Must-Do List

I will be finishing up blogging about our yearly cottage vacation. I think I only have 2 short posts to write. It's been fun looking at all the warm summery pictures as the snow has been flying outside. I remember that it was so hot at the cottage this past summer that it was hard to even sleep. We were using as many fans as we could to keep the air moving at night... such good memories.

Every year we have the unwritten "must do" list. On this list includes things like: Eating Ice cream, home made cinnamon bread for breakfast, monkey bread for breakfast, at least one fire on the beach (smores included), trip to the fun park, family picnic, the list goes on and on.

So today I will share pictures of some of our yearly must-do's.

Early morning games with Uncle Andy and the boys - this picture is rare because the Mom's usually don't do the early morning thing. Uncle Andy is up EARLY and about the time the Mom's get up, he is heading back to bed for a nap.

Family Picnic - We usually take one afternoon/evening to invite my family out to the cottage. Andy makes some killer brats and the rest of the family brings side dishes to pass and we make a fun day out of it.

Games with Nana - During our picnic one of my boys finds Nana (and usually PopPop) to play a game with them.

Self Portrait - Carey and I like to take pictures of ourselves every year. We have a lot of fun with it and this year Kevin had my camera for one of our many mini photo sessions.

So this year I decided that we needed to start taking a picture of the men together, all serious like, and this is what I got...

I am starting another new yearly picture, one of Daddy and his little girl. **sniff.sniff.**

Here is the final picture.... an honorable mention.... Kevin and his "Surprise Face" I am thinking that I need to add this to our yearly must-do's.

And on that face.... I mean note, I will be signing off.

Blessings!!

The night of the Freighter

We love freighters and as I continue to chronicle last year, I will be sharing lots of pictures of freighters. Most of which, come from our trip up-north, when we were up at the Soo Locks. But on one very hot evening in August, while eating dinner, we gazed out the cottage slider to see a freighter silently slipping by. We watched to see if it would enter the channel.

Living in Michigan, and having the great privilege of spending lots of time at the cottage on the lake and also, taking trips up-north, we have encountered many, many freighters and every time we see one, we are just as excited as if we were seeing our first. But for our cousins, who live in another state, the sight of a freighter is even more exciting. So we finished eating dinner, cleaned everything up and headed down to the pier to watch it come in.

We got there right on time. All the kids just stood there, some waved at the men, as they watched it pass by.

Tyler had the binoculars, of course the ship was really so close you didn't need them, but I think he just likes to look at the crew's nose hairs.

And since we were down by the pier, we took that opportunity to take some pictures of the kids.

Then I took some of the parental units that bring all these kids our way every year.

It was really great to see the ship come in and we did get to see it leave as well. Just one more reason this side of the pond is so great!

Blessings!!

Here You Go Kev...

I think I got reprimanded, in a round about way, last night from my hubby for not posting on this for awhile. My bad.... It has been awhile. Although I have "written" several posts in my head, I haven't had the time to type them all out. Life seems to be on fast forward right now.

So in honor of my dear and loving husband..... Enjoy!

I don't think I will ever understand the love of digging a hole in the sand and sitting in it.
The sand that finds it's way into..... YUCK!

He was in the hole so long he decided to take a nap, or something like that, not quite sure what he was doing here.
But he was sure proud of himself and all that he accomplished on this beautiful day.
And because I am his wife and I love this man with all my heart, I got down in that yucky sand and posed for a picture with him.
Blessings!!

Ramblings of my Heart

Today is one of those days. I stayed in bed longer then I should have, I taught school in my PJ's, my bed has yet to be made, there are clean dishes in the dishwasher and dirty dishes in the sink, and here I am on the computer, but I am OK with that for today.

I have been battling a sinus infection that has been wearing me out. Last night I woke up because I couldn't breath and was awake from 3am until about 7am. Like I said, it's just one of those days...

We are finally seeing some snow, which has me happy, but I need to run some errands and since my little spin on the M-6, I am kind of chicken to venture out, if the roads are bad.

Tonight starts the visitation for a close friend of the family. She passed away unexpectedly, and it has my heart feeling sad. I hurt for my friend who lost her mother way before one should lose a mother. I hurt for the Grandkids who will no longer have a grandma. I hurt for her husband who lost his wife. But so thankful that she is now dancing with Jesus...

Not looking forward to the funeral because I know that I will cry buckets of tears and with a sinus infection, that is never a pretty sight or a pleasant experience.

Thinking that the family will be overwhelmed with the outpouring of love from all the lives that this crazy, special women has touched.

Excited and sad that my friend's ordination is this Sunday and now, the day that so many have been waiting and praying for, is finally here and my friend has to bury her mother a day before she is officially a Chaplain. Again, I am sure that Sunday my eyes will be pouring out buckets of tears. My heart just aches...

Excited that our yearly trip to Great Wolf Lodge is almost here. Excited that we get to spend almost 3 days with the people we love. Praying for safe travels, good weather, and happy times. A little concerned with my son on this trip. Tyler + camera + Mommy in bathing suit = scared Momma. He is dangerous with his new camera and you never know when he is going to snap a picture of you.

Here is one he took of Jilli and I, at least I was ready for this one. There are times that I walk into his room at night, when he is supposed to be going to sleep, and as soon as I enter the room I am assaulted with bright flashing lights and giggles coming from the top bunk. My little photog *smile*

I think that wraps it up for today, just some ramblings, things that are on my heart. Have a blessed day...

Sharing Sticks

Tyler and his sticks.... He collects them, he plays with them, they become his friends. So it wasn't unusual that he found a stick on the beach to play with.

In walks Romeo who also has a love for sticks...
Then the love of a little boy for his dog is shown.
Tyler and Romeo are both happy and look who walks away with the smaller stick...
That right there tells you how much he loves his dog!

Blessings!!

Sickness, Snow and No Where to Go.

These past few weeks I have stayed away from the computer. Trying to concentrate more on my family and the holidays. It has been a nice break. It is surprising how much a computer controls your life.

Wake up in the morning... need to check the computer, see if anyone has emailed, then off to Facebook, you know someone posted under your status update, then off to check the blogs that you frequent and before you know it an hour of your day is gone. But lets not stop there. You check the computer several times a day and each time you go through the same routine. That is hours that you have spent on the computer with nothing to show for it.

This week has been the first week in months where we have no place to go and nothing to do. Only God could have planned it so well, since we have been battling sickness over here. Jilli had the stomach flu, then Kevin got it, and now all three kids are struggling with colds/coughs. I haven't had a full nights sleep in a week (I know, I know, poor me). The one thing that could have made the week better would have been the blizzard that hit the East Coast.

I want me some snow!! My yard with grass showing is not very pretty to look at. Poor Micah can't use his snowboard that we gave him for Christmas. To top it all off, we are supposed to get rain to make my yard a muddy mess. Here's hoping we get slammed with snow come January (after the 11th).

Since this is the second year in a row that I haven't sent out Christmas Cards, here is the picture I would have sent had I had the time to send it. Consider this our Merry Christmas and Happy New Year card!

Blessings!!

The End of a Fantasy

When do you finally choose to tell? When is time to "let the cat out of the bag?" Is keeping the secret right or wrong?

I remember the conversations between Kevin and I about Santa and whether or not we were going to "teach" our kids about him. I remember the year that Micah walked down the stairs as Kevin and I were wrapping his gifts and he saw a big huge fire truck and we hoped that he wouldn't remember his discovery in the morning when he found the gifts from Santa.

Every year it has been harder and harder to keep the "secret" alive. My children ask very pointed in-depth questions that are hard to dance around. I have changed subjects several times to avoid lying to them (which I still see as lying). I have been asked point blank if Santa is real.... "Oh Look, there is a fire truck guys... Where do you think he is going?" ...yikes that was a close one.....

On Sunday Kevin heard a sermon on Christmas and what the true meaning was. The Pastor asked some hard questions that made Kevin really think about the whole "Santa Fantasy" and what we were allowing our kids believe. Kev and I have had some great conversations since Sunday about this whole subject.

Tonight, December 14, 1020 @ 7:35pm, sitting in our living room, Kevin read the kids the story of Jesus' birth. He read about the Wise Men, we talked about St. Nicholas (which they already knew all about) and then he told them the truth. Santa wasn't real.

It really was a beautiful moment and that is why I wanted to blog about it. I want to always remember when and how we told our kids. I am so thankful it was us that told them and not one of their friends. I am grateful that we had time to sit and answer their questions and that we weren't rushed. Tonight felt right, it felt good.

Honestly, I feel so much peace about telling them. My spirit is resting knowing that I no longer have to dance around their questions. It is freeing to me. I know it may seem corny, but this time of year I would feel such guilt over the lies that I would tell them to keep the fantasy alive. But now that they know, we are faced with an even greater problem...

Tyler

The first thing out of his mouth was.... "so where are you hiding our presents? I am going to find them....." said with a twinkle in his eye and a giggle from his mouth.

So I am now off to go hide the presents better..... because if anyone is going to find them... it's Tyler!

Blessings!!

Jilli Helping Daddy

I have so many beach pictures that I don't know what to do with them all. I want to show you all of them because some are cute and some are funny, but realistically I can't. We would be looking at bathing suits all winter and that might become slightly depressing for those of us in the northern states. So I will be picking and choosing over the next few posts... I hope the pictures make you smile, like they make me smile.

Jilli was helping Daddy dig his hole a little deeper....

Blessings!!

Water Fun

I have a constant battle going on inside of me. Do what I know I should do, or do what I want to do... Well, on this quiet morning, I am choosing to do what I want to do. I am spending a few minutes on my blog, a place that I haven't been spending much time on as of late....

Just a quick update on me, I am doing fine...until the next time it snows and I need to drive in it *smile* my Mom says that I will never be the same and I suspect she is right. As for the van, well, even though the damage doesn't look that bad it is nearing the 4 digit mark. Kevin also had to get a new tire since on Sunday we noticed that the front tire was completely flat and when brought to the tire store they said that there was a slash in it, with no way of repairing it. Whenever I think about how much my few second sleigh ride is costing us, I feel very guilty, continuing to thank God though that He kept me safe... hopefully Kevin will do the same as he writes the checks...

Since I really don't like posting without pictures here are some more from our summer cottage vacation.

The water was a perfect temp, the waves were big enough to play in, but not too big to be dangerous (at least north of the pier). Sadly someone lost their life the week we were at the cottage at the State Park, which is about 2 miles south of us. The waves around the pier cause rip currents that can be very deadly.

Even Romeo was enjoying the beautiful weather.

Blessings!!

The Big Red Sleigh

"Mom, Mom, wake up look outside!" said by two very excited children as they open the shades in my room, letting the blinding light in. I tried to sound excited when answering them, but I could only muster a "yeah, that's nice."

We all knew it was coming. The temp had turned colder, it is only a matter of time before the lake effect snow machine started up and most of the time, I don't mind the snow. But today I had to drive 40min away from home to work and most of that drive is back country roads.

I got up and started my day, when the phone rang. My good friend asked me if it was hard to drive a rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicle in slick roads (she was getting a new RWD van). I have been driving RWD vehicles for 18 years, that is what I learned on. I said "No, just go slow and if you feel your back end kicking out, take your foot off the gas and the vehicles will usually correct itself." Didn't want to remind her of my driving story from last year when I tried to drive up a hill and the van ended up sliding down it sideways and backwards. But I had bad tires, which got replaced and now my van works like a charm on bad roads. No worries I tell her.

Kev comes home and tells me that one of the tires on my van has a nail in it and Discount Tire can't get it fixed by the time I needed to leave for my job. I had to take his van instead, which he lovingly reminds me that the tires aren't the best but the breaks will put me through the windshield, so be careful.

I leave Kevin home with the kids doing school and I drive away in his bright red sleigh. It took me a little longer to get to where I had to go, I had a few intense moments trying to get up some hills in the back country but I made it there safe and sound.

On my way back home Kevin calls and tells me that he had to have my van towed to auto shop because when he tried to back my van out and it wouldn't start. We formulate a plan on how we are going to get our kids to karate and I continue on my way home.

Knowing the roads are slick, knowing the tires aren't the best and knowing that this is the first snowfall of the season and people aren't as careful, I set out at a slow and steady pace.

I merge from one highway to another driving at 35 mph because the road looked like shear ice. Cars were flying past me and I continued on my poky pace. At one point I moved into the "fast lane" to pass a slow moving semi truck. There was a red blazer in front of me. He hit his breaks and turned onto an "authorized vehicle only" turn around. First thought that went through my head was.... man, that was a dumb move especially on a day like today. Had I been traveling closer I might not have been able to stop in time. I started to excellerate back up to speed when the back end of the van started to kick out. Not panicking I take my foot off the gas and wait for the van to straighten back out. It didn't. I start to slowly turn the wheel, because over correcting is almost worse, you can loose control even quicker.

The van kept fishtailing back and forth. I kept waiting for the tires to find traction and snap the van back into place. It never happened.

The next thing I knew the van had spun around not only once, but twice and I was facing the wrong way..... and still moving. It was during the spinning that I commenced panic mode. I held the steering wheel with both hands prayed that God would keep me safe and flew off the highway sideways down into the median. At one point I grabbed my seatbelt and performed the roller coaster tug. You know that tug that you do to make sure the seatbelt is pretty much cutting into your legs so you won't go flying out of the seat... I was sure that the van would start rolling at any second. How can you go sideways down a steep hill and not roll?

Thinking back on all of this, it seems like this all happened over several minutes. But playing it in real time, this all happened in seconds. My life didn't flash before my eyes per say, but I did have the.. oh no, am I going to live through this, this might really hurt, brace yourself, relax... drunks usually don't get hurt, I think I am going to fly up on the other side of the highway, when will I ever stop... thoughts.

Then the van spun around one more time and all was still.

I was alive...

I wasn't hurt...

Grab phone... call home... speak like a blubbering idiot so that your husband can't understand you...

Watch all the drivers that just watched Big Red do a triple lutz , drive by without even stopping to make sure I was OK...

Then for the next 20 minutes try and count all the drivers staring at you and giving up because really, it was pointless. Hundreds of people just drove by. Sad really...

Hearing about yourself on the traffic report over the radio...

Watched my knight in shining armor pull up in my Dad's big truck...

Then the cop pulled up and asked me what happened, and really at that time, I couldn't get my thoughts in order, I didn't remember the red blazer, I knew I wasn't driving fast, I couldn't even tell him if I hit anything or anyone else. It was so LOUD, when I was spinning around and sliding down the hill. All of Kev's tools came crashing out of there spots and rolled around. I really had no idea how it all happened.

The rest is really uneventful. The tow truck came and he pulled out the van. I didn't get a ticket. Then with my shaky hands and a heart beating wildly, I had to get back up on the horse, I had to drive myself home. I don't remember being that scared to drive since my first day in drivers-ed, and even then, I don't think I was that scared. I had the windshield wipers going to try a keep the windshield clear, but it really didn't do much good because it was my eyes that were making a blurry mess out of seeing.

I pulled into my driveway and let out a huge sigh. The van seems to be OK, except a big scratch when I hit a metal post, but other than that I was pretty blessed. Yes I use the word "blessed". There was no luck involved.

God's angels were protecting me as I was spinning. They were keeping other vehicles back, including the semi that I had just past. They were keeping the van upright as it screamed down the hill sideways. They were working on the cops computer, not allowing it to work, so that even if he wanted to write me a ticket, he would have to do it all by hand and really, what cop wants to do all that work. My children were not with me, I was driving a van that weighed much more then the van I usually drive. My husband was not working and was able to get to me quickly, my dad was home and able to watch the kids. Need I go on?

After I was home for awhile Micah just starts to cry. I ask him why he is crying and he says that he was scared that I would die. I could have, you have no idea the kinds of tools that were behind me that were missiles waiting to be launched at my head. But I didn't. I asked him who is always with me, he said "Jesus" and I tell him that no matter what happens, Jesus is always with me. Micah calms down and goes back to playing. There is comfort in knowing that no matter what, I have a Savior that will never leave me nor forsake me.

I am Blessed!!