Michigan

We need something fun and positive on here. So why don't I tell you all about our trip to Michigan. Are you ready for lots of information? It might take me awhile to tell you everything. I'll start at the beginning...and when I get to the end...I'll stop. (that's my favorite line from Disney's Alice in Wonderland).

We got on the train at 11:30 pm. in Garden City on Wednesday June 2. Since it was bedtime, we pretty much just slept until we reached Kansas City (where the train stopped for like 45 minutes). It was after Kansas City that it got a little more exciting. A drunk guy decided to board the train and a couple hours later in La Plata, MO. he was escorted off by a police officer. Poor guy couldn't even stand up straight, let alone tell the officer if he had any personal belongings.

We went over the Mississippi River and just saw some very pretty scenery as we went through Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois (and I think a corner of Indiana).

We got to Chicago at 3-something and had a two hour lay-over. We were a little nervous to venture out, so we stayed in the train station. But this was not a bad decision, because we went to the "Great Hall" in the old part of Union Station. It was so beautiful. I will eventually post pictures of it, but for now, I just don't have the time to get it done. I guess there have been movies filmed in this "Great Hall." I can't wait to start researching and finding out what they are so I can watch them and recognize the room.

We got back on the train two hours later and were on our way to Grand Rapids. Pretty uneventful.....we were pretty tired by this time. We got to Grand Rapids at 10:30-ish (Thursday night). Scott's brother picked us up and we went to his house and got a quick house tour and went to bed.

We woke up Friday morning ready to get on with the sight-seeing. We slept in a bunch and had breakfast out on their deck. Did you know that Michigan gets hardly any wind, and they don't have the pesky bugs that we can get? We were able to eat breakfast in peace (while watching Alvin, Simon, and Theodore play in the yard...lol...really)

We went to a music festival for a couple hours right around lunch-time and saw some groups perform, but then we went and got Amy (Kevin's wife) from work and went home to eat some supper.

After supper we went to a baseball game (the Whitecaps). It's the farm league for the Detroit Tigers. The Tiger Mascot was there...it was cool. Again I got lots of pictures. Martie and Scott ate Dippin' Dots for the first time at this game..it was exciting. And our team even won.

Saturday....we had an even better day. We drove to Shipshewana(sp?), Indiana. This is an Amish community that is a big tourist place. We went to an Amish grocery store, saw Amish made furniture, and even went for a buggy ride with an Amish guy. He showed us some of the town and a little bit of the country around the town. We saw many little shops and ate at a small deli (awesome sandwiches) for lunch. We visited a cheese place, a popcorn farm, and even a honey farm. Some of these places don't even have electricity in thier stores. It really showed us how spoiled we are.

That night we ate at a huge Amish restaurant. The food was all home-made, really home-made and for dessert we had home-made pie. The best and biggest pieces of pie I have ever eaten. Wow.

Sunday was pretty calm. We visited Kevin and Amy's church and then visited Amy's parents (and went on thier paddle boat in the lake behind thier house). After that we just went back to Keven and Amy's house and watched tv and fell asleep.

Monday we went to Lake Michigan and saw a light house, a coast guard station, and lots of water (duh). The water was pretty and there were tons of boats. The pictures describe everything about that better.

Then we went to a place called "Craig's Cruisers". This is where we rode go-carts, bumper boats, and played some arcade games. Scott tried to play a semi-truck racing game, but it was broken....darn. Then we ate Mongolian BBQ (a first for Martie). It was good.

Tuesday was our going home day. We got on the train in Kalamazoo, Michigan and again went to Chicago. This time our lay-over was 3 hours...and we decided to venture out a little. I'll admit the big city scared me a little (we were in the heart of downtown Chicago). If you've ever seen movies set in the big city they are pretty accurate....the horns honk, and the machines are really working on the roads and sidewalk, and lots of people walking thru downtown.

We ventured a block and a half over to what used to be called the "Sears tower". It has been re-named to the "Willis Tower". We went up to the 103rd story and got to look out the windows. Again, awesome pictures. It was a little scary, other than an airplane I've never been that high off the ground. It was cool.

Then it was back on the train and heading for Garden City. We finally got to Garden City train station at 7:30 Wednesday morning (we were delayed an hour for flash flood warnings). Got home and slept for the rest of the morning.

Wednesday was our day of being lazy and now we are almost back to normal life (Scott still isn't back to work yet).

This was a great trip and Scott and I have already decided we are eventually going to do it again. Now that we know more what to expect the trip will be smoother next time.

Hope to have a post filled with pictures for you soon.

God bless you.

Song of the Week

Ok, we were in Michigan for almost a week, so I haven't posted for awhile. My first post I guess will be the song of the week. I forgot about this song (sort of) until someone commented on the lyrics for it on my facebook page. So I re-listened to it and realized that I need this song right now as I learn go say good-bye to another "angel" baby..my sweet Lily Rose.

If you're going through some tough times, just sit back and listen (maybe read the lyrics) and remember that you are not alone, no matter what.

You're Not Alone

I search for love
When the night came and it closed in
I was alone
but you found me where I was hiding
and though I'll never ever be the same
It was the sweetest voice that called my name
singing

You're not alone
For I am here
let me wipe away every fear
My love I've never left your side
I have seen you through the darkest night
and I'm the one that's loved you all your life
All of your life

You cry yourself to sleep
cause the hurt is real
and the pain cuts deep
All hope seems lost
With heartache your closest friend
and everyone else long gone

You've had to face the music on your own
but there is a sweeter song that calls you home
**sayin'

You're not alone
For I am here
let me wipe away your every tear
My love I've never left your side
I have seen you through the darkest nights
And I'm the one that's love you all your life
All your life

Faithful and true... Forever
For my love will carry you....

You're not alone
for I... I am here
let me wipe away every fear... Oh yeah
My love I've never left your side
I have seen you through your darkest nights
Your darkest nights
And I'm the one that's loved you all your life
All of your life

Touching Heaven

I don't even know if I can find words to describe how I'm feeling right now. I'm devastated (once again), but amidst those feelings of loss and disappointment I feel the arms of God surrounding me. I can't say that I've ever really felt it like this before. I'm sad, don't get me wrong, but right now I am feeling the love of God in a way I've never felt. I've always known that my babies are with Him in Heaven, but for some reason it seems more real today than it ever has.

It's almost as if I'm so close to heaven right now that I could just reach out and touch it. That I just might be able to get a small glimpse of my sweet angels and maybe even touch them for one precious moment. Maybe right now it's God's way of comforting me, or maybe I'm really grasping the fact that Heaven is real.

But if I can't be there to hold my babies, rock them to sleep, or sing them lullabies, then I couldn't ask for a better father to them than our Heavenly Father. It's like the song says, "I can't imagine Heaven's lullabies" to have Jesus singing lullabies to you must be the best thing ever.

So, yes, I do have bad news in the fact that one more Soodsma baby is gone.....but I have the hope and promise of seeing them again and I will cling to that with all my heart.

Love to you all.

Song of the Week

Yes, the song of this week is not exactly happy and cheerful...but it's on my mind, so it now became the song of the week. I've been singing this song for the past few days in my head along with the song "I Will Carry You" by Selah. I added it to the player below, so you can listen to it as you read the lyrics.

God Bless you and Keep holding on to his hand as we continue to do so on our end.


Glory Baby

Glory baby you slipped away as fast as we could say baby…baby..
You were growing, what happened dear?
You disappeared on us baby…baby..
Heaven will hold you before we do
Heaven will keep you safe until we’re home with you…
Until we’re home with you…

Miss you everyday
Miss you in every way
But we know there’s a
day when we will hold you
We will hold you
You’ll kiss our tears away
When we’re home to stay
Can’t wait for the day when we will see you
We will see you
But baby let sweet Jesus hold you
‘till mom and dad can hold you…
You’ll just have heaven before we do
You’ll just have heaven before we do

Sweet little babies, it’s hard to
understand it ‘cause we’re hurting
We are hurting
But there is healing
And we know we’re stronger people through the growing
And in knowing-
That all things work together for our good
And God works His purposes just like He said He would…
Just like He said He would…

BRIDGE:
I can’t imagine heaven’s lullabies
and what they must sound like
But I will rest in knowing, heaven is your home
And it’s all you’ll ever know…all you’ll ever know…

Song of the Week

For this week after Mother's Day, I have chosen a special song just for you mothers out there. After you take that vacation I told you about earlier, sit back, relax, and listen to this song that will remind you what a special gift we have in our children. Enjoy! (the song is on my player below)

Mother's Prayer

I pray you'll be my eyes
And watch her where she goes
And help her to be wise
Help me to let go

Every mother's prayer
Every child knows
Lead her to a place
Guide her with your grace
To a place where she'll be safe

I pray she finds your light
And holds it in her heart
As darkness falls each night
Remind her where you are

Every mother's prayer
Every child knows
Need to find a place
Guide her to a place
Give her faith so she'll be safe

Lead her to a place
Guide her with your grace
To a place where she'll be safe

Being a Mother

I've come to realize that there is one thing that helps with being a mother. I think there is lots of advice that people try to give, but I want to share only one.

**There are times that Mom needs to get away....away from her child(ren) and even away from her husband. Although at times a mom should get away with her husband without children....she needs both kinds of vacations.

A mom needs to visit family, go to a hotel, get a spa treatment (massage, manicure, pedicure, facial), visit a friend. It can even be as simple as going to the mall or a department store alone (so that she can shop with no interruptions and take as long as she wants)

After a mom comes back from one of these special "vacations" she is a new woman. She is able to be the wife and mother that she wants to be, instead of the wife and mother that she was turning into.....which happens to have a close resemblance to frankenstein or dracula.

After coming back, this woman seems to resemble the Glenda, the good witch of the North (from "The Wizard of Oz"). This is a very huge change, and your husband will notice....if your children are older, they will notice as well. Your household will run smoother and you won't be as "anal" (yes, I used that word. We use this word a lot in our house to define a parent that is way too overprotective and tends to micro-manage the child(ren).

A mom has a clearer mind after a "vacation" and is able to choose her battles a lot more wisely. This helps both parents and the child stays sane as well.

So, my one advice for this week after Mother's Day? If you haven't taken some time for yourself and you feel like you need it, DO NOT feel guilty about taking that special vacation. Your family will thank you!

God Bless and loves to all. And hope everyone had a very special mothers day!

God-Moment

I had a dr. appt today in Dodge City (yes, more fertility stuff). I have to drive through Dighton to get to Dodge, and they were doing road construction between Healy and Dighton. I ended up stopping and waiting for like 10 minutes.

The lady holding the stop/slow sign was really nice (found out her name was Rebecca). She came and talked to me and somehow we got on the subject of our families (I was mentioning Josh actually). It webbed from there to her asking me if I had kids. I told her I had a teenage daughter the same age as my younger brother. Which led to another discussion for a few minutes.

I told her as I was explaining things that our daughter is adopted. She asked me if we couldn't have kids. I told her so far we were not able to, but we were always trying.

Her next question was way cool. "Do you believe in Jesus?" What did I answer? Duh.....I answered that absolutely I believed in Jesus. So she asked me if I trusted her to do something. I said sure. So she reached in my van and put her hand on my belly and prayed for me right then and there. It was a very heartfelt prayer that God would open my womb.

Ok, some people might think that this lady was weird. I didn't. I believe in the power of prayer, and if by the act of some stranger we get pregnant this summer, I will tell my story everywhere I get a chance.

I know God uses people, God has people that are his "angels" here on earth, that do His work. So maybe, just maybe, this woman was one of God's "angels" and she was just doing God's work here on Earth.

My prayer request now? That this summer, the treatments that Scott and I will be doing (meds actually) will work and that we would be expecting a little Soodsma soon.

God Bless you all and loves to everyone.