2014

Happy New Year!

It has been a while since I have written a post and while there is certainly a lot of wonderfulness, festiveness, and all over just some fun with the four of us which has happened, I spent the end of 2013 reflecting on our year.  It really was a year of growth, new beginnings, and so many firsts individually and as a family.  However, as we are continuously reminded time does not stand still.  So we are moving forward and looking forward to making 2014 just as blessed!

I'm not really sure how I feel about resolutions because I often find myself disappointed when I don't follow through or fall off track.  So this year I am refocusing on a few goals...

• Living in the moment - so often in the craziness of life I find myself saying I'll work out tomorrow, or am sitting at one of Reece's sporting events surfing the internet instead of watching the "game", or simply just not being present in the moment, especially with the boys.  As time is fleeting I want to be able to say I am engaged in school when its school, being a wife, or being a mom when my boys need me.  Everything else can wait!

• Being satisfied - This goes hand in hand with living in the moment.  We have had many big changes in our lives in 2013 but I often found myself not truly being satisfied.  As a result I am often saying "well when..." I remember telling Gregg when we met 12 years ago that if we don't appreciate where we are, we never will appreciate where we are going.  I want to make this my short term and long term goal.  Tomorrow is going to happen regardless, therefore I need to focus on making the most of today.  Also and maybe more importantly I have realized I cannot be my best at everything which often leads to the dissatisfaction, so simplification is key!

• A few small points that will help me in reaching these goals...
• Meal Plan
• Make exercise a regular part of my routine not just when training for a race
• Make the time to read a book (and not a teaching book)

So its time to get busy...

Holiday photos

Now that Christmas is upon us we wanted to share a few pictures and our Christmas card....

"How long is this gonna take Mom??"
(notice Reece WOULD NOT wear a pair of dress shoes, only so many battles I will fight!)

One way to get a natural smile out of Reece is to involve sports:)!

Love, love, love this picture of Graham

Our Christmas card 2013

Overall I think the picture captures the boys spirit exactly and holding hands (ahhhh)!  

The finish line!

Disclaimer: I struggle letting many people into my core but I decided that I owe it to myself to write this moment down.

I have spent the better half of ten years wishing for more for myself.  I have decided several times to go back to school but then life always happened - we moved across the country twice, I found a new somewhat fulfilling job, I became a mom, the list goes on leaving the end result that I didn't follow through.  

Then it happened, the day I walked into the education program at Oakland University.  I was as nervous as I was excited.  But more importantly I knew this time was different!  The past two in half years have been an emotional, financial, and even physical stress on myself, the boys, and my family.  I have had every reason to take a semester off - a difficult pregnancy, a newborn baby, financial stress, or just trying to raise two boys.  However, I also had every reason to see it through.  I have quit a lot of things in my life especially when the going gets hard, but this opportunity as I saw it was my time to do it right!

In all the times I wondered if I could get through I would receive an evaluation or a grade reassuring me that becoming a teacher is exactly what I am meant to do.  So I dug my heels in(or lets be honest, flats )  and am finishing my classes with honors (what a difference 10 years makes;)

As my dad told me years ago "If you follow your dream of finding a career, the rest will fall into place"

Today I finally feel like I am at a place where I am happy and content with myself.  While I know I have a long an important road ahead with my student teaching, I can look back today and realize that all the hard work and sacrifice has been worth it.  I have learned a tremendous amount about myself, my marriage, the resilience of kids and the value of true friendship.  

I often tell myself and I certainly don't expect other people to understand, but I know I haven't chosen the easiest road.  Today I do know that I FINALLY DID IT! I have followed my dream of becoming a teacher and I could not be happier or more content with making this happen.  If nothing else I hope my boys learn that following a dream is more than just showing up and working hard.  

I have spent a long time envisioning this moment, completing my last class, and I can say that I feel as excited and nervous now as I did the first day I pulled onto campus.  I do know that today I feel a bit wiser, a little smarter and hopefully much more prepared to be a successful teacher!!

Graham is 16 Months!

As we close out 15 months, one word come to mind - CHAOS!

Graham has grown and changed so much since last month so we will begin with 

his milestones:

He is a walker, and almost a runner.
Once he gained his confidence after about a month of taking a few steps here and there, let me tell you this little man has taken off and hasn't looked back (except he learned tonight how to walk backward)

Graham cut two more teeth, on the bottom.  Now he has a total of 8.

He is climbing and may even be part monkey!  Graham wants to climb up on everything from the couch, to the dishwasher, and even including the easel.  So much for stairs...

Graham has learned how to scream.  AND yes he realizes that not only does this get Mom and Dad's attention but everyone in the near proximity so screaming trumps words every time ! (This needs to stop) 

What Mommy???

Sleep:

I am happy to say Graham has been sleeping great.  He sleeps about twelve hours at night and takes two naps during the day anywhere from 1 to 2 and half hours each.  This allows us some sanity during the day because no joke, Graham is a Texas Tornado when he is awake.  Needless to say we treasure some calm and quite at nap time!

Diet:

The ladies at daycare say they have never seen a baby eat as much as Graham.  While he isn't quite that good at home, we cannot complain, he is a pretty good eater.  Some of his favorite foods are blueberries, bananas, strawberries, cheesy eggs, any kind of pasta, and the top of the list is "ookie" or cookie which could be a graham cracker, fruit bar, or on dad's mornings home with the boys yes those breakfast chocolate chip cookies;)  

Likes:

Graham absolutely loves reading books.  His favorite seem to be any Eric Carle book.  He will bring us the "uck, uck" (the one with a duck in it) book or the "grrr"(what a baby bear says) book non stop.  He then climbs right up next to us and sits (yes he actually stops and sits for a book!) SWEETNESS! A close second are the Baby Einstein stackable blocks "ocks".  He loves to watch me stack them up, count them, then knock them down, over, and over again!  He loves to pull or throw anything just because he can.  This could be the toilet paper roll, the folded laundry, Reece's homework, usually something we mistakenly left in reach.

Graham loves to play hide and seek.  His favorite spot is under the kitchen table.  He loves Mondays with his Nana and going to Gymboree.  He has learned several of the songs and dances, which is so cute to see him mimic or dance to.

FIrst bounce house adventure

Dislike:

Graham wants nothing to do with being restrained, in his car seat, in a grocery store, at a restaurant, or even just getting his diaper changed or dressed.  We are quickly getting refreshed on wrestling a baby to simply put socks on which are pulled off in a matter of seconds.  Also Graham hates to not be able to do or have exactly what his big brother has.  Good thing Reece loves him so much!  Graham seems to become overwhelmed in settings which are new or a lot of chaos (which is kinda ironic considering the chaos he travels with).  

This smile lights up our day!

It has been a wild 16 months Graham.  Daddy and I look at each other everyday and cannot believe how lucky we are that God gave us you.  You have brought so much laughter, joy, and holy personality, all which complete our little family! 

We are so blessed that your ours!!

XOXO

Halloween Recap

Its been a full week of festivities leading up to Halloween.  We begin with a brunch and all things Halloween at my parents Country Club on Sunday.  It was complete with a pumpkin bounce house, cookie decorating, and a magic show.  Photo taking was anything other than easy but we did manage to get a few cute ones.

Donald Duck was the perfect costume for Graham because he has really just taken off walking the past few weeks.  He has the perfect Donald waddle complete with "Quack Quack!!"  when you ask if what a duck says!

Power Ranger Reece's highlight, cookie making with toppings galore!

All week the meteorologists had been calling for bad weather on Thursday but we were confident in normal Michigan manner the weather would change.  Unfortunately this time they hit it dead on:(!  So while it poured down rain with high winds all day yesterday, the rain turn to a light mist right around 6 pm and it made trick or treating much more manageable.  

Halloween brought out round two of costumes!

It was a full day of activities beginning with a costume party for Graham at Chuck E Cheese.  My mom, Nana took Graham.  He won for the best costume, and of course we think they made a great choice!

I took a half day so I could be at Reece's Halloween party and parade at his school.  Because of the weather the parade was moved inside.  It's always a fun afternoon!

Reece and his buddy Aidan at their school party

We had some of our good friends from school join us for dinner and trick or treating.  While I was originally on the fence about bringing Graham out, when the weather improved we went for it, and so glad we did!  Our neighborhood really makes trick or treating a big celebration not only for the kids but also the adults.  This year certainly did not disappoint.  

Halloween 2013 was the best yet!!

Halloween festivities

Back in August when it was warm, sunny, and 80 degrees outside we decided it would be a great idea to host a pumpkin carving party.  Even though our house is little we have a lot of space on the lake and despite the preparing we love to entertain.  It has been many years since we had a pumpkin carving party but decided we wanted to start the tradition again.  

So Saturday was our pumpkin carving party.  Despite our high hopes of a beautiful fall day at the lake we had high winds, rain, sleet, hail and even a few snow showers move through.  As a result the party got moved to the front of the house and oh yes THE GARAGE:(!  (We certainly sacrifice on space for lake living) But once the weather cleared it was nothing outdoor heaters and a few tents couldn't fix!

All that being said the party was exactly what we hope for, kids everywhere, lots of yummy fall food and drinks, a bonfire, and great friends!

so Pumpkin Carving Festivities 2013...

 (At the beverage station we served cider, wine, beer, juice, and water)

Thanks to Pinterest I got some great ideas for a chili bar complete with all the fixins'

 Our topping selections included onions, red peppers, jalapenos, blue cheese, shredded cheddar, avocado, sour cream, corn bread, and Fritos

The Halloween snack mix was a big hit thanks to the idea I found here.  

(I added Reece's pieces, candy corn, and halloween sprinkles to make it appropriate for the festivities)

The center pieces were an idea from Pinterest.  I used mason jars with burlap string around the top, filled the bottom with corn kernels, and added an orange votive candle

This proved to me my hardest task.  Holy cow who knew finding witches hats around Halloween would be so challenging, but after my Mom's help they were the perfect touch!

The calm after the storm!

Don't be fooled by this moment of calmness - preparing and hosting a party with a 15 month old has developed a whole new meaning to chaos...

We had some serious pumpkin carvers.  Many people came with their pumpkins already cleaned out, note to self - genius idea!

Our best attempt at most of the kiddos

Showing off their and um yes the parents hard work:)!!

Enjoying a brief moment together:)!

Kids are fast asleep and time to turn up the music and enjoy a couple of cocktails by the bonfire!

I have to say all the hard work was worth it, we had a blast and hope all our friends did also!  We are continuing the Halloween festivities this week and hoping the Michigan meteorologist are wrong with their Trick or Treating forecast!!! 

9 Years!

October 9, 2004

4 pm Mackinaw Island, MI

 I became your wife!

One of my proudest accomplishments

I sit here reflecting and reminiscing on all the moments we have shared and while it certainly has not always been an easy road, I couldn't feel luckier that you are my husband!

You are the first person I want to share my exciting news, or my sadness.  You are the one person who can make me smile wider or laugh harder than anyone else. You are the person I want to sit next to and share a beer.  You are the person I look to for support when I don't know what to wear.  You rarely tell me no:)! 

You are the person who makes me feel most secure.  You are the person who makes me stretch further than is comfortable.  You are my biggest cheerleader.  You are the person who expects more from me than I even know I am capable of.  You are my soft place to fall.  And you are the one person who I know will love me through it all.  

I feel incredibly proud of the family we have built and the lives we are living these past 9 years.  I feel incredibly blessed that God has given me you to call my husband.  

It has been an incredible journey and I know the best is yet to come.  I look forward to sharing and celebrating our marriage the rest of our lives.  Thank you for being my husband, Gregg!

Happy 9 years Babe!

I love you