Presidents on Parade

OMG...  My little sweet girl was born to perform.  Caitlin is so confident of herself!  I love this girl...  Her class, along with another second grade class put on the best performance this morning.  Several children memorized paragraphs about different presidents and performed patriotic songs as well.  Caitlin had James Buchanan.    She has had her part memorized for weeks.

She woke up early this morning and was waiting for me in the truck 15 minutes before we had to leave...  She is MY child!  I hate being late.  Actually I LOVE being very early.  She woke up early, took a shower, I did her hair and she begged me to get to school.  Madison of course woke up not feeling well and wanted to stay home sick today.  I did let her stay home because tomorrow is our BIG 5K event and I need her better!!!  It is ALWAYS something.

Caitlin and I picked up grandma on our way.  She did amazing.  That girl grabbed the microphone and clearly said her entire paragraph from memory without any problem...  Is it horrible that I wish I was as confident as my sweet Caitlin Ruby?!?!

Tomorrow is Madison's big day --- fingers crossed that she is feeling well :)

She is so excited about her high heels...

MY ANGEL!!!  I wish I could keep her forever almost 8 years old...

Not one nervous bone in her body!  She was amazing.

FAMILY

I am so thankful for family...  I have really been struggling with this shoulder.  I NEED to be able to function and most importantly run/exercise/work out.  That is MY stress reliever.  I have had several injuries in the past few years, but this one is by far the most debilitating.  I just found out that I will have surgery June 5.  It will be an open surgery and Dr. Sytsma will be cleaning everything up in there.  I have a bone spur, labrum tear, rotator cuff fraying, bicep tendon reattached.  However, my wonderful family has been exceptional lately.

* My sisters have offered to come and help me out with the kids and send me great text messages.
* My parents came to visit with me.
* My kids have been doing more and more for themselves - and giving me extra LOVING!!!!
* Brett has listened to me moan, groan, cry and LET IT ALL OUT.  He might deserve a medal:)
* My wonderful friends have dragged me out of my house to just hang out and take my mind of this.
* Chad/ Shannon and clan came last weekend.

Thank you to ALL of you...  There is light at the end of my tunnel - maybe a little darker for a few days after June 5, but then bring on the SUMMER!!!!

GOTR practice 5K...  We ran the WHOLE 3.1 miles!!!

Chad was finally able to get to Bell's

OBERON ---  

Caitlin and Ava ---  we barely see them when they are together...

TROUBLE ---  WAR

Friends...

Happy Mother's Day

My Mother's Day celebration was great this year!!!!!  I have been struggling with my shoulder and have been getting more and more pain and less mobility everyday --- UGH!!!! My family has been spoiling me a little and extending "Mother's Day" through out the week.  Tomorrow is the day that I've have been looking for for quite some time now.  FINALLY meeting with the surgeon to schedule surgery.  I'm very excited and a tad nervous all at the same time.

I was also able to celebrate with my own mother.  My dad and mom came down for Mother's Day weekend.  It was a special treat.  They haven't made it to my house for about a year!!!!  My girls made me my very own special fleece blanket.  I've been wanting one for a very long time now.  Of course I got tons of special hand made things that I treasure as well.  I LOVE being a mom to these three amazing children...

"Mornings with MOM" at school --- bittersweet day.  My last time at this event!  Cait moves to the later elementary next year:)  

A HUGE Milestone

FINALLY.......
No car seats in my truck!  It has been almost 12 years of car seats.  We just took out the last little booster.  Caitlin is so proud.  Yes, she is a few weeks early, but June 1st will be here before you know it.  It has also been really nice to have Blake and Madison both able to sit up front with me.  I love the company and all the help with the radio, garage doors, etc.

They are growing up fast, but thankfully still young at heart.  It has been a little tradition that our kids sleep with me ONLY when Brett is gone.  We have never let them sleep with us at any other time.  I was able to have each of them sleep with me this past weekend.  It is super sweet and priceless to crawl into bed with them there and then to wake up with them all snuggled up next me.

I also left my three kids at home solo for a few hours Friday night.  I went out to dinner with a few girlfriends.  I was very nervous, but the kids did great and loved every minute of it!!!!  My friend Erica is moving soon.  We are trying to spend as much time as possible together.  I even had a date at Sam's club with her just this morning :)

Blake and Izzy in my bed!!

Madison LOVES to read

Im going to miss this girl...  Friday Night Art Hop

Things to Remember

Time is flying by...  I often look at these sweet children and get a little sad :)  I've also been putting together a photo book for our wonderful friends that are moving in just a few short weeks.  We have known them for 5 years and the kids were just babies when we met.  It will be a very sad day when they move, but I have been talking about it a lot with my kids...  Trying hard to prep them.

Here are two pics from our first day together...  UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

I dropped Blake off at school this morning for 6th grade camp.   He was so excited.  I planned this extra special morning together.  He actually just couldn't wait to get to school and jump out of the truck...  He is so grown up!!!  He did hug me in front of his buddies...  I'll treasure those hugs forever...  We will miss you while you are gone Blake.  He spends 2 nights/three days away.

Blake at Alligator Alley in Alabama

I spent a day with Madison on her 4th grade field trip to Lansing.  It was the BEST field trip ever.  Or was it the 1.5 hour car ride with 4 other wonderful ladies.  We all decided to drive together and meet the busses there--- brilliant plan!!!!

We toured the capital building and a historical museum on Michigan.

Madison has been the most sweet, helpful child of  mine with this shoulder injury.  She has spent quite a bit of time in the kitchen helping me and her little sister out.  For that, I am very thankful!  However, at the bus stop this morning she did say that I was USELESS...  I quickly responded, "WHAT???"  She laughed and said that I had a coffee in my good hand and then commented on how my left arm is always in my pocket...  She is so honest :)

Caitlin, Caitlin, Caitlin....  OMG, this girl is hilarious----  She LOVES pointing out how she is mini Carrie and seeing all our similarities.  It is super cute!  However, she ALWAYS adds, "except all your wrinkles!"   hahaha

As far as me ----  I've been trying hard to get comfortable with this horrible shoulder!  I am NOT very good at resting and hangin' low...   Just waiting to hear back on surgery date!!!!  I did get surprised with some new wheels...  It is pretty bad A**!!!!

Check out the snacks, iPad, phone right next to me:)

Parenting tips!!!

Ok, I know that I say it all the time, but my kids are the BEST!!!!  They constantly amaze me...  I learned yet another "tip" from Blake.  He is our hero!!!!  

We arrived home about 5pm Sunday night from our road trip to gulf shores.  I told the kids to find something outside to do while Brett and I unpacked, started laundry, got dinner together, went through mail, etc...

Blake came in several times and was trying to tell me something---  as awful as it sounds, I wasn't listening to him and kept telling him to go outside;(. Bad, bad mommy!!!

While tucking the kids in he was adamant  about showing me something outside.  He told me that there were sparks in the woods along the power cord to the barn.  I again ignored him and tucked him in.   

About 9:00 in the midst of a huge thunderstorm, I happened to look out the window and saw fireworks in my backyard....  Gladly, Brett was home and could turn off the breaker and unplug the cord...  I might have slightly freaked out---  I felt horrible and ran up to Blake's room.  He was fast asleep.  I still haven't lived this one down with this boy!  We went out the next day to check it all out.  I will TRY harder to listen to my children;)

I also went on a field trip with Caitlin this week to the nature center in the SNOW.  My girl is so well liked by others....

Sweet Madison is amazing in girls on the run.  Last year was a little rough, but this year, it couldn't be going better.

We are all hoping for spring weather very soon, especially after a beautiful week in Alabama.

Blake's new thing!!!  I love it;). Guess who picked it out and bought it for him????  I made a smart decision and opted out of riding it.  Two cortisone shots, pt, and an MRI is hopefully enough for me!!!!  I'm learning...in my OLD age.

Crazy Days

Between snow days, power outage day, conferences - (yes, another day off of school), Blake home sick today ,girls on the run preparation and practice, physical therapy three times a week and just our "regular" activities... I'm ready for a vacation!!!  Did I mention that it is still snowing today????  Ugh!!!  We are heading to Gulf Shores one week from today with our wonderful friends.  The kids are so excited to vacation with their friends;)

Blake loving basketball

Caitlin's adorable report

Some of my favorite people in good ol' k-zoo.

Madison's 4th grade music program!

Blake cleaning up after the dogs...  Haha!  It is the "new" punishment at our house.