2 months in, 3 weeks out

We had our Junior/Senior Banquet last weekend in Pierre, so we dressed up for the occassion. It was a great night of pictures, eating, and was capped off with a fishing trip until 1 am with some coworkers from Sunshine!


Daraby greets me at the door everyday for lunch. We all head over to the school cafeteria for lunch with the big kids! We have a dress up day every Wednesday which has prompted me to expand my wardrobe.

Dakota is growing up before our eyes. She's got wonderful smile with a little dimple on her cheek that she's been showing off lately.

Over the weekend our girls got some time with the cousins.

Dani is a proud big cousin and serves as our "interpreter" for when we can't understand Daraby.

Two months in signifies Dakota's two months of life with us outside of the womb. Three weeks out refers to the 3.5 weeks left of school this year. So many things have happened since we rolled in that cold, blustery month of January. In some sense it feels as though we've been here for a lot longer than that but then there are days which seem like it was just yesterday we were chasing buffalo in the sandhills.

Parenting two children has it's challenges and we are dealing with a screaming girl at 10:45pm as I write this. However, all the heartache melts away when both of them cuddle up in our laps and long to be held. We have to laugh at Daraby's attempts to mimic Darcy by "nursing" her baby.

We are looking forward to seeing family and friends over the summer. We hope to be in Nebraska over Memorial Day weekend, and then in Michigan for two weeks over the fourth of July. Let us know if you want to be invaded by the Boersma clan! Thanks for tuning in and we hope to see some of you soon!

A Wedding and Easter Wishes!

Easter Morning! We got the girls up and dresses put on! Andrew is overwhelmed by all the girl's clothes. "Tights? How do these go on?"- Andrew


This was Daraby's first egg hunt. The local park had a egg hunt and the kids raced to get their baskets full. Daraby got 9 eggs or so. Pretty good for a 20 month old!


After egg huntin' most of the kids played on all the playground. Many dads joined in the fun too. Daraby and Andrew took a ride on the horsey!

I'm excited to let you all know that my nephew got hitched to a pretty and sweet gal, Rachel. Their wedding was in February and they just had a reception last weekend in Pierre. Rachel's daughter, Marley, is two months older than Daraby. I am starting to feel old when my nephew is getting married and we have kids together. I just tell myself that Brady is like a brother to me and then I don't feel so old. Truly, I'm only 5 years older than him. We never knew if Brady would ever bring home a girl and then he did. He is head over heals for Rachel and we couldn't be happier for them.

Ok, so Daraby was a bit ticked that we took her away from playing. She is stoutly independent.

We didn't think we had any photos with Andrew's parents and Dakota, but we do!

Andrew loves to cuddle with his girls! Daraby loves to help take care of Dakota. She fetches the bottle and pacifier and bring them to us. She pushes the swing perhaps to hard at times. She pets the baby and calls her, "nice!" It has been and adjustment for all of us but we are doing well. Dakota is a really sweet and content baby that wants to be held all the time. As long as she is held she is happy, usually. I don't have to do any tricks. I don't know if I could anyway. I get so tired! I look at all these women that have multiple kids that are close in age. I think I would just go nuts! As it is I don't get a moment to myself. Even when I go pee I have a helper in the restroom taking towels, brushes and curling irons out of the cabinet. If I shut the door I have fingers under the door and a little voice saying, "Mama!"

Everyday is full of adventure. Dakota is growing so quickly and Daraby is starting to be quite the little woman. Yesterday as we were playing outside with the girls it hit me that we are parents with two little girls. I still feel like I'm a college student. Where does the time go? At the end of the day I am shocked at how fast time has gone. My to do list just gets passed onto the next day and my house looks like a disaster. The toys are breeding like rabbits especially the toys that stab one's foot in the middle of the night! Hopefully, our late night stumblings are getting to be fewer and fewer as Dakota wakes up less and less.

We hope you had a Happy Easter! It has been nice to have Andrew home for 4 days. This is the last break before the end of the school year. Spring is here and we've been enjoying it. Happy Spring!

3 Weeks in with Dakota

We can hardly believe it's been three weeks ago since we made the late night dash to the hospital. Maybe it's the lack of sleep that makes the days seem to just run together:) Here's a picture of Dakota sleeping on Dad's legs. She's a hearty eater which usually puts her right into a good nap. She slept for almost 4 hours straight last night-a trend that we hope continues to climb!

As her shrit indicates below, she is indeed a cutie. She loves to cuddle and relax in your arms.

We had spring break here at school last week, which came at a perfect time. Dad and Mom came out from MI to see Dakota and love on Daraby for a couple days. They were a lot of help and they got to see Daraby in high gear. We're amazed at how "grown up" Daraby now seems in comparison to baby Dakota.

Mom always brings out some new cloths and gifts for Daraby when they come. This time it was boots and a soccer ball that stole the show. Here Daraby is showing off a pair of her boots with grandma.

There's a lot more to say and post, however, this will have to do for now as we put Dakota down for bed. It is a hard adjustment for Darcy to have two kids during the day while I'm at work and as many of you can testify-kids have a way of wearing you down physically and emotionally. Nevertheless, we praise God for the miracle of another child in our lives. We have a great support group of staff at the school who have kept us well fed the last 3 weeks. Thanks again for all those who've been praying for us along the way.

Thanks for tuning in!

Welcome Dakota Joy Alice!

Dakota Joy Alice was born Friday (2-26) at 8:19 in the morning. This go around we made it to the hospital in plenty of time. Dakota came in weighing 9lbs 8oz, 21.5in and doesn't miss a feeding:)


1st family photo

Darcy was waiting to see Andrew and finally hold Dakota for the first time.


The hospital in Pierre took some newborn photos of Dakota, which are posted at craddleroll.com She experienced a lot of bruising coming out because she was so large. She has jaundice which we are trying to control by a UV light blanket that she has to lay with for a couple more days. Nothing like starting out your life in a tanning bed!




After the delivery, the placenta wasn't coming out of Darcy so they rushed her into emergency surgery. The Dr. got out what he could but thought there was still a part of the placenta in the uterus that he couldn't get. After surgery, Darcy lost a lot of blood and her blood pressure dropped dangerously low. The only option in Pierre was to do a hysterectomy and take out Darcy's uterus The Dr. decided to send her to Sioux Falls to a specialist who had some more options to try before they did a hysterectomy.


Grandma Wanda Joy with little Dakota Joy Alice. We named Dakota after South Dakota, Darcy's Mom and a great friend Alice who lives in NE.


Aunt Dixie with Dakota and Daraby

I stayed in Pierre with Dakota and Darcy and her mom enjoyed a first class flight aboard a King Air Medical plane. Once she got to Sioux Falls, Darcy's condition began to stabilize. The Dr.s there did an ultrasound and found a spot the size of a quarter in Darcy's uterus. They put her on some medication and monitored her into Saturday. Dakota was released from Pierre Saturday morning and then we along with Darcy's dad, Daraby, Brittany, and Deryn (nieces) drove to Sioux Falls.
Darcy passed some more blood and afterbirth Saturday afternoon and evening which the nurses were worried about. On Sunday morning we took Darcy in for another ultrasound and the placenta was completely gone from the inside of the uterus! We were all overjoyed to see that whatever was in there had come out. We actually were able to check out of the hospital Sunday afternoon and get home Sunday night.

What a weekend! We praise the Lord for his goodness and healing. Words cannot describe the emotions of seeing your spouse struggle in pain not being able to do anything about it and sending her off on an airplane. Thank you mom, and Dixie for your presence with Darcy on the way to and in the hospital at Sioux Falls and the rest of the Beck clan who supported us every step of the way. Thank you also to all who were praying for Darcy-we know there were family and friends praying literally all over the country. I'll close with a couple verses out of Psalm 40:

I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.

Thanks for tuning in!
P.S. Thank you Dixie for the pictures!

We are back on! Moved and Ready to Communicate!

We are glad to be on the Internet and connected to ya'll again. I plan to post about once a week until the new baby, Dakota Joy, comes. At that point I don't know what I'll be able to do. Ha! For those of you that don't know we have moved to Miller, South Dakota. It was a big haul but we made it. We need send a huge thank you to our families for all the hard work they put in. We wouldn't have been able to get it all done otherwise. My parents and nephew put in a lot of time and physical effort. I think we about killed them. We didn't think we had that much stuff but carrying it to and from the trailers and driving them is a huge undertaking. I didn't have to drive at all, much to my relief. When we got to campus the staff and their families helped us unload along with my sister. It was a blessing to us!

Despite all the help, there are things I just need to do myself. Currently I am struggling with boxes of scrapbooks and pictures. Oh what to do with them? They smell very moldy and Daraby has had some flair ups with her health, which I am sure is due to the moldy smells coming from the last boxes. I'm tempted to do away with it all and call it good. If I wasn't so tired I probably wouldn't say that. When I was pregnant with Daraby I was constantly nesting. This time I don't want to nest at all. I would like to sleep all day and night. So far I haven't been sleeping much at all. I go to bed and can't sleep which drives Andrew and me crazy.

On a more positive note, Andrew is really enjoying his job as the dean of students. He likes working with kids again. He thrives in this kind of environment. I would say he is challenged, invigorated, excited and nervous. The only bummer for him is dressing up in slacks, dress shirts and ties. No need for me to say, "I told him so!" He can't wait to get out of his dressy clothes everyday. He is just as bad as the students here about dress code and he is the Dean. Ha!

Daraby and I are settling in the home and community here. The people are very friendly. We've attended a student chapel, basketball games and go to lunch at cafeteria everyday. Not only does lunch cut done on our grocery bills but it allows us to see Andrew while connecting to the other staff members and their families. I know we will make some lasting friendships here. The small town of Miller is a perfect size and offers many amenities while still being personable. We are glad to be closer to town, living in a community, and an hour drive to my parents place.

It is a good feeling for us to be here and in this community. We do really miss Nebraska and our friendships there. I feel like part of me still live there. After we moved there, I knew I should have been born in NE. It is so rugged and free like every part of me but on the other hand we truly like living in SD. Someday when we get old, we would like to buy a place in the Sandhills. All of our other moves have been relatively easy but this one tore at a part of me. Perhaps my wanderlust is wearing off!

Daraby is really growing and developing a wonderful personality. She is smart and adores people. That is why I like going to lunch at the school. The kids and adults fawn over her and she loves it. Living here has been a positive experience for her. She is developing socially and has a hard time when we go home or people leave. She thrives off people! She even cries when we take her out of the nursery after church. I think she is the only kid that does that. :) We love her for it.

Please check out the pictures below. We are excited to be back on the Internet so drop us a line we would like to hear from you! Our best to you!


Daron and Rachael with 3 of the 4 puppies.


Christmas Hayride with Boersma Family!




Jeff and Tracey, very good friends of ours in NE, took us out for a hayride.


Andrew and Joel on horseback. Andrew, Joel, Susan and Andrew's Dad took turns riding horses and 4-wheeler.


Aunt Susan and Daraby

Daraby being bitten by one of the pups. No need to worry about Daraby- she beat them up too.

Daraby is giving Ben a hug. I just loved this tenderhearted pup. I think they were all my favorites and how we ever sold them all is amazing. If we didn't have the one pet rule- we might have kept at least one. :)

Daraby with Grandpa Boersma

Daraby riding with Dad on Dutch. I don't do so well with her riding yet.

However, I am in huge favor of her riding this horse. If only she wasn't so scared of it. Yep, she fell off once and now won't have a thing to do with Rody. This guy is supposed to help her get balance and coordination.

Andrew is very excited to ride Dually. Andrew worked on all the ground training with her and then a friend of ours finished her out. She has some work yet but is progressing. It has been a blessing to see our baby horse grow into a working horse. Andrew thinks raising them and training them out ourselves is the way to go.