school bell

 Well it's back to school time for us.....this morning this was the view of the early morning start.  Dad had to be away on a one night business trip :(  But it was all bright eyes and happiness around the table.  There was some nervousness~but also some very excited people.  Even if the older 2 know it's so uncool to like school~I could sense they were very excited about going back to their friends & getting back into the swing of a routine again. 

 Got 4 lunches made....with help from all 4 of them. 

 And on the porch within the hour, dressed, combed, and ready to go.  I felt like superwoman really....I'm not gonna lie.   

 But as soon as I walked into the William & Suzy's school....here came the tears.  I know everything in my head {they will be fine, I will be fine, I will have all kinds of time for this & that, etc.} But my heart was breaking.  TO. PIECES. 

 [William starting 2nd grade]

 You see the littlest of our family started Kindergarten today.  My baby.  My little sidekick for the last 2 years.  The last one to start school.  Leaving an empty nest to me.  I have had days I couldn't wait for them to be all in school.  I have had days I wondered what it would be like....to finish a task with no interruptions, or to have the day to be creative, to finish thoughts, to blog again.  But many of the last 11 years has been livin' my dream....of being a mama.  Not that every day didn't present challenges, or frustration....at some point in the day~but this was my dream to be home with them.  I have loved being their mom.  AND I KNOW (for crying out loud) that I still am.  It's just different.  I am in a new season....to have them all gone.  Insert tears here~for pity sake I am.  

 But OH the joy on her face...does make it easier.  Can you tell Suzy has been waiting for this day for a long time???   Even though she had a little hesitation~she was so very happy to be doing what everyone else around this family has been doing for years.

Every night....she would ask~"How many more days until I start school?"  So finally about 2 weeks before school started, I made a paper chain showing how many more sleeps it would be until her big day.  Which helped a lot....until she started forgetting if she took a chain off or not....causing some days to get 2 chains off in the same day.  So we numbered them according to the day of the month.   

At one point last week I asked Donovan if he noticed how short that paper chain is getting and he responded, "YES!!  I try to ignore that thing every time I walk in the door."   

This one.  This guy warmed my heart.  Jack is going into 4th grade this year.  At a new school that houses 4th & 5th grade.  First of all....he appears to be posing in the above picture~which cracks me up.  And 2nd of all....On the way to school~just me and him in the van he asks, "Mom what are ya gonna do with all of us gone today?"

Me: "well probably go home and cry.

Jack: "Well I think you should have a girls day out.  Maybe go to Target or something."

Awwww...Now I know I must have done something right....He is concerned for my well being.  The one I thought the hardest to reach/teach.  The one that is the most stubborn~shows me his heart.

Here is my brand new Middle schooler.  Isabella is 11~and started 6th grade today.  <3 She was so excited.  So happy to be starting a new school.  So happy about her teachers and her new "pod" group.  So anxious to hear about their days....which reminds me to look at the clock!!!  WOW~how time flies...It's time to pick up the kindergartener and 2nd grader.  WHOO HOO!!!!

Love these people~They are my joy! 

Later taters!  I'm back on the mom clock!

Raise your hand if you like Target

Wanna win a $25 gift card to.....

 

Then go here and this just may be your lucky week!!!  BUT...If you win~you must buy me a treat, o.k?

south haven beach...silver beach...i love them all

 For years & years we have been going to the dunes when we wanted to be at lake.....but snap! We have so many more options folks.  Let me introduce you to a few more options that are just as close & way more more scenic views!!!

 Say Hello to South Haven.  We hadn't been there in 10 years.  And when we were there we hadn't been to this sweet little beach, with a playground.  Also a neat pier that we walked along with a lighthouse.  Do you see that in the background?

 Our friends Jason & Rose invited us for the 4th of July...It was a little embarrassing that Jason kept flexing and drawing crowds...but still we had lots of fun!

 I love the carefree days of the summer.

 Do you see the happiness bursting from Jack's face?  He's got a pretty cool pal~Micah.

 Suzy had Sophia

 And we had tons of fun views along the boardwalk to town....boats coming and going...it was amazing!!  Are we really in Michigan??  We walked to town for a little taste of the town & ice cream...TOO BAD my camera gave out and I couldn't capture the nostalgia of the little beach town.  Well at least I didn't on that 4th of July day....but we went again this past weekend~So I'll put those pictures on another post.  L.O.V.E.  

 The very next weekend....we beached it up @ Silver Beach.......

 There is also a very nice play set if your traveling with small ones.

 Random little girl with my Suzy and her little friend Ava.

 

 They also have a nice picnic area for lunch.  We went with some friends Rob & Marlys, their 3 children, and brought along a friend for Isabella.

   Isabella & Ayla were besties the past 2 years in school, and it was fun to see the little t'weens enjoy the day.

 There are some fun mini dunes at Silver Beach and we had a fun climb and loved the views from the top.

 Lots of walking and exploring around there.....L.O.V.E.  Again...hard to believe we were walking in MICHIGAN!

 We made a walk towards the pier and then let the kids jump.  Yep! It was cold.  Yep! It was scary.

 Then this little one wanted to try it!!!  Amazing!  They all jumped!!

After pier jumping we walked down the sidewalk a ways to find this....a really fun and huge splash pad.  For fReE!  My favorite....this whole day was free!  Well except for the food we took~what a awesome day.  You gotta check it out! 

I will add that there is a $5 parking fee if you park near the beach.  But that day we didn't have the cash with us. We were going to stop at an ATM...but our friend Rob loaned us a $20, but when we got up to the booth for them to take the parking fee~she didn't have change for a $20 bill so~she let us in for FrEe!  And we returned the unused $20 bill to Rob after we parked.  Sorry Rob you were in the van behind us & had the correct change and had to pay :(

Quote of the day:

Suzy: "Oh no mom!!~you got your hair wet, are you just going to re-do it when we get home?"  

{Is this bad that this is the norm that mama doesn't get her hair wet?}

 Just so you know...some days I do make an exception and brake my rule of washing my hair more than every 2-3 days.  Living on the edge.  I know.   

Honey pie turns 5

Suzanna Faye turned 5 yesterday...here's a little memory video of her first 5 years.
(feel free to X off the advertisement if there is one...and may want to turn off the music on the sidebar....of my blog so you don't have 2 songs playing at the same time :) ) 

I have a job folks.

William's 1st bath

 If you know me at all~you know my love of the newborn stage.  And babies in general.  LOVE LOVE them.  Which may explain why I kept having babies.

 Suzy's first bath~Don't judge the hair...I was just trying to see my natural color. :)

 Ava Noel-just a couple of weeks old

 When my friend Marlys had her baby at New Eden 1.5 years ago~I went to the Birthing Center after Ava was born & spent the night to take care of little honey pie while mama slept.  I LOVED it.  At one point little honey pie wanted some bonding time and I walked the halls with her.  While walking I talked to the nurse on duty (Kelly) and she talked about her job at the birthing center telling me how much she loved it, the people she worked with, the flexible hours, and her overall love of the job.  Telling me how after her kids all got in school she went back to school to get her nursing degree.  I got very inspired that night ~that maybe I should look into school ~ that maybe I could do the same and work somewhere like that.  So that when my youngest was in school that I could have a job that I loved during the day.

While Donovan was very excited when I talked to him about the possibility of me going back to school~I quickly lost motivation & determination. The thought overwhelmed me and I put the idea away.  Little did I know that night back in December 2009 was just a little seed God had planted. 

 My new little nephew at baby dedication~November 2010

So, fast forward to 2 weeks ago when I was talking with a friend that I had just met (our son's were in the same class together at school this past year) & Jamie was telling me about her job.  At New Eden.  Taking care of newborns.  She had my full attention and captivated me.  She explained that she is a Nurses Aide and they train you on the job at the Birthing Center!  Her duties included assisting with the birth if needed, and then taking care of the newborn after the birth.  Checking the vitals of the baby, charting the vitals, doing the footprints, making the baby name bands, and giving the first bath.  Also cleaning up after the birth, sterilizing instruments after the birth, and doing the laundry.

So....after talking to hubby~I applied on Saturday, June 11th.  Waited and prayed.  I was so anxious!!!  Desperately wanting to have something in place when Suzy starts school in August.  Knowing how much of a empty place I will have not having my little pumpkin here with me (after growing used to having just Suzy at home for the last 2 years)  In the fall having NO little ones here to take care of for the first time in 11 years.  Knowing that this will be a new season of having all 4 kids in school.  Wanting a plan~wanting to embrace this new season of my life...but to do so with something to keep me busy.  Thus keeping me from crying the entire day until they get home from school.  And bonus...maybe earn a little cash.  

 Kelby or Kegan??? Not sure which nephew twin was getting a bath

It seems unreal and impossible...and actually I was blown out of the water when 5 days later I got a call from the Nursing Manager and she offered me the job.  Over the phone.  Such a God orchestrated thing!  Did I mention I hadn't had any background in nursing?  And the fact that I hadn't had a job outside of the home in about 10 years???  Thank you Jesus.  So I went in and got all my paperwork done, W4's, and got a TB shot.  Found out I will need to take a CPR class at the hospital, which they will pay for.  I put some dates down for the following week that I could be available to be "on call" and during those times I need to be ready to go into work for training.  If a baby is born, I go in.  I could put any hours down, and I chose to pick hours that Donovan was home in the evenings so that I wouldn't need to get childcare, and could spend this summer with the 4 little ones I love, doing all the fun things that go with summer.  So 2 nights ago, Monday was my first night on call.  And guess what?? I got called!  I went in and trained with an amazing CNA that has done this job for over a year.  She was so patient and sweet.  I loved it.  The nurse on duty that night??? The same nurse I had met 1.5 years before, Kelly!   Overwhelmed just a tad, by all the duty's and charting~but excited for the opportunity to be doing something that I had a passion for.  So this is me....right before I left.....

 My kids were praying with me that week before I knew I got the job, and it was so rewarding to see their child-like faith.   William said, "I just know you'll win the job mom!"  And to see them all whoop and holler when I did get the call giving me a job.  I am amazed at this....so thankful for this opportunity.

My first night had a little more than the normal one birth~So I was there a little longer than the "standard 2-3 hours" but I loved it.  The time went so fast.  I loved doing the first bath.  I loved holding the babies.  It was interesting to stretch my old brain so much.  I learned the procedures, cleaning, and sterilizing instruments, and many many more things.  And then when I got home at 3 a.m. this is what was hanging in the garage....

 Awww...what a welcome home.  So thankful for a supporting husband & family.  And to God for giving me all of this.

So this fall, I hope to switch to days and be gone while my little lovies are gone at school.  Hopefully this is how it will unfold.  For now~I'm enjoying being on call for a couple of days a week doing training until I feel comfortable to be on my own.  Then maybe 1-2 days on call until school starts.  It's a new season for me folks.

sUmMeR

Ahhhh...the joy of summer!  We've hit some mile-stones this week.....

Suzy learned to ride without training wheels!

I love the contrast in Donovan and Suzy's face.  Dad is very worried about little girlie falling, and honey pie is very proud and beaming with excitement! 

I had to reflect back over the years...and realizing we just taught the last one how to ride bike.  I keep telling myself not to think of "lasts" but with the baby of the family starting school this fall...It's feeling like our life is on fast forward!  How did we get here so fast???

Speaking of school.....

 It's out!  For the summer.  William finished up 1st grade.  He loved school and loves to please.  His teacher was such a good match for him.  This past month he received a student of the month award, and it was a big deal for him.  I'm excited for William that he has such enthusiasm for learning and to excel. 

 Jack finished up 3rd grade....(why does it look like he is pulling away here?)  I'm guessing he is approaching the stage of not liking his picture with his teacher anymore.  Boo!  Too bad.  I got bloggin' to do boy!  Jack also had a teacher that we really appreciated.  She had a great sense of humor and kept Jack interested in learning.  A challenge, since he usually has other things that seem more important.

Here is a shot that cracks me up!!!  As we left the room....Jack got mobbed by his friends that were pretend crying about being separated from each other for the summer.  Ha ha ha.  I don't think Jack quite knew what to do with the all the attention.  But trust me he LOVED it! 

 And then the lady came.  Demanding a hug.  And I'll add here....Not one...but 2 little ladies wanted good bye hugs.  I think he is turning into a "LADIES" man.  Reminds me of his daddy all the way.  He knows how to charm.  Which is why he loved riding the bus all school year....he had "friends" he liked to catch up with and visit with, and receive little gifts from.  He won't admit it...but he does like girls. 

And then Isabella.  My honey.  Mrs. Hawn was such a good match for her too.  We were so blessed in this department of teachers this year.  So thankful!!!  Isabella finished up 5th grade and now moves this fall to Middle School.    I yi yi yi!!  This little lady received the Presidents Award this year.  With a gold pin, certificate signed by her principle and Mr. Obama, and a letter from the White House.  All I know is she get's her smarts from her daddy.  I had nothing to do with that award.

So now we are in full blown summer mode.  For the past few years on the last day of school we make a list of goals for the summer.  Isabella penned this years and this is what's on it.....

1. Pick strawberries.  {If you've ever tried to take toddlers or young children to the strawberry patch...you know why I stopped picking several years ago, and ordered them already picked.  So this year...I will attempt to take them out & make them earn their jelly:) }
2. Freeze sheepnose applesauce. {There may have been some dispute [between Isabella, me and Donovan]  about which apples to buy this year....Apparently she sides with me on this variety since she specified the type to will use and underlined it}
3. Go to the dunes.
4. Camp in the backyard.
5. Go the Beach water park.
6. Bike the Pumpkinvine trail.
7. Host an outdoor movie.
8. Go to the 4 H fair.
9. Go to Indy overnight. {Jack's neurologist appointment. They are hoping for overnight vs. a one day trip}
10. Go to the $ theater.

Ahhh....we've just got about 10 weeks to do all of this....so we better get busy.  :) Hope your summer is off to a fun start.  What will you do with all your time? 

shadows of the girl she used to be

I don't know where the last month has gone, but it's went fast!  We are nearing the end of school and with that comes school programs.  The 5th graders had their Spring program Tuesday night and it was so awesome.  Their songs and choreography was outstanding! I loved the variety and I loved the songs.  :) So fun!  Most of all I was bursting with pride for the obstacles my oldest daughter has overcome.

 Picture quality is bad...I know BUT if you look really close in the above picture you can see my little 5th grader in the middle in a green shirt.  Isabella had been so excited leading up to this night.  She wanted to practice how she would do her hair (curly) {uncharacteristic for her} and trying on the outfit she was going to wear, etc.  I could tell this was a big deal to this little honey.  She also kept saying "you're gonna love it! I can't wait for you to see it!! and...You are going to be so surprised!"  I wondered what all the hype was about..but when I got there that night I understood...I saw how much work these students had put into the night.  Isabella had so much fun and really enjoyed performing.  I was so surprised.  Most of all I was surprised by her speaking part that was after their first song, which was preformed as a "flash mob"  What? You don't know what that is??? Well pause the sidebar music...and take a little looksie of the video of sweetie pie explaining it.....

Ever since beginning school Isabella has been slowly overcoming her fear of public speaking (even if that speaking is one on one~), fear of being in front of people and overall general breaking out of her shell.  Each year she matures into this lady that is just a shadow of the little girl she once was.  That night we had no idea she had this speaking part.  There were 100's of people in that auditorium that night.  And she did it!  She spoke clearly, and remembered her lines.  All on her own.  In retrospect kinda glad I didn't know she was memorizing a speaking part~I might have hovered/reminded her to slow down be calm, yadda yadda yadda... a tad bit.  Not that I ever do that....Just hypothetically speaking. I had tears of complete pride for her....so very happy for her to overcome this in her life. 

 Can you see her proud little mystery grin here?  Just before she spoke? :) Love it!  The program also included fun songs by Black Eyed Peas, Bruno Mars, and O-zone.  The O-zone song was choreographed by their music teacher with some 150 students wearing all black clothes with white gloves, and black lighting. Their hand motions glowed!!  It was so tricky & fun!!

 So amazing to watch these people grow.  I love this stage of them, I'm pleasantly surprised how much I love this stage...since I kept having babies because I LOVED the newborn stage SO MUCH.  This new season is just as cool.

 Celebrating her job well done...with s'mores on the patio.

Quote of the day:

Listening to the radio in the van today.....

Suzy's question from the backseat was: "What does it mean His love is free?" ♥