Hoekwater Family

Another Miracle

2010-03-19T15:36:00.001-07:00

A MIRACLE happens again for the Hoekwater family. We are amazed at how AWESOME our God is and how much he loves us. As I reflect back on our journey these words from Mandisa really express how we felt throughout this journey.

There’s a time for yes

(That time is now after many tears, a lot of frustration, and pain)

And a time for no

(That time is in the past, yet a very important part of our journey. Hearing no is not fun and makes you very angry.)

There’s a time to be angry

(I was very angry and upset with the Lord. Why me Lord? What have I done to upset you? Why do I see pregnant girls at school when that is all I long for?)

And a time to let go

(Then we decided to let go. No more pills, shots, or acupuncture. We just didn’t feel God pushing us in any of those directions.)

And a time to face it

(We had to change our focus from what we don’t have and to what we HAVE.)

There is love to see you

Through all of this (Really, He Loves us this much to work a miracle in our lives? Believe it Hoekwater’s. He loves you and knows what is best for your family.)

Camping In Pentwater

2009-08-23T08:27:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time camping with my mom, my aunts, my cousins and my grandma. Brock was the center of attention and loved every minute of it. He is a true camper.

What a handsome boy. He is growing up so fast.

Bath time outside the trailer. What a pose!

Kyler and Brock playing with Noah's ark on the beach.

What a ham. He knows when to say cheese!

It was Homecoming week in Pentwater so Grandma took Brock to the parade. He sure got A LOT of smarties!

Brock loved jumping in the waves with Grandpa. They would even have splashing wars by kicking water at each other. So much fun!!

Building sandcastles for Brock to knock down.

Daddy and Brock

Mommy and Brock

Brock loves the sand. He had so much fun digging and playing on the waters edge.

Brock with Abby and Sydney. They loved being with Brock and helping me out. We wish we saw them more often.

Running down Old Baldy after walking up many, many steps.

We can't wait till we can go back again next year!!

Fun-Filled Summer Weeks

2009-08-09T17:09:00.001-07:00

We are enjoying summer vacation so much.......

We don't want it to end!

Outside Fun

Brock loves playing in the sprinkler.

Sometimes I don't even have time to get his swimsuit on!!

Daddy's Helper

Where Daddy is... there Brock also has to be.

He loves to hand Bri his tools and help him out.

Playground Fun

Legacy Christian School

My Silly Little Guy

Brock's favorite toy at the playground.

He would have me sit in the back and drive (bounce) me around.

Children's Museum

Brock loves the museum. This was our second trip this summer.

Weighting his fruit and veggies.

Brock loved unloading the shelves and putting all the groceries in his cart.

Yes, my own cart!! He was in his glory.

Brock loves hanging out with Nathan.

A Hot Summer Day!

Swimming at Railside on a 90 degree day!!!

Yeah for the warm weather.

Brock LOVES jumping into the pool. We just have to make sure we are ready for him at any moment.

Making a Fort

Brock's first homemade fort.

Fixing it up!

Brock's First Tubing Adventure

2009-08-02T19:35:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that Brock is only 16 months and has already been on his first tubing adventure. You can tell he takes after his daddy!!

Brock has NO FEAR which makes me very nervous but Bri loves having a little boy who can enjoy all of the water sports that he enjoys.

Video of Brock and Daddy.

(It's a bit shaky)

I am sure this adventure will be the first of many adventures on the water!!

Summer Fun Continues

2009-07-24T17:36:00.000-07:00

On Thursday we went to the Carter's outlet in Holland with the Roby and Mossburger gang. The boys fed the ducks and then we had lunch at McDonalds (Alison joined us at McDonalds). I am enjoying spending my days with Brock and do not want summer to end.

Brock and Gavin getting the ducks to come over by us with some bread. Gavin even noticed the little fish trying to eat the bread.

Then Brock decided it would be fun if he ate the bread.

I guess he was ready for McDonalds!!

On Friday we went to the Critter Barn with Stephanie and some of her friends. Brock just loves all of the animals. I think he would like to live on a farm, but I am not sure the animals would enjoy it. :)

Brock has no fear and wanted to run on his own and stick his finger in the pens. I just love how brave he is and how much he likes to explore.

This is the loudest sheep that I have ever heard.

This is a really, really soft bunny. They were so cute I ALMOST wanted to take one home.

This is one of the animals that might not enjoy Brock living on the farm with it. The tour guide (a 11ish year old girl) asked him not to squeeze the duck.

John Ball Zoo

2009-07-19T18:20:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time at the Zoo with some of my friends from work. Here are some moments I captured.

Brock's friend Nathan looking out the little log house the boys played in.

Brock and his friend Grayson having a picnic lunch at the zoo.

Brock decided that it would be more fun to throw the sand and stones at this poor goat than it would be to pet it.

Mommies little boy loved seeing all the animals and hanging out with his friends. Thanks girls for a fun zoo-filled afternoon.

Red Robin

2009-07-19T18:03:00.000-07:00

For my birthday dinner we went to Red Robin as a family. This was Brock's first experience with a balloon at a restaurant.

Brock was very excited to have a balloon. He was hitting it on the table, whipping it all around and then squeezing it between himself and the table. I thought for sure it was going to pop.

Instead of it popping it floating up to the ceiling leaving him holding just the string. He was not sure what had happened. This is his confused look. We ended up getting him another balloon.

My Two Boys!!

Green Lake- Summer Fun!!

2009-07-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

PopsicleTime

Lunch with Kate and Mallory. He loves being around his cousins.

Brock is just like his dad. He loves being on Nana and Papa's boat. He does not even mind wearing his lifejacket this year!!

Playing in the pool because mom does not like swimming in the lake.

So cute!!

We love him so much.

Cherry Festival in Traverse City

2009-07-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

Brock and I had a wonderful time at the Cherry Festival with my parents. Here are some pictures that tell the story of our week.

Grandma putting a cherry tattoo on Brock. His first tattoo.

Brock was so excited when he got to throw things into the fire. Good thing we had camp fires at my aunts trailer so he could pretend to build a fire in our pit.

Playing in the fire pit and so excited.

Brock has learned how to play cards. He has to have his own deck when we play and he hold his cards and then throws them in the middle of the table. What a great card-shark!!

Learning to hula-hoop downtown.

Watching the dogs jump into the pool with Grandma and Grandpa.

This is the beach in Suttons Bay where Brock rolled over for his first time last year. Now he was running all over the place, playing on the playground, and throwing sand at mom. Time sure flies.

Swimming in the bay with Grandpa. It was cold but that didn't bother either of them.

Happy B-day Mom!!

Brock has become very attached to his pipes. Can you tell?

Playing his first carnival game. Good thing he is so strong, he won at HUGE hammer!!

Brock loves to do whatever his Grandpa is doing. He would follow him around and he always had to know where he was. Here he is helping Grandpa and Eric build a tower out of the firewood. Brock was in his glory!!

Bringing firewood to Aunt Karen. He sure was a great little helper.

GR Children's Museum

2009-07-01T17:01:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful day with Erika, Ryan James, and Sandi at the Children's Museum. Brock loved exploring in the kitchen and on Daisy's Farm. We will have to go back for another visit this summer.

Brock enjoyed crawling through the triangle mirror.

So happy to see so many of my little man.

Trying to pull on the bubble rope all by himself. He is becoming so independent.

Sliding out of the barn on Daisy's Farm.

Riding on the bee.

It was hard to get both Brock and Ryan James to look at the camera. They were so interested in everything that was happening around them.

Brock piled all the dishes that he could into the sink. Then he unloaded them. Hopefully he will help me out when he gets a little older.

Bringing the bowls to the table to serve his friends.

Fishing in the boat.

Camping In Holland

2009-06-30T17:09:00.001-07:00

We had a wonderful time last week camping in Holland. We had warm weather, warm Lake Michigan water, and a wonderful time at the beach. Brock is a great little camper. He is not to sure about the sand but loves the water. He slept great and loved playing outside.

Eating Puppy Chow

Cousins

Brock stood in this same spot for about 5 minutes. He is not sure about grass or sand (even though he had shoes on)

Brock LOVED playing in the trailer. He was such a big boy.

Sitting under the umbrella stirring with Nana Hoekwater. Brock Loves to stir things.

Eating breakfast and showing of his new pose.

Sitting on the beach with Aunt Jackie and daddy.

Brock loved playing in the sand as long as he was sitting on a towel and his feet didn't have to touch it.

Sound asleep in the Burley on the beach. What a great life!

Outside

2009-05-04T18:09:00.001-07:00

Now that the weather is nice Brock wants to be outside all of the time. If he sees his toys outside he points and makes it known that he wants to be playing outside. Here are a few pictures from his time outside these past few weeks.

New toy from Nana. Brock loves going in and out of the door.

New Lawnmower

It was raining outside but Brock really wanted to be outside. So... we played on the covered front porch.

Brock loved watching Bri power-wash his toys. You could tell he was taking it all in for when he is big enough to use the power-washer.

Brock also LOVED playing with the hose.

Fun With Max

2009-05-04T18:03:00.000-07:00

Nana Hoekwater got a new dog named Max. We got to watch him one night while Nana and Papa were is CA. Brock liked Max before he went to bed but when he woke up and Max was still around he was not happy. We had a very jealous little boy.

One Year Pictures

2009-05-04T17:56:00.000-07:00

Our little boy is ONE!!

It is so hard to believe how much he has changed. He brings so much joy to our lives.

We love you buddy.

Mom, I've had ENOUGH!!

Happy First Birthday Brock Randall!!

2009-03-12T17:27:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time celebrating Brock's first birthday. We have been so blessed by him and we are so thankful that family and friends came over to help us celebrate.

I love my Aunt Megghan

All smiles with Daddy

Grandpa and Brock

Funny Glasses from Grandma

Nana Hoekwater and Mom make the Rocket Ship Cake

Red Wings

2009-03-12T17:18:00.000-07:00

We went to the Red Wings game with Apol’s for Andrew’s surprise 30th birthday gift. We had a lot of fun despite running in the rain to the arena and the Red Wings losing 8 to 2 (the worse home lost in 16 years). Haylee and I went to the bathroom and when we return Columbus had scored 3 times. I guess that’s what we get!!

Chuck E Cheese's

2009-03-10T18:47:00.000-07:00

We had so much for during our first visit to Chuck E Cheese's. Brock loved all the lights and wanted to ride on all of the kiddie rides. He also enjoyed playing the games with daddy. I guess Cedar Point is in our future. Thank you Baliko's for inviting us!!

Winter Break Trip to AZ

2009-03-10T18:36:00.000-07:00

For my winter break Brock and I went to AZ to visit my grandparents. Flying by yourself with an infant is a lot of work even when you have a great baby. Brock did wonderful on the plane rides and LOVED playing in the pool. It was great that we also got to spend some time with my mom and aunts as they came down to visit my grandparents as well. Here are a few highlights from our trip.

Round Two

2009-03-06T14:33:00.000-08:00

Well, here we go again. We have started round two. Since Brock turned one on March 5 Brian and I decided (a few months back) that we would start trying for baby number two. Are we crazy? That is what I thought at first but then remembered how long it took us to get Brock. We wanted to start the process just in case we would have to see the fertility doctor again. Well..... we are back the the fertility doctor. This is my 3rd month on clomid and we had 3 good size eggs this month. I went in for an IUI yesterday and have a follow-up appointment on Saturday to make sure that things look good. We will not know anymore until around March 20. For the time being we need to pray for patience and peace. I will keep you updated.