...and then open all the right doors at just the right time...I know our journey of life isn't always going to go this smooth and easy, and to many looking in, we're just simply crazy...but, right now, as summer days will soon be gone...I am going savor it, and let my Jesus dazzle me with His loving kindness!!

This Old House

On June 15 we became owners of a very old Queen Anne home in downtown Zeeland. We prayed for almost a year for our home in Caledonia to sell, and it finally did...God did it! We initially thought that we needed to build a new home and market it in the Parade of Home tour for our business, but, we have always been drawn to the older homes of East Central Ave. and this is where God lead us. He opened the door to this home, giving us our heart's desire, and allowing us to still market our business through the Historic Home Tours in the future when it is complete. Once again, God continues to allow us to experience His finger in our lives.

This home is much more than just a good street to market our business...I find myself rather nostalgic sitting on the front porch, hearing the church bells, the school marching band, picturing our kids watching the Parades that will pass by our house, the dog walkers, walking in town to the little resturaunts, library, or parks. It is the city...house upon house upon house. And yet, there is something so simple and peaceful about being there. It was once our heart's desire to live on a big piece of property with lots of land, we had it...and nothing felt peaceful or right about it. Our desires have changed as we worked to move into this little city. Simplifying, loving our many neighbors, blessing them...it may not look good to many, but, to us, we have landed on a place that finally feels like home...

Well, almost home. We aren't living here yet. There is lots of work ahead of us. John, Greg, and many of my nephews worked very hard last week....yes, and it had to be one of the hottest weeks of summer! Gutting, tearing down plaster, old flooring, insulation, walls...they have been very busy. But, we aren't getting rid of everything. There are a few treasures to keep, like the old registers, and tub...

...this great sliding glass door...


Many things we hope to restore, while mixing in the new. The kitchen definitely had to go...all of it, down to the ground. There's my hard working man, tearing it out!

And the upstairs was in really rough shape, not even insulated. So, they had to tear it right down to the studs...

We have many more hours of hard work...starting from the inside and working our way out. We have been blessed to be living in a condo with a pool, so, we have found time to relax and play! Isabel and Silas absolutely love being there. They like to think they help...and actually Isabel has been a little worker when she wants to be! But, Silas has more fun playing with his buckets and water squirters in the back yard...

...and playing with our new neighbor friends (below is our new neighbor next door, Abbi).

And Isabel likes finding toads, picking flowers, and making wishes!

Oh Izzy, I pray you and Silas (and your future brother(s) or sister(s)) have many great memories in our "new" old house. Just like the Nykamp family did before us! Oh, God, may we bless your name in this old house, on East Central, and where ever else you have us go! Let's hope it's an adventure back to Colombia soon!

FFIC HERITAGE CAMP

Summer is off to a busy but great start! Heritage Camp is a highlight for Isabel and Silas. They learned many things about Colombia and South America, but, were also able to learn about other cultures from all over the world. Below is Silas' preschool class. His class was multi-cultural. He was very proud to be the only Colombiano nino among all the kids!

Silas met many new friends this week, one of them being his amigo, Carlos!

Isabel's camp was Latin American specific. Her favorite part of the week was learning new Spanish songs, crafts. and seeing old friends from last year's camp!

Below is her friend, Kizzie (from El Puente school, too) and her cousin's neighbor, Alita.

She also ran into her friend, Alina, born in Russia, on the playground. They have not seen one another for at least 2 years. I couldn't believe they recognized each other. They ran so fast and gave a big hug. It was precious!

Isabel is growing up quickly!

The kids came home every night singing the camp theme song. "Many cultures, one world. Many cultures, big and small, many cultures one world, we're together one and all!"
Isabel would add, "The Lord God made them all!"

We ended the week of camp celebrating our family, and coming home watching Bel and Silas' DVD that were taken place on our journey to receive them. Isabel probing a bit more, understanding more than ever, and Silas, as usual, making funny comments, not believing us that the chubby baby in the video was actually him! Oh, we have wonderful memories, and making new ones all the time!!!

We are so excited to grow our family and travel back to Colombia. Heritage Camp always brings on the memories and excitement. But today I can't help but feel a strong contentment for the family that God has already given us! Only the God who made the universe, the God of each precious child in this world, could orchestrate something so beautiful as joining two cultures, bringing us together, and giving each of us this wonderful thing called "family!" He could have stopped right there, but, He didn't...and our story continues...Glory to His Name!

"I will extol the Lord at all times: His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord...Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together! I sought the Lord, and He answered me...taste and see that the Lord is good..." from Psalm 34

BIENVENIDOS!

It is time to say good bye to the caringbridge site and start an official blog! (The background options are way more fun)! Thank you for following along as we pursue our 3rd child (or children) through adoption. We have already been on this adventure for over 2 years. It has been quite a ride so far! You can read letters I wrote to our future ninos and what has taken place in the last 2 years at www.caringbridge.org/visit/babyv3 This truly has been a faith journey with so much more to share! Stay tuned...as I will journal more of this challenging yet wonderful journey God has brought us on!