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.

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited their doctor's office more than my doctor and sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes: I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.
I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.
If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music, a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals, and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.
If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.
It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.
> Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is calling and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back.
Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet. (you promised me last year you would lose some weight with me so next year I could be a cute size two blonde...ok, some requests go too far, but none the less.....)

Yours Always,
MOM...

P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children, healthy, safe and of course, young enough to always believe in Santa.

Seven Wonders of the World

Watch this video--it is so true. What we take for granted and don't take the time to actually sit and think about. "Thank you dear Lord, for everything you have given to me and my family. We are so Blessed! Amen."

Family Time in Camo in the Leaves

Look at that Family!
This is what its all about!
Walking in the leaves! (Don't be fooled--Daddy is NOT having fun!):)LOL
Family Time is priceless--Mommy and Daddy look on as the kids play with the leaves!
Now, if she isn't the cutest thing you have every seen!:)

Happy Belated Fall!

Mommy and Taylor pose for "Camo" Pictures! Gavin, Taylor, and Mason pose for Pumpkin Pictures. First weekend of October and it was 87 degrees out. Gavin, Taylor and Grandma Albright walking in the leaves. Taylor throwing the leaves. The last picture says it all--Okay, we're done posing, Grandma! Ooopsy Daisy!:)

Halloween!

Okay! I know it has been too belated, but here are our halloween Fairy and Boxer! We had two harvest parties and way TOO much candy!

One gigantic slide, a moon walk, hay rides, carving punkins, and pony rides! Mommy is beginning to think Halloween CHAOS is way over rated. Is it really worth all of it? Not sure?!?!?!?!

My kids love it though! Baby Mason was adorable!

Taylor was beautiful and even wore makeup! Gavin had a black eye, but if you asked him, he said, "he came out on top"! LOL!!!!!:)

Mommy and Daddy were dressed as chaperones--oh wait --that doesn't take a costume--that's just how it is!:) LOL!

Another Reminder to be Thankful for my Family!

Todd and the kids were in an accident yesterday afternoon. He was in Perry driving home and saw a lady coming off the exit ramp--flying, not stopping...he stopped abruptly and she swerved and slammed into him--head on! Everyone is okay! Taylor actually slept through the whole thing. To make a long story short, she was drunk, unmedicated manic depressent, on Suicide Watch b/c she had already threatened to kill herself and her kids (who were in the car with her). She was arrested-duh!:) and Family had to come get her children. She was so intoxicated, she thought she was in Imlay City! She had some verbal rage she lashed out at Todd, threatening to kill him and kill our kids. Gavin only knows that "the lady had to get handcuffed because she was nuaghty and mean to the policeman." Thank the Lord that is all he knows--that is enough in itself!

The EMT's checked Todd, Gavin, and Taylor over before they were allowed to leave.

As Todd and I were talking last night about the whole incident, I was flooded with emotions.
I know as soon as I heared about it my initial reactionw as PANIC> is everyone okay, where are you, the kids? Are the kids okay? Then I moved to EMOTIONAL WRECK>I need to get home and kiss and hug on them. I did! I gave them each a kiss and hugged and squeezed--and held on tight! and told them how much I LOVE THEM! Then I moved to ANGER> what was that woman thinking--she not only jeopardized her own life, but her kids, MY kids, and MY husband! OH the nerve! and more ANGER b/c by the sounds of it, the police knew there were issues with this woman, and yet she was still allowed on the road, and possession of her children.
Then I moved to PRIDE-I am so proud of the way Todd handled the whole situation. At first, she was trying to give him her wedding ring, checkbook, anything to get him to not call the police. He tried calming her down, telling her not to talk of killing herself, that she needed to check on her kids. etc. He was paying attention too--right from the beginning. He saw her coming and stopped to lessen the impact! Then he said, he felt bad for the two small kids, but he is glad she was stopped then and not 70-80 mph on the freeway killing everyone involved! How TRUE!
Then I moved to THANKFUL!-I don't think I can say it enough, I AM SO THANKFUL FOR MY FAMILY!!!! I am still htere...I am so thankful for Gavin, Taylor, and Todd! I love them all so much!
I told Todd, I want to go out and buy a huge bed so that we can all sleep together and I don't ever have to let them out of my sight--He chuckled and then said, yeah, but then you wouldn't be trusting the Lord to take care of them either! Hmm! More praying and thinking to do~