Thursday, May 29, 2008
Monthly Update-What's New
Hi there,
A couple of new cool stuff happened since the last post. First is with our family. Our daughter, Callista, took her first step last week. She was 9.5 months old! It was really cool to watch. It was interesting too, because she really didn't realize what she had done. She had been balancing for a few weeks, with no hand-holds, for short time periods. She could also take steps with someone holding her hands, but it wasn't until last week that she actually put one step forward. Callie has since taken a few more steps-one at a time-and I am sure she will be walking soon. It is always very exciting to watch all of her developments, but first-steps are one of the big developments are extra special.
Another new item in our lives is that I, Dean, have been appointed a deacon at our church. I have already been assigned the duties of Assistant Treasurer for my first year of three. The progression goes: 1st yr Assist Treas., 2nd yr Treas., 3rd yr Head of Finance Committee. This does make me a little nervous since this is my first time, but I am sure it will be fine also.
Lastly, I have completed two full classes for my MBA degree. I officially received A's in both. This is way better than I ever accomplished in my undergrad. Needless to say, I am very excited about this. I think I received better grades partially because of taking one class at a time, and partially because I can relate work experiences to class and vice versa.
All in all, life has been great lately, and our family praises and thanks God for His blessings
A couple of new cool stuff happened since the last post. First is with our family. Our daughter, Callista, took her first step last week. She was 9.5 months old! It was really cool to watch. It was interesting too, because she really didn't realize what she had done. She had been balancing for a few weeks, with no hand-holds, for short time periods. She could also take steps with someone holding her hands, but it wasn't until last week that she actually put one step forward. Callie has since taken a few more steps-one at a time-and I am sure she will be walking soon. It is always very exciting to watch all of her developments, but first-steps are one of the big developments are extra special.
Another new item in our lives is that I, Dean, have been appointed a deacon at our church. I have already been assigned the duties of Assistant Treasurer for my first year of three. The progression goes: 1st yr Assist Treas., 2nd yr Treas., 3rd yr Head of Finance Committee. This does make me a little nervous since this is my first time, but I am sure it will be fine also.
Lastly, I have completed two full classes for my MBA degree. I officially received A's in both. This is way better than I ever accomplished in my undergrad. Needless to say, I am very excited about this. I think I received better grades partially because of taking one class at a time, and partially because I can relate work experiences to class and vice versa.
All in all, life has been great lately, and our family praises and thanks God for His blessings
Labels: Family
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Back to School
Well, I thought I would never say this, but I am back to school. I decided that if I was to grow in my accounting degree, and get a better paying job, then I had better get my masters in business administration. Therefore, I am now heading down a not-too-long road of 18 months to do just that. I must say that I didn't ever hate school, but I found that I enjoy the work environment much more than the study/acedemia environment. This could be because I learn so much faster and remember so much more in a hand's on experience. My previous job was great. I learned tons in a very short amount of time and gave it my all. However, after 6+ years, my manager and I weren't seeing eye to eye, I was starting a family(picture attached of our little daughter) and I didn't feel that I was being paid well for the type of work I was accomplishing.
My new place of work is almost like being home again. I grew up on a chicken and egg farm of 10,000 chickens and approximately that many eggs per day. I now am working for a pig farm, which has over 23,000 sows. These sows produce piglets which are then sent across five states for raising them and selling them. Some of you are probably immediatly thinking this is a large farm and doesn't care for the animals. On the CONTRARY, we are a christian organization, whose philosophy is that if we care for the animals, they will be more productive. We are also very progressive in our nutrient management of the soil in which we spread manure. I have learned that this farm is very much in favor of a good environment. I wish some of the college professors at Calvin College and staff at the Humane Society of the U.S. would recognize that not all large farms are mean to animals and the invironment. Actually most big farms are probably better for the environment than small farmers just because of the huge amounts of federal/state regulations have upon them.
Its been over a month since my last post, so I thought I had better get up to date again.
Labels: Family
Thursday, December 27, 2007
"Alive Again"
Hey All,
I have been so busy lately, I even forgot my password to get in here to blog. So, to sum up almost the full year it seems: First, we have a baby girl named Callista. She is super cute and fun, and makes life pretty easy for us. She was born on 8/4/07 and was 19.5 inches, 6lb 11oz, and had lots of dark hair. She loves to stand up(with help) and often won't even bend at the waist because she doesn't want to sit. She has two front-bottom teeth poking through already. Callista is a joy, and we thank God every day for her.
On another note, I just started a new job at Dykhuis Farms in Overisel, MI. I am an accountant with them and my first day was 12/24/07(x-mas eve). So far I am learning a great deal really fast. I will be doing payroll, accounts payable, acccounts receivable, and analyzing the financial statements. I am a little nervous, but am also very excited for this new opportunity.
I hope to blog a little more often now, so stay posted.
I have been so busy lately, I even forgot my password to get in here to blog. So, to sum up almost the full year it seems: First, we have a baby girl named Callista. She is super cute and fun, and makes life pretty easy for us. She was born on 8/4/07 and was 19.5 inches, 6lb 11oz, and had lots of dark hair. She loves to stand up(with help) and often won't even bend at the waist because she doesn't want to sit. She has two front-bottom teeth poking through already. Callista is a joy, and we thank God every day for her.
On another note, I just started a new job at Dykhuis Farms in Overisel, MI. I am an accountant with them and my first day was 12/24/07(x-mas eve). So far I am learning a great deal really fast. I will be doing payroll, accounts payable, acccounts receivable, and analyzing the financial statements. I am a little nervous, but am also very excited for this new opportunity.
I hope to blog a little more often now, so stay posted.
Labels: Family
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Update
Hi ya'll,
As you can probably tell from my poor blogging habits, I am a little busy lately. I usually take an afternoon break at work and float around on the internet. THis is also the time when I post blogs, but work is busy. I guess this is partly due to summer vacations starting and also one fellow co-worker is taking care of her husband right now because he had hip-replacement surgery. Enough about work; what is new and cool that is happening?
Jes and I will be having a 3-D ultrasound next monday of our little growing baby. We are still planning on the baby's gender being a surprise, so hopefully there will be no "accidents" while watching the ultrasound. So far both mom and baby are doing well. For me, my broken leg is considered healed and I am now playing in our church softball league. Last thursday night we lost our first game, but I did have one hit-a single- and one good catch in the outfield during the game. Also, my little nephew-who was born 2months early-is doing very good. He is home and is growing like crazy. He is no longer skinny, but has chubby cheeks and is a healthly little guy.
As you can probably tell from my poor blogging habits, I am a little busy lately. I usually take an afternoon break at work and float around on the internet. THis is also the time when I post blogs, but work is busy. I guess this is partly due to summer vacations starting and also one fellow co-worker is taking care of her husband right now because he had hip-replacement surgery. Enough about work; what is new and cool that is happening?
Jes and I will be having a 3-D ultrasound next monday of our little growing baby. We are still planning on the baby's gender being a surprise, so hopefully there will be no "accidents" while watching the ultrasound. So far both mom and baby are doing well. For me, my broken leg is considered healed and I am now playing in our church softball league. Last thursday night we lost our first game, but I did have one hit-a single- and one good catch in the outfield during the game. Also, my little nephew-who was born 2months early-is doing very good. He is home and is growing like crazy. He is no longer skinny, but has chubby cheeks and is a healthly little guy.
Labels: Family
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
1st Baby Ultrasound
We had our first baby ultrasound yesterday at the doctor's office. It was so cool to actually "see" the baby. We are chooseing to not know the sex of the baby; we want it to be a surprise. We have some pictures and a VHS tape too. There are hand and feet, fingers and toes. There are head and body, legs and arms. Seeing the heart pump was very interesting. It reminded me of a butterfly with its wings flapping up and down. The baby's heart rate was 149 beats/min. which is normal. The doctor said that the baby weighs about 9 ounces right now and everything looked normal. Soon the baby will be kicking and moving enough that we will be able to feel the movements.
We also were able to see my little nephew last weekend. He is doing very well considering being born so early. He is still in an incubator most the time, but my brother and sister-in-law were able to hold him. He is breathing well and should be able to come home in a few weeks. The hardest part for my brother and sister-in-law is leaving the little guy; it is hard for them to say goodbye and see ya later. I think this would be extremely tough too.
As for me, my broken leg is healing pretty good. I am still limping a little bit, especially in the morning. I see the doc in 4 weeks for more x-rays; hopefully all will healed.
We also were able to see my little nephew last weekend. He is doing very well considering being born so early. He is still in an incubator most the time, but my brother and sister-in-law were able to hold him. He is breathing well and should be able to come home in a few weeks. The hardest part for my brother and sister-in-law is leaving the little guy; it is hard for them to say goodbye and see ya later. I think this would be extremely tough too.
As for me, my broken leg is healing pretty good. I am still limping a little bit, especially in the morning. I see the doc in 4 weeks for more x-rays; hopefully all will healed.
Labels: Family
