Saturday, January 29, 2011

January 29, 2011

The Weekend!!!!

The boys ended up spending the night with Josh & Uncle Robby! Hannah spent the night with Autumn & me! The girls played all morning and then we packed up and took Hannah home so we could pick up the boys and head to Drew's soccer game! He was pretty tired, but still managed to play hard and score a goal! After the soccer game we grabbed a bite to eat and headed to Brownstown...it's about a 45 minute drive! We went over to Lori & Brian Bell's house. I haven't seen them in awhile so it was fun to hang out a little. Joy & Shawn came down the street with their kids too. The kids all played in the basement and we had a nice time catching up! We got home, kids took showers, Levi got a bath and they all went to bed! I am relaxing for a bit and going to bed early myself. A couple late nights in a row make for a tired mom and kids!!!

January 28, 2011

Friday...

The kids had a day off of school so I was hoping they would sleep in...no such luck! Last night we stayed up later than usual watching a movie...LEGO Adventures of Clutch Powers! It was a good movie. The boys really loved seeing all the LEGOS come alive! So...this morning Drew came in to wake me up a little before 7am and I sent him back to bed. After breakfast the kids and I got to work on cleaning the house...Alex worked on the Living room and the kids' bathroom, Drew worked on the boys' room and Autumn worked on her room. I did the rest of the house with Levi!!!

Around 10am one of Drew's classmates came over...Zeke with his mom (Kara) and two little brothers! It was fun! The kids played and had a ton of fun and I had some good conversation with Kara while we watched the little ones! We made lunch and then it was time for naps so they left and I laid Levi down. A couple hours later Ellen dropped off Josh, Hannah & Grace so she could take Emily on her Girl Scout Camping Trip! Rob picked up the 3 boys and took them to the Plymouth Whalers game with friends (Dennis, Dominic & Antonio). The girls watched a movie and I had fun playing with Levi & Grace. They are so funny together! Another great day...but SUPER busy!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

January 26, 2011

Another busy day for me...

Got up to get the kids ready to school and wasn't sure if I would go to my Bible Study (Coffee Break at Fellowship Church in South Lyon). It's a great study and I LOVE the Moms in the group. I dropped off the kids at school and decided if I got home quick I could take a shower and still make in time for the 10am study. I was SO glad I went. I spent some time with my friend Lisa running some errands and the rest of the afternoon with Craig and Levi...great day overall!

LEVI...I have been trying for MONTHS to get Levi to use sign language to say "Please". He would always just look at me or whine to get what he wanted. Today Craig was on the phone with his brother and talking about Girl Scout COOKIES. Levi heard that word and went to the gate asking for a cookie. When we didn't respond cause we didn't really know what he wanted...he came over to me on the couch and did the "Please" sign!!! My heart melted and I realized what he was asking for...of course we gave him a cookie! Later on this evening he heard the kids asking for dessert and a cookie and did the same thing to Craig...so cute! He finally gets it!!! OR he is figuring out we melt when he does those new things!!!

I LOVE being a mom!! Greatest, but hardest job there is. I read this quote from Charles Swindoll in my Bible Study book today (Training Up A Mom By Vollie Sanders)...

"There is no more influential or powerful role on earth that a mother's. As significant as political, military, educational, or religious figures may be, none can compare to the impact made by mothers. Their words are never fully forgotten, their touch leaves an indelible impression, and the memory of their presence lasts a lifetime."

Wow...that is a LOT to take in.

January 25, 2011

Had a quiet day at home with Craig and Levi. Got some rest and some laundry done. Even made a run to Kroger for groceries! I've been fighting a head cold and didn't want to do anything, but was glad I pushed through and got the stuff done while Craig was home to take care of Levi.

On the way home from picking up the kids from school I asked them what game they wanted to play, gave instructions on what needed to happen once we got in the door (backpacks, lunch bags, homework folders, etc...). I really struggle with the whole homework thing! Thank God my kids don't get much homework each night, but the do all have to spend some time reading. I feel like the evenings go by so fast and a lot of the nights I am just too tired to deal with it all. With Levi, dinner, dishes, getting ready for the next school day, showers, baths, etc...it can be overwhelming. Since Craig was home I decided to take the time to really spend some quality time with the 3 older kids. Alex got the Sorry game ready, I put a log in the fireplace and we all sat around playing the game while Craig graciously made dinner (spaghetti...yum)!! It was a special time for us and so easy when Levi was still napping! After the game we had some time to read so each one of the read to me by the fire. That one on one time is so important...I've known that for a long time, just didn't always take the time to do it. It isn't always possible when Craig is traveling, but I am going to make a HUGE effort in taking at least 15 minutes for each Alex, Drew & Autumn!!!

Going to bed early in hopes that I get a good night sleep tonight. Levi has been waking up in the night the last few nights and staying awake for almost 2 hours crying. Poor kid. Teething is NOT fun!!!

Monday, January 24, 2011

January 24, 2011

It's a brand new year and the first month is almost over...

I want to take a little time each day to just jot down what we've accomplished, struggled with, are blessed with...but I just don't take the time to do it. Here we go again...another attempt at blogging!!! I've realized it doesn't have to be long, or perfect with pictures every day...just memories!!!

Today it's been quiet around the house. It's snowing again so a perfect day to stay inside! Craig went to work this morning for a short out and back and should be home later this afternoon/evening. The 3 Neville kids are at school so it's just me & Levi! We enjoyed some play time this morning looking at books and playing with Little People! I am looking forward to the K-2nd grade concert tonight! Autumn is excited to wear her pretty Christmas dress and Drew doesn't care what he wears!!!

Yesterday we went to church at Walled Lake Central and it was good to see some friends and worship together. After church Autumn went home with Ellen and Josh came home with us! The boys played video games the whole time. It wasn't long until we had to head out to Alex's Flag Football game. His team is the Buccaneers! He LOVES this sport! They lost their game, but Alex did get a breakaway and scored a touchdown! He is really fast out there on the field! I love watching my boys play sports! Autumn, my little Daisy Scout had fun selling her cookies and we sold 71 boxes...not too bad. I volunteered to be the "Cookie Mom" and took some time last night to put the order in the system...I think it was around 640 boxes we sold as a troop!

Time to clean up the kitchen from breakfast...