Wednesday, August 31, 2011

My Watermelon Baby


My watermelon baby keeps getting bigger and bigger.  It's uncharted territory for me, having never grown watermelon before.  We have a couple more along with this one...and I hope they are delicious because we've been waiting a while.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

CRIM # Four

This past weekend, I made a quick trip to Michigan to run my fourth CRIM...and an added bonus was that I got to run along side of my sister.

The week before, at a work party of mine, my husband made a great point.  The CRIM is a funny race because as he put it, "my wife is running around the streets of Flint in areas that aren't safe for her on regular days to drive in her car," which is so true.  But, even if Flint is ranked up there among cities with the highest murder rate, I still love the CRIM and will race in it every year that I can.

Last year, I ran the race all by myself...and it is something I would rather not do again.  It was lonely and messed with my head.  This year, it was nice to have my sister by my side to keep me company.  I got teary a few times thinking of just how blessed I was to have her with me and to have running be something we can share together.


It was a good run...I always beat myself up at the end thinking of how I could have done better but all I wanted to come out and do this year was to beat last years time...and I did that by 3 minutes.  So, CRIM number four I came in with a chip time of 1:45:37.  I crossed the finish line, found my sister (who finished a few minutes before me), and gave her a big sweaty hug.  Looking forward to CRIM number five!


My sister and me with our finishers medals...

...and just for laughs, here is a picture my mom snapped of us when we didn't know she was taking one.  I think it's a little ghetto, a tribute to the city we just ran through. :)

Friday, August 19, 2011

First and Second

This week, my two older kids went back to school.  I was bummed as the day approached, but there were no tears for anyone on start day...not even Mama!  Although I miss them like crazy, it's nice to get back to a routine.  It's just my littlest man and me for one more year and then he's off to full day school too!  Time is just flyin by!

My big First and Second Graders!!


Getting ready to walk in for their first day of school!  K is so excited...Landon, well, not so much.


This is what I am stuck at home with. :)  Lunch time he exclaims, "Mama, look!  I am a turkey!" with his lunch meat over his face.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

There's a First Time for Everything

Collin started throwing up last night.  He had his four year old check up scheduled for today, which I almost canceled because I thought it was just the stomach flu.  His pediatrician did a strep test in the office and it was instantly positive.  My littlest man has strep for the first time...and it has wiped him out!  He finally got up to go to the bathroom and was gone a while.  I went in to check on him and actually found him on my bed, asleep, curled up next to our cat, Curtis.  Later, after he woke up, he said that he liked sleeping next to Curtis...he said Curtis loves him and even put his paws on his forehead to check his fever.  Even when he's sick, he is still my crazy little man!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

My Six Year Old


My Middle Man is six...six just seems so much older than five.  He's not a little boy anymore. 

We celebrated in a special way for my big six year old.  He opened a few presents in the morning and then we went a saw Rio in the theater (we don't take them to the theater often, but who can say no to the dollar show?!).  After the movie, we headed over to grandma's pool and swam the afternoon away with a few cousins and friends.  That evening, Landon chose to go to the Chinese buffet for dinner...he loves it there!  Then, we came home and Dan put together his new Mario Racetrack and they played the night away.

Happy Birthday, Landon!  You are so precious to Mommy.  I still remember holding you on my chest for the first time, my first baby boy.  You have always been such a sweet, tender soul.  You are so kind and giving...always putting others before yourself.  I pray that you would continue to follow Jesus and make Him number one in your life.  I hope year number six is a great one for you my Middle Man.  I love you beyond words beautiful boy!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

My Baby is Four

It's hard to believe that on this day, four years ago, my youngest was born.  After a long day of contractions, not knowing if he was coming or not, Dan raced me to the hospital to have him 37 minutes after walking in the door.  It was truly an entrance fit for Collin...a night I will never forget.

I will be forever thankful for the events that led up to Collin coming to be.  If it was up to my husband and me, we would be a family of four.  God had other plans, and through the heartache of a miscarriage, He aligned our desires with His will for our lives.

I cannot begin to imagine life without my youngest.  He is my wild and crazy, my talker, the life of the party...but he's also thoughtful and caring, putting others before himself.  Everything about him reminds me of my husband, right down to the shape of his head and the unique color of his eyes.

There were many highlights in his third year of life, but I would say the biggest one was him asking Jesus to be his Savior just days before his fourth birthday.  What a blessing.

Collin, my baby, my littlest man...I pray that you follow Jesus all the days of your life.  I pray that you would not lose your fun loving attitude about life.  There are so many things I love about you and who you are...the way your eyes sparkle, that smile of yours, the way you say your "r"s, how you are cautious yet a little daredevil all in one, how fast your legs move when you run, your wild imagination, your giving heart, your love of your hot chocolate first thing in the morning, your obsession with smells, the compliments you give...Momma could go on and on.  I am so sad that this is our last year together before you start school, but I guess you can't be my baby forever.  I wish I could have frozen you at three.  I am thankful for you and pray for many more years with my Zaiah.  I love you!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Highlights of our July

 My blessings and me on the Fourth of July

 My family


 Trip to Chicago


 The kids playing in the fountain in Chicago


 A weekend spent at my grandparents house in Northern Michigan...tubing with Kait.


 My three by the lake


 Cuddling with Nana


 Driving the boat with Papa

 Dan and the kids by the lake


 Celebrating my Mom's birthday


 Kait and her Gammy


 My Dad and the boys in the party hats


My kids and my brother's little girl