Around the Home

Here we go…another week in quarantine! Anybody else feel like this is getting old? In fact, Mazy really let me know how she feels about all of this the other day:

We were in the van and I told her that when I dropped her off, I wouldn’t be staying. Her exact words, with a two fists pumps in motion, she excitedly exclaimed, “YEESSS!!! TIME AWAY FROM MOM!”

And she said it not only once, but a few minutes later.

Talk about being put in my place! I take it she’s getting a little sick of hanging out with mom all day everyday! If only you could’ve been a fly in our van and heard her excitement! Glad I’m loved, Mazy :).

Nevertheless, we continue to do just fine, are healthy, and making the most of it all! Here’s what we’ve been up to this past week…

Last Sunday was so nice that it was time to put on the suits! By the end, we were all in the NASTY and green pool (that we are waiting to repaint)! Sunscreen sure was a necessity that day.

The M&M – Mazy and Mommy raft (thanks to an air mattress)!

This week would’ve been Tulip Time and Mazy and I were both sad that we couldn’t go to the parades! She was even more sad that she couldn’t wear her new Dutch costume, so we decided to still head downtown Holland and make the most of it. We first stopped at Windmill Island, which I hadn’t been to since I was a kid! Perfect time to go and Mazy sure got a lot of looks! In fact, a sweet ole couple asked Mazy if they could take her picture. I wasn’t sure she would say yes, but she was SO excited about it – posed and all! She was quite proud.

Then we had some fun just walking around:

It was the most perfect day to go!

We also went to Centennial Park in downtown:

I’m a little biased, but guy, she is such a cute little Dutch girl!

We even found a food truck with ELEPHANT EARS!!

We ended up going back to Windmill Island for a little photoshoot on Saturday. I was contacted by a magazine called “Health Monitor,” asking if they could feature me in their heart failure section for the June issue. I was bit caught off guard because I am just Kristin. But decided this is a great way to encourage others in their heart failure journey, which is my prayer always. May God use this story to encourage his people in SOME way. Part of the process was to have a professional photographer take pictures of me and the fam. We have never had someone take professional pictures of just our family (I usually have a friend or family member take them), so this was something special!

I want to give a shoutout to Victoria Christophe for taking our pictures! The magazine hired her and she came all the way from Lansing to hang out with the Sterks. I haven’t seen the pictures yet, but the few she showed me on the camera, WOW. Just check out her website…she mainly does weddings, but what a gift she has! She didn’t ask me to do a shoutout, but I can’t help it. She was so fun to work with and made this nervous in front of the camera girl, feel so relaxed. And even Mazy had a blast! I hope to eventually share them all with you someday…

And the tulips were the perfect setting!

Turkey season means turkey hunting with daddy! Mazy may not last long out there, but she loves it every time! Especially the chocolate donuts – can you tell?