life as an ostovic

Well, I have been in Florida for almost 6 weeks now and here is what I have to report . . .

1. I have yet to see an alligator.  Are they just a myth?
2. I have seen many hurricanes. They are definitely not a myth.
3. SEC fans are the craziest (or some might say dedicated) fans I have ever met.
4. It is always humid.
5. I never knew there could be so many lizards.
6. palm trees are. . . . nice
7. I love being 5 minutes from the nearest Chick-Fil-A!!!
8. Waffle Houses are still awesome!!  (But people down here hate them)
9. Dirt roads are really sand roads.
10. People drive better here than in Michigan.
11. Floridians have no concept of what cold weather is really like.  ; )
12. What the heck are boiled peanuts!  Torture, that is what they are!
13. The sweet tea flows like honey and I love it.
14. Most Floridians order unsweet tea.  huh?
15. Grits are awesome
16. Still have not seen an alligator
17. Rain and sun really do go hand in hand down here.
18. Sunsets are still awesome!!
19. You can always find amazing people no matter where you go.
20. I think I am going to love the winters!

Till next time,

Derrak

Today is Evan’s birthday! He is now one year old and too cool for you! I can not believe it!  For more pictures of the little man and a look back at his first year, click here.

Derrak

Recently I started some contract work for a really awesome video production company called Epic Motion, owned by a my friend Ryan Koral. 

He has become a great friend and teacher of video editing and all the skills that come with it. 

Epic Motion does many different kinds of event driven projects, which includes a lot of weddings. Now, these are some the. . . no they are the best wedding videos I have ever seen.  Absolutely amazingly done, very creative and professional.

Anyway, I recently edited a video for him that he calls a “Love Story”.  This is a video of the couple that tells their story, and is usually played at the wedding or reception.  the video I worked on was for a couple that had one of the most powerful stories I have ever heard.  You have to take a moment out of your day and check it out. You can watch the video by clicking right here. Then come back and tell me what you think.

While your there, check out some of the other stuff at Epic Motion.

Derrak

Check out this video melanie caught of the boys getting into mischief together!
Evan is throwing Cheerios on the floor at Jacks command. It is pretty cute.

I took this picture on our first bike ride of the year.  It was also the first bike ride with both of the boys. Actually it was Evan’s first bike ride EVER!  That’s a lot of firsts for one picture.

Who knew you could have so much fun playing with diaper boxes while your naked!! (Actually they had their diapers on, but the story is more fun if I say they were naked.)

OK, she may be embarrassed by this but I am so proud of Melanie. She and I started a diet last October and to date I have lost 23 pounds which is a nice accomplishment.  However, Melanie has lost 65 pounds!!! Isn’t she smokin hot!!

Last week, while Grandma Bottger was visiting, we pulled the pool out for the first time of the year. This was Evan’s first pool experience and I think it is safe to say that he LOVED it!  Both Jackson and Evan play so well together, and they had a great time swimming.

Over mother’s day weekend I was looking out the front window of Melanie’s parents house (Grandma and Weepa) and saw these guys drive by.  It was so funny because Jack was chillin big time.  They did many laps around the house, and the whole time jack relaxed like he was at the spa. “Weepa, when is my full body massage?” Fun times with Weepa!!

This is Evan with Tori. Tori is one of the Zarbaugh’s, a family that has become very dear to our hearts here in MIchigan.  SHe absolutely loves playing with Evan and Jack.  I thought this picture was just too precious to not share.

I love this picture of Jack.  I bet he is thinking, “Daddy, look at me in my big truck PJ’s. Can I wear them all day?”

Melanie and I continue to press on in our journey.  I am still looking for a new position at a church. Recently I have had some great potential leads that we are very excited about.  For us it is all about focusing in on wanting only one thing,  to be exactly where God wants us.  This has proven to be VERY difficult becasue it means we have to surrender everything to him. But, he has proven to us that he is in this with us and no matter where he calls us and what happens,  he will still be there with us. I can not imagine why he cares for us in such amazing ways, but he does.  How awesome is his grace!!  We will keep you posted on the journey.

Derrak

This beautiful small mouth bass was my first catch of 2008 after only about 8 casts! It was a great way to start the season off.  My good friend Bruce James took me out in his boat on Lake St. Claire this past Saturday morning.  We fished for around 3 hours and caught 15.  Not a bad outing if I say so. 

Bruce loves to mess around with this little video camera he got, and made a little video commemorating the occasion.  Check it out by clicking here.

Derrak

Name:  2.4 Ghx macbook
Height:  1.08 inch (2.75 cm)
Width:  12.78 inches (32.5 cm)
Depth:  8.92 inches (22.7 cm)
Weight:  5.0 pounds (2.27 kg)
Age:  1 month

It is about time for another post to catch you up on all the things going on in the Ostovic house.  You can view all the latest pictures, including a trip to the Geauga County Maple Festival, by clicking here.

This picture to the left was one that I caught recently.  The boys have started to play together which is really really fun.  This particular moment was one of the first warm sunny days of the season and the boys loved it!  They were having the best time playing together in the sun.  You can see a little video of the moment by clicking below.

So far this year, life as an Ostovic has been very interesting.   I took on a new role at Kensington this past fall working with the college ministry.  As it turns out this new role was not really a good fit, and I have left the position, a little earlier than expected.  So now I am looking for a new job. 

I have found this time to be very bitter sweet.  Bitter in that I am looking fora job and trying to provide for the family. Sweet in that it has drawn both Melanie and myself so close to God.  Closer than we have ever been.  There is something about being stripped down and remembering that EVERYTHING we have and are is provided by God’s hand.  AND he is so faithful to provide. 

So we wait and pray expectantly, longing to see where God will lead us.

Well, that is it for now.  Till next time.

Derrak