On Sunday afternoon I sat on our porch sipping iced coffee while I watched the kids play. Natalie and Thomas have a set of walkie-talkies and they had devised a plan: Natalie would ride her bike around the block and stop periodically along the way to check in with Thomas.
“Thomas, can you hear me? I’m at stop #1, the big swing, over.” Other stops included the corner where we cross when walking to school and, of course, *Mr. Little Guy’s house.
*Mr. Little Guy is a fun friend (if you believe) who lives in the large tree around the corner from our house. You can write him a letter, leave it in his door and he will write you back.
It was likely a combo of the sunshine, the thirst quenching iced coffee and the kids playing creatively because in that moment I had the perfect vision of summer.
Neighborhood happy hours are in full swing, pools are open and the sprinklers are running. Even lakes are open for business - a couple weeks ago we joined our former Rosewood neighbors for an evening happy hour on Reeds Lake at the Grand Rapids Yacht Club and the kids were in the lake non stop.
This week I’m off from work (our childcare provider is on vacation herself this week) and we’re gearing up for a solid balance of fun and checking things off our to-do list. The kids will tackle swim class with Miss Rita this week - Thomas needs a refresh while Natalie just gets to go along for the ride. We’ve got dentist appointments and fingers crossed our mulch arrives in the next few days.
Next, I’d like to talk about our church, Mars Hill Grand Rapids. Yesterday was the first time we’ve been allowed to worship indoors (in the air conditioning!!) AND the first time we’ve had kids programming available in over a year. Needless to say, we were stoked because who likes doing church on an asphalt parking lot in 80 degree heat with kids tugging at their leg asking for another snack?! We do not. It’s not ideal.
Throughout 2020 us Kladders maintained high hopes for our church, but honestly, our confidence level was the opposite. In addition to the pandemic shut down Mars Hill had a lot going on including the surprising exit of our lead pastor. Simply said, the captain abandoned ship and since the crew has been struggling to regain their footing - or at least that’s the impression we’ve experienced.
But yesterday felt ‘good.’ We sat in a pew sandwiched between two families we knew, singing together to music being played by neighbors while the kids made paper lanterns and listened to bible stories in kids ministry. The space felt comfortable, the music familiar and the message welcoming. All of a sudden, we’re beginning to see that community church we’ve been longing for. And again, that felt good.
Mars Hill Grand Rapids has a ways to go, of course, but we’re glad to finally begin the messy process of finding a new rhythm. And it is… messy… there are things that we’re still scratching our heads over but we are slowing gaining back our confidence in this being something we can depend on again.
Memorial Weekend was spent at the lake in Rockford with family. We took our first boat ride of the season, the kids played on the beach from sun up to sun down, there were rounds of golf, leisurely coffee mornings, fishing off the dock and I got my first sunburn of the year. It was a very successful start to summer at the lake.
With the high temps this past weekend the Watermark Pool was the place to be. We had a blast hanging out with friends poolside and watching the kids play. Afternoons at the pool mean gin & tonics, fries & tenders, tons of sunscreen, melty ice cream cones and tuckered out kiddos.
Summer golf is in full swing with a handful of tournaments and league dates already behind us. Watermark is scheduled to be under major construction later this summer so our entire golf calendar has been pushed up to accommodate. I golfed in my first women’s outing (Around the World in Nine Holes) a few weeks ago and our team (representing Mexico) won our division. The WM Women’s Association is stronger than ever this year with more than 70 women golfers signed up for league play. Jamie Krier is my partner again this year and I’m looking forward to competing and continuing to work on my game.
Work at Steelcase is busier than ever (feeling guilty taking time off this week) - our team project manager is currently on leave (and we are feeling it), I’m working to add three new team members to my team along with managing a few Tier 1 initiatives. Also worth mentioning, Steelcase hosted Michigan’s Governor for a press conference encouraging employees return to the office last month which proved an exciting event for our entire campus. My team helped support the visit which is an experience I can add to my list of ‘interesting’ things I’ve worked on.
I recently joined the Board of Directors at Grace’s Table, a non-profit with a mission is to walk alongside teen moms from isolation to community and support them as they reach their full potential. Last year I stepped down from the WM Women’s Association Board with intention to serve on a board in the non-profit sector and I’m thrilled to support Grace’s Table this year. I’m learning that a responsibility of a non-profit board member is to help fund raise. So, I’ll probably be inviting you to coffee or happy hour soon.
The kids are officially on summer break - their last day was the week before Memorial Weekend. Thomas finished his first year of 3-preschool at Grace Preschool and we celebrated with his entire class at Manhattan Park. The kids and teaching staff presented the sweetest little concert and everyone was treated to Pinkies Ice Cream. It was a roller coaster of a year that started with Covid restrictions, then being notified in December that the church that ran the preschool at the time was shutting down the program due to loss of funding, only to have the parents take charge and form a new board of directors ultimately saving the school. Grace Preschool ended the year strong and we were lucky to have them as a source of dependability this past school year. Next year we are looking forward to Thomas moving to 4-preschool at GRCS and having both kids at the same school.
Natalie had a very successful year of Kindergarten at GRCS and we could not be more proud of her. She can read, do basic math, write and it was a joy to hear about her favorite part of the day (almost always recess) at the dinner table. GRCS delivered exactly what they promised (and then some) and after their leadership this past year we are Eagles for life. Natalie’s year end was capped off by two field trips (nature center and farm animals) and the annual Letter People Parade - Natalie was Mr. N. The school also presented a virtual Spring Concert that you can check out here. Mrs. Jonkers class does a mean ‘Who Let The Dogs Out.’ Seriously.
On the last day of school for GRCS we joined neighbor friends for an end of the year happy hour. It was a mad house with what felt like a million kids toggling back and forth between snacks, bubbles, hula hoops, the bounce house and the trampoline. Needless to say, the energy was off the walls as we cheers’d to one of the weirdest school years ever. Big thank you to Jodi who was the hostess with the mostess.
Natalie enjoyed her first season of soccer through the Pure Play program at Ada Christian Elementary. She/we made some new friends throughout the 6 week program and it was fun to sit sideline watching her play. Both Natalie and Thomas are signed up for tennis camp later this month and Natalie will participate in two golf clinics this summer as well. Thomas will have to wait two more years for golf.
June is for Geminis and that is what I am! This month we will celebrate my 34th birthday, Fathers Day, head out to Silver Lake for a group camping trip and… you’re never going to believe this… we’re going to a concert in real life! I love me some sweet sweet summertime!
POSTSCRIPT - Things worth mentioning…
Billions on Showtime is super. Jeff and I are still making our way through Schitts Creek but when he’s golfing Thursday nights I’m streaming Billions. Big fan.
The Day The Crayons Quit is probably my new favorite children’s book. Natalie brought it home from the library the other day and it made me laugh out loud. It’s adorable and funny.
Root Farmacy is the new deli kitchen occupying part of the old Marie Catribs space. Elite Yelpers were invited to try one of their dishes (they aren’t officially open yet) and I enjoyed a super tasty chicken salad bowl for lunch one day. They will soon provide super healthy meal service.
Grace’s Table - As previously mentioned I recently joined the board of directors for Grace’s Table. If you aren’t familiar take a look and find out about the great work they are doing.
