Spring happenings

My internship at the Center for Women in Transition has ended. Well, it ended in May, but I am just now ready to say it. These are the crisis interns minus 1.
















I officially commenced from GVSU with a Masters in Social Work here I am flanked by my parents, in-laws, and Erik.
I wore multiple pieces of jewelry from Dorothy throughout the Hooding Ceremony and the Commencement. I know Dorothy was there with us. She would have been cheering and she would have made sure my hood was on right!

January

January is always an "ups and downs" month for me.
Up because it is a new year. Down because it is freezing cold. This month is different this year. I am in a time of change. I have given my resignation to the Wesley Board and the "powers that be." I have no idea what is next for me.
It is exciting and terrifying!
On the family note... Evan turns one this week. Matthew is in preschool and loving it. Maggie and Natalie are super fun and I look forward to spending some warm days with them at the Cottage.
I like my internship and I think moving into full time Social work was a good decision for me.
Ally and Juno are doing fine. Actually I think they are getting along now. I thought this day would never happen! lol

So here are some highlights from 2010
Erik met Greg Noll in California they look related. Greg Noll is a super famous surfer of Pipeline in Hawaii. It makes sense now why people call Erik the Greg Noll of the Great Lakes. Our trip to California was a highlight. It was a break away from "regular" life in Michigan. I look forward to going again.


Dorothy's passing in July which is still effecting me. This picture helps though because that is how she would want to be remembered, with family.

Wesley

This was the Spring 2010 final picture! It is so great to have a full table! Our fall semester begins the 12th of September. I have high hopes for this group of dedicated folks this academic year!

Wesley

Here are some pictures of the Wesley Fellowship 2009. This is our Wesley House and a visit from the White Pines UMC youth group with a couple of visitors from the Sanctuary Collective . I am very proud of this group and pray for our growth in the upcoming year.

Babies

New babies
We have increased the Grubaugh and Holt families by one respectively. Natalie is the object of Maggie's love and slobbers/kisses her all the time. Christmas was fun with another baby in the mix. Rachael and Peter are doing well with the transition to 2.
Evan Bowman Bacholzky was born on January 17, 2010. Matthew is still not so sure about this new addition. Erik and I visited yesterday and Evan is beautiful. Jeff and Heidi are both doing terrific.
Now the pressure is going to begin for Erik and me. It just started this week and I am sure it will increase. Some of the pressure is from myself though. This Social Work program and working full time is certainly helpful in my thinking. It just needs to get done. 2011 is a year away. I need to get through May 2011 and figure out my vocational plans.
I am certainly enjoying all the babies around this year though. Our friends, the Hunts, had a second child, Noelle, at the end of December. She joins her adorable brother Kai in Cape Cod Massachusetts. My old roomie Melissa and her husband Nate welcomed their first child, Malachi, in mid December. My other old roomie, Autumn and her husband Sean have 2 children now as well. 2009 was a pregnancy year. Oh yea and Kim is preggers with a 3rd child due in August. A busy household already that will be brimming with activity. So I will be getting my fair share of baby stories for this year. It is exciting to have the opportunity to be involved in so many children's lives. I love it!

December happenings

December 8 a new Holt was born! Natalie Ann has joined the world. Erik and I went to the hospital and met her today. Maggie has visited and was enamored. Christmas will be so fun this year :)

Juno turned one on December 6. She celebrated by going to the Dog Park and eating lots of treats. This bone was from Erik. She is kinda afraid of it.

On Saturday we went to the tree farm for a tree. Juno went along for a walk around. She helped to pull me in the sled. She also had the opportunity to meet Santa Clause, who was very happy to chat with Juno. We also shared hot chocolate and rice krispie treats. Ally also got into the holiday spirit.

So there is a little update of the Holt household. There hasn't been much surfing. Just a couple of days since the middle of November. Erik is getting a new surfboard. It was a joint venture between Erik and Justin, Burly Surfboards (Grand Rapids, MI) It is a pretty sweet board, by the appearances (which is what is appealing to me)

November 2009

So I have been out of touch with my blog. Life is whizzing right by me. I sometimes don't know up from down. I only have a few more weeks of classes. I am enjoying my Group therapy class although many times it is just a little too close for comfort. The other class is community planning, but I am still trying to figure out what I am learning there.

So we took a trip to East Lansing for the MSU vrs U of M hockey game. This picture is of us, Karen, and Tom. Tom is in charge of the Munn Ice Arena and one of Erik's surfing friends. It was a fun night as we sat right behind the goal.

We are also getting our a new roof this week. This is a relief to have this done. Our old roof was coming off with the strong winds. They found the shakes (old shingles) and 3 layers of asphalt shingles so it was high time for a redo. The noise does bother Juno quite a bit. She barks alot at them.

I am dreaming of a time of peace, love, and contentment. A time where my life is balanced. Yes, this may seem random, but I have to say it.