Punkeys

That is what my sister called halloween pumpkins back when she was about 1 and half years old. It is a fond family memory. My dad would undoubtedly come in from hunting on an October evening and the three of us were ready and waiting to carve our pumpkins. We could sketch the face and Dad or Mom would carve it out. last weekend, my Mom and Dad carved pumpkins with Dewey and Joy, weirdly enough those pumpkins looked exactly like the ones we had as kids. Some things never change. Enjoy sneaking a piece or two of your kids' halloween candy tonight, I'll bet that was another thing my parents did. :)

new triplet update with pix.

click here

How to Become an Early Riser??

It is well to be up before daybreak, for such habits contribute to health, wealth, and wisdom.
- Aristotle



Do you ever start blogging and clicking and blogging and clicking some more and end up at something really interesting? I don't know how I got to this site, but it was a sort of self help article about becoming a so-called morning person. If you know me at all, a morning person I ain't. It's not that I'm ornery in the morning, I just cannot pop out of bed, no matter how much sleep I've just had. I would more accurately be labeled a night owl. No matter how late, if I am watching TV I will not fall asleep. I have been known to vacuum at 11pm, or get groceries at 9pm. I have quickly learned that being a mother of a school kid, I am forced to be in the morning person club. The problem is I have not left my night owl ways behind me, it pains me to goto bed before 11pm. My result has been migraines, cold sores, dark circles under my eyes and a fondness for caffeinated products. Something's gotta give.

Back to the article. Here are the main pointers in becoming an Early Riser.

There are two approaches to the task. One is go to bed and wake up at the same time every day and night. The other is to listen to your body, go to bed when you feel sleepy, but wake up at the same time 7 days a week. The author says that you won't waste time in bed awake if you wait to goto bed when you are truly sleepy therefore you will spend all of the time in bed getting quality sleep. Some nights bedtime will be sooner, some later. Your body will adjust daily to your sleep needs.

Sounds too easy, so I am fairly skeptical. I'm giving it a try this week. My plan: 6am sharp wake up time, and not keeping myself so busy with late night tasks that I don't realize my sleepiness.

We shall see.

Back to Life, Back to Reality.

What a fabulous trip to Washington D.C it was! Chase thoroughly enjoyed the various modes if transportation that we took. He didn't miss a beat on the plane or the Metro. Now I must go on a little tangent about Washington D.C.'s public transportation system called the Metro. I am in love with it so much! I do NOT like to drive, so just walking a tad and hopping on the train is just so darn handy, the map is so easy to figure out and in no time you are at your destination! I suppose I love it so much because I am not forced to use it on a daily basis, but still--it rules!


So that wasn't exactly to highlight of the trip, but I'll tell you what was. Spending time with our family, talking and getting to see what life is like outside of the midwest and in particular our too cozy corner of it. I can see why T & A live there, there is something different to see and do on almost every corner, so much culture and diversity to be experienced. We spent a good amount of time outside the Washington Mall area (where all the monuments and such are located) T & A took us through different areas of great wealth and prestige, and the even greater poor and disadvantaged locations. It is a part of the U.S that I could continue to visit yearly and hopefully will :)

Here is a collage of photos from the trip. (click to see)


I even found my favorite souvenier:

Whisked away to the magical land of Washington D.C.

or better yet, Maryland! Tomorrow night Dan, Chase, and I are leaving for a much anticipated trip to visit Tristan , Amy (Dan's sister), and Stella--our adorable and one-of-a-kind niece! For so long we have said we should go and visit, but finally we have made it work! It will be a time of many firsts for Chase--hotel, airplane, public transportation, musuems, etc. I can't wait to see his face as he takes it all in.

I ask for your prayers for a safe and meaningful trip. A rather large thanks to Dad & Mom H. who have willingly agreed to stay with Dewey and Joy. It will be a welcome break for me from listening to those two fight over who's mommy I am. GEEESH! I just want to tell them to get used to it! I am Mommy to both of you, now stick a sock in it!!!

I hope to find some sweet souveniers like this one:

Warm Fuzzies and Cold Pricklies

Remember those? Recently this was the discussion at Drew's pre-school. I assume the teacher was trying to explain in a way appropriate for 4 year olds how our actions and behaviors effect those around us. I've been bouncing the idea around in my head for a few days, and realized how I've been handing out some cold pricklies too much lately. I've been whining about the commencement of fall for weeks, unloading on my husband every grievance that comes to mind. He must be thinking, "Would you just get in a good mood?" I suppose we all get in these funks once in awhile, but it is time for more warm fuzzies in the world especially my little corner of it.

This Friday and Saturday I had a great opportunity to attend a short Women's Retreat with my mom and and old friend, Dawn, from Hopkins. The speaker taught on Colossians 3:12, taking off the old garb and clothing ourselves anew.

Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:12-24

I don't want my blog to be a soapbox for cold pricklies. Ok, just maybe an occasional complaint or two. What I was reminded of this weekend is that we are all to live as Christ's representative in person, behind other's backs, and even in the blogosphere.

I appreciate all that read my silly little blog. May I be to you a warm fuzzy.

One Word. Hideous.

This will be you someday soon.













This snow blows. Literally and figuratively.

the best of Mini-Van Mega-Fun

Not unlike TV and radio shows that have no new material, I am posting a re-run. Here are a few of my favorites from the last 8 months.

The Inspiration for my Blog
memory lane
The Story of a Brave Young Boy
Not Ready to Make Nice
A bunch of 30 year olds in Cadillac
Dad
I am fricking June Cleaver
Triplet Girls
A performance by Girl

oh, the humanity!

I had to spend 3 whole days without my trusty Mac! The big storm Monday sent a surge through my cable internet and fried something nerdy and technical like my logic board, well, not my personal logic board, my computer's logic board. Anywho, I will be bringing my computer back in because now I have a terrible screechy, static, squealing sound that will not stop while my computer is on. Imagine 10,000 fingernails on 10,ooo chalkboards---it is that bad.

Happy Blogging to those of you who can!

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...

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?