Quiet Day

Lydia has been sick since Christmass. She is not feeling well, swollen throat, aches all over, etc. Not good. Saturday was deemed 'quiet day' by executive order of... well, me. I decided that Lydia needed a day to rest some. Now those of you that know Lydia... lying around resting is for those of lesser genetic makeup. Germans do not lie around!
It began with taking the kids to D&W for some groceries. Now I was not too excited about a cart full of kids, along with a list in one hands and a Starbucks mocha in the other, but we made it through. When I got home I noticed that I do not buy as wisely as Lydia or think family. I think like a college guy at the grocery store. I guess that is one other reason she is great! We then made arts and crafts for a good part of the afternoon. We made dolls and glasses and monster teeth and glasses and other fun things.
We colored and stickered and taped and glued. Anna bade this ballerina. I am not sure about the square jaw though.
Here are all of them in their crowns. They thought this was super cool!
Owen had me make multiple pairs of glasses in diverse colors. I cannot imagine where that comes from!
Watson got some new specs too, but they were a bit too small.

It was a nice quiet day. Lydia still does not feel well, but she will not get another quiet day- unless she hires someone to do it!

What Thirty is Like

Well, I am now 30 years old. What is different? Well, not much.

I had a nice birthday. I got some cards in the mail and a Lowes gift card from my parents... I am sure that Lydia suggested it. She has been asking for me to repaint the bedroom for a number of months. Now it will get done. Heidi got me some coffee and a new Starbucks cup. I love it. Irma and Lawrence sent some cash. That is always appreciated.

Bill and Paige Kamp (who are expecting in May) volunteered to watch our 3 little ones on Tuesday so that we could go out for a birthday dinner. We took them up on the offer and went out to Olives in East's Gas Light Village. It was a great time. We had Martinis and Mushroom Crostini as an appetizer. For dinner I had Tenderloin Napoleon and Lydia had Garlic-herb marinated steak. It was wonderful! The conversation was adult and the company was splendid! It was a good way to bring in my third decade.

From there we walked to Starbucks for some hot chocolate. We talked some more and really did not want the evening to end. Of course, with small children you cannot be away for long! We picked up the kids and headed home.

On my proper birthday (Wednesday) we did not really do anything. I had class in the AM and prepared for Bible study that I was teaching in the evening. We took a short break for a Mangiamo pizza for dinner, and then it was time for me to go to Bible study. Lydia made a delicious blueberry cake and a chocolate cake to send with me.

At Bible study Ray and Linda sang happy birthday in Dutch and Ray and James sang it in German. We also sang the 30th Psalm in commemoration of my birthday. It was a good night there.

Today (Thursday) was class and writing as usual. I got the mail at 5:20 and to my surprise there was a package addressed to Lydia. I opened it and found a splendid birthday gift! She got me a book that I have been looking for for about a year. I have NOT been able to locate a copy and was hoping to not have to pay $100 for it! She got it for me! The book is Sketches of the Covenanter Ministers, 1888-1930 by Owen F. Thompson. She found a minister in Kansas (Rev. Ken McFarland) that had two copies and was willing to sell one to her.

This is the follow up book to Glasgow's History of the Reformed Presbyterian Church that Ray and I wrote the introduction for upon its reprinting. What a great gift! It takes a very special wife to search long and hard for a bibliophile's gift. What I could not do in one year, she did in one quiet month of searching and emailing. It is good to start my 30th year of life with a woman who knows and loves me so much. She loves books and fine food too, of course.

Opa Meet Watson; Watson, Opa.

Opa and Oma Malysa came to visit on Tuesday. Oma was here with Tante Heidi when Watson was born, but Opa had not met him yet. Of course Princess Molly wanted to come and to see him as well. We had a really nice visit, despite Oma not feeling well.
Here is a nice family picture. We took Molly for a walk and Owen and Anna walked her. They loved it, of course!
Molly's eyes are not good these days. She is about 17 years old! What an old brat. We love her.
Here is Larry with Watson. Watson was quite content and sweet the whole time.
Here is Oma with little Owen and Molly. We really think that Owen is quite cute, but his grins look so mischievous.
We have a few more pictures that Larry sent. If I have time, I will put them up as well... I think Heidi is coming on Friday too?? There will be some pictures there as well, I am sure!

Children at Play

Only Lydia's daughter can use this line while playing, "Okay Owen, it is time to go to Target".

Five Blessed Years

Five Blessed Years

Five years ago today Lydia and I were married at the Chapel of Reformed Bible College. We sang Psalms, read Scripture, and were married according to the Reformation form written by Peter Detanus. Reformed Christians have been using this form for nearly 500 years. It was a blessed event in which the glories of Jesus Christ were proclaimed. We thank Him for 5 years and pray that the Lord would grant us many more.
In the past five years the Lord has blessed us in many ways. The greatest of which being Anna Grace and Owen Justice. We look forward to our new baby as well. The Lord is gracious and kind unto those that love His name.

Here is the prayer that was prayed as we were married before God:

Almighty God, Thou who dost manifest Thy goodness and wisdom in all Thy ordinances, and from the beginning hast said that it is not good that man be alone and therefore hast created him a helpmeet to be with him, and ordained that they who were two should be one, and who dost also punish all impurity; we pray Thee, since Thou hast called and united these two persons in the holy state of marriage that Thou wilt give them Thy Holy Spirit, so that they in true love and firm faith may live holily according to Thy divine will and resist all evil. Wilt Thou also bless them as Thou hast blessed the believing fathers, Thy friends and faithful servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; in order that they, as coheirs of the covenant which Thou hast established with these fathers, may bring up their children which Thou wilt be pleased to give them, in the fear of the Lord, to the honor of Thy holy name, to the edification of the Thy Church and to the extension of the holy gospel. Hear us, Father of all mercy, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, our Lord, in whose name we conclude our prayer.

The creator of Ramen Noodles died this week at nearly 100 years of age. These noodles hold a special place in the heart of us:

Lydia was dating the boyish-infantile-immature guy across the hall from me at Schultze-Eldersveld at Calvin College. She was hungry one afternoon and he told her to come across the hall to my room because I would have food (prejudging me based on girth). I did not have any, but my roomie had Ramen Noodles which I offered to her.

The long and short of it was that she immediately dumped this guy upon hearing me speak and feeling the warmth of my personality and we were shortly married thereafter. Or so I remember it. Ms. Marion Lanning threw dry Ramen at our wedding.

Long live the cheapest, most disgusting food ever invented, despite the death of its creator. (As long as there are colleges in this world, there will be Ramen!)

Happy Thanksgiving From Union Avenue!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Eshelmans of Union Avenue. We hope that you had a great day giving thanks to our covenant keeping God. He truly preserves his people from generation to generation.

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD,

all ye lands.

Serve the LORD with gladness:

come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God:

it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

and into his courts with praise:

be thankful

unto him,

and bless his name.

For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth

to all

generations.

Message from Lydia

The previous post was deleted, as it became offensive and destructive. I would like to publicly apologize to NL if I in any way offended him or his family personally. I do, however, stand by my views and thoughts on the matter. I should probably learn silence, like the wise.

The Heat is On!

Grand Rapids, Michigan. 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Union Avenue. Much, much, colder.

Twenty-seven? That CANNOT be right? Is it?

Happy birthday to a wonderful woman. Lydia turns 27 years old today and we wish her many more. Lydia is the one that keeps this family grounded and sane. She is a loving wife and mother who has sacrificed SO MUCH so that she can be the best wife and mother to me and to Anna and Owen. We love and thank her today for her sacrificial love towards us.

Spring Time Walks

Life On Union Avenue Pod~Cast?

So we have been thinking that Anna should do a pod~cast for her grandparents. She could talk about all of the really great things that she knows such as her colors and the catechism. Maybe e~Chuckler will fill us in on how these things work.

Last night I recorded a sermon in mp3 that I have to preach next week. Anna is talking to me in it about how she wants the mic. Owen is crying in the background while Lydia attempts to restore order to the home. I do not think that one will go on Sermon Audio!

As for the pod~cast, can you help us out e~Chuckler?

An Accidental Hair Cut For Anna

Q: Why is Anna hiding her face?
A: If you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all.

Happy Anniversary Lydia

March 1st marks the fourth anniversary of my marriage to Lydia. In 1997 I met a young lady at Calvin College who became a real buddy to me. Lydia moved from being a buddy with whom I would hang-out and share laughter, to being my best friend.

As I watched Lydia grow in her love for Christ and the Word of God I grew to love her more and more as a person and as a Christian sister. Many people saw something in the way that we interacted that we did not even see. God had planted a seed deep within our affections that began to take root and to bud. Lydia and I had come to the realization that what we were looking for in a lifetime partner and friend was right before our eyes.
Lydia and I were engaged for five months and we were able to plan a fantastic wedding that was glorifying to God and edifying for those that were in attendance.
I look forward to spending the rest of my life with my beloved wife and I look forward to seeing what God has in store for us as he conforms us more and more into the image of his beloved son, Jesus Christ.
Psalm 128 A Song of degrees.

Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be wail with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.

Earl Grey and Friends

Anna and Owen hosted a tea party for Lydia. The pictures are great. I hope that you enjoy:
Owen does not seem to enjoy his tea. Maybe he is one of those "I need sugar in my tea" kind of guys. Anna really enjoyed learning how to hold a tea cup after the manner of Emily Post. She does not quite understand that the pinky finger that is straight needs to be on the same hand as the cup that you are holding!
Lydia enjoyed the tea. Lydia always enjoys a great cup of tea. Especially when it is French Pressed. Yummy.
Lydia wants a little bit more cream for her tea. (Who uses cream in tea?)
Lydia demonstrates the proper way in which the cup and saucer are held.
Anna pours another round.
Owen enjoys chewing on the cup as much as he enjoys the contents.
Anna spills and the tea onto the carpet!
Did I mention that the tea is "make-believe" tea? What a fun little party- it is just that Anna does not want Owen to play with her because he knocks the dishes all over the floor and tries to eat them. Here Anna is trying to be a lady and a hostess and Owen comes along and thinks that it is a game of rugby!!

OCD reflections

For some providential reason I was not required to work this evening. This came as a surprise to all of us- but we persevered. We took a little trip to the local mall (the one that does not require the use Xanax to endure an evening there). Purpose? Play, return an item, and visit our favorite toy store: Learning Express.
As you can see, Lydia is ecstatic. She refers to these trips as outings- that may explain a stay-at-home mom's excitement for some time out!

At Learning Express we began a new toy collection. We have Little People coming out of our ears, Thomas the Tank Engine was too expensive for today's tastes (and Anna was not as interested as normal), but we have had our eyes on the Playmobil toys for a while. We thought that it was time. We purchased a shepherd and two sheep for Owen. They were reasonably priced and the best part according to one of us...they are GERMAN!
Anna got a new hat but for some reason she does not want to show it off. Modest little thing!

Here is Owen playing in the mall thing for children. Lydia and I both resolved from the earliest days of our dating that if we ever married and had children they would NOT play in these things! We like clean and all things clean. Sorry, these do not fit the bill. (Exception: If you go to Woodlawn Mall at 2pm you are okay. The cleaning people scrub and disinfect until 2:15pm.)

Here is Anna playing. It seems that when ever we go we meet the same type of kids at these places: There is this kid, there is the one that is always being threatened by his non-disciplining mother, these girls, and her! The most annoying group are the ones that cannot read the sign that requires kids to be under 8 years of age!

We had a good time though. Nothing a little Purel and a scalding hot bath cannot fix!

Anna began reflecting on the disorder of this place and decided that it was time to go. We agreed that we it was getting time to leave but we thought that we should stay for a little longer.

Until Anna and Owen saw the ghost of a little black kid! We were terrified and headed home!