Now that winter is almost here...

Here's pics from our summer...

Todd's Perils Continue

PICTURES Below:
For those of you have not heard: Todd had ANOTHER tree accident.
Yes, I know what you're thinking-You go right ahead and tell him!:)

He was helping his Dad hang a tree stand and as he was climbing down
his wedding ring got caught on one of the foot pegs.
He dangled by his wedding ring, until the ring just ripped off-taking skin with it.
After a visit to Urgent Care, no broken bones, 7 stitches, and a painful injury,
Todd is layed off of work for the season (early)!
For those of you who have husbands who hunt or like being outdoors--Don't
let them go out with their wedding ring on. Todd is very fortunate he did not
lose his finger. The Dr. last night was shocked that his finger was still attached.
He also said he could not tell us how many injuries like this he has seen.
He had even been injured in a similar fashion and no longer wears his wedding ring
at all because of it.
Pictures below are kinda graphic.











Top left picture: side view of his finger
2nd picture from left : Dr. working on Todd's hand -digging gravel and sand from wound.
3rd from left: top flap of skin was cut off and bottom of finger is raw tissue. (sewn back together 7+ stitches). Last picture: on the way to Urgent care-wrapped in towel.
Pictures are out of order.
My stomach is queezy...

No Computer!

Our laptop crashed so sorry for the lack of posting. Life is still it's busy self. At times it seems relentless, but we make it through. Who knows when the computer will be up and running-someday I will tell the frustration.
Hope all is well.

First Day as a K Mommy!

Yes, I cried, sobbed, balled (sp) as I watched my little boy go into his first day of school. Taylor looked at me funny. A friend, Kelly, offered Mommy to Mommy hugs, and also added her comment that it doesn't get any easier-she still cries sending her 3rd grader off to school. (Good... I am not the only one that cried on the first day of school). He rode the bus for the first time, too many firsts to list! It is scary. We prayed before we got out of the car. --That he would have fun, God would keep him safe, he would meet lots of new friends, he would learn lots, he would listen to his teacher and follow directions. Of course, we prayed that Daddy would be safe at work, and Uncle Calvin (Todd's little brother) would have a great first day at school too-and that he wouldn't get into trouble:):):):)...
And off we went!!!
Mommy made it through her frist day (of course-Gramma A. brought the kids up for lunch so that helped):)-Thank you Gramma!

I hope it gets easier, I don't know if I can go through the crying I did this morning every day. :(
Gavin had a great first day and remembered one little boy's name-(I can't remember):)
That's all for the first day!

NO longer a Student

I finally am done. Actually, I finished on time, but the hard drive on my computer crashed so I haven't been able to post. There is so much updating to do and no time to do it.
Briefly, One full time job is down-I have completed my MAsters program. I am looking forward to the freedom that that brings this year:)
More to come!

Counting Down

Yes, I am counting down. I have 5 days left of my semester. I am turning in my portfolio in on Monday and then I AM DONE!:) Let the Celebrations begin!:):):):):):)

If you know me very well at all, you know I am a procrastinator (some sy I get it form my dad--is that true, Dad?) :)
Anyways, I usually am up the night before assignments are due until wee hours in the morning typing away on the laptop until my papers are finished...I guess you could say I work best under pressure. It drives my mom mad!:) (hehehehe)LOL!!

Let's see with 5 days left, I have all the assignments done except two, I have to rewrite 10, and edit 3. Soooo, I have between revising, and rewriting, and new writing a total of 15 papers still to do, PLUS putting the entire thing together (**PROFESSIONALLY) into a three-ring binder. HMMMMM--any wagers on whether or not I'll be turning it in late?!!!!LOL!-ok not really, it isn't funny, but oh well, that's life when you got two kids, and a life of a mommy and wife!:)

Let's hear it, I know....I shouldn't procrastinate...tell me what ya think...cause I know you're thinkin it....Will my papers be done? How many days late will my portfolio be sent in??

Thanks for keeping in touch!

Sisters

Just a pic of the Sisters!

Making a Mommy's heart feel good!

Can I just say how much I love my kids! I am just so proud of them. Ya know, we try to train them into being mannerful, polite; growing up in the church, LOVING JESUS...and sometimes I actually can see the Lord working on them. (Not that He isn't working in them, but you know what I mean) The video below is of Taylor singing at our VBS this week. She was in the preschool group and she knew all the songs and did most of the motions. It brought tears to my eyes watching her listen and sing along.

Loving Summer Break and...

...Having Mommy home! Taylor and Gavin love having mommy home to play with and spend time with. Sorry for the lack of posting. I just turned in my Thesis for my Masters and am now working on putting together my portfolio. I will be done at the end of July. Praise the Lord--counting down for sure!:)

Here are a few pics of the first few days off. Bubby was helping Mommy pick up laundry--he decided Taylor needed to go in the basket too, I guess. Mason got to play with us too!

A Wild and Crazy Life...

Yes, that pretty much sums it up...the kids argue and bicker now. "Mine...no, it's mine!" (At the top of their lungs) and then the tug -a- war begins! It is fun though. I love my kids and wouldn't trade them for the world!
Todd's job is going great--he is putting in long hours, though -and it is an adjustment.
I am working on my thesis and a new semester, and I am ending the school year teaching--14 more days!!!!!:) Counting Down has officially begun!
Our newest pics are posted (as heading and profile). My brother FINALLY took our family pictures:) J/K-Matthew:):):):)

I promise to post more later.

Up to no good!

My little angel--or so Mommy thought--was going potty by herself, when I heard Gavin shouting "Mommy, Taylor's dumping soap in the toilet..." I went running of course--only to find--yes it's true, Taylor took the Big, Tall bottle of Baby wash and had lid off, upside down, dumping it right into the toilet! Ohhh! It's these moments that remind me of just how wonderful life is:) LOL!:)

(More updates coming soon).

My Favorite Picture

Five Years of Marriage!

Jerry Rice

...yes, we met Jerry Rice. As we were down in Tampa, FL celebrating our 5th anniversary, we went to Ybor City to Gameworks. It was a lot of fun! AS were waiting to play air hockey--I noticed "that guy from Dancing with the Stars"--he won ya know:)

Todd's aunt was rippin on him for his lack of skills in playing air hockey. --not knowing who he was. Todd got to shake his hand. It was quite cool. Here's the pics!

Update!

I cannot believe it is February already! Gavin will be 5 this month. -yikes!

We just celebrated our 5th anniversary last month. It is crazy.
Todd turned 27 too!

I am still taking classes. I will be done in August. I cannot wait -to say the least. I am tired and worn out.
I have taken on a tutoring job-as if I do not have enough on my plate:)
It is okay though.

Todd is still trying to get a job. It has been not so good. There is nothing in MI that is decent and doesn't require a masters degree plus.

Gavin is loving preschool and will be starting to read soon. He loves his teacher and is very excited to be going to school.

Taylor is potty trained!:) Big bonus for mommy!:) and She is sleeping in a big girl bed! --All of this and we are still waiting for her to start talking! She says a few words, but not quite there yet!

Todd and I faced a major challenge as adults and mommy and daddy a couple of weeks ago.
As some of you know Todd's Grandma (Bishop) passed away. As adults, we were prepared for it and not to say that it was easy by any means, but we were okay with it. The hardest part was trying to explain it to Gavin. He has asked more questions and is so curious about it. It is hard to be honest, but not create worry and fear. It was very hard to sit Gavin down and tell him. However, we think he is doing okay with it. He does not think of her as being dead though...in his words, "She is in Heaven--that's all." We were all close to her (as she has lived with Todd's parents for 9 or so years) and we are sad, but we know she has a new, healthy body-in Heaven!!:)

On that, our lives are busy as usual. And we are constantly coming up with more things to do or more places to go! Life is Life!
Please pray for Todd as we continue to look for a job for him. It is really hurting us. Also please pray for us as we continue on our journey--called life!:)

More fun in the Snow!

Gavin and Taylor had fun with some friends on Saturday! The snow was so heavy that we could not make snowmen. We had to just mound them up--in forms!:)

Pictured: Gavin, Taylor, Grant, Booklyn, and Michaela

Mommy had a SNOW DAY!

...Actually two in a row-woohoo~! 11 inches later, we are lovin the snow! It has been a long time since I have seen this much snow and such bad weather. For those that do not know-MI got hit with a major storm. Here are some of the pictures of our fun in the snow. As you can see Todd had quite the difficulty plowing the driveway. He had to do it in sections.


The kids loved making snow angels.--Well Gavin did mostly. Taylor just posed for Mommy!:)

Taylor preferred playing on her swing set. She fought me when I told her we were all done.
Todd and I pulled the kids on sleds out in the field next to the house. Taylor ended up falling asleep. All in all, it was a lot of fun and Mommy enjoyed having a little bit of a break!:)

Happy New Year

It's half way through January and I have not wished any holiday cheer to anyone! So Sorry! I hope everyone had a great holiday season. I know we did, but I am glad to be back to our normal routines.

Just a brief update on us all... we have all taken part in the winter bugs! Gavin spent the week before Christmas sick--and for once it skipped over Christmas and them Todd and Taylor got it and are still trying to get healthy from it.

I have been in a bit of a blogging slump. I have just not felt like getting and uploading our fun pics and chatting about whats been going on...sorry.

I will load some pictures soon.