TGIF!

Instead of having Labor day on Monday, I had my labor day today :o) The kids had a school field trip to an amusement part about 2 hrs from here (I don't remember doing cool trips like that..) So they were gone all day today! It was so nice. I slept in a little, took my time doing my morning chores, and then Rachel came over and we tentatively planned our year! Yay! It was really exciting planning all the things we wanted to see and do.. However, my initial goal of 12 countries in 12 months is not going to happen I don't think.. Maybe. But probably not. We decided that we wanted to do the big things like Paris, Rome, Brussels, and Berlin.. But we plan on seeing lots of the Netherlands while we are here on short little day trips, and I think that will be equally as fun.. I guess that just means that I'll HAVE to come back some day. Darn it anyway :o) Maurien did mention to me that maybe in February they might go to France and I can tag along if I'd like. And I said OF COURSE! Free trip to France. I'll take it! :o)
Max, the middle child, he's 10, is so funny! He makes me laugh so hard! He can be quite the pill but he can be so funny tonight. And he really catches on to things sometimes. For instance, last week the kids and I were getting ready to eat dinner and I said " rub a dub dub, thanks for the grub, amen" b/c the family never prays before dinner and they don't really stop talking, more like yelling, over each other long enough for me to even get a quick silent prayer in. So my prayer is usually while I"m fixing it. So after I said my quick summer camp prayer Max repeated it and then later asked why I said that. And I said, well Max. I think we should always thank God for the food, but I know that you guys don't pray before meals, but I think that little camp prayer is ok. He said, oh.. and then walked away. So tonight he says " Lord, rub a dub dub, thanks for the grub. Amen" and then everyone started laughing, including me, but I was so proud too. I was glad that he listened. Maybe this is the start of something beautiful for him. Eventually I hope to say something along the lines of " Dear Lord, thank you for this food. Amen" But I don't feel like now is the time to get thaaaat religious :o) I'm just so excited to see the kids, but especially Max grow this year. I really believe that someday he will grow up to be very successful and I hope that he becomes a Christian and uses his humor, his organization and his smart little brain to show others the love of Christ in a new and original way.
Wait.. have I even talked about the kids much? I don't think so... But I've been here 2 weeks, so now I have a feel (sort of) how the kids are.. so here we go.
Pien, the oldest and only girl. She is 11 and very much a girl. So sweet, and so wants to fit in and wants everyone to like her. She is a little shy at first, but she's coming out of her shell I think. She got her first pair of real hoop earings yesterday, and boy did she feel grow up. She came running up the stairs and showed me immediately and asked me to help her put them in. Then she ooohed and ahhhed at herself in the mirror. She is so precious! She wants to do very well in school so that she can do well on this terrible test in February. ( this test determines what high school she will go to, and then basically what college she will get into.. crazy huh?) I think she doesn't like school, but she knows she needs to do well so she studies hard. She loves to bake in the kitchen and just hang around me. It's nice, she reminds me a lot of Lauren. It's fun to have a "little sister" around, and I think it's fun for her to have me around. Can't wait for some good 1 on 1 time with her.
Max, is HILARIOUS! So funny! Easily distracted, but a good kid. He likes to push the limits a little and is very strong willed, but good news, so am I.. it will be intersting. But he loves to please people. The other day Pien made her bed (which is actually part of my morning chores, make the kids beds and clean up their bathroom) so I was praising her and telling her how happy I was that she did that on her own, so Max runs into his room and makes his bed and is looking pleased as punch when I walked in and praised him too. So cute. And so funny. He will make this year fun, and crazy for me I think.
Jonas. The youngest. He's 8 and clearly the baby of the family. He gets what he wants by crying on the spot. It drives me crazy! He doesn't like to speak English, sometimes I think he does it to annoy me.. but Maarten and Maurien always correct him and make him speak English. He has the "good soldier" mentality. He'll do what he's asked even if he doesn't like it. But he won't go above and beyond. Part of that is his age, and part of that is being boy I think. He will be the challenge child I think. But sometimes the challenges are what make the year the most worth while because I think you see the most change (in you and in them) in the challenges. I'll just have to remember that when he's testing my patience. He is very good at Tennis and loves to play soccer. He say's he's going to teach me some soccer tricks so I can kick Josh's butt when I get back.. I wouldn't take it that far, but it will be fun to let him teach me soccer while I teach him English. We will both learn a lot!

Well. I think that's about it. Tomorrow we are going to see another museum and Sunday my uncle Jim comes. YAY! Can't wait! Have an outstanding weekend!!