Here I am!

I'm back! Jon went back to work, and I'm here at home with Brighton and my mom. I can't be alone for about 10 days, so Mom has been hanging out with me and helping. We are very thankful for all of the support and prayers from family and friends. We can't imagine getting through all of this any other way. THANK YOU!

I'm definitely on the mend, and feeling more and more myself each day. Bright is doing great. We stare at him, smile at him, and laugh a lot, but as you know he doesn't do much that needs reporting.





I really don't know what to write as becoming a mom is hard to describe. It's overwhelming on a lot of levels, but at the same time the most amazing time in our lives.

God has so richly blessed us. "My cup runneth over..."

Lindsay

Welcome home Bright!

We came home today! We got discharged from Holland Hospital right after breakfast. Lindsay is resting and taking it easy. Jon is trying to get caught up around the house. Bright is relaxing after a bath and watching Dr Phil with his Grandma Raterink. Brighton is great, he only fusses at bath time, and he is eating and sleeping like a champ. Lindsay will update the blog and begin emailing soon. Thank you for all the support and prayers.- Jon

Baby Bright

A few more pictures for you...we're doing fine, but we're still in the hospital, so we'll write more later.

Baby Bright

Grandpa & Grandma Raterink

Grandpa & Grandma Walcott

Proud Dad :)

Brighton James

He's really chill

Jon here, my first go round with blogging. Lindsay is holding Brighton, who is really calm or as Lindsay's students have said. chillaxin. Here are the stats, Monday May 19, 2008 at 6:32 am. weighing in at 8lbs 11 oz and 22 inches long. Brighton James Walcott. now I will try to post some pictures. Lindsay will update and no doubt edit this when she can. Mother and child are great, praise the Lord for he is good!

TGIF!

Friday was my last day teaching for the year, and it was really hectic, but AMAZING! I finally was able to meet and spend some time with the sub that will be replacing me for the rest of the year. The kids were really sweet, and I received several adorable gifts from students and colleagues.

The principal and I took the students to video competition award ceremony in the middle of the day, and they won! They won huge! We took first and second place, earning WOBN $3000. I still can't really believe it.

The winning video will be shown at the Holland 7 and the Grand Haven 9 movie theaters before every movie this summer. The hope is to neutralize the smoking message that is present in so many popular movies; this has been proven to influence especially teenagers. 4,000 teenagers in the US try a ciggarette for the first time everyday.

One other thing...I have to include a few pictures because they printed out giant checks for us. I've never been on the giving or receiving end of a giant check. I must say it's pretty cool. You should've seen the kids walking around with those things - priceless.

Shower Day - Times Two

Last Saturday, (I realize I'm a bit behind here) I had two showers to attend: a baby shower for me and a bridal shower for my best friend Kim. It sure was a fun day.

The baby shower was thrown by a few of my friends (thanks so much gals!); it was great. It was neat to see some of my friends from different circles meet and interact. I heard many times, "You have such nice friends." Yes, I do! I received such great stuff along with a kids book instead of a card - what a great idea. We have a nice little library started for our "Little Stinker." Thanks so much everyone!

Kim's shower was tons of fun too. It was in Ferrysburg at a clubhouse with many of her girlfriends and her aunts and cousins too. I won one of the games. We had to draw kim in her wedding dress on top of our heads - not looking of course. I did my best, and then wrote "I love Aaron" at the bottom. Some thought I was cheating a bit, but words are my way - go figure...English and communications teacher.

What a fun day with fun women!