SOOOOO much catching up to do!!

So had pretty much the most amazing weekend ever. I cannot think of anything I have enjoyed quite the way I did this past weekend. We went to the Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City . It was WAY more than I ever expected it to be.

The kids had an absolutely incredible time. My mom came up from Florida for a visit and took us all up there. Mom, me, Jason, Kenedey (and her friend Myriah), Carson, Jessica, Lauren, Jack, Angie, Zach (and his friend Max). We had one room the 1st night and just hung out at the waterpark when we got there and settled in. Angie, Zach and his friend Max came up Saturday morning. We truly didn't see much of the older kids who had their friends. There is SO much to do for the kids that they were too busy to spend time with us!!! But I think Kenedey and her friend Myriah had an incredible time. I knew I had a good time, but as I told people about it at work it was aparent to me that I had an even better time the more I talked about it! On Saturday Jessica and I went and had an hour long deep tissue massage at their Spa called, ELEMENTS. It was an Aveda concept salon and they did an incredible job. My mom and Ang also went after us, but we couldn't all go at the same time... someone had to watch the little kids! They had massages and pedicures! Pretty feet!

After Carson went down for his nap on Saturday, he woke up with a raging fever. He was on fire. Who knew... on vacation... someone sick... never fails. Because he was super lethargic, so hot and away from home without thermometers and things to make him comfortable, we decided to go over across the street from the lodge to a place called The Walk-In Clinic. It was excellent. Everything checked out Ok. When we got there we felt like we had jumped the gun because we had given him Motrin about an hour before we left to go. He was acting fine and no fever once we got there. Go figure!! They checked him all out and said he was fine. I was mostly concerned that he had an ear infection, but they said his ears were clear. So we just gave him Motrin every 6 hours and stayed on top of it and he was ok. Sunday morning he woke up not too happy because of the fever and feeling bad. We got him back to sleep after some motrin. At that point I was SO happy that we went to the walk in because at least @ 6am I knew at least he wasn't super sick. Jason took him down to the waterpark while I went and shopped at the gift shop and got all of our stuff together and showered. I had a pedicure scheduled at 12:30 and Jason decided it would be best if he took Carson and headed home to Onsted. So they loaded up and went home. We stayed until about 2 by the time we could actually get out of there!!! We did pictures and all kinds of fun stuff before we actually left.

Once we left the lodge Angie took us over to one of her favorite winery's. We stopped at the bay on the way just so I could take some pics and the kiddos threw rocks!! We got to the winery and that place was GORGEOUS.... STUNNING... AMAZING... you name it... INCREDIBLE. Just the most beautiful gounds I have seen! I throughly enjoyed that. We did some wine tasteing there while the kids went to visit the farmers market and animals. We left there and went to eat at a place that was on the bay... It was gorgeous also. I love the Traverse City area... everywhere in the fall up there is so pretty, especially near the water.

So needless to say it was a great weekend. I hope we make it a yearly thing! *wink *wink

Enjoy the show!!!

Lets talk balance again.

Im revisiting this topic again because it's something that comes up more often in my life than I wish it would.

I don't consider myself a very balanced indivual. I don't do a good job of keeping things balanced in my life. I feel that everytime I add something into my life, I do a poor job of keeping whatever else is out there near the top. It's so difficult to explain, but hopefully some of you will know what I mean. Just when I bring things from the back burner to the front burner something else gets left behind.

I think some of this is just from being a busy person and also partly from where I am in life at this point. However, some of it is just me. I don't like that part of me. I wish I were a better balancer (is that a word? :-)

I know that since im thinking of balance I am at least aware of the fact that it (balance of things) needs to remain a priority in my life. I just wish it came more naturally to me.

So that is the inspiration for my blog header change I made tonight. I want my kids to be my simple inspiration. We are so busy busy busy all the time and I'm struggling to just be in the moment with my kids. It makes me sad. I do my best with them, however, I wish I was able to just enjoy more of just the simplicity of "just being" with them and enjoying it. It's a lot easier to do with Kenedey, however it's become almost a chore with Carson. He requires so much and dont get me wrong I am not complaining. It's just the way it is. It's a personality thing.

Again this is just a reminder and hopefully a inspiration to just "be simply inspired". I like the simple things in life and I feel that I am loosing sight of what's important here and now and things are complicated just from life in general. So here's to getting back to basics... CHEERS!

Wanted:

One Jeep just like this!

Jason and I took the kids over to Flavor Fruit Farms(FFF) today for some fun. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out to be the best time ever. It was a gorgeous day... and I mean gorgeous the wind was high, the colors were vibrant, the air was just the right temp.

Carson on the other hand, ALL he wanted to do was ride in this Jeep. We had him in the stroller and they had a fire truck the kids could check all out and sit in and all that good stuff. He was way more impressed with this darn Jeep. I let him play in it for a few minutes the scooped him up to move onto the next thing we could find. Well, he wasn't having it. I tried to distract his attention to the horses and ponies they had, yeah that was fine for about 5 seconds. Then he RAN... NO SPRINTED back to the Jeep. I gave him a few more minutes then wanted to go with Jason and Ken so again scooped him up and he seriously kicked and screamed and threw himself all over the place... seriously embarrassing as heck.

We headed into the little area where you can buy apples and cider. The Cider was wonderful. I have read that it gets better the further into the season you get let me tell you it was perfect today. That was my treat for the day. We got 2 bags of honey crisp apples (everyone here LOVES them). Last bag I bought was gone within like 2 days.

How do you like that hair and face?!
Jason and Ken picked out pumpkins and after that we decided to head out. Jason wanted to take Kenedey to the Coney Hut in Jonesville. It's a place where they bring your food out to your car on the tray... I'm not crazy about food like that so it wasn't torture on me at all. I happily drank my Optifast and confession: I did have 1 bite of Jason's coney and a couple of his fries. It's tough when it's right in your face. :-( However... I didn't have what I normally would by any means. So im still happy with that.

This evening we decided to carve our pumpkins. Carson wasn't totally into it but it held his attention for a few minutes anyway. It was fun to watch him experience it anyway. Kenedey did an awesome job digging out all the gunk! She wanted to have a witch face on her pumpkin! Just so I don't overload you with photos I will save some for tomorrow of the final product of the pumpkins! I love this time of year!!!

Fall, Family, & FUN

Had a totally busy, yet very fun day. Got up this morning and Jess watched Ken and Carson so I could go to "work"! I got to Jessi's around 2 and Kayla was there and they wanted to make Pumpkin Rolls... This has now become a tradition for the 3 of us. I really wanted to bale out on it because of my diet, however, I don't want to eliminate traditions just because its easier. I have to learn to live with it, so we went ahead with the pumpkin rolls and Jessi also made Peanut Butter Banana bread.

I did try some of each of those. But, I did awsome considering what I would have normally eaten. I just had a small slice of pumpkin roll and a bite of the bread. I cut out one of my "diet drinks" so I should be all set on not too many calories. I must say I am proud of myself. Sweets are certainly my downfall.

I also highlighted Kayla's hair for her and gave her a good cut. She got a few inches off. I'm sure she lost 5 lbs! She has some seriously thick hair.

The fall leaves are so gorgeous right now. I am hoping they stay that way through next weekend when my mom comes up. Today was just so gorgeous and sunny, yet a chill in the air, but not cold! LOVE IT!!! I took these pictures with my mom in mind (no fall color change in Florida). They were incredible. They are in the Bonsai exhibit at Hidden Lake Gardens and I was just amazed because the trees are roughly 10 years old but miniture... so cool.

How can it already be Thursday?

I am a bad blogger. I want to blog, but because I am so busy I have been telling myself the blog can wait. I am disappointed that I don't have all the time in the world! Why do I have to have sleep? Don't get me wrong I LOVE sleep. I just wish I didn't have to fight for time to sleep. I am a total night person. I love the quiet after everyone in my house has gone to bed. Ahhhh. peace. Except the Stuart Little music that is still on in the background from Carson's movie earlier... better go shut that off.

So big news in my life. I have started a new diet today. I started something called Opti-Fast. I have had a terrible time getting motivated to lose weight although I so want to and need to. So I have decided this is for me. It is a doctor prescribed medical weight loss deal. Where I work we are pretty much the only office in this area who offers optifast. I have watched patients do very well on the program, and have finally decided I needed to give it a try. I like that it has only a few choices. For now I just need to stick with simple. I was struggling to decide which program I would do (weight watchers works well for me also). But that takes a lot of effort and thought. Not something I have right now! So heres to weight loss. Wish me luck. I really hope to have 30 lbs off for Christmas when I go down to Florida this year. I think I can do that with no problem.

We were going to get together and make pumpkin rolls this weekend (my cousins and I). However, I have decided to bale on that note. If I do make them, I will do it in my home where I am controlled and have a plan in mind so I don't eat them. I enjoy making them and giving them away for people this time of year. Another reason why I love fall!

I never got to share one of the things I made last weekend. I SO enjoy baking in the fall, so I made this recipe. It was from the Rachel Ray magazine. It was called Pumpkin something. Just wanted to share the pics!

I volunteered at the book fair tonight. I enjoy doing that, but I think I enjoy seeing all the people more. I love to people watch. Kenedey got some great books and her and Carson went to the pancake dinner. Nice way for me to avoid that while I was working yet get them dinner!

Ken & Carson also got some new Onsted spirit wear! I will take some pics of that for you mom! Im so glad tomorrow is Friday. I think I will just lay low this weekend at home and try to get some things done around here and just chill. We wont be home next weekend, GREAT WOLF LODGE!!! I CANNOT wait!!!!

I AM INSPIRED

THREE WORDS...

I saw this video on Good Morning America Weekend this Saturday Morning. I was unable to find the Html code to post the actual video here, however, follow the link below and I promise you that you wont be disappointed. At the beginning there is an advertisement, but it's worth the wait I promise.

I Caught

So I should be going to bed, but while it's already this late...

why not go ahead and do a blog?!

Last night after his bath Carson decided it would be a good idea to climb up on top of the table and find Kenedey's licorice. I walked into the kitchen and caught him red handed! He thought it was pretty funny!

He is doing better for the most part. I am thinking maybe he has an ear infection or something because he has been pulling at his ears for the past 2 days.... go figure. He has also been super whiny. For the most part his tantrums hae gotten a lot better lately... today was an exception to how great he has been lately... no fun

So it's 1am on Sat night! I had a wonderful day today. Started out early this morning with a cranky small child who went back to bed at 10:30am so I snuck in my nap! That was wonderful. Then we got around went to get a gift for one of Kenedey's friends for her bday party. Got that and some other errands acccomplished, then had lunch at home and ran Kenedey over to Shelby's house. They went to a roller skating party. Sounds like they had an awsome time.

While she was there I went over to Jen's and hung out with her and Talan for awhile. Left there and took Carson to Jessi who watched him while I went and accomplished some "work". Once I finished that I went and got Ken and we headed back to Jessi's.

We went to her sister Tina's house for a Mary Kay party. It was actually really fun! I throughly enjoyed myself and had a few great laughs in the process! Jessi beat me in the makeup contest! I cheated big time without even knowing I was cheating! (wink wink Jess and Kayla)! Tina and Jonalyn thanks girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Had a great time and Mary Kay rocks... but like we didnt know that!!!!

Traditional yearly pose for the 3 of us!

Tina was kind enough to watch the kiddos for us 3 girls so we could go out to dinner. We headed over to Bella Notte in Jackson for a mom's night! Enjoyed a lovely glass of wine with dinner and coffee for dessert and some fantastic conversation. We laughed many times! I throughly enjoyed myself!

I am staying the night at Jessi's, not any major plans for tomorrow. Probably just hanging out!

Priorities...

Tonight this blog is my #1 priority. I haven't had a chance to even TRY to blog over the last few nights. I have had thoughts all day of stuff I wanted to get written down here, but I have been so busy it has taken a backseat to everything else.

Carson came down with hand, foot, and mouth disease on Monday. The daycare called me an hour and a half after I dropped him off and said he had blisters all over his hands and feet. I had noticed the night before that he had a diaper rash, but I just thought it was because he might be getting another tooth. I just put some desitin on it and called it good. It didn't look much better in the morning but I put more desitin on it and it didn't seem to bother him and off we went about our morning/day. Well, I got to the daycare and sure enough. He was very fussy while I drove him back into Jackson to see Dr. Robertson. Dr. R confirmed in fact it was a viral infection but he was not exactly sure what EXACTLY it was. Likely, hand foot and mouth but tough to say for sure.

Carson got worse over the rest of the day and then even worse on Tues. He didn't eat hardly anything on Tues and was very fussy. Nothing made him happy. He had some blisters on his lips by Tues so im sure there were some in his mouth. I used orajel, didn't really help. I guess this is just something we have to wait out. Dr. R did put him on an antibiotic because the worst part was on his butt and he was worried about infection and he also had a mild ear infection. He ran a slight fever, but we just treated that and the pain with Tylenol/Motrin.

Tonight when I got home from work he was a lot better. His skin still looks bad, but is for sure on the road to recovery. Im sure it will take some time. I dont think I will send him to daycare still on Friday. Tomorrow is Mandee's last day of babysitting and she watched him today. I can't tell you how much I am going to miss having her come in every morning and chit chat. Jason's mom is probably going to watch him on Friday, unless he looks like 90% better then we will send him. I doubt it though.

Kenedey is doing MEAP testing at school this week. She is worn out from it. She was also pretty sick on Monday. I think from her shot though and maybe her body trying to fight off the possiblity of getting that hand foot and mouth. So far she is in the clear. From what I read, most older kids and adults don't get it or at least don't have any symptoms. I think the MEAP is wearing her out (all that thinking ;-) she came home this evening and napped! She needs her rest!

I have intentions of trying to watch Private Practice tonight. I never watch any shows anymore or any TV for that matter except one show on Monday nights for an half hour (The Hills) and the season finale is this coming Monday so im looking for a new show to look forward to. I'll let you know what I think.

I made some yummy Choc. Chip Cookies last night. Something about fall gets me in the mood to bake. I am no good at cooking other than the basics. I suck at coming up with menu ideas. But baking... I LOVE to bake! I like to light the kitchen candles and have the oven on and bake... ahhh so relaxing! Weird!

Ok, so on to the next priority. I have some pictures to put together for a friend with a new baby and Private Practice and catching up on my 2 magazines (Parents & Parenting) and then 1 more load of laundry to fold! Good times... at least the kitchen is already clean and vacuuming is done for the day! It never ends!

SO much to catch up on....

Here is Carson at his first ever high school football game. Yeah, I don't see us doing that again for a long time. He wasn't the best behaved there! Way too confied in the stands for a 1 year old.



They were watching a beach ball that was being tossed throughout the stands.

Well, we had an absolutely WONDERFUL time at my Aunt Angie's house up near Grand Rapids. We went to see Zach on homecoming court and got to watch him play football. Once again hard to believe one of the little kids who I babysat for can be this grown up already. Not possible is it?!

He was so cute with his new mohawk. You have to know this kid to understand how appropriate this mohawk actually is. No he's not your average mohawk type of guy but he is seriously a very unique personality and it was just so fitting! It sure made it fun. Hilarious part is when he was on the sideline during the game he took his helmet off and his sister (Lindsey) said, (of course mocking him)..."ugh... my head is so hot... this whole "strip" of hair is making me so hot". Probably a you had to be there kind of moment, but it was funny. Everyone who was there will get a chuckle anyway!

So we spent the night at Jeff and Angie's both Friday and Sat. night. It was wonderful for me because I didn't do a bit of computer work. As most of you know by now, im usually on this darn thing until like midnight most nights and i'm constantly playing catch up with things and I'm never caught up. Well, good part is, I didn't have to do anything. I got to sit by the bonfire both nights which was super relaxing.

On Saturday afternoon we went to Klackles orchard in Greenville. It's like a Flavor Fruit Farms on steroids. They have rides on these wagon type deals that take you out to the orchards where you can pick your own apples. We did a stupid corn maze.... well actually it wasn't a stupid one, but we were all brats about it because it felt like it was 100 degrees in there. M.I.S.E.R.A.B.L.E.

(Carson trying to be like his big cousin Zach)

It was pretty and huge and all that neat good stuff but that hot in OCTOBER... ???? I'm confused do I live in Michigan or Florida. You sure wouldn't know by the weather. Im so ready for fall. When you look outside it looks like it should be cold and the leaves are just gorgeous! However.... the weather is NOT. Sorry to complain... it's just too humid.

Anyway, we got some wonderful honey crisp apples had some cider and donuts, and enjoyed each others company! The kids and big kids :-) rode BMX bike trails, did apple launch where you launch apples at a target, climbed a HUGE hay bale to the top and made it through the corn maze... well me and McKenzie (Kenedey's buddy) didn't make it out, we cut out the size because we HATED the corn maze! LOL Carson enjoyed himself and was really good, I kept dumping my water on his head to keep him cooled off! So to finish up this story Klackles Orchard was Great with the exception of the heat.

(My aunt Angie)

On Friday night Carson was the first one to bed. Well later Jessica put Lauren to bed and no problem with any of that. I went in to get to bed at about 1:30 and Lauren was in Carson's pack and play with him! She must have climbed in there when Jessica left her and they were both out like lights!!! Too cute! Saturday night after Klackles Angie made a really good dinner of steaks on the grill... it was wonderful... im not sure if it was really as good as it seemed or if it was just because someone else cooked for me! LOL It tasted extra good because she did the cooking (I didn't :-) Anyway, thank you it was great!

This morning (Sunday) Carson woke up in a not so hot mood which is unusual for him. I think he was just ready to go home. So we headed out at around 10am and made it home by naptime. The little stinker stayed awake the entire time until we were like 10 minutes from home. Oh well! Jeff and Angie, thank you again for having us up. We had a GREAT time. I miss seeing you, now that we know that Carson does well in the car ride we will have to come up more often. Rather than once every 2 years... lol

Tonight I got to go and hang out with the Tousa's and their new baby. Colton Brooks is 11 days old and he is absolutely PRECIOUS!!! Cade is the best big brother! Congrats again Scott, Mandy and Cade. One last thing... Scott your Choc. Chip Cookies win hands down in our house for best tasting cookie EVER and let me tell you, that is an absolute honor to win because we are conisours for choc. chip cookies! Nicely done!

Busyness...

This will be a quick post. It is 12:35am on Thurs. night and im still awake. I have been doing laundry, printing pictures to mail to family, emailing, and packing to go to my aunt's for the weekend. I still don't have everything done.

Cason went to his 2nd day of daycare today and did GREAT! He seems to be adjusting very well and they say he gets along really well with others, goes down for naps well. WONDERFUL!!! He was a little fussy tonight but I expect that because he is just worn out. They did all kinds of great activities today and had them all out to show parents. I think he got some serious social stimulation today! Tomorrow he will be home with Mandy and just relax.

Jessica is going to pick both kids up in the afternoon and then we will meet at her work and head up to my Aunt Angie's. She lives up near Grand Rapids. My cousin Zach is on homecoming court and he also plays football so we are going to go watch him. I promise pictures on my next posts! NOT TONIGHT... its too late!

Kenedey got her haircut today and it turned out AWSOME!!! Teresa cut it and did a wonderful job. She said it was off by about an inch and a half on opposite sides. I told you it was a bad haircut! Right mom! Anyway, now she LOVES it, even said it isn't poofy! LOL

Big news... On Oct 26th we are headed up to great wolf lodge... Can I just tell you I CANNOT wait, I am so excited to go! My mom is coming up to visit and we are going to head up there with my cousin, her kids, and my aunt. Should be a blast!

Ok I have to go fold the last of 8 loads of laundry... YUCK

I've been meaning to...

post this for Kayla! Kayla is my cousin, she is pregnant and due in Dec. She is having a little boy named Drake, I saw this sign and HAD to photograph it for her! It's a great name isn't it?!

It's officially here...

Carson started Daycare today! I took him this morning and dropped him off. When we went in he really wasn't too thrilled about going into the room. I really don't think he knew what exactly was going on. However, he must have sensed something because once the door closed behind us, he wasn't too happy about it. He didn't like being shut in the room with everyone. But I used my happy excited voice and told him... "ok buddy, your going to have lots of fun today and I will pick you up later, be a good boy" and blah blah blah. I got him all settled in and started to say goodbye. Sarah (who runs the daycare) told me I could sneak out the side door... I told her no, I don't want to get into the habit of "sneaking out". I used to do that with Kenedey when she was little because I didn't want her to cry. I think it was more of a selfish thing because then I didn't have to listen to her cry. Made me too sad, however, I want to do this right since I know better now, and I want to tell him goodbye so he doesn't wonder where I went. Well he got busy playing so I went on my way. I called around 10:30 and they said he was doing just fine, he had a little meltdown once he realized was gone for real. Also when they changed his diaper he threw a little fit for them... yep that's Carson.

He has been doing really good lately about his tantrums. I feel like we have gotten ahold of the tantrums and we have finally figured out what works with him and what does'nt. Good feeling. Don't get me wrong we are still working on it, but im not at such a loss for what to do now. I really think going to daycare is going to help a lot. We will see.

Jason went to pick him up today, so I didn't get to talk to the ladies who work there, but Jason said that they said he did really well. Naptime was a concern for me, but it must have gone well according to Jason. You know details aren't that important, but I will for sure ask on Thurs. He is home tomorrow with Mandy again then next week he goes Mon, Wed. Fri... then onto full time! Ill keep you updated! I have pics that I took this morning, ill put some up later, I just really don't feel like uploading them right now, maybe tomorrow, too tired tonight! Night!