It's Been a while!

Wow, I haven't updated in over 2 years - really, it couldn't have been that long! Well needless to say we have been a little busy.

Time to update on the kids:

Justin just finished his Freshman Baseball Season, and is now on to the Diamonds Travel team, and is also playing with Zeeland Rec this summer. He is also going on the Vertigo Mission Trip to Montana this summer. He has a full slate for the summer so far! He just had his sports physical, and measured in at 5'10 1/2" tall - growing, growing, growing... I'm a little scared to see how tall the boy ends up to be with his genes! I know some of my siblings and I grew after high school yet, and it sounds like Jamie had a later growth spurt also, Justin will only be 17 when he starts College, so he could still be growing then - yikes!

Kiersten is playing her first year of competitive Softball, and is loving it! She got to Pitch one game - I think we have some work to do there, but she does want to work on it and try it again sometime! She also ran in the Girls on the Run 5K last weekend, her Aunt Shelly ran with her. She only stopped running a couple of times for water and to be sprayed by a squirt gun - at least that is what she said, haven't confirmed that with Aunt Shelly yet though. I am sure she wouldn't have done as well without you Aunt Shelly so Thanks again for running with her!

Jaden is also playing Little League - he had to try out because he is only 8 years old, and he MADE THE CUT! He was beyond excited to not have to play coach pitch again this year, he has struggled with his hitting, but has had a few nice plays fielding. He has a first year team, so they are a work in progress, but have definitely improved since the beginning of the season.

As for Jamie and I, Well a lot has changed in 2+ years.

Jamie is still in the exterior construction business doing mostly sales now. I am still self employed and now working in various places doing administrative and accounting work, and keeping busy!

We moved closer to Zeeland to a nice little ranch house that we built. We put a lot of hours in doing quite a bit of the work ourselves. We definitely enjoy not having to drive so far to get to town, what used to be a 20 minute drive just to get to the grocery store is now less than 20 minutes round trip. With gas prices spiking over $4 a gallon we sure do save on the gas expense too.

God has carried us through a rough couple of years, He has been by our side this entire journey!
Some may say to loose everything isn't a blessing, but we are BLESSED! We thank God daily for taking care of our needs, even in our weakest hour.

Hopefully I will stay a little more up to date going forward. I will try to post some pictures from the last couple of years too!

God Bless,
Sheri

Leaves Leaves Leaves

Fun in the Leaves, a couple of the neighbor kids came over tonight when Justin built a huge leaf pile to jump in!!! What fun ~ oh to be a kid again

Fall has only begun, and check out the pile of leaves from part of one of the trees in the yard!!! And think there are tons more trees too ~ yikes.

Chicago Marathon 2008

This picture is at the 40K Marker still smiling!!!!!!!

My little sister Lisa ran in the Chicago Marathon yesterday!! She did awesome, as you can see from the pictures she made it look easy, and barely looked like she went for a small jog afterward!!!!!! She finished the race in 4 hours and 17 minutes ~ I am so proud of her!!!!!

My brother Loren, my brother Jon, his girlfriend Cassie, myself and Kiersten headed out Sunday morning to surprise her during the race! We missed her at the first stop around the 11 mile marker, but caught her at the 35K marker (approx 22 miles) and the 40K marker (approx 25 miles) Pictures show her smiling and running like a trooper! She stopped for a couple of hugs at the 35K and then jumped right back in!!

This is the Koeman Support Team/Cheering squad!! Next time I think we need to train to be spectators.

Kiersten did great with all the walking we did. She had a blast it was a day of firsts for her too First Train Ride, First Subway Ride, First time to Chicago, and First time on a city bus!! She did awesome just like her Auntie Lissy!!!!

Lisa and her husband Mark after the race! You did awesome Lisa, and we are all proud of everything that you have accomplished ~ you are an awesome role model!!!!!!

Exciting Weekend

Sorry, I didn't take out my camera this weekend. Friday night Zeeland East beat Zeeland West ~ 1st time in history! Go East!!!!!

Saturday, Kiersten had a soccer game, and her team won by a long shot, the other team never even scored ~ oh yeah we aren't supposed to keep score ~lol. At night we had a birthday party at Travis and Becky's new house for 2 of Jamie's sisters and his mom. The kids had a blast playing with grandpa, grandma, cousins, aunts, and uncles!

Today, Justin hit his first ever "official" Home run!!!! Wow it was so exciting. Jamie told him he would get him new golf clubs if he hit a home run, so it looks like we are going to have to save up some money for that. I haven't seen Justin smile so big in a long time ~ I thought his dimples were going to become permanent! You should have been there, granted I am sure his face will still light up whenever it is mentioned!

Justin Fall Baseball

Just a few pics of Justin playing ball

for Diamonds travel ball team ~ Hoping to go to Cooperstown NY next summer!

Aunt Ginny's Pig Roast

Last but not least we went to Aunt Ginny's pig roast Saturday night
Grandpa and his sister Ginny
Kiersten riding the horse after it tried to eat her hair ~ literally took out a huge clump of hair ~ she is a bit of a straw head!
Jaden going for a ride too!
Cousin Britney and Colton trying to avoid the mosquitos
Jack and Shelly ~ can't wait for the newest niece or nephew due mid October!
Tons of fun ~ Thanks Aunt Ginny for inviting us!

Farming with Grandpa and Uncle Steve

Saturday afternoon, Kiersten went for a Semi truck ride with grandpa

Then off to combining with Uncle Steve ~ sorry if she talked your ear off Steve ~ but thanks for the ride she loves riding with you!