Nothing and lots going on.....

Well as usual, we are boring. But I haven't updated this deal in a couple weeks, so surely I can think of some new things to share.

The kids had their birthday party a couple weeks ago. Thanks to everyone who came! The weather was great, and our good friends John and Kim brought their bouncy castle for all the kids to play in. Everyone (I think) had a great time. We didn't do anything too fancy, just let all the kids run around and have fun.

We got them each a goldfish for their birthday. Their names are Socrates and Nemo. Mike named Socrates for Caleb, since his talking / naming ability is limited. So far they are not dead, which is great news. I did not make a big investment (I think they cost .15 each), but don't want to have to console a traumatized child if (when) they do kick the bucket. So long live the cheap goldfish! They live in a bowl, but I'm having to clean it at least every other day as the water gets so stinky and cloudy so we may have to upgrade to a small tank.

Maddie had her cheerleading show on Sunday. It was very cute. The kids did a great job. Mike's dad got her flowers, and we took her out to a very fancy dinner (eating AT McDonald's) afterward, so she felt very special. We are switching her into a different program (a little smaller, more individual attention), so she starts back up with the cheer in a couple weeks. I asked her if she'd like to switch and do tumbling, gymnastics, or dance, and she informed me that she only wants to cheer! So we are sticking with the cheer. I like it, though. It incorporates a lot of great skills including tumbling, coordination, teamwork, etc. They already have them building little 5 year old pyramids!

We have been busy with work (as always) as well as with home. I've planted some tomato plants and basil, and am anxious to see if I can make them grow. Many of you know I tend to kill all live plants in my care, so this might be a bit of an ambitious undertaking but I am optimistic that this time will be a success! We planted them on Sunday. I'm not 100% sold on this gardening deal, not a big fan of getting all dirty. But I am excited for the delicious tomatoes and basil!

Counting my blessings....

Caleb's birthday is today. He's two years old. And it seems like just yesterday that I was heading to the hospital to be induced. I can't believe my baby isn't a baby anymore. It's sad, and happy all at the same time. He is getting such a little personality, and talking more, which is great. But some days I miss the little baby boy who was so cuddly. He's still pretty cuddly though, so I cannot complain! We are so lucky, and so blessed to have such a great family.

May is a month of happy days and happy memories at our house. Caleb's birthday today, mine this weekend, and Maddie's next Saturday. Not to mention Mother's Day, we moved into our hose in May four years ago, and Maddie's birthday will also be the 11 year anniversary of the day I met my husband. I got the job in England in May back in 1999, found out we were moving back three years later in May.... How lucky we are to have so much to celebrate each spring!

Rejected!

Tonight we went to a bone marrow donor registry drive for the daughter of my former co-worker, Hannah. Most of you know her story, if not see previous posts. Anyway, Mike and I were all set to get in the National registry. It's an easy process - just fill out a form, and let them swab your cheek. I had no problems with this, but apparently Mike can't be a donor because of previous back problems! Who knew? Loads of people have back pain, I think it's interesting that they can't be donors. Apparently it has something to do with possibly making it worse if he were to donate marrow.

On Saturday we are doing a fund-raising walk with Hannah's team for the Cancer Free Kids charity. They are having an event for the whole family - face painting, clowns, pony rides, etc. It should be a great time, and for a good cause as well!

Everything else with us is good, no more news! More soon!

Long time no updates...

Clearly, I am a slacker of the highest degree if you go by the date of my last posting. My excuse should be that we have been so busy. But if that were the case, I would have lots of news to post on here, and you will soon see that we are boring as ever. It seems my natural procrastination tendencies have once again gotten the best of me for the past few weeks. But never fear! I am back now with all the exciting news of us!

Maddie has been busy with her cheerleading class. I had to take her yesterday for a "costume rehearsal" which is where I got her dressed up with the costume, hair, and makeup (yes, real makeup - including eyeliner on my 4 year old), and we went to the dance place for her class photo. The hair and makeup took me about an hour. I am including a photo of her. She looks about 18. Mike has been having a fit over the makeup, as Dads are prone to do. But she only has to wear it now for the dress rehearsal, and then for the actual show. Being that I'm not really into makeup myself, I was glad for the opportunity to practice putting it on her yesterday. The eyeliner was the hardest bit. I must say, I'm quite pleased with myself.

Caleb has been busy beating up his sister and yelling at everyone. He stamps his foot, points at you, and shouts "NO" when he doesn't like what you have to say. His favorite word is now "mine." Other new words include touchdown, football (can you sense a theme?), cold, car, and home. We're working on who-dey, but he has yet to say that one. And he still won't say Maddie, just calls her Sissy. His favorite thing to do is to play outside, so every time we get in or out of the car he has a fit, as he thinks we're going to stay and play in the driveway.

Mike's mom is doing well (for those of you who do not know, she had a stroke last week, and a surgery following that). Luckily, it seems that as strokes go, it was a relatively minor one. She's home now, and recovering many of her motor skills. The long-term outlook for her is very good. Prayers would still be appreciated!

Other news, I just had my 10 year anniversary at Enterprise - how crazy is that? I can't quite believe it's been that long.

That's it for now!

Nothing to say....

Well it has been some time since I have updated our blog, and that's because nothing is going on! I'm sure everyone who reads this is tired of me saying that, but it's true. We are boring.

We had a great week last week with my mom, who came to stay with the kids while the daycare was closed. She went home on Saturday. We are hoping for some nicer weather this week, and already looking forward to the upcoming weekend (yes, I am aware it is only Monday).

We have Caleb scheduled for his surgery on Friday morning - his third set of ear tubes, and his aednoids out, which will hopefully help to resolve some of his ear issues. The whole deal should take less than 1/2 hour, but it's always a little traumatic when they have to put him to sleep. As problems go, this is minor, but I will be glad when we can stop doing this every 6-9 months, if he ever grows out of it.

That's it! Seriously, nothing is happening. More from us as news happens, which is rare these days....

Thanks a lot!

Well since none of you came through with a good reason for me not to get my tooth fixed this morning, there I was at 7am, having a needle inserted into my gum. It really wasn't that bad, but now where they put the filling, it feels weird. The good news is that it is done!

Beyond that, life is plugging along as usual. Did anyone else find today tough? It seems like after a holiday it always takes a couple of days to get on track and back in the routine.... I am very happy it is almost time for me to go home for the day!

More from us later in the week!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to everyone!

We've had a great weekend, and a great Easter (so far). This weekend we spent with my family - Mom and Dad from Texas, and Joe too. Matt did not come down, he's in Muskegon for the holiday. Dad just left to head back to TX, and Mom is staying for the week to watch the kids. We have played lots of cards, been to Dayton for a visit with the great-grandparents, and just had a really nice relaxing weekend. The kids had a great time finding their baskets from the Easter Bunny this morning, and the bunny very kindly went easy on the candy. They got lots of books, a few new toys, and the cutest stuffed Peeps. We opted to leave Caleb at home with Mike while the rest of us went to church (a very smart idea). Maddie did okay in church, but she could have been better. I can't complain, for a 4-year old she was okay. She is used to being in Sunday school during church, so keeping quiet for an hour is challenging for her.

I've to go to the dentist tomorrow at SEVEN in the MORNING to get a cavity filled. I keep trying to think of excuses to get out of it, but nothing good has come to mind yet - any help?