Jenna and I have a new blog so if you are interested you can check it out at http://ustwogirls.blogspot.com/
Hope to hear from you there soon!
Love,
Jodie and Jenna
This is the most likely the last entry on this blog for me.. I won't be "An American in Holland " anymore. Jenna and I will be moving to the states sometime in the next few weeks. James is going to stay here with his father. When the time is right I will start a new blog so that everyone can keep up to date with what is going on in Jenna's new life.
Until then....
Jodie
It has been super busy here in the van Arkel household. Been camping, had lots of partys to go to and school is still in session. This past weekend was the height of busy. Friday evening, Jenna had NKT, James had to pick her up, Jan had a Salsa evening at school and I had a girlfriend night in Hoorn. Anita C. invited all her girlfriends for dinner and chitchat. Even though I wasn't really looking forward to it, it ended up being a lovely evening!!! And I got to see some friends whom I haven't seen in years. Jan had a nice time at the salsa evening although he had to wait over an hour for his train. Saturday was the big 50th birthday party for Teresa. Pictures will follow!! We had to shop for costumes (theme was 70's and 80's). We looked hot. I have to lighten the pictures and then I will post them. But they are super fun!! We had a great time and danced, laughed and drank all night. Then sunday we had a concert to go to. It was a Rock Musical Choir which has been trying to get Jan to join forever. So I guess they finally talked him into it. We then went to Caddy's (where the party was held Sat. evening) to see James and Joshua. They both landed jobs there Saturday night. Jan and I had dinner and then picked up Jenna at Teresa's. She had to finish packing and get some sleep. She left this morning for school camp. They are cycling to the campground (aprox. 4 hours) and staying until wed. afternoon. So she is going to be beat.
We are all having a terrible time with hayfever. This morning I couldn't open my eyes. I am still having trouble seeing clearly. Oh well. Such as life. And I know that it will be over soon! I hope!! I am going to get the pictures done this evening I hope! So check back soon.
Today is a very special day for 3 of my girlfriends! Today Sarah, Monica and Teresa are celebrating their birthdays. For Teresa it is extra special because it is her 50th!! I just want to wish all 3 ladies a wonderful day and let all of you know that you are super special to me.
Happy Birthday to you!!
Happy Birthday to you!!
Happy Birthday Sarah, Monica and Teresa!
Happy Birthday to you!!!
I want to wish my little sister a very happy birthday. I hope that she is spoiled rotten and has a great day!! She is a very special to me and I hope she knows it. Have a great day sissy! We love you and miss you !!!
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Jill...
Happy birthday to you.
All our love,
Jan, Jodie, James and Jenna
I wanted to wish all the mothers out there a happy belated Mother's day! We were camping so I didn't have any access to a computer to wish everyone a wonderful Day!!
I just wanted to wish my Mamaw a very happy birthday. She is celebrating her 83rd birthday today. Unfortunately she is having trouble remembering things and isn't her self anymore, at least not the strong, opinionated woman she used to be. None the less I wanted her to know we are thinking of her and hope she has a wonderful day today.
All our love,
Jan, Jodie, James and Jenna
It is now official ... no one is safe on the dutch roads anymore! James passed his motorscooter license test. So now he can make the roads unsafe. Now the next step is finding a scooter. He is super happy. He and I went to Alkmaar for his test and I think that 3/4 of the people who tested at the same time failed. It was so nice to see him come out after all those others with a smile on his face. He said that if he came out quickly ( he was at table 1) that he had failed. So I had my fingers crossed that he wasn't the first one out the door. I think it hit him about 5 hours later that he had actually passed and would be able to drive as soon as he got his paperwork done at city hall. So afterschool today he is going there and hopefully Monday he can pick it up. My baby is driving ( well at least it isn't a car yet!) ( I would have perfered him driving a car though!)
Congratulations James! WELL DONE!! BE CAREFUL! LOVE YOU!!
Then last weekend we went and saw Comedy Explosion at a local theater. We went with Ruud, Teresa, Jenna and Ruth. James was planning on going but decided at the last minute that it would be more exciting to go with his friends to see a movie. It was fun. My sides hurt from laughing. I am not sure if we will get Jenna to go with us again. I don't think she really appreciated some of the comedy. There were 4 stand-ups and some were better than the others, of course our favorites they didn't like. Typical. Then Saturday Jenna had a birthday party (for Leanne the daughter of her voice coach) and I was asked to help out at the party by doing a scrapbook with the kids (paid). I have never seen so many enthusiastic kids. There were 12 kids and they are all from the theater/ song world. So very creative. It was so much fun to see those kids dig in and finish an album from scratch and fill it with pictures in the same evening. They had taken pictures during the day and had them printed by an one hour service so when we finished making the mini album they could put the pictures in and take home a completed album. I don't think that the adults that I have given workshops to in the past were as hard workers as this bunch of kids.
Then on sunday Jan and I went to Rotterdam for a concert. Katie Melua was in town and Jan is a big fan of her. Well after the concert so am I. She is so good. Finally and artist who sounds better live than on cd. Really laid back music and a beautiful voice. We lucked out because they were taping her DVD that evening so we got to hear a couple of songs twice. We had a really nice time.
I had a meeting with my boss on tuesday to see how things were going. Actually it was a meeting to find out what they thought of me. Well so far so good. They want to keep me. I was also offered a opportunity to take a class so that I can work in the group as substitute teacher. That would mean more hours and higher pay. On top of that there is also an opportunity to go to school and be able to work. They pay for my schooling (ba) and I work 22 hours in a week for a student salary. That has to be okayed by the big boss but she wanted to know if I was interested in it. So I said YES. She said it would be dumb to look outside her own people to find some one to sub, when I knew the kids and the teachers. So that was a super positive meeting. I was also able to voice some of my concerns.
This weekend Nadine got her first swim diploma so we went to watch her swim and recieve her diploma. We did it all on bike and then went to Amsterdam to dinner. There was a carnaval in town so we went up on the ferris wheel. We got a nice view of Amsterdam. Tonight there is a free concert in town a tribute to David Bowie. We are going to try and check out.
Jenna and Stephanie spent the whole weekend together and James and Joshua too. So this morning we had 4 kids in the house. Wow it takes hours to be able to shower with that many kids around. James is going to do his theory test tomorrow for his motor (moped). It is unbelievable how much they have to know before they are certified to ride. Honestly it is 10x's harder than a drivers test in the states. Hopefully he will do well and pass it this time (last time he missed passing by 2 questions).
One more week and then we have a week vacation. Jan and I have a week and a day. Jenna and James have 2 weeks. Hopefully we are going to be able to do something fun the 4 of us. We shall see.
Jan and Jenna on the pista...
Watch her go!!!
Jan on the pista
Joshua snowboarding..
The last evening... all the kids 
Jan and I the last evening...
There are a ton more pictures but this is a good overview of our week... Enjoy.
March is such a busy month for birthdays... So here goes:
Happy Birthday to Mark Bakker!! He turned 8 on the 1st of March.
Happy Birthday to Karin and to Annita and to my nephew Joshua who all celebrate their birthdays tomorrow. The 3rd of March!
So happy birthday to all of you! You are all very special people.
We're back... We had a lovely time. The snow was not as good as we would have liked. The snow on the pista was good. Jenna decided after one day to ski and to give up snowboarding. So Jan had someone to ski with and wasn't waiting for Jenna constantly. James and Joshua had a ball. They got up early and skiied all day for most of the week. I will post pictures later this week. I have to download them and am to busy with the laundry to sit and do it now.
Today 43 years ago two of my favorite people said "I do". If they hadn't done that I would not be here today. I hope they have a wonderful day and here's to another 43 years! Don't forget how much we love and miss you !
Happy Anniversay Mom and Dad!
Love,
Jan, Jodie, James and Jenna
The first charm:
The charm Jenna picked out and the other one is a mouse and I can't find a picture of it on the site. 
This is a clip on bead that is for the Arizona sun:
Another clip on bead:
A spacer bead:
James picked this one out:
And this one too with the help of Joshua:
another spacer bead
I love my bracelet! I am so amazed at my husband for being this creative for me. He did it all on his own. I had no idea what I wanted so I told him to surprise me and HE DID!!
We had a nice weekend. Friday afternoon James decided he wanted to build an intertainment center for his room. He and Joshua measured and planned and shopped for wood. They did a great job for novice carpenters! Jan met them friday afternoon at the dyi store and picked up the wood and gave advice and paid. They came home and started right in on putting it together and sawing, screwing and cursing (real dyi-ers!). They stopped about 11:30 and called it a night. Saturday morning they finished it. Jan took Jenna to school for the open day. They ask students to show how fun their school is for the future students. Jan went shopping alone. When the boys finished their project Jan started the lighting for them. They went to town to do some shopping also. I took Jenna and Stephanie to De Rijp for a slumber party and when I got home Jan was busy with the wiring. We then met James, Joshua and Jolanda in town for dinner. After dinner the boys went out to a party and Jolanda came home with us for a cup of coffee. After she left we watched a movie and called it a night. Sunday morning, Jan woke me up with a birthday breakfast in bed. We got the food together for the afternoon and Jan went and picked up Jenna and Stephanie from the party and picked up Oma. Around 3 everyone arrived. Ron, Karin and the girls, Rudi and Teresa,Jolanda, Kees, Marion, Stephanie, Danielle and Nadine, Richard and Anita, Kees, Annita, Mark and Sabine. So we had a house full. We put up the chocolate fountain and had it running all afternoon. It was a big hit!! I had a wonderful day and had a wonderful evening. Mom, Dad and Jill called right before I went to bed so I was able to talk to them in peace and quiet. All in all a perfect weekend! So getting older isn't always so bad!!
Sorry it has been a while. We have survived the past week and a half without internet. Don't ask how but we made it. Actually it wasn't that bad, just a bit incovenient. The kids pulled out things they hadn't looked at in months, years or longer. James pulled out his guitar and actually tried to teach Jenna a song or two. Homework was finished and books were opened. So it wasn't all that bad.
The kids finally got their Christmas present from Papa Jim and Nana. Saturday it was delivered and the kids love it!! The big ones too. They got the Wii. Thanks so much Papa Jim and Nana it was SOOOOO worth waiting for!! So there wasn't much done this weekend other than games for the kids. Jan and I did get out of the house on Sunday and went to Ijmuiden to walk in the wind on the beach with Corona. It was super nice. When we got home and got the kids in bed it was finally time for us to be able to check out their new toy. What a riot!!
I started working. It isn't alot of hours, right now about 10 a week. I am a bus aide. I am riding the bus with two kids with epilepsie. I am there in case they have an attack. These kids have severe disabilies. I am not sure how long this is going to last but it feels good helping and getting out of the house at least an hour per day. I now have a week and a half under my belt and they already know who I am and what it means when I am there.
I will get some pictures of the kids on the Wii and post them soon!
Ma making sure the boys are doing it right!
Love lights from Jenna....
Nadine and Danielle with the sparklers!!!
The whole gang... look how smoky/foggy it is ( Not sure if it from the weather or the fireworks)
the kids enjoying our new toy! A Chocolate fountain! YUM YUM!!
