15 Weeks

In order for me to have two posts in the month of May, I should probably write one right now or I won't get to it in the next 6 days, because days have a way of flying by without you really noticing it at all. Unfortunately, my decision to poast something has left me in a bit of a bind, because I really don't have anything to write about. Surely something must have happened in the last 3 weeks that is worthy of reporting to the world, or at least to those out there who care to read about our lives. Let's see. Well, I should definitely post a CONGRATULATIONS to Marty and Rachel Breimer Speelman on their wedding on May 12. You had a lovely day, and you looked so happy! May the Lord bless you as you continue your walk down life's path hand-in-hand.
We planted some annuals in the garden over the Victoria day weekend, which we are really enjoying, except for the part that the squirrels enjoy them as well. We have also been enjoying watching baseball games in the evenings in the park across the street. It's great to just be able to sit in our sunroom and have some live entertainment when we get home from work!
I came home this evening driving through an intense thunderstorm and some driving rain, which normally would make me quite excited. However, the knowledge that my dear hubby, a good size group of grade 6ers and a few others were on an 18 km hike from Beamsville to the school and were probably trapped in the woods with lightning all around did not make me very excited about the storm. Thankfully, there was a phone call from Mike as soon as I got in the door saying that all is well, they were back at the school before the rain started in earnest, and they got to watch lightning hit a pole, shoot blue sparks everywhere and shut off the power. But everyone's ok, the weather cleared up again pretty quick, and the campout is still on, although perhaps they will camp inside. Air mattress anyone?
Three and half weeks until our first ultrasound appointment! That sounds a lot closer than it really is. Time has been doing weird things - sometimes I wonder where the days have gone, yet when you go hourly, like this afternoon, three hours seem like three days. I believe something strange must have happened with the earth's rotation or the fourth dimension or something this afternoon from 2-5, because that was way longer than three hours. My feet were ready to fall off by the time 5:00 rolled around and the thought of standing up from this computer desk doesn't appeal to me at ALL, at least not yet.
Sorry, no new pictures to post. There's still the ones from last post if you like :)

Still Alive in St Kitts

To all those faithful blog-checkers, I am here to relieve your fears about our well-being. We are, in fact, alive and well, despite the silence of the blog. It's been quite busy lately, and I haven't really had much time or motivation to sit down and think of something to write. Let's see, when was the last time I posted... something about the first burgers of the season. Since then, we have had quite a few burgers, almost too much for me. Today, I backed out of the burger and had a sausage instead. There is such a thing as too many hamburgers, and I'm a little worried about what my BBQ-loving hubby has in mind for the summer's meal plans...


Spring is definitely arriving, making my morning drives to work quite scenic with all the orchards in bloom. I'll have to get out there and take some pictures. Spring has also brought out the rugby team which practices in the field across from our house every Tuesday and Thursday, providing some free entertainment. Our grass is growing, and growing, and growing, and I think we're going to have to break down and get ourselves a lawn mower as the reel mower doesn't function like a real mower.


We bought a new car a month ago, a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. So far we're really enjoying it, the most appreciated difference from the Escort probably being the ability to have normal-voice conversations on our long trips to visit family. If anyone out there is interested in purchasing a sporty 1995 Ford Escort Wagon, 260,000 km, we are putting it up for sale. It's got a great engine, good tires, a/c, automatic locks and windows (I'm starting to miss those), and can fit an amazing amount of stuff into it, which is particularly handy if you do a lot of moving around or camping. It does need a mechanic's help because it makes some strange noises when you turn, but with a little love this car could take you places. Last year, we took it to the Adirondacks, up and down mountains and it didn't complain at all! Brave little car.

My two sisters are off on a one month adventure to Europe in 25 minutes. They are probably sitting in the waiting room right now, or maybe even on the plane, bags packed and stowed, cameras ready, and the excitement flowing through their veins. I'll miss them a lot, but they're bringing along the pins I gave them so they've got a little piece of me with them for their pictures :)

Perhaps I'll post some pictures of the last little while, since pictures are always nice.

Another dinner outside - BBQ'd of course, but this time it was shish-kabob

Mike wore this to school one day to see what kind of reaction

he could get from his students. Actually, it was Clash Day, and

I think he did a pretty good job clashing!This is my failed attempt at a picture of glow-in-the-dark bowling.

We went bowling with all the Vander Deen siblings last weekend

after celebrating Mom and Dad VD's 25th anniversary with the

family at the Mandarin.

This disgusting creature was on our bedroom wall yesterday morning.

It is bigger than it looks, and really gross, and there better only

be one of them.It belongs in the zoo. This is NOT a photo-shopped picture.

I think it could have eaten me in my sleep.

Now what is all this stuff? What is going on at the Vander Deen household?

I saved the best picture for last. :) Yup, if you think you've figured it out, you're right! Our lives are about to change in a most significant and exciting way, for come November, D.V., we will be welcoming the newest little member of our family into the world! This week, we got to hear his or her little heartbeat at the midwife's office, and it was such an amazing sound! Other than being really really tired, I've been feeling pretty good, which is quite a blessing and really makes being tired nothing to complain about at all. It's still somewhat unbelievable to us that we are going to be PARENTS, but we trust and pray that God will give us all that we need to bring up this child in the fear of His name.