Family in Dutch West Michigan

This is a restaurant that is full of many people,
including many Dutch.
It's affordable,
has a lot of hot meals that are
more home style in approach.
I love it and was so glad my Mom and cousins
were willing to go there with me.
*
My Grandpa loved their hot turkey sandwich
and I think also their chicken dinner with
mashed potatoes.
*
My Mom Cousin and I all had the hot turkey sandwich
and sweet potato fries.
Very yummy!

We went to Dutch Village in Holland Michigan.
This is where we got the costumes for the kids
to wear in the wedding.
It was so nice to visit.
A great place to bring kids
as they have a small petting zoo and other
attractions.

 

It was a special time and
holds a lot of significance for me
as my Orthoman and I prepare for
our future;
somehow being with my family
is part of that transition.

It fits!

 

My Mom and I went over and
got my Grandma's wedding dress.
*
It is beautiful.
*
It is like a light satin gold.
*
And it fits me perfectly.
*
Only some small changes are needed.
*
The wonderfulness of it is nearly
overwhelming;
somehow being a bride is something
that takes a long time to realize it is happening.
I
God willing
 will be wearing my
Grandma's wedding dress,
like I always dreamed of doing.

Step by step

I visited my future parish again.
They are very welcoming.
*
The weather here was wonderful.
Sunny, warm, blue skies.
*
I love the drive to church
as we go through beautiful
green countryside.

Clearing

 
I've been down South for a week now.
We are busy planning our new home and
making way for what will come
after the wedding
and I come to make this new apartment
my home.
*
We survived way too many hours in a big IKEA
yesterday and got a lot accomplished.
 We are getting this great second buffet

and we talk about where our new

Rushnyks will go. 

*

I remember talking to a friend years ago

that it takes a good 3 years or more to rebuild community

after one moves to a new place.

*

I am dreaming of new glass bread pans for 

sweet breads 

(Dutch Koek, Cranberry bread, etc.)

but my friends I know in Ottawa

will not be here to eat it with me.

*

After the wedding we will plunge into Autumn

and I don't even know when I will return to visit Ottawa.

I really appreciated Anna B.'s post 

that is part of a writer's essay on

happiness and grief.

I appreciated the freedom it encouraged to 

know that somethings we don't 'get over' as much

as have the mark of the loss with us

and that somehow this can expand instead of diminish us.

I really don't see a way to prepare more 

than I already am 

for the shock of leaving my whole world behind.

It seems that it is just something that

one does and lives and prays through.

And God knows that I have it easy

in so many ways.

*

My new church community is gracious and welcoming.

Orthoman is kind and gentle.

We are growing as a couple as the days go on

and we know we are learning a new

beautiful dance that 

we will do together as 

we continue to prepare

for this great sailing adventure

called marriage 

and building a family of two

with God making three.