Grandma's Grace

Below is a copy of the email I received from my mom today . . . I hope it gives you as big of a grin as it gave me . . .

Hello, mother of my granddaughter :)

I thought I'd share the delightful scene that met my eyes when I went downstairs to turn off some lights yesterday afternoon. At first, I was stunned and then broke into raucous laughter! It would seem that my two eldest grandchildren have great imaginations and are able to pass playful moments in creative ways.




My grandson (who will remain unnamed to protect his identity) was later guilt ridden and burdened and was about to call Grandma to repent when Grandma showed up on his doorstep! (with Blake's little hat, bib, etc. left at Grandma's house earlier that day) He confessed as I sat by him while he was in the tub. All is well ... burden lifted.

However, I have yet to hear from granddaughter #1. She's probably forgotten and moved on to other adventures. I thought perhaps she would be willing to help Grandma pick up the imaginary delights and return the room to its former boring existence.

Grandma is not at all upset. The pillow was well worn with a large opening exposing the burgeoning stuffing, which was fairly screaming to be used in a more glorious way.

When speaking to her about it, I beseech you to use grace...she knows the word.

Looking forward to complete reconciliation....
The Grandmother next door

P.S. I love you all. Love covers a multitude of fluff.

Out of the Mouths of Babes . . .

Faith: "Mom, look at the beautiful blanket of snow outside! Isn't it pretty?"

Bella: "Mom, how come the sun is out and it still isn't warm?"


Faith's comment did force me to stop and acknowledge the beauty of this morning . . . and then Bella's brought me back to reality.

For Crying Out Loud!

When will this winter end?

Yeh, yeh, I hear the birds and I see the buds and the bulbs sprouting . . . but when it's all covered in snow and gray skies, it loses some of it's "springyness"

Enough is enough . . . please!

I feel as though all of my abilities are being hampered due to the blahze' weather . . . parenting, wifely duties, house cleaning, laundry - even blogging.

SUN = HAPPY
GRAY, SNOW, RAIN, MUD = GOING LOONEY!

I've been washing the girls' bathing suits as often as their muddy snow things because they're getting punchy and want to "go swimming". Even yesterday when the sun was shining, Bella asked for me to set up her pool outside.

Dear God, please send the sun and the warmth! Like - long term . . . as in - snow being done. Pretty please with sugar on top?

Love,

A Desperate Mom

Tag - I'm It!

OK, about two weeks ago, my sister tagged me on her blog, and I've been negligent in responding to it. But I have a few extra minutes today, and thought I'd oblige her.

I'm not going to tag anyone else - however - if you want to do your own post based on the following info, I'd love to read it. Here goes:

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?
Wow! That was a lifetime ago! 10 years ago was 1998. I was in my 3rd year of marriage and my 2nd year of teaching 4th grade at Vista Charter Academy. Mike and I lived in a cute little Cape Cod house in Alger Heights, and had McKenzie our black lab and BeeBe our gray cat. We took walks several times a week, but other than that, I have NO IDEA what we did with all of our spare time. I know we liked going up to the Silver Lake Dunes in the spring and summer with our sweet Bronco, but other than that - no clue. Man that was a long time ago!

2. 5 things on my "To Do List"
1. laundry, laundry and more laundry
2. figure out what we're going to eat for dinner tonight
3. book SOMETHING for spring break week so I don't go crazy
4. finalize a theme for our summer kids' program True Victory Sports Camp
5. book SOMETHING for spring break week so I don't go crazy

3. Snacks I enjoy:
Where to begin . . . snacking is my thing!
1. Starbucks Java Chip ice cream
2. vanilla ice cream with Magic Shell
3. graham crackers with frosting
4. chips and cheese with guacamole
5. hummus with sharp cheddar cheese and tortilla chips
6. mint chocolate chip ice cream
7. chocolate chip cookies
8. chocolate chip cookie dough
I could go on . . .

4. If I were a billionaire, I would (in no particular order):
1. try to help causes such as Right to Life, Pregnancy Resource Center etc.
2. build homes across the world for needy orphans (like The House that GEMS built)
3. adopt a bunch of kids
4. start a ministry to assist parents in the spiritual development of their kid
5. pay off our house
6. do whatever I could to expand the Kingdom of God . . . pray for His leading as to where to spend it
7. find a way to make Chr. Ed more affordable for families
8. adopt a few more kids
9. help families struggling with infertility so they could afford treatment options
10. book 2 or 3 family vacations for each year - good ones!

5. 3 bad habits I have are:
1. I'm a picker . . . my face, my fingers . . . whatever
2. I hit the snooze button WAY too many times . . . really, what's the point? Why don't I just set my alarm later?
3. I procrastinate - but, for what it's worth, I work well under pressure

6. 5 places I've lived - make that 6:
1. Alto, MI - with my parents
2. GR, MI - at Calvin Dorms
3. GR, MI - in apartment with friends
4. Byron Center, MI - in a rental farm house
5. GR, MI - our first Alger Heights house
6. Alto, MI - the house we built, which is right next store to where I grew up.

As you can see, I've lived pretty much with-in a 20 mile radius my entire life . . . pathetic, but true! I'd like to add California, or The Keys or Mexico or Italy . . . maybe someday . . .

7. 5 jobs I've had:
1. planting, picking, butting, and packing celery at a local farm - for $2.85 per hour!
2. Russ' server - in the back side of Russ' mind you - NOT the front side. I delivered people their food after they called in their order on the sweet phones. Who needs face to face ordering? Just pick up the phone!
3. JC Penney - Men's Department. If you ever need to be fit for a dress shirt, or learn how to tie a tie - I'm your gal.
4. Vista Charter Academy - 4th Grade Teacher
5. Caledonia CRC - Director of Children's Ministries - still doing this and loving it!

Happy Birthday Kent!

Note to self: Never take a weird picture at Sonny's house . . . it might end up on her blog . . .

Bella Boo Diddly Bear is 3!

Bella Grace as a newborn - three short years ago!

It is hard to believe, but my baby girl is 3!

How time flies!

Everyone always tells you to "enjoy them while they're young - cuz before ya know it, there in college!" There's a saying "The days are long, but the years fly by." How true! How true!

Bella Grace has been a true blessing to our family. Her name means "beautiful, undeserved gift." She has lived up to her name. She is incredibly beautiful both inside and out. She is sweet, kind, compliant, loving, sensitive, and oh-so-snuggly. She loves to sing and dance, and she makes us smile and laugh everyday with her crazy facial expressions and hand-talking (gee, I wonder where she gets that from).

She's our precious gift from God! We give thanks and praise to Him for hearing our prayers for children and seeing fit to answer them with our beautiful girls! To God be the Glory!

Our big 3-year-old princess!

Happy Birthday Shelly!

This is a classic picture of Shelly. She took it of herself - with MY camera. She does this when she visits so that I won't forget her!

Who could forget that face?

I love you Shelly! Here's a big computer hug from me to you!

We Be Jiggin'

So . . . I've done it! I've officially lived through my first 5K. Today, Mike and I, Megan, Mike and Kari and Chris and Ben (all pictured above) along with Mike's two brothers, Matt and Marc ran the 25th Spectrum Health Irish Jig 5K.

Mike ran a 21:28 and I ran a 28:41. Woo Hoo! That's a 9:15 mile for me people! I know most people wouldn't brag about such things . . . but that's a big deal to me!

My initial goal was just to finish . . . then I specified a bit more, and wanted to not be the last one through the finish line . . . but I really wanted to get through the race in under a half hour . . . MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!

Since I forgot my camera, I am dependent on others for the pics. Thanks to Kari and Mike's sister-in-law, Lisa, for the pic. For more pics, visit my sister-in-law Olivia's blog.

Winter Blahs are turning into Spring Aaahhhs!

Ok ok ok! I know I've been a blogger slacker (aka a slogger . . . or blogker . . . ) My deepest apologies.

I think this winter just sucked the life and motivation right out of me! However, the last several days of sunshine and warmer temperatures have LITERALLY been a breath of fresh air for me It's been wonderful to spend some time outside running, walkiing the dog, and pulling out the bikes and scooters for the girls! I don't even mind the mud from all the melting snow!

It truly felt like spring would NEVER come . . . but there are little signs that it is around the corner: I've heard birds singing, seen geese flying overhead, seen the spring bulbs starting to peek through the dirt and I've even spotted some buds on the trees! Woo Hoo!

Mike and I are kicking off spring this weekend by running in The Irish Jig 5K. This is my first race, so I'm a little nervous. But I'm running with a good friend and running buddy and I'll have my hubby, my girls and my Mom cheering me on! Let's hope this lovely weather holds on for the weekend - (and the rest of March)!

Happy Almost Spring!

What are your favorite signs of Spring?