The Van Clan

We thought a few introductions might be in order.



This is Alex. He is twelve and going into the 7th grade. He has recently been named our official built in babysitter - a post he enjoys since he loves being the boss. Alex collects rocks - he has quite an impressive (and heavy) collection. He loves science, and does very well in it at school. This year his science project made it all the way to the county competition. This kid is amazing at remembering things we have done and places we have been, even things that happened years ago when he was small - things Mom and Dad had almost forgotten. He is also the guy who keeps us on track and on schedule. He is like our walking event calendar, reminding us who needs to be where when. Alex is the kind of person who worries about and wants to help people that others may overlook. He is always looking for a chance to serve. Alex also makes the best Snickerdoodles you have ever tasted - seriously. He wants to be an orthodontist when he grows up.




This is Nathan. He is 11 and starting middle school in the fall. Nathan is a people-pleaser and loves to make people happy, especially Mom and Dad who rely on him a lot. We can always count on Nathan when we need help. Nathan collects pins, and has hundreds of really cool ones, especially Disney and Olympic pins. Nathan loves school, all subjects, and does well. He loves to raise his hand and answer the questions. It is amazing what that kid knows. Nathan loves to read, play with his Star Wars action figures, and has always loved hats, dressing up, and pretending. He loves friends and has a great sense of humor. He has a great smile which is good, since he is always smiling. He plays the saxophone as well as the piano. Nathan is our resident chef. He loves food and all things culinary. He can cook almost anything, but one of his favorites is baked ziti. Of course, Nathan wants to be a chef when he grows up, have a restaurant, and maybe be on Food Network.


This is Derek. Derek is nine and starting 4th grade. Derek is the only person I've ever met who is laid back and highly energetic simultaneously. He is so much fun to have around. He loves to make people laugh and lightens the mood whenever he is around. Tiggers bounce -well so does Derek. His feet are rarely on the ground. That's why he his writing a book "101 Ways to Break Your Glasses." (Well he could write that book). Derek is never angry. Never. He is always happy, or contemplative. One never knows what that kid is thinking about and one is never prepared for what he might say. His imagination is as active as he is. He is a bit of a slob, well more than a bit, but that's just Derek. Derek loves school and is a total whiz at math! He plays the trumpet and the piano. He is a hugger, not a kisser, and stands up for everything male and manly. Derek collects pressed pennies everywhere he finds a pressed penny machine, and has them from all over the world. The boys love to help him locate the machines whenever we go somewhere new. When he grows up, Derek wants to work with his dad in the insurance business.


This is Dylan. He is nine and going into the 4the grade. He is Derek's twin brother. They and definitely not identical, but are best of friends, and get along amazingly! Dylan is driven. He loves to do everything, and is driven to do everything well. A man of passions. He is often very serious, and can sit still for hours when working on some project. But he his not all serious. He didn't get the nickname "Silly Dilly" for nothing. Dylan is an artist in a true sense. He sees the world with an artist's eye, and is driven to recreate it artistically. Dylan loves school, and does very well. He sings and plays the French horn and the piano beautifully. It is so fun to watch him spar in martial arts because he is so scrappy, he is everywhere. He collects patches and has some really cool ones. Dylan is very neat and likes to keep things tidy, which is a great help around the house. He is very good with his little brothers and is always taking care of them. He also takes good care of his garden. Dylan wants to be a lot of things when he grows up, including an artist and a doctor, and knowing him, he'll probably be all of them.




This is Caleb. He is four, but longs to be five (according to Caleb, life begins when you're five), and he looks like he's six or seven. He will start kindergarten in the fall. Caleb is truly a unique individual. There is nobody quite like him. He is so single-minded. When he puts it in he head to do something, he will do it, one way or another, with or without someones help. He loves to watch everything - mom crafting, grandpa cooking, the plumber, well, plumbing, and then wants to get his hands right in there and do it himself. You'd be amazed how much he learns from watching! And he is so good with his hands. He always sits down with mom when she stamps, and he gets really creative and does some really nice and careful work (usually substituting dinosaur stamps for mom's flower stamps.) He is quite artistic. Caleb loves people, and loves to talk. A good conversation with Caleb has high entertainment value. He knows everything, just ask him. Caleb collects coins with Daddy's help. He wants to be a fire/policeman and wear a black uniform when he grows up.






This is Luke. He is two, and is becoming more two everyday. When he is not being two, he has the sweetest personality a kid could ever have. Luke gets much joy out of life and gets so excited by the littlest things - he cheers over his breakfast cereal, and has to share the good news anytime someone gives him some milk. He is very friendly and always says "hi' and "bye" to everyone and everything, "hi book", "bye grocery store." He talks a lot, but uses few words. Luke loves to sing, especially "Twinkle Little Star," only he doesn't use the words. When Luke is upset he will give you that "look" with the eyebrows and point his finger at you, or he will simply collapse on the floor and play dead. Luke brings so much joy to our home! He loves to cuddle, for which Mom is so grateful , since he is her baby. We don't know what Luke wants to be when he grows up, but we do know that we don't want him growing up any time soon.

This is me, Rachelle, AKA Mom. My kids sometimes call me mean, which I consider the highest of compliments. But whenI help them make a diorama for their class they call me the coolest mom in the world (also a compliment.) I am the defender of all things feminine in a sea of masculinity. I love anything pink, lacy, romantic, pretty, flowery, and girly in any way. I am the Queen in my home, and have the tiaras to prove it. I love old things and collect milk glass, vintage printed tablecloths, and a myriad other lovely old things. I love to create - whether it is stamping, crafting, decorating, or art. Watercolor is my passion, but I have little time for it. Someday... I love my rose garden, Jane Austin, and absolutely anything Italian. I am an early riser, swim four mornings a week, and get home before anyone is awake. I also love martial arts, which even surprises me. It isn't exactly a girly activity. That what happens when you are surrounded by so much testosterone. Who would have known that wrist locks and spinning hook kicks would be so much fun? I love my friends, and rely on them, and my Mom and sisters, for so much support and inspiration. I love being a mom and feel so lucky to be able to be home with my guys.

This is Dennis, AKA Dad. Dennis loves kids, and would have had a dozen of then if mom would be convinced (she won't be convinced!). Dennis has his own insurance business, Acsend Insurance Agency, and loves what he does. He is a people person, and enjoys being able to get to know people and help them. He has a new beautiful office with a very cool fish tank. Come by and see it sometime. He works very hard, and is very self-motivated. Anytime he has a dream, he finds a way to get it done. Dennis is an eternal optimist. "It will be fine," is his favorite line (and it drives me, the pessimist, crazy.) He is rarely ruffled. Dennis is a natural born athlete, and has picked up almost any sport with ease. His favorites are baseball, basketball, golf, and tennis. He is the master of his grill, and loves to man his barbecue. He loves to spend time with his family, and is so good about taking boy time so mom can get a break. He is always planning fun family activities and trips. Dennis is a scout leader, and loves scouting with his boys. His family is his life, and everything he does is for them.

So that's us, the VanBuskirks - eight very different and wonderful personalities. The Lord picked this team, and we think it is a winning combination.