The kids have been playing so nice all day...we started with setting up ALL the Playmobil in Alex's room. They played in there for an hour maybe. They moved on to other games and things to play. They just asked me to go out with them and play baseball...it's pretty windy out but we gave it a shot. Alex hit a couple good ones. Drew hit some good ones too. Autumn tried but couldn't get it. Drew was up again and hit it REALLY hard. It hit me right below the knee at a fast speed. Ouch! It was red at first but now you can see the outline of the ball hitting like a welt. I am sure it will be black and blue in a little while. I am done playing baseball for now so we are going to have a little snack, color a little, and maybe even watch a movie. I guess I'll tell myself what I tell the kids every time they get hurt...Be tough! It's that time of year when everyone gets hurt doing the fun activities outside!
Ouch - that sums it up!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
A great weekend...
We had an action packed weekend...the weather was beautiful and we managed to attend 4 BBQ's in just 3 days!
Saturday Ellen & I took my mom to "The Tea Room" in Highland for her Mother's Day gift! It's a beautiful and quiet restaurant that we get to enjoy a couple times a year when we can sneak away. My dad (papa) and Uncle Robby watched the 6 kids. By the time we got back, the kids were running through the sprinklers (in their clothes)
A couple hours later our Small Group met at Ellen's for a BBQ...8 adults & 10 kids running around. The guys tried setting up the NEW trampoline, but Lisa had to help with reading of the directions to get it done right! The kids were worn out and ready for a good nights sleep for sure!
Sunday we got up and went to church then went back to Ellen's for a family BBQ! Rob grilled our favorite Chicken Kabobs with yummy veggies! Plus we had corn on the cob, macaroni salad, Ellen's special baked beans, and strawberry shortcake for dessert! My dad and Rob put the finishing touches on the trampoline and we had fun jumping!
Then it was off to Bella's house. Bella is a friend from 8th grade! We stayed in touch pretty much through the years, but got closer when we had our boys just a month apart. We try to get together every few months to catch up and hang out. We had more good food and played for a few hours.
The 5 kids (Alex, Autumn, Drew, Fernando & Antonio)
Monday the kids and I got up and I decided to paint our bedroom. Craig left on Sunday morning for a trip and isn't due back until Wednesday night...plenty of time to do a little project! The kids and loaded up and went to Lowe's, bought the paint and primer, went home and while the kids
played right out back in the sprinkler, I started priming the walls! A few hours later we were all outside playing with the neighbors and they put hot dogs and burgers on the grill for all of us...another day of grilling fun! Michael & Katherine are great neighbors! They always look out for me and the kids...especially when I was doing the single mom thing and now when Craig is out of town. We came back home, gave the kids a bath, put them to bed and I ended up painting until 11:30pm...BUT it looks great!
A busy weekend that is for sure, but we had great fellowship with friends, family, and neighbors! I am so thankful for the people in my life...I don't know what I would do with a long weekend without so many places to visit and people to see!
Saturday Ellen & I took my mom to "The Tea Room" in Highland for her Mother's Day gift! It's a beautiful and quiet restaurant that we get to enjoy a couple times a year when we can sneak away. My dad (papa) and Uncle Robby watched the 6 kids. By the time we got back, the kids were running through the sprinklers (in their clothes)
A couple hours later our Small Group met at Ellen's for a BBQ...8 adults & 10 kids running around. The guys tried setting up the NEW trampoline, but Lisa had to help with reading of the directions to get it done right! The kids were worn out and ready for a good nights sleep for sure!Sunday we got up and went to church then went back to Ellen's for a family BBQ! Rob grilled our favorite Chicken Kabobs with yummy veggies! Plus we had corn on the cob, macaroni salad, Ellen's special baked beans, and strawberry shortcake for dessert! My dad and Rob put the finishing touches on the trampoline and we had fun jumping!
Then it was off to Bella's house. Bella is a friend from 8th grade! We stayed in touch pretty much through the years, but got closer when we had our boys just a month apart. We try to get together every few months to catch up and hang out. We had more good food and played for a few hours. The 5 kids (Alex, Autumn, Drew, Fernando & Antonio)
Monday the kids and I got up and I decided to paint our bedroom. Craig left on Sunday morning for a trip and isn't due back until Wednesday night...plenty of time to do a little project! The kids and loaded up and went to Lowe's, bought the paint and primer, went home and while the kids
played right out back in the sprinkler, I started priming the walls! A few hours later we were all outside playing with the neighbors and they put hot dogs and burgers on the grill for all of us...another day of grilling fun! Michael & Katherine are great neighbors! They always look out for me and the kids...especially when I was doing the single mom thing and now when Craig is out of town. We came back home, gave the kids a bath, put them to bed and I ended up painting until 11:30pm...BUT it looks great! A busy weekend that is for sure, but we had great fellowship with friends, family, and neighbors! I am so thankful for the people in my life...I don't know what I would do with a long weekend without so many places to visit and people to see!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Friends and Family!
It's Friday afternoon and the kids have been playing so nicely outside (ok, not so nice but pretty good for the most part)! I have the windows open and I can hear them outside with their friends. It started this morning with the neighbor boys outside so Alex & Drew HAD to go out! Autumn got out her bike and was riding around all alone...
I called Ellen and told her we would love to have Hannah come over to play for the afternoon. Autumn was so excited! They got out the food, dishes, dolls, baby high chair and had some fun outside in the playhouse!
I have been working really hard the past week to KEEP my house clean. I am still going through and getting rid of stuff which continues to feel good! Doesn't matter what I do, the kids come around and mess things up. It does feel good to walk around most of the house and have it clean. I could invite someone over and not have to make excuses about my messy house! It's an accomplishment...as I sit here RIGHT NOW typing this, in come the kids and off go their shoes in the middle of the room instead of in their individual tubs by the door...oh well! They are having fun!
Drew decided to bring his flower pot from school inside so he could water his grass! A few minutes later he came out to tell me that the pot of soil and grass spilled all over the bathroom sink!
I cleaned it up and all is good...he had fun making a mess and doing something responsible (watering his grass) :)
I am looking for the balance of loving my house being clean and staying on top of it and letting loose a little and having some fun...
any suggestions???
I called Ellen and told her we would love to have Hannah come over to play for the afternoon. Autumn was so excited! They got out the food, dishes, dolls, baby high chair and had some fun outside in the playhouse!
I have been working really hard the past week to KEEP my house clean. I am still going through and getting rid of stuff which continues to feel good! Doesn't matter what I do, the kids come around and mess things up. It does feel good to walk around most of the house and have it clean. I could invite someone over and not have to make excuses about my messy house! It's an accomplishment...as I sit here RIGHT NOW typing this, in come the kids and off go their shoes in the middle of the room instead of in their individual tubs by the door...oh well! They are having fun!
Drew decided to bring his flower pot from school inside so he could water his grass! A few minutes later he came out to tell me that the pot of soil and grass spilled all over the bathroom sink!
I cleaned it up and all is good...he had fun making a mess and doing something responsible (watering his grass) :)
I am looking for the balance of loving my house being clean and staying on top of it and letting loose a little and having some fun...
any suggestions???
Monday, May 19, 2008
Family!
There is nothing like FAMILY! I love my family and I am so thankful for all of them. They all teach me something new each day...Here are a few pictures from the last few months!
Drew...4 1/2 years old!
My Big 6 Year Old...Alex!
Drew...4 1/2 years old!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
A Proud Mom...
What a great day...it was busy with running here and there like most days in this house....BUT it was great! It started with the twins Mother's Day Tea at Preschool! I was the helper mom but all the moms came back at 10:30am for a special treat and gifts. Drew & Autumn had made plates for me with their hand prints on them. I have Alex's from when he was in that class a few years back...so precious! Autumn, my little writer, wrote every ones name all over hers! The day ended with Alex's Kindergarten Spring Concert! He was great! Nana was there with me, Drew, Autumn, their dad (Jim) and grandma Neville (Lou)! All 4 classes were together on risers and they sang 8 songs!
Being a mom is so hard and so rewarding at the same time! I was so proud of Alex up on that stage singing with everyone tonight. He is growing up so fast. At the same time I have really been pondering about discipline (and the lack of it in this house)...things need to change. I have been reading that book by Dr. Leman but I haven't yet put things into place. I keep putting it off and I know I shouldn't. Maybe I'm too tired all the time to think about implementing anything new and having the hard times that come before the change around :)
At church (Orchard Grove Community Church in Walled Lake, MI) Pastor Chris started a new series: Life for Dummies. It is a series out of Proverbs. He is talking each week but challenged everyone to read one chapter a day in Proverbs. The chapter that collates with the day of the month (today was the 13th)! I have attempted this method of Bible reading many times before...this time I will succeed. This morning I was reading and what was there in front of me...discipline! I already knew this, BUT God wanted to gently remind me...my kids are my responsibility. I see so many kids running around and I think to myself, "I don't want my kid to turn out like that." Well...this is my job and I guess sometimes I think that they are still young...but this is the time to let them know who is in charge and what morals and standards this family should have. I want my kids to be the leaders, not the followers at school. I want them to be respectful of everyone around them. I want them to show God's love to everyone around them. I want so much, yet I am not doing what I know I should be doing on a daily basis. It is time to start now and time to teach them while they are young and little sponges. I will be doing a refresher on my book and implementing the ideas ASAP!
Being a mom is so hard and so rewarding at the same time! I was so proud of Alex up on that stage singing with everyone tonight. He is growing up so fast. At the same time I have really been pondering about discipline (and the lack of it in this house)...things need to change. I have been reading that book by Dr. Leman but I haven't yet put things into place. I keep putting it off and I know I shouldn't. Maybe I'm too tired all the time to think about implementing anything new and having the hard times that come before the change around :)
At church (Orchard Grove Community Church in Walled Lake, MI) Pastor Chris started a new series: Life for Dummies. It is a series out of Proverbs. He is talking each week but challenged everyone to read one chapter a day in Proverbs. The chapter that collates with the day of the month (today was the 13th)! I have attempted this method of Bible reading many times before...this time I will succeed. This morning I was reading and what was there in front of me...discipline! I already knew this, BUT God wanted to gently remind me...my kids are my responsibility. I see so many kids running around and I think to myself, "I don't want my kid to turn out like that." Well...this is my job and I guess sometimes I think that they are still young...but this is the time to let them know who is in charge and what morals and standards this family should have. I want my kids to be the leaders, not the followers at school. I want them to be respectful of everyone around them. I want them to show God's love to everyone around them. I want so much, yet I am not doing what I know I should be doing on a daily basis. It is time to start now and time to teach them while they are young and little sponges. I will be doing a refresher on my book and implementing the ideas ASAP!
Monday, May 12, 2008
A great weekend...
I had a great weekend...so much to be thankful for!
Friday the kids and I took Grandma Neville out for her birthday! First we stopped to get her some flowers and we went to her work. We went to Rebecca's in downtown Northville...very good and highly recommended! After lunch we went to the nearby park for a little while. When we got home there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers for me from Craig (and the kids)! The kids played outside a lot on Friday. They love riding their bikes and just being outside!
Saturday morning we all got up and had breakfast then got ready for a big day out! Craig took the boys to see "Speedracer" and Autumn and mommy went to the mall! I had a return to make and then we walked around and just enjoyed some time together. She wanted to bring her cute little purse with her to be like mommy! After some time at the mall we went to pick up the boys from the movie and headed home. Drew & Autumn needed a nap because they were tired from Friday and I knew we would have a long day Sunday. Nap time was nice and quiet! I ran out to Target and believe it or not, came home with NOTHING. I didn't spend one penny in Target! They just didn't have what I was looking for and I was disciplined enough not to go to other areas of the store. We ended Saturday night with the kids being silly, taking a bath, and some ice cream!
Sunday I was the first one awake. I had gotten some Monkey Bread from the freezer section of Wal-Mart and we tried it...it was a hit! 20 minutes in the oven and yummy it was! The kids loved it! We went to church and it was great! After church everyone headed over to my parents house for some great food and fun! We celebrated Josh & Emily's birthday's too! It was a nice day with family!
Today it is...back to the grind. I am still working on getting this house cleaned out! I finally went through Autumn's closet. Every season I had been putting the clothes she didn't fit in anymore in a pile in her closet. I got them all out today and went through them. Some of them were 18-24 months...I know that is a long time ago. My little girl is 4 1/2 years old now. Just something I kept putting off! Alex is at school, Drew & Autumn are playing "Camp Out" in the Living Room, and Craig is sleeping in the bedroom (he worked all night and needs to catch up on sleep)! Time to get moving on another room in the house...motivation!
Friday the kids and I took Grandma Neville out for her birthday! First we stopped to get her some flowers and we went to her work. We went to Rebecca's in downtown Northville...very good and highly recommended! After lunch we went to the nearby park for a little while. When we got home there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers for me from Craig (and the kids)! The kids played outside a lot on Friday. They love riding their bikes and just being outside!
Saturday morning we all got up and had breakfast then got ready for a big day out! Craig took the boys to see "Speedracer" and Autumn and mommy went to the mall! I had a return to make and then we walked around and just enjoyed some time together. She wanted to bring her cute little purse with her to be like mommy! After some time at the mall we went to pick up the boys from the movie and headed home. Drew & Autumn needed a nap because they were tired from Friday and I knew we would have a long day Sunday. Nap time was nice and quiet! I ran out to Target and believe it or not, came home with NOTHING. I didn't spend one penny in Target! They just didn't have what I was looking for and I was disciplined enough not to go to other areas of the store. We ended Saturday night with the kids being silly, taking a bath, and some ice cream!
Sunday I was the first one awake. I had gotten some Monkey Bread from the freezer section of Wal-Mart and we tried it...it was a hit! 20 minutes in the oven and yummy it was! The kids loved it! We went to church and it was great! After church everyone headed over to my parents house for some great food and fun! We celebrated Josh & Emily's birthday's too! It was a nice day with family!
Today it is...back to the grind. I am still working on getting this house cleaned out! I finally went through Autumn's closet. Every season I had been putting the clothes she didn't fit in anymore in a pile in her closet. I got them all out today and went through them. Some of them were 18-24 months...I know that is a long time ago. My little girl is 4 1/2 years old now. Just something I kept putting off! Alex is at school, Drew & Autumn are playing "Camp Out" in the Living Room, and Craig is sleeping in the bedroom (he worked all night and needs to catch up on sleep)! Time to get moving on another room in the house...motivation!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
In This Moment...
I was driving to the Fire Station with the kids this morning for a preschool field trip. I had added some new & old music to my Ipod recently and decided to listen to something other than the kids favorite (Jesus You're My Superhero by Hillsong)...so I went to the last Artist listed and pushed play...It was Wilshire. I haven't listened to them in a LONG time. I listened to it through and the last song really spoke to me...
In This Moment...
I come to you this moment
I want to seek Your face
To linger in Your presence
To feel the touch of grace
I want to know Your spirit
I want to learn to pray
Teach me to love You and obey
In this moment
May my heart be true
In this moment
May my eyes see You
May my life be a reflection
Of the light of Your perfection
In this Moment
Turn my mind from earthly things
That never satisfy
And give me deep devotion
For this is my desire
To honor You in all I do
To love You with my life
Oh break my heart and make my heart
Into the heart of Christ
In this moment
May my heart be true
In this moment
May my eyes see You
May my life be a reflection
Of the light of Your perfection
In this Moment
As I seek to find You here
Call my name and draw me near
As I pray to know You Lord
Flood my heart and make it Yours
In this moment
May my heart be true
In this moment
May my eyes see You
May my life be a reflection
Of the light of Your perfection
May I find my true direction
In this moment
In this moment
In this moment
I do want to be close to God and know Him in a new way each day. I want to be a reflection of His love to all those around me. This is my prayer...
In This Moment...
I come to you this moment
I want to seek Your face
To linger in Your presence
To feel the touch of grace
I want to know Your spirit
I want to learn to pray
Teach me to love You and obey
In this moment
May my heart be true
In this moment
May my eyes see You
May my life be a reflection
Of the light of Your perfection
In this Moment
Turn my mind from earthly things
That never satisfy
And give me deep devotion
For this is my desire
To honor You in all I do
To love You with my life
Oh break my heart and make my heart
Into the heart of Christ
In this moment
May my heart be true
In this moment
May my eyes see You
May my life be a reflection
Of the light of Your perfection
In this Moment
As I seek to find You here
Call my name and draw me near
As I pray to know You Lord
Flood my heart and make it Yours
In this moment
May my heart be true
In this moment
May my eyes see You
May my life be a reflection
Of the light of Your perfection
May I find my true direction
In this moment
In this moment
In this moment
I do want to be close to God and know Him in a new way each day. I want to be a reflection of His love to all those around me. This is my prayer...
Monday, May 5, 2008
God's Beauty...
I can't believe how beautiful it is outside today! You can't help but be thankful and in awe at what God has created...the trees that are budding with flowers and then turning green, the beautiful blue sky, the smell of fresh cut grass, tulips in flower gardens, kids playing outside, adults taking walks or visiting with neighbors that they haven't seen all winter! Without God and His amazing creation we wouldn't have any of it...
I took Alex to school today and did my grocery shopping. When I got home I told Drew & Autumn to get dressed, it was way to nice out to be playing indoors. Drew was on his bike in no time and Autumn waited patiently for me to help her with her new task of riding a 2 wheeler! She has been practicing for a few weeks but today she did it! She can now get her self started and turn around and just ride, ride, ride! After lunch I decided to go ahead and cut the grass...it wasn't as bad as I thought. It really doesn't take long to cut our little lawn! After some relaxing time on the couch and Craig leaving for work, the kids and I went to pick up Alex from school. We got home and have been outside ever since. Now that they can ALL 3 ride a bike, I put on my roller blades and off we went around the neighborhood. I love that I can sit outside in the cool breeze and work on the computer while the kids play and wear themselves out for bedtime :) Nobody is asking for snacks or even dinner, just enjoying each other and God's creation. I guess it is about time to make some dinner!
I am blessed! Thank you Lord for everything...my husband, my kids, family, friends, our home, church, school, preschool...Thank you Lord for loving me and never giving up on me!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Will it ever slow down...
Will life ever slow down again? I like to be busy with the kids most days but there are some days that I just need things to slow down.
Today was a crazy one...it started with breakfast and getting ready for school. Alex to school by 8:35am, Drew & Autumn to school by 9:00am, to Ellen's to set up for our garage sale...there was a lot to do. We dug out stuff that didn't sell 2 years ago when we tried this so hopefully the right people will come and want our stuff this time. Of course we added a ton of more stuff from the last 2 years. Or the stuff we were holding onto 2 years ago that we decided we just don't NEED anymore...some of it was sentimental stuff from the kids when they were babies! Pick up Drew, Autumn & Hannah from preschool at 11:30am, back to Ellen's to feed the kids lunch and work more on the garage sale, pick up Alex from school, come home and crash on the couch for a few minutes before making dinner and rushing off to soccer...
It was a tiring day but in the end...it was good! I spent some time with my sister who I love and look up to in so many ways. I love you Ellen. I admire you for what you have gone through this last year and especially the last 3 months. We haven't forgotten about Baby Jacob and how much he means to our family! I know the days and weeks and months are not easy right now but I am praying for you and I know that God is using your heartbreak to touch others and to make you stronger, I can already see it. We never understand why but just like that blog and message from that pastor says...God doesn't have a Plan B even though the plans we have didn't work out. That really stuck with me last night as I was reading that...I watched Alex win another soccer game and work hard out on the field. He is an awesome team player and I am so proud of him for that. I watched Drew laugh and play with my dad during the game (Thanks Papa for making it to the game today, and Nana we missed you but know you were busy with stamp class). AND earlier in the day I laughed really hard as Autumn through a major whiny fit. I was only laughing because if she could only see what I saw...that's the funny part, we don't always see how ridiculous we look or sound to those around us. Things that bother us or hurt us seem so silly to others but so significant to us (at the time).
I am really working on the mom thing...I want to be a fun mom BUT in charge. I want my kids to want to listen to me, obey me, and respect me...and right now they aren't doing that all too often. Ellen told me about a book and I got it right away and it's good... "Have a New Kid by Friday" By: Dr. Kevin Leman...I am learning a lot and I am excited to finish the book and put the principles into practice. What Ellen shared with me and what I am beginning to see is that the changes need to take place in me before I can implement them in my kids. I need to take a step back, calm down and most importantly FOLLOW THROUGH! I am excited because I was sharing a little bit about it with Craig and he is so supportive of me and wants the best for me and the kids. He even said if I flag the important paragraphs he will read them so we can be on the same page and work on this together....that blew me away...that he will take the time to help me do that! God has really blessed me with that man. I know I don't show it enough or even tell him enough how much he means to me. It's funny because people ask how long we've been married...6 months and I still haven't known him a complete year yet :) We met online June 2nd, talked on the phone the 16th, met in person a few days later, went on our first date July 2nd and here we are...in love, married, and happy! Some people weren't too sure about how fast everything went but I knew that Craig was good for me and my kids and that God was in control.
I guess I need to sit back and reflect more often and really see throughout the day the things I could do differently, say differently, the ways I can bless others (even my own kids) in my daily duties as mom, wife, sister, daughter, and friend!
Today was a crazy one...it started with breakfast and getting ready for school. Alex to school by 8:35am, Drew & Autumn to school by 9:00am, to Ellen's to set up for our garage sale...there was a lot to do. We dug out stuff that didn't sell 2 years ago when we tried this so hopefully the right people will come and want our stuff this time. Of course we added a ton of more stuff from the last 2 years. Or the stuff we were holding onto 2 years ago that we decided we just don't NEED anymore...some of it was sentimental stuff from the kids when they were babies! Pick up Drew, Autumn & Hannah from preschool at 11:30am, back to Ellen's to feed the kids lunch and work more on the garage sale, pick up Alex from school, come home and crash on the couch for a few minutes before making dinner and rushing off to soccer...
It was a tiring day but in the end...it was good! I spent some time with my sister who I love and look up to in so many ways. I love you Ellen. I admire you for what you have gone through this last year and especially the last 3 months. We haven't forgotten about Baby Jacob and how much he means to our family! I know the days and weeks and months are not easy right now but I am praying for you and I know that God is using your heartbreak to touch others and to make you stronger, I can already see it. We never understand why but just like that blog and message from that pastor says...God doesn't have a Plan B even though the plans we have didn't work out. That really stuck with me last night as I was reading that...I watched Alex win another soccer game and work hard out on the field. He is an awesome team player and I am so proud of him for that. I watched Drew laugh and play with my dad during the game (Thanks Papa for making it to the game today, and Nana we missed you but know you were busy with stamp class). AND earlier in the day I laughed really hard as Autumn through a major whiny fit. I was only laughing because if she could only see what I saw...that's the funny part, we don't always see how ridiculous we look or sound to those around us. Things that bother us or hurt us seem so silly to others but so significant to us (at the time).
I am really working on the mom thing...I want to be a fun mom BUT in charge. I want my kids to want to listen to me, obey me, and respect me...and right now they aren't doing that all too often. Ellen told me about a book and I got it right away and it's good... "Have a New Kid by Friday" By: Dr. Kevin Leman...I am learning a lot and I am excited to finish the book and put the principles into practice. What Ellen shared with me and what I am beginning to see is that the changes need to take place in me before I can implement them in my kids. I need to take a step back, calm down and most importantly FOLLOW THROUGH! I am excited because I was sharing a little bit about it with Craig and he is so supportive of me and wants the best for me and the kids. He even said if I flag the important paragraphs he will read them so we can be on the same page and work on this together....that blew me away...that he will take the time to help me do that! God has really blessed me with that man. I know I don't show it enough or even tell him enough how much he means to me. It's funny because people ask how long we've been married...6 months and I still haven't known him a complete year yet :) We met online June 2nd, talked on the phone the 16th, met in person a few days later, went on our first date July 2nd and here we are...in love, married, and happy! Some people weren't too sure about how fast everything went but I knew that Craig was good for me and my kids and that God was in control.
I guess I need to sit back and reflect more often and really see throughout the day the things I could do differently, say differently, the ways I can bless others (even my own kids) in my daily duties as mom, wife, sister, daughter, and friend!
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