SUCH a good weekend!

Carson LOVES... OREOS!!! (does his face give that away?!)

The weekend was so so nice. We just spent a lot of time around home. Got more unpacking done and hung out with the kids. It was race weekend @ MIS so getting around in this town can be tough. This wasn't the worst weekend at all though. I have a feeling the gas prices put a damper on how many people came to the race. This evening we all sat out in the backyard while the kids ran around and played and we chatted and relaxed... HEAVEN!

Kenedey had Maddie over to spend the night on Sat. Those girls crack me up. We were talking about what color would look best in the kitchen. They suggested a couple and then Maddie pipes up... Hey Mrs. Carpenter... You could just take a picture of me and blow it up really big and use that as some new wallpaper! We all cracked up! That's why I love that girl! Her and Ken have so much fun together and I love who Kenedey is when she is with her... it's the fun Ken that giggles all.the.time! Love it!

Maddie's mom came and got her this morning so she could spend some time with her daddy and Ken could hang with her dad too. Then this evening, Daymian came out to spend a few days with us. Here's some pics from the weekend!

The dog is obsessed with digging in Carson's sandbox... it's hilarious! Kayla and Drake have been walking over every evening to check in on us... Drake is so stinkin cute!

Tonight for some strange reason, Carson hasn't been feeling very good for some strange reason this afternoon/evening. He has been really whiny this week, we just assumed it has been because the move has been tough on him, so we have given him extra love and snuggles etc. He woke up from his nap today and he was SUPER grumpy. We went outside to play and burn papers in the burning barrel and he brough out his pillow. He ended up laying down on the ground out in the yard and FELL ASLEEP. This is the kid that NEVER just randomly falls asleep. He has to be in bed... with a whole routine in place before ever getting to sleep. It was so cute yet so sad. He is running a fever and has pretty much been sleeping since around 7pm. I gave him some Tylenol and he's sleeping comfortably now... I guess we will see what tomorrow brings.

Kayla let Kenedey and Daymian borrow her Nintendo Wii. They have been playing it for the past 2 hours. I tried it and woah is that thing weird/fun/frustrating... Here's a couple of pics!

We are alive!

And we have a new HOME!!! We are getting settled slowly but surely. I have to admit... I hate moving... who doesn't right? Things are coming along great and it's wonderful to have room to move! I will post some pictures as soon as I can.

The first few nights were a little unsettling, but now... it's beginning to feel like HOME. Im so excited! I am going to make a serious effort to get back into my blogging groove. I have been so overwhelmed with work and other things going on, that I just haven't been "feelin' it"! But hopefully I'm back.

Ken had Taylor over today and the kids all played in the sprinkler so here are a few quick shots of that for you!!! What do you know about Carson deciding he shouldn't be wearing any clothing and so he strips down to nothing and takes of running! Good thing we live WAY out in the country and our only neighbors are family... otherwise.... we would probably loose some new perspective neighborly friends... thank you very much Carson!!! Leave it to him.

The puppy is doing great, she really is the sweetest thing, but she is DEFINITELY a puppy... and puppies are a ton of work. We all just love her!

We Drank the Water.... kinda!

So many people we know are having babies right now. I can count 7 within the last month of friends that we know who have a new little one! On top of that, several people in the blogging world also have newborns... wow!

Well, as you know we are getting moved into a HOUSE. No more apartment living... can I get a HALLELUJAH?!

Sooooo.... we promised Kenedey many years back that as SOON as we have a HOUSE, we would expand our family!

HERE SHE IS!!! Meet Daisy the most adorable, snugly, sweet, nearly housebroken @ 6 weeks, blue eyed, wonder-PUPPY!!!

We couldn't be happier!!! She is a weimeraner! She is going to grow quickly I am sure and we will keep you posted on how she is doing! We have only had her for 2 days so the novelty hasn't worn off yet! It's so exciting to watch her chase the kids around and Kenedey refuses to let her sleep in the crate. We haven't left her alone yet, so time will tell how all that puppy stuff goes!

It's officially offical!

We are moving to TILDENVILLE! You have to be part of the family to understand, but best part is... we are moving THIS WEEKEND!!! Woo Hoo, Brix Hwy here we come!

TFT: thoughts for thursday... computer/internet usage

I was reading Heather's Blog (TFT: How in touch are you?). Her post made me really think about something that has been sort of "heavy on my mind" for awhile.

It's no secret to anyone who knows me that I spends a ton of time on the computer. I NEED the internet and different programs I use to:

• 1) make money for my job (2 different jobs)
• 2) I sell/buy things on Ebay
• 3) I blog for 2 blogs
• 4) I email: this is really the way I keep in contact with my extended family members. Many of them live out of state.

Basically I am curious to see how all of you balance your internet time and usage. I have always enjoyed spending time surfing the net, keeping up with other people's lives, weather that be by myspace, facebook, bloglines, email or whatever. It's honestly time consuming!

I have a routine that I go through every time I get online and its usually like this (in order):

1. check email
2. check bloglines
3. check myspace or facebook if something is in my regular email indicating a message from either of these.
4. check ebay
5. check Creative Memories consultant network for updates and other business information.

Then sometimes I add on checking:

1. Craigslist
2. Paypal
3. chat with friends who have messengers (myspace or yahoo) catch up with them
4. random blog surfing

I really think I need to "cut back" on the time I am spending on the computer and use it only for specific times. My mom and I had a talk a few weeks ago how we sort of wake up in the morning and wait to see what emails we have gotten and a lot of times that sort of sets the tone for the day... meaning there are usually things in the inbox that require business type attention. I find myself checking it several times a day or even hourly just to keep up on things. I was also talking to my up line in creative Memories and she said she does the same thing. Waits for emails so she can stay on top of "work" and keep her customers happy in a quick manner. Email is GREAT for that and I think it's even better than the phone because I can get an answer after checking a few things out or whatever the circumstances might be.

I HATE talking on the phone... unless I am really bored. My mom got after me today because she says I never answer my phone. We have both cell phones and a home phone and honestly I just get sick and tired of getting the dang phone. It rings all the time. Most of the time I leave my cell phone in the car and figure I can return calls when I check my email. I don't like putting my family "on hold" while I take a phone call. However I do know (thank you mom) that it is VERY important to answer your phone especially when you are trying to build a business. I get that and I do try to be a great communicator and promptly return any calls I may have missed. We have caller ID so even if they don't leave a message I know what I have missed.

Anyway... to wrap this post up... I am curious and would like to hear some input from all of you who are balancing phone calls, emails, Internet time, computer time, etc. Do you find it difficult to balance and if you do... have you done anything to restrict your time away from that in an effort to intentionally balance everything else on your plate? What has worked for you? What hasn't worked for you?

editorial note: I went back and spell checked this post before I published it... I just realized that internet stuff/phone stuff has a language all of it's own. (things my spell check didn't like: myspace, texting, paypal, craigslist, Internet, Ebay) imagine trying to tell someone who knew nothing about internet, what you do all day on the internet... that could be interesting to explain!

I think I LOVE...

DAVID COOK! SO SO SO glad he just won IDOL!

Saturday's are great

We spent the morning just hanging out with Lauren and Carson, then we headed out to the big town of Onsted garage sales. Good times let me tell ya! Kayla found a Dora backpack for Carson and he is walking around right now singing the "backpack" and "map" song. It's freakin cute! I did find a leap pad thing for Carson and it came with a backpack to hold all the stuff, the cartridges, and a bunch of books. He also got just about every truck, motorcycle, car, anything with wheels at every garage sale we found. Most people were just like... oh just let him have it you don't have to even pay for it. Honestly people this is the one time I don't have to tell him no to most everything, really I don't mind paying a quarter for a car! It's WELL worth it with him... he WILL play with it. I figure it's something we can keep in the car since it's all nicely "packaged" so when he gets bored in the car, I can occupy him! He also got a little lawn chair to use at Kenedey's games for a buck!

Kenedey didn't find much, however at the end she did find a smoothie maker thingy. Apparently you put ice cream in it and m&m's or something and then turn it on and it combines it all and puts it in the glass... yeah note to self... don't buy other peoples junk because there is a reason it is sitting out there in their yard sale... and Kari... this is now YOUR junk! I can see her using this a whole maybe 2 times in her life if we are lucky!

This afternoon, Kenedey, Jessi, Kayla and I all went scrapbooking in Adrian. It was fun as it always is. I got a whole 3 pages done. Actually pretty darn good for me. I usually only get about 5 done at all day crops. I wanted to scan them to show, however, my printer doesn't scan 12x12 very easily too difficult for me to figure out.

I am going to take some pictures tomorrow so I promise to have more tomorrow.

The below post is just to prove...

That I really am blogging everyday. Last night blogger had something wrong with it and it wasn't saving my drafts and then it just lost my entire post. dang it! I refuse to finish it because that's well... just annoying. Oh well so we move on!

This afternoon, Kayla and I decided that we would head out to some garage sales. I love garage sales :-) I don't go very often and haven't had the chance to much in the past. So Kayla found some on Craigslist and we headed out to Grass Lake. It was a bit of a disappointment because the "big" neighborhood sale on Craigslist, was a whole 2 houses! Whoo Hoo. I did find some cute stuff at one of them for Lauren. Some really great girlie stuff. I also found Carson this great shelf for his room that is actually a truck. I think it will be cute to set his cars on in his room.

Tomorrow morning Onsted is having their annual garage sales in the village, so I have plans to get out there around 9am. I don't need more crap to have to move, but really you can find some awesome stuff out there and nice stuff and for dang cheap. I am a sucker for good deals.

Kenedey had another softball game tonight. They did NOT win by any means. I don't even know the score! They played a Napoleon team and they were a really good team and were coached VERY well. I was very impressed with their coach. Great communicator with the girls and he knew the game very well. Anyway... too bad for our girls, but they are looking better and better all the time. Kenedey got one base hit, one walk, and one strike out. I guess you could call that a "well rounded game"! LOL I really enjoy going and watching the girls play. Ken enjoys it so much. Sports do so much for kids in my opinion.

Lauren is here tonight to stay while Jessi went out for the evening. I have plans tomorrow to go a crop in the evening. My upline in Creative Memories has a crop every month. I haven't been able to go yet, so tomorrow I am going to go for 1/2 the time from 3-9. Kenedey is going to go too, so it should be fun!

Big News....

for us anyway! Kenedey has had a big space maintaniner in the bottome of her mouth since she was about 5. She had to have 2 teeth pulled at that age so they put this big bridge thing in the bottom of her mouth that looked a lot like a permanent retainer.



It served its purpose and could have been taken out about 3 years ago. Kenedey has refused to have it out. The dentist said that it wouldn't hurt anything for it to be there, but wasn't serving any purpose.

Life... playing catch up!

Here I am finally.. I am completely out of the blogging habit for some reason. I am going to give it a try and blog everyday for the next week.

Life is busy as usual around here. First the house... we have found MORE things that are going to cost us MORE money. We are both feeling like we should throw the towel in on this one and get out while we are still ahead. It has been a huge learning process and a tough one at that. I'll keep you all posted on what we decide to do. I can say for now though that we have started to look again!

Kenedey is doing great with softball! She has had 2 games. First game a week ago Monday she struck out 3 times. They did end up winning the game though 13-8. Not bad for a pretty inexperienced team! Then they had another game this past Monday. Ken did great. This is her first year playing. It was a lot of fun because they played the other Onsted team, so a few of Kenedey's friends were on the opposing team. I had a terrible time not cheering for the other girls too! I just cheered for them indivually, not for "their" team! Kenedey ended up with 2 base hits and made it home on one of them. Maddie her best bud was pitching for the opposite team! Apparently Maddie was giving Kenedey glares! All in good fun of course!

When Ken got up to bat, Maddie and the catcher were talking to each other. The catcher who also happens to be in Kenedey's class said to Maddie... "don't worry... it's JUST Kenedey!" Well she got on base right away! Nice way to make your buds eat their words! That game ended up we lost by one. It was a tie in the final inning! I was so proud of them all! Maddie's mom had made a comment that the teams were poorly balanced regarding experienced players, meaning that Kenedeys team has quite a few who have never played before and not a lot who are seasoned players. So another great reason why they proved to play so well!

This past Sat. I went and did Kaitlyn's hair for Napoleon's prom. Kaitlyn is Jessica's niece. I really am just posting these pictures for her to see!

My great grandma is keeping me and Kenedey busy. I have been running her to appointments and errands. I love doing this with her because it makes me feel useful and also gives me time to spend with her! I just love her as you already know!

Last weekend I watched a bunch of kiddos so their parents could go out! I had Kaylyn, Daymian, Lauren, Kenedey, & Carson. They did great. I have never actually watched Kaylyn and her and Carson were pretty funny together! Here's a few pictures for you Nikki!

More to come soon!

Hi everyone! It's been a way busy week. kayla and I went to The Great Lakes Mega Meet yesterday in Novi. What a great time! I have never seen anything quite like it!

For those of you who don't know what the Mega Meet is... It is a huge scrapbooking convention! I found some awesome items that I am so excited about, and the good news is... we are having a crop next week so hopefully we will be able to use some of them then!

I have plans for tomorrow to do some SERIOUS blog updating! Lots to update! More soon!

The Chelsea Treehouse

The 2nd Birthday Party went awesome!!!

Best part from my perspective... I didn't have to do ANYTHING. I know that sounds lazy, however... with all the moving, house stuff, and life in the midst of that... I don't think I could have carried out another party that was fun this year.

The special part was that my Grandma Grace (who is almost 89) just got back from Florida (she goes down for the winter) and she came to the party. I can't even believe she is able to get out to do that type of thing let alone want to do that type of thing. That's 5.... YES FIVE... generations that she has gotten to know! How special!

We had the party at The Chelsea Treehouse. They were fabulous with helping us. They served all the food/drinks, decorated, cleaned up, lit candles, EVERYTHING! Best part was, it was actually very afforable too. I highly recommend doing this type of thing!

Carson was a little stinker for the beginning of the party. He was overdue for lunch. Once he ate, he was back to his old self again! I took him to see his cake and he was OVERJOYED!!! He made the "ka-pow-ka-chow"... um... got lightening??!

When they put the cake in front of him, he tried to run the car along the frosting. Very cute! He loved it when everyone sang to him and then I told him to blow out the candles and he did it like he had done it a 100 times! Smart little dude!

Presents were interesting. He did a really good job opening everything, but got stuck on a couple of items. In particular... Aunt Tammy got him a vaccume cleaner and we all know how obsessed he is with the vaccume. Yeah I wouldn't be surprised if he wears that thing out within the first month! I think that is probably a new favorite toy! The lightening McQueen from the cake was also a favorite toy... I think he carried that everywhere today!

... ...

Happy 2nd Birthday Carson!

Dear Carson,

Well, here we are already 2 years out from the day you were born. I have to be all mushy here and tell you that I remember the night you were born and just you and I were in my hospital room and I held you and was just in awe of your precious little face, with the big dimple in your chin. You still have those amazing eyelashes that I hoped your daddy would pass on to you! That part of my heart that you snuggled into that night I can still feel it.

The biggest surprise to me is honestly how fast these 2 years have flown. I know us parents always say, time goes by so quickly. But really, it honestly seems like a month ago that you were sleeping on daddy's chest for your naps and he would hold you for hours.

You are such a little boy now. You are saying so many things everyday. Some of your favorites:

• Shis-see (sissy)... wha you do-en?
• wheredit go... you have to say the go part really high!
• mater, mcqueen, salee, mone: all the cars crew
• Dowa (dora)
• Nina (Nannie)
• la-tssss (you have that "s" sound goin on now
• you said "Angie"plain as day last night
• at your birthday party today you went around to everyone and said "thanks and then the person's name." It was very genuine! You made me so proud.
• the list is now endless to all the things you say. I am loving watching you learn new ways to communicate with us everyday. It's also been great that the whining has dimished some!

You are getting taller and you have your own little mannerisms and so many of them remind me of your daddy. I was watching you walk in front of him the other day and it was honestly like a little mini-me version! You guys had no clue how much you resembled each other at that moment, but I did. You also like to wear your "haat" like your dad! I haven't decided if this is a good thing or a bad thing! I think Nana would say... "oh no, not another Jason." However, just mimic all of daddy's good qualities, there are lots of them there! ;-)

You LOVE Jack and Lauren and ask for them on a daily basis. Everytime we write your name on paper you also ask that I write all of their names too. When Jack came into your party today you had the BIGGEST hug for him and then for Lauren too. I think it's awesome that the "friends" you have, you just love so much. I hope this a quality you will keep forever.

I know your sister has a huge place in her heart for you. When you have to be disciplined, a lot of times she cries too. She is so so sweet to you and would give you her last leg if she had to! You are a lucky little guy to have such a great sister to look up to. I know your relationship of the adoration she has for you is something you guys will carry as you continue to get older! I love watching your sibling relationship. With me not growing up with any siblings living in the same home as me, I really enjoy watching you two "just be" you... together!

Thank you buddy for being the little guy you are. I just cannot tell you how much I adore you and my love for grows more and more everyday. You lighten my day with your little smile and the greatest hugs and kisses a mommy of a son could ask for. You are THE BEST!

Happy 2nd Birthday Carson! We Love You!!!

Love, Mommy

password protecting

Hi everyone.

My mom is here visiting from Florida, we are already having a great time as usual. Tonight we were talking about blogs, and I mentioned I get hits from everywhere.... well that got us talking.

Based on a recommendation from my mom... I am going to password protect this site. Beginning on Tues, May 5, 2008

If you want me to email you a password, leave me a comment!

Laughing so hard, I cried!!!

Conversation as Kenedey got out of the shower this morning:
(she was listening to the radio while she was in the shower and the screen says who sings the songs that are playing)

Kenedey: "Mom do you know who sings this song?"

Me: "Um...yeah I think it's Justin Timberlake and.... let me think.... um I am not sure who else."

Kenedey: (big wide eyes like she was surprised) "mom, it says Madonna"

Me: "oh yeah that's right, I would have never gotten that right though"

Kenedey: "Is she still alive?"

Mom: "yes, Ken she is alive, and she has a daugther who is the same age as you"!!!!

messin around

I haven't felt much like...

blogging lately, however, I figured I better get on that or else I will have phone calls asking me what is wrong!

I am getting some of the final things/estimates done for the house. Met with another carpet guy to do measurements (Home Depot) today. I am hoping for a really good price. Yeah we shall see about that. I have all the estimates that we HAVE to have, so now we will continue to "shop" for better prices.

Carson's Birthday party is on Sat. I keep feeling like I am not doing something that I should be doing, but that is because we are doing it at Chelsea Treehouse and they pretty much do everything. Cleanup, a helper, the food, keep the kids busy. Sounds great to me. I really needed something with very little stress this year with all the house stuff going on I would have been a lot more stressed! So... Thank You Chelsea Treehouse!

I have been thinking lately about my little Kenedey who is near the end of her elementary years. When she started Elementary, I would have NEVER thought it would fly by so fast. I always go and work the book fair at the school in the fall and then again in the spring. When I was volunteering at it last week, I got a little misty eyed when I started to think that she will no longer be part of that library! She will just be in another building, but still! I guess it makes it a little easier knowing that Carson will also go to school there and I will still get to feel "part" of the elem. school then, but my little Miss Kenedey is going onto another step in her little life. I think what scares me the most is that.... if Elementary school went THIS fast we only have THIS much time left to get her through Middle & High School. Wow. I guess I am beginning to understand what people mean when they say, "you blink and before you know it, they are grown." I so so so want to cherish the moments I do have. Ken is slipping further and further away from me and by that I mean she is just becoming more and more her own person. She doesn't need to consult me on every.little.thing! I've said before that she has always stayed pretty close to my side and needed me to help her make every decisions. Partly because she is shy.

Up until a few months ago, we still had a horrible time getting her to tell the waiter at a restraunt what SHE wanted to eat! She always wanted us to do it for her! The thing that I am most proud of right now, is the fact that I do feel her slipping away a bit and the great thing is that it feels healthy. Such a good feeling for a mommy. She has a great friend that she has gotten really close to this year (Maddie, aka, Madeline, aka Large Marge :-) wink wink Mad!). Maddie is very outgoing, very confident, has a great family, and is of course loads of fun yet still very grounded in her values and has great parents behind her. It's such a great thing because Kenedey found Maddie and they clicked and that really says something about who my little girl is becoming. She even has the tools or wits, whatever you want to say, to choose great friends. I am so proud of her!

Wow it's so easy to babble about my kids! Sorry I know I am being all mushy! What can I say I'm a sap!

On a lighter note, Ken is still REALLY enjoying softball. She asks to go to the batting cages whenever they don't have practice. She has her first softball game on Monday, which is extra awesome because my mom will be up(from Florida) to see it!

Also, Kenedey, Maddie, and another classmate named Brittney have signed up for the school talent show! I am sure I will keep you posted on all that! Should be fun times! Can you imagine three 5th graders getting all into this! Wow!

BTW... those of you who have complimented the invite I made for Carson's bday, I used the new Creative Memories Storybook Creator Plus software!!! Seriously it took me maybe 3 minutes. Let me know if you are interested!

TFT: (Thoughts for Thursday)

This is only my 2nd attempt at Thoughts for Thursday, but this topic just came up today so I figured it would be worth throwing it out there.

*Daycare* :-)

I know this topic is something a lot of parents have to think about and consider for their children when they return to work.

I was talking to my friend today (Hi Polly) who is starting a new job. She is switching from 3rd shift to 1st, in an effort to normalize her time with her family so she is putting her 2 youngest (9months and 3 yrs) into daycare. We got talking about a blog that I had read about a family where their son had been shook by a babysitter they trusted. Then there are other horror stories that make it to the media, you know the one where the "nanny" is throwing the twin babies around carelessly and mishandling them. I am disgusted with this behavior just as much as the next person.

When it came time for us to choose a daycare for Carson I went with a place where I felt very comfortable. I didn't need to do a lot of seaching because I knew what HIS needs were. With our older daughter (kenedey now 11 yrs old) it was tough to find the "right" daycare for her. She had very different needs. By that I mean she was more emotional (yes even very young) she needed snuggled A LOT, she was pretty demanding etc. Where Carson was just active, we knew he needed to have a stimulating environment and also a lot of structure.

The thoughts I am interesting in what you all think is this: When choosing daycare: do you get a "feeling" that the place is right for your child? How would you feel if your provider said to you, "I am sorry I don't feel like your child is a good fit for here"? What is most important to you when you are looking for childcare... family, friends, environment, schedule, or what?

I am just curious about this. Polly and I were talking about some of the terrible things that happen in daycares/home daycares and we were just like.... why can't a provider just say, "Look, your child cries too much for me, or your child doesn't fit, or something like that.... before/rather than hurting or being mean to a child.

NOW BELIEVE ME... I know there are wonderful people out there who do daycare. Lots of them really. I have been fortunate to have had wonderful people care for my children while I worked outside the home, so please do not think I am ripping on daycares by ANY means. I am actually on the flip side now where I watch a friends children and I absolutely love these kids like they are my own. However, if that weren't the case. I can honestly say, I WOULD let a parent know if it wasn't a "good fit". I have thought about opening my home to more kids, however, I think it would be more of a chore then, rather than something I enjoy. I don't ever want to have kids I am responsible for unhappy in my care. It's really important to me since my kids are also here. If the kid I am watching is unhappy... so am I... and for my kids, an unhappy mommy is a crappy mommy! That's just my take! Shoot some of your thoughts!

Other TFT blogs: ( I know I read more today... do you think I can find them... ugh, sorry if I forgot you, leave me a message so I can add you to the list!)

Heather
Kim
Michelle
Jenny

Keeping Busy

It's been a busy week. I am loving the weather. I almost had the thought today, to say... "it's hot!". We were at the park in the heat of the noon sun, and chasing kids around... then I thought better of it and decided that would sound like I was complaining and Mother Nature would hear me and dump snow on me! So I just decided to enjoy being "WARM"!

Talan, Carson and I met up with my friend Mandy, she lives in Saline, so we don't get to see them as often as we would like to. They had to go into Jackson today so we decided to meet up with them. Mandy has 2 little guys who have made it to this blog before, Cade & Colton. They are the cutest little dudes!

Carson was Mr. Clingy at the park and I really can't say that he had fun. Why in the world does he want me to hold him when he has a buddy or 2 to play with and a HUGE park with all kinds of great things to do. I can't say it was much fun dealing with him! Talan did pretty darn good. He hasn't been feeling the greatest but he was a trooper!

I tried taking pictures of all the boys, however, because I was mostly holding either Carson or Talan they didn't make it to the screen very often!

Ken had softball again tonight. We had to run into Dunham's after school to pick up sliding shorts, a smaller bat, a larger ball, socks, a knee pad... yeah over $100 later... again.... she is finally set on softball equipment. She is so enjoying this and I am so happy for her. Yesterday she and my cousin Jessi went to the batting cages and that really helped Ken gain confidence. Thanks again Jes for helping her out. She got a base hit today at practice and even made it home! She was pretty happy with that!

Tomorrow I just have plans to hang out at home (obviously take care of Talan and Carson too) and hopefully get the motivation to get some packing done. I did clean out Carson's closet tonight... watch out jen more stuff is headed your way. The one nice thing about moving is you sure do get the opportunity to weed through the junk and boy have my kids accumulated!!! I

can't wait to get OUT.OF.HERE!!!

Our little athlete!

Below: the assistant coach helping Kenedey get "in form" and pumping her up while giving the pitcher a hard time! This really helped Ken to loosen up and not be so nervous while up to bat!

Kenedey started softball last week. The great thing is, she is REALLY into it. She is trying really hard and loving the sport, way more than she like soccer last year. I am more than thrilled! It's so great to see her get out there and give it a shot. She looks like a true Wildcat! LOL (Onsted Wildcat that is), can you tell I'm proud of her?!

While Ken has been at practice, I have taking the kids over to the park to play. Carson couldn't be having more fun. He has no fear and is all over the place! I watch him play and remember him this time last year at the same park when he was so little and Kenedey had to help him. He seems like such a big kid running around there and doing it all by himself!

?

I have to tell you, I have been feeling a bit depressed as of lately. I haven't even been able to say this until tonight, mostly because if I speak it, then it feels true. I think a lot of it had to do with the weather, getting into a routine that works, and just adjusting to all the upcoming change. Things around our house have been stressful. The usual life demands and of course throw some crap on top of that and things get hairy.

Those of you who know me, you know that I am a pretty deep person. I won't apologize for that, it's who I am, but I must admit it sucks sometimes because unless I am feeling inspired, having a conversation that gets me deep down, or feeling inspired... then I really don't feel like me.

I need to read more and lately I have just been able to read house books. Reading makes me think, something I really like to do.

I was working at the school bookfair on Saturday and I picked up a Maria Shriver book. I LOVE her and I like how inspiring/real/touching her writings are. I think if I could get to know a celebrity, it would be her. I used to watch Dr. Phil to feel inspired or make a step to better myself. Also the show "Starting over". Lately, Dr. Phil just sucks. I don't know if I am just "over it" or if his subjects are just boring or what, but I am just not "feelin' it".

I was looking through the options of Maria Shriver's books and I came across this in a excerpt spot from her book: "Who am I? What do I believe in? What am I grateful for? What do I want my life to stand for?"

These are the kinds of questions I want to get back to, so I am off to order one of her books! I like that I can feel a lot more like myself again. It's probably all going to fall apart when the house stuff gets rolling, but for now........... (sorry to those of you who aren't all into "feelings")!!! Believe me this is a good thing for me!

Warning: I am feeling chatty... long post!

My blog has been a bit sterile lately.

I have been so house focused that I haven't spent much time talking about what is going on with "us"!

I am using this post to talk about Carson (with sprinkles of Kenedey :-) too), I know all of you (meaning family) get a kick out of me struggling so much with managing my SON!!! Yeah this post will not be anything out of the ordinary, but let me just say we are coming off from a long weekend of his whining and complaining... NOT good times.

Ok, we love this kid, he is spirited, fun, loving (sometimes), and a "true boy". But.... we need some help!!!!

Whining is one of the biggest problems as of lately. I know we are well on our way to terrible twos. Jason and I were having a conversation in the car today about how important to us it is that our kids are respectful of first themselves and then obviously others. Disrespect is just something we are not willing to tolerate. Now the respecting himself will come in time, but right now he is NOT Mr. nice guy to others. When I ask him to say hello to people he has just been doing nothing. I will admit sometimes he is friendly, but the majority of the time he's really not. This is almost painful for me to write because that's how important this subject is to me. I want to teach him to say hello, shake hands with people, and a friendly goodbye. Now the goodbye part is fine. He will blow kisses, kiss family, wave, and very nicely say, "bye bye", maybe even an "Love you". My inlaws met us at the house the other day to look at it and he was downright rude to them. Usually he is crazy about his Nana, but nope he was just rude. We went to visit a friend the other night, someone who is very important to me (hi Ellen) and he again was a royal pain. Took dirt out of a plant and threw it on her deck, didn't say hello, took off to an area of the house where I asked him not to go. Just defiant. I HAVE to nip this in the butt quickly.

I want to add a little history here for my readers who don't really "know us". Our daughter is seriously almost the perfect child. She has always been friendly to stangers, very respectful of others and their property, all the things you would expect from a good kid. Well I always felt like, we are tough on her and expect these types of things from her and that must be why we have such a "good kid". Well, I am now a hypocrite. I have judged other parents and been annoyed with them when their kids are awful. I now can truly say I understand that despite some parents honest and true efforts some rotten kids aren't that way entirely just because of their parents. Carson isn't rotten don't get me wrong. It's just tough to enjoy him. Also don't get me wrong I do realize some parents have very ineffective tools and are not consistent with discipline.

We went to Menard's today. He was SUCH A PAIN. He didn't want to sit in the cart. He threw himself on the floor in the carpet area, screamed, whined and it NEVER.STOPPED. The service sucked and we were trying to deal with him so we just left and went to the much better serviced Home Depot. At Home Depot he wanted to play in the automatic doors, ok only natural, we let him experience that for a while and then said ok, all done, lets go. Well again this was a reason for a fit. More whining. I had to pick him up and fight him kicking and pinching all the way to the car. I threw him in his seat, strapped him in and that ended that. He was better at Home Depot. They had a race car cart that he could "drive", but that only lasted for awhile. After he napped today he was such a brat, he just walked around and whined. We were even outside playing and chasing him and playing with other kids and whaddya know... Carson was whining!
I took him to the store with me this evening and he whined all the way there, and all the way back. He doesn't want to ever get in the car, and even sometimes doesn't want to get out. Ugh.

There are two thing I can do when I am at my limit that usually at least gives me a break. I can put him in his bed and just make him sit there until his tude' changes or sometimes when he is really whiny for no reason if I put on a movie that he really likes he will sit and watch that. As far as actual discipline goes, we have found that setting in "time out" does work. I have to work VERY hard to keep him there. He will stay for Jason, but Jason has to actually yell at him to get him to stay. I don't have that rough, stern, mean voice. I am working on that. Usually mine just makes him whine more. I have really considered spanking. I can't even believe that because I spanked Kenedey MAYBE 2 times ever. My rule is and will always be, if I am spanking because I am angry... I WONT do it. If I am doing it because I think it could get his attention and produce worthy results then I don't mind trying it. I think he is at the age where he gets the cause and effect thing so I think if I have to resort to that (i'd rather not) he could maybe understand that as a consequence. Yelling is out of the question for me. I am not a yeller and don't want to start being one. I want to have effective tools I can use when we are at other people's home and I am loosing control of my two year old.... THAT WORK.

I know this kid needs structure and stimulation and I try very hard to accomadate those needs. We do fun things with him and don't expect him to behave perfectly by any means but I would like things to at least improve. I think I might start thinking about running away if they don't and I just wouldn't do that to my kids! So I guess the alternative is we must try to resolve some of this! Any of you have any suggestions you might offer? I am off to look on the net for some solutions to decrease whining and increase effective discipline!!!

more house thoughts...

I am getting to the point where I can't sleep because of this house thing. I woke up at like 3am because I heard the garbage truck and had to go find out why in the heck at that hour he needs to be SO loud. I don't think he cared that I stood in the window and cursed his noisyness! I went back to bed and laid there for like the next few hours until Jason got up and thought about house stuff. I think what got me worked up was before I went to bed I realized we only have 9 more days til' closing and then the serious work begins. We have TONS to do. But I am really getting excited about watching the changes happen.

Today I have been thinking about the bathrooms. The 1/2 bath down stairs in just off the entryway hall. It has a vanity and toilet and mirrow and some REALLY ugly wallpaper. My mother-in-law and father-in-law came out last night to look at the floor to see if they could help with that. We are going to go ahead and cover the living room and formal dining area with carpet. We are going with the same carpet throughout. (2 of the bedrooms, the stairway, hallway upstairs, and the living room/dining area) Carson's room will remain hardwood, I think I will just get him a big rug for his floor.

Anyway... back to the bathrooms; I think I like this color, I really want something bright, simple, clean feel for the 1/2 bath. I think I like this color... what to do you think?
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p10807/index.cfm?pkey=gTHMBMB ( I really like the orange accents with this one.

also thought about this, but I think I want brighter!
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p9861/index.cfm?pkey=gTHMBMA

Now the entry way: The bottom wall has wainescoting (sp?) I intend to leave that natural wood color, and maybe paint the walls just a cream to a light beige color. Just go basic in this area. It will have wood laminate floors. Is going cream in this area and up the stairs just too boring? It's a hallway, stairway, and then leading to the upstairs hallway. I should invest in paint... we are going to need SO MUCH paint! The good news is, my mother in law did say last night that she would come help with wall paper removal... FANTASTIC. She said, no painting or anything like that, but she will take it down. She has a steamer. Kathy (my cousin, Kayla's mom) said that she would also help with it and if we need to do texturizing (mainly in the upstairs hallway, and staircase) that she knew how to do that. I will for sure be needed help there.

I don't think I have updated that we had the inspection this week. The main thing they said, was the furnace should be replaced. He said it has a hole/rust in the heat exchanger. Also the hot water heater, and the windows should also be replaced. The good news is... the roof is in good condition and was done sometime within the last 5 years. He said it does look really good. Yeah!!! I was really upset about the furnace at first, but then I got thinking about it and we don't have central air right now, and will want it. So, this gives us an opportunity to go ahead with that... Plus at least we know it's safe/new. Now I just sit and wait for estimates... good times. Wish me luck and rest too! I can't go without sleep for very long! LOL

fun stuff

If you live anywhere near me you have to check out the website: yahoo groups: Jackson freecycle

I am now enjoying garage sales from my internet! I love to see what others junk can be other treasures. This morning there was one on there for a 7 person hot tub in very good working condition.. Had we been in the new house by now I would have hot footed it over and picked that sucker up!

I went today to Columbia Interiors and picked up some flooring and carpeting samples. I am so bad about making decisions like this so wish me luck. I think we are going to go with a wood laminate floor for the foyer, hallway, kitchen, and breakfast nook. Just not sure which shade of wood to go with. The carpet I am trying to debate is the "shag" stuff. I found one I like that is like a sand color I think it's called beachside and another is called highlights. I'll let you know what I decide. This carpet is "green"/eco friendly. It is supposed to be made from recycled pop bottles and stuff like that! It's not the softest of the shag like carpets, but it is very nice. It's only $3.40/ sq foot... is that a deal? I have no idea. The others I like that were REALLY soft were about $5.00/ sq ft. and more. but the look was comparable.

Have any of you out there put "shag" like in your homes? If so how did it wear? I am not so worried about the bedrooms and stuff, but more about the hallway and stairs where it will be going.

Weekend MIA

I know I have been MIA, it's a busy time for us with the house and everything else too. So sorry I have been gone. I just haven't felt like I wanted to blog either, so that doesn't help. Hi mom! I know you have been waiting for me to blog!

Pretty much normal week last week. It got nice one day, the bank therometer in town said 77 degrees. I was shocked and so excited... NOW TODAY, I think the high was probably 47 degrees and friggin' snow. Ugh. I hate Michigan.

By Wed. its supposed to be above 60 and sunny again. Kenedey's 1st softball practice was rescheduled to Wed, because Friday night we had tornado warnings. We picked up some softball gear for her the other day. She got some cleats, a new pink bat, a new glove and 2 softballs. I know NOTHING about softball. Her friend Maddie is very good at softball so they have been playing at school and Maddie taught her how to pitch. I am amazed because she pitched to me a few times and her aim/accuracy was awesome. Jason worked with her on holding the bat properly and she was great at that. I am so excited for her to learn something new that hopefully she will really enjoy. I know she will like it a lot.

On Sat. I went to a 10 hour crop and got out for a whole 10 hours no kids, no interupptions and it was GREAT! I could get used to that! Jessi, Kayla and I all went together. It was a really small crop put on by Kaleidoscope. We all concurred that we prefer these smaller crops versus the huge ones. They are always so much fun. I always meet such neat people with similar interests, which is another reason why I so love going to crops. I got a whole whopping 5 pages done. I spent all of Friday evening trying to organize and downsize all the stuff I had to take with me. It's so hard for me to do because I don't get inspired until I actually sit down with all 5 bags of my stuff and then I get an idea and go from there. I hate being in the spot where I don't have something I need and I left it at home. I spent the day working on Kenedey's stuff. Her scrapbook is kind of lacking compared to Carson's. It's going to be much easier when I can do his after I have planned things digitally, so much of her's from the past is all from when I just had a film camera... oh what a difference 11 years makes! So anyway I have all those pictures to get put in books for her! I need to drag them out tomorrow and show her the pages I got done. I think to keep myself on top of Carson's stuff I am going to be doing more digital scrapbooking for current stuff at least I won't keep getting further behind while I am trying to catch up with myself.

Ok enough ramble from me for one day. Sorry I don't have any pictures to share this weekend. I think I am PMSing so I am not exactly a happy girl tonight. Maybe tomorrow... we will see how the day goes.

Crop Time!

This crop is open to anyone and everyone! If you know someone who might be interested please pass this along to them! This does require registration so I have loaded both the flier and the registration form.