Monday, August 04, 2008
Callista has turned One Years Old today
Time really flies sometimes doesn't it? Our daughter, Callista turned one years old today. This past weekend we had a fun little party with family members and she was spoiled rotten. The weather was so nice that we had to have the party outside. We sat in the shade, under our very large oak tree, and enjoyed the afternoon together. Callie had just woken up from a nap, so she was not really awake yet when everyone arrived. But, once the presents started coming out, she became very excited. She sorta tore at the wrapping paper, and hugged her new stuffed (pink) elephant. She also found time to walk back over to her $0.50 skooter we found at a garage sale. Proves that newer pricier gifts aren't always the coolest gifts.
By the way, Callie has been walking since 10.5 months, but is now walking quite well. She loves to point at the stuff she wants, but is only saying about 10-15 words so far. (grandparents always "hear" more words) All in all, she seems to be developing extremely well. It is beginning to be difficult to remember what life was like without her.
By the way, Callie has been walking since 10.5 months, but is now walking quite well. She loves to point at the stuff she wants, but is only saying about 10-15 words so far. (grandparents always "hear" more words) All in all, she seems to be developing extremely well. It is beginning to be difficult to remember what life was like without her.
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
Monday, April 28, 2008
April Update
Well, almost two months have passed; it seems like time flies. I am very busy at work on the pig farm. For those who have not heard yet, I am working as an accountant on a large pig farm, so I am not getting to smelly or dirty. It is a tough business right now with corn-based ethanol fuel driving up the prices of corn. We feed mostly corn to our pigs, and since corn as doubled in just over a year, it is really difficult to feed our pigs and stay in business. There is hope on the horizon, which is great, it just takes awhile for our economy to adjust in our free enterprise market.
I had to fix my old car this weekend. I have a Mercury Sable 1997, with 164,000 miles. It has been a very good car for the most part, probably due to it being a family/grandparent car and that they made so many of them also in Ford Taurus form. I was driving along and my speedometer quit, then power steering, and then the transmission wouldn't shift smoothly. After talking with my brother, who happens to be an auto-technician, he said it was a speed sensor. The good part was that it was a $35 part, and my brother would fix it for me. The bad part was that it had rusted in place and we couldn't even pound it out with a hammer. We limped it to my brother's workplace where he used an air-hammer to knock it loose. Then he simply pulled it out and slid the new one in. It is a good thing I have a nice brother like that, because otherwise the labor bill would've been skyrocket high. Plus, I can trust him.
Over and out for now.
I had to fix my old car this weekend. I have a Mercury Sable 1997, with 164,000 miles. It has been a very good car for the most part, probably due to it being a family/grandparent car and that they made so many of them also in Ford Taurus form. I was driving along and my speedometer quit, then power steering, and then the transmission wouldn't shift smoothly. After talking with my brother, who happens to be an auto-technician, he said it was a speed sensor. The good part was that it was a $35 part, and my brother would fix it for me. The bad part was that it had rusted in place and we couldn't even pound it out with a hammer. We limped it to my brother's workplace where he used an air-hammer to knock it loose. Then he simply pulled it out and slid the new one in. It is a good thing I have a nice brother like that, because otherwise the labor bill would've been skyrocket high. Plus, I can trust him.
Over and out for now.
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
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Detroit International Auto Show
We attended the Detroit Auto show and this Mazda was probably one of the coolest concept cars there. 2008's Show was pretty good this year with many concept cars and many cars with alternative fuels. There were also 5 Chinese auto makers present, which made the show a little different and new again.
A couple of my other favorites from the show include the Ford Explorer America Concept and the Mitsubishi Concept X(think new Eclipse).
Overall, it was a great show and worth the money and the snowy cold drive to arrive there.
A couple of my other favorites from the show include the Ford Explorer America Concept and the Mitsubishi Concept X(think new Eclipse).
Overall, it was a great show and worth the money and the snowy cold drive to arrive there.
Labels: cars
Monday, January 07, 2008
Amazing Police "Chase"
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
