last bunch of pics

Erin loving the snow!

Curt giving Jeremy a push.

Curt, Erin and Isaac

We got to see the neighbors newest calf - one week old there were 2 as of yesterday, another one was born! So cute!

Curt, Isaac, Daddy and Erin! Erin loved it so much, she had to go one more time before we went in - she didn't want to quit but we were all hungry and cold!

Grandpa Coe

Grandma Coe and Brooke after her gift of monkey butt powder:)

Brooke and Aunt Heather - Heather is wearing the vest Grandma got Brooke

Amber and Francisco

Grandpa playing for all of us!

winter pics

Dad playing guitar and harmonica!

Opening gifts!

my brother, Phil

Amber and Lyndsay - she was doing peek-a-boo

winter fun!

Christmas at Dad and Teresa's Brooke and her peacoat with Carly and Heather

Chelsea opening her gift

Isaac's face says it all!

Erin and horses....

Curt and some shoes he's wanted for atleast a month!

Here we go!

Grandpa, Erin and Maggie feeding the birds!

Daddy and Lyndsay napping near the woodstove!

Goofing around with Uncle Chris

trying to get our Christmas card picture - Erin was not cooperative!

Well, the well has been inspected, the chickens are outside in the stall (gotta check on them this morning to make sure the owl I heard this morning didn't get any:), the kids' bathroom is put back together - no more leaks in the tub, no falling through the floor (new subfloor and linoleum), new used vanity to replace the 2x4's holding the old sink up, now just have to paint it and it will be ready to use. We will use that bathroom cuz now hubby will have to pull our garden tub out of our bathroom and fix it as well. There are 2 huge cracks in it. We are trying to fix things as cheaply as possibly - this is temporary! We have been battling frozen pipes and once the inspections and leaks have all been fixed, we will put skirting on and hook up the woodstove to help with heating costs! I keep it at 68 and we are freezing. I am turning into a slipper wearer - if my feet are warm, the rest of me is warmer:) Sweaters are a common sight among us now, too! Once the skirting is on, hubby will put the radiator under the trailer with a blower and that will warm the floor, then some baseboard heaters in a few of the rooms will help immensely! We went sledding the other day, saw a few baby calves across the road, keeping busy with school, etc. Today we are almost done with school and heading out to do some errands, banking, groceries, etc. It's always good to get everyone out of the house once in awhile! The boys could play video games all day 24/7 but are ornery as all get out! I was up early today thanks to the cats running around being very noisy in their wrestling and prowling. Shadow was upset with Jeremy for closing the shade in our bedroom. She loves to lay on our bed and look out the window - even at night with the moon, you can see quite far out there! She's laying there right now! Yesterday, Brooke had an orthodontist appointment - they hooked up to her impacted tooth via a wire/chain deal - very painful and has to go back in 4 wks instead of 8 to have it adjusted again. The tooth is almost in the middle of the roof of her mouth - yuck!She was in pain last night! My pantry is runnin low and need to resupply it today! I hate it when I go to make something and don't have everything! I was going to make french toast this morning - not enough syrup! I hate making scrambled eggs- use a whole dozen to feed everyone! Oh well - they were good! I have been trying to go back on my diet but it's been really hard to stay away from what everyone else is eating:) I made some apple bread 2 days ago - got the recipe from someone on Facebook and it was delicious!!! Well, going to post some pictures - so enjoy:)

Back to the diet....

Wow - what a holiday season - lots of good foods, desserts, fellowship and now time to go back on my diet to lose the dessert parts! It was worth it, though! We stayed at Aunt Jenni's New Year's eve and I went in to lay down with Lyndsay after the midnight ball dropped and fell asleep myself:( But, everyone else had fun and stayed up til wee hours of the night. We got up, made pancakes for breakfast, watched the parade for a bit then headed home. The wedding was beautiful (the church was still decorated for Christmas - lots of lights, etc.) and we had fun visiting with family there. Saturday night we had Christmas with my Mom and Bill at Heather and Brian's house - that was fun. Francisco got to come with us and he hopefully had a good time - I know it was atleast memorable:) We played dominos there, too - fun game! It's nice when the kids get older, you can actually sit down and play something without being interrupted every 5 seconds! Especially when the cousins are playing! Now we are trying to get into more of a schedule. Getting to bed earlier, up earlier and going in the morning. Started school again this Monday. Going pretty good. Jeremy's been working on organizing things, putting away things in the barn so we can get farm equipment back in there. They are coming out to inspect the well on Monday. A few more inspections to be done before we are done. Once they are all done with those, then we can build something for the horse and chickens and do a few more electrical things in the barn. We moved my 2nd set of washer/dryers into the room in the barn as well as our freezer and then Jeremy moved his lathe and some shelves in there for tools. My norditrak is in there, too and the room is pretty well full now! We've been putting the dog in there at night - too windy and cold outside. He loves his kennel full of hay and shavings!

Monday afternoon, Erin, Lyndsay and I took Amber, Rachel and Fransisco back to college. We hit a snowy stretch for about 80 miles on I94 and got there around 6ish I think. I headed back about 8pm. Erin got so upset after we pulled away, I had to turn around, call Amber back out so she could give her a kiss as well. I pulled away the second time and Erin wanted to tell her she loved her. Sorry, only twice going back for me kiddo... She always wants to stay at college with Amber! When we go up to Amber's room, she and Lyndsay like to race up and down the dorm hall and I encourage it so that they burn energy they've accumulated from 5 hours in the car and a nap:) Then, we dress in jammies and head back home. I ended up stopping for a nap again at around 10pm and then got home 1:45am. It's funny - I fight staying awake all the way home and once I was home, I couldn't fall asleep! UGH! Amber had a job offer with Americall which will help her pay for schooling in full with no student loans. I am proud of her for taking it. It will be hard with classes and everything, but I know she can do it! She had to move to a different dorm after agreeing to the employment. Be praying for her, please! I believe it's an opportunity God has put out for her to enable her to keep going and finish her schooling!

Brooke came out this morning and announced that Sheridan Road had a snow day! I laughed and said - too bad for you:) So, after we got the majority of our school done, we all got dressed up warm and headed outside to enjoy the new snow. We went across to the neighbors (love our neighbors - he had already plowed our driveway for us:), and got to see 2 of the 18 or so calves he's expecting fro heifers in the next few weeks. The mommas were very nervous and protective, but it was neat - they are a week old and very cute! Jeremy got the snowmobile to start with no problems and we headed up to the hill at the neighbor's to do some sledding! Lyndsay even went down with me once. After an hour, we were hungry and getting cold. Erin was upset we had to stop - she didn't want to quit sledding! We are all tired out from all the fun! Curt and Brooke are at all night youth activities - separate locations for the boys/girls so we dropped them off and I stopped by our old neighbors on Moore Rd to give them some banana bread and our Christmas card and new address info, then headed to Jen's to practice a song for sunday night and even got to eat some of her delicious lasagna and salad before heading home. Erin and Lyndsay had a great time playing with her girls and didn't want to leave! I need to get up early and pick up the kids at 9am and 11am and am bringing one or two extra boys home for the night - our first guests in the mobile home since we've had power:) So, I need to get to bed and get my beauty sleep:) Lyndsay has been sleeping awhile and now I have to convince Erin and Isaac it's ok to sleep in their rooms with big brothers and sisters here. Isaac hates sleeping alone and it's even worse now that his room is at the opposite end of the house from us:( I used to be able to convince him it was ok because I'd leave our door open and his room was just across the hall in the old house. So, wish me luck! Have a good weekend and God Bless!

New Years Eve!

Happy New Years Eve everyone! We have had a great week! Went up to my Dad and Teresa's on Sunday and had our Christmas there - lots of good foods and treats and fun watching the kiddos opening presents and watching the cousins playing good together! Dad played his guitar and harmonica at the same time - very impressive! Monday morning, had to be in Saginaw at 8:30am to take Amber and Brooke to the oral surgeon - Brooke had a tooth exposure done for an impacted tooth and Amber had all 4 of her wisdom teeth pulled. But, they were ready to go to the mall right after for a little bit:) Then stopped at Walmart on the way home. Tuesday was a relaxing, laid back kind of day, laid around played video games, watched HGTV, hallmark movies... Wednesday I took the kids to see the Christophers at Grandma Reid's. Brooke and Curt leave to go to their Dad's tonight for 2 days and wouldn't get to see them when we go to a wedding tonight. Had pizza with them and good visiting. Today I plan on doing some baking for tonight, laundry, baths, etc. We are going to a wedding at 6pm, then to Jenni's for games, food and fun! I plan on spending the night there because I don't last as late as others - need my beauty sleep:) Saturday night we have Christmas with my mom's at Heather's house and then we are done:) Seriously back on my diet to counter all the goodies I've been eating! I miss going for a walk everyday - maybe I'll get back into that next week - just don't enjoy the cold! Once i get out there it's not so bad... just talking myself into getting out there is the hard part:)

So, updating more often now, I hope. Hope you all have a great night tonight with friends and family! Christine

merry merry Christmas

From our new home to yours - Merry CHRISTmas!

last bunch maybe?

loving the rocker

putting the new power pole in December 21st - finally!

dancing girls

Lyndsay likes frosting cookies and eating them at the same time!

lots of pics

decorating homemade ornaments with mom Isaac and Erin

Kids choir did all the singing for the cantata this year! Brooke, Curt, Isaac and Erin did great

our temporary quarters at Grandpa Steve's!

the old house, empty and clean

and more!

the boys room moving in furniture

erin excited about her bed coming to the mobile home in November!

New flooring in the girls room

after new flooring goes in

pics

trying to get Lyndsay to put Brooke's EEG cap on!

Curt October field trip

Brooke on the field trip

Isaac and best friend Maddie on the field trip

Lyndsay being silly!

Shadow says don't leave me behind!

Amber, Erin and Lyndsay in October

october birthday party

Brooke and Lyndsay October 2009

Lyndsay Grace October 2009

Merry CHRISTmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone! Well, we did it - we moved into our new home this Tuesday! Monday, they finally came out, installed the new power pole and hooked up our power! I prayed in the morning for God to please hold off on the snow we were supposed to get (even if it was flurries - as they wouldn't work in it), so that the work could be completed. Detroit Edison had come out the week before, but ended up sitting here for 4 hours while the snow was "spitting" and left saying they couldn't work with the snow - too dangerous. So, on my way to town for Brooke's neurologist appointment, my husband texted me "we have power". YIPPEE - I prayed Thank you Jesus and now you can let it snow all you want:) When we came out of Brooke's appt., IT WAS SNOWING:) God is so good! So, Jeremy worked fast and furiously on the room he built around the well bladder in the barn so that we could also turn the water on! We moved in without the water on Tuesday night - everytime I go to Dad Fitch's I grab a van full of our stuff and bring it here and put it away! Yesterday, before leaving for Christmas Eve at Mom Rich's we had the room insulated and enclosed enough to turn the water on:) Took our first hot shower this morning - Praise the Lord! So thankful to be at our "place" now:) Thankful for Dad Fitch putting us up for the 5 weeks he did:) We moved our fridge Wednesday night and I got groceries yesterday morning. I'm getting ready to do some baking in a few minutes:)



Had a great first of our Christmases at Mom Rich's with Jenni and girls, Christopher and Amy and boys and Grandma Reid. Good food, good desserts:) Today, had to wake the kids up, let them open a present while we were waiting for Brooke and Curt to come home from their dad's. Grandpa Steve and Sherry came by and they started ripping and tearing:) Now everyone is playing and relaxing til we go to Aunt Jenni's tonight for snacks and more fellowship. Living in the mobile home after being in a "house" with a basement is tricky - trying to organize, organize, organize everytime I walk through. I hate the cold and going out to the barn to find stuff when I need it is not fun for me:) Yesterday, I finally got to help Jeremy with the room in the barn for a bit - all I did was put blown in insulation in the ceiling of the room - he built a load bearing ceiling cuz it's a hay loft on top so it's being insulated above the room ceiling and then he'll put the floor of the loft over it. Lyndsay is doing pretty good in her toddler bed in her room - sleeps pretty good for the most part. The first night, the kids didn't want to sleep in their own rooms because they are used to us all sleeping in the same room (basement at Steve's:)). But, the last 2 nights have been better - Lyndsay woke up last night and came to our room because the wind and rain were pretty noisy!

Today I am so thankful to have a cozy home, a beautiful view from all of the windows - still hoping to see the occasional deer or turkey walk out... thankful for my husband and kids, for the noise they are all making and watching them enjoy all the gifts they opened this morning - Lyndsay kept saying "WOW" each time she opened or watched someone open a gift:) Erin was worried about trying to catch Santa in the act last night - hoped whe would hear the sleigh bells and be able to come out! When we got our tree on tuesday, we decorated it Wednesday morning and Erin stopped while decorating, looked around and said how is he going to get in here, anyway (talking about Santa). Lyndsay got the angel out of the box and stood at the bottom of the tree trying to get Daddy's attention to put it on top of the tree! Thankful for my saviour who gave His Son to die on the cross for us! We don't promote santa, but haven't had the heart to completely squash Erin's enthusiasm about him this year:) Trying to focus more on Jesus' birth and what He did for us... Kids are so precious! I will be sending our annual picture and letter out, but not til next week - finally have all the kids together so we can get a family picture hopefully tonight! It's just been too busy the past month or more:) But, that's one of my favorite things to do this time of year, so I'm not going to skip it! I will post pictures soon - have lots to update photo wise from the last few months!

Merry Christmas everyone from our home to yours! Love, Chris

Christmas is coming fast!

Wow December 5th already - where has the time gone? It snowed yesterday:) I love snow but I hate being cold:( We are still at Dad Fitch's, camped out in the basement, settled in a bit more. He has been gone, mountain lion hunting in Montana and is due back tomorrow night. Detroit Edison did drop off the telephone pole, but sigh... it is still laying on the ground! Jeremy is going to start working on the skirting around the mobile home and get that taken care of. We did end up winterizing the camper and the mobile home the beginning of this week. Can't afford frozen pipes on top of everything else! Homeschooling is going better. I've had a bad migraine most of this week - did get some stronger meds from the Dr. on tuesday, but it still doesn't "take it away", so I've had a harder time getting going in the mornings:) Curt's computer power cord decided to puke 2 nights ago, so we have to get a new one pronto today so he can do yesterday's assignments and not get behind! I've got a bid on SOS for Brooke on Ebay - 3 more days left to see if I get it for a 1/4 of the cost brand new:) We discussed it and decided to go that route for her as well. I sent back the other ABEKA books 2 days ago... Switched on Schoolhouse is nice in that everything is on the computer (books and all), it figures and gives the daily lessons, quizzes, seatwork, tests and grades for each subject. They are responsible for doing each subject lesson for the day. It also gives projects to do as well. I can keep an eye on them and look at what they've done. I can reassign a lesson if I feel they rushed through it or aren't getting it. Much less stressful for me (and them)! Delta has a homeschool friday thing that I am going to check into as well - swimming, sports, some hands on chemisry, science, etc. Sounds like a fun way to get away for the day - especially in the winter!

Jeremy and I have to register for Michigan Works this next week and hope to be able to take some online classes towards SOMETHING! I already did the online resume thing and have to look at our folders to see what else we are required to do!

Amber was home last week for Thanksgiving. The Valdez's brought her home and I took her, Francisco and Rachel back on Monday. We left at 3pm after getting the oil changed in the van and got there around 7:30pm, ate at Subway and I left there around 9pm to come home. I took Erin and Lyndsay with me. Erin did pretty good at keeping me awake but at around 10:45pm I got too tired and pulled over at a McDonald's and took a 25 minute power nap, then got a hot fudge sundae and was fine until I got about 30 minutes from home. But, I made it safe and sound at 2:30am. I hope our children realize someday the things we do for them...........already thinking about my trip to take them back on Jan 4th... I am a terrible long distance driver! Hopefully we will be all settled into the mobile home by then and Jeremy will be able to go with me!

Today we are going to go "into town" (millington) and watch their Christmas parade. They also have live reindeer, sleigh rides, etc. So, hopefully I won't freeze to death! Should be fun. Yesterday, Erin was soooo excited to see the snow and wanted to go out, but I have to find boots, etc. At all of our meal prayers yesterday, she thanked GOD for the snow and told him how much she loves Him and the snow - so cute!

So, please keep praying for the power to be hooked up - we are holding out on a tree for another week or so just to see where we will be celebrating Christmas! We could always decorate our stuffed bear in the basement corner with the lights, ornaments, etc.:) Brooke is outside, feeding and watering Steve's mice and lizards. Steve breeds/raises snakes and the mice to feed them. Also has raised lizards in the past but no babies to be had in awhile. Isaac wants a snake real bad and I tell him - he has a bunch - out in Grandpa's barn:) That's close enough to home for me! Well, off to feed everyone breakfast so have a great weekend! God is good ALL the time!