Put us on the map

I’m not sure what it is about our town up here in Northern Michigan, but as of tomorrow CBS will have been here twice for casting calls.  Last year CBS came to our not so little  craft store, Arnies, to do a casting call for Kid Nation which aired on CBS last summer.  They’re coming once again tomorrow to do a casting call for The Amazing Race 14, the only place in Michigan they’re holding them!  Hopefully this inflow of people will give this area a much needed boost into summer.  I’ll have to report back later when I come home from my ball game to see how many people are “camping” out for the night.

 

***Friday morning update:  When we came home from my game last night there was NO ONE starting the overnight vigil.  P and I just got back from dropping S & C at school and I am sad to report that there are MAYBE 12 people in line and it’s 8 am and auditions start at 9 am.

Some recent favorites

I’ve really been slacking on posting any pictures of late.  So, I thought I’d make this best shot Monday some recent favorites.

The following are of Shealyn and Carter.  Anybody remember hot wheels?  We were at my mom’s this weekend and Shealyn and Carter had a ball flying down her hill!

 

 

This one is just a shot I took of P. in our tulips.

 

And then this one might be my favorite of late.  This was taken at P.’s Mother’s Day Celebration at school where I was given a card that says (and was read aloud):

My mom is special because she helps me clean up my Polly Pockets and doll house because if the timer goes off she will throw it away!

Okay, they may not actually disappear forever, but they do come up missing for a while.  You know what—-IT NOW WORKS!!  I set the timer; she starts cleaning )

A recap of the week

It’s been an emotional week here.  On Saturday morning my dad had a heart attack.  He is okay!  Thank you to my father in law who came to the rescue so I could go be with my dad and not have to worry about the kids.  He had 2 blockages that were taken care of by replacing a previous stent and placing a new one.

Sunday morning when we woke up the kids gave me their gifts and cards they had made me at school.  I love the homemade gifts.  They are so sweet and just have their personal touch.  We then went to my niece, Laney’s baptism.  It’s been too long since I’ve been at church and I really miss it.  I can’t wait until we find a new church family in Texas.  It made my day when we sang my favorite praise and worship song ever, As the Deer!  And now thanks goes out to my mom who took my kids after the church service so Michelle and I could go visit dad again.  After visiting with him for a little while we headed toward my mom’s house to take her dinner and pick up the kids. 

On Monday, Shealyn and Carter went to school and Payton went to a friend’s house for the day so I could go sit while my dad had his surgery (heart catheterization).  Thank you Allison and Aunt Sandy.  A big thanks to Shauna, too who came and took over the afternoon routine and all the running required to get the kids where they needed to be.

Tuesday, I was in the schools all day doing presentations.  I have to admit, my heart was not in it at first, but as the morning went on it became a great distraction and I ended up having lots of fun “teaching” the kids extra science.  I talked about honeybees—they are amazing and fascinating insects.  Just as we were heading out the door for Carter’s t-ball game my brother called (he was enroute to go see dad) and informed me the neighbor had been to dad’s house and one of the dog’s had left a couple piles of presents.  This really was not on my “TO DO” list, but I did it.  We dropped Carter at t-ball and the girls and I headed over to dad’s house for poop clean up—yuck!!!!  And really what is the fascination with kids and poop?  The whole way over there both girls are asking if they can  see the poop—-if I thought they wouldn’t have made a bigger mess I would have asked them if they wanted to go in and clean it up and I would just wait in the van )  Anyway, we got it cleaned up and back to Carter’s t-ball game we went.  He had lots of action which equates to a good game for a 6 year old.

Today, Payton went flower shopping with Grandma M. and Aunt Trish and I had some time to catch up on laundry and all of the other house work and even fit in a much needed trip to the grocery store and Wal Mart.  Shortly, we’re off to a birthday party and then ball practice, but the best part of this whole day is MY DAD IS COMING HOME!!!!

Hope you’re all having a good week!

Happy Mother’s Day

Mom, it’s your day today although we should celebrate our mom’s everyday.  You have played such a big part in my life and I am always thankful that you are never more than a phone call away.  You love with all that you are and you share it with me and my family.  I don’t think I ever truly appreciated everything that you do and feel until that evening 8 and 1/2 years ago when I held my firstborn.  It is instant love and from then on you wear your heart on your sleeve.  Thanks for being a great example in my life!  I love you mom!

To some other important mom’s in my life.

My mother-in-law—thanks for the gift of your son.  You have raised a son that desires to be with his family and instilled the importance of family in him.  Although his manners sometimes leave a little bit to be desired I know you laid the foundation for better )  Thanks for accepting me as one of yours.  Happy Mom’s Day!  Love you, Jude.

My sister Chelle, my sister-in-laws Donna and Trish.  We all have our own style of parenting and you know what—it works!  Some days it is an overwhelming responsibility to know it is up to us to mold these sweet little lives God has given us, yet we do it.  Happy Mother’s Day to all of you.

My friend Robyn who became a mom 14 years ago.  I have always admired watching you in action with your boys.  You are one of the most patient mom’s I know.

My friend Carrie, we share so many laughs and tears over our children.  It’s always nice to call each other up at the end of the day and know that we’ve had “one of those days” and that this too shall pass.  And we celebrate their accomplishments as well. 

My friend Michelle, who has known what is is to be a single mom and still stand strong.  You have done a great job with your kids and continue to make it about them and always make the best of any situation.

My friend Kelly.  You have shown be by example how to be a Christian mom and raise kids that desire to know and love God.  Thanks for your honesty in all situations (even though I may not always like it).

My new mom friends—Allison, Cortnie and Lena.  We have watched our kids grow into little ladies and a gentleman over the last year at preschool.  I cherish our coffee time and our time to share about our kids.

To all of you, I wish you the best of Mother’s Day!  I love you all!

My vote really does matter…

I’m wondering how many people may have thought that yesterday.  We voted for school board members and tried to pass a millage that would have allowed for some long overdue improvements to our buildings.  One example that was cited in our paper last week is that the toilets in our schools use 5 gallons of water with EACH flush—-WOW!!

Anyway, there have been many times when I have thought and wondered if one vote really matters.  Yesterday if 3 of those people that “wondered” would have come out and voted the millage would have been passed.  I’m quite sure I’ve never seen a vote this close.  The millage was voted down by 1129 people and 1127 people voted yes.  Even though the vote didn’t go my way, this is all the proof I need that MY vote DOES make a DIFFERENCE!

I happened to go vote after the kids got out of school (can’t hurt to have 3 little people with you when you’re trying to pass a school millage) and they were included in the whole process.  As I was filling out my paperwork for my precinct another lady immediately involved Shealyn and Carter.  She had them sign their names and they got to go through the line with me and do everything I did except vote.  And at the very end they got their FUTURE VOTER stickers and P. got 2 stickers b/c she didn’t get to fill out paperwork like mommy, Shealyn and Carter.

A Girls’ Weekend

A huge thank you to my mom!!  She came and stayed with my kids this past weekend so I could go on a “Big” Girls’ Weekend.  Clark would refer to us as the “coffee club”, but 3 other moms that I have met through library, school and dance and myself went to Traverse City for the weekend.  We had SO MUCH FUN!!  We were able to enjoy long, leisurely meals, some cocktails, LOTS of shopping, great, uninterrupted conversation and lots of laughs.  We dubbed the weekend “what happens in TC stays in TC.”  No, we did not do anything we shouldn’t have, but it was just so relaxing and refreshing to have some grown up time.  Other, than catching up on my sleep I feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle the week.  Thanks Allison, Cortnie, and Lena!!

Best Shot Monday

Okay, since I was REALLY bad last week and didn’t blog at all; I guess I better get back at it.  Today’s 2 favorite shots are actually from Payton’s birthday party from the last weekend in April.