Time is flying by...

October & November flew by and it's already Christmas! I have been busy with the kids and my schooling! I am thankful to make have made it through another semester...only 1 more class until graduation! Here is the update:

October was a fun month with trips to the apple orchard, halloween, the Alex & Drew were in soccer, and Autumn & Drew were in gymnastics, we did a fun family trip to Chicago to visit LEGO Land and American Girl, Craig and I celebrated our 1 year Anniversary....a busy month!

November was another busy month: Craig turned 42, Drew & Autumn turned 5, and we did a surprise party for my parents that are 60 this year (mom on Nov 19th and dad on Dec 27th). The party was so much fun! We got them to our house thinking they were going to help with a project in our shed. Ellen & her family and Chris & his family were all here and they were surprised! Then Aunt Debbie (my moms sister) from Florida came out and asked if they had a room she could stay in for a few days! It was great! We had babysitters lined up so we could all go out to dinner at the Melting Pot then we came back for presents, cake & ice cream!

December is here. Today we are home from school on a SNOW DAY! The kids were a little disappointed because it was their Holiday Parties at school, but have enjoyed staying in their pj's and being a little lazy around the house. We are all excited that tomorrow morning Ryan will be here for a few days! The snow came at a perfect time for Ryan to experience a real Michigan Christmas! The next few days will be busy with family and presents and celebrating! This is what our Holiday schedule looks like:

Sat 20th - Kids out with their dad, Ryan arrives!
Sun 21st - Kids sing at church, Christmas at my parents house!, Back to church for the special Christmas service
Mon 22nd - Our family Christmas!
Tues 23rd - Craig goes back to work until the 26th...Ryan, the kids and I will lay low and enjoy some time together
Wed 24th - Ryan and I fly to S. Carolina to get him home, I fly back, the kids spend the day with Grandma Neville and Uncle Jeff (home from Japan)
Thur 25th - Drive to Erie, PA to see my moms family
Fri 26th - another day in Erie, PA to see my dads family

My kids aren't lacking in the present department when they get to celebrate this much! God has been good to us this year and we are excited to see what HE has in store for us in 2009! We have been talking a lot about Christmas and what it is really all about :)

Merry Christmas everyone! Have a fun & safe holiday season!

Brownies...

Ok...this is funny or at least it was so funny to me that I was crying and could barely talk as I was telling my sister and my friend Jen after we got home...

A little background first...Every school day I wait in the hallway at the entrance of the school with the other parents. The bell rings and the kids come walking down to us. With Alex being in 1st grade this year, a safety walks them down to us. He usually sees me and walks over with a hug. I always ask him about his day and we head out of the school after saying goodbye to friends and the moms I stand and chat with while waiting for the bell.

Today...I was picking up Josh & Emily too since Ellen had Drew & Autumn at her house with our friends Jen, Emma & Natalie! Josh & Emily got out first and came over to stand by me. Next thing I see is Alex walking down the hall and this is what happens...

Alex: "I'll be right be back mom."
Me: "Alex, where are you going?" (Alex keeps walking right past me)
Alex: looking back at me he says, "It's Brownie Day and I am going to get my Brownie!" (Big smile!)
Me: I turned and looked at another mom and started laughing and said, "He thinks he is getting a brownie and it's BROWNIES as in Girl Scouts!"
Alex: comes back with a sad face, "Mom, I lost the safety that was taking me for my brownie!" Me: "Alex, you don't get a brownie today..."
Josh: (big 9 year old cousin) "Alex, Brownies is for girls, it's not food!"
Alex: sad face and almost starts to cry...

Too funny...when his teacher said it was Brownie Day...he thought he was getting a brownie. I am kinda glad he got lost from the safety and didn't get all the way to the room full of girls looking for his brownie!

OR

Poor little guy... He is just like his mom when it comes to sweets...if I was offered a Brownie I would follow the safety to get one too!

Proud Soccer Mom...

I already told you all that I am a proud soccer mom...Drew & Alex have been tearing up the field at their games! It's so funny to watch them... Last night Alex played a game and was against his friend Brendin from school! He was so excited to play a team that he knew one of the players from. The score was 6 to 3 in favor of the Mustangs (our team)...as we were driving home Alex said, "Mom, the score was 6 to 3 and I scored ALL 6 of our goals!" He did too! The funny part was when a girl on the other team was going pretty fast down the field with the ball ready to shoot it at the goal...just as she kicks the ball, Alex comes out of nowhere and kicks it away from the goal...barely missing the goal post! We (the family) was of course going crazy in excitement for such a great save! He looks over at us and then runs to the goal and demonstrates his smooth move again! It was hilarious...

I love watching my boy so excited and passionate about something like soccer! It's good exercise and good to learn to work as a team...

Soccer Mom

A busy season of soccer practices and games...

Drew had a game on Saturday at noon...it is so fun to watch these little preschoolers running around the field. A few of them just stand there watching while the others play. Drew made about 4 or 5 goals getting the ball at the one and taking it all the way to his goal. He is a champ! He just loves to turn and watch us as we all cheer him on...my kids are never lacking in the fan department at their games. Mommy (me), Daddy Craig, Autumn, Alex, Daddy, Nana, Papa, Aunt Ellen, Uncle Robby, Josh, Emily & Hannah were ALL there cheering Drew on! He would turn to us with the biggest grin! I will post pictures when I get them from my mom...

I love being a soccer mom! I love that my boys enjoy it and really play aggressive and hard! They make me proud out on the field :)

After Drew's game we drove about a half hour to Josh's game! We all went to cheer him on. It is so different going from preschoolers to a real team. They play with a goalie and they actually play the big field with different positions. Josh was great!

This week coming Josh has a game on Monday, Alex & Emily both have practice on Tuesday and a game on Thursday...busy with soccer, but I LOVE it!

Rain Rain Go Away...

It has been raining ALL weekend! I shouldn't complain too much...I am in Michigan and not in Texas, BUT with the rain falling all weekend, it really puts a damper on our plans!

Saturday Drew was supposed to have his first soccer game...rained out! I am thankful they canceled instead of standing in the rain to watch for an hour. I ran to Target to get a few things and came home soaked! I was watching Ellen's kids while her and Rob went to a seminar and we really wanted to play outside...it was indoor day, but the kids were really good and played so nice together.

Today was another busy day around here...we went to church this morning, came home to eat lunch and I was off to a Baby Shower for a friend of mine, Lisa. When I got home it was time to load everyone up, drive to Canton (my parents house), drive to the airport (to leave them a car for their return home tomorrow), drive back home...in a bad downpour of rain! We made it and we have been home enjoying the evening together. We were supposed to have a BBQ with our neighbors across the street so we decided to wait for another day this week.

Rain Rain Go Away...rain gives me that lazy feeling of wanting to curl up with a good book or take a nap. I am not very productive when it is raining out. I love to lay around and listen to the rain falling!

Our weekend is almost over. Monday is approaching fast and I have some things to do to get ready for the week...I pray everyone has a great week!

Migraines...

Migraines...why oh why? Next to giving birth, they are up there when it comes to pain!

I have been getting headaches all summer. They weren't as bad as the migraines I got last Thursday and again today. The headaches were sharp pain when I was in direct sunlight, but would dull enough to function when I came inside or went into good shade outside. The migraines...they give me blurred vision in my left eye, sharp pain on the right side of my head, a queasy stomach, and they last way too long. Last weeks was about 4 to 5 days until I felt NO pain. Today's...I am still dealing with.

Tomorrow I am going to the doctor to find out what I can do or what may be causing them. I need answers and relief!

Help with a birthday party idea...

Ok...I realize I am 2 months early, but I am trying to come up with a fun idea for Drew & Autumn's 5th Birthday in November. I want to start planning now...

Since it is the Big 5...they will get to invite a few friends (plus family). I struggle with a theme that will suit them both...the last few birthdays worked out great...

2nd b-day - Mickey & Minnie
3rd b-day - Dora & Diego
4th b-day - Backyardigans

Now they are older and want their own thing...I was thinking a western party would be fun. Or I was thinking a Pirate & Princess party, any ideas of crafts, games, activities, decorations???

I am thinking I can do more if I have it at home instead of gymnastics, pump it up, or chuck e cheese...

I NEED your imput...

Last days of summer and first days of the school year...

Since I haven't blogged in awhile...it was time to share some of the exciting things we have done this summer...


Alex lost his first tooth...



Fun on the beach in Erie, PA with friends & family...(Amanda, Grace & Luke)



Drew's first plane ride to Atlanta for Ryan's birthday party...



Josh, Emily, Alex & Drew at soccer camp...Autumn in her new hat and t-shirt (it sings)...



Camping Labor Day weekend with friends and family on Lake Michigan & the Silver Lake Sand Dunes...it was beautiful! (more pictures of camping to come...)



Today was Alex's first day of 1st Grade...I can't believe it. We were all so excited to take him to school and meet his teacher, Mrs. Hagerty! We are ready for a great year...

Now it's time for me to go back to school...tomorrow I will start 2 of my last 3 online classes to finally finish my Business Administration degree...

Next Monday Drew & Autumn will start their last year of Preschool at the Novi Coop Preschool (where I am on the board and get to help in the classroom 1 to 2 times a month)...

The Pritchett/Neville home will be busy getting use to a new routine over the next few months...Summer is over. It was a GREAT summer filled with lots of fun with friends and family!

August Already....

I really can't believe it is August already...

Summer is flying by! We are having so much fun this summer. We have been to the library several times for story time, our neighborhood pool, Alex went to VBS with his friend Andrew, the Plymouth Sprinkler Park, to Tennessee for vacation with the family, to Erie, PA for a trip to the beach and Erie Zoo to visit with family (with Amanda, Grace & Luke), to Kathy's house to swim in her pool, to the pool with Lisa (at her moms) to swim, going to the movies (Kit Kittredge, Space Chimps, Wall-E, Speed Racer), hanging out with cousins, the Kensington beach with family & friends, the park to meet up with preschool friends, soccer camp, Chuck E Cheese with Bella & her boys, the list goes on....we are really enjoying summer!

I am torn...ready for school to start, but not so sure I'm ready for all the responsibility that comes with September.

Alex starts 1st grade on September 2nd.
I start Schoolcraft on September 3rd. (2 classes online and only 1 more to go after that one)
Drew & Autumn start preschool on September 8th.

I am going to be busy driving here and there and everywhere! I am looking forward to a routine and a little time for just ME! I am not looking forward to homework, packing lunches, and the cold weather that comes shortly after.

I am going to take the last month of summer and enjoy it even more. We are going camping this weekend with the church! Alex can't wait to see Clone Wars at the movies, Hopefully we will get Drew's first plane ride to Atlanta for Ryan's birthday weekend, and the last weekend before school starts...our camping trip with the Swaggerty's & Curry's and more new families! Fun fun fun!

I am going to enjoy each day and be thankful for what I have and what I have been able to do and enjoy this summer! I am truly blessed!

Trust God...

My pastor today shared a great message about TRUSTING GOD! He used a lot of great scriptures that I have known for a long time growing up in the church. They had new meaning for me today and that is what I love about church and the scriptures...you can never stop learning and growing!

Proverbs 3:5-6 TRUST in the Lord with ALL your heart and LEAN NOT on your OWN understanding; in ALL your ways acknowledge HIM, and he will make your paths straight.

He talked about how God teaches us to trust in Him when we come to the end of our rope! Last night as I laid down to bed, I sure did feel like I was at the end of my rope when it comes to my kids and their obedience and respect to me as their mom. I prayed about it and really felt like God was going to help me through this and really help me to teach my kids.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who HOPE in the LORD will RENEW their STRENGTH. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and NOT grow WEARY, they will walk and not be faint.

There was a lot more to the message, but the last part of the message was a challenge or question to think about...

Which one of MY ways might I be "holding" back from acknowledging God?

I am still thinking about this one...I know there are a lot of areas in my life that I try to control or take care of on my own...but I NEED God to give me that strength and I NEED to TRUST HIM more and more each day!

what to do????

I just don't know what to do anymore....

My kids can't get along for 5 minutes of the day. They fight, hurt, tease, and nag each other constantly. I know I NEED to do something about it and I just don't know what to do. I have read so many books on parenting and discipline. I have talked to many friends about this very issue. I guess it boils down to being scared of failing...of not staying consistent (like I know I need to). I want them to listen and obey and treat each other with love and respect. It is so hard...I have yelled most of the day at them. Thank goodness my parents came over for a few hours to visit because I was losing my mind. Of course they were pretty good while they were here. As soon as they left I took the kids to pick out a 99 cent movie at Blockbuster and we got some things for dinner and ice cream for dessert. We got home and of course they started fighting again. Before bed I blew up at them once again because they were fighting during teeth brushing...we do that every night, you would think they would have the system down by now. I tucked them each in and told them tomorrow is a new day and we are making changes around here....I am determined to make those changes and stick to them.........I think for so long I told myself not to be too hard on them, they've been through a lot with the divorce and my 2nd marriage...no more excuses. I need to discipline them because I love them and want the best for them. Don't get me wrong here...I do discipline. It's just not consistent and obviously not working. Ahhhhh....

Off to bed I go to pray and read my Bible and figure some things out!

BFF's...

The other day Drew & Autumn were playing outside with blankets and backpacks and all kinds of little stuff (junk)! I asked them what they had in their backpacks and Autumn showed me a card that she had given to Drew...it was a Valentine card from Nana & Papa. They both took their cards and changed them to be to each other. Than Autumn says, "Me & Drew are BFF's!" I asked, "What does that mean (just wandering if she really knew)?" She said, "Best Friends Forever!" Then they grabbed hands and walked away together! Oh so cute!

Those are the moments I want to remember! Not the fighting and bickering that has been going on way too much around here. Why can't we just all get along and be BFF's all day every day!!!

Lots going on...

We have been a busy family this weekend! Craig is off work until the 14th because of a bulging disk in his back/neck. He is going to Physical Therapy three times a week to get back in place. Having him home 24/7 has been good and very different. I find myself so lazy when he is around. I don't keep the house picked up or anything like I usually would when he is gone.

Thursday night we took the kids to the Plymouth Fireworks at McLumpha Park! It was great just late at night! We got there around 8:30pm (Drew & Autumn fell asleep on the way there which was good). We played on the big hill until Grandma Neville (Lou) arrived to watch the fireworks with us. Finally around 10:15pm they started...We got home around 11:00pm. The kids went right to sleep and we did too!
Yesterday, on the 4th of July, we stuck around home until around 3:30pm. We went to my parents house to grill some hot dogs and then went to see Wall-E the movie! It was a good movie and the kids enjoyed liked it.

Today we are once again just hanging around the house. Played outside with the neighbors awhile then came in to eat. We are going to Rob & Ellen's later for a BBQ with our small group. That will be nice. I am not sure how much Bible Study time we will get tonight but it is nice to just get together.

Tomorrow is the end of the weekend but we have plans again...after church we will eat a light lunch and then around 3pm do a BBQ with Michael & Katherine across the street. Their girls, Jessica & Miley, are fun and we are hopefully gonna get the slip in slide out and just relax some more!

I am ready for Monday when we can get back into a routine and I can hopefully get motivated to clean up our big mess of a house! The kids have been playing in the Living Room with "tents" they made out of blankets and furniture! They love it and if they are playing nice together, I don't care about the mess!

Home from vacation!

We are home from a great week in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee! My parents figured we have been going there to the Hidden Mountain Resorts for 17 years now.

Craig was off of work a couple days before we were heading down to TN so he flew down to Atlanta to spend some time with Ryan. They went to Six Flags and Craig's shoulder hasn't been the same since...that just means I get my husband around the house an extra week or two! We still had fun on vacation!

The kids and I drove down following my parents starting on Friday (20th). Autumn rode with Nana & Papa and I had the boys! It was great! They watched movies as I listened to my ipod and enjoyed the scenery around us. That night we stopped in Dry Ridge, KY and got a good nights sleep before finishing our journey.

The mountains are just gorgeous. I couldn't help but be sit there in awe while I was driving just thanking God for the beauty around me. We got to the cabin and enjoyed a little bit of time in the hot tub.

On Sunday the rest of the family arrived. Starting with Craig & Ryan around 2pm...we showed them around, played some ping pong, a little pool on the pool table, and prepared dinner. Rob, Ellen, Josh, Emily, Hannah & Ethan joined us around 6pm for dinner! Then around 8pm Aunt Sue, Uncle Rick, Gage & Zack arrived. The teenagers hit it off and had some fun on the Wii (Rob too of course)!

On Monday the 8 guys went on a 10 mile hike up a steep mountainside in the Smokey Mountain National Park! It took them ALL day! We played with the kids and took them out shopping for their new Webkinz! Grandpa & Memaw Pritchett joined us with Amber & Ariel! It was fun to see them and visit some...if you are keeping count, that makes about 22 people in our cabin at some points of the trip! Thank God there were 3 levels to spread out on :) Rob told his kids it was mandatory to swim EVERY day of the trip so we did...Ellen & I sat and watched while Rob took the kids in because the water was so cold. Not a heated pool!

On Tuesday the ladies enjoyed some shopping time, we took the kids to the park, and relaxed some.

Wednesday we all went to Ober Gatlinburg. The guys played at the arcade, Rob & Ellen took Josh & Emily down the mountain slides, the rest of us went up the mountain for another great view on the ski lift! That evening we had some pizza & salad and went to "The Track"...a great place for everyone. The little kids enjoyed the ferris wheel, go carts, swings, and other rides while the big kids enjoyed the Go Carts! The first round the little kids went with the big kids.

Thursday was the day the Pire clan & the Pritchett clan left the cabin. Craig flew home that night to get into the doctor first thing Friday morning. The rest of took some time to relax and just play around the cabin. Alex was into the Wii and playing all the sports. Nana was playing some bowling with the kids. Rob, Ellen & I got away to do some more shopping at the outlets! We had our favorite BBQ chicken kabobs that night.

Friday we all went on a hike up to Laurel Falls. It is a 3 mile round trip hike up a mountain to see some beautiful waterfalls. Papa & Rob took turns pushing Nana in the wheelchair so she wouldn't miss out on any of the fun! The kids did great...the occasional whine and complain but I was getting tired myself so I understood their pain! Almost to the bottom and it started to pour down rain! We went back to the cabin and cleaned up for our favorite restaurant...The Apple Barn! We all sat around and told what our favorite thing was about the trip and then we went around again and said one nice thing about the person next to us. It was nice to hear the kids come up with great things to say about others! After dinner the guys took the kids back to the cabin and once again Mom, Ellen & I hit some last minute stores...we found some GREAT deals!

Saturday was pack it up and head home day! It was a long day! It was so nice to come home and have my hubby waiting to help us unload and greet us after a 10 hour trip in the car!

I am so blessed and it was such a great week. Even thought there were times of chaos, it was fun and once again we made memories we will never forget! I'll post some pictures after I get the disk from my mom & Ellen (I took some pictures but they always take LOTS)

Big Words...

the last few weeks we have been really talking to the kids about love and respect. Some mornings they are so cranky and tired and won't even say Good Morning...that is rude. We have been talking about using our words to be kind to others even when we don't want to. Alex learned an important word in Kindergarten this year. His teacher Mr. Lloyd had the letters INTEGRITY really big on the bookshelf in the classroom. When I first walked in I thought, "That is too big a work for those little kids." Boy was I wrong. Alex came home the first week of school telling me all about integrity. He says it like this, "Integrity is doing what is right when somebody is looking and even when nobody is looking." That's right...but God is always watching. I thought that was so cool that my little 5 year old could tell me such a big word. It challenged me that maybe I'm not giving my kids enough credit that they can learn more and understand those big words and the impact they have in our lives.

Our key words right now...Love, Respect, Integrity, Truth, Listen & Obey! Such important things to know and really use in our daily life.

Summer officially begins...

Today marks our official begin to Summer Vacation! Drew & Autumn have done with preschool since May 15th but Alex finished Kindergarten today and is now a 1st grader! I am not the emotional type mom to get gooey about something like that, but today I did! My kids are growing up too fast!

Here are some pictures from the first days of school and the last...







Today was productive. It started with dropping Alex off for his last day of Kindergarten! Then I dropped Drew & Autumn off at my sisters so I could go bathing suit shopping...not fun! I have been looking for a new bathing suit for a couple weeks now. It hit me that the 12 pounds I have gained doesn't look so good in my bathing suit. I can admit that last summer I needed to gain a few, but I don't want all of it. I am working out daily and trying to eat better too! The other day Craig and I were running some errands and my bathing suit shopping began...very depressing. I came home and found a few cute ones on the internet but decided I wouldn't get in time for our upcoming family vacation and if I did get it, it might not even look good. So, my sister was gracious enough to watch the little ones while I went out again...I found one and at Meijers of all places! I also found a cute one at Target but decided I liked the other one better! I feel better now just knowing I have something descent to where. After my shopping spree I went back to the school to pick up Alex. He was excited. Got his report card from Mr. Lloyd, took their picture together and that was it...he is now a first grader! I can't believe it!

To celebrate the end of the school year and beginning of summer, I took the kids to the Plymouth Spray Park...boy was it busy! There were people everywhere but the kids had a blast. Alex's friend Andrew and his mom Robin and brother Kevin went with us and we enjoyed our time together!

I am exhausted and can't wait for bedtime tonight. The kids are pretty tired too and will be going to bed real soon!

Simplifying...

I think as a mom...we want things as simple as can be. Morning comes and we make breakfast, clean up breakfast, make a snack, clean up a snack, make lunch, clean up lunch....you get the point. It never ends! A friend of mine had some really great trays she uses for her boys. Unfortunately they were purchased almost 2 years ago so the chances of finding those exact trays was not very likely. I loved the idea of having their dishes on their own tray and if any spills were to occur, they would stay right on the tray instead of getting the whole table and floor! After searching ALL around...I found some great trays at IKEA and had to share them with blogger world. Any mom who wants to simplify meal time and clean up time...this is what you NEED!

$1.99 each...they are white (almost clear), oval shaped, with grooves for handles on both sides. Perfect for any little kid to carry his own from counter to table and so forth. They wipe down really easy with an antibacterial wipe or I sponge them down with soap and let them sit in the sink to dry!

So...if you are looking for ONE way to simplify meal time and snack times...this might work for your family too!


If anyone has other ideas on simplifying day to day life...I would LOVE to hear them!