Amsterdam.... day two....

I really wanted to be able to take the opportunity to post frequently while on my trip to the Netherlands and Italy however, between running all the time, doing homework and often slow internet services, I have not been so successful.  I tried to journal, when I could, so to be able to  share the experience at a later time.

Oct. 5th, 2018 - Friday
Day Two began packing up my stuff from the first hotel and checking in at the second hotel Bob booked, at the airport.  I then preceded to take the train to downtown Amsterdam again.  Today I wanted to tour some shops, walk some more roads, and just take in the day beauty of this historic town.  I decided that I had to have some Dutch pancakes and did so! Yummy!!
I moved on to browsing however, I am so excited for my tour at Anne Franks home and museum at 1pm today.
I currently sit a block from Anne Frank’s house waiting for my tour to begin. Even just standing outside the home, my heart sank as I remember the words of a young 14 year old Jewish girl who was in isolation for 2 years with her family because of being Jewish. I look across the street and wonder what her thoughts were, during those moments she snuck up to the annex and looked at the buildings, I am currently free to look at.

Walking on the cobblestone outside her home, I try to picture her and her sister walking on the same bricks, playing as young kids should do, only to have their innocence ripped away in a single moment.

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Amsterdam; what is it really like?

Hello family and friends!
I am going to share a few photos of my first day in Amsterdam and hope to talk about customs (that I have viewed) in another post.  I arrived yesterday and I have had the opportunity to walk through town and take a tour on the canal.  I was amazed on what I learned from the tour.  New appreciation to be sure.  Stay tuned....

The Central Station is amazing! 

My first look at Amsterdam (out side of the airport yesterday).  To get into the Amsterdam, I took a train (20 minutes) and started wandering the streets on foot.  I was amazed by the historical buildings. Since it was the middle of the week, the town was not overcrowded and I even managed not to get run over.  (By bike or car)  There are very little cars here however, you need to watch where you are walking because pedestrians are not necessarily watched for here. 

Another view of the Central Station from across the canal

Canals upon Canals

There are so many canals in this town; it is breath taking.  With the buildings sitting right up to them, it draws you in.  Many of the buildings lean in different directions however, they are deemed safe.  Apparently they have been built on pillars, that sit upon clay and sand, which is the reason they shift over time.  They come in and add support and call it good.  Some hotels even adjust their furniture to the leaning building rather than doing any major overhaul to line up the building.  

The Six Dancing Ladies

The 6 buildings that are leaning are named this because of their amazing leaning ability.  They all lean a little different (forward, backward, right or left), however it is hard to see that in the photo. 

Even though the last two days have been spent trying to find my way into my fall courses, I have had a lot of opportunity to reflect over the last few weeks (August) and how different "life" looks in this new season. 
I first want to share a few thoughts and photos of Bobby and Jen's beautiful wedding that took place this past Friday (18th) in Spokane, WA.  Many have asked me how I fared with two of my kids getting married within a two week period, and truthfully, with Kyleann's wedding, I held it together.  (Only God is the answer for that one)  But Bobby's wedding....not so much!  There was this overwhelming release of gratitude and pride, that escaped me. God has blessed us with amazing "kids" and the time had come to release my first born over to begin his life as a husband.  I am humbled by God's gift of Jen (his new wife) and their union.  It was nothing short of amazing!  I don't have any photos of the ceremony, but when the professional ones come back, I will be sure to post.  Enjoy these.  😀

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS AS THEY GET UPDATED

Rehearsal

Beautiful Bridal Showers || June 10th

We had such a great time celebrating Jen at a Bridal Shower on Saturday at Giorgio's Spaghetti and Pizza House.  So excited for Bobby and her wedding in August this year!

We also celebrated Kyleann at her Bridal Shower too!  What an amazing time we had on Saturday with two beautiful brides to be!  

CLICK HERE TO VIEW JEN'S PHOTOS
CLICK HERE TO VIEW KYLEANN'S PHOTOS

Jen & Bobby's Wedding Website
Kyleann & Charlie's Wedding Website

To Be Challenged.....

As I sit here and reflect, I am so thankful for the blessings and the challenges of life. Blessings are easy to be thankful for but challenges can be difficult to be thankful for.  But it is during the times of challenges we are stretched and refined in character. Challenges don't have to be seen as a bad thing.  For me it is the changes that happen in life that I consider challenging but rewarding at the same time. The challenges of school on days my mind doesn't grasp concepts of information... The challenges of self worth because of not working outside the home.... The challenges when contemplating the loneliness that will occur when both my older kids getting married in August...  The challenges of not feeling needed by your children... The challenges of self doubt... but I choose to be thankful during these times because it during these times God is showing me what He is doing to refine my character for the next season of life.  I can choose  how I will walk during these times, and I choose to be thankful in anticipation of the great work God is doing.  I am truly blessed to have breath, to love, to share, to serve and most of all, to be challenged.  

A year in review? Let's start with Bobby....

What a year it has been for the Irwin family! A year where we have each grown individually and as a family. Although it seems to be cliche to end the year with a post called "a year in review", I find that it helps to encourages reflection and a deeper heart of gratitude.

Bobby, or Bob, as many of his friends call him, just had his 24th birthday this past month.  What a wonderful hard working young man he has become.  This year has offered a change in seasons for Bobby, one that has long been in waiting.  After almost 4 years at Starbucks and working two jobs, Bobby is now working full time at The Summit church in Spokane, as a Facility Manager.  He also spends time volunteering as tech support and plays base on the worship team.  After completing his transfer degree from Spokane Valley Community College, he began his next venture in obtaining his B.A., by enrolling in the online program to Life Pacific College, located in California.  Bobby loves to serve and most importantly, he loves the Lord.  His dad and I are truly blessed to call him our son!

December 31st, 2016..... Bobby proposes to his beautiful girlfriend, Jennifer and now can call her his fiance.  As I sit here and share this, I keep thinking about all the friends that have asked me, "so.... do you like her?  What do you think about the engagement?" So, here comes honestly and complete vulnerability.....  I absolutely adore Jennifer... She is strong, hard working, loving, funny and true!  She loves my son and loves the Lord.... What more can a mom ask for?!?!  Although, Bobby is my first and there will be the times that I struggle letting go... all I ever wanted for my first born, in a wife, is someone that loves the Lord and loves him.  So... my prayer has been answered and the apron strings... that were now only being held by a thread... have been cut.... I will always be his mom and his first teacher... but now I get to see what he does when making his life with his love, his future wife on August 18th, 2017!  

Left... Bobby and his fiance, Jen.... Charlie, Kyleann and Taylor!!! :)

To be continued..... Kyleann... Taylor and Caroline's awesome husband....Bob! 

Two Updates from the Irwin Family!

A couple New and Exciting things in the Family!  

First, follow Kyleann and Charlie's wedding plans on their website HERE!

Second, follow Horseshoe Art by Tim, my brother's handcrafted Home Decor HERE!