SNNOOOOOW DAY!

 AND THE COUSINS GOT THEIR WISH!  AND THE SISTERS SHARED ANOTHER CUP OF COFFEE!

What an interesting day...

on so many levels!  I watched the cloud front move in late this morning...just like a curtain.  The sun was shining, yet there was a definite line as the front moved in with this afternoon's rain/sleet/snow filled clouds.
What a picture of the emotions that filled this day!  Sometimes the clouds come and cover up the light of the sun.  But we know...the sun still shines...even when you can't see the brightness or feel the warmth.  I am thankful that I know the God that made the sun...as well as the clouds.  He has His purposes for each...and we will trust Him for that! 
Tonight's snowflakes...a reminder of His sovereign care and plan...bringing with them...hope for tomorrow. 
(On a lighter note for that hope for tomorrow...the cousins are praying for a snow day...they want to have plans together.)

Oh dear...

so much to do, so much to remember, places to go, people to see, and now...more snow!?  We are watching the skies...again...but not with as much anticipation as we had in December.  The excitement of another 4 to 6 inches of snow...feels more like indigestion today!

A quiet patient...

well...except for the coughing.  Teddy and I are hanging out together today.  With basketball practice cancelled for tonight, it is a little easier being confined to home.

Using up some leftoever birthday cake frosting...

by baking up some chocolate cookies.  YUM!  A recipe on pinterest for homemade oreos...and I wanted to try to see if the cookie part was any good.  It is.  Ted wanted to know where the cream was.  "I'll make it next time...after this frosting is used up!"

"Where are the girls?"

 It was a legitimate question!  Two boys outside with bb guns...one experienced...one breaking in his birthday present.   We adults watched from the dining room windows.  Ha, ha, ha, ha!  They were out with the boys...who were shooting their bb guns.  "They really shouldn't be out there?  Should they?"  My sis made me laugh!  "They'll be fine...if they take a shot at them...?  They probably had it coming!"  Oh..."Girls, stay back!"  The boys brought in their trophy...a shot up pop can!  They were so proud...then Uncle Ted pointed out that now "we can't turn it in to get the deposit back!"
At least they didn't shoot their sisters or themselves!  We can handle a loss of 10 cents.

Happy Birthday, Bryn!

 "You sure know that we like candy, Aunt Kari!" Caden said.  Bryn's stash got a girlies look..."It's a purse!"  I am always relieved when people see the same thing I was trying to accomplish.

 

The cake diaries will continue later this week...as Bryn's girlie cake is baked for her to share with her girlfriends.

Hoopin it iup!

 Half-time challenge with the coaches...

Teddy is in the blue with part of his number showing...he is 29.  He was moving slow for this week's game...didn't have his usual zip and wasn't willing to sacrifice his body to get the rebounds.  He whispered to me yesterday morning that his throat and head hurt.  I gave him some meds...so he could play the game.  We kept water coming at him.  When the day was over...his resolve had dissolved into tears of pain.  Ring, ring, ring...Round 2!!!
As much as I want to ignore...deny...whatever...he is now burning up with the fever bug...and he and I are home on this Sunday morning.  Ted requested that I keep our children away from him, "I can't get sick!"  And so begins another week...another round of fevers and make-up work...another week of sanitizing and keeping our kiddo comfortable!

Questions I ask...

Why don't neighbors remember to turn their vehicle radios down...or off...when they warm up said vehicles in the early, early winter A.M.?  It is rough being awakened by head banging music before 6am.

Is it proper to wink and nod at the lady shoveling her driveway...as you kindly plow out the excess as you clear the park streets?  Maybe the plow man did this to make sure I saw him?  And out of pity?  This lady does say "Thank You!" for not plowing all her hard work back in!

What is the best cleaner to use on the plastic you shrink wrapped on your window?  The window above the kitchen sink gets all spotty from dish water and bubbles...I actually had this thought...because I didn't want to use something that would eat a hole in the plastic.

What do you say to the lady who comes to your door to tell you that your kiddos aren't supposed to be sledding on the huge hill in the common area?  No rules posted on the hill or in the park handbook.  How would you respond to "Well...I don't want them to hit my trailer.  I heard them say they hit a tree."  And....I still chuckle...now..."If they hit a tree, they will learn.  That is our concern."

Should I wear sunglasses when I do dishes, so our neighbors don't think I am watching them go in and out of their trailer?  The kitchen sink is right under the window that looks out onto the neighbor's main entrance.  I don't want them to think I am staring at them...when I really am doing dishes!

If the wind gusts get under the trailer, could it flip?  Will the windows pop out?  'Cause it really sounds like we could go for a ride some times.

Book Two...Cake Diaries

My sis put in her cake orders for the month!  One chocolate layer cake...coming up!

Sometimes...our kiddos look over our shoulders when we are drooling over recipe ideas on pinterest.

Caden spotted a camo cake!  He chose an easy idea and I happily indulged!

This cake lady will happily deliver...especially when offered a hot cup of coffee and a chat!

By the time I got home delivering the kiddos to school, delivering the cake, and making a couple stops...the deck and driveway were all drifted in and I couldn't open the door...till I shoveled.  Third round of coffee coming up...sure wish I had some cake to go with it.  Ha!

Happy Birthday to our cousins!

Caden and Alec turn ten years old!  Bryn turns thirteen!  Wow!  Happy Birthday!!!

This is not a lunchbox...

according to Ted...it is called a Mystery Box!  When he opens it each day at lunch time, it is a mystery to him what the lunch lady has packed for him.  Yesterday...was...well...not one of her finest moments.  One time...she forgot to pack silverware.  It was a mystery to him how he was supposed to eat his warm-up lunch of chili or soup or pasta...I forget.  This time..."it was like the lunch lady looked in the fridge and said, 'What leftovers need to be eaten today?' Sandwich...warm-up...it was a mystery to me how she came up with the variety that she did!" 
I really should pack lunches at night!  The very thought of food early in the morning makes me want to gag...every. single. day.  My poor family...they shouldn't be scared to open their lunchboxes...or as Ted lovingly refers to it...his mystery box.  Thanks, honey, for making me laugh and then carefully think about what I put in your lunch.  Today...should be better!

Fifth day of fever...

and lots of coughing.  We finally found something that is working for Miss Alisa...hot tea with honey.  I made her a cup yesterday and I re-discovered it at 12:20am when I realized the NyQuil wasn't helping AT ALL!!!  It brought back memories of Dad or Mom getting up with me...not so long ago...and fixing me something hot to soothe my incessant coughing in the middle of the night.  I wasn't as loving as I remember Dad and Mom being.  I passed the cup to Alisa under the glow of the mantel lights and headed back to bed. 
This being sick stuff is tiring...and I am not even the one who is dealing with all the coughing side effects!  One down...I wonder how many more of us will go down.  After being out of the constant barrage of germs the last three years, we are putting in good time catching up as we rebuild school-worthy-immunities. OI!

It was bound to happen!

"Aww, man, now we are going to be late!" Teddy whined.  It was 7:58am.  "We have till 8:15 before we are late." Ashlynn explained.  First time...since we have moved and driven the route to school...the same time every day...that we have seen a train coming through our intersection!  It was bound to happen sooner or later.  "If you plan to leave early, situations like this are not a big deal!  If you insist on running late and not planning, then you deserve to be held up!  Ohhh, look at Mr. Excursion cutting through...he is running late and is annoyed...and could risk causing some problems behaving like that!"  I commented.  "Where is that policeman that was sitting here yesterday?"
It never ceases to amaze me...people's lack of planning, lack of following basic rules of the road, and use of selfish, lazy ways...regularly putting others in harm's way. 
GET UP EARLIER!  AND BE NICE...and quit jeopardizing the safety of my family.  We, adults, have been up since 6am or before, and the kiddos 6:15 or 6:30am...showered and dressed, time to drink coffee, readied for the day, ate breakfast, let our car warm up, and are not snarky at each other.  There is no reason you can't do that either!
So...Mom and Dad...what are you teaching your children these days about time management?  To rush about and fight with one another all morning long?  There is not an "On Time Fairy" that will all of a sudden appear and sprinkle his magic dust over your soon to be adults!  We are training the next generation...and so far...we have trained them to be...
1.oblivious to responsibility of being on time...not to mention chores
2. to arrive a wrinkled, rumpled mess
3. to be rude and obnoxious on the roads
4. to overlook personal hygiene
5. crabby and nasty with words...or grunts
6. to provide lame excuses
7. to not plan ahead the night before
8. to not plan time to spend with the Lord before facing the day
9. to forget needed items
10.  to never allow time for unplanned emergencies or changes
I can say these things out loud now...I have lived them.  I have had and continue to have my  moments of selfishness and have had to adjust my thinking...and activities to be a better example to our children.  We still have our days of grumpiness and fiddling, but there is active training going on!  We all have a choice to make...and sometimes we don't make good ones...even though we know better!  It is part of growing up, maturing, and showing respect for other people.
My parents taught me by example.  We need to teach our children...by a good example too.  I had people I was accountable to.  Our children need to be held accountable too...some day they will have bosses...and a family.  I am married to a morning person who has shown me a better way.  I am a mother to three children...very close in age...that did not allow me the privilege of willy-nilly throwing things together...IT NEVER WORKED!  I have to have a plan and get it together.  I have a mother-in-law who used her notebook to plan and plan ahead.  I borrowed her idea...it helps.  We want to give our children the tools they need for life!  Life is hard when you are not prepared.  God's Word tells us to do all things decently and in order, I Corinthians 14:40.  God also tells us to be kind to one another, Ephesians 4:32.  Pretty simple.  Pretty easy. 
If the grown-ups in your house don't get it together...don't count on an "On Time Fairy" to show up and zap your kiddos at the magic age!  It's our job, Mom and Dad...whether you like it or not.  
Do us all a favor...get up earlier!

Another day with fever...

but it is coming down!  She is dealing with the sore throat and coughing now.  We had toast and tea this morning while watching Secret of Moonacre and listening to the wind howl.

"Well, there is a new family that's moved to town!"

 Checking in...

 A couple modifications...this was before the drill met his finger!  Nothing a little paper towel and duct tape couldn't fix.

 A total of 65 racers...the little racers had hot wheels.

 Mr. Len giving Teddy a hard time about the Bulls theme of his car..."but since the Pistons keep losing, it is probably a good choice for now."

 Handing out trophies...Ashlynn accepted for her feverish sister...who was home in the chair.  Daddy sent video clips of the races...and her car kept winning!

 Ted's statement about his car..."It won!"  He won the speed for the adult category.

 Trophies for speed and nice looking cars...but the surprise of the day?  Alisa's car broke speed records and she ended up with First Place for speed in the kid category...and she wasn't even there to enjoy it!  Daddy was and is still shaking his head!  Her car took the least amount of time and energy.

 Three of our cars made it to Victory Lane!  What a fun day!  Thanks to Mr. Len and all his helpers for a first class pine derby!

And....they're off!

Everybody except Alisa and I...that is!  She is burning with fever...so we are cuddled up watching a movie and watching the snow fall outside.  I sent the camera with Ashlynn and Grandma.  We look forward to hearing how the afternoon of racing goes!  Bummer!

Special visitors for the weekend...

Papa and Grandma drove through a mini-snowstorm yesterday to come spend the weekend with us.  We had plans to celebrate their birthdays with a meal out and a special dessert.  The kiddos chose Big Boy...a supposed Michigan treat!

We adults did the Friday night seafood buffet.  Most of it was good...there were a couple surprise-deep-fried-items.  I am not sure if we chose the best representative of this Michigan icon.  We will not be headed back there any time soon!!!  Sorry, Dad and Mom!!!  We made a memory though!

Funny expressions...was this when they were trying to figure out if it was fried cheese curds or corn?  Poor Ted...I thought they were cheese curds...they looked to be oozing cheese...they were shaped like cheese curds...there were deep fried mushrooms...those all go together.  Imagine his surprise when he took a bite and got some sort of creamed corn filling.  Sorry, honey!  They tasted ok.

Teddy liked his Classic Big Boy and ate the whole thing!  Poor Alisa was burning with fever and was miserable.  I didn't torture her for a picture.

We enjoyed a fire and the video that Ted made for me again.  This time, Grandma got the Kleenex box.

Happy Birthday dessert and Happy to have Papa and Grandma visit weekend!

Thursday's Half-time

 First through Fourth grade boys got to play a basketball game during half-time.  Teddy and Caden were the oldest boys.

 They sat out for a short time so the younger boys could get their hands on the ball.

They had a fun time playing and we all had fun watching.

My new first grade friends...

who asked if I was 25 years old!  No.  Are you 60?  No.  Are you 30?  Higher.  Are you 40?  No, I am 43!  Wow!!!  You're old!  They knew who I was...because they know who my kids are...and were explaining it as each student walked into the classroom.  They were so friendly and helpful.
One of the grades that I haven't taught...and it was fun.
You know you are a first grader when...Your long sleeves bear the marks that you used your sleeve as your Kleenex.  You print your name off the lines.  You color off the sides of your paper all over your desk.  You collide with friends in the middle of the gym and need your teacher to love on you till the tears stop.  Your pencils fall on the floor CONSTANTLY.  You keep track of the clock.  Your tummy growls and all you can think about is fruit break.  You say random things like, "Sometimes my hair tickles my nose."  You read haltingly but know what the story is about.  You love your teacher...even though you just met her.  You want to clean out your desk and all your friends will help you.  It is hard to walk in a line, you want to hop or skip.  You throw your lunchbox into the bucket.  So...Moms, beware...those Pringles or cookies you lovingly pack so carefully...will be smashed after the lunchbox is chucked into the bucket and twelve other lunchboxes will land on top!

This has been the most emotional Valentine's Day ever!

I can't stop thinking about it...but when I do...I cry.  I cried straight for almost an hour last night.  My eyes are puffy and stinging today.  And now as I try to compose my thoughts into words...I am a crying mess again.  It is a good thing it is a stay at home day today.
My husband and children sat me down after church last night and gave me a gift...24 minutes of precious memories in a special video that Ted put together with some of our favorite songs about the home and family.  Teddy handed me a Kleenex box as Ted cued the video, "Trust me, Mom, you are going to need it!"  By the second picture, I was choking back sobs.  Our children have grown and changed so much...soon...they are going to be old enough to leave.  I watched the life we have lived up to now...
some of which I find the memories fading all too quickly...
some of which I hurt at the memories...
some of which bring hysterical laughter...
some of which bring tears of joy...
some of which bring heart rending thankfulness...
all of which I want to hold close...for these years have changed us...for the good!
Ted chose specific pictures for certain reasons...and I knew without looking in his eyes what his heart was saying.  What is most precious to us...in this life we live here on earth...is that we know God our Father...and that our children have a relationship with Him!  God has taught us that!  They are the only "things" we can take with us to Heaven. 
We've had the success that this world says is important.  We've lost it and/or given it up purposefully.  Through it all...God has blessed our home with love and peace...and I see it in the pictures that have captured our memories over the years.  God has allowed us to enjoy many different things over the years.  We know where the hard parts were...and are.  We know where the blessings fall.  And we know the One who has let each circumstance, decision, and memory filter through His hands.  God is good...oh...He has been so good to us!

We sent our little loves off to school in a festive mood...

 and by that I mean...they ate breakfast out of heart shaped bowls and off heart plates, they heard me tell them I love them as they got out of the van, they got a squeeze from Dad before he left for work, and they had treats for their class.

 Ashlynn's Oreo pops for her classmates and only notes for the girls.  She wrinkled her nose when I asked if she wanted to tack names on them, "Why? I don't care about doing that."  Oh, my pre-teen girl.

 Teddy's Lego bags for his classmates..."with no love stuff!  It is weird enough that I have to give stuff to the girls."  And this makes me laugh out loud loudly...some day he is going to be as smooth as his Daddy!

Alisa's Oreo truffles for her classmates and only notes for the girls..."Mom, that's enough, the boys don't care anyway."  She worked tirelessly to create all sorts of special cards for her friends and has been sending them out.  Me...on the other hand...made all sorts of cards...and they are still sitting safely in the basket where I stacked them...but people need to know that I care every day...not just Valentine's Day.  That sounds lame...but it is true!  So with a heart that is full...and thankful...to our family and friends near and far...Happy Valentine's Day!  We love and appreciate you!  We are thankful for the bond of love that we share because of Christ and His perfect gift of love.