Girls on the RUN

Girls on the Run is so AMAZING...  I officially ended my second season of coaching yesterday.  We had our celebration with the girls.  I can never say enough wonderful things about this program.  EVERY girl should be a part of the program.  Thankfully Madison wants to do it again next year and Caitlin can also join us.

This year I had a few girls from my team last year and a few more new faces.  I meet with the girls for 20 lessons.  We quickly build a great little bond because we start right in on what makes us UNIQUE...  These girls walk away with a little more self confidence, skills to help with bullies, being grateful for friends/family, goal setting skills, dealing with emotions, being healthy and hopefully a desire to get out and exercise a little more.

I really do love doing this program with my own daughter...

Our community service project was OPERATION STICKY NOTE...  We placed tons of sticky notes around the school with positive sayings on them.  The girls loved every second of doing it.  Funny how some BOYS' lockers were covered with sticky  notes:)

We made a tutu for all the girls...  They loved them!

Getting ready

The Mattawan TEAM...

My running buddy...  Funny how this year she gave me encouragement to run.  My shoulder was not happy about running 3.1 miles :(  Half way though she even looked at me and said that her shoulder was hurting...  Love this kid!!!!!

Forever Friends....

I LOVE this girl...

Pink and purple hair

Great Mattawan MOMMIES!!!!

Thanks for coming DADDY!!!!

Madison rocked the house.  We ran the entire way!!!!!

Priceless MOMENT...  Mom and Daughter POWER!!!!!

Enough is ENOUGH

What a great weekend with friends and family...  However, I am pretty beat up this morning.  When will I EVER learn?????  I'm sure that this CRAZY, ADVENTUROUS side of me is exactly why I'm heading in for major shoulder surgery.

I had the best intentions to take it easy with the boat this weekend.  I was so excited to put the boat on the lake for the first time.  We had the whole LONG weekend with friends on the lake.  UGH...  Of course, I couldn't just sit back and relax...  I'm paying for it today.  I'm so looking forward to June 5!!!!!!

I actually was thinking that riding the wave runner would be ok.  OR if I hurt my arm more this is the best time to do it ... BEFORE surgery!    I guess I forgot about hurting other things in the process.  I'm sitting here with a super sore mouth, jaw, and butt :(  I've ridden things my whole life.  I was feeling so confident about taking Madison for a ride on the wave runner.  BOY was I wrong...  

As soon as I climbed on I knew it was a little crazy.  It is weird how you are so much more clumsy when you can't actually use part of your body.  I can barely even use my arm for anything these days. I couldn't even actually open a bag of chips earlier that day.  We started off with no problem, UNTIL the fuel line was never turned on and we completely stopped.  That was flip #1...  I ended up freaking out when I knew that we were going over and put my face right in the back of Madison's head.  Thankfully she thought it was hilarious.  AGAIN, I should have called it quits...  I dragged myself back up on one handed and took off.  Of course I was a tad more nervous now because my lip was bleeding pretty badly and my shoulder was on fire.  I had Madison drive for a bit to give me a break.  THEN my visor flew off...  Madison was determined to go back for it.  Of course we flipped over again and I fell really hard on the side of the wave runner...  I did call it quits after that, but still had to get back up on and ride it in...

The sweet thing out of the horrible ride was how protective Madison was of me.  On the first flip, she quickly asked if I had a life jacket on...  I said, "Yes, Why???"  She said that she knew that I couldn't swim with my bad shoulder....  She turned around and saw my lip bleeding and asked me if you could bleed to death from your lip.  I quickly said, "I sure hope not"!!!!!  My kids are being so sweet with me....

I AM GOING TO LAY LOW FOR THE NEXT WEEK....

All ready for another great summer

Loving the new TOWER

My crazy 3 children

Never too old to fall asleep on the way home...

Parade

Claire and Caitlin... BFF's

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:)