Gettin Back into the Swing of things...

OMW I've never had such a busy summer! So I got back from Europe on July 3rd, late at night. Left for Tennessee a day later. I Just got back from Tennessee Sunday night! Was gone at Kenzie's house all day yesterday our Bible study! So I am just now getting a chance to get back on the blog. I uploaded all these pics to Kodak before Tennessee thinking all of you could see them but it wont work so I just decided to upload a couple to blogger! Hope you all like them! I'm gonna try hard to get around to all the blogs today and upload more pics of the reunion soon! (the pictures are in order from the places we went...just like the bottom post)

I'm Back

Hey everyone!! Boy am I glad to be back! I made sure to make time for a quick post as I just got back late last night from Europe and have been trying to unpack and pack since we're leaving tomorrow for Tennessee to meet all the families for the Ping Jiang Reunion. The business just never stops! Overall I had a pretty good trip and saw a lot of neat things...hope you enjoy the pics...

Click here to see a slideshow
updated: ok I know you're all dying to see pics....I'm working on the slideshow as it's not working

What we did in Europe

Amsterdam:

Ate at Hard Rock Cafe

Van Gough Museum

Ricks Museum

Corrie Ten Boom House

Saw the Rembrandt statue-Night House

Germany:

Visited DaKow (first made concentration camp)

Visited Castle in Heidelberg/saw huge wine barrel

Drank and danced at beer garden

Austria:

Swaraski Crystal Museum

Italy:

Boat ride to Venice

Shopped for purses in the black market

Visited St. Marks Basilica

Shopped and hung out in St. Marks Square

Rode in a gondola down the canals

Verona Coliseum

Toured Romeo and Juliette's house

Switzerland:

Great Mountains

Rode to the top of Mount Pilateus

Boat ride on Lake Lucern

Shopped for Swiss Knives and chocolate

France:

Shopped at Galleria Lafitte (one of the largest department stored in the world, 7 floors)

Visited the Louvre(largest museum in the world)/saw the Monolisa

Visited Notre Dame Cathedral

Went to the top of the Eiffel Tower

Boat ride down the river

London:

Rode on the London eye (largest ferris wheel in the world)

Toured Windsor Castle

Stopped Buckingham Palace

Saw Big Ben

Ate in a city called Convent Gardens

Went to see a Broadway show (called Wicked)

With Love

I missed you soooooo much Lulu......I can't wait to see you tonight!

Love,

Mom

Leaving for Europe

Well we're about ready to leave but I just remembered I told all my blogger buddies I would tell them where I was going. I was going to post my whole itinerary but mom said I shouldn't just post that on the Internet for safety reasons so I decided just to tell you the places I'll be visiting.

Here's where I'll be the next 2 1/2 weeks....
Germany
Amsterdam
Venice
Switzerland
Austria
Paris
London

I'll post pictures as soon as I get back of the places I went. I didn't get a chance to visit all the blogs one more time before I left as I have been so busy packing and cleaning up today but I'll be sure to get all caught up when I get back! I'll miss you all! Keep me in your thoughts and prayers please! Lots of love...Emmie <3

Mom's 40th Birthday Party

OMW am I so behind on the blogging or what!? So this may be a very long post but I have so much to share. I'll just go day by day to make it less confusing...

FRIDAY: So Friday morning my good friends Lauren and Kenzie came over for our first Bible Study meeting. We are reading the Secret Power Girl books and studying the Book of Philippians. We had a great meeting and made pictures frames as our craft afterwards. Then later my dad and I dropped them off at their houses and picked Gwen and Becky up at the airport. We had my mom meet us at the grill at about nine since both girls flights were delayed (hope you liked that hair gel Gwen :)) and we totally surprised her by having the girls there. We were the last ones in the restaurant chatting until nearing 11:00 and then dropped the girls off at a hotel in Grand Rapids. My dad, Gwen, Becky, and I have had this all planned for over 2 months now and were so excited to see them and surprise my mom!

SATURDAY: We picked the girls up in the morning and brought them back to the house. We layed in the sun, went out on the boats, had a nice lunch (made by me, lol ), gave mom her presents, primped and got ready, and then headed to Yen Ching (a Chinese Restaurant) for the party. Mom had a great time continuing to chat with the girls and all our other friends and family that were there. Lauren and Kenzie were there as well so I had someone to hang with. The food was great, I said a speech which not only made my mom cry but ME TOO, and there was a comedian as well. Even Kimberly from Red Mary Janes was there which was great. After the party my mom, dad, Gwen and Becky headed back to the hotel to chat the night away. Unfortunately we have said our goodbyes as they left this morning but luckily we will see them all in just 3 weeks for the Reunion in Tennessee.

SUNDAY: Today I am busy packing and getting ready for my trip! We leave tomorrow night!! Right before I leave I'll do a post to show you all what I will be doing and where I'll be going, don't worry! I'll try to get around to all the blogs 1 or 2 more times before I leave. Hopefully I won't get too behind while I'm gone! :( Also Happy Father's Day to Dad! We are going to have a nice dinner tonight and have just been chilling at the house all day.

So here's some pictures of the party. The slideshow wouldn't work so I just had to list them like this. And my mom's good friend was in charge of taking pictures of the whole party and all the people so I don't have many of those (just of us) but oh well, I took quite a bunch for y'all! :) And my Oma wanted me to post my speech on the blog so she could print it out and have one of her own so that's right underneath this post if you'd like to read that. I couldn't believe I started to cry while reading it! Ugh, little miss emotional here! Anyway, I didn't forget Smart Card Sunday either Mr. Brian! Here it is...

We're all here for
a purpose. Meditate
on your mission, then
use your gifts and
talents to live your life
on purpose. In doing
so, you'll become an
unending magnet
for miracles.
-Travis Smiley

The Girls, what a great surprise!

Gwen and I...:)

My Speech to Mom

Happy Birthday Mom!This day means a lot to me, and I thought I'd take a few minutes today to tell you why. The most obvious explanation, of course, is that we all like an excuse for a party, right?! But there's a more important reason. I want you to know how much I appreciate everything you've done for me. And I want you to know that I think you have a lot to celebrate. For starters, you've been a kind and loving mother. You've been the kind of Mother who puts her family first, and does whatever it takes to make sure we’re all happy, safe, and healthy. You have always put our wants and needs first and before your own.
You’ve not only been a mother to me but a best friend too. Whenever I come home from school you’re always waiting by the door to hear all about my day. To hear all about the juicy gossip- the good, the bad, and the ugly. You’ve been there to listen to hear me out, calm me down, give me great advice, and prepare me for another day back at school or so called drama central.
When things have really gotten bad at school you never hesitate to step up to protect me from the local snot balls. The community knows by now to watch out for Stefanie Beckering, for as you always say…you’re the lioness protecting her cubs with everything she’s got.
From day one you’ve taught me that life is a learning experience, not just in school but all the time. Ever since I was a little girl you’ve taught me to stand up for what I believe in- To stay strong, and hold my own ground, To not be ashamed for being the strong, Christian girl that I am, and to not worry about what others think or say about me. You’ve always reminded me to help others who are in need and who are less fortunate than we are. By being a great, motherly role-model, you have not only told me this but showed me through your actions.
Mom, what I’m trying to say is, through it all- our occasional pow-wows, arguments, and disagreements, I love you. I love spending time with you, talking to you, and hearing your great advice. As you’ve seen through the years I have continued to grow more and more like you as many call me the “mini Steffie.” I’m like your shadow watching everything you do, and trying my hardest to follow. I respect you for so many reasons and hope when I grow up I can be a great wife, mother, friend, and Christian woman like you are. So thank you, for all that you’ve done and continue to do for me. I hope that as the years go on, we can continue to have the great mother-daughter bond that we have now…because I don’t know what I would do without you there.

Wacky Wednesday/My latest and greatest purchases

Aren't these just the cutest shoes that I got yesterday! I haven't gone shoe shopping in forever so just had to share my latest purchases with my blogger buddies! :) Sorry I couldn't find pics of the shoes alone, that's why there's little marks above them both, because I had to crop the pictures!

Here's for the Wacky Wednesday Quiz...Last one before I leave for Europe for 2.5 weeks so make sure you take it! :)

You Are Cherry Kiss Lip Gloss

You're a total girly girl who's every guy is sweet on.You take pleasure in the simple things in life, from cute t-shirts to stuffed animals. Any guy needs to match your romantic idealism to win your heart, which is why few have.No wonder Cherry your signature flavor. It's delicious, sugary, and fun - like you!

What Flavor Lip Gloss Are You?

I was Tagged!

This is long overdo as I was tagged awhile ago by Mr. Brian and am just getting to it. Oh well, here it goes...

4 facts about me:


1. I am a very, strong Christian girl
2. Kenzie and Lauren have been my best friends since Preschool
3. I am a chocoholic
4. I am terrified of snakes and needles




4 habits I have.

1. I am a total perfectionist
2. I shop way too much
3. I bite my nails.
4. I tend to not pick up after myelf and leave my stuff everywhere in the house



4 things I discovered in the last 4 years.


1. I can do anything I set my mind to
2. God has a plan for everything
3. Guys are stupid, you can't trust them (at this young age)
4. It's better to have a lot of friends and hang out with lots of different people




4 things I want to try or do in the next 4 years.

1. Become closer to God and continue with my devotions
2. Continue to be one of the ones with the highest GPA in my grade
3. Be a great big sister and role model to Sophia, Daniel, and the next baby
4. Continue to stay active and exercise more

Celebrity Look Alikes/ Smart Card Sunday

**Thanks everyone for all the nice compliments and sayings from the last post. They were very thoughtful and I loved reading all my comments.

So I took this celebrity look-alike thing and thought I would post my results along with the smart card Sunday saying.

Celebrate

your life no matter

where it takes you-

no matter how

difficult- and know

that it is only

a transition.

~Kryon

Ok so I thought it was pretty sweet that it said I have a resemblance to Prince William so I just had to add him!

Go me!! :)

OMG OMG!! I have so much to share with my blogger buddies. I know my mom is going to want to do a nice, long post about this on how she is so proud of me but I can't stand to wait! I am just so proud of myself! And this isn't made for bragging...sorry i'm just so excited. So today we had our honors assembly at our school. I was not only awarded with all A's for every marking period but a so totally, huge, very special award as well. Two other girls and I got a scholoraship for recieveing the highest grade point averages in our grade. This was so big for me, I didn't win it last year because it is only given to one person from each house (there are two house students are divided into) but there was a tie this year so there was two from one of the houses. Anyway, I just wanted to share that with you! I was like shaking I was so happy!

After school I hugged like everyone I saw and was so sad that I wasn't going to see them for a while but so thrilled it was summer already. Some of my friends came home with me and we went to the mall, had a pinic, and played outside. Now we are at Kenzie's to spend the night. I'll tell you more about this weekend later and post pictures of the honors assembly. I don't have a ton of pics from our Creig's Cruisers field trip or the last day because we just didn't have time and were so busy socializing.

Anyway, this is Sophia's new thing. She loves her butterfly wings and won't take them off for anything! lol! Whatever floats your boat right!?

~ Butterfly on a Bicycle ~

What kind of chocolate are you?

So we only have 1.5 more days of school! OMG this does not seem real! Today we got our yearbooks and cleaned out our lockers. Tomorrow we are going on our field trip to Craig's Cruisers and Friday is our awards ceremony and last day. I am so excited. I have been so stressed these last couple of days with 3 exams and a last minute project in Language Arts. We had to create a whole new world with unique characters, setting, etc. Anyway, I hope to post pictures next week of all our upcoming events and can't wait to get back to the blogs!

OOO...and...we had a science exam today and guess what I got?! 98 percent! Woo-hoo! THe best grade in the class! And I aced my algebra ezam (not sure what the percent was I came in late) Anyway, enjoy the rest of your week everyone, and Wacky Wednesday.

You are White Chocolate

You are White ChocolateYou are sweet, caring, and truly very innocent.Whether your naive ways are a bit of act or not, people like to take care of you.You are a quiet flirt, and your power is often underestimated!

What Kind of Chocolate Are You?

Friday Night Outing

On Friday night one of my best friends, Kenzie, and I went out to see Pirates Of the Caribbean 3 with a group of friends. It was a bit confusing considering we didn't see the first or second ones but was still really good. Trust me, I didn't mind watching Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp for three hours! lol! Here's some pics of the two of us just before we left. I'm going to try to be better about posting pictures. I know I haven't in awhile. It will be different when school's out-much more time! Only 3.5 more days!!! Woo-hoo!