The Vanlerberghes

Gull Lake Rocket Football 7/8

2010-09-26T09:11:00.003-04:00

A few picks from Macen's Gull Lake Rocket Football game. Yesterday was his birthday, they won the game and at the end, jumped on Macen for a birthday Dogpile! It was very cool!

Lil' Man

2010-09-23T16:57:00.004-04:00

Here are a few pics with 1 yr. old Kenny. He was so cute and laughed tons! I was so glad to surprise his Mommy with these beautiful blue eyes!

Jungle Gym

2010-09-16T12:37:00.003-04:00

Ava on the Jungle Gym in Otsego. Tony was spending some time training Bella to sit, stay and listen-Bella really is turning out to be a great dog!

Ava's First Day of School

2010-09-16T12:15:00.003-04:00

Ava had her first day of school today! She was so excited she could hardly wait! What kid cries when they have to go home, and the school day is over? Ava. She absolutely loved it! Here are a few pictures of her enjoying her day...next week, she is all on her own.

Dr. Ava

2010-09-14T09:37:00.002-04:00

We think Ava would like to be a veterinarian someday, as she truly enjoys taking care of animals. I am not so sure Bella would agree, but she is a great pretend patient. These pictures are 2 of my favorite....Bella's eyes are saying "I love this girl, but can you believe this?".

Photo Shoot with Macen

2010-09-08T19:31:00.003-04:00

I begged Macen to let me take a few pics of him today, as he hasn't been around as much for me to use as a Guinea Pig....so here are a few shots of my little model-he really is good at it! (Handsome too!)

BACK TO SCHOOL!!!

2010-09-07T09:45:00.006-04:00

Ashtyn starts her first day of Middle School today-OUCH-are we getting old! She has grown up so much this past year and is so excited to start a new school adventure in a new building. She was the first one up showered, dressed, ate, backpack packed everything done before anyone else-I have confidence she is going to have a great year because she has developed such a structure and has taken full responsibility for her grades...let's hope it stays this way!

Macen Also starts his school year off in a new building. He moved to the Ryan Intermediate this year. He wasn't as excited, personally, he could have cared less. Today was just another day of school to him. Although, he was excited to get to work so he could prove to us that he is worthy of a half-pipe. His dad told him that if he does great this year (which we have no doubt he will) he will build him a half-pipe next spring. We'll see!

Finally, Ava will begin Pre-school this year, however, she doesn't start until next week....so she was a little sad that sissy and Macen were gone and she wasn't going. She decided to make the best of it and jump on her bike, wearing her helmet, rain boots and PJ's !!! Too cute, huh?

Labor Day Weekend!

2010-09-05T10:55:00.002-04:00

Well, it's back to school time so we decided to take the kids and let them have some fun at a skate park with friends and BBQ all weekend. Here are a few pics of them enjoying there last few days of summer.

Fall Pictures of Bella

2010-09-05T10:47:00.003-04:00

Here are a few recent fall pictures of Bella!

Bella NOW!!!

2010-08-23T13:51:00.003-04:00

Wow has Bella changed! In just the few weeks that Bella has been with us, she has changed so much! Take a look at the pictures in my last post and check out the ones today! Cute, Cute, Cute!!!

Introducing....BELLA!!!!

2010-07-15T13:18:00.003-04:00

We have a new addition to our family...her name is Bella Vanlerberghe. She is an Apricot/Cream F1 Goldendoodle-which means, she is a low to non-shedding breed, hypoallergenic and great for families with allergies. She is 6 1/2 weeks old and cute as a button. She is doing great adjusting to her new home, and the kids absolutely LOVE her!!!

U8 Champions

2010-07-06T09:05:00.003-04:00

Macen and his U8 baseball team won the District 15 All Star Championship last week! He said to me "Mom, did you get that awesome feeling in your tummy when you won your championships?" I said, "Yes, I did Macen-it IS the best huh?" Macen said, "There is nothing like it!".

Our New Addition

2010-06-29T21:05:00.005-04:00

Well, we did it-we bought another DOG!!! I know I said we would never have another dog, after everything we have been through with Chewy....however, this dog melted our hearts-plus, the added bonus of being shed free!!! She won't come home until Aug. 1st, plenty of time to get the house ready and get all the new things we will need for her! We don't have a name yet, the jury is still out on the choices...more to come on that soon.....The kids can hardly wait!!!

We don't have a name yet, but here she is.....

10U Co-Runner Up Champs

2010-06-27T21:36:00.004-04:00

Old Friends

2010-06-16T13:11:00.002-04:00

Almost 25 years later, these girls are still in my life! We got together this weekend at my home for a BBQ with lots of laughter. I am so blessed to have them in my life.

Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends!!! ~ Love these girls~

GA GA BALL

2010-05-25T08:48:00.004-04:00

Well, the NEW RAGE is Ga Ga Ball. Have you heard of it? I haven't until about 2 weeks ago, when my oldest daughter came home and told me that the school put in a Ga Ga Ball pit! WTH is Ga Ga Ball you ask? Well, it is a form of dodge-ball, except you play in a small octagon shaped ring with walls. You can only hit the ball with your hands, it has to stay on the ground, and you are out if the ball touches you. The ball is about the size of a soccer ball, however, we use whatever ball is around.

It was so hot here Sunday, that we decided to let a few of the neighborhood kids come over and swim, which turned into enough people to get a Ga Ga Ball game going. The kids discovered that the tramploine made a great pit, and to turn the game up a notch, they decided to make it 'Slippery-Sliding Ga Ga Ball'. However, I don't think they planned on Ashtyn's dad becoming a player...poor kids, it all went downhill from there! LOL They had so much fun getting pelted with the ball by him, again, always fun until someone gets hurt! Macen didn't think it was fun anymore after he fell and got pelted to hard. Anyway, summer is in FULL swing, with Ga Ga and swimming....I am already tired!

My Little Princess!

2010-05-19T13:57:00.002-04:00

As I type this, Ava is sitting on my lap with her tiara on, to bad I didn't get pics of this-anyway, here are some of her in her favorite butterfly dress for the summer! She is precious!

Macen

2010-05-19T13:54:00.001-04:00

How cute is my little man? Oh, how looks can be deceiving! That little turkey can have such an anger issue when things don't go his way! (wonder where he gets that from?) Anyway, this is how I want to remember him, sweet and handsome, with a touch of boyish charm still! Love him!

Explorer

2010-05-13T08:37:00.000-04:00

Spring has sprung, and Ava wants to go outside every minute of everyday. This day, we went out side and she heard our neighbors dog and decided to play with it threw the fence. She thought it was so funny!

Tournament Champs!

2010-05-11T11:39:00.008-04:00

We had our 1st tournament were the girls had a chance to compete for a title. They won the entire tournament and played great! Ashtyn loves the girls, loves the sport and we are so proud of her!

Way to go CANES!!!

~Spring Break 2010~

2010-04-07T20:41:00.007-04:00

Well, we survived Spring Break 2010! We drove to Florida this year, our first MAJOR road trip, (except to the UP) 19 long hours - ONE WAY in the car with 3 kids-AGH!!! But I have to say they were great!

We watched movies, listened to Macen make many different farting noises, encountered the real thing, along with all the smells, saw a terrible accident that will haunt my dreams forever, stood in long ridiculous lines that ended up on a terrific thrill ride, and waited in lines for rides that ended up broke down! We hated the crowds, heard so many people speaking different languages that for a second we thought WE were the ones in another Country. We saw Geckos running everywhere, Macen running around catching them, and Ava running away screaming from them.

We swam, we enjoyed the sun and saw the Ocean, all in all we had a great vacation! A true family bonding vacation-glad THAT'S over! Here's some pictures of our adventure...ENJOY!!!

Tanning Dilemma

2010-03-22T22:04:00.006-04:00

I went tanning today for the first time in 2 years and burnt my butt! Also, I had my first experience in a booth, which wasn't the best 6 minutes of my time.

I think I have stumbled upon a new marketing venture: Tanning Booths for the 6 foot and taller society! While standing in the booth, with my hair blowing around, like Heather Lockler (minus the body), my arms fell asleep holding those tiny wristlets above and praying that my newly manicured nails wouldn't get caught in the fan above or my new haircut!!!

That machine is made for people between 4-5 feet no bigger than that. Although, my husband said he was 'just fine' of course he was, he didn't hold those things! I stood there for 6 minutes with my feet on the non-slip soles marked on the floor of the machine, praying for it to end sooner. AGH, I need a bed next time. Either I am too big for that thing, or just to lazy to stand up for that long! hmm

Lelli Kelly Shoes-YIKES!

2010-03-22T15:52:00.004-04:00

This is a Lelli Kelly shoe. Let me start from the beginning....

There is a wonderful commercial, featuring these cute, flower & ribbon beaded little shoes on these cute little girls, which airs-no kidding, every 10 minutes on NICKJR. To make this even more interesting a Make-up Cell Phone (seen here: http://www.lellikelly.it/eng/regali.asp ) Comes with EACH pair of these cute little shoes.

Ava knows the song to this commercial by heart now, and with Easter right around the corner...I thought what a great present! I looked up where to buy these 'gems', clicked on a store and guess what??? These little 'GEMS' are $70.00+!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are these people nuts or what? I am NOT spending that kind of money on shoes my 3 year old is going to wear in the sand box this summer and the pretty little beads that are on them will either fall off, or have sand in every nook and cranny of them! Really? What ARE they thinking?

So, with the major SHOCK of the cost of these gems, I decide to see about the Make-up Cell Phone....telling myself, you have to be able to buy just the phone, right? WRONG! You can only get the phone with the shoes! AGH Ava could care less about the shoes, but that damn cell phone is all she talks about!

Oh well-The Easter Bunny will have to bring her something else this year! Commercialism sucks!

~Scrambling~

2010-03-20T16:12:00.003-04:00

This is the deal... with less than 5 days left before we leave for vacation, I have found myself scrambling to get everything that needs to be done, before we leave, completed this weekend.

Last night, my mind was wondering, not letting me fall asleep thus, I was up until 2:28 AM (that was the last time I remember looking at the clock).

I woke up dying for my coffee, then remembered CRAP we are almost OUT of coffee. This meant I had to travel to the mall sometime today to get some (we take it on vacation too).

Take Ava back to HairMasters to have them FIX her hair that wasn't even. Only to go back AGAIN, because it was worse than before...only to end up spending another 1/2 hour on it myself! If you want things done right, do it YOURSELF!

I needed to wrap a birthday present for the party my son was going to at 2:00.

Make sure the dress my daughter was wearing to her birthday/sleepover NEW MOON red carpet event, was clean by 4:00.

Catch up all the laundry that needed to be done and put it all away.

Clean the fish tank and replace the rock, so it is nice and clean for my neighbor to watch them! (hubby did this-Thank you!)

Start packing all 3 kids and myself.

Go to the store for our 'snack bag', which will have to wait until Thursday because if I bought the snacks now, the kids would eat them ALL.

CRAP forgot about dinner...we are going to eat chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese because I am not going to the store to buy anything until we get back, nor do I want to spend another dime on this trip, which has already cost us a fortune, and we didn't even have to pay for the condo!

To end this fabulous night, we are cleaning my son's room which is a disaster, let's not talk about the 1/2 eaten Hostess Cupcake we found under his bed-hard as a rock! or the broken box of baseball cards scattered all over the floor of his closet. Boys!

Let's just hope that tonight when I go to sleep, my mind isn't left scrambling-AGAIN!

Happy 80th Birthday!!!

2010-03-19T12:17:00.006-04:00

It's been 1 1/2 years since my father passed away, and today would have been his 80th Birthday. Wow-80 years sounds so old...makes me feel even more thankful that he lived to be 78 and I had the years I did with him (even though I would have appreciated much more).

He had seen SO many things in his life. He was in the Korean and Vietnam War, was a POW, part of the Airborne Division, was a Green Beret (which meant, he could kick your butt with the blink of an eye!) he sailed on Lake Michigan on his boat (which I never was blessed to see), was a registered Scuba Diver and Paratrooper. After retiring from the services he jumped out of planes for competitions-crazy man! He saw death in a few different ways, ways in which I hope to never see. He was an interesting, very complex man, but also very caring and giving.

He is thought of and missed everyday. I wish he was here for us to sing Happy Birthday to, but I have a feeling he is close by. Happy Birthday Dad!

Friends in the Making

2010-03-19T10:27:00.006-04:00

Let's start this adventure by stating that these two little girls are neighbors, were born around 2 weeks apart and just love each other! They have been playing since they were about 1 (and could actually PLAY). Sadly, Katie is Ava's only little friend at this point and quite frankly, I don't think Ava cares that there may be other 3 year olds that exist besides Katie.

This is daily dialect with Ava:

Mommy: "Do you want to go outside and play?"

Ava: "with Katie?"

Mommy: "Do you want to play a game with Mommy Ava?"

Ava: "How about with Katie too?"

Everything is with KATIE! The two girls, giggle, run and fall down on the ground together. They make each other laugh by making silly faces, noises and rolling around in a box with Ava's brother. They don't even know it, but they are "Great Friends in the making!"

Growing Up!

2010-03-19T10:06:00.003-04:00

Saturday, Ashtyn had her 6th Father & Daughter Dance. Next year will be her last year for this event, and wow have we seen a change in her over the years. Every year, we take the same picture..in front of the fireplace with Daddy. We have gone from missing teeth, cute little Easter dresses and girlie-girl tights-To adult teeth about to get braces, a new haircut with highlights and a dress from the Teen section at Macy's.

What happended to our little girl? Ashtyn has blossomed right before our eyes! She is such a great girl too. She works so hard in school to keep her all A's, she always tries her best in sports and is such a great friend. I guess she is - Growing Up!

New Knees!!!

2010-03-17T23:39:00.004-04:00

Well, Ava's latest: New Knees

Ava: "Momma, I don't want to take a bath tonight, the water is going to hourt (hurt) my knees!"

Momma: "Well, honey it might for a minute, but it will be fine."

Ava: "hmmm. (tapping her chin with her index finger) I have an idea!"

Momma: "What is it?"

Ava: "New Knees!"

Momma: "New Knees? How are we going to give you New Knees?"

Ava: "You just take the old ones off with your fingers and put new ones on."

Momma: "I don't think that will work honey, but I can put some medicine on them and a special band-aid when you get out?"

Ava: "Hmm, can it be a Dora Band-aid?"

Momma: "Yep!"

Ava: "Well, ok. But Momma, can you put new knees on me before I go outside to play tomorrow?"

Momma: "Why don't we try to fix the old ones first." (this was a battle I wasn't ready to fight at the moment)

Ava: "ok. I Wove (Love) playing outside! But that driveway floor is MEAN!"

Momma: "Well, honey, maybe tomorrow you don't try to stand on your deck chair to get the basketball in the hoop...then the MEAN driveway won't hurt you!"

Ava: "That NOT a good idea Momma, how am I gonna get the ball in the hoop?"

Momma: "Practice Ava, lots of Practice, and Mommy will lower it for you tomorrow, ok? Now, let's fix those knees."

All because Ava decided to try to get closer to the 10 foot high basketball hoop, standing on her pink deck chair, that slid when she shot and she fell on to the 'MEAN' driveway, that took the skin off both knees. I think it is safe to say she might be our 3rd basketball star!

Another one of Ava's Thoughts....

2010-03-05T21:56:00.002-05:00

Tucking Ava in tonight....

Ava: "Momma, I am going to Flor"I"da in the morning, I am going to ride on the Harry Potter Roller coaster ride, YEP-I am! Just me and CinDER"DELLA"

Mom: "WOW, you have this all planned out huh? Well honey, we are not going to Florida for a few weeks, and the Harry Potter Ride isn't at Cinderella's Castle, we have to go somewhere else to see that and I am not sure you are big enough to ride it"

Ava: (VERY matter of fact) "Your not going Mommy, I AM - and I AM going to ride it WITH CINDERELLA!" (she closes her eyes and tries to go to sleep)

Mom: "Can Mommy have kisses goodnight?"

Ava: "SHHH, Mommy-you messed up my RIDE!"

Mom: "oh, sorry-goodnight honey"

Ava: (Eyes closed, trying to get back to her RIDE) "Goodnight"

Again, all in the little mind of my Ava Lucille!

The Family Dog

2010-02-28T10:08:00.002-05:00

Our family Dog, Chewy went to Doggie Heaven Saturday night. We think he had a seizure and after it, he wasn't very responsive. He couldn't move, only move his eyes and blink. He was dying. The kids and us sat by his side for awhile, while dad called the vet and we got things together for him. We said goodbye, and now we are down a family member. It went down exactly like the movie Marley and Me. It is very quite around here without him moving around, drinking his water, crunching his food, rubbing his body on the floor, sitting on your feet. Very quite and different.

The kids will be ok, Ashtyn had the hardest time, but will be ok and adjust. He was our first child, in a sense. Ashtyn would use him as a pillow since she was 2, and he would let her. He loved the kids. He will be dearly missed-dog hair and all.

Ava's Thoughts

2010-02-26T20:13:00.006-05:00

While I was giving Ava a bath the other night, she told me she was excitied about swimming in Papa's pool this summer. It caught me off guard, as I haven't heard her say Papa's name in awhile. She then said this:

Ava: "Yeah, I am going swimming in Papa's pool...but he won't be there...he died"

Mom: "Yes he did honey, but he is still watching over you and I promise that someday, when it's time, you will see him again, and he will hug you and kiss you and go swimming with you!!!"

Ava: "Yeah, I know...I wove (love) him"

Mom: "I know honey, I love him too"-(trying to choke back tears now)

Ava: "I wove (love) Michael Jackson too!"

Mom: (caught off gaurd AGAIN) "Really, well, that is nice to say"

Ava: "But he died too"

Mom: "Yes he did"

Ava: "Yeah, I gonna see him again someday too...him and Papa"

Mom: "I bet you will!"-(thinking to myself, I can hear my dad cursing out loud at that exact moment-"THE HELL SHE WILL!"-as my dad didn't quite care for MJ! LOL)

Ava: Starts humming the song 'Thriller'

~Another day in the life of Ava's thoughts~

~SUCKERS~

2010-02-20T10:49:00.006-05:00

My kids know how to tick us off! Basically all they have to do is open their mouths, and speak to each other and it turns into World War III. I just LOVE it! They fight over EVERYTHING, which drives me insane! Ashtyn and Macen can say some of the most hurtful things while on one of their tyrants, and then once that hurtful things is said..the tyrant turns physical. Oh yeah, I am talking a 10 year old girl and an 8 year old boy wrestling to the ground wanting blood! I don't think they really want to see blood, but they want to do some damage nevertheless.

Let me back up, and innocent after school afternoon of frolicking in the snow, turns deadly, as I hear them duking-it-out outside! AGH They can never do this when I am not busy either, it is always in the middle of me working, peeing or on taking a phone call that is important-ALWAYS!

So, I get each sides story, send them to their rooms, tell them to wait for dad, and we will figure out what punishment is in store.

GROUNDED for the rest of the week! Tears huffing and puffing, throwing things, it just got worse. They both were looking forward to going to Bittersweet Ski Resort on Saturday.

Hmm. Everyone goes to bed. Macen gets up to use the restroom, his dad by his side...

Macen: "Dad, technically, I am only grounded until Saturday, because Sunday is the beginning of a NEW week, so I can go snowboarding on Sunday-right?"

That little shit!

Dad: "Macen, I said you were grounded1"

Macen: "You said for the rest of the week, and TECHNICALLY, the week ends Saturday!"

Dad: "Go to bed Macen, well talk about it later"

Macen: "You said it dad...I am right huh?"

Dad: "Goodnight Macen!"

Macen: "k, Dad, goodnight."

Guess who going to Bittersweet this weekend? SUCKER!!!

Did they learn their lesson, probably not. Do they think we are suckers, I believe so. Will they remember that we caved, YES. Will we cave again-NO DOUBT at some point. Will we have a good time anyway-TBD!

Oblivious Parents!!!

2010-02-18T09:51:00.002-05:00

A little ranting this morning....the statement should speak for itself! I love the parents that think their kids are just perfect! seriously? I know how rotten my own kids can be, and I don't put anything past them outside the doors of our castle! I am not OBLIVIOUS to their behavior, nor am I going to act surprised if someone were to tell me something they did. However, those parents that think their kids are not capable of 'acting out' in public I want to slap!

It's hard enough being a parent, but having to deal with other parents sometimes is harder than dealing with their kids! It's not the kids fault anyway, they learn their rotten looks, nasty moves and extensive vocabulary from them. It's a learned behavior! My own kids have learned it, have used it, and have gotten punished for it! Why is it so hard for others to deal with it? The automatic defensive response from them floors me. I am not hypocritical, I too get slightly defensive when someone tells me something my kid said or did, but I stop, think to myself-YEP, that sounds about right, and then I ALWAYS apologize, make them apologize and later punish them for it.

I have always said, I'll be the parent who will be the first one to admit my kids are capable of anything...but, my kids also know if someone has to mention a behavior to me, they better start running! I WILL get down to the truth, and they won't like it-at all!

Kudos to those parents who think their daughters wear crowns and the sons are the Alpha Males of the school-HA!!!-your days are coming.

Isn't MJ Dead????

2010-02-16T09:38:00.003-05:00

Lord, I am over Micheal Jackson! Don't get me wrong, I love his music, however, if I hear one more of his songs, my brain will explode into a million pieces!

The problem: My 3 year old daughter loves him. Why? I have no clue. I think when he died it was all over the radio and she just caught on to his songs, and now just loves everything about him.

Ava, knows how to navigate the Internet to get to YouTube and find HIM! She knows how to navigate her sisters itouch to find HIM! She whines in the car until we play the CD...AGH, when will it stop?

I tried telling her the truth, that he DIED and is in heaven with Papa....that didn't work. She said "No he's not, look-there he is (pointing to the screen)...I want to go in there!" The truth about this is, my dad would shoot himself or MJ, if he was with him, he wasn't a fan! I can hear my dad ranting about his crazy behavior right now!

The Solution: I have no clue how to solve this. I tried telling her her he's DEAD, what more can a person do? He's gone, out of here, never coming back! But not to her...she looks at me with those big blue eyes, with long eye lashes batting away, and says..."I wove (instead of Love) him!"

What more can a mom do with that sweet response? I guess, let her love MJ....and hope it will die out...soon

The Shit-Ka-Doodle

2010-02-15T23:51:00.002-05:00

I love dogs, I do, we own one. However, why is it that our dog, the good, well mannered, lays at your feet, doesn't bark, big FUR BALL drive everyone else crazy? Cause of a little hair? Come on!

My mother is staying with us this week because of her work, and guess who gets to babysit HER dog? Yep, ME! I am home all day so I get the little Shit-Ka-Doodle! I call him this because that is exactly what he is, although, he doesn't shit, he just pees! He needs anxiety medication. He is 13 years old, blind and missing some teeth! Kindof looks like a lady I saw at Walmart the other day. I know, I know, you would think I would feel sorry for the mutt, but I don't. The damn dog is so annoying. My mom goes to another room, he follows her, she goes downstairs, he whines, cause he can't go down the stairs-BABY! He will probably cry the entire week she is gone...I need HIS anti-anxiety medication!

But the kicker here, is my mom will complain to ME, of all people, about watching my dog because of a little hair that can be sucked up in a vacuum and thrown out! Hello, I have to get my SpotBot out and clean up after him! Not to mention I need Tylenol after listening to him whine all day! ARGH! Why the double standard? My mom even left him here by mistake one time when she came to visit. I think it was a plot, a plot to dump him on me cause she knows the truth about the 4 legged nut case!

Oh well, I guess you do things you don't want to do for your family, huh?

A Good Smellin' House!!!

2010-02-12T23:28:00.002-05:00

Everyone who has ever stepped foot in my house has told me that I have a great smelling house. Of course, I strive to continue this great impression, even if it cost me more $ OR creates a new obsession!

I will never cook fish, unless it is on the grill-Honey Pear Cider and Salmon won't mix well. I will never burn popcorn, that smell you can't get out of your microwave for weeks and I will buy a HUGE bottle of Beano to slip into my son and husband's food on the nights I decided to make something 'SPICY'!

If I do these things, I should be able to keep up that great smell! Thanks to my counterpart in Colorado, I have a new obsession with Scentsy Wickless Candles!!! YUMMY!!!

Stay tuned for tomorrows post when I tell you what my husband said about a scent that I think will make him throw up when he enters the bathroom! LOL Only then, will these blogs get interesting!

Bad Days

2010-01-11T14:55:00.002-05:00

You know when you wake up and get the family going, whether or not it is going to be a bad day or not. Let me explain, while making scrambled eggs, you crack the egg (as you always do) and there is more shell in the bowl than egg, your daughter comes up stairs looking like Pat Benatar (jean skirt, white leggings, striped-NEON knee high socks, every piece of jewelry she owns), then again, now I think she just looked like my neighbor dressed up for Halloween, then Macen couldn't find his glasses, as I am cooking, making Ashtyn change, trying to find Macen's glasses, then I hear the dreaded motor of the BUS! ARGH leaving my house with snow flying behind it. CRAP! Now, I missed my 1st workout class because I had to take them to school, all while Macen complained of his throat hurting, so I got him in to the Dr. (that was lucky) and guess what? Strep! DANG IT! Now, I have to take him and Ava to get dog food so our dog won't starve today, and stop at the store for laundry detergent. Thank goodness for the pharmacy drive-thru, which I waited in line for 10 minutes because we have new insurance and they had to change everything! Today has been a GREAT day!

But I am sure all these things are oh so familiar to other mom's out there, unless, I just have a oh so crazy, dysfunctional family...which, I don't believe! LOL

Wasting Time

2010-01-05T09:30:00.004-05:00

With my New Year outlook, I am going to cut back on the little things that I consider wasting time. My Cafe World on Facebook is one of them, posting comments on FB is the other, actually FB all together is slowing me down. Now, I have decided to try and keep this Blog going and for what? I have no idea. My intention was to inform family and friends of various things going on in our lives and give me a writing outlet, however, I think this may be another one of those 'wasting time' facets. No one reads this dang thing, nor do they know it exists. That would require more time letting everyone know it is here, which in the long run, would be wasting my time, yet again. What to do???

A New Year

2010-01-04T10:01:00.003-05:00

It's a New Year, with many NEW goals to keep reaching for. Although, this morning when I was woke up, I couldn't see straight, and my body was yelling at me to just lay back down and then it HIT me-Back to School! AGH As the room still spun, due to lack of sleep I believe, I went and got my coffee and began the grind of getting everyone together. Lunches, those dang lunches. Breakfast, packing lunches, I still have Jelly somewhere on me. But I was successful and got them out the door without yelling today. I am also still sitting here drinking my 3rd cup of joe, thinking about getting on the treadmill-just thinking-I haven't moved yet.

I know it is a New Year with new goals, but how many can I actually do? Isn't getting the kids out the door on a positive note 1 of them? My list is getting shorter already! HA The New Year brings a positive outlook on things to come, so I have to tell myself to stay positive and maybe, just maybe I can cross more things off my list.

There's No Place Like HOME!!!

2010-01-03T21:37:00.002-05:00

Well, as Dorothy put it, "There's No Place Like HOME!!!". We travelled 8 1/2 hours today to get back home, from visiting family in the Upper Peninsula. God help me! After 6 days with 16 people in a home with 2 bathrooms, 9 kids, 7 adults and 2 dogs...I was DONE! Not that I don't like visiting with family, and seeing how much my children enjoy their cousins, but holidays and family always bring on stress. Not to mention, I buried my step-mom Tuesday, which was stress enough, but life goes on. A mother can't take that time to grieve, cause you have to wipe butts, pour juice, get the kids dressed, help with dishes, make meals, clean clothes, soothe the crying, all while suppressing the crying you are doing inside. I tell you, sometimes, just taking care of myself is a task. My family is lucky I bathe and brush my teeth everyday (sometimes TWICE)! I remember to shave my legs and put deodorant on everyday, how, I will never know. Thank goodness for things you do out of habit! Oh, the joys-Happy New Year!

Another Loved One Gone-

2009-12-25T10:03:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, we lost my step-mom Mickey. She passed away in her sleep at 3:46 AM. She had been battling some issues for about two months now, and finally gave up the fight. Her emotions were up and down, I think they were only up to keep me and the family thinking positive about her recovery. Although, I think she had a different plan. She missed my dad and my aunt (my dad's sister) who passed away in September from Cancer, I think she felt alone. Everyone she had known since she came over here from Japan, 55 years ago, has passed away. She lived 85 long, wonderful years. She had a heart of gold, would give you the shirt off her back, even if she had nothing to replace it with. She made sure you were always fed, and had a alteast a dollar in your pocket. She is in no more pain, which that I am grateful. I am sure she is smiling, enjoying family and cooking up a storm right now! We will miss her dearly.

Hot Momma!

2009-12-21T09:07:00.002-05:00

Well, I had one of those moments yesterday when you think you are indestruckable, and NOT to old to show your kids how to do something....then everything you thought, backfires and you end up thinking to yourself, why in the hell did I attempt that?

Are you wondering what I did? Well, I jumped on one of the kids snowboards and decided to ride the hill like I was 18-HA! I moved 3 feet, or should I say 3 feet in the air too, came down on my side and now have a small concussion and mild rotator cuff tear-OUCHY!

The lesson learned, apparently I am not the Hot Momma that I used to be, when it comes to things I was awesome at in the past! Although, I have NEVER went snowboarding, so I have no idea why the hell I attempted that! Oh, well...Merry Christmas to ME!

Ava Strikes AGAIN!

2009-12-18T11:07:00.003-05:00

Yep, my baby still has it in her! She chose to paint her nails a pretty BRIGHT RED for Christmas, which I had already done yesterday. Then apparently, she missed her nails and got some on her PJ's, hmm. After all of this prepping, she decided to get dressed, and this was the outfit she came up with-tie-dyed shirt, OVER her nail polished PJ's, her favorite pink shorts and her white ruffled socks! All while mommy took a 5 minute shower and got dressed! Welcome to my life!

Holiday Love Handles

2009-12-18T08:57:00.002-05:00

Well, since the Holidays bring on the MAJOR Martha Stewart in me, also comes the slight increase in the size of my love handles, or muffin tops as the younger kids like to all it! I think I have been pretty good this year, I have only ate maybe a dozen cookies! That can't be to bad, that is around a cookie a day, right? My husband tells me to just not bake them, because he can't resist eating them. It makes me happy seeing my kids so excited for the finished product, and those I have given, my well crafted treats to are very thankful as well, so in the end, I guess the extra 'muffin' above the top of my jeans is worth it during the holidays...it is the giving season, right? To bad I can't give them ALL away, and resist eating just a few...Tis' the season to be happy!

Down to the WIRE!!!

2009-12-16T15:27:00.002-05:00

Why is it, with just a few days left before Christmas, everyone, including me is running around like a mad person trying to get everything done in time? Does it really matter if the present shows up a few days late? If the Christmas cards shows up the day before? Isn't it the thought that counts? I wonder if the people we send gifts to, truly appreciate all the effort we put in to the item. The hours of baking, the time to drive to the store, buy the gift, package the gift, ship the gift, it just goes on and on. Details, Details, Details....it's all in the details. I personally, could care less when something arrives, but, when it arrives in cute packages, handmade bows, cards, personally tied ribbons, candy canes stuck under the bow...all this makes such a difference than the item itself within the box. This show me, that the person who sent the gift, spent just a little extra time on that gift preparation, which makes me feel even more special. I guess that is why I run around like a chicken with my head cut off, doing all the 'little things' that I hope they appreciate, as I do, when I received something with such thought. I am sure my husband will roll his eyes when he reads this, as he does when I point out such creative gestures! In the end, I guess it really doesn't matter.

The Good Ole' Days

2009-12-15T09:29:00.005-05:00

Do you remember when we were children and would keep ourselves occupied by playing outside, coloring or playing board games? What happened? One word-Technology! My kids, although I am ashamed to admit it, are hooked on technology. Can you blame them though? Portable video games, Laptops, Cell phones, texting, itouches, ipods everything under the sun is new and improved, full of gadgets that most people can't resist. However, these gadgets come with a hefty price tag. I remember wanting a new bag of marbles, lip smackers in the pop flavors, all different shapes of colored beads to craft with and maybe a new cabbage patch doll. My kids asked for items so expensive that we had to assess the Christmas list this year. They need to learn to appreciate the things they get and understand the value of a dollar, not to mention the true meaning of Christmas. Macen the other day, asked me why we give gifts to each other on Christmas, when it's actually Jesus' Birthday..."shouldn't he get the gifts?"...huh...yep, words of wisdom from an 8 year old. He went on, and on about Jesus and what he did for us, and the true meaning of the holiday. Not sure where he heard all this, I can't imagine he remembered this from Religious Education (2 years ago)..LOL! However, he was right on. I am back to my earlier post where traditions are more important than the superficial gifts that we received from each other. So, as I write this, I am putting off sitting down and filling out the Christmas cards that need to go out, cookies that still need to be baked, and the few things that need to go out in the mail, that have all became traditions in our family to do because I am getting burned out already, but I better get moving to keep the tradition alive! Christmas IS only 10 days away-EEK!

Oz the Musical

2009-12-14T08:46:00.004-05:00

I took the kids to see Oz the Musical last night, with some friends, which was pretty funny and a different kind of entertainment for them. Ashtyn LOVED it and now wants to audition for various roles of upcoming shows in our area (WHATEVER), like she has time for that! Macen enjoyed it too, but at the intermission put his coat on and was ready to go...I had to tell him, "this is only a break, we are half-way through the show" his face was appalled, he was done. It was slightly to boring for him. We had fun, the 3 of us...dad had some one-on-one time with Ava, so all in all it was a great day! Although, I have decided that kids either are involved in the theatre or sports, there is no way they could do both. Just as much time and practice is involved with these performances as practices for sports. I slightly feel bad for Ashtyn that she won't be able to do this anytime soon, with all her commitments to sport organizations right now. She is pretty dramatic, which would make her pretty good..hmm..wonder where she gets that from? Maybe sometime in her future...(I doubt it) but we'll see...

Loved Ones and Holidays

2009-12-13T09:58:00.007-05:00

I had a moment this morning, while Ava was watching some old home videos from when she was born, and a few after, I saw my dad, alive and laughing. It caught me off guard and I lost it. For a split moment, it was like he was still here. I, for a moment, wasn't thinking about him, and then BAM! there he was, it took me back, back to the those last few days I held his hand, and just watched him slowly die. I miss him so much, but after my breakdown, I thought about it, and it made me appreciate my family so much, and those I still have in my life. I will always have the memories of those I have lost, and "I" have the opportunity to create wonderful memories for my family to cherish. I have to tell myself this, not daily, but often. Staying focused on my family, helps me through the tough days. During the holidays I think it is worse...all the memories I had as a child with my dad, and other family members that are gone now are more prominent now than ever before. Because of this, I will try to work hard every holiday season to do as much, sledding, baking cookies, taking the kids to the latest Christmas movie, watching old Christmas movies while eating homemade popcorn made from the stove, decorating the tree, putting the outside decorations up, seeing plays at the theatre, hot cocoa with mini-marshmallows, warming them up by the fireplace, and rubbing their cold little hands in mine...all these things, I hope my children will keep with them when I am no longer here, I know I will...this makes it all worth while.

WIPED OUT!!!

2009-12-12T17:35:00.002-05:00

WOW, are we WIPED OUT!!! We had an amazing game today, we beat Lakeshore by 2. It was a nail biter! We had lunch at a local restaurant and then stopped by at a local winery and bought a case a wine! LOVE IT! Very fun day!

Generations of Basketball

2009-12-12T07:37:00.004-05:00

Well, Ashtyn has a basketball game today at Lakeshore...just what we want to do, drive towards Lake Michigan with all this snow we have. This is her last regular game of the year, then we have a tournament so we wouldn't miss this last one for the world! I love watching her play, I get so excited watching her take the ball up the court, and when she shoots and makes it...well, I think the feeling is similar to the feeling when I was playing...utter awesomeness!