Talk Back to You..

I came across this poem, written by a good friend, and adapted it just a little. It just struck a cord, so I decided to share it with all of you.


I'm a mother
and a fighter
and a daughter
and a loyal friend
and a spirited soul
and an organized mess.

I like baseball
and I like animal crackers;
I love cherry coke
and the hills and consume them both regularly.
My favorite people are the ones who know how to really hug.

I'm not tall
or a good high jumper
or a knowledgeable source of information about computers or cars.

I hate peas,
being blatently lied to,
being subtlely rejected,
and am not really a fan of blood or needles.

I have dreams
that I rarely talk about directly,
fears
that like to follow me around sometimes,
and could probably use a forklift for all my baggage right now...

but I know how to come through for my friends
when they just need to be loved,
and could talk passionately for hours
about my dreams
and my philosophy of motherhood
if you know how to ask the right questions.

Evening Ride

I love his face in this picture. He's just a handsome little man.
Mason all ready to go and a little ansy. We had to wait for Justin.
I love our bike ride each night (except when raining). It gives us a chance to talk about things going on and what we have to do yet tonight or even during the week. Its a good time. Sometimes we each pretend we are a different Mario Kart and race back home on the "home street track". Mason usually wins because he always turns around early and jets back home. Oh well, that just gives Justin and I a little extra quality time.

Look Mom - No Hands!!

One of our favorite things to do is go for a bike ride after dinner each night. THis night I decided to bring my camera and catch the boys doing "no hands". They've just started doing this and have been so proud of themselves.


We only had to take about 25 pics total to capture these 3.

I think we went up and down the road about 4 times.

FINALLY!!! We got the shot we were looking for. Thank God for digital cameras so we didn't waste all those pictures.

"I am not tired".

So, the other night (a while ago now, since these pictures are probably 2 weeks old), Mason was so crabby (tired) it was not even funny. He told me he was not going to bed, he was not tired and that was that.

After some arguing he told me that for "one minute" he would go into his bed but he would not sleep.

No more than 5 minutes later, I started a load of laundry, he was asleep.





















He is so peaceful when he sleeps. It is quite the contrast sometimes for all the ruckus he can cause during the day.

I love you Mason. Sleeep tight sweets. Don't let the bed bugs bite.

T- I - double GUH - ER

We semi-adopted/did a favor for a good friend and took in this monstrous cat named Tigger.

The boys love him. For the first week though he hid in the basement in the crawl space under the bathroom. Would not come out for anything except to poop and eat. You can see he needs to eat.

Tigger is a very loving cat. Likes to sleep with a person right on their head. His tummy is too big for that, but he still tries anyhow. He's a loud meower though and is a nice addition to our house.
This is tigger's big belly. He is not all fur. He is all belly. Kind of reminds me of a pregnant lady we have at work right now. lol.
My favorite part is when he lays on the couch or bed, moves just a little to adjust himself, but is too close to the edge and his belly just pulls him right off whatever he is laying on. Hilarious.

We adopted these two little kittens. The boys named them Ratchet and Boots. We found them at Fruitland Township Park. Someone had left them there. Their markings are the same though they are different colors. They would sleep right on top of one another and gang up on Tigger together. Sadly, we had to get rid of them. Three cats was just too much for one house to have. Tigger will go outside and spend some time under the deck. These cats would too, but were just too much to have around. They went to a nice farm in Montague to spend the winter in the barn.

To My Friends

I recently received an email from a good friend. It was very personal and to the point for my life right now so I thought I would share it..

Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go. (especially at Hackley campus.)
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end, BUT

Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girlfriend is never farther away than needing her can reach.

When you walk through that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself. the women in your life are on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.

Sometimes, they will break the rules and walk beside you or just come in and carry you out.



I just want to say thanks to all my friends who have stepped up to the plate and swung the bat for me and let me know without saying much how they would be willing to help. I would not be getting through my life right now without all of you.

All I can say is THANKS to each and every one of you. Know that I mean it with all I can muster.

Extraordinary Onion

Mason :Hey Justin, how do you peel an onion? (we're sitting at the dinner table, not eating onions, and Mason asks his brother this question just out of the blue.)

Justin: first you chop, chop chop then you dice it and cut it in half, then you cut it in half some more, then you really just "fwap" it up. Try not to cry though while you are cutting it up.

Mason: Why do you cry? Is it because you cut yourself?

JUstin: No, onions just make you cry when you cut them. ( I don't think he has ever cut up an onion, so I am curious where he gets his info from).

Mom: Hey Justin, how do you know so much about onion cutting? Were you a chef in your last life?

Justin: No, I'm just extraordinary.

Mom: OH, well that makes sense then.