My mommy is a doofus.

That must be what Chase is thinking today after I may have officially embarassed him again in his relatively short school career.

Thursday morning I was busy ironing a nice shirt for Chase to wear for school pictures. He was looking quite dapper and off to school he went.

Upon returning home he had a huge stain front and center of his shirt. Concerned that his the stain might also show up in his school pic. I asked him when exactly he spilled on his shirt, before or after the photo? He politely told me that school pictures were tomorrow and he was the only kid with two shirts on and that nobody else looked like he did. He then rolled his eyes and chuckled at me.

Oops.

The first time I embarassed him at school? Last year on the first day when I drove through the car pool lane---backwards.

What is my problem?

the highlight of my week

I hate to offend my own children but Wednesdays are such a great day! After I lovingly send Chase on his merry way to school, I dump, :) I mean drop off Dewey and Joy at Grandma D.'s for a play day and I am off to the land of triplets. It's a magical place filled with tiny diapers, spreadsheets for charting, bottles galore, boob cream, and most importantly---Olivia, Evie, and Sophie (you too Stace) I absolutely enjoy every minute of my 4 hours at tripletville. You see, I have learned to embrace change instead of fear it. A part of me was worried that having triplets in the family would mean no more "hanging out" like Stacey and I once did, or even deeper thoughts---how much less time and attention would me and my kids get?? I cringe at my admission of that. I suppose that is a natural feeling, me being the eldest and all, getting married first, having the first grandkids, etc, etc, etc. But selfish nonetheless. I am happy to say that those feelings were short lived. The moment I laid eyes on those girls I knew that our family will only be enriched and blessed with these three little lives. They are truly the evidence of a good and loving God.
It is my joy to take a little care of them on Wednesdays.


Evie and Sophie hanging out with Auntie Chelle, and apparently Olivia found me boring.

And they said it couldn't be done...

I have acheived greatness today in the field of housewifery. I wanted to mark it on the calendar so I could remember this great feat. Today I have sorted, washed, folded, and (wait for it) PUT AWAY all of my 8 loads of laundry. This task has been my weekly Mt. Everest for 10 years now. In theory it is so simple, but in real life, I just couldn't seem to EVER complete laundry day in just that---one day.

I realize this may not seem like a big deal to you, but I'm sure everyone out there has something like this that they just can't seem to accomplish. Procrastinators, dilly-daliers, and those of you with ADD can now rejoice. If I can do do my laundry in one day you can tackle your mountain too--you just gotta believe!!! (and spend slightly less time blogging)

How's that for a motivational speech?

I don't like Fall.

There I said it, now everyone is hating me (especially you Jamie, sorry ). I am pretty sure I am the only person alive that does not like this time of year. Yeah, the colors are pretty for like 2 weeks but then what? Awaiting us is the doom and gloom of winter, cold and flu season, and of course 600 hours of darkness each day. Nothin' like going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark. Am I right, Dan? I hate pulling out the old drab winter clothes, and putting away the fun summer sandals. The weather is so picky, I would rather it be 90 degrees than 55 degrees---bluck!

Like something my brother Ross said yesterday---Blogging is all about Soapboxes. I climbed up on mine today.

You Are My Sunshine-- a performance by Girl

Girl.

This is the nickname I have affectionately given my daughter. Aunt Katie took this great photo with her new camera and I thought it really captured her personality, and her chipped front teeth.

I forgot to mention on the "I am weird" post that my entire family basically has nicknames for everyone else. It has been this way for eons. Here is the short list:

• Fig
• UD
• Poin
• Scottie
• Cha
• Dewey
• Danno
• Hooter
• Bart
• Min
• Buns
• Ta-ray-racey baby
• Girlish
• Devo, man Devo, and girl Devo
  
• Carl
• the Ron
• Dutchie
• Katrina
  
• P-nut
• mooter
• Nute
• B.
• Cha-chi
  

I'm sure there are many more. Do we not like people's given names so we come up with something ludacris to call each other? Or are they just terms of endearment?
Does your family have any so-called weird habits? Or are we just crazy?

happy birthday brother.

Today we also celebrate Ross's Birthday. I have been sorting through hundreds of photos the last few days, and came across a birthday of Ross's from years ago. See photo.

Looks like he made out good that year--a Michigan sweatshirt and an alarm clock!!
( and the best mom ever -- who somehow manages to blink in every photo-- that takes skill you know.)

Happy Birthday Ross!

Happy 35th Anniversary!!

September 16, 1971

Where it all began. Mom and Dad were born 5 days apart in 1952 and would meet up again in 1963 in grade school. They liked each other way back then. And the romance picked back up in high school as they dated and then married 35 years ago today. Today is a day to celebrate! When I think of their marriage, it is pure and true. The union that God intended has been their joy filled experience for 35 years.







No marriage is without its trials, but their committment was always strong, their love stronger and their faith strongest. I am and really always was proud that Dave and Judy were my parents, I am thankful to be their child. I praise God for all they do for others and how they still find time to enjoy being together.

circa 1989?

Dad & Mom 2005

Tonight we went out to celebrate our family. We love you Dad and Mom~ happy 35th!

A game of Tag

I was tagged by Steph and the rules are I need to list 5 weird things about myself---yikes... only 5 things?

1. I change the color of my hair about every few months.
2. I always leave the doors open on my van for no reason, when I park in the garage, I just forget to close them.
   
3. I check my email like 7 thousand times a day.
   
4. I have one leg shorter than the other-- or one leg longer than other --whatever.
5. I like to smell little babies' feet.
6. I make up goofy songs for my kids that usually contain one verse that repeats itself over and over. Example--the Pink and Flowers song. It is not good. :)
   
7. I had braces twice in my life, had jaw surgery, and had 5 wisdom teeth removed.
8. I can remember birthdays, anniversaries, of family and friends like a computer, but I can't remember to put the milk back in the frig.
   

Ok, the list needs to stop somewhere

I tag Carl, Sonny, and Dana

How weird are you?

Why Do You Love Blogging?

Ok, maybe love is a pretty strong feeling. I'm just curious though. Now that a handful of friends and family and even people I don't really know have got on the Blog Bandwagon. I want to know why we do it, and why we like it--or maybe you think it is a crazy waste of time?

This is why I enjoy the the blogosphere:

• It is a way to keep in touch with loved ones far and near, and allow them to keep in touch with me
  
• I like the honesty in the blogs I frequent, no bogus fronts, at least that is what I hope.
• It is an outlet for me to say the things I might not actually be able to say aloud without boofing it up.
• Teaching myself computer nerdy stuff.
• Looking back on the events of my family the past year, like a scrapbook of sorts
• Blogging gives me something to do other than shop on the internet :)
• Encouraging words, humorous comments, and great photos. (Yes, even your blog Carl)

Any thoughts??

The mother of all moms.

Mom with her sisters

I mean that in a good way. As it is my tendency to do on occasion, I like to dedicate a post to someone special in my life. Today it is my mother-in-law Denise's turn to be in the spotlight. She's probably saying "Oh, Michelle!" right now.

I let 2 huge events pass by this summer without mentioning them on my blog, so I want to recap a little. This past June Mom turned the big 5-0. We threw a rather large surprise party for her and part of the entertainment was a slideshow of photos from her life. If I had to pick some of my favorites out of the 250-- these are a few: Hope you don't mind, Mom :)
Denise Late 80s- early 90s? I just had to post this one. :)

Dad and Mom's Wedding 1991


15 years later and still having fun!

We also celebrated 15 years as a blended family with Dad & Mom's anniversary this past June.

For me, thinking about Mom's life and her testimony of God's faithful hand guiding it is truly an inspiration story. She has suffered at times great personal loss and weathered many, many, storms alongside friends and family. Her Christian faith has remained strong and her dedication to loved ones even greater. She values the family unit very deeply and that is felt by me and my children. She makes the effort to organize family get togethers, celebrate each birthday and anniversary, and do the little things that have made us the harmonious (most of the time) family that we are today. A few more photos to show that.

Mom with the grandkids

This is a special relationship. Each Wednesday she has what you might call a drop-in, a day at Grandmas. We are so very fortunate that on this day, if we have appointments, need to get groceries without kids, work, or just bask in a few moments of solitude---Mom will take care of the grandkids. She always says that she does it for herself, so that she has the opportunity to spend quality time with the kids. Words cannot describe how much this means to me and my sisters-in-law.

This photo says it pretty well--absolute elation (with tear filled eyes) about a new grandbaby!

The annual Girls shopping trip
There are hundreds of pictures, thousands of words, and even more memories that all who know her could express. But I just want to say a simple thank you and I love you for everything you do for us, and the example of motherhood you are.

An Acquired Taste?

That's right, you heard it here. I, a former coffee loather have crossed over to the dark side. Well, maybe not the dark side, but the 2 sugars and lots of cream side.

I find it so weird that for 30 years I hated coffee and coffee products and now in one weeks time I have ordered coffee at a restaurant and stopped at a Starbucks!!! The dude at Starbucks had to guide me through the experience, but it all turned out OK. I'm left to wonder about all the fun I've missed over the years that I did not drink coffee. Coffee Break at church, I always drank water. Coffee with the girls, like a nerd I was the only one drinking Hot Cocoa. Think of the all-nighters I could have pulled!

My parents are appalled (they don't drink it) , my friends are shocked, and my husband does not like to hear the slurping sound that I make when I sip.

What's a girl to do??

I think I'll buy this thing.

My Sistas!

Well boys, they don't get any better than this!!
Last Friday we had the privilege of going out together, just the sisters.

I love these women. They have treated me like family since the day I started dating their brother, and it has been 10 years now. We are a blended family and I thank God for the harmony that He has blessed us with. The road has not always been easy, but we are at such a fun place right now, able to really relate to, and support each other.

Now forgive me if I bust into a chorus of the song "We are Family.....I got all my sisters with me...yeah, yeah, yeah."

Love you Ladies!

( all nice comments please)

so busy and what not.

I'm waiting for inspiration (time) to blog...Here is a likeness of me for you to enjoy. So attractive.

To be continued...