just a couple more!

thinking of where to go next!

Chase me momma, but don't catch me:)

more pictures

Loving the backyard and the wind in her hair!

Erin being a ballerina for my mom and I

Loving mostoccoli!

Brooke after a cheese fight with Jeremy - guess who lost?!:)

Curt and Isaac, gaming of course!

Spring is Sprung even if just a little...

Isaac

Lyndsay, Brooke and Erin

Lyndsay and Brooke

Lynday causing trouble she loves the toilet paper and emptying out drawers!

One tired baby!

Hi there - been busy busy busy! Work has been tiring - the line runs better everyday - been hitting our number the last week now and that makes for a long day and a much appreciated nap on the way home in the carpool van! We've been going out to Millington to play a little and Jeremy has started ripping trees out of the fields to make them bigger for planting. We took the big go kart out there and the boys had fun getting all muddy and stuck and unstuck over and over... Lots of tadpoles in the stream - I can hear the frogs now...

Brooke is gone this week to Pastor's school at Hyles Anderson. She and 2 of her friends are staying with Amber in her dorm room. They rode down with Pastor and Mrs. Jurva. They come home Friday. I thought they'd be home tomorrow night which is Amber's birthday but no deal. Amber will be 19 tomorrow - hard to believe! She will be home for 1 week of spring break and then back to school probably until May. Erin started crying for her to come home last night at bedtime! So cute! This week I have been taking the kids to my babysitter's at 4:30am. Yesterday morning on the way there, Jeremy had to stop quickly (almost missed a turn) and Erin says, Mom, you need to stop that, I'm trying to sleep. Ok, Erin I'll tell Daddy:)

Last Sunday morning, Isaac came out of bed in the morning and said to me, rubbing his eyes "Mom, why does it feel like before I wake up that God is trying to talk to me or something?" He said there is a woman reading out of a book about him. I don't know Isaac, maybe he is preparing you for something big someday and speaking to you in a dream or vision like some of the men in the Bible? Wouldn't that be something? He is so sensitive to stuff, it's great!

Saturday morning, my husband and I collided hands and my index finger on my right hand made a loud POP! Ouch, I fell to the ground, started literally crying (and laughing after a few minutes), and thought for sure I broke it. Before I fell to the ground, my husband and I both looked at each other with eyes popping out of our heads, I'm sure! He checked it and didn't seem to think it was broken or anything. Sunday it was pretty swollen and I could hardly bend it. I think I dislocated it at the knuckle. I googled dislocated finger and the pictures on there made me stop feeling sorry for myself fast! So, it has been hurting all week (having to use it at work, etc.) and today when we got home, I opened the dryer door and heard a little POP again! Ouch ouch ouch! Not a smart thing! Hard to bend it again.

Curt is at his dad's this week for spring break. We had a couple come through the house again yesterday for the 2nd time (be praying). I am so nervous and excited that they came through - I prayed all morning yesterday and for most of the time I felt they'd be at our house! I am still praying for an offer... I am tired - we worked hard to clean and stayed up late doing it, did some finishing touches after I had the kids in the car in the morning before work so not much sleep for me this week!

We played outside last night til 8pm or so. Lyndsay loved her outside time (first time she got to play outside). She didn't even care she had to have shoes on! (I'm still looking for one of her stride rite shoes, by the way:() She walked everywhere possible in our yard and our neighbor's yard while we raked and watched the boys riding go-carts. Erin loves the "Jumpoline" and the playscape. Lyndsay liked swinging with me, too!

Brooke and I are starting a new adventure in a few weeks. An opportunity to move Gentleman (our horse) to a stable in Millington/Vassar area has come up. The stable is very very nice with an indoor and outdoor arena, lessons, showing, etc. My father in law will be taking lessons on him and using him and Brooke will be taking some lessons, too as well as hopefully getting into some showing this summer as well. I had wanted to get him into some training, but the cost is keeping it from happening. This opens the door to getting him some training and use as well. We will see how it goes and are excited about it! The indoor arena allows us to ride during the winter as well and they have an indoor (heated) area with observation windows and a kitchen, living area and bathroom as well.

Well, baby needs me and I have to post pictures as well so enjoy and have a great rest of the week.

Christine

Monday, Monday!

Sorry I didn't have time to get on the computer this weekend - too busy and just no real desire to for some reason! Thursday night I promised Brooke I would take her to the barn after I exercised. Well, we got home from work and the phone rang while getting supper ready and it was the realtor wanting to show the house Friday 11am. Sure, no problem:) So, I worked very very hard and cleaned the whole house (Jeremy cleaned the garage and laundry area) after taking Brooke to the barn (she cleaned her room first). It looked great and I left Brooke a list of things to make sure of before leaving for school (make beds, put cereal dishes in dishwasher, no toothpaste in sink, etc.). So, I prayed hard all night (didn't get to sleep til after 11:30pm), and all the way to work and all morning long at work. We haven't heard anything, but it was a start! So, this weekend, I tried to relax, was going to catch up on laundry Saturday morning and low and behold, my 2 year old front loader maytag had the interior glass on the door busted out:( I have 2 sets of washers/dryers and my old washer has been broken for some time and the dryer is on it's last legs as well. So, no way to do laundry and in this house, I need to do 2 loads a day or I fall behind! So, Saturday morning, I called around and found the best deal - a new maytag top loader and a $70.00 gas dryer to go with it. So, Jeremy and I drove out, picked it up and he hooked it up so I could start running clothes through it - I did 6 loads Saturday! We ordered the glass and it will be in later this week and Jeremy will try to fix it and I'm sure will do wonderfully!

Sunday, I worked hard and got a chicken ready to roast (stuffing, etc.) In trying to be on time for church, we rushed out the door. While dropping Lyndsay off at the nursery I found that I forgot her blankie and pacifier. Poor baby. Halfway through church I looked over at Jeremy and said - did I put the chicken in the oven? NOOOOOO! So, dinner wasn't ready right when we got home, had to wait a few hours! But, it was worth the wait and delicious as always!

Last night, I finally got everyone into bed and was on the couch with Lyndsay trying to get her to sleep and Isaac came back out "Mom". What, Isaac? Mom, I though when you got old, your skin gets all clumpy? Mom, you're 40 and your skin isn't all "clumpy"! I started laughing...:) Thanks, Isaac, I'll take that as a compliment and hopefully my skin won't get all "clumpy" until I'm 70! Out of the mouths of babes, I tell ya! Have a great week!

Blessings, Chris

Amber in her Banquet dress and Fransisco

Lyndsay trying to get the rest of the spaghetti!

Birthday cake - yum yum!

Opening presents - she opened the baby and wanted to be done!

She was protesting having to wear shoes and she wasn't feeling well from getting her shots!

Another week gone by! This was a big one! Lyndsay turned one on Thursday! Tuesday night she broke into a rash all over - allergic reaction to something but I couldn't figure out what! She did it again Wednesday and Thursday! Finally figured out (with help from mom and heather and Jeremy) that she was reacting to baby wipes! I had bought some walmart brand wipes this week and started using them. The babysitter was using the ones from Sam's still during the day. Isaac did this, too when he was about the same age! So, no more walmart wipes for Lyndsay and she hasn't had the rash since! We celebrated on Thursday with a ham dinner, cake and ice cream for Carly, too. Still getting over coughs, sinus junk but the doctor says it's been hanging around for a long time... Fun, fun fun! Amber went back to college on Monday and Fransisco got to go along to keep Grandpa Sam company and awake, too I hope! I fell way behind on laundry this week and took yesterday off to take Lyndsay for her one year check up (she got 3 shots and had blood drawn for the lead test Health Plus demands!) - she looks like a pin cushion poor baby! So, then went to H Care to get some more support knee highs for work and then to Walmart for a few things, then to McD's and got the kids lunch then took it to school for them. Isaac came home with a headache so I took the rest of my day off (didn't get home til noon) and caught up on laundry, changed bedding, etc.

Rented some movies last night and watched one then passed out cold in bed while hubby watched another. I think we were all in bed by 10pm on a Friday night! Curt got up at 7am this morning and I didn't even hear him which is unusual for me the light sleeper! Lyndsay woke up twice last night so I must have needed the sleep... I still woke up at 7:30 am but that is sleeping in big time for me! I've been trying to download pictures all day and that's been a pain - computer keeps shutting down for some reason! The kids are all wrestling right now, making lots of noise!

I took Lyndsay yesterday for her first pair of Stride Rite shoes (first pair of shoes, really). I've only had shoes on her two or three times - she hates them! She cried and cried! So, I'll put them on her for awhile and then take them off when she hasn't fussed for awhile! If she wants to play outside, she'll have to learn to like wearing shoes! The minute I take them off, she takes off all over the house again! The shoes are like a cage to her:)

Well, I might try and talk hubby into going out for a date night tonight. We might end up staying home and having homemade pizza though, we'll see! Enjoy the pictures and have a great weekend!

Happy Valentine's Day!

What a weekend it was! It was a busy busy weekend! Amber called Thursday morning to let me know she was coming home that night instead of Friday! So, she arrived home around 9:30pm that night. I didn't tell any of the kids except Brooke so they were all surprised when she walked in! Friday, we had to work so Amber stayed home with Erin and Lyndsay. After work Friday night, the girls and I went to the Horse Expo at the Birch Run Expo Center and had fun walking around, looking at everything and watching some of the demonstrations. We got pizza to take home and went to bed early for the weekend, exhausted!

Saturday we got up, exercised, and got ready to go go go again! I dropped Brooke off at Heather's cuz the farrier was there to Gent's hoof trimming. Amber needed a formal dress for the college banquet next weekend so we went to a bridal store in Saginaw and found one for $29.99 on the clearance rack but had to buy a jacket to cover the top. Still a good deal considering the dress original tag was $120.00 I think! She looks beautiful in it! Erin saw the store as we pulled in and said MOM, we found the princess store! We went in and she looks around, wide-eyed and said to me, this is my store, mom! There was a cute flower girl dress for 20 bucks but I held back! So, then on to Meijer in Birch Run to pick up a few things as well as Francisco. Went home, made dinner for a couple from church who just had a beautiful baby boy! Also made dinner for the kids who were going to a friend's house while we went on a "Double" date with Amber and Francisco. Dropped all the kids off, then went to Red Lobster and waited 1 hr for a table. But, it was worth it. We had a good time and then went back home after dropping Francisco off at his house. The kids had fun and I imagine Kristi will never be the same again:)

Today, Lyndsay was running a fever so she's been banned from church for the day only hopefully! Brooke stayed home this morning and I stayed home this evening which was a bummer cuz Amber sang tonight:( I am so tired of everyone not feeling well! Right now the boys are running around the house like mad men... Lyndsay is finally walking around looking like she might play and Erin is trying to keep up with the boys. Amber leaves tomorrow and the kids are off school thru Tuesday. They have tomorrow off for President's Day but the school extended it to Tuesday so that everyone can rest and get better. Please God, let it work!

During the week, Jeremy and I have been trying to exercise together every night on the Norditraks which has been very helpful! We kind of get a competition going at times, which is motivating! But, right now my baby is crying for me, trying to get on my lap and feels warm again so off I go to cuddle:) My specialty... Have a great week and I'll try to post some pictures soon!

Whew Thank God it's Friday!

Wow, am I tired! I forgot how much I hate my alarm clock - I didn't set it the whole time we were off except once at 3pm to remind me to call Marvin (and I still forgot to call!)... 4am is just way too early! I am currently waiting for my Lyndsay to go to sleep so that I can - she's a live wire tonight! She is walking everywhere!

Work was very slow, tedious and boring this week out on the main floor. They really get the line going slowly after a long break - checking for quality/problems, etc. So, I've read 4 books this week in all of the down time. Keep in mind, I am a fast reader (I took speedreading in high school). I may read the book fast, but I retain all of the info I read. I love to read and never have time at home to do it. We ran 1 car every 4 carriers (3 empties between each car) and then 1 every 3 carriers, then every other carrier. Today we started running a car on every carrier, but the paint shop couldn't keep up so we had some down time and they went back to every other car. We are working until March 30th, then start the 3 weeks off/3 weeks on through mid July!

Brooke and Curt are at their dad's this weekend:( But, having a good time, I'm sure). Curt isn't feeling well, Jeremy still isn't up to par, Brooke was home sick yesterday, and I've caught the cold as well! I really don't feel like doing anything this weekend but am going to clean floors/dust/vacuum, etc. tomorrow morning and then we'll go to the property to play a bit if it doesn't rain. I have been doing laundry all night tonight catching up.

Anyway, that's it for now, been doing good playing with the kids at night and keeping the house tidy so if anyone wants to see it, it won't take much to get it in tip-top shape for a showing! So, I am tired and off to bed. Have a great weekend and I hope to post again soon with some pictures-I haven't taken many this week at all, sorry. I think I got one of Brooke on the snowmobile last weekend and would've liked to have gotten Curt snowboarding, but it was too cold out - I took the one picture from inside the house and it was far away!

Sunday Sunday!

Well, the fun has only begun! The house is officially on the market and we can't wait to see what happens next! Yesterday, we took the snowmobile out to the property and had lots of fun sledding and snomobiling! Erin was diehard - she went up and down the hill more times than I can count (because I went up and down with her!). We ended up at Jeremy's dad's cuz the property had to deep of snow to get cars in and out but our neighbor plowed it out (we noticed when we went by to go home! How nice is that?!). So we are going to go out again and play some more! Needless to say everyone slept well last night! Isaac even played out there for quite awhile before getting cold! Curt tried his had at snowboarding as well! Brooke -she and her friend, Jean loved the snowmobile! Christopher and his family were there and Jenni and her girls came out as well so everyone got to enjoy the snowmobile from Aunt Cathy!

So, I'm off to church and off to working womanhood again:) I have been putting a plan in place, a schedule for after work to keep house tidy and kids happy so we'll see how it goes! Have a great week!

More Layoffs????

Uh- oh - I know we won't hear the "official" announcement until we go back to work next week but a phone call today from a friend at work confirmed that we are going to have more layoff time. We go back for the month of February, are still off the first week in March (Ibelieve), then work til March 30th and have that week and the next three off, work three weeks, off three weeks through the July shutdown. That is a lot of time off! They are keeping 2 shifts for now, if they get rid of the second shift, we may be in trouble:( The Delta plant in Lansing is going down to 1 shift the end of March after having 3 shifts before Christmas... The positive is that, of course, I'll be home with my kids - that's the best part and we will have down time during some good weather months where we can play outside/camp out at the property, etc. So, we can make it fun as well!

The realtor came out again today with comparables, etc. We decided to list at 119,900 and he will be back out in a few days to take pictures, etc. We are going to put some shutters on the front of the house for "curb appeal", though before he comes.

Saturday, we were thinking we were going to pick up a snowmobile at his Aunt's cabin, but she didn't leave to go upnorth til 7pm and that was too late so we decided to go up Sunday morning so we could be home by 6pm. We didn't leave until 11am and got there around 1pm. It was beautiful - she's on the ausable river. Very cozy and warm - watched a movie with them after digging the garage door out of snow to reach the snowmobile in the garage! So, we headed home and talked about stopping at my mom's, but time was ticking away so we kept on for home. Right after the Standish exit, Jeremy started saying "uh-oh, uh-oh" I'm like - what? Uh-oh... Cruise control quit and spedometer started going to ZERO. We pulled over and he got out to look under the hood and the engine quit. Oh no, wouldn't start back up so we started calling for a wrecker/help/ride home since it was only 13 degrees and we had 3 little ones in the truck! So, my brother in law, bless his heart, Brian headed out to get us and the wrecker started coming from Saginaw. We prayed for safety, kept the kids buckled and waited and waited. Seems like forever when you're getting colder and colder... Lyndsay slept through most of it and woke up about 10 minutes before Brian got there. As we were loading the kids into his van and hooking the trailer onto it, the wrecker arrived and put the truck on the flatbed. We got home at 8pm and they put the truck into the garage. We are hoping it's the fuel pump or better yet, bad gas/water in the gas tank, etc. Fuel pump is still expensive, but better than transmission/engine trouble! Today, the truck started up and we moved it in and out of the garage but still are going to have it tested on a computer to make sure nothing more serious... Praise the Lord if it is and even if it isn't for getting us home safe and sound! We should have stayed home and gone to church!

Today, we did the realtor thing again and after the kids came home, Jeremy was tinkering with the sled and we were getting ready to go out and cut more firewood. Erin wanted to go outside, too so I got her dressed and she wanted to ride the sled with daddy. So, I got on behind him and put her in the middle. It's not running great, needs some work so he had to mess with the choke and we didn't lean right at a turn so we fell over. I can still see Erin go "UGH, that was not fun!" and she stood up disgustedly and brushed herself off and told her dad he needed to go slower next time (he wasn't going fast at all!), it was so funny, I keep chuckling about it - the kids think I'm crazy! So, I made her ride again around the yard so she wouldn't freak out and she stayed out and helped us cut wood. She's laying in her bed, watching a movie cuz she's so tired! Fresh air will do it everytime. I'm wiped out after eating supper I can hardly keep my eyes open! Good exercise and it does feel good to get outside even though I really have to talk myself into it! Curt cleared the dinner table and Brooke is unloading/loading the dishwasher for me - wonderful kids they are! So, I will close for now and update as we go! Pray for our house to sell quickly although I will miss how nice it is now - just makes me look forward to our new house - my husband will make it even nicer, I'm sure and the view will just be spectacular!

Have a great night! Chris

Notice the other side of my new quilt! Beautiful!

Clean Clean House! I love it!

Living Room

Cleaning tires us out!

Bathroom with trim now!

Our bedroom decluttered!

doctoring her pets (future vet?)

Isaac and Brooke on the computers...

Lyndsay walking to momma!

You can see one of the earrings!

Girls Girls Girls! Having Fun!

Hard to believe - only one more week of layoff...

I can't believe next week is the last week off and then back to work - atleast until the next layoff in March! Someone called yesterday with a rumor that they are going to put us on 4 10 hour days when we go back?? That has it's pros and cons - three days off is nice, but 10 hours is a long day when you have 2 hours of driving as well... Long time away from the kiddos! Gas and daycare would be cheaper though. We are waiting to see if we are going to make a trip up north to get a snowmobile from a relative at a great price!:)

I think I forgot to mention that Erin got her ears pierced! The week after Christmas, the girls (Amber, Brooke, Erin, Lyndsay) and I and Fransisco went to the Great Lakes Crossings Mall to finish up my shopping for my mom's Christmas. We were sitting at the food court eating and the girls pointed out that Clair's was just over yonder and we should let Erin get her ears pierced! She had told me numerous times that she wanted to get her ears pierced (wierd for a 3 year old, I know but we're talking about Erin:) So, I asked her if she still wanted to get them pierced and she was all for it! So, we went over, filled out the paperwork but the lady was real slow in getting the process done. Apparently the store had been shoplifted while we were standing there. Anyway, Erin got cold feet just as she was getting started so Amber took her to the bathroom because when you get cold feet you apparently have to go potty! When she came back, she was ready to sit on Amber's lap on the chair! Amber kept her entertained while we waited for the ladies to get ready. I told her I'd get her some ice cream afterwards if she did good. So, I hid from her behind some shelves as did Brooke and Fransisco. I figured if she could see me she'd chicken out again and want mommy. The ladies asked her what kind of ice cream she was going to get and BAMMM, piercing done! Erin's mouth and eyes were wide open. I ran over and hugged her and warned everyone it was only going to be a second until "WHAAAAAAAH!". She cried for about 3 minutes and then was all better! She was then very excited until we got in the van to go home and she wanted them out so she could go to sleep! I had to threaten her to leave them in! All in all it made for a fun evening and she's liking her pierced ears now! Shopping was fun although it was never enough time to just "window shop"!

Isaac is funny - his teacher told me he was praying in class one day and thanked the Lord for his mom being home - he liked his mom home so much! Give me a better buyout offer GM PLEASE!!! I like being home, too!

I was just putting clean clothes away and just organized Curt's drawers last week and low and behold what did I find in the food monster's top drawers? Oreo cookies (double stuffed, doubled again by him) - yuck what were you saving them for, Curt??? I guess I need to check on the side of the bunk bed for wrappers again:( He is getting so big - his voice is changing and he is sounding so different. I love his laugh! He loves to rush through his chores and the other day only brought in 1 egg from the chickens so I told him I hope you're sure that was it because I'm going to go out and check! He ran out and came in with 6 more eggs! Funny boy!

Brooke just got home and is going to be babysitting for a couple from church tonight.

Fast forward - now it's Sunday we are on our way up north to pick up the snowmobile - enjoy the pictures! Last night we had a fun "date night" We went out and took Isaac with us...

No pictures yet - will post some pictures of my ever so clean house later, but we had the realtor out this morning and he will be back out on Monday morning to crunch some numbers and go from there. He definitely thinks we could get more if we waited a few years, but as long as we can pay off our mortgage, that would be great and he definitely thinks we'll do that no problem (YAY). He was pleasantly surprised when he walked in because our house is much bigger than it looks from the road. He couldn't comment enough on how nice it is, etc. etc... That's what we wanted to hear!

I have been so busy cleaning, decluttering (which is an ongoing process) and cleaning some more. My arms and back were sore before getting out of bed this morning... I have also been exercising faithfully on the Norditrak and have hit my goal in weight again:) I am sore from that as well but can actually start to feel some muscle in my legs again??? I think the kids are wondering why I'm following behind them with a dustpan - especially Curt - the cookie/food monster! I am still amazed as to where I find food wrappers from that kid! He eats constantly!

Anyway, with the market the way it is, I don't think the realtor came prepared to actually list anything and will be back out Monday to do measurements, pictures and paperwork. I am so happy to have gotten this far. Rumor has it we may be off longer than a week in March as well! So, I'll be praying God brings a buyer in the next 2 months because it is so much easier to keep the house clean when I'm home! God has timing for everything! We've gotten so much accomplished this month and couldn't have done it without much stress/tiredness if we'd been working. AND, if He does allow us to sell quickly (which I know would be a miracle!), it would be great timing! I do love being home and am continuing to declutter - we will take stuff to my father-in laws to store. I have a lot of books and stuff I can move over there to make it seem bigger downstairs and stuff. All the big speakers and stereo stuff that was up here is going as well - is in the garage waiting to go! AND, best of all - BROOKE's room is clean again!!! HAHAHA~ I love you, Brooke! I'll post pictures later, have a good one!

Christmas just tires the baby out!

Mom and Bill

Lyndsay opening her gift with daddy

All the Grandkids - Carly, Brooke, Chelsea, Maggie, Amber, Lyndsay, Isaac, Curt and Erin

My brother, Phil and Lyndsay at my mom's

New Year's - Erin with Onyx - he really wanted that venison stick! He got up on the end table to get a closer look!

Erin with Jade - she was trying to pet Jade, then would get shy and pull away. They were cute together!

Playing board games!

Maggie, Brian, Carly and Heather starting to get tired New Years???

Hi there!!!

The finished product!

The beginning - gutting it out!

The hallway in front of the bathroom that goes from kitchen to garage...

Sorry - I thought I'd be posting a bit more while I'm off, but we've stayed pretty busy for the most part. I also put these pictures on my facebook, but I will double post them this time as I haven't taken tons of pictures... After Christmas, we started on our main bathroom. We "threw" this bathroom in about 8 years ago when we started majorly redoing the house. So, it needed to be "redone". So, we started gutting and then had New Years, a dinner at a cousins house and Christmas at my mom's fall in between, so we work on it as able and are now almost done! I think all that is left is the floor trim and the door. I have to paint the door/frame and hallway yet and it will be done! I also need to paint the kitchen as well before we list the house. The bathroom is beautiful - my husband is so talented and I did pretty good picking out stuff as well!:) That is the fun part! I can't wait til we can build our new house! Since I've been off, we've been watching those stupid:) shows about redoing your house, etc. It does give you lots of ideas!

So, we had a New Year's Eve get together here this year (we usually do it at Jeremy's Dad's). We had Christopher and Amy and their 5 boys, us, Steve and Cheryl, and Heather and Brian and their girls came over around 11:30pm! Everyone but the Walsh's and Steve and Cheryl spent the night. We played games, ate, played video games, ate some more, visited, ate some more - you get the idea! We didn't start going to bed until 3am (guess who was first - ME). We were up by 8:30am thanks to Lyndsay! Steve made some delicious New York strip steaks and we had mashed potatoes, cheesy potatoes, green beans, etc. Lots of desserts as well. I had made my next goal in weight loss (down to 128) but have gained 5 pounds back with all the good food I've eaten in the last month! The Norditrak keeps staring at me... We had fun and took a day or to to recuperate. Then, on the 4th, we went up to Roscommon and stayed at this little lodge that my mom cleans - she got it for us for free! We stayed on one side and Heather and Brian stayed on the other. It was very nice - clean, spacious and loaded with amenities (even internet and cable)! We spent most of the time at mom and Bill's had supper Friday night, tried to help bake and then went over on Sunday for our big turkey dinner and presents and YES - DESSERTS! Nothing like my mom's apple pies and Heather made cocoa-pies this year with Brooke. I'm surprised I only gained 5 lbs! Sunday morning, I took Amber to church (requirement for college) and the church she had found online was closed (the weather was bad), so we drove all the way to Houghton Lake and found a few more closed ones and finally found an open one (Southern Baptist) she could attend. So, I went to Walmart to pass the time and waited for church to be done. We got to my mom's a little later than planned, but all turned out well in the end. We got home late Sunday night and the kids had school Monday morning:)

Monday I left around 12:30pm to take Amber back to college. We picked up another girl in Flint before heading out and arrived in Hammond at about 5:15pm. We ate dinner, went to Walmart and got them to the college at around 7:45pm. Erin went with me to keep me company on the way home. We got to see a little of the dorm area and the chapel and activity rooms. Makes me think back to my college days... (was that really 23 years ago???). So, Erin and I headed home about 8:30 and she watched Charlotte's Web and her laughing kept me awake. We stopped for gas and treats at 10pm and got home about 12:30pm. She fell asleep about 10:30pm! Her snoring then kept me awake - and the 20oz pepsi I drank!

Last Saturday night we went to Jeremy's cousins house in Macomb, MI for dinner and we've never seen their house. The weather turned sour about halfway there so it took an hour longer to get there:( But, it was worth it - the food was great and their house is beautiful! I thought I was in a magazine! She is very talented in decorating, painting, etc. I wish some of this talent I'm around would rub off on me!

I also went with Heather to pick up horse and chicken feed to Millington. That was fun - we put 500lbs chicken feed and 900 pounds of horse feed in the back of the Suburban and it didn't even squat! We unloaded and stacked the horse feed in her barn and cleaned stalls before I came home. I love the smell of sweet feed!

So, here we are finishing up the house - I've been packing some things away downstairs so far (decluttering) and am going to continue this week and then hopefully call a realtor next week. Isaac was asking me last night if we would be able to take the cat when we move and where would we stay if we sell the house? It's funny, I've been here 15 years, seen many changes, Brooke was only 6 months old... All of my other kids have been born while living here and know no different! What an adventure it will be if our house sells! I'm just worried about keeping 1100 sq feet clean with 7 people coming and going!

Lyndsay is a joy - she hasn't been feeling well the past week (bad colds have been going through the house since the beginning of December). She threw up a few times one night, coughing bad, runny nose and she's got 2 more teeth coming through on top of it! I took her to the doctor yesterday and she has a slight ear infection as well so she's on antibiotics. She slept a little bit better last night thank God! She is walking more and more. Erin is just getting over her cold, Isaac still has a cough, everyone else is healthy except Brooke was complaining this morning of troubles... She has been getting headaches again off and on. I think it's stress! Curt is funny - his voice is changing and you can tell he's going through some "changes". He's very lovable and likes to laugh (I think to hear it squeak!). Amber is sick right now, too.

Well, I'm thinking about exercising while Lyndsay is still sleeping or maybe I'll start painting or maybe just go take a shower to wake up more... The possibilities are endlesss! Have a great week and I'll try and take more pictures and post more often!

wow!

Christmas tired her out!

Grandpa Steve with all the kids

going hunting with daddy?

very excited

Shadow likes Christmas, too

is it the phone?