Welcome Darcy Jean!!! =)

Congrats! Matt and Rebekah! We're thankful everything went well! Can't wait to meet the little one! Hey, Bekah! That's such a sweet story-Ahhhh, the days of new love! It's amazing what 8 years and 3 kids can do to you! So enjoy it!! =) So do we get to meet this guy next weekend??
Well, my son has been a little messed up lately! The other day he got a misquito bite on his eye and it swelled up so much when he woke up in the morning he couldn't even open his eye. So, we had gotten some Children's Benadryl Allergy, and gave him another dose before bed! Well...let's just say we'll never do that again!!! He was awake half the night! He came down to our room, (which is a first-he normally has a gate locked at the top of the stairs-but it wasn't latched) and laid in bed with us for a little, but that sure didn't last long. I took him back upstairs and tried to lay down with him, but he was just wired! So desperate for sleep I laid him down in front of a movie. Yet ANOTHER mistake. I had gone back to bed, due to extreme exhaustion, and awoke shortly to him yelling!! at the movie. (Not mad yelling...he was excited) We got him quieted down and a drink, and locked the gate to his room. When chad left for work he said he was sleeping on the floor. But when I went up in the morning to get Kels up, he was back in his bed?!? Then the following day with much perseverance, I tried to get him to sleep, but the little stinker wouldn't even take a nap?!? I think that stuff must have about a 48 hour after-effect! Then he was up again this morning before 6!!! So...I am requesting your prayers that he can get back into a normal sleep routine, and this 6:00 thing isn't becoming a new habit for him!! Well, I've rambled on WAY too much, so I'll get going and we'll see you all next weekend!!

Love, Kristy

From the love bird....

Thought you'd like a picture of Aaron and I. Engagement life has been exhausting but fabulous!
So I'm trying to think of a fun story to write....maybe.....well, Aaron was planning how we would meet on Saturday to head to Alto. We were going to meet in Lansing and drive over together. Once we got to Lowell we were going to meet his best friend from high school for lunch. Well, Aaron asked if I would mind stopping at the welcome center in Michigan to pick up a map. I guess it's this map that Frank (his friend) needed before he was heading up to some cabin. So sure, I didn't mind stopping. So I stopped at the welcome center and realized it's like this huge room full of maps! I was a little concerned about trying to find this infamous map. Well, as I was looking around I heard "Bekah I think they want this one" and turned around and Aaron was there! Hee hee, it was all a plan to get me to stop at the welcome center to suprise me! What a great guy. So he drove and hour and half out of his way to pick me up....more quality time in the car, it was great!
So there's my sweet romantic story for you all. Now everyone can smile at me and sigh, Aaron really is perfect for me....
Booxy

Hey all...

How is everyone? Like Jami, I love reading the updates. However, I don't have anything exciting to say. Glad to hear everyone is doing well. Kristy, great pictures. I especially liked the one with Aunt Brenda and Josiah! It looks proffesional. Rebekah, congratulations! I am so excited for you guys (and love the name!) I hope Josh can adjust well.
The most exciting thing here is our Bluffton Street Fair. Its pretty big-time. Klint and I have been there every night so far and plan on going tonite too. I pretty much go for food and fellowship. It seems that you can hardly take 2 steps with out running into someone you know. Its fun!
Well, just thought I would post something. Glad to hear everything is going well. Cant wait to see you all in a few weeks!!

Loveya Sarah<><

Long time no post!

Hey all - I realized it's been a long time since I've written in. I have been reading and enjoying though!

A BIG congrats to Matt, Rebekah, and Josh for their sweet new baby, Darcy!!! I love the name, Rebekah!! Isn't Darcy a girl in Pride and Prejudice or one of those movies?? How'd you pick it?? Bekah showed us a picture of the sweet girl last night in church. Can't wait to see more. I'm so excited for you, Rebek to FINALLY have delivered your girl after all those annoying contractions!

Kristy - I looked at the picture of Abbie and thought she looked so cute and big... didn't put the 2 and 2 together that she is now sitting up until I read further. That's great!!

Have a great day all!
Jami

The Northerner's are back!

Hey, all! Not sure if you even knew or not, but we went to Northern Wisconsin last weekend with M&D Kaeb and Clark! The weather was BEAUTIFUL!! Fishing was very slow, much to the guys' dismay, but Dad had a 35 incher! So that was exciting. Anyway, I just thought I would post a couple of pic's from the weekend. Hope everyone's doing well, and glad to hear the foreign traveler's are back safely! =) Well, I should be going to pick Kels up from school! See you all in a couple weeks!!! YEAH! PS-Abbi's sitting up now!! Just thought I'd show you!

Love ya loads!
Kristy

if you're up at 7:00 AM you can pray for me...

Hi girls,
it's me again. I was just wanting to write and let you know that I went to the doctor today and I am 4 cm dialated and 70% effaced. So they are going to induce me in the morning! YAY! I am so ready to finally get to see and hold this little baby. so if you think about it you can pray for us. I just want the baby to be healthy and that I will be healthy and nice to Matt during labor :)

well, josh is sleeping in his big bed again tonight...completely oblivious to the change that is about to take place in his life tomorrow. I hope that he adjusts smoothly to the new sibling. I guess that is another prayer request.

well, i better go now.

Love,
Rebekah

We're Back!

Good Morning Hoffmann Gals,

Yes, we are back and in the swing of life again. We had a wonderful time and saw amazing sights. And met amazing people. Our Hoffmann cousins were very very friendly, loving people. They would love to meet you all when you travel to France. They treated us like we were celebrities. They even had the newspaper come and interview us and take our picture. It was very overwelming. Maybe Uncle Denny can figure out how I can post some pictures.

Wasn't it nice for our little granddaughter to wait for us to return before arriving. But now that we are home we hope she comes soon. We all are getting really anxious.

Did you all get your message about the Hoffmann-Walder weiner roast after Clark's baptism. Actually it is at 4:00 at the church house.

Love you all and I pray for each one of you, Aunt Bonnie

nothing exciting....

HI girls,
I just thought the blog needed a new post so I thought I'd just quick put something on. I'm still around...pregnant! I feel like everytime I set foot in public everyone's asking, "You still around?". I went to my doctor appointment today and I'm still at 3 cm and 60% effaced. So, at least I'm progressing in the right direction.

Tonight Matt is at his night class. He'll be back around 9:20. So, it's just Josh and me. He's wanting me to read "The Cat in the Hat" so I'm going to have to quit here pretty soon. Last night he slept in his big bed! Yay!!! So, maybe this will become a habit! I think he felt pretty grown up when he got up this morning and could just climb out of bed and come to our room. That's the only draw back...he gets up earlier now.

Well, Mom and Dad sound like their having a great time. They e-mail about every other day. It'll be good to have them home again.

I better go now and pay Josh some attention.

Love you guys,
rebekah

Wedding Plans

Wow....so much to do, so much to do! No actually things have been going well. As I'm sure you've all heard we've set the date: January 15th 2006. I've found my dress already, well ordered atleast. Now the bridesmaid's dresses are another story. Yeah...let's just say I know what I want and definately what I don't want...but can't seem to find the right dress. Everything these days is so immodest! Everything is strapless or worse! Ahh....patience, I'll just keep looking, and if all else fails we'll find someone to make them.
The European travelers are having fun. Minor times of stress as they travel Europe without knowing the language, but they say it's worth it. They're currently in Switzerland and that it's gorgeous. Ahhh...don't we all wish we were there!
Anywho, love you all tons!
Booxy

word from the crazy cats

hey hey...i just got this email from my dad, thought i'd pass it on!...some of the stuff might not make sense to you, since it was sent to a big group of people...but hope you enjoy...

Hello all,

We have spent a day and a half in Paris, and it has been more than we ever dreamed. It"s just like the movies, kind of a magical place. Perfect weather has contributed to our wonderful experience.Today we hoofed it to Notre Dame, the Louve, the Opera, the Concorde, the Arc de Triumph and finished with the Eifell Tower.

Steve, tell Karen we've got three days of walking in one day today.All four meals we've eaten have been in sidewalk cafe's. No sense of anti Americanism, but then again, we're spending our Euros here.

Sarah and Liz, you would love to see the way the women dress. Out of thousands of women, we have only seen four pair of shorts and they were probably Americans. Many wear skirts. Many are peasnt type skirts with skanky blouses.Food is great, language is an experience. We were told things would be dirty, but we have not found it so. However our foreign travels to date have been Mexico.

Seth, we trust things are well for you; K and S, we hope the Smokies are enjoyable and Liz, we hope you are studying HARD.


Deb, you will probably receive a copy of this email from Steve. You have our deepest sympathy, yet we truly rejoice with you as your mom has received her reward. We'll be prayerful as your family moves forward without her.

Tomorrow we leave this wonderful city and travel westward toward Barb's third cousin, Daniel, and then on to the Fatherland, Swithzerland. Can't wait.Not sure when we'll next have internet access.

Love to all.
Mark and Barb
Liz, if you care to forward this to any of the Hoffmann's and/or the Hoffmnn Blah, have at it.

Lonely in Bluffton...

Hey all!
How is everyone? Bekah, what a great picture of you and Aaron. Very cute couple. And I hear the wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses are already picked out...you make me sick (o:
Kristy, adorable pic of your little brave kindergartner!! I can't believe she is that age already. So glad to hear she is adjusting well.
Rebekah, I will be praying for you as you are in this final count down. We are excited to hear the news.
Well, Mom and Dad (as you know from Bonnie's post) are on there way to Paris right now. I hope I don't go completely out of my mind these next 2 1/2 weeks. Klint & I just stopped over here tonight and discovered that mom finally got up the nerve to put our cat, Feliz down. I didn't get to say goodbye to him so I am kind of distressed. Blah. Seth is doing really well in Mexico. Last night, he had to have the Wed. night service/Bible Study in front of everyone in spanish!!! He said it went well, but it was really short and he doesn't know if it made sense (o: Can you imagine????
Tomorrow Klint and I are leaving for the Smokies with three other couples for the weekend. We are staying in a 4 bedroom cabin. So I will be roughing it out on Chimney Tops sometime this weekend(o: I am sure it will be a great trip, I am a little apprehensive--I just need to settle down and not get so bent out of shape. Is it selfish to ask for prayers? I am kinda going through a crazy time right now. A MAJOR season of changes. And you ALL know that Sarah and Changes don't go hand-in-hand.(o:
Sorry to go on and on. I am really enjoying this blog. Its so encouraging and fun to keep up with you all. Hope you all have a great labor day wkend!!

Love you all--Sarah

Here she is!

Well, Here's my little school girl!
We changed internet provider's, because we were having so many problems, and this downloaded in seconds! I tried posting pictures before, and left, and came back a half an hour later, and it was still downloading!! I'd say we had a major problem! We had dial up, and would get disconnected constantly...so now we have dsl, and already loving it! Bonnie, hope you have a safe trip!! We will be praying for you both! Have a wonderful day, all! Kristy

We're Off!

Hello everyone!

Well what a crazy life. Uncle Dennis and I leave in 2 1/2 hours for 16 days in Europe. Rebekah could have her baby at any time [we thought the baby wouldn't come until we were back for 2 weeks]. It looks like we will not be here when that precious baby is born. I hope that sweet little baby will forgive us for not being first to the hospital to see her. We will be praying and praying that all goes well for all 4 of them.

Also, I have had 4 days to make phone calls and start lineing things up for Bekah and Aarons wedding. The date has been set for Jan. 15, so mark your calendars.

Uncle Denny's back has been really bothering him lately, so pray that the flight and trip go well for him. So with all these things on my mind, pray that I can relax and enjoy this trip. God is good and inspite of my stress there is a wonderful inner peace. How wonderful to leave an Almighty God incharge of all these concerns.

So happy Kelsey is doing so well at school. I'm glad Leah's time at Purdue has gotten off to a good start. Thankful that Seth is doing well in Mexico. I'm anxious to hear how Wed night went for him.

I pray for all of you and hope to read the blog in Europe.

Love you bunches and bunches, Aunt Bonnie

What A Babe!

Bekah, you guys look SO good together!! I can't wait to meet him in person...he looks very nice! You've got my approval. ;) (like you need it)

Barb...how's Sether's doing?? are you able to keep in touch with him very well? It's pry mostly by email, huh. And Leah, how are you adjusting to college life?? Hopefully it's not too hard!

Rebekah...still hanging in there, i assume, since I haven't heard anything yet. =) Hope you're doing well-what's the update, by the way?? anything change yet? Well, Kelsey is going all day now, and loving every minute of it! She informed me that today 4 people had to move their clothespin's (that means they had to be warned for misbehaving...move it 3 times and you have to sit in the time out chair) But she quickly said...'But NO girls had to move their clothespins!!, and I'm never gonna get my clothespin moved!!" I certainly hope she's right! =)

well, ladies, I think i'd better get dinner together. (even though it's just leftover's) Have a good week!
Love and Hugs to all! Kristy

Aaron and me!

Hey Family....just wanted to give you all a picture of Aaron and I. Isn't he handsome? AHHHH I'm getting married...how fun is that! Love you all tons, thanks for all your prayers.
Bekah

WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!!

Bekah - WOW!!!!!! We are SO excited for you! God IS Faithful!! You sound so happy - I loved your email! Can't wait to see pictures and hear more. Looking forward to seeing you on SUNDAY!! BEKAH'S GETTING MARRIED!!!!!! (there...since I can't tell anyone - I'll just SHOUT it over email!!) :)

Rebekah - I'll be praying for you as your big day draws closer. I just love giving birth!! :) Such a neat experience!

Have a great day!

Jami

My baby's growing up!!!

Hey, all! Well, my little girl is now a school girl!! =( I've been trying to post her picture of her first day, but i'm having problem's...it keeps freezing up. You gotta love computers. But she's LOVING it, and doing great! Mom did pretty good~ the drive home was a little sad, but I just prayed for her and surrendered it to God! Just pray that God will shield her from evil as she grows up and is becoming easily influenced.

BEKAH...CONGRATS!!!!!! How exciting!! Can't WAIT to meet him (or see a pic) ;) We are SO happy for you, and are praying that God will continue to guide you.

Barb...if you could email us seth's address and info, that'd be great! And lizzie, you too!

Rebekah, I'm praying for you in these final stages!! It's exciting, but exhausting as well! Praying that Josh will adjust well too! It's a big adjustment for them! Well, I'm anxiously awaiting a face to put wth the name, (aaron) so I'll keep checking this!! =)- Love ya all! Kristy

Bekah's Getting Married!!!!!

Bekah, well it looks like the cat is finally out of the bag. big congratulations to bekah and the entire kaufmann family. looks like grandma hoffmann is going to get a new suit!! we will totally welcome aaron into the family. it will be exciting getting to know him. bekah, remember the half way point is ft.wayne. i hope you will meet here at least one weekend during your engagement so we can get aquainted with aaron.

Rebekah, i'm excited that you are getting closer to having that precious, little girl; however, you need to relax a bit until denny and bonnie get back from our trip. bonnie will go bonkers if she is in europe when little suzie q. arrives!!

Leah, don't have to much fun at purdue. and remember you are there to aquire more knowledge and expand your intellect!!

love you,
a. barb

Finally...a post from me;)

"Jesus saith unto her, 'Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" John 11:40
Yes, it's been awhile since I've written on our wonderful blog....but there's been a little distraction in my life...hee hee...So first of all I want to thank everyone for their love and prayers through out the last couple weeks, and really the last several years. As Christ reminded Martha, He's reminded me to trust Him. His world is so much bigger then mine...and boy haven't I realized that. Whew, I'm not sure what all to share on this Blog...since it's not completely confidential...and Sunday is quite a few days off....secrecy...promise everyone? Just kidding...well kind of. I was going to wait till I had a picture to put up...but that will be coming.
OK OK so I'm so rambling! Just wanted to let you all know that Aaron Plattner is going to be joining our family...so try to make him feel welcome! AHHHHH.....this is so crazy! Yeah, I don't know what else to write...there will be more to come!
God is so awesome and so BIG....why do we ever think we need to help Him out with our future...He's got it all under control.
Love You ALL,
Bekah

go boilers...

hey all...just thought i'd update you on my life...i'm having so much fun here at purdue. everyone is super nice and i feel right at home here...it's actually kindda weird how comfortable it feels...but yeah, classes are going really great...marie, i'm taking that class w/ tom turpin just b/c you told me, and i LOVE HIM already...he reminds me of a teacher i had in high school...but yeah...tonight is my night to cook....quesdillas...so we'll see how that goes....but yeah, it's been going pretty good...and i'm not to overwhelmed quite yet;)....roommates are great...jodi is probably going to get sick of me following her around...so, thanks for praying everyone:) i love you all so much! it's great to come on here and read this!
liz