Yikes.

In a desperate attempt to entertain himself while Chase was at school, Drew came running out of my bathroom yesterday all dressed up and no where to go.

Sleepless in Caledonia

Tonight is Sunday night, and the last night before the first day of school. Guaranteed, I will be tossing and turning all night. This is a common thing for me on Sunday nights, I can't get my mind to turn off and perhaps I had a Diet Pepsi (sooo much better that Diet Coke) too late into the evening and the caffeine is getting to me. But the reason I will be awake tonight is this, my little boy, my firstborn will be starting First grade tommorrow. This is the big time. I will miss him for so many reasons. Chase is the big kid around here. The younger ones follow his lead and look to him for entertainment. He is so helpful and kind, and always ready with a hug and a smile. Maybe I fear that school and all the hooligans he meets will change his mild mannered and good heart. I don't think that Drew is going to get along real great without Chase at home, they are best friends and this summer that relationship was really cemented. See video.


I know we will all adjust.

I know every Mom goes through this, but it is emotional nonetheless. If you know me, I am not a huge crier, but this has had me on the verge all month, and at the most random times! I was in Meijer on Friday night and spent half and hour finding just the right pencil box for Chase. I mean, come on, it was just a pencil box but I was obsessed with it. I did not find one that I liked and I started welling up---ridiculous!

Well, that about sums it up for now. Insomnia, back to school, and crying over a pencil box. Just another day in the life of every mother out there, can anyone relate?

Triplet Photos

I was able to sit with Stacey and feed the girls on Saturday. I took these photos of the girls sleeping in their cribs with full tummies. They are in this order: Olivia, Evie, Sophie.
I am at a loss for words every time I look at them.

new background

I am messing around trying to figure out how to change my blog background. I'm not sold on this new one though, it looks kind of rinky-dink. I might change it back to the old one, I wish I was more of a computer nerd.

Triplet Update

Stacey and Brad brought home little Olivia yesterday. Things are going pretty good and they have seemed to settle into a nice routine. The girls all on the same eating schedule which is every 3 hours. I hope to get some more photos and info soon, I have not been over to see them at home yet due to the flu bug that worked its through each and every member of our house. Thanks for your prayers during this time of adjustment for our entire family and pray for strength and health for Evie, Sophie, and Olivia as they continue to grow and develop.

Mmmmm...Raw Fish.

Last Friday Dan and I went out with Scott and Katie for Sushi. We were all shocked that Dan agreed to try it. He has very specific opinions about just what he will eat. Anything sold at a convenience store is acceptable for meals. Beans, potatoes, tomato soup are not on his list. I was pretty sure he wasn't going to love sushi and wanting to hit the nearest McDonalds on the way home. Much to our surprise he liked it and so did I. However we sucked at using chopsticks.


The cutest part of the evening was of course Nicholas. Thanks Scott and Katie for the good time, and getting us to expand our tastebuds:)

Mommies aren't supposed to get sick!

I don't know if I am just a wuss, but I was down and out yesterday. My body temp was cookin' and the toilet was flushin' all day. I was getting worse instead of better as the day went on. My kids are getting to an age where they can entertain themselves rather well if needed, thank goodness. Here are some things that occured while I lay feverish on the couch:

• I heard Dewey run to the cupboard every hour and yell to Chase "I'll get you a bed-time snack" It doesn't matter what time of day it is, it is still a bed-time snack.
• Joy brought me every pillow in the living room and a few of her Care Bears to sleep with.
• Chase made his own sandwich and one for his brother.
• One time I opened my eyes and Joy had a bottle of nail polish and scissors in her hands!
• I did have to get up twice to "Mom, come look at my turds" if you know what I mean.
• The boys stayed in their undies all day
• Everytime the phone rang, Joy would bring it to me.

The way I see it, my kids get along pretty good without me, shall I take a nap everyday?

If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes

Lately I have been having deep thoughts about this. The title of this post is a bumper sticker over at the T.F.C shop where I go to pick up Dan's paycheck, and every week I read that sticker. Sometimes it really annoys me, I say it over in my head a few times...If nothing changes, nothing changes. Why do things have to change? I like them the way they are right now. I discovered that is precisely the attitude of someone who likes comfort and finds anxiety in changes. Someone who is in need of a healthy dose of change now and then--to grow as a Christian. Maybe that someone is me.

Many around me are taking on new chapters in life either by choice, some not so much their choosing. The birth of the triplets, the Wolma's big move to NYC, the single life again for Sara, Chase starting first grade. All of these events require huge reliance on God for strength, guidance, and courage. I couldn't help but wonder if I've ever known that kind of reliance, probably not, I've yet to weather any major storms, but they are sure to come.

So I plan to make some improvements. New routines, new self disclipine, new goals. If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes. In other words, if you don't like where you're at, or more importantly if you like where you are at too much--get off your keister and change something.

the results are in

You guys were waayyy off on the junk drawer change. Mostly because I found yet another box of change to add to it. The total of all my change was $204.24. Oh yes!

what shall we do with this free money?

More Triplet Pics

Yesterday I was so privileged to spend awhile at the hospital with just Stacey and her girls.
I watched her feed Sophie and Olivia. It was so beautiful in so many ways. I can't tell you how many times my sister sat and chatted with me as I feed one of my babies, and know I got to sit back and spend time watching her blossom into motherhood. With gentle hands and a quiet calming voice she encouraged Olivia to keep on sucking that bottle to get every little mL. (they drink 30mL, that's equal to 1 oz.) With amazement we watched Sophie suck down 30mL of formula in no time, so eagerly that Stacey had to stop her from drinking too fast. The girls are doing so well and next step is to see how their little bodies will tolerate an open bassinette. Stacey is heading home today, 9weeks after she went on bedrest. She is happy to be released but is also hard to leave her daughters at the hospital. Thanks for all the words of encouragement, and keep the prayers coming! Many challenges as well as triumphs are ahead. Below are more photos and the girls are in this order:
Stacey & Sophie
Olivia
Evie sound asleep
Sophie working up a burp
A super proud (and very lucky to hold one) Auntie!

junk drawer

Last week the kids and I decided to clean out Daddy's Junk Drawer.

What treasures we found! This photo only shows the left over change, but we filtered through and found the following:

waxy ear plugs

old debit card
chapsticks
a slew of nails & wall ties
receipts
construction pencils
dirty, old peppermints
business cards
kid's game pieces
an old picture of Dan
and I in a photo booth

I am telling you, my kids thought they hit the jackpot! They sat and played for like 45 minutes with the contents of the Junk Drawer. I consider them easily entertained. Why didn't I think of this project sooner?

~Guessing Game~ How much $$ was in the drawer??

Welcome Triplet Girls!!!!!!

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Sunday night August 13, 2006 at 8:36pm and 8:37pm , Brad and Stacey welcomed the babies into their loving arms!

Olivia Kay 4 lbs. 14 oz. 17"
Evie Lyn 4 lbs. 8 oz. 17"
Sophie Rae 4lbs. 4 oz. 181/2"

(hopefully I got that all correct) :)

Here are a few photos of the girls (their name with photo below) see Stacey's blog for more details and info.

Olivia

Evie

Sophie

Happy Birthday ~~part 2

I said I was going to say more about Dan for his birthday. He deserves the heartfelt words I have been known to express in previous posts. So here they are.

A Family Man

If someone were to ask me
Why I'm so proud of you,
I'd have so many reasons
But here are just a few.
Your caring manner with all kids
Your sacrificing way
Your knowing life's priorities
In living day to day.
Your goal to give
each of us
the things we most desire
Your time to be that
Family man
Is what I most admire
And though I rarely tell you
How much these mean to me,
I realize that you're a man
Of rare quality.

I saw this poem on a plaque and found it fitting. If it is to cheesy for you I will leave you with a little humor to lighten the mood... A photo of Dan in Canada, doing what he does best!!

Love Ya Hon! Hope you had a good birthday, we pray God blesses richly this year!

Happy 32nd Birthday Danny!

Here are some of my favorite snapshots of Dan from the last year. More deep thoughts and memories to come tomorrow...