Too Much Liquor

Jadyn just told Greg and I that she had "too much liquor". I said, "What?!?!" She responded, "Too much liquor." Then I asked her where she got the liquor from. She promptly jumped up and showed me her Push Pop (sucker type candy). Then she said, "Too much licker." Ohhhh. Makes more sense now.

Basketball Woes

We had a bit of an issue over the weekend with our basketball team. Jacob did not get his usual amount of play time at his last game. I think it is because my dad and I were a little too mouthy and the coach was trying to prove something to us, although when we asked after the game, he said that he "just didn't notice." You can only imagine how that sat with me, being the nice, sweet person that I am. So, basically, I have been carrying a grudge. Last night, Jacob had practice and I suggested that Greg go to the practice after Jadyn's concert....just to check things out. At about 7:45 pm, I went upstairs with Grant, laid down with him and prayed. We prayed and prayed and prayed. We prayed for my attitude, the coach's attitude, that Jacob would not be adversely affected by my poor choices, that we would all move past this, etc. When Greg got home, I asked him how it went. He said that as soon as practice was over, the coach came right up to him and talked with him about Jacob. They talked about what he was doing good and what he could work on. Greg said that the coach was very nice and courteous to him. Oh! I forgot to tell you that when Greg dropped Jacob off....the coach was stand-offish and rude to Greg - which was what prompted my prayers in the first place. As Greg was telling me about his conversation with the coach, a HUGE smile spread across my face. He asked what I was smiling about. I said there is no coincidence in the fact that the coach's attitude was different. I told Greg that Grant and I were praying for that very thing while practice was ending. What an AWESOME God we serve!!!!!! It never ceases to amaze me when I see God work in ways like this. It is not that He is TOO BIG to deal with this, but rather that He is SO BIG that He cares about the minute details of my life. He definitely cares about your details too! Praise His Holy Name!!!!

Jadyn's Kindergarten CHRISTmas Program

Jadyn had her CHRISTmas program last night. They were so stinking cute. I am a bit bummed though. I forgot to take a picture of her as an elf. I did, however, get video of it, but alas, that does not help me here.

Jesus Walk 2011

Our church held it's 25th annual Jesus Walk in December. This is a walk through the events leading up to the birth of Christ right through to current day. On the first weekend, this past weekend, Jacob and Grace were the innkeepers. Next weekend, I will be a Mary and Jacob and Grace will be innkeepers again. It is an amazing performance!

Basketball 2011-2012 Season Starts

Grant's Muscles

Grant was showing us just HOW big he was.

Thanksgiving 2011

Stayed at Krystel and Steve's house. Dinner at Wayne and Sandy's house. All 6 of us girls went shopping - we left at 8pm and I was back in bed by 4:49am on Friday morning. A successful trip, although we did not finish at the Omelette Shoppe. But Greg did make me breakfast in bed and Jacob served it to me. Saturday, we took the little kids downtown to see Santa, make ornaments and hang them on the tree and see the parade. That was a ton of fun!

Silver Bells in Lansing

We attended the Silver Bells party in Lansing in November. We ate dinner, went to the parade, watched the tree get lit, saw Radio Disney performances, saw fireworks and finished up with a Cody Simpson concert on the capitol lawn. It was a fun and very busy night. The picture below is of the kids sitting on the capitol steps - right before a police officer told us we weren't supposed to be there.

Backing Up

I think I have forgotten to do some updating. Yes, I have. I was just perusing through my pictures and I need to go all the way back to before Thanksgiving. Wow! Check it out.

To Work or Not?? That WAS the Question.

I have been subbing for lunch recess at the kid's school lately. This is the job I want - when it is time. Twice in the last 2 weeks I have thought it was time. The first time someone quit to move to a different job within the school system. I thought that was going to be my "in". The more I thought about it, the more the ping pong game in my head became more fierce. Finally, (and it was what I should have done first anyway) I decided to pray about it. I told the LORD that I needed to know what He wanted me to do. I was too dumb witted to figure it out for myself. The next day I went into school and found out that after one day, the girl who quit decided that this job was not for her and she was coming back. Praise the LORD! There was my answer! So, I was fine. Content to continue subbing. Then another lady quit. Oh my word - here it goes again. I even talked to a secretary and she said the principal would put in a good word for me, and no one (from the inside) would want this job. So, I instantly started the prayer process again. Was I really supposed to do this? What about Grant? What am I supposed to do? Later that day, I found out that a bus driver (an insider) wanted the job. That meant I was out. Again, praise the LORD!!! It's not that I do no want the job, because I do. I just want it in the right timing - God's timing. Obviously, I am supposed to stay with my Granty-boy and give him the time I should. I am so thankful for God's answer to my prayer - even if it is not exactly what I thought I wanted to hear.

Grant and His BIG Muscles

Grant has been showing off his muscles lately. I really need to post the pictures, but I am too tired tonight. Remind me later.

Smile FM

As we were riding the car tonight, Jacob asked if I would turn on Smile FM. It may not seem like a big deal to you, but to me it sure is! It means that my son is CHOOSING to listen to Christian radio over anything else. That makes a momma's heart swell.

Another plus to Smile FM is that Grant is even getting into the "mugick" (music). Each (and I mean each) time a new song comes on the radio, Grant asks me "Who is singing this?" He is really getting to know the "mugick".

A Different Sort of Visit

Today we went to Greg's parent's house for a visit. I have to say, it was was one of the nicest visits we have ever had. Mimi declared a "no TV" day, and pulled out some board games. Greg, Papa and the kids spent some time outside together. Mimi played a board game with the kiddos. And then there was a family game of dominoes. Grace and Papa sang and danced together and Papa spent time whispering to each of the kids. Greg and Papa spent some special time outside talking...about their future plans. Papa even suggested that he, Greg and the boys (yes both of them) take a trip to the Picture Rocks in the UP next summer. It was a very different sort of afternoon. And I REALLY liked it!

Soup Kitchen

This afternoon/evening, Greg and I took Jacob and Grace to a soup kitchen to volunteer our time. We did so much, and yet it felt like we hardly did anything - we had such a good time doing it! Here is a list of some of the things we did:
-Set up chairs
-Stocked cups with napkins, salt and pepper
-Made lasagna
-Bagged fresh produce
-Bagged onions
-Sorted desserts
-Served food
-Did dishes
-Chopped 100 lbs of carrots
-Swept floors

I know I have forgotten some things, but it was so awesome to see my kiddos working hard, serving others AND having fun all at the same time. They never really complained - I say "never really" because nearing the end Grace wanted to leave the kitchen, where she was serving dinner with me, and go out to the other line and help Jacob with the desserts (oh.....he was in his glory!). So the complaining was really non-existent and that made me so proud. They were the only kids there and they did an awesome job of keeping up with everyone. They never complained about being tired and, in fact, they did a fabulous job of asking what they could do next. The other thing that really impressed me was how they interacted with the other adults there. They talked with them like they knew them already - joked and everything. It was a great time and I am so glad we were able to do it. Next time, we will take a few more kiddos.

Santa is Dead

I am shocked that I did not post earlier when Jacob gave up on Santa. It was only about a month or 2 back (October 19, to be exact - just checked Facebook). His discussion with me was brought on by his really extreme and unrealistic expectations for CHRISTmas presents. It was fairly simple and he said he kind of already knew. So back to the initial reason for THIS post.....Grace knows now too. She started talking to me about it because she and her new BFF were talking at school about Santa and her friend (Emma) told her she did not believe in Santa because he was magical and that was from the devil. Grace told me that she did not believe because the only person that has THAT kind of power is God. So Santa couldn't be real. Then she reasoned that if a thunderstorm could wake her up in the middle of the night, why couldn't she hear the sleigh and reindeer and Santa's footsteps on the roof? So I filled her in. Then she was horrified - we just HAD to tell the other kids. We could not let them believe this lie. (Of course, she is absolutely right) But I had to tell her that we had to keep it a secret for the little kids. She looked me in the eye, tears in hers, and said "Jacob is NOT a little kid, Mom." Then I had to tell her that he already knew the truth. She was shocked! Then as she continued to weep through this (I think she was afraid to not believe, or maybe afraid to believe, I am not sure, but I know she was afraid) she started to think about the present side.
G: "So, you buy all those things we get for CHRISTmas?"
M: "Uh-huh."
G: "So, you just go out in the middle of the night and leave us here alone while you shop?"
M: "No. I...."
G: (interrupting) "That's what you do when you shop all the time?!?"
M: (smiles)
G: "So, you already have some of MY presents bought?"
M: (winks)
G: "Mom, I don't want any presents for CHRISTmas. Besides, I already have the only present that really matters anyway."

That was one of my most proud moments as a momma. She KNOWS the truth.....she always has! Praise the LORD!

Week of November 6, 2011

There is a turkey farm near our house and I was telling the kids on the way to school about how they are fattening the turkeys up for Thanksgiving dinner. On the way back, as we drove by again, Grant asked me if "those were the chickens the kids would eat." I said that yes, they were the "turkeys" that people would eat. Then he asked me, "Who gets the head?" Stunned would have described me. What ever would cause him to think of that?

Later we were going to Grandma H's for a visit. I was explaining that Grandma would really appreciate a hug and a kiss. Grandmas REALLY like that kind of thing, you know. He said to me, "Hugging and kissing Grandma is.....ick." Silly boy. Despite how he felt, he was such a good boy on that trip and he loved Grandma up very much. I think she might have even had fun with us. We went to the bank, the gas station, out to lunch with Sue, to the bakery, to the doctor, to the Secretary of State, to the drug store and to the grocery store. We had a very full day. Thankfully, my children (Grant and Grandma) both behaved. I look forward to our next visit.

Last night we were on our way home from a birthday party and there was an accident. Right away Jadyn said, "Mom, we NEED to pray for those people." 5 years old! I love that she has a heart for others and even more, Jesus! On the heels of that, at Sunday school this morning we were talking about what has helped shape our faith and how we respond to trials. I explained to the class that seeing how my Grandma B. was and then how my mom sat at my Grandma's feet when BT died, and how they both gave that situation (that they could not control) over to the ONLY ONE who could do anything (our LORD GOD). To see their faith enacted like that was HUGE in developing my faith. But to speak that out loud and then think of it in context of Jadyn's comment last night, made me realize how important my job is as mom in developing and strengthening my children's faith. Can I do it for them? Absolutely not - because if I could I would. But I can certainly model it for them. And be there to support them in their trials. Be the Good LORD willing, I will!!!

The teeth are back....well maybe the build-up is back. We had a night of extreme hysteria tonight as I brushed Grace's teeth. The plaque is really building up on her bottom teeth and I have been allowing her to brush her own teeth because she promised me that she would do a good job. See? This is the EXACT reason I will not get a dog. A promise only lasts a couple of days. So, we are back to me brushing EVERYONE's teeth (well, not Greg's). Super.

Tom's Back - YAY!!!!!

Tom took a tour of duty to Texas for the past 8 or so months. I think he had a pretty good time there, but we are so glad to have our TOM back. We missed him and are happy he is safely home!!!!

Halloween at School (2011)