This morning we ran to Gap quick to exchange a few things, I found a shirt I liked and tons of stuff for the kids, but I think I'll wait til I go to Michigan city tomorow! After Gap we went swimming at Sarah's pool. The kids had a great time, I'm suprised Elliot made it as long as he did. He didn't get a morning nap and then we were at the pool like 1ish. He fell asleep on the way home and poor buddy kinda woke up when we got home, but never opened his eyes. When I got him out of this carseat he handed me his blanket (eyes closed) and then was feeling around for it so he could cuddle with it, laid him right down and hoping for a few hours sleep from him!

Oh look, Elliot has on a BLUE swim diaper instead of the pink ones we have! Sarah had all blue ones and I had all pink ones so we traded the ones we had with! Lucky Mr. Elliot!

Tonight is Football again, then tomorow I'm shopping, Wednesday or Thursday I have to get to St Joe to visit grandpa, open houses at schools Wednesday night, football scrimmage on Thursday night and I think there may be a varsity football game on Thursday too so we may go to that as well! It just never stops I tell ya, but I try not to complain because truly I can't imagine my life any other way!

What is this you ask... well it's a headlamp of course! Matt got this for Christmas, he wanted it to use for cleaning fish at night, well come May it was missing, so he hasn't used it really ever! But lo and behold, I just had to find it on accident, so now I get the absolute pleasure of seeing him wear it! Lovely huh?

Today was such a quiet day here... Elliot made up for Friday night by sleeping until 9:30 this morning! He went to bed around 9 last night, woke up once at around midnight, I cuddled him for a few minutes and put him back to bed, he fell asleep and slept until 9:30! I have to admit that I woke up at 8:00 and was a little worried about him, but I couldn't risk going to check on him either, if he was sleeping, he wouild have woken up when the door opened, you just can't sneak up on that kid! But my mind was put at ease when he finally made a noise!

I thought church was going to be awful with him. I really don't like to put him in nursery, every time I have he has gotten sick in the days following, so we really try to keep him out. I normally just take him in the back of church and let him crawl around (or Kate does it for me!). Today he was sick, so nursery wasn't really an option (although it's really just a cold), he was making quite a few noises in the beginning of the service, but fell asleep eventually, which is something he NEVER does anymore!

I talked to my grandpa this afternoon, he hasn't thrown up at all today and he said they would let him go home tomorow if he didn't throw up, but here's where I see a problem. He won't even sip on water or put ice in his mouth, he says it doesn't sound good, but my theory is that if he isn't putting anything in, how do they know that nothing is going to come out when he does? He was really dizzy from some meds they gave him for upset stomach when I talked to him. There is an appt that he was supposed to be at in the morning with his oncologist that I think is Sister-In-Law and brother are going to go to anyway so that they can talk to the doctor and try to get a better idea of what the future holds (although we all know that the future is in God's hand, we also know (and were reminded of this this morning in church) that miracles DO happen if we pray for them and it's God's will). I was going to try to go to that, but the only person that was able to watch my kids (w/o being totally overwhelmed by 15 kids at thier house, Mary) was my Grandma, which means that myself and my three kiddos would have had to leave the house by 7am. I can't imagine getting them all ready that early in the morning or what it would do to Elliot for the rest of the day, so I'm staying home.

Matt took the oldest boy and girl fishing this evening, so with Elliot in bed, here I sit, typing away and enjoying the peace and quiet!


Not for sure what tomorow will bring, kinda depends on the weather, but on Tuesday I know that I'm going shopping. Mary and I are heading to either Shipsey (not sure on the spelling of that) or Michigan City or to both, depends how ambitions we feel in the morning! Hoping to find some GREAT deals on summer clothes for spring break and maybe some fall clothes too. I'm desperately short on clothes!

Busy...

Yesterday was a good day. Elliot took two very good naps, within just one hour of each other, which sould have been a clue to the coming events (more on that later). In the morning we had one of Bailey's friends over with her 2 sisters and brother, at one point in the morning I had eight kids here, but as usual, it really wasn't bad, the more the merrier! (For mom's who don't quite get that yet... I promise you sometimes it's just easier to have more kids than less kids, temporarily at least). The morning went fast because of that, then it was nap time for all the kids in the afternoon (just my three), I got more laundry and cleaning done, put lot's of furniture back etc.

I had to put the furniture back after having the carpet cleaned, it was still not dry 36 hours after having it cleaned though, I don't think that is normal. I also feel like there is a film on the carpet, I almost feel like it needs to be cleaned again. Anyway, live and learn! It at least looks a little better! The major stains are gone!

AFter naps we were off to Target to get a few necesities (Diet Coke and stuff)! In the evening Landon and I had an open house to go to for one of Landon's friends that is moving away. The boys had a great time and got nice and sweaty playing football and jumping on a trampoline. I got nice and stinky sitting by a campfire! It was a nice relaxing time! Landon ended up spending the night with three other boys and they were up very very late, but he was happy to be able to spend time with his friend before he left!

I got a call from Matt toward the end of the party and he informed me that my Grandpa was on his way to the emergency room for dehydration and throwing up (which he had been doing all day non stop). I didn't learn any more about that until this morning. He was admitted and they still can't control his vomiting. He can't even swallow a drop of water without it coming back up. (Sorry if you have a weak stomach, I'm trying to make this "clean", but not sure how to say it without being blunt). He is getting fluids from an i.v. and will probably be there until at least Monday when I will return to hopefully meet with his doctor to get a better idea what is going on.

Matt also ended up having a few people over for fantasy football drafts, so we were up pretty late last night, Elliot had woken up at 9:30 and 11:30 (again, this should have been a hint). I finally got to bed around midnight (really quite late for me), but by 3:30 I was up again, shortly after I was watching middle of the night cartoons with the boy (which are not good by the way, in case you ever wondered), I finally got back to sleep by 5, but I'm exhausted and will be heading to bed SOON! I think it's a combo of a cold (which made him take good naps on Friday) and teething. Poor guy! Praying for better sleep tonight! (Oh, yeah, and Sarah if Sadie needs a new video I'm pretty sure I can get her one in the next few days... :)

We headed down to see Grandpa this morning and then had a birthday party for my Grandma too, her 76th! Here is a pic of her and I...


Enjoy your Sunday!

For Sadie...

Sadie thinks Elliot's tummy hurts, I know that Elliot just has a bit of a temper when things don't go as he thinks they should! So this is what we get on a daily basis... sounds fun huh? (I know the quality isn't great by any means, sorry about that)

Rain Rain go away...

...come again in a few weeks! I'm so so so sick of rain! Today actually wasn't bad, it only rained quick in the morning, but in the afternoon it dried up pretty quick, but then was hot and humid. Luckily it was windy and we were all able to go outside! At one point I had four extra kids here so being outside was a necesity! My carpet is still damp... is that normal? I'm not sure I'm all that thrilled with L&N, there is a slight film on the carpet that I only notice b/c I'm barefoot, but it's kinda sticky. Not sure I would call them again. (I think I remember thinking this last time I used them too... but thier prices are good...)

So today the little boy that I used to babysit came over to play. He is the same age as Bailey and I watched him 3-5 days per week from the time he was 9 months until he was 3 years old, so him and Bailey kinda grew up together. The kids (both Landon & Bailey) were so happy to see him, he had so much fun playing with both Bailey and then with Landon too!


This evening we met Sarah downtown Holland to watch the street performers (the ones that never showed up). When we got down there the skies were getting dark so it didn't look to promising, but we decided to walk a bit but still stay close to the cars. We ended up spending a bit of time (and money, some of us spent WAY more than others) at the Peanut Store, then we found a few people singing, but that was about it. It sprinkled a little bit so we decided to go to Treehouse books to see the "Games, Toys Etc", they probably didn't like us to much, we basically just wasted time visiting there, looking at Chet and Puddles and playing on the bridge thing. Oh well, it was shelter from the rain.


While we were doing all this Matt and Landon were supposed to be at practice, but that only lasted about 5 minutes because it started lightnin, so they were home long before we were. We had a good time, it was good to get out of the house! Nothing to big planned for tomorow, Matt may start to tile the floor, but we'll see, it always sounds like a good plan, but rarely get's done!

Clean Carpet

So, the carpet is clean (and soaking wet still)! I can't really tell if it looks great yet or not though b/c it still is wet, we'll see in the morning though! I think I'm happy with it! Stupid me though, I fell for an add on... arghhhh I hate that!

Check out this listing on e-bay! It's hilarious! Her blog is here too... I haven't looked at it to much, but from the item description on ebay I'm sure it will be great!

I'm amazed at how far cameras and developing (or lack of) have come! Looking through old pics I'm amazed at the clarity (or lack of) and the way pics were developed!

Here is another old pic... it's my grandma at her first job... as a phone operator!



And for my picture of the day I have this yummy one to share...


Matt is out right now buying tile for our bathroom floor and entry landing! I think I may have mentioned that Carpet Bonanza wanted almost $1100 to lay the linolium that we already own, we can tile the floor for way cheaper than that! We happened to go look at Lowes for some cheaper stuff and found some on clearance. We bought one and brought it home to see if it matched... and it was PERFECT, so Matt headed right back to buy it! Now he just has to lay it! This weekend maybe! Then we can FINALLY have an open house!

Old Pics...

Nothing really great today... just trying to get my life, or I mean this week, in order! I just feel like I'm being pulled in a lot of different directions, but I think I'm in order now, I just have to be ok with not doing a few things.

Remember I said I was going to scan a few old pics... well here ya go!

This is my mom's mom...my grandma, Irene! Unfortunately I was never able to meet her, she passed away before I was born!

These are pics of my mom and her brother, not sure what all the occasions were, I think one Christmas, the third was a wedding and I think the second could have been my mom's confirmation maybe, or maybe she was in a wedding, who knows.

Here's a 'Special' one... I played basketball one year... yes, me! So not an active type, and so wasn't any good. I remember my coach telling me to play a position and I pretended I knew what she was talking about, but really I had NO clue whatsoever! She finally explained what she wanted me to do... stay away from the ball is what I did though!


And a few layouts I've recently completed...



You can see credits here.

Just a quote...

"...made me realize that I needed a reminder. Maybe you need the same one, which is why I am posting it here. That reminder is how often I miss opportunities to tell people around me how much I love and appreciate them in my life. Or even simply forget to look at how fortunate I am from day to day.
I feel like I do a pretty good job of loving my life and the people around me- but then again I know there is always room for improvement. It takes little effort to compose a three word email saying, "I love you" or "I miss you" or "I care alot"- and even less effort to hit 'send'. Yet I go days at a time without sending little notes or being thoughtful and sometimes I am even critical to people around me."

This is from the blog Nitty. Gritty. I was just doing a little evening blog hopping and came across this comment and found it to be a good reminder. I know some of you already read her blog so may have already seen this, but for those that don't I wanted to share her same reminder!

More food...

Yesterday or a few days ago I saw some recipes for salads... more importantly Taco Salads and they started to sound really good to me... and you know me if you are a regular... IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION! So we had this amazing taco salad for dinner tonight! Here's the recipe... although there are no measurements b/c a)I don't measure and b)there were none in the original!
Salad:
Lettuce
Ground Beef (w/ taco seasoning)
Tomatoes
Crushed Doritos (we used Spicy)
Cheese
Corn (I used a can of white corn, drained, and I didn't use the entire can, just "to taste")
And whatever else you may like on a taco salad (i.e. beans)

Dressing: (this is where the goodness begins)
In a Food Processer** blend 1 smalish avacado, some sour cream and some Green Chile Sauce. Truly I have no idea how much I used.

COmbine in a bag and shake to coat all ingredients (although I don't like wilted lettuce so I put the meat on top after shaking, warm things tend to wilt lettuce)

Serve! AMAZING! We all loved it!

**Look another use for a food processer!!!!!

This morning we headed down to visit Grandpa again while he was receiving his chemo treatment. We went through a bunch of old pictures together so that passed time quite quickly! It was so fun to see these old pictures. I love the look of old pictures and the old school glamour look of the women. I will have to scan a bunch in soon and post some of them! My grandpa really enjoyed seeing them! As of this evening he was still feeling really well so that's a great thing! Prayers appreciated that he would continue to feel good and be able to eat regular food for a while! I am going back on Thursday to go to an appt with him for an endocronologist to discuss treating his diabetes. And then I'll be back on Saturday too for a birthday party for my other grandma adn to visit him again! Definately putting the miles on the new car... not a good thing considering it's a lease!

So remember my "Daily Something", well that didn't work so well, so now I'm trying to take at least one pic per day, ideally one of each of the kids! But I will post a pic each day... or that's my goal at least!

Today's pic is our Webkinz! Both kids wanted to buy one with birthday money today, so they were so excited to head to the flower shop and pick one out! They put them all on one account so that they can share money and rooms etc! They really do play really well together! They have to read for 1/2 hour every day before they can watch t.v., play game system, or play computer! Once they do that they are still on time restrictions, but like every terrible parent sometimes it's easier to let them play computer while I clean or get things done! And really I'm very blessed, my kids get along wonderfully, they could play together for hours and hours! So the new ones are the monkey and bulldog! The other two were Bailey's from her birthday and her dance recital!

Thier names are: Top Row: Dexter, Taylor Bottom Row: Tappy and Lilypad

And, Elliot was so mad this evening (mostly b/c he was so tired but it was way to early for bed), in his anger he opened his mouth and... I got a picture! Of the tooth! So, here it is, and yes I realize now after posting it here that you can barely see it in this pic, really in the original you can see it better!!
Oh yeah... and I called L&N this morning and they are coming on Wednesday between 3 and 6 (gotta love the span they give themselves) to clean the ENTIRE house! We will have to evacuate that evening until it dries a bit! Thanks for all the tips! We've actually used them before (along with a slew of other's), but decided to try them again! I'll let you know how it goes!

Joseph

Our plans last night kinda changed... drastically. The couple we were supposed to go away with ended up remembering a birthday party they were supposed to go to (long story) so we were alone... I really wanted to try "The Melting Pot" for dinner but Matt doesn't like fondue due to a Christmas dinner experience we had with it a few years back, the food just doesn't get done fast enough for him, so although he was willing to go for me, I could tell that he wasn't thrilled at the idea (if you have any ideas for helping me convice him sometime I'm open to suggestions). We tossed around a few other ideas but ended up in Grandville at the mall (TGI Fridays). While we were there I wanted to get myself something (retail therapy again), but Elliot is the one that ended up making out so well! (Jeans at Gap were buy one get one 50% off) Dinner was good and dessert was wonderful (one piece of Godiva chocolate)! DH scored BIG nice points tonight by actually going back to the mall after we left and going inside with me to get a piece of chocolate when I mentioned that chocolate sounded good... BIG points!

This morning was such a great morning for staying in bed... maybe if I didn't have three kiddos that didn't think that was a fun idea! I leave the windows open at night until about November when Matt just CAN NOT stand it anymore, I LOVE LOVE LOVE to be cold at night (another random thing to add to my 50), add in the sound of rain this morning and it just made for a great day! But alas we did get up and we did get to church! I actually went to get a coffee before church though for the first time since early spring... it was just that cold out!

Our message this morning was on Joseph, I think this is my favorite story in the whole bible! And it keeps popping up... it was the subject of the last study I did in my Beth Moore book and like I said it was the message this morning. I just love the lessons we learn from his life... God uses hopeless and disasterous situations to accomplish his will. The words Joseph said to his brothers when they came to him in Egypt and were remorsefull for all they had done to him are found in Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done... It took years for Joseph to realize why he was being sold, imprisoned, and made to suffer, but eventually he got there and God revealed his plan and will for him. God's will will be accomplished no matter what it takes. There is so much revealed to us in the story of Joseph's life.

And some other random things I've underlined in my Beth Moore study that I wanted to share...
We want to promise our children so much; yet we can truly guarantee so little. Thank God, He differs from us! He who promised is also able to perform 100 percent of the time! His every promise is attached to a certified guarantee.
We will not fully realize the cost of sin until we finally sit at His feet and know the inexpressible joy of His presence. How can we know what we have lost until we have regained it? Worse than any curse, we have lost the right of immediate access to the inner sanctum of God's glory. Yes, there would have to be a ministry of reconciliation.
The very heart of the gospel is realizing that God did not simply provide a sacrifice for us but instead of us. That is the good news. There is only one way to receive it after we have understood it - with profound humility and gratitude.
Have you ever noticed that God often requires us to leave our comfort zones in order to answer our calling? That through which God hones us is rarely within the parameters of the familiar. When we refuse to leave what is comfortable we often forfeit what is comfortable: our whole purpose for being.

All about Elliot
This morning (and in the past few weeks) he has started signing "All Done" and "More", not necesarily the correct way, but I know what he means! He is waving bye bye, night night and hi now. He still says Dexter, he does So Big, he is getting his second tooth (and we are all suffering through that process). He is waking up in the middle of the night, sometimes will go right back to sleep and most of the time won't. He has absolutely NO INTEREST in walking, I try to get him to stand up and he falls right down, although I know he can do it b/c he has done it for me, he just doesn't want to. Oh well, I can wait!

So hopefully everyone had a great Sunday/weekend!

A Pic Post

I really am ok with him not getting a tooth til now... he can eat steak just as well as the rest of us!

Our party went great! The movie was good (alhtough drawn out I thought) and the girls went to sleep well and woke up later than I thought (8:30)! They all got along well and I think had a good time!

Rollercoasters...

Do you like rollercoasters? I used to like them, but the only rollercoasters I've been on lately have been life's rollercoasters. And I don't like this kind at all. There are just so many things going on in life each with it's ups and downs. Many of you have been reading and keeping up with my most recent ups and downs and believe it or not there is still stuff not shared here... I'm a pretty open book, but not totally! Today I had some issues with my insurance company involving tears and yelling. I'm so frustrated with what they will and more importantly what they will not cover. What won't they cover you ask... everything! Things most people in good health without family history would consider vital, much less with the history and confirmation that I have. They don't cover prevention... everyone has a history and they can't prevent everything. So basically... when you are dying we may do something for you!

My grandpa spent the night in the hospital last night. He got the port and feeding tube inserted yesterday and while in recovery his blood sugar dropped drastically, causing concern and the doctors wanted to keep him for observation. He has always had bs issues, so this really isn't anything new. He will be home tomorow, at which point he needs 24 hour care, so I may have to go stay the night with him on Saturday.

Tonight is our big HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 party! We have six girls coming over to watch the movie and spend the night. Bailey is sooooo excited! We got the soundtrack off of i-tunes on Tuesday morning when it was released and they listen to it non-stop! Landon is actually looking forward to it too! I just returned from Wal-Mart and the party store to try to get some party stuff for decorating. I wanted a few balloons and maybe a banner or something... no luck though! Great party was out of balloons and pretty much everything else and Walmart didn't have anything either. The fact that I went to Wal-mart in the first place is HUGE! I H-A-T-E Wal-Mart. HATE HATE HATE it! For a large variety of reasons! But Mary got Ange some jammies from there (High School Musical Jammies) and I wanted some for Bailey... when I finally found them (10 minutes of looking) the only had two pairs left, both in a 5/6, which if you know Wal-Mart at all is inconsistent. The top looked like it would fit Elliot and the bottom would fit Landon, plus after one wash I'm sure it would have shrunk. So I got her a $6 t-shirt instead. Sure it will shrink too, but for $6 I"m not going to worry to much!

THe kids are both at EJ's right now and Elliot is sleeping so it's pretty quiet around here. I need to clean the bathroom once I'm done here and put some clothes away, but then the house is pretty well picked up (although there is always more that can be done). I still need to call L&N for carpet cleaning, I will probably do that Monday after the party.

Saturday Matt and I are actually going out. We haven't gone out alone in who knows how long. Mary is watching the kids and I think we may head to Saugatuck for dinner with some friends. Probably won't be a late night though, I can't do late nights, never have been able to, but especially now that I have kids!

Credits here.























I did some digishopping this morning... picked up a few things at my fav digi store (the Lilypad) now I just need to get in the mood to scrap... I really want to go take some great pics of my kids like Nina just did... mine would never be as good, but they are so fun to have and take!


Have a great weekend, I'm sure I'll be back tomorow with party pics! Let me know if you watch High School Musical 2 too! There has got to me tons of people having parties and such... seeings as how there is nothing left in the stores!

We have a ...

tooth! Yes, that's right... Elliot's first tooth broke through finally! He is only 11 months old so it's about time! I have only had a few little glimpses of it, he likes to play with it with his tongue so he's constantly covering it up! I can't believe he will be one next month, it couldn't possibly be a year ago that I was in the hospital delivering him could it? When we had him we were for sure that he would be our last baby... and we still were until 3 months ago (but we all know that story by now). My problem right now is that I still really am ok with only three kids (did I say only?), but I had it in my head two weeks ago that there would be four children running around this house one day (OK, maybe, hopefully not this house, but you know what I mean). And I was overwhelmed by the idea, but ok with it none the less. Now I don't know what I want though... are we still good with three or do we want a fourth? I'm just waiting to hear or feel a clear message from God, but I want instant results (did I ever tell you I like immediate gratification?), I really don't want to wait at all, but maybe that's what he is trying to teach me... patience! I don't like to learn new things though... expecially things I ahve to wait to learn!

Speaking of learning, I'm really wondering what I'm going to do when the kids return to school and I'm tossing around the idea of either working more (or at all I guess) or *gulp* going to school. I kinda like the idea of Web Design, but I would have a LOT to learn. Problem is I can't learn from reading books, I need instruction, so just looking at books gives me no idea if that's something I would like or not. Something along the same lines of web design would be ok too... just not sure what's out there... I need to go online and check some more things out. Matt is actually all for the idea, suprisingly, I thought with the money involved he would want me to wait!

Elliot has once again woken up early from a nap... couldn't it be from teething? I better go get him before he get's mad! Speaking of mad... he has this new thing he does that is so enjoyable... if we take anything away from him (like phones or controllers etc) he throws a fit, screaming as loud as he can (which is LOUD). He will eventually give up, but it's so annoying and like I said he isn't even one... I'm sure it will only get worse!

Enjoy your afternoon!

Shopping...

This morning I went to Target before taking the kids swimming to get Elliot a float thingy (which I DID get), but picked up a few other things while I was there...this dress being one thing... (it's much cuter than this picture shows it be) and I also picked up an "Under the carseat seat protector" for under Elliot in the car. I really need one to go under all the kids, but for now a blanket or towel will have to work.

I tried for over an hour to call the carpet cleaners, but kept forgetting and then when I did finally call they didn't answer... lovely. So, does anyone know of anyone that does a good job cleaning carpet for not an overly expensive price? (I hate when they add stuff on... $xx for stain removal, $xx for protector... why do they think I'm getting my carpet cleaned, of course I have stains that need to be removed, I have three kids and a dog, shouldn't that be INCLUDED?) We need the whole house cleaned (six rooms and a staircase), so I'm sure it won't be cheap but I'm looking for a deal!

After Target we went swimming for about an hour, then headed home for lunch and cleaning. I got quite a bit done, but as usual, there is quite a bit left to do. I did get the dining room floor mopped which I absolutely HATE doing, but it's done now!

Bailey and I just got back from Hobby Lobby. I checked this website today and got a cool idea (or at least I think so), so I'm gonna try it! Funny b/c yesterday I was thinking that I would like to get some more canvaes made like the one I did for fathers day for Matt, but don't want to spend the money... and then I found this! I'm going to start working on one as soon as I'm done here... not sure exactly what I'm going to do, but I will definately be back with pictures when I'm done.

For now I need to go, Elliot keeps thinking he wants to press any and every button and I keep having to correct things. He did something though that's going to drive me nuts... but I'm sure someone can tell me a quick fix... I can't "insert" letters etc, it types over instead... any wonderful ideas for fixes for that?

Nothing new...

This is just for Sarah, cuz I know she expects a post every day (and normally I deliver a post/day), but today I really don't have anything to post. Busy busy day... visit grandpa this morning/afternoon, swimming this afternoon, dinner with parents, football for Matt and Landon, visit with friends this evening and here I am! I do have a layout that I finished last night that I really like... Bailey and our neighbor...