This is the first post I've made since school began last September. While I have absolutely LOVED working at Crean this year, I think I grossly underestimated the time/energy/workload involved (plus the 45+ minute commute).
I have to say- the incredible ministry opportunities with these kids have really made up for the busyness of life! I don't think I've ever had as much fun with a group of kids, nor been as impacted spiritually, as I have this year.
Here are a few highlight's of life in the Kuypers household since Fall of 2010.
September
On Labor Day we took a trip to the park to enjoy the perfect weather
October brought the Month of Nuptial Activity as we celebrated the wedding of Randy and Taylor
The sister's threw a Cocktail Shower for Taylor
The Rehearsal Dinner
Randy and Taylor's Wedding
Do you recognize the setting?
This is the 3rd Stuck Family Wedding at the Carlson's
In November we took a trip to Oregon and stayed with Aunt Sandie. Tony did a Cycle-Cross race (something in between mountain biking and road racing with gallons of mud thrown in). We cooked fabulous food with Aunt Sandie, tried to stay out of the rain and loved spending time with our family up in Portland.
December was full of concerts, cookie making, and present wrapping.
We spent Christmas at Mom and Dad's house. We had the big family Christmas on Christmas Eve, went to church and had dinner at Don Jose's. Christmas morning was so quiet! Only Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Tony and myself.
Katie made this awesome pacifier for Dylan
Randy dressed up as Santa Claus (and scared the heck out of Dylan!)
In January we celebrated my birthday by spending the weekend in Vegas. We saw the Cirque du Soleil show "Mystere." It was amazing!
In February the kids surprised Mom and Dad with a 60th Birthday Fiesta!
In addition to the party, for their birthdays we gave Mom and Dad a family photo session with John Robert Woods (who did wedding pix for Katie & Ryan, Randy & Taylor, and us).
In April we got together and had the most fun taking these amazing shot's with John. He is so talented!
May was a difficult month- on my first day back to school after Easter vacation a piano bench fell on my right foot shattering the bones in my first two toes. In a two week period I spent time at an Urgent Care center, the ER, two doctor's offices, had surgery, and temporarily moved back to my parent's house as I needed a lot of extra care since I couldn't walk or drive. Praise the Lord I am on the mend and can drive short distances now, but I'll finish out the school year living at Mom and Dad's house as they are only about a 10 minute drive from Crean (as opposed to a 45 minute drive from our house in Long Beach).
We also had a green card interview at the USCIS office in Los Angeles hoping that after almost 10 years of living in the US Tony would get his green card. Unfortunately, after waiting almost 3 hours we discovered the USCIS had neglected to request Tony's paperwork and they could not give us a decision, meaning we're back to waiting AGAIN. So frustrating!
Despite these challenges, we've discovered that difficult circumstances reveal the blessing's of the Lord in unexpected ways.
Our friends and family pitched in to help drive me to all my doctor's appointment's and to work (thank you Tay, Katie, Christy and Mom). Our church delivered several delicious Meal's on Wheel's (thank you Jon and Steph, Tina, Tiffany, and Susan). My podiatrist worked to help us out by re-arranging his schedule so I could have surgery early enough in the month that I could be back at school in time for our final "Off-Broadway" concert. The prayers and phone call's from everyone have been especially appreciated. Both Tony and I are so grateful for the way the Body of Christ functions and are so thankful to everyone.
