Archive for October, 2009

I fear the germs are creeping in – Jake has a fever (low grade) and his teacher was out for the last 2 days of school with the flu. I heard quite a bit of coughing and sneezing while at our elementary school yesterday. I think illness is inevitable – no matter how often my kids wash their hands or use hand sanitizer, the germs are everywhere. I’ve not been feeling too well the past few days either.

I’ve been willing the germs out – next will be high vitamin C intake. I plan on drinking OJ until it comes out of my ears and then give that much to my kids.

It has to work. It just has to work.

(The church from The Sound of Music – Salzburg, Austria)

My big boys raised $115.00 each for their school fundraiser! The children who raised over 100 dollars had their names put into a drawing for a chance to go in the school’s “Money Machine”. Well, my boy Jake’s name was picked. He’s following in his big brother’s footsteps – Will’s name was also chosen when he was in Kindergarten!

Jake was incredibly nervous – he was so afraid he wouldn’t grab any money and everyone would laugh at him The awesome gym teacher, Mr. K. got everyone ready. We watched some of his friends go in and everyone grabbed something. It was my boy’s turn and he ROCKED that money machine. He walked out with 6 dollars! He had the highest amount of anyone that I saw go in there and his big brother only got 2 dollars. He was quite proud of himself

8 years. 8 years of loads of ups and loads of downs. He has less hair and I have more stretch marks. We both have a little bit more around the middle, too.

We got married in the courthouse, in downtown Annapolis, Maryland. We had no attendants or witnesses – it was just us. We stopped on our way to the courthouse, to buy a small bouquet. I still have the receipt.

We were married by a VERY animated man, who served as both our official AND our photographer. We had a disposable camera – as he was having us recite our vows, he was snapping pictures. We tried REALLY hard not to laugh.

After we were officially married, we walked to our favorite bar and had yummy cheese fries and cheap champagne.

I remember standing at the top of Main Street, downtown. B was on the phone and I was looking down at the harbour. I remember so vividly thinking that I had just done the most perfect thing for myself. I had spent years doing perfect things for other people, whether or not they were perfect for me. I had finally done something for myself. I was thrilled to be married to Brian. I am still thrilled, 8 years later.

Happy Anniversary, my love.

Today, my husband and I are headed to “The Big House” – University of Michigan’s football stadium. Michigan is playing my alma mater, Delaware State University. The score is not going to be pretty, my friends. The real reason I want to go is to see the band, “The Approaching Storm”. The youtube video above shows the drumline in action, but this video doesn’t do them justice AT ALL. The band is phenomenal. I saw TAS throughout my high school years, in our local Halloween parade and everyone was always so excited to see them – they truly put on a great show.

Sadly, I never saw them play at a football game in college. In fact, I’ve never seen my alma mater play football. Ever. I’ll leave the reason for another time. My college experience wasn’t one that I fondly recall. I went there to get my degree and that was it. There was no trying to get the “real college experience” (i.e., parties, sororities, roommates, etc.)

Anyway, I’m very excited to spend the day with my love, sans kids (WOOT!). My babies will have fun here with my fabulous babysitter.

My mom bought me a Delaware State University sweatshirt to wear to the game (only one I’ve ever owned. I didn’t wear a single DSU clothing item the entire 4 years I went to school there.) I’m almost certain that, aside from the band, players AND coaching staff, I’ll be the only person there cheering for Delaware State.

I’m sure it will be on TV tomorrow – you should be able to find me easily.

Me on Mt. Pilatus in Switzerland (near Lucerne)

I don’t remember any trying times from the 2nd year of my older boys’ lives. They were both pretty even keeled. While we did experience the occasional tantrum, those 2 years were fun and not too eventful.

So, I believe what I’m experiencing now is called payback and Henry is only 1 1/2. It must be the 3rd child thing. Henry…oh, Henry. The cord being wrapped around his neck should have been my first glimpse into the trouble this child would be involved in.

The hard surfaces in our house should beware – Henry has taken to banging his head on anything hard that’s near him. He’ll do it once, then scream. Then, he does it again and screams. He’ll repeat it until I tell him to stop. Then, he throws himself on the floor.

Being told no is not on my boy’s top 10 list of fun things. I have a feeling the next year and a half is going to be lots of fun around here.

Anyone know these guys? (If not, I’ll tell you at the end!)
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There’s almost nothing better to me than time spent with good friends, good food and fellowship. That’s how I spent my Friday and Saturday this week and it was wonderful.

Five of us moms headed out to Grand Rapids, MI, (in a mini-van! ha!) to attend Hearts at Home.

Hearts at Home is a ministry to moms. It’s a Friday evening/full Saturday filled with great speakers, comedians, great music and time spent together. We laugh, we cry, we lift each other up and grow as moms, as wives and most importantly, in Jesus.

I was able to see these great people:

Dr. Kevin Leman He’s a dynamic, fabulous speaker on all things parenting!

Sally Baucke SUPER funny comedian who is a mom to 3 boys.

Jill Savage She’s the founder of Hearts at Home. She’s a mom to 6!

Karen Ehman I was blessed to see Karen speak at a MOPS meeting, too. She spoke on Saturday about getting your life in order and how to get rid of clutter, etc. etc. I can’t wait to put some of her ideas into use.

Mary Beth and Curt Whelan They’re an awesome husband and wife team who talk about debt and how to get out of it.

Go Fish (That’s who “those guys” are in the picture above!) They sing AWESOME kid’s music that doesn’t drive parents insane. It’s true, too They’re super nice guys and all dads themselves.

In addition to all of the great speakers, there are also lots of vendors selling books, t-shirts, etc. I always spend way too much money when I go.

Compassion was there, too – I started sponsoring my sweet boy Aime a year ago, at Hearts at Home.

The whipped cream on top of this cake of a weekend – I slept in a big, comfy bed, in quiet, cold (I like it cold) hotel room ALL BY MYSELF. I read a book, in peace and quiet. I watched what I wanted to watch on TV. I took a shower in silence, without someone banging on the bathroom door. I ate entire meals while they were still warm. I was able to talk without being interrupted 100 times.

The cherry on top of this cake of a weekend – coming home. While eating whole meals in one sitting and taking quiet showers is nice, HOME is where I long to be.

I’m heading out in a few hours. Some friends and I are road tripping it to the opposite side of the state to attend a conference called Hearts at Home.

You can click on Hearts at Home to read more about the conference. It’s a great time of fellowship, laughs, tears and learning for moms of any age. This is my 2nd year going and I always feel good when I come home. I feel like I’m ready to tackle more of my job as a mom AND as a wife.

Unfortunately, this is the last year of the conference here in Michigan. Next year, it will be in Illinois. I’m always up for a road trip though – we’ll just make an entire weekend out of it!

Have a good weekend, y’all! I’ll be back late tomorrow evening, but I’ll post a recap on Sunday.

and now, he’s one and a half. This morning, I had several moms at the school my older boys attend ask how old Henry was. I had one mom say she remembered when I was pregnant with him. I remember it, too. Like it was yesterday.

Eighteen months have flown by – much, much faster than I’d like. He’s turned into such an awesome, fun little boy with a big personality. I’m afraid that I’m going to blink again and then, he’ll be on his way to Kindergarten. He starts day care on Monday – just one day a week. I’ll use that one day a week for doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping, hair appointments AND to help in the classrooms of my other 2 boys. I’m hoping Henry will spend those days learning and playing with other little kids. I, too, hope that he’ll want to come back to his mama at the end of day care day. Mama can only handle so many hours of being away.