It's FINALLY Fall

Today (Tuesday October 23rd) I had no plans for the evening, which is quite unusual, SO I decided to take advantage of the time off and spend it with Rosie and Grace. We grabbed some dinner and headed out in search for Pumpkins at Menards. I think you'll agree that our carved pumpkins turned out great -- and besides we enjoyed ourselves just as much!

- Brenna (for the entire Mertens family)







We found a white pumpkin, which we thought was a bit strange


We found the perfect pumpkins!



Even though they're smiling, we all agreed that pumpkin guts smell nasty! >_<




My Pumpkin (Brenna)






Rosie's Pumpkin



Grace's Pumpkin

Just another entry ...

When did Rosie grow UP!? She's our cutie and yet our oddball, doesn't look much like the rest of us, and is the only one with brown eyes, but we love her just the same of course!






Rosie and Grace were dancing -- like usual. I thought it was a sweet picture.



ittle Gracie -- always our little baby, but she's growing up! Last Saturday Grace and I walked around downtown yorkville and had fun taking pictures! And can you believe that Grace can drink more coffee than me? Hopefully it won't stunt her growth too much :-)


Awww the blue-eyed blondies

Thanks Aunt Molly for the reminder -- I suppose I should update a little more often :-)

I always seem THRILLED over the simple things

Today I (as in Brenna) had an interview at Rush Copley Hospital for a volunteering position. I went there with an open mind, willing to do basically any job they had for me. I want(ed) to get my feet wet and experience as much of a hospital setting as I could. Well, i'm now volunteering in the NICU (neontal intensive care unit) -- I get to hold and feed babies all day long -- and for those of you that know me well, I adore children, so when Diane (my boss) told me that she'd like for me to work there, I almost lost my stomach. And to make it even cooler, I get to wear scrubs, and a have a cool badge with my name and photo id, so I can enter the "private areas".

God has been blessing me so much this semester -- I was upset when I found out I initially found out that I didn't get into my nursing clinicals this fall, but God has been working so much in my heart and life -- and taken me for a spin that has been so pleasurable and joy-filled. This semester i'm working as a full-time nanny for a family in our church, volunteering at Rush Copley Hospital and volunteering at our church, helping our wonderful secretary with extra work around the office.

Hello hello hello

These photos are from 4th of July 2007: enjoy!

Well I thought that since most of our relatives live out of state, actually I think we're the only one's living in illinois. Anyway blogs are a nice way to keep everyone updated with what's been going on in our lives, prayer request, and PHOTOS! I will do my best to keep this thing updated --- bug me if I forget to do so.

- Brenna