Fall Photos are amazing

I just spent today watching the Broncos win. Amazing! But not as amazing as these family shots at VanDiestClan

Categories: Family, Photos

Take a Look at this!

I just posted on our other site: VanDiestClan a whole bunch of cute shots of our family.

Enjoy

Categories: Family, Photos

New Photos coming your way

Hey all I have to make a public confession. I am totally smitten by my kids and my wife. Wow. Check out Summer is Coming to an End - Booh.

Categories: Family, Photos

Family Camping

To end the summer we joined our neighbors, Billy and Ali and their 7 kids plus two other friends they adopted for the summer, for a small camping trip up to Vail. Eli their 8-9 year old was in a statewide 3 v 3 soccer tournament up there so we decided to join them. Billy owns an RV company so his family was decked out with a great rig. We on the other hand don't own one but own a cool 3 bedroom tent. So what does a crazy family of 4 kids do if they don't have a trailer? We head up with the truck filled with gear and rough it.

We got up at 4:30am to head to Vail and aim for the first come first serve camp site. We lucked out because we pulled in there at 7:30am and grabbed the last site. The kids were in their glory; running around, finding sticks and firewood, dirt all over and visions of smores cooking in the fire that night.

We pitched the tent and gave it the good ole college try. Isa was all smiles, ear to ear, to know that she was sleeping in the tent next to me. Throughout the night she would just lean over, tap me and smile. Jacob was 10 short weeks at the time but did great. He slept great, stayed warm and Christine would just nurse right there in the tent. We survived a big rain storm the first night about midnight with little water finding its way into the corners of our tent.

The first night was a night of 'hobos.' We taught our friends and their kids how to make a tin foil filled with meat, cheeses, veggies, and sauces pocket of joy. It was a crazy adventure of kids screaming, "mine's done," and "which one is mine." Ultimately they loved it and we ended the night with smores.

This was our first time in Vail and we just loved it. We have driven through hundreds of times but found no reason to stop. The village, the mountain, shops and clean air is now calling us back. The village is filled with great shops and play grounds the kids just loved. Sunday afternoon after some soccer games we took the gondola up to the top of Vail Mountain. It was just shear beauty filled with volleyball, a good beer, a cup of cafe and good views.

All in all the kids, friends, smell of the mountains gave us a vision to make getting out and away from home and the city part of our regular summer lives. We'll have to wait until next year as school has started and the nights are getting colder. Maybe we'll find ourselves a little trailer to tow and to make the nights a bit more warm and dry.

Categories: Family, Photos

Photo Page updated

Just posted our Family Photos today. I think you'll enjoy the shots. I know I do.

BLINK! There went July!





Categories: Family, Photos

June is not so gloomy

Growing up in California the month of June could be known as June Gloom for its overcast and grey weather. But we had a great June and you can visit Family Photos for updated shots and videos.

Categories: Photos, Family

Official Baby Announcement

These past 2 weeks have been super eventful. Jacob is such a blessing. The kids are loving and enjoying him. Even Isa is handling not being the baby anymore as long as she keeps her “princess” status.

Just this past week Benjamin had a compound fracture to his left arm and immediately had surgery to repair the broken bones.

Thank you for praying for us and partnering with us in ministry and in life.

Categories: Family, Photos, Prayer, Newsletters

Benjamin is home and the surgery went great!

Benjamin came home this morning after a night of antibiotics at the hospital and some movie watching with dad. We stayed up until midnight and I'm exhausted. I think staying at home with an eight day old baby boy is easier than the hospital couch playing as a bed. I think dwarfs and hobbits could sleep well here but ogre size men like me don't do well.

Ben did awesome and was super brave. He asked me to tell everyone that he didn't cry that much. I told him when I broke my arm at 11 years old I cried more when they fixed mine. As you can see from his pre surgery shot, he was valiant. We also thought the shot with his blue hair net was pretty funny. You can also see here a x-ray of both bones broken.

Brothers and sister came today to take him home. He's playing at home and doing great. Amazing miracle of medical care. As of a week ago we had never been to the hospital. Now after Jacob's birth and Benjamin's surgery I have found all the free coffee machines. Got to love the free complimentary spouse and parent food plate. We ate well.

Friday we go in early, with an empty stomach to take x-rays and see if the bones have set well. Dr. Hunter says 1/3 of these need to be re-repaired but 2/3 have no problems. We're praying to be the 2/3. So if the bones move Benjamin will go into surgery again on Friday afternoon. Join us in prayer.

All in all I can't say thanks to the friends, neighbors and folks from our church who have watched our kids, rushed at high speeds to the Emergency room (Billy Williams in his Audi), brought us meals and just called to see if we're okay. We have never been so needy but God is teaching us to receive gifts without performing for them. I guess we haven't learned that yet.

You can also see some updated photos at Van Diest Photos of all the kids, Christine and I.

Categories: Family, Prayer, Photos

Some new shots

Here are some updated shots on our other site: Van Diest Photos

Categories: Family, Photos

Jacob James Van Diest arrived today

Today at 4:23pm Mtn Jacob James Van Diest arrived. We arrived at the hospital around 2pm and Christine was amazing as usual. Jacob is 7lbs 3oz and 20 inches long. He came out crying and has eaten and slept well. The other kids were super excited and Isa got over the initial "what in the world is happening" very quickly.

Jonathan's tender heart showed and found a great affinity for caring for Jacob. The kid are at home with me tonight, sleeping well, excited to go back to the hospital tomorrow. Another blessing was to have Christine's dad, Frank, in town with our kids today. Also our neighbors have been tremendously loving, encouraging and caring for us. When I got home to put the kids to bed Mattie, our neighbors daughter came rushing over with Kayla, another neighbor gal, to put our kids to bed and watche them. I rushed back for an hour or so to be with Jacob and Stine. What a miracle!!

Categories: God, Family, Photos

We have loved our Spring

This spring has been what we needed. In our transition back to the states from Mexico we have been learning of God's blessings and love regardless and in spite of our performance. We have been at awe of God's care of our hearts, relationship and family. We moved to Greeley, CO and have been blown away by the loving neighbors and friends in our little subdivision. There are about 25 kids, half of which are homeschooled and some great parents. It never fails about 4 days out of the week about 4 families find themselves on someone's porch talking, sharing food and drink. They have loved us and brought us into their lives. Sooo good!

Early on Jonathan and Benjamin wanted to play soccer with the neighborhood kids so we joined some local teams. I was brainwashed into coaching with my good friend, Ethan. I actually find coaching these kids and being around the families as one of the most enjoyable things to do with your Saturday. God seems to always move in the lives of the kids and in the families. Soon we're going to have a wine and cheese party with about 4 other families from this team.

After moving in I asked who the family was two doors down that I never see around. It is Mitch and Ming's Mediteranean style home. They both work for Charlie Monfort, who owns the Rockies and are gone all the time at baseball games. I asked the neighborhood dads if we could get 6 of the boys and 4 dads tickets from Mitch for the Dodgers vs. Rockies game on April 19. Mitch came through and we had 10 tickets right behind, I mean first row, the Rockies dugout. During the game Mitch came over and chewed me and my boys for sitting in the owners seats and wearing Dodger Blue. I have to be loyal. I did make ammends a few weeks later by bringing Mitch a 6 pack of a local Greeley brew. We're good and will maybe even go to a future Rockies game. This time I'll wear purple.

Jonathan has a new love for football. Bless his heart. My body wears the sores and aches of a short lived high school career; blown knee, torn shoulder, fractured back and many broken fingers were all worth it. Jonathan attended a short football camp hosted by the UNC Bears. He loved it and is planning to play this coming fall.

Ali our neighbor and mom of 7 kids, 6 are homeschooled called Christine up about a month ago for a quick field trip to a local animal farm. This may have been Isa's first exposure to non-pet animals. She loved it.

Soon after this we and the neighborhood were planning a huge Easter Egg hunt in the park across from our house. But God had other plans as the weather turned cold and wet. We resorted to a Van Diest tradition of having our egg hunt indoors. You can check out this video of our adventure. Amy our good friend and adopted sister joined us for a great Easter.


Being at home, resting and taking this Sabatical is what our family and hearts needed. The boys, Isa and I have started a sporatic activity of hanging out called DWD, Down with Dad. We go get ice cream, shop, do errands or even cool activities. We're planning, baby delivery willing, to go fishing this coming week. Isa is growing and you can see many more pictures of her and the boys at Van Diest Photos. She has a spark for life and can be a fireball of sassiness. Here is a video of her running around in a box.


Recently Jonathan went with me on a trip to Gull Lake, Michigan, outside of Kalamazoo for a wedding of Joel and Ana (Arias) Schraeder. Joel was a CU student in our ministry about 13 years ago and then was on our 1st team to Malaga, Spain. Joel has been living in Spain since 1999 and is a dear friend. Here is a picture of all the people at the wedding who have lived in Spain alongside Joel. What a cool blessing of what God has done in Spain. We're so excited to see God bless them.

Jonathan was excited too because his love language is time spent and touch. We did a ton of that on the short 2 night trip. We went and saw Spidey 3, ate bad junk food, laughed, wrestled, talked and even rode behind a boat on an inner tube. Here you can see, yes a bouncy video, of Jonathan wiping out.


At the reception I realized I was getting old and that Jonathan has his mother's genes. While I talked and talked, Jonathan danced and danced. You can see that video here. Below are the new friends and relatives of Joel and Ana's that he met that weekend.


We are so grateful for the work God is doing in us. He is molding us, growing us, teaching us to love and receive love. He is resting our machines inside that have so long run hard and fast. We are learning to take each day as it comes and listen to His gentle voice.



Today Christine is 38 weeks pregnant and according to her Dr. today she could have the baby tonight or shortly there after. Man I need a nap before baby #4 comes. My guess is that my next post will be about our delivery and wonderful son.



We'll keep in touch.

To see many more photos click on Van Diest Photos

Categories: Family, Photos, God

Adjusting to Greeley CO- Photo Updates

We're enjoying Greeley, CO and the community God has provided in our neighborhood. Here are some family shots you'll enjoy. Van Diest Photos

Categories: Family, Photos

New Family Photos

Here are some recent shots of the family. Click Here

Categories: Family, Photos

Family photo update

Here is a long awaited post on some family photos. January Update

Categories: Family, Photos