The Dykstra Boys Present: Psalm 23

Happy Thanksgiving!

A few days late, but the first chance to post this.  Our annual family picture.

We had a very nice time in Iowa visiting Marc’s parents and rest of the family.   Andrew took to his cousin Aidan and they were practically inseparable.  Aidan even got him a matching leather coat and Andrew LOVED it!  He barely took it off… even hanging it up and folding it when he did.  We also went and watched “Tangled 3D”… and the glasses soon became part of the ensemble.

 

We also celebrated Grandma and Grandpa’s 70th Anniversary!
SEVENTIETH!

Amazing, isn't it!

Blogiversary!

This month celebrates my sixth year of blogging!  It’s been quite the ride from my first post back in 2004.

And by ride, I mean some crazy up and downs. Such is life, right?  I know I’ve been slacking in my posting lately.  Life has become very busy… and blogging seems to have taken a back seat.

Right now we are in one of those crazy down times and we are just taking it one day at the time.  We try to count our blessings when the waves seem like they are too high and too strong; keeping our eyes on Jesus, knowing He’s sovereign and He loves us.

I am going to try to do better posting, but in this season of life, I make no promises.  It’s unfortunate, really, because I do love capturing snippets of our lives here.  I especially enjoy going back and reading them later…. like my own little form of scrapbooking.

For now, here’s some fun picture of the boys that are sure to bring smiles.

AJ’s current Favorite Song.

…you should hear him belt it out!

Before a heartache can ever touch my life, it has to go through Your hands

I’m running back to your promises one more time, Lord that’s all I can hold on to,
I gotta say this has taken me by surprise, but nothing surprises you.
Before a heartache can ever touch my life, it has to go through Your hands,
and even though I keep asking why, I keep asking why,

No matter what, I’m gonna love You, 
No matter what I’m gonna need You,
I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain but if not, I’ll trust you,
No matter what, no matter what.

When I’m stuck and there’s nothing else by myself, I’m just sitting in silence,
There’s no way I can make it without Your help, I wont even try it.
I know You have Your reasons for everything, so I will keep believing,
Whatever I might be feeling, God you are my hope, and you will be my strength,

No matter what, I’m gonna love You, 
No matter what I’m gonna need You,
I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain but if not, I’ll trust you,
No matter what, no matter what.

Anything I don’t have You can give it to me, but it’s ok if You don’t,
I’m not here for those things, the touch of Your love is enough on its own,
No matter what I still love You and I’m gonna need You

No matter what, I’m gonna love You, 
No matter what I’m gonna need You,
I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain but if not, I’ll trust you,
No matter what, no matter what.

I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain but if not, I’ll trust you,
No matter what, no matter what.

Pumpkins…no shortage here.

Last week, we had an nice sunny afternoon and hit the Gardens… mostly to see the HUGE pumpkins.

   

ArtPrize 2010

This year our family became enamored with ArtPrize in our town.

ArtPrize is a radically open competition. Open to any artist in the world who can find space. Open to anybody in Grand Rapids, Michigan who wants to create a venue. Open to a vote from anyone who attends.

We made it downtown two separate times to see many of the pieces.  And even then, I know we didn’t see probably half of all the art. The boys really got into it as well…. they would come home, draw a picture, and call it their ArtPrize.  

Some art was amazing, some was a little crazy, some were completely geared toward the kiddos and some not so much.

 

There were several of these pianos stating, “Play Me, I’m Yours”.

 

 

 

Mostly, I loved what it did for our city.  It was abuzz with ArtPrize conversation…. which pieces were favorites and which venues were visited.  I felt very proud to live here… and I’m not an artsy gal.

 

And the 2010 ArtPrize Winner (and my personal favorite as well) is Cavalry, American Officers, 1921 by Chris LaPorte. All sketched with No. 2 pencils.  Amazing.

Happy Halloween

Tiger AJ and Cheetah Andrew at Boo goes Zoo.

 

Racecar Driver AJ and Astronaut Andrew

Happy Halloween!

Coach Marc

As I mentioned before, Marc coached AJ’s flag football team this season with help from his lovely assistant, Kelli.  And we had so much fun with this group of kids.  We found ourselves looking forward to practices and super excited for game days.

At first, especially after watching how four year olds play T-Ball, we thought we would be lucky if the boys ran in the right general direction.  However, before the season was over, Marc had them running and completing pass plays.  

And even though no “score” was kept at the games, I’m proud to say we were undefeated!

We even kept stats on these boys… just for fun of course, that way at the practice we could pass out awards during our pizza party.   And I admit, we were sad to see the season end.

Of course, we can’t forget that these are only four and five year olds.  We had trouble getting a game restarted once when one of the boys found a worm in the middle of the field.  And there were tears here and there when a kid was hit a little to hard.  And boys running off for potty breaks.  And trying to keep boys focused when we told them we had donuts for the team after the game.

Can’t wait until next year.

I love it when….

…I take the boys to a large field to fly a kite after spending all day indoors due to tornado warnings. However, we ended up spending most of the time playing "Find Mommy's Keys Somewhere in the Leaf-Covered Field". 

It’s a great game.
Praise God, we found them!

From Minnesota Vikings to Rocket Football Vikings.

This year the boys played Rocket Flag Football and we had a blast doing it. Andrew was in the 6-7 year old group. And AJ was in the 4-5 year old group coached my none other than Coach Marc himself (with his lovely assistant Coach Kelli).

The season consisted of 4 Saturday morning games, and weekly practices. The boys got to walk in the homecoming parade and can go to any of the home games. (We’ve only made it to one so far).

As parents, this, by far, has been our favorite sport the boys have participated it.  Both boys were able to score a few touchdowns and make some tackles...  

 

 

(more football to come…)

Moss is Back, Baby!

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Inviting everyone to a Party he wasn’t having

Last night as the boys were getting ready for bed, somehow the conversation shifted to half birthdays.  I was trying to explain to AJ what they were.  As I was explaining it, I realized that his half birthday fell next Wednesday. 

So I told him his half birthday was in two days. Andrew asked when his was and I told him.  Then the boys went to bed. End of story… for the night.

This morning, AJ got to go with my friend and sons to church while I worked.  When she dropped AJ off she wanted to talk to me about what AJ has been saying in the car.

Apparently, he was telling everyone that tomorrow is his half birthday (correct) and inviting them to his half birthday party (nope).  And that his mom would be making  a surprise cake of some sort of shape… or possibly buying one and that would be okay with him, too.  And that they should bring presents. (what?!)

The good news is that yes, his friends ARE coming over tomorrow… because they already were planning on coming – NOT because of his half birthday. And…. his mom just may have to use this excuse to make a cake.  At least a half of one, right.   The bad news (for him), is no presents. 

Little Stinker.

Sentimental Sunday: Rambo

I’ve been blogging for almost 6 years. That’s a lot of great and not so great moments documented. I main reason I blog is to remember these times… good and bad.   “Sentimental Sunday”, is when I link back and remember posts I’ve written in the last several years. 

 

Originally Posted September 07, 2009.
…this is how AJ went to bed tonight..

Instead of Camping… (Part II)

Cousins. It was so nice to see them.

 

Putting on his dad’s roller blades; Marc was a very good “blader” back in the day.

Hunny and I eating a late night snack of doughnuts.  Hey – we were on vacation.