ARGH Matey!!!!!

I think Cora may have been the cutest little pirate, known to man! I picked up this costume last year when I was 8 weeks pregnant for only $2.5o...I couldn't pass it up, knowing that I had a 50% chance that I was having a girl. Who said little girls can't dress up and make pirates look good!

Since Cora's too young to trick or treat, we stopped at my parents on Saturday night and passed out candy and ate pizza. We also stopped by Jon and Ash's, but unfortunately Cora was already in her PJ's and zonked in her car seat so the visit was short.

I can't wait until next year and possibly take her out, dressed in something a little more girly of course. Who said 16 month olds can't share candy with their parents...

LOVE

Love this little girl to the moon and back!

Life as we know it!

It has been an amazing, hectic, busy but most of all blessed three months. I can't believe Cora's already 3 months old...time really does fly when you are having fun!

The Heeren clan vacationing at Crystal Mountain

Typical Cora!

So big and oh so cute!

Ms. Talker

She's got a lot to say these days!

cora talking and blabbering from Joel Heeren on Vimeo.

Big smiles!

love her to pieces and her smiles!!
(don't mind that I spelled Bumbo wrong...my excuse is that I have a cold and was not thinking straight!)

Cora in bumboo from Joel Heeren on Vimeo.

Wow!

So I was just reading another bloggers post about how you should write down what you are thinking at this exact moment and how thankful you should be that you are experiencing that thought.

It just so happens that my sister received the best news in the world today. She was offered a 4th grade teaching position at Century Park in Grandville. You have no idea how much this makes my heart happy, let alone how happy it makes my sister.

My sister was a teacher in Florida for two years when she decided to move back home, closer to family. After interviewing MULTIPLE times in the Grandville area, she continued to receive the news that she was not the chosen one. I can't even begin to imagine the disappointment, frustration and sadness that my sister had to encounter. My heart broke for her every time the phone rang letting us know that she once again didn't get the job.

The time when the phone rang and saw that it was her, I wasn't sure what to think. I answered it and heard this little whisper "I got the job" and for one second, I think my heart stopped! I teared up as I heard that she FINALLY GOT THE JOB. The power of prayer is amazing. Today, this is what I'm thankful for. My sister, out of all people, deserves this job!

To all the little boys and girls that will now be in Mrs. VandenBerg's classroom...you have the most amazing, creative, thoughtful and loving teacher and I'm so proud that she is my sister.

I love you Kat!

Summer Adventures

First and foremost, our little girl is ONE MONTH ALREADY! (actually she is 6 weeks, I'm a little behind on the post and pictures). Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday we brought Cora home from the hospital and really, we had NO idea what we were doing! So far, Cora seems happy (besides her acid reflux) so we must be doing something right!! We love her to pieces and can't imagine life without her.

Happy 1 month Cora! We love you!

Since I'm returning to work in three weeks, I've been trying to get out and about as much as possible. Cora and I have visited Sandy Pines with Ashley and it was a blast! Cora did have a meltdown and thank goodness for Ash and Kim...they were lifesavers!

Loving laffy taffy already...hehe, or just pretending to like it :)

A great ride with the girls!

We also visited Pentwater when Frank and Mindi were in town. It was so nice to see them...wish they didn't live so far away! Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures!

My mom and I also visited Fredrik Meijer Gardens. It was a great outing and since my mom is off of work because of surgery, she was able to join us!

Cora and Evan stopped over the other day! Evan is such a cute little boy and we joke that maybe, just maybe Cora and Evan will date someday! We already took their pictures together just so that we have them for the wedding slide show :) Evan is 3 weeks younger than Cora, but not much smaller! Don't they look perfect for each other?! ok...maybe I'm jumping the gun a little too soon. A mother can dream though.......right?

So Cute!