Halloween Camping

We went camping with the Woodbury's and the Kazyak's the weekend before Halloween. It was cold and rainy. All weekend. Greg stayed home, conveniently sick. I took the kids, except Jacob the first night, and we were going to set up the tent. (Background information....Kazyak's have a big trailer and Woodbury's have a pop-up) Because it was SO WET I decided that setting the tent up in the rain, by myself, was not for me. Instead, I blew up the air mattress and we "hill-billy camped". We slept in our van! Oh...it was an even alright. We were super comfy and warm, really. I was surprised. The good part about it was that I just moved from the back to the front to go home and shower. We were that close to home - and Jacob had a football game I had to go to. Thankfully, the Woodbury's offered to let some of my kids sleep in there camper. Otherwise it would have been awful crowded in the back of that van! I'm sure I never properly thanked them - oh wait! I did go out and get a camper. Isn't that like saying thanks? Here are some pics from the trip:

Halloween 2012

I just realized I forgot to post Halloween pictures. The secret is out. I hate Halloween. But here are the pictures anyway.

A CHRISTmas Present

On October 27, Greg and I took a trip to Freeland, MI to pick up a CHRISTmas present for our kids. Of course we didn't tell them that. Instead, Greg told them we were going to a "Family Development Meeting", and they seemed fine with that. So, we left them with Grandma and Grandpa and off we went. When we arrived home 4 hours later, Grace was the first one to meet us. "So....what did you learn?" Really? She really remembered what we said and questioned us? So Greg was quick with the reply. "We learned things we should be doing to keep our family close, types of things we could do, stuff like that." She was good with that. Whew!!!

So.....what did we get, you ask? A pop-up camper!! **Disclaimer - THIS IS A CHRISTMAS SECRET!!!!**  Please do not talk about it to or around our kids!

We are planning to set it up in the garage for CHRISTmas morning and send the kids out to the garage. Pretty sneaky, huh? Where is it, you ask? We are keeping it at Grandma and Grandpa's house under a big blue tarp. Check out these pictures from today:

Think they knew what they were playing hide-and-seek around? I don't think so either! I sure can't wait until CHRISTmas!!!!

A Ridiculous Update

For whatever reason, I have not been updating here much. I am sorry to my kiddos because I have not updated you on your childhood. I am sorry to Greg, because I know he (secretly) reads my posts. I am sorry to anyone else who chooses to follow our crazy life. So here is an update (from my Facebook posts):

November 11
LOVE ~ LOVE ~ LOVE that Grace is interested in cooking. She made lunch yesterday, Sunday dinner (with Grandma ) today and now she is making chicken noodle soup. I am in heaven!!!! So glad someone else likes to do this job I hate.

I am overhearing her give a lesson to Jacob and Jadyn on chicken. She just asked them if they want to see the inside of the chicken. "I see ribs. ICK!" "That is disgusting." Mother Grace says "That is what you eat though."

November 10 
Some True words on parenting.

















November 7 (day after election)
Lots of people are disappointed today. I am too. However, differing opinions do not give us the right to talk down to other people. It is the opportunity to have an opinion and be able to express it (whether other people agree with it or not) that makes us a great country. If you don't agree with someone's opinion, turn the other cheek. Talking down to people only makes you look foolish.

Today I was asked by a child at school..."Kids in my class said Barack Obama doesn't believe in God. Does he believe in God?" My response was....."That is between God and him. But you might want to talk with your parents about this." However, this poses a good question - does he? My prayer is that he does. And if he doesn't, that his eyes and heart open soon. Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Let's check the words. Better yet....let's check the actions. Praying for you, Mr. President.
On a totally different note - I sure love the kiddos at my school. Some of them are wise beyond their years.

November 2
Krystel, her boys and Ava came to visit. Ava got to go to school with Jadyn (and to this day the kids keep asking me when Ava B. is coming back). 

 
November 1
It's not trusting in the LORD that is the hard part (because He is more than faithful), it is the leaning NOT on my own understanding that trips me up (dang flesh always gets in the way). ~my thoughts on Proverbs 3:5-6
Jesus loves you - NOW.....go have a great day!

 October 30
More words from Scripture:
"God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging....The LORD Almighty is with us....'Be still, and know that I am God;'..." (From Psalm 46)
Praying for EVERYONE affected by this storm. Be still and know that He is.

October 28
So, I am sitting on the floor, minding my own business, folding laundry...when all of a sudden Grant (4yrs old) comes up to me, sits down on my lap, pats my boobs, and says "Hey Boober!" WHAT?!?!?!?! Did I mention that I really enjoyed my 1/5 hours walking around Meijer - alone?