Shopping

Today I got the opportunity to Christmas shop with my favorite 11 year old. It was such a treat to be able to talk with him and give him my complete attention. He shopped for the rest of the family and it was great to see how he wanted to make everyone happy but choosing items that fit their interests. I always knew he was thoughtful, but to see it in motion and be able to experience it was a blessing. We sang Chriatmas songs honoring God on the way home and I took the opportunity to allow him to ask me any questions about anything. I brought up some touchy subjects and he reassured me that all was good. I love my little man so much. I know someday he will choose other peoples company to mine, but I will cherish what he does give me.

Smile

Michigan adventure 2010

The funny thing is that Trinity is afraid of heights and Tristan is pretending to be terrified

Grandpa B and Tessa

Tommy and Tristan

(see full image)

Sent from my iPad

Lurking in person...

So while reading friends blogs, I found a woman who touched my heart. She is struggling with so much. I lurked for months reading about her pain, until she decided to add an invite only status to her blog. Since I don't personally know her, I figured I would just have to pray for her without any specifics from her posts.

But lo and behold, she has children at the same school as I do. So I see her almost everyday now. I've made excuses to talk to her and offer a smiling face when I can.

I just keep hoping that God will use me if He needs me in her life.

Open house Wednesday

The week before school on Wednesday is always the day the schools have open houses. So from 4:30pm until 7:00pm we made the rounds to three schools all over the district.

Tristan was the easiest because since he is in GT his entire class moves from one classroom to the one next door. The teacher knew him on sight and of course his paranoid mom wondered if last years teacher had given the new teacher a warning about him. Ahhhh! He travels the farthest from the house with a trek on 3 buses to get to and from school.

Next was Tessa who is starting first grade. She was added to her class last week so I was hoping the teacher was prepared for her (and she was). the principal greeted us at the door, knew we were a NEW family and sent us to the sunshine room. I feel so bad because I'm sure I prepped the other kids at first grade to learn the teachers name and classroom name, etc over the summer. She is getting a crash course this week. Tessa only rides one bus to and from school since she is at our HOME school.

Trinity was next and she is going to the school we know the best since it was our home school when we lived at our old house. The kids and teachers are familiar and while she could have moved to Tessa's school. She would rather end her elementary years with her friends. She only has to take two buses to and from school.

Praying for a great year for my kiddos and that God gives me strength and ability to keep it all together.

House and home

So much has happened in these past months...

We moved into what we can only say is our dream house. Jeff and I have been dreaming of moving back out in the country and by the grace of God, it happened!

We found a home that seems to to fit all our needs including some extra room for my mom when she stays with us for 6 months. The only thing missing are some animals to eat down the two pastures that we have!

I can still hear my own words saying that "I don't think I could ever live that far out" but the drives to work and the "city" have been fine (so far). We will have to see what winter brings us but I am not too concerned. Funny how a 15 minute drive could be so intimidating when you are so spoiled to have everything at your fingertips before!

I hope to post more pictures soon. I've downgraded my phone from smart to simple and even pictures are a luxury nowadays. I miss being able to record life on the fly so I think I will have to go back soon!

Tristan is in football (a post of that experience is soon to come) and Trinity is going to start soccer soon while taking a few months from horseback riding. Tessa took a month off from gymnastics and is on a waiting list for soccer (Mom was bad this year).

Looks like we wont have any boredom until November probably! LOL

Goodness

Today at church we heard a sermon on goodness, one of the fruits of the Spirit. It really touched me and gave me a tiny bit or reassurance that I was on the right track sometimes!

This past week I passed around a birthday card for an ex-coworker of mine that is in federal prison. It has something to do with child pornography but I don't know the details and I don't really think I need to.

I got the strangest reactions when I asked a few people if they were interested in signing the card. Lots of "Have you heard from him?" (the answer is no), some enthusiastic "Yes"es and definite "No"s. When asked why, I told them that I wanted to send him encouragement for when he was released and that I would hope that someone would remember me if the tables were turned.

Pastor Steve says that Goodness is drawn to Brokenness. I guess I can relate to that very easily. My heart is drawn to the hurt. I write letters to people I know in prison and to kids of my old high school classmates who are in a National Guard youth program as a last chance.

I have mentored teen moms and I recently got in touch with an old high school classmate on Facebook who I tutored through Government class so he could graduate. He says he appreciated my help and has never forgotten me. The biggest thrill is that asked God to bless me and for that I am grateful.

I will continue to pray that the Holy Spirit leads me to do these little things that cost maybe a stamp and 20 minutes. This is a fruit of the spirit that I'm so glad to have in my heart.

Father's Day 2011

We spent this fathers day weekend with a start at Holland Hospital. Jeff had shoulder surgery scheduled for Friday. He was quite nervous about going under the knife. While I know all the things people say to calm one's nerves before surgery, it is quite different when it is your best friend and partner in life.

The surgery went well and while the doc found a little something, he thought that what he planned to do in the first place would be enough to get rid of the pain. The recovery is going well. No nausea and the nerve block worked wonderfully!

Saturday was a trip to an open house for a niece and a small trip to Lowes for grilling supplies! We went to red box and got a family movie as well as a parent movie, which I fell asleep through.

Sunday morning we skipped church and Jeff got treated to a shower. He got a pair of hand weights for father's day along with breakfast from Trinity and Tessa. We went to Butch's Beach Burritos for lunch and then came home to make Beer Can Chicken.

Jeff makes the best beer can chicken. The kids were so excited and we were treated to a gourmet meal.

I am always proud of my husband. He amazes me often and is a good man. I am blessed to have him.

Pornography

Today I found out that an old acquaintance of mine got fired from his job for looking at pornography at work.

You could look at him and see...

A good man,
A father,
A husband of many years,
A Christian,
A good worker.

He's quiet and nothing about him screams "Weirdo".

But the truth is, pornography is an addiction and we are all sinners.

Is his sin bigger than mine? Just because he got caught and for something so dirty?

The answer is no.

We all sin. Whether it is made known to all, a few or even to just your own heart.

Look for help with all your sins... especially if they can affect you like his did.

Confess, repent and work hard to change your ways.

I know it is easier said than done.

But don't give up trying.

Prayer for Kristi and her family

If you look over at the other blogs I've linked to, you will see one for Kristi and Brian. Please pray for them as they face the nearing of the day that Kristi will walk with our Lord instead of with us.

Thanks.

May

May is always a busy month. Between having FOUR family birthdays to celebrate in the first week of the month, there is always Mother's Day and then my birthday. Also May seems to be the busiest month of the school year, or at least it feels like it is at the moment.

The kids have so many field trips, last minute projects and of course Tulip Time seems to creep into the mix as well. We have never been in the parades, but we do enjoy going to at least one of them during the festival.

Add Girls On The Run to it all and the big race being the day after my 40th birthday... I can hardly even think that far ahead. Plus, there is a scheduling conflict with the 4th graders going on a school field trip that will interfere with the day of the big race. So we tack on another 5k in Grand Haven the next day for the 6 girls who will be missing our regional race.

Memorial Day will bring a weekend in Ludington where we have reservations for the weekend...

I am thankful to be able to keep chugging though it all without breaking down. I may not remember all that I have to do or what I have been doing, but that's okay. Whenever I get down about it, I think back to the first May that I hardly remember... the one when Tristan was born.

So May will continue to be one of my favorite months. :)

Stationery Card

Our Promise Thank You Card

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It makes me proud! ~T2

We went back to riding lessons after taking the winter off. This has been Trinity's thing ever since she was little. We found Alicia on Craigs List and she has been amazing.

Trinity has graduated from riding Ace to riding Petey Parker. Petey is a speed horse and much more responsive than Ace was. There were a couple times that I was sure Trinity would be scared but then this is the same girl who fell off a horse last year and climbed back on. I really am so proud of her!

The title of this post is Trinity's response to my question of "How did you like going back to horseback riding?"

Family Galore!

It is a quiet evening with everyone in the whole house asleep. Trying to rest up after a great week in New York.

The first part of the week was a quick but fantastic trip to visit my relatives. Believe it or not, I do have family. I only write that because I live so far away that my day to day life often consists of my hubby's family who are all great, but I don't often see the people who have known me my whole life and know where I come from.

While Jeff was taking this picture I get such a warm spot in my heart because while we were all saying "Cheese", my Tia Monica was saying "Whiskey". I adore my aunt. She has always been a lady who never seemed to raise her voice and always been even-keeled even when she was under the stress of losing my uncle last year. She is a strong woman and so fun to be with. It is always great to see her, the bonus is that she makes the BEST empanadas in the whole world! She spoiled us this visit as always.

We also celebrated my brother's birthday before we drove to camp. He works second shift so we went out for breakfast with him and my sister-in-law. A joke that he has with the kids is to ask them "Who is your favorite uncle?" to which the kids reply "Uncle Pete". Uncle Pete is technically Jeff's uncle, but ever since Tristan was small, he would ALWAYS reply Uncle Pete when David asks him this question. David just laughs and laughs.

Just say no...

Tonight at GOTR I had an interesting incident occur...

Our talk today was about drugs. Keep in mind that the audience is 3rd - 5th grade girls. We talked about marijuana, alcohol and tobacco. I don't think we have ever had such a lively conversation. I have to say that I was amazed that the girls had so many questions. For example after being told that marijuana was a leaf that people rolled up and smoked, a little girl asked if what she should do when her parents burned leaves in the fall. We may giggle, but the serious side is that as a parent I realize that I do have to take the time to talk about these things.

My own daughter asked if all drugs were bad, as in the ones that doctors give you (Her concern probably stemming from the fact that she sees me take medicine everyday!). We took the time to explain that you don't take drugs that weren't specifically given to you by your doctor.

The talk about tobacco lead to several of the girls explaining that smoking leads to cancer and death. Try explaining to a bunch of young girls that these "drugs" are legal to adults over 18 years of age.

One girl had started crying after this discussion so I took her out and talked to her. My gut told me that something from the conversation had bothered her, but she just kept saying she missed her mom. I let her call her mom on my cell. It appeared that she didn't answer. I got her to stop crying, rejoin the group and she finished the session with an energy award for doing her best that day.

I noticed a mom was there early so I followed my little friend out to see if it was her mom who had come early, maybe noticing the call that she had missed. It was the mom and when I came close to let her know what had happened that day, I noticed the heavy smell of smoke.

Now I should have prefaced all of this by saying that if somehow cigarette smoking was not harmful and overall gross, I would be smoking as I type this. I'd rather have a cigarette than a drink and always have. It's a struggle and if there is a social situation, I will usually give in. Some of the best talks I ever had have been over a cigarette.

But it does make me contemplate why alcohol and tobacco are legal. I know that the argument could also be to outlaw Twinkies.

I know that my little friend is loved by a mom who came early to see if her daughter was okay. But could she be loved enough to stop smoking for her?

Could my kids be loved enough to stop smoking and drinking for them?

The funny thing is that the mom mentioned to me before she left, that she HAD answered the phone, but the girl didn't say anything.

I hope I give my kids a voice to say whatever they need to say to me, even if I don't like hearing it.

Running...

Ok so everytime I say "Running" in my head it sounds like Forrest Gump.

Girls On The Run has been a blast. I am starting to fall in love with 26 girls who all seem to get along and while it is sometimes crazy to get them to all be quiet (at the same time), they encourage each other which I think is great!

Each meeting we talk about things like healthy habits or feeling good about ourselves even when people criticize things like our hair or our clothes. As a mom, I often gloss over these types of things because I assume they already know, but as a coach I know they can't be told enough times that they are precious and special.

Lately I've been a little frusterated with myself because aside from starting to train for a 5K (which for me is probably a bigger deal than it is to most), I have been starting an exercise program with Jeff at home that leaves all my muscles like jello!

So wish me luck as I try to balance both. My heart is with the girls right now. They are so sweet and encouraging to me as I putter along.

Life as a third grader

My Trinity turns 9 years old tomorrow. Tonight I let her have a couple friends spend the night. It ends up that one gal had to go back home at night because of ballet lessons in the morning, but we got to squeeze in some fun before she left!

We went to Build A Bear and managed to walk out of there with three Peace Bears and one horse. Trinity was gracious enough to let little sister Tessa tag along and she was having the time of her life watching her big sis be a total GIRL!

The girls sang, watched Camp Rock 2, listed to Hannah Montana, Camp Rock 2 soundtrack and Kids Bop 19. We had pizza, went to Build A Bear, Justice, Claires and made a pitstop at McDonalds for some snack size McFlurries. There were many "Girls Rule" cheers and while I drove to and fro, I tried to keep an ear out to hear who was cute and who wasn't. Who was the favorite Jonas brother and how the three girls thought they could have been sisters with their dark hair and brown eyes.

Jeff and Tristan went to some friends for some BOY time (I love that a first grade boy called to invite my husband and son over for a play date!) Another blessing!

When Jeff and Tristan made it home, the kids played some Just Dance 2 and other Wii games while Jeff and I just sit around and try to make the kids giggle at some silly joke or another.

It's 11pm and I'm beat, I don't expect the kiddos to sleep anytime soon (except for Tessa who is sacked out on the coach). Now it is time for High School Musical 3...

New Blog that I follow...

I've added a new blog to my reading list. It is of a couple at church who has been dealing with cancer for many years. I've followed and prayed for this family even though I haven't had the chance to meet them personally. I know her parents and they are great people.

They recently have decided to stop chemo and could use some prayers. So prayer warrior friends, please lift this family up.

TRAINING...

So I think it is hilarious that on Saturday I attended training on how to be a Girls On The Run coach and on Monday I had mentor training for Younglives. I should be close to perfect with all this training that I am getting! Ha!

It is my first experience with Girls On The Run, but I am looking forward to it. My daughter wants to do it and asked me to be her coach. I blame Jeff for being her soccer coach in Kindergarten! :) I look forward to seeing her complete a goal of running a 5k. I'm all about empowering my daughter to accomplish a goal she set for herself and gaining the self-confidence.

I've been doing Younglives for almost a year now. Being a mentor seems much harder than being a coach. As a mentor there is no concrete evidence of the impact you are having. No wins and losses that can be tallied or calculated into a percentage. I just pray that I can be a glimmer of God for those babies and young moms.