Busy Mom

GOOD TIMES MANY MEMORIES

2009-10-11T22:33:00.003-04:00

It's hard to believe to this is our last week with Fredetta here. This past month has been one we will always remember and cherish!!! We have had some good talks many laughs and she has brought back the desire for me to be in the kitchen more and enjoy it. Last week Coleman asked if it had been a year since we have went to McDonald's then he said I mean a month because it sure has felt like it and it has been nice. I have to agree it has been nice eating around the table listening to the chadder of all the day events. Jared and I have to laugh every night we have the kids in bed between 8:00 and 8:30 and Fredetta always goes then to and why we don't know because we sit out here and listen to her and Camille talking as though they are having an adult conversation and NEVER once do we hear Fredetta say what I can't hear you. We can't understand what they are saying but they laugh and then it gets quiet then you hear them again it's funny. Camille has decided that she doesn't like to sleep on the air mattress so they are both laying on a twin mattress I told Fredetta to make her sleep on her mattress and she said no there's plenty of room WHATEVER!!!!! We also learned that she just don't understand Nascar we have had a few chuckles with her while watching the races. Just a few comments we have heard these past weeks "why do they like going in circles, are the recking the other guy to win can't they just go faster" after we told her how fast they are going already she said " Oh no do they know that and they should slow down so they don't reck anymore." She would hear us yelling at Gordon and her first question was how do you know him then it was now where is he? OH WHAT FUN!!!! The house will be quiet now and have a hole in it and the kids will miss her very much and that goes for Jared and I the time went way to fast but we also know there is nothing like home. I just want to say THANKS Fredetta for your willingness to come we LOVE you very much and you will always have a special place in our hearts!!! We miss you already and you haven't even left yet LOVE YOU!!!!!

PRAYING FOR PEACE

2009-07-30T20:47:00.003-04:00

So here I am flat on my back and ready to scream!!! At the same time I have had alot of time to think about my life and where I am. So I am just going to empty my heart and mind and hopefully from there I will be able to move on and do what I am suppose to do. I felt that at one time I had some really good friends that I so enjoyed hanging out with then as time went on I felt as though they were pulling away. I told myself that it was just satan and let it go because it wasn't true well now I feel so different!!! For some reason they have pulled away and I feel like by me still calling them or trying to do things with them I have only made them feel as though they have to lie to me whenever they are together or no longer post on facebook when they are together. So I asked Jared what he thought I should do and of course he says it's up to me he don't care so whether this is right or not I have decided to back away and just let go so they don't feel like they have to lie or hide from what they are doing because who wants to live like that anyway. So is this the right thing to do or not I don't know should I talk to both of them to let them know that I'm not upset with them just giving them their own space to do as they want I don't know what is the best or right way so I am very open for any ideas!!!! All I want is for my mind and heart to be at peace!!! You know how it feels when you feel like I better call someone to keep peace so they don't think we don't want to be with them and I feel as though that is how they feel and believe me that is not my desire at all!!!!! I don't understand right now but I am sure God will teach me something from this all and I do treasure your prayers!!!! Well my boys are coming in wondering why I am crying so I am going to be done and just move on!!!!!

MY DAUGHTER

2009-07-23T21:53:00.002-04:00

I know now why God gave me only 1 girl!!! So here are the reasons why I say that. Last night she comes bouncing in the house mom I want to call my bamma the one with black hair and has it this way not the bamma that has white hair and has it like this as she puts her hair up on top of her head. I asked her why she wanted to call her and she said because I want to tell her thank-you for my bike she got the bike 2 years ago so why now who knows!! Then I needed to go to paw paw and she went with me and all the way there she didn't shut up once. She looks at me and says mom when can we go have a sweep (sleep) over at Jesus house I told her when he calls then we can go so then her next question is well what about God will he be there? Then she says mom Cameron tells me that Jesus is beside me all the time so he is right here and I told God he can come to so they are in the back seat in their seatbelts. The reason they were in the back according to her is because Jesus didn't want God to be alone back there so Jesus is sitting by him. So there never a dull moment around here!!!

BEDTIME AT THE STAUFFERS

2009-07-12T23:11:00.002-04:00

Can you believe it 2 blogs in a row?? Every single night we go through a time of Camille coming out of her room just to tell me something. This just isn't like just do it 3 times no it can last up to a hour before she finally gives in and falls asleep and she at times lays on the kitchen floor just so she don't have to go to her bed. So tonight Jared told her it was time for bed and that if she comes out of her room he was going to spank her well sure enough 15 minutes later here she comes. Jared asked her if she remembered what he told her and then gave her the spanking and told her that she does not come out of her room unless she is bleeding or if something really bad was happening and off to bed she went. We went back to watching our movie and sure enough here she comes again this time going straight to her daddy and said look daddy I beeding see and sure enough she was. Well when she went back to her room she found a scab on her arm picked it off so it was bleeding. Needless to say Jared didn't find it at all funny but I sure did!!! That just goes to prove that we need to be very careful what we tell that child!! I am so glad that I am headed to bed right now and she is in her bed sound asleep!!

BUSY BUSY BUSY

2009-07-11T21:41:00.003-04:00

Life has been crazy busy ever since the week before the kidney walk. The walk was on May 31st and it was an awesome day to see all that came to support us. Aaron's, John's and Toby's (Aaron's brother and his family) were here and it was so much fun being able to hang out with them at the same time. Jeremy and Jess came from Indiana I wasn't able to spend much time with them but it was good to see them. Coleman's classmates, baseball team, and some from his Sunday school class were there also. Thank-you don't really seem like enough to say you all will never know what it meant to us!!! I had no idea how it would make me feel being part of it but it was a feeling I wasn't expecting. There are things in life that you would like to put in the back of your brain and just not have it in your face well that is what I felt that day like it was in my face. It was like ha ha this is your life and what are you going to do about it!! After that it was time to get ready for VBS camp edge was our theme and it was a VERY long week and so many times I felt like satan was working overtime in my life I was hoping that once it started it would get better but oh NO he just tried harder. VBS was June 15th-19th the last night we were cleaning up the church and as we were walking out the door Jared's phone rang and it was the lady that rides with him to work everyday. We were in the middle of a bad storm and as she was driving down our road a tree fell on her car and she had her grand daughter with her. Her cell phone wouldn't let her call 911 or her husband all it would do is call Jared so here we are 20 minutes away from her and Jared is calling 911 for her!! Don't that sound like a great cell phone company?? They were both okay they were able to drive the car home once they got the tree off. Then I was home all day Saturday trying to get things caught up because the next day I was headed to junior high camp with our church. Camp was a week long and by the time it was over I was dead tired but it was a great week!! I am so thankful that my kids have that opportunity!!! So home on Friday night only to get things done so we could leave the following Thursday for Nebraska!! We had such a great time and I am very thankful to be able to celebrate Fredetta's 80th birthday it was a surprise and it was also a Jake Roth family reunion. This was the first one we ever had and it was a lot of fun and I am hoping we do it again every year would be fine with me and YES we will be there for everyone!!! Better yet maybe we should have them in different states. Our neighbors were able to go with us to Nebraska they have been wanting to and it worked out for them this time so we was able to show them around which was fun!! We also had gotten tickets to go see Larry the cable guy and yes we laughed and laughed but it felt so good. Dylan and Cameron babysat all the kids so they were very busy they had some issues but we were very proud of the way they handled it!!! We left Nebraska on Monday night around 10:00 and drove all night which we usually do but this time we knew that when we got home we would have visitors so that kept us going or should I say it kept Jared going. Del, Anita and Lexi were in Indiana and before they went home they came over to visit. It was their first time ever being here so we were able to show them around and we went to the lake but wouldn't you know it was freezing cold!!!! We are hoping they will come back sometime and enjoy the lake when it is hot. I will say that the rest of the week it was hot of course!! Since they left it has been a normal week of daycare then I cleaned today and when I got home Jared took the kids to a movie so I had a quiet evening which was very nice!!!! After reading all this I now know why I have felt like I am losing my mind and why I have been so tired!!!

Family Update

2009-05-02T22:53:00.003-04:00

Wow where does time go?? Life here for us has been crazy busy & I don't see it slowing down until school starts again in September. The boys are back playing baseball again this year & I believe our little Carson is going to be the one that sports just come easy!! He throws that ball with no effort he is so fun to watch!! Cameron has had his spring concert & it was amazing. The last concert was at Christmas time & it was good but you could tell how much better they have gotten. This coming Monday him & the rest of his class will be at camp until Wednesday so it will seem weird not having him here. He has been having issues on the bus again & I am about ready to let some kids know who is boss!!!! Coleman has been feeling really good these past few months & I got his report back on his ultra sound they did on his kidneys & they told me to their shocking surprise his kidneys have grown. I got a phone call from his teacher this past week asking me how his immune system is doing & the reason why is there is a boy in his class that has a mother who needs to get away so she is going to Mexico, NOW COME ON why would you be so STUPID!?!?!? She is going to be there for 10 days so I talked to the doctors & they was able to give me some ideas to talk with his teacher about it so pray that I can keep my cool as I might have to go higher up then just her. I am just very thankful for her willingness to give me heads up so has been so awesome to work with you just never know from year to year but praise God he has taken care of it for me!! Camille is still Camille never a dull moment!! I don't know why but a couple of weeks ago she has started this thing where she doesn't want me to leave. I don't remember the day it was this week or what I was doing but Luann told me she would watch her for me, now for those of you who don't know Luann has become her second mommy & if she ever had the chance to go over there or stay with me well your right she always picked Luann. So the other day when I told her to walk over there she started crying I asked her why & she said because she wanted to give me a hug & tell me she loves me so we did all that & she said bye & went but she didn't get very far & her she was again crying & wanting to tell me something & give me a hug. This went on for sometime she ended coming back home 5 times I finally just got in the van to leave & there she stood crying it's not a naughty cry it is a heartbroken cry & I just don't understand it at all!!! All I do know is that is really hard for me, but why now & not when she was younger or hardly knew Luann. I have asked her many times why she doesn't want me to leave & all she will say is because she wants to go with me, it's like she has this fear of me not coming back & who ever she is with that is where she will have to stay. I simply don't get it believe me!! It's not Luann at all because when ever I am home she asks to go over there every 2 minutes from the time she wakes up till it's time for bed again. So if anyone has an opinion please let me know. This past Wednesday it was our 14th anniversary which does seem like it has been that long. I guess it is because the ONLY argument we ever have is who loves each other more. Well I just thought I would just give you a small update from the Stauffer family.

BACK ON

2009-01-08T13:56:00.003-05:00

It has been awhile since I have been on here. When I started blogging I wasn't planning on putting pictures on there so I have kinda given up on blooging because it is such a pain to do the pictures. I have to say I have truly missed it. So if you want to see pics of my kids send me your camera & I will get you some. I will try and get some on here now & then but I'm not promising anything. So now I am going to empty my heart. Since December I have been worrying about Coleman's transplant and what the unknown looks like. As a mom I have so many feelings and somedays I just want to unload but find it hard to put words to my feelings so I just put it into my 1gb brain (those of you who understand computers will understand that comment). I have been able to share with friends and family but feel at times like they are really sick of hearing it although they always say they don't. I have said many times this past month that I know God says he will never give me anything I can't handle but I often wonder if He know who I really am because I feel like I can't anymore. I had a friend tell me on sunday that I need to look at that a different way by saying God must know that I am strong because He has blessed me to be Coleman's mom He knew you could handle it. Believe me I told her that will be a hard one for me to ever say. She also told me that I have no idea who we have touched during this time of our lives. She said awhole lot more but I don't remember everything, but then our minister's message was on "For everything there is a time" and through that whole message it was like he was standing right there listening to our conversation. I walked out of there knowing that God was speaking to me!!! So this week I have had so much to think about and this morning I went to Bible study with somewhat of a heavy heart asking myself when am I going to give this to God completely & not take it back. Why can't I just have peace about this why is it so hard for me to have faith. Why well I feel like I have asked Him so many times and He either isn't listening or He just don't care He is going to do as he sees fit. Why can't I just accept His plan?? Why do I feel like this is just the way it is & I just need to move on? Yes I know I have seen so many times His mighty power so why is it so hard now?? So when I got home from bible study I stopped and got the mail & what I got in there I know & believe that when we feel like we should call someone or send a card or whatever it is it's not just a feeling it is God speaking!!! I had no idea that my sister Jackie had wrote a paper in high school about me the title was "The Faith of a Mother" & at first when I started reading it I thought she had just made up a story. It didn't take long until i realized it was my life "my story" I couldn't even read it I was crying like a baby. As I continued to read my mind went straight to sunday. I feel as though God is saying "Kim give it to Me I want to carry it for you, you are my child just like you don't like seeing your son going through this I don't like seeing you go through this when all you need to do it just give it to ME and I will handle it." Believe me I am not saying that from now on I won't worry because I know it isn't that easy!!! Jackie you know the things you wrote about I never saw, but I guess normally you don't. You have no idea how you have encouraged me to keep on no matter how hard it is!! The more I thought things through God knew when I was going to need that & that you didn't send it or give it to me before. Thank-you so much Jackie for not throwing it away. I could never replace any family or friends that have went through this with us & what we face in the future your love, prayers, & help means more then you will ever know. You will all have a BIG star on your crown in heaven.

HOSPITAL STAY FOR TUBES

2008-12-18T10:58:00.006-05:00

On December 2nd Cole was back in the hospital because of an ear infection. Once again he got dehydrated so to GR we went. Dr. Bunchman then asked for the ent to stop by his room & take a look into his ears, so he did & the next day he put them in. Now we are praying that this will help him just like the TNA did a year ago. We have not been in the hospital since & if felt real good to go a whole year. At the same time it is so hard to watch them try and get an IV in when he is so dry!!! All bad memories come flooding back & I don't really enjoy them. We were suppose to leave that thursday for Nebraska for my dad's 60th birthday & I was afraid we wouldn't be able to go, but praise God we was able to go!!! While we were there 3 of the GR hockey team came into see him & he thought that was so cool. That is one thing that at both hospitals (Omaha & GR) they try really hard to make the kids happy no matter what. When we lived in Nebraska Jared was able to come to the hospital alot easier then here. He works in Battle Creek which is 30 minutes east and the hospital is a hour away north, so be the time he gets home grabs the other kids & comes it is time for them to leave again. It is just easier to have him stay here unless things aren't good. He did bring the kids up the night before surgery then he also came for surgery & did I need that it can become very long. I do have to say though that I had 3 great friends come & sit with me the first day then Shannon came up the next day for his surgery. We have no idea what is in store for us in 2009 but we do know WHO holds us in HIS hands. Yes there are days that it is so hard to just to sit back in THOSE hands & relax I just want to fix things for our little man. I have been working really hard on trusting His ways are the best, but believe me I would like to take a detour around this bump in the road & move past it faster it hasn't always been the easiest bump!!! We ask that you continue to pray as God's plan unfolds. The day of the surgery we was able to set up a webcam for Coleman & his class, his teacher is so wonderful she was the one that asked if we could so the hospital staff got everything lined up so this is what the first picture is.

Then here we go to surgery he was nervous this time he asked me twice if he would have those hearing aids his ears forever. Then he asked if he would feel them when he sticks his fingers in his ears.

Then after surgery he was so out of it I didn't think he would ever wake up so we could go back to his room, but once he finally did all he could say was that he was hungry & thirsty.

So when we finally did get our room his father decided to start acting crazy. I have no idea why but he ALWAYS harasses Vicki, so I had went to the gift shop earlier & found this dumb worm thing that he is holding & squeezing. He asked Coleman "who does this look like?" Coleman & I had no idea of course so he says "it looks just like your aunt Vicki isn't her belly sticking out like this." I told him that he was lucky she wasn't there because I would of let her smack him. I love "at times" for him to be nuts because he usually makes us laugh & it does feel good. Honey we LOVE you & ALL your goofy ways!!!

WHAT TO DO???

2008-12-16T22:33:00.002-05:00

So a couple of weeks ago our minister had a message on hell. At the end he showed a small video of two friends that were in an accident the one was saved the other one wasn't. So then it was a dialog between the two friends the one that was not saved wrote the other one a letter & asked him why didn't he tell him about Jesus. He wrote if I was your best friend why why didn't you tell me. Anyway after that he challenged us to share the good news with others well one the way home God put a couples name on my heart & I knew He was asking me to say something. I shared it with Jared about two weeks later & he said I should say something to them guess what I didn't. I had many opportunities but did nothing about it. Last week once again I was talking to the wife & she was telling me how they have started to go to church. She also told me how there was someone else who had talked to her husband about God & that was what finally got him to go. I can't get this out of my mind I feel like I have failed a huge homework assignment from God. Like I was telling Jared I am so glad they are going to church but why didn't I say something to them, what if that other person didn't share the Gospel with him? I really don't know how to put into words what i am feeling, do I feel like God will never give me another chance someday? No I think He will but why should He. I have asked Him for His forgivness but feel like I should be doing more but what I don't know.

Pictures

2008-12-14T16:25:00.002-05:00

I have been wanting to blog now for sometime but I get frustated when it comes to putting up pictures so if someone that does this often please let me in on your secret.

God's Masterpiece

2008-11-12T22:22:00.003-05:00

The kids & I were on our way to church a few weeks ago and as we were driving I told them that God had given us a beautiful picture to look at. Jared had gotten me a new camera and I remembered it was in my purse so of course I had to pull over and take one. We were already late but it was worth stopping for!! Jared was there already because he runs the power point and we were suppose to take our family pictures that morning between services which was very little time for Jared so he was a tad bit nervous when we weren't there earlier but as I said before it was worth being late!! I am thinking about getting it framed and in one of the corners but Genesis 1:1. Well I hope you enjoy looking at God's Masterpiece as much as I have.

KIDS WILL BE KIDS

2008-09-28T06:49:00.009-04:00

I decided yesterday to make runzas for lunch and when the boys found out they wanted to help. Mitchell was also here and so he helped out they had a lot of fun and did a great job!!! I about fell over when I saw them all cleaning up the mess from the flour. It was very interesting to listen to them figure out who was doing what and no fighting. After they were done the runzas in the oven we are all in the kitchen talking about who did what I looked over at the fridge to see my son climbing it. My mouth fell open I couldn't believe it and he is no small thing. Well I know it was stupid but I went and got my camera then when I was done I told ALL of them if I every see any of them doing that they are in huge TROULBE. Someone must of thought it was confession time because C2 ( which is Coleman) pipes in "Oh mom I am so sorry I did that before but I went all the way up to the top then I jumped down." I now know how Dawn always felt but at least her kids weren't 8 & 6. I think we need to set up hidden cameras around here so when we are gone we know what is going on. While I was in the kitchen and looking at the fridge I was asking myself how he would of done that and I still have no idea. I think for christmas they are all getting one thing MONKEY BARS!!! Now the father still doesn't know about this so I am sure that when he reads it (which he really does) he well I don't know what he will say oh yes I do he will say see they are acting like you because I would of never done that. Now just think about that me, my foot would of got stuck in that handle. Anyway I decided that the saying " what they don't know won't hurt them" is true but I don't like it now that it is me and not my parents. All I can say is DEAR LORD PROTECT THEM AND HELP THEM USE THE BRAIN THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN THEM!!!!!!! I will put the pictures on later.

THANK-YOU TO ALL

2008-09-27T13:49:00.002-04:00

Okay since you all did your home work I will continue blogger. Check back later today because when I have the time I sit down and blog. I need alot of time for the next blog and you will soon under stand

???????????????

2008-09-18T16:21:00.002-04:00

Hello readers when I decided to start blogging I did it hoping you would read it and kinda stay in touch. I am nowing trying to decide whether or not I am going to continue. So to help me make a good decision PLEASE let me know if you are still reading and if you don't want to leave a comment PLEASE send me an email. I just don't want to take the time if no one is reading them so please let me know I will cancel my blog next friday so that way you have time to let me know.

First week of school

2008-09-05T22:14:00.002-04:00

We now have 4 days down of school and it has been crazy!! The 2 younger boys only had a half day on tuesday but Cameron went all day. Monday night before we went to bed Camille says to me mom you play princess with me when it daytime? She said I just needed to get a pretty dress and put make-up on and then do that to her. We ended up being gone most of the day so we didn't do it and we still haven't. On wednesday Cameron had a band meeting and thursday he got his contacts so he has had a big week. Last night at the supper table Camille says to her daddy will you play princees with me dad? He asked her what he had to do and she said put a pretty dress on then put make-up on her face then his he told her he would have to find someone else to do the dress and make-up thing. One more story about our girl when Cameron had his open house at school all the kids went along. He would go up to his teachers and told them who is was and they would ask the other boys what they were going to be in. Well our Camille sure wasn't going to feel left out at all so she would stand there and tap their legs and when they would say yes are you Cameron's sister her reply was yes and I go to church. I'm not kidding every one of Cameron's teacher now know Camille goes to church. When I took her back to see the doctor for her collar bone the nurse said what is your name I am Camille Jaide Stauffer. The nurse said well okay and how old are you and in all her wisdom she says I is fwee and a half. I just lokked at her and said who told you that and she says Tameron did yiphe did okay then. I told Jared that it has now went from Carson to her but at least Carson had his imaginary friend he would talk to and she don't so therefore she never stops!! Oh the joys of kids!!

Just a small overview

2008-09-03T18:42:00.004-04:00

Before I got started blogging I had to go back and try and remember what I had already put down so if there is repeat please forgive me. I am going to start with the week the Nisly's were here (I am trying to say things the Mi. way not Joe's the Nisly's). We had so much fun just hanging out and just being with family. When we lived in Nebraska we never was able to just have that much time alone with them as we did here. The kids also had such a great time NO let me repeat NO FIGHTING!!!! I think they just haven't been together for so long they themselves knew they didn't have time to fight. I had alot of fun getting to know Detrick the last time I had really spent time with him was at christmas he was a baby so he was a whole new little person by now. I do believe though that his father has him very very brain washed by that I mean I have never seen a 1yr old that can stand the way he should and hit a ball with a bat. I don't think he missed a one. While we were at the beach we even had an older couple that was walking along the water stop and watch him and before they left they asked if they could just get his autograph now I'm not kidding!! Yes he always had the ball on something like a tee but I went to Carson tee ball games this summer and there were 6yr olds that would miss the ball on the tee. It was so cute I miss that little boy he reminds me so much of when my boys were that age. I am so glad that Joe and Gwen has had the joy of raising a boy and now when we talk and she tells me the things he is doing then says he reminds me so much of your boys I agree!! He also like much little kids that age loves Cameron I don't know what it is but he just has a way about himself that they love and he loves them. He makes a very good baby-sitter. It is also fun to see how Sabrina and Cameron are getting older and their interest are always changing and having them together was fun to see things from a girls and boys eyes. Then there is Seirra who never really would leave her daddy's side but is now a very lovey little girl. She will always gives hugs and also likes to get them and I just had never seen it that much before now. I loved how I could be some where and she would just come up to me and just start telling me something and she wasn't that way either. On monday night we had a girls night out so Gwen was able to meet my friends we went to MamaMea and did we laugh. Before we went to every night which wasn't before 2 or 3 we had to get a good laugh in and by the time we were done laughing we hurt so bad that we didn't even really want to move. What you ask were we laughing at well believe me if some of you knew you would be laughing to and then there are those that would be so embrassed you wouldn't want to ever show your face again. It takes all like that's for sure!! One other thing we did while they were here was we went and picked blueberries. Yes it was my first time Shannon has been telling me for 2yrs now that Michigan has the best blueberries and I always would just say great I'm happy for you. Then on saturday on our way to the lake Jared told me that Joe wanted to stop and get some blueberries then he went on to say that Joe told him that they would come here when they were in Indiana just to get blueberries. Well I tasted one and I have no idea why everyone is so hooked on them. I think that before they left they were all starting to turn blue!! It was really hard to tell them good-bye so we all agreed that from this summer on they are coming here every summer now for 2wks!! (DON'T FORGET THAT NISLY'S)!! So after they left on thursday I got ready to leave with the girls for the weekend. Debbie, Scarlet, Shannon and I went to Luddington for the weekend for some R&R which was much needed for us all. Debbie and her husband own a house there so we went there just to hang out and have fun which we did!! By the way that saturday morning you won't guess what they thought I would want to do yes go pick more blueberries. Then once we got back home it was time to get ready for our vacation with the Black's. The thursday before we left Camille fell off of a teeter-tooter and broke her collar bone. She didn't have to do anything but wear a sling and take tylenol with codiene. We left on a saturday morning and that day we drove to Louisville Kentucky and went through the bat factory then did some letterboxing. After that then we made our way to the motel for the night. The next morning we went to the Coke factory and did more letterboxing on our way to Cave City. Before we got to far Camille decided it would be nice to throw up in the van by her brother Coleman. All I heard was a cough then Coleman going OH MOM GROSSSS!!! Now why do they have to say mom first why not dad??? Thank God for cell phones and gas stations so after that no more codiene just motrin and tylenol and she did GREAT!! Once we got to the hotel the kids were ready to swim so swim they did. The next day for us was a big day we went to Mammoth Cave Park. Now for those of you who really know me I don't do tight places let alone knowing that we are 250 feet underground. As we were going down into the cave it was STRAIGHT down steps and here I am shaking scared to death for my kids and at the same time I was trying to hang on to our little girl with a broken collar bone. You would think that it would sink in that she needs to have some fear but oh no why not just get as close to the edge as we could. That night I went to Wal-Mart and bought one of those child dog leash for the next day I told Jared I should of bought 4 not just 1!! I have said many times I would do almost anything for my kids and that was why I was in that cave. It was really cool to see that I couldn't think about what I was doing or I would of went nuts so the song that I kept singing over and over was what an AWESOME God we serve!! After seeing that you wonder how can anyone say there is no God!! I am so glad that God helped me get through that no matter how many knots I had I got through it and it was well worth it!! We would have places where it would get flat for a little bit and so our guide would have us sit down and tell us about the cave and one of those times as we were sitting there and she was talking I don't really know what she was telling us all I know was she said something about being quiet so we would know how quiet and dark it was down there and I thought I was ready but guess what I wasn't. There was very little light to begin with so when all of a sudden she shut it off I screamed and grabbed on to someone in front of us. I was so glad to find out that it was Andy all I heard him say was that you are suppose to be quiet. There is just no way to explain how that made me feel. I had to think of the ones that go into the mines everyday and I know it is different but you really feel very alone. Cut off from everything but the most important thing you need was in there with us God the one who made the heaven and earth!! I can't imagine what heaven must look like that is our reward for living here on earth for Him and since He can make such a beautiful cave what heaven must be like!! The name of this cave was New Entrance it was 2hrs, 3/4 mile long 280 steps and like I said before 250 ft below ground. That night everyone's legs hurt so bad and we had to climb more steps to get to into our rooms. That evening we went to the corvette museum the kids were bored stiff but us adults had a great time. The next morning we went on another tour cave and this time I really just wanted to stay at the motel but no once again I did it for my kids and it was better because I kinda knew what was ahead of me. This one was call snowball it was 2miles 400 steps 267 ft below ground and at the end we had to climb 183 steps out of the cave and there was no ground to stop and rest and if you stopped you held everyone up. Also on that tour there was two women with two kids and before we started the tour the guides told us not to pick anything up like the rocks and put it into our pockets. So you would like that as parents you would try and teach your kids to obey but no the one mom keep picking them up and then they would all just laugh. We caught on to what was going on and someone left the guides know and they were talked to and empty their pockets maybe that's what the kids needed to see. The next morning we headed to Maysville Kentucky where we stay the rest of the time. Before we went to far we went to Dino world (don't waste your time or money) then to do 1 more letterboxing. Maysville is only twenty minutes away from where the Black's grow up it was Ripley Ohio, of course the first thing we wanted to do was go to Rockin' Robins but thet were closed. We drove around and one thing that stuck out to me was the drive through grocery store yes you read right. I could of come home then I had heard it all that night. The next morning we rode the car ferry over from Kentucky to Ohio and as bad as I hate water and was going to just stay in my van but instead of doing that I faced my fears and got out of the van and walked around I was so proud of myself. Once we got back to dry land we went to guess what yep Rockin Robin and we would only get pop really pop!! We then went and meet Andy's parents and Shannon made us homemade ice cream and that was so good!! Then they said we need to go do some more sight seeing and that we were going to go down chicken holler road I can't even explain to you that road other then you definitely do play chicken and there were times where you would like to holler. I really think that it is hollow instead whatever it's name it is crazy and I am surprized we got out of there in one piece. Now I understand why their kids get sick on that road. Once we were done doing that and eating we went back to Andy's parents again it was fun just to get to know them and his mom cracks me up. She has been a school teacher for how many years so you would like that when she see the kids getting corrected she won't even give it a second thought but she does the one time I was getting after Coleman and she said oh he's okay he's just little. It didn't bug me i just thought it was funny how she said it. While talking about her she has been sick now for sometime and doesn't seem to be getting better so it would be GREAT if we all could be praying for her she is really tired of it and just the little I know about her she isn't one to just want to sit around. I also thought it was so neat how Camille never onced thought twice about treating them like her Grandpa and Grandma and they didn't either. I think that child misses have grandparents around and so she was in high heaven with them. I figured that the next day we went back over there she would be so clingy but when we drove into the driveway she says real loud we're here jumps out of the van and ran straight for them and wrapped her arms around their legs. The kids could all be off playing and here she would come and crawl up on their laps and would just let them rock and she soaked it all up. Thank-you grandpa and grandma Black we had fun getting to know you and thanks for treating my kids as though they were your grandkids to. You don't always get to see Andy's girls but that didn't stop you from treating my kids the same and it really did mean alot to us. The kids said on the way back to the motel they are really nice and we had alot of fun. I think they would come and live in your barn there Cecil. The last day of vacation came way to soon!!! Of course before we could leave we needed to do one more letterbox but that one we couldn't find. I almost forgot we went to the Amish "supercenter" one day and they made the best creme hole or is it corn hole no I think it was a creme horn did I get it right Shannon?? We had such a great time and you ould think that with 7 kids we would be crazy but there was no fighting between they and you might not be able to believe this but none of them ever tattled on each other yes it happened a few times between siblings but nothing else. I have been on some vacations where I just wanted to get home just to relax but I never felt that way at all. Thanks Black's we had a so much fun and we are up to doing it again. We didn't forget to watch Micheal Phelps every night he was on as we played cards and the kids chilled and watched tv. Then last but not least we went to family camp then on labor day weekend. There were 25 of us that went and we had a good time. I love it at night when the kids are in their beds in the cabins and us adults sit around the fire and just visit it is so relaxing unless you fall asleep with your feet on the fire pit ring and the rubber starts to stink and when they wake you up and you put your feet on the ground and then it starts to burn you think how could someone be that dump well I will just say think this year I left my tennis shoes at home. So now summer is almost over and the kids are back in school and loving it. They are all in different buildings this year so that's fun. Cameron starts at 7:45 and gets out at 2:40 the other 2 are from 8:45 to 3:45. Cameron is also playing the clairinet this year and he is so excited about it. Well I believe that has been everything we did this summer and now we are ready to buckle down and get ready for winter. Hope this isn't to long and you enjoy looking into see what we have been up to.

August

2008-08-29T11:07:00.002-04:00

Well once again the month has went by and no blog. I haven't put up pictures from our time with Joe's so once that is done I will share more of our last month. We had an awesome vacation with the Black's so I will try real soon to get them on here to. We are headed to family camp for the weekend if I get things done. Sometime soon right Gwen?? HA HA!!

Where did it go????

2008-07-31T23:14:00.003-04:00

Wow I can't believe how fast this month has went and there has not been one dull moment that I was bored!! I have been trying to go to Nebraska for at least a week or two in the summer, but it has went by so fast. Coleman wasn't feeling the best over the 4th, but all it ended up to be was swimmers ear. I didn't know why it was that when we had not yet been to the lake, but that's what happens when you lay in the bath tub and leave only your eyes and nose sticking out. Then Cameron went to camp and there he made the MOST important decesion ever. He accepted Christ was baptized there then at camp and that was so exciting. My good friend Shannon agreed to help me take on VBS this year and we had an awesome week. Last year they had only done K-3rd grade, but we asked if we could do K-6th and it was okayed. Then Susan H. said that she would love to do preschool and that all so was okayed. So our worked started and can I say it was so worth it!!! Our goal was to try and have 50 kids and we averaged 80 all week. Through the years of life I always thought why was Peter so dumb why didn't he get it. Well that has went through my mind that whole week and I felt like God saying hello when are you going to get it!!! Shannon and I give God ALL the glory we were only His vessels!! We really grew alot through this and we also thank Him that our friendship is even stronger now. We both have friends that told us that friendships can be hard when you do things like that, but I believe that if we are doing Gods will he will protect us from that if we ask Him to and we DID!!!! then on Saturday the 19th Shannon, Missy, Debbie, Scarlet and I went to Fort Wayne IN. and saw Anita Renfrio which was alot of fun. I am so blessed to have a husband that is always so willing to watch the kids for me to get away. The whole week of VBS he went into work early so he could be at the church by 5:30 to help out then had the kids in bed when I got home. We ended our month by having family here for a week and we had such a GREAT time!!! Joe and Gwen were here and it was really hard to see them leave. They got here on friday evening and then saturday we finally got to the lake. Then again on sunday again on tuesday and wednesday. I don't think we ever went to bed before 3:00 I am tired but it was so worth it. Many many good laughs. On that tuesday Kyle and Gloria and their 3 kids were here. It was very nice to have them here to. Now it is time to get ready for our vacation with Andy's. We are going to be gone for a week so the kids are really excited to go and yes I am too. Jared also was able through that all to get the boys ceiling in their rooms so now they have their own room. Well I sure wish I could figure out how to put my pictures on here, but I will try and get Jared to do it for me sometime soon.

Too Cute

2008-07-01T18:41:00.002-04:00

I am sure all mothers will understand this one. I am never able to be in my bathroom and someone comes flying through the door to taddle and by the time they are done they are all in there. So I was on the edge about them doing that and Carson looks at me and says mom why did you put them marks on your tummy? I looked at him and said I didn't you kids did that to me. Of course not understanding he says how. I told him that they did it when they were in my tummy, I could tell he was thinking of another question and Camille looks at me and say I in your tummy yes Camille you were. She then went through all her brothers and when I said yes she looks at me so serious and says mom did you eat us then we go down your tummy. All I could do was laugh and without me saying anymore she says alright mom. I love being able to write these memories down.

My Aunt Fredetta

2008-07-01T11:20:00.002-04:00

I don't do well as you all know with birthdays, but today is Fredetta 79th b-day, and what a blessing she is and has been. As I think back through the past years I have alot of memories. Many memories of laughing, crying, helping, and just having a good time. Younger years my memories are of begging our parents on friday nights to go home with Grandma and Fredetta and spending the night. We always made rolls in the morning and waited for Fredetta to come home for lunch, then the folks and who ever didn't stay overnight would come to Fredetta's house and we would have crisy chicken and tuna noodle. For dessert we would have the rolls we made that day with the homemade bread. I remember going to the store and helping her with inventory and loved hearing the stories she would tell. Then came the day that Grandma passed away and i remember her saying that she was now alone and what was she going to do. Well we left her know that she wouldn't be alone ever and that we would be with her every step of the way. We have had her with us for every holiday, birthdays, and now she is so much part of our kid's lives. Ever one of our kids have grown up loving her and when she is gone it will be very hard on them. At Jackie's wedding Caden comes up to mom and says where is Fedeta at grandma? That is how much she has touched each one of them kids. We have been so blessed with having her here. I remember her coming to Omaha and bring us rolls while we were at the hospital and to this day we know that when we get to nebraska she will have some waiting for us. There is nothing better then when it is one of our birthdays we get a card and in there is a letter. When you read them you feel like she is sitting right here by you visiting. Camille wonders when she is going to come here and stay with her. I am so thankful for the time that Camille had with her this past month!! Even though Camille thought it would be okay for Fredetta to sleep in her bed and Camille said she would just sleep on the couch. Once Fredetta got her talked into sleeping with her then Camille said that she needed to sleep in the front and Fredetta could sleep in the back. Fredetta has her bedroom set up that one side of the bed is closer to the wall and that is why Camille calls it the back. We do have so many good memories but at the same time we have memories of a bad car accident that we will never forget and all we can say is THANK-YOU GOD for giving her back to us for many more years with her she has touched some many lives. As a family we have been able to have been touched by her in so many ways and we are so thankful for all the memories. We ask God for more years with her!!! When we called her this morning she seemed so happy and talked to all the kids it is like when she talks to them and they give me the phone back it has made her day. The thing that made my day a week ago was when I went to the mailbox and had a letter from her just to say hi as I read it I cried and thanked God for her. Fredetta we LOVE you so MUCH you will never know!!! We will continue to pray for you each and everyday. As I write that it spring another memory when we would stay overnight in the morning she would always have a devotional and then we would knee and pray and she prayed for each one and didn't lump us together each one by name and their needs. I know that she still does that everyday when I call she always says right before we hang up Kim I pray everyday for each one of you and then she will say you Jared, Cameron, Coleman, Carson and Camille. Well I better go get somethings done before it gets to crazy around here. Remember Fredetta you are SO LOVED ALWAYS!!!!!!!! We miss you so much!!!!!

Kids can say it all

2008-06-27T20:10:00.002-04:00

Well since we have been home now Camille has been telling us things here and there. First it was that Jared and I are fat now who taught her that may I ask. Then came time for bed and she says Grandpa sleeps on the chair so she can sleep with Grandma and now she is scared of her room. Thanks Grandpa and Grandma!! Then one day as we were driving down the road I hear "mom" "mom" " yes Camille" "mom I have 2 grandpas and one grandpa is big and my other grandpa is little. She then informed us which one was what and she was right. She even had all the hand motions with it. So I asked her what about our grandmas what are they and she says no they just wittle mom. I knew that I was going to have to reprogram her but I was hoping it won't take her this long. I also think that while she was there she never had to walk because she will stand there and cry and you all know me I just keep on walking I AM GOING TO WIN then she says my legs hurt and I can't walk. Anyway I am so glad she was able to do that!! It was nice for her to bound with family there she was 8 monthes old when we moved. She never talked about her Grandpas and Grandmas before like she does now. It's like she knows who they are know and it is great to hear her talking about them. So thanks to everyone who helped out with her and I am sure we will hear stories about you all sometime soon.

2008-06-16T23:14:00.003-04:00

Wow it has been awhile so this could get pretty lengthy. So sit back and hopfully you will enjoy catching up with us and our crazy lives. So here we go it is so nice to have the boys done with school and our girl back home. All ball games are done now. It was crazy some nights when all 3 were playing at the sametime. Jared and I both said those nights would of been nice to have grandparents living close. The boys never made a big deal out of it because they all knew we did our best to run from one field to the next. It was like this at times: Coleman just batted and Carson is up next so I am going there okay Cameron is also going to bat real soon so that is where I am going. That would be Jared and my conversation while passing each other or on our cells. It was so worth it we really enjoyed watching them and they all improved during the season. Carson will be our ball player that will take it serious it just comes so easy for him and I really don't know where he gets it but it was fun. His couch asked us if he was going to play next year I laughed because in my mind I was thinking he would play year around if he could. Jackie had a very nice wedding and I was looking at the pictures this morning and you could tell everyone was having fun. Our friends Andy and Shannon had gotten in touch with us while we were in Nebraska and asked if we wanted to go with them to the nascar race on father's day so we took them up on that and we had a BLAST!! For those of you who don't like to watch it or thinks it is boring I really do feel sorry for you! Shannon had told me that someone from Andy's work had gotten free Dupont tickets and that they gave them to Andy so that meant that we was able to go and eat at the Dupont hospitality tent. They served breakfast and lunch and they were both good meals they had for lunch fried chicken and barbque pulled pork, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegies, and fruit. We were able to go to the pits and when we were down with that we went back to the tent and Jeff Gordon came and talked to all of us. It was his first father's day and you could tell that his little girl is the apple of his eye. After that then they gave out prizes and of course we didn't get any but that was fine because we had our prize by just being able to do that. As most of you know that Jared and I both like Jeff Gordon so this day was to good to be true. Gordon didn't win but that was fine because my next favorite driver did win and it was awesome to see him win for the first time in 2 years Dale Jr. and of course that is who Andy and Shannon like. Thanks to our friends (our and Andy's) they watched our kids so we could enjoy the day and not have to worry about them. By the way I forgot to mention that we didn't tell Jared until that day on the way there he thought that when Shannon asked Andy to tell him what was all going to happen that day that we were going to tell him that we really wasn't going to the race and he was ready to tell us yes we are going to the race. There are so many crazy people that at times you simply can't move but Shannon and I laugh because we all start out walking together and within 50seconds Shannon and I are way behind our men but don't worry they will turn around and make sure we are a mile behind them and just keep on going. We laugh and say to each other they turn around but they wouldn't want to have to stop. Shannon next time we need to act like one of us is hurt really bad and see what happens then don't you think? We have both decided that we are glad that we can go with our men to something they really enjoy and also have a good time so many times I feel like he is so willing to go and do the things I like to do and not care so I am glad we do this. So that was father's day for us and so now on to camp we go. Carson and Emma went on saturday to first chance camp which is for 1st graders and last night I went with Shannon to take her girl Kaelyn and Holly (Debbie's girl) and then on the 6th of July Cameron and the twins Aspen and Haven (Shannon's twins) will go. I know that Coleman and Mitchell (Luann's boy neighbor's) will be going just don't remember the dates. Shannon and I are doing VBS this year so that is July 14th-18th then after that us and Andy's are going to Kentucky and Ohio for a week. I know Joe's are coming here to this summer so we are looking forward to that to. We also have family camp over labor day weekend that we are going to. I know that there are also going to have my family here this summer to so we are going tom stay busy but are looking forward to it all!!! The kids are looking forward to going to the beach again on sundays rain or shine. Well I best get something done before Kevin comes today to finish putting our heater in downstairs so we can move the 2 older ones down so Carson can have his own room back. Luann and I made agreement that the kids can't go over to each other's house before 10:00 so if I need them to do something now is the time or else they won't be around until it is time for VBS. This will be the kids second one already this summer and since Cameron is old enough now he has been able to be a helper at them both and loves doing it. As much as he loves kids I am sure someday he will be a teacher. Hope you all have a great summer as we will and I will try and get Jared to help me download pictures of our activies soon.

All In One Week

2008-06-01T22:10:00.003-04:00

Wow what a full packed week and I am not seeing no end in sight. We have been at baseball games since Thursday. Cameron played thursday, Cameron and Carson both played friday night at the same time. Then on saturday Cameron played 2 games in Niles 1 hour away and at the same time Coleman played 2 games on saturday here in Mattawan. Then Cameron played today again in Niles and then tomorrow night he plays again. As most of you know Cameron hit a home run on saturday and I missed it because I was here with Cole. But Coleman also had a good game. I had to laugh because he is having a hard time with batting and he finally hit it and when he did he stood there with the look on his face like I hit that. I was the dug out mom for that game and here I am yelling run Coleman you gotta run and the next look was like the light bulb came on and he ran he got there but it was cute. I also had planned Jared's surprise b-day party on saturday and since he was a hour away it was going to be perfect or so I thought. He wasn't suppose to get home until six, but he called and siad the game would be over by 3:30 so that put him home way to early. Then of course Coleman's game went over a hour it was all a mess. We were suppose to help with the concession stand so I asked him if he would go help and he agreed so I told him we need to go get the clothes for the wedding so be home by 6:15 then we would leave and when he came walking through the trees he was surprised. We had such a good time it was just fun sitting outside and chatting with our friends that we are so blessed with. We has Brain's, Andy's, Kerry's and Ken's the kids had such a great time we are so ready for summer. I'm sure that you all heard about the helicopter accident on thursday in Grand Rapids. But if not they were doing flight tests and they were lifting off the roof of the hospital and for some reason it started leaning and then hit a radio tower and it ended up being a give ball of fire and smoke. No one was hurt or killed and it was just the two pilots in there. They did have to evacuate the 3 top floors and that is the hospital we go to when Coleman is sick believe me if ever we are there and you hear them landing I am sure I will hold my breathe and watch everything. Those three floors are all their children floor until the children new hospital is built. The same night I called dad and mom and they told me about the bad weather and I was wondering how I could get my girl. Carson had his first field trip on friday to the zoo and the little that I did get out of him he had fun. I tell you what, yes I am missing Camille but on the same hand Carson and I have had a great time.

Growing Pains

2008-05-23T23:21:00.002-04:00

When you are done reading this I am sure you will wonder where did she come from and who cares. That is why I love to blog it is my thought running through my head at times. When you are a mom you always try to figure things out so you either help your kids or make them feel better. So today I was over at Luann's house and we were talking about our kids when they were teething and I asked her why do they run a fever, get a runny nose, and why all the pain. I can understand the pain thing, but the fever they aren't sick. They say that when you have a fever your body is fighting off an infection, but teeth aren't an infection so why the fever? Then the running nose why. I just don't get it and it would sure be nice if they could tell us how they feel. It don't stop there as they get older it is just something different like leg aches and Cameron seems to be having these quite often. Carson has now started they both get them so bad to the point they can't even stand. I will never forget the time that Dylan had them and he had so much pain that he couldn't even eat supper. It feels like forever for the motrin to kick in for them. I don't remember Coleman ever having any at all so why is it so bad for some and other don't get them at all. I do remember my dad and mom would sit there and just rub my legs and it felt so good. We do that now with the boys but at times I have had them tell me to stop because rubbing them made the pain worse. So why does it have to hurt to grow-up? I wish that it would hurt when you put on weight then maybe I could quit eating the things I shouldn't. I feel so bad for my kids when they have to go through this so if anyone has a helpful idea please share it. I will try anything at least once.

THEY DO LOVE EACH OTHER

2008-05-21T08:16:00.003-04:00

I don't know about any one else, but I often wonder will the kids ever love each other. We have always told the boys that friends will come and go but your siblings will always be there for you. I often wonder if they are hearing anything we are saying because two seconds later they are right back at it. Last night proved they do love each other. Jared and I were trying to watch American idol in peace so we put the boys to bed. Now why would we think that they would stay there I have no idea. At first it was just dumb things like I'm so thirsty, I just can't sleep well stay in your bed longer then 2 seconds and it might work. I don't remember being that way I know their aunt Vicki did that all the time and I do mean ALL the time it drove me crazy then. She would sit on the top step and yell good night love you dad, mom, Jodi, Kim, Jamie and Jackie and not just once but at least 4 times EVERY night. We would all go love you to Vicki hoping she wouldn't feel the need to say it again. We all laugh now about it and I love being with family remembering crazy times growing up and that is what I want for my kids to do someday. Okay back to subject sorry about the little bunny trail. After having them suppose to be in their beds for a half hour here comes Carson and he was heart broken I mean heart broken. He was finally able to get it out that he misses Camille so bad and he just wants her home. I really thought something was wrong with my ears. I really didn't know it was affecting him, but it so awesome to hear him say that! Maybe they are listening to us, but guess what this morning him and Coleman went at it all morning until I finally just told them to go walk to the bus stop and if you hurt each other they could not come back home and tell me because I was done hearing it. I have no idea what Coleman did but they didn't even get out of our yard and here comes Carson crying I wanted to quick lock the door but I didn't I listened and told him to just let it go and have a good day, I gave him a hug he wiped his tears and was gone. So now I am trying to decide which one needs to go stay with someone for 4wks. I really do LOVE being a mom even through health,and sickness,rich or poor, for better or worse. Mom LOVES you boys and Camille very much!!!!

Missing my girl

2008-05-20T16:13:00.000-04:00

Well it has been eight days now and I really just want her to come and give her a huge hug!!! I am not putting her down once I get her in my arms!!! I am so glad that she is getting to know my family and friends. I am just hoping I can make it without her. I think Cosmo is wondering where in the world she is, when the boys leave he roams from room to room. I haven't even went into her room hoping to make it easier. Yesterday I was over at Luann's house and we were down loading pictures and she had Camille on some and I wanted to cry. At the same time we have been so busy from ball to field trips, to school meetings. I have also been able to spend more time with Carson when he gets home. I think that he is bored but still comes up with all these profound questions. I had went to the chiropactor and while there he looks out the window and sees the channel 3 building. He knew right away what it was but wondered why it was 3 and not another number. I have no idea why so after about ten mintues of him asking me basicaly the same question just 20 different ways. That could of been one gene that Jared could of kept and Jared's dad could of also kept so I wouldn't have to be the one to put up with it all the time. So Carson decides to just ask his dad cause he would know GREAT you just go right ahead. Then today when he got home from school he say to me mom are we really not taking anything with us when we go to heaven? I tell him that we won't take anything he says but mom not our clothes? No Carson we're not!!! Well I don't want anybody to see me. Wow we are all going to be bald mom we will just have to find clothes when we get there. I maybe wrong but I don't think he meant to say bald. I would really love to get into his mind!!! I am so ready to see my girl now but I have alot to get done first so hopefully the time will go fast.

CRAZY NOW TIRED

2008-05-12T18:56:00.002-04:00

Well off to Nebraska we went this weekend. The whole time we were there we went here, there and everywhere! We took 5 children with us and came home with 4. Camille did stay and it sounds like Jackie is really enjoying there time together. I'm sure Jackie will be happy when we go back for the wedding. This will be a whole new tired for Jackie!! It was alot of fun having Mitchell with us and he says he will come back with us again for the wedding. We drove all night so the kids slept so they could go to school today so while they are sleeping and Jared is sleeping you have alot of time to think about alot of things. With the weekend so full of things to do I always leave there filling very empty inside. I wasn't at all able to visit with family or friends and I miss that alot. I feel like we have lost touch even with family and i think that is why I feel that way. We had a good time and I'm glad the folks let us bomb bard them THANKS dad and mom!!! I am really going to miss my girl so these next few weeks can't go fast enough. I am going earlier then Jared and the boys so I will be able to have Camille all to myself before they get there. I do know one thing I am really tired and ready for bed now!! It was really good to see as many people as we did and maybe we will be able to see more in a few weeks.

Teaching the little ones

2008-05-04T15:44:00.003-04:00

Though the years of my life I have had the opportunity to learn little kids and how fun is that. There were times I wondered if they have learned anything. As you know some play with their shoes, or their clothes, laying down, or staring into space. There were times when I was done I wondered how can I do thing different so they learn. Shannon and I teach the class of 4yr olds. We have been memorizing the books of the new testament we only need 3 more and we are done. Anyway our lessons each sunday are the same for the 2 and 3 yr olds just more at their level. Today we did the story of Paul and how his friends lowered him down the wall so he could escape. Scarlet came into our class later on and was telling us that Camille's teacher was asking questions about the story and she got all the answers right. So on the way home I asked Camille what her story was about and she says Paul and his fweinds put him in basket he got out and ran on the grass. I asked her different times and she always said the same thing. Children are like sponges ready to soak it all up and I pray that I will take every chance I get to teach them all about Jesus.

Opening Day

2008-05-03T18:35:00.019-04:00

See pictures at bottom! Baseball here we come!!! Well the day (4/19/08) finally got here the one that the boys have been waiting for ever since the beginning of the month. This is the 25th yr for Mattawan Little League so they had a few thank-you rewards to hand out then Miss Mattawan sang the national anthem, then the 3 best words LET'S PLAY BALL!! Coleman's game was at 9:00 then Carson at 12:30, last but not least Cameron at 1:30. We started off the first game in the rain, but since there was no lighting we don't stop. We were cold Camille was crying Carson thought he was going to play and Cameron he just goes with the flow. Coleman's team plays with a pitching machine, but they still put someone on the mound. Coleman was able to do that and then the last pitch when the other kid hit the ball it hit him in the knee. We heard it and one of the mom's said that poor boy his mom is going to have fun. You would all be very proud of me I didn't even get up. No Scarlet they haven't put the gag order in affect yet. Jared ask Coleman what he wanted to do and after the tears were dried he said he was going to finish the game and he did!! Then there was Carson I really didn't know how it would go since he doesn't really want anyone watching him when he opens gifts and if does something that people laugh he is simply done. I asked Jared if we should warn him that people will be looking at him, calling his name, and maybe even laughing Jared said no let's not bring any attention to it and maybe he will be okay. His team was in the outfield first and guess where they put him on the pitchers mound! I was so proud of him never once did he act bashful he loved it and can't wait until the next game. The whole time he had this look on his face like this is so awesome and he would of been there all day if he could of. I saw a side of him that I didn't think I would until he is alot older. I really really enjoyed watching him, he is going to be our ball player and he would do all of it right now. I am hoping that this will bring him out of his shell. His school teacher was there to and he thought that was pretty cool. Then Cameron he was to be at the field by 1:00 and he was the first time but he forgot his water bottle so he had to walk back home and get it. Finally he got back to his field at 1:15, Jared looked at me and said he is acting like Gwen today, and it's driving me crazy (SORRY GWEN). He also had a good game it is fun to see how much he has improved and coming out of his shell. Now when he gets up to bat he has the confidence which he hasn't in the past. We had a fun day but from now until the end of June we will be playing ball. I hope you all enjoy the pictures.

Our PRECIOUS little girl

2008-05-02T09:15:00.002-04:00

I had no idea how girls are so much different then boys. Our boys went with the flow and never seemed to really care. Then came along our daughter. Wednesday night Cameron had a game we always take our lawn chairs so after the national anthem Camille turns to another mom sitting there and says "Hi I'm Camille and I can talk". Her dad says that she learned how to talk from her mother. On our way to church on Sunday he looks at me and says does she ever shut-up? Then yesterday I had gotten her a new car seat and I put it together and took the old one out and I hear her saying " bye bye car seat I will miss you but you need to go to Ann's house for Violett". WHATEVER she was very serious. After the boys got on the bus today she comes to me and says " Mom I don't like my room I want Emma's room" where does she get it? I told her that her room is fine and I am not changing it now. Her words PLEASE mom I just about went and got her some cheese with that whine. She is a piece of work and we just never know what is next from her. It just won't be the same without her she is GREAT and we love her more then she will ever know!!

Life

2008-04-24T20:57:00.004-04:00

I am so glad that school is almost done and baseball is only two and a half months. We have not been home all week and you can really tell it with the kids. We are fighting, crying over anything and evrything and whine oh don't we have that down pat!!! One thing I am so glad about is that we don't have to drive any where and that is the best. I really miss all my baseball moms from last year we always had such a GREAT time. On top of all the baseball stuff we have all the end of the year things. I never knew we could have a meeting for everything like Coleman is going into 3rd which it will be a new building, Carson going to first so we have to have a meeting for that, then Cameron he is also going to a new building so we now have one meeting done for him but there will be more CRAZY!! Then Camille well I don't know for sure what school we should send her to. Tuesday night we were getting the boys in bed and I told Coleman to come and take his pills and she stood there with her hand on her hip and says Coleman come now. I told her that I am the mom and I can handle it just fine. I heard her later saying I am Cameron's mother, Coleman's mother and Carson's mother I am. She told me once that all her friends were being mean to her so I asked her who her friends were and she went over opened her bedroom door and said they are my friends and they are being mean. I looked in and it was all her brothers. We never know if for the day they are friends, or her brothers or if they are her kids believe me she can hold her own with no problems at all. She loves going over to our neighbor so one morning it was really quiet and I knew she was up to something she had went into her room and got dressed and put her church flip flops, and her neckless and rings comes out and says mom I need to go to Ann's house now she wants me and out the slider she went. Days like that I know why God gave me 3 boys and 1 girl He knew best!!! I found that she has a wart on her hand and I said to her we have to get that off before the wedding then I asked her what are you doing in the wedding and her words were hold flowers and give Jackie my wart. I asked her if she had asked Jackie if she wanted it and she said yes she do great that fine give to her then. I am really loving being at home with her but the time has gone to fast. But then there are days like wednesday when I called the transplant office because I need to go visit with a couseler to make sure I want to give my kidney to Coleman which is dumb but they have to so I called and said set it up real soon I need a day away. I told Shannon I did that and she started laughing so I asked her why and she said Kim you just didn't want to call me and say hey let's do something tonight. I didn't think about doing that so I told her she will just have to go with me anyway. Nothing like a good laugh!!

NOT READY

2008-04-22T17:34:00.002-04:00

I remember as though it was the day Cameron was born and here we are going to his middle school open house. Where did the time go? Just to see him growing up and becoming quite the young man. I really miss having my baby's being little. I just want to be there for him and make sure that he makes the right decisions. He will be getting on the bus around 7: 30 and coming home by 3:00 it will be fun to see if his bus driver will remember to pick him up. For the past 3 months he has been going to a reading intervention and so he has to ride that bus. The first time he got left we laughed and I called them and they came back, but since then he has been left 3 other times I am so ready to buy a spot light and turn it on, and have it shining down on him. I can understand when it is dark but when the sun is up and you still drive right past him then I have no clue what to do. He is so excited about being in middle school so I guess I just need to let it go. By the time it is Colemans turn it will be no big deal I'm sure. Well after that meeting I can't really say it made me feel any better. So many decisions!!!!

Just rambles

2008-04-20T19:38:00.003-04:00

WOW what a week!! It is so crazy here and by the end of the day we are just shot but the kids still have to much energy. My mom called today and wanted to talk to the kids bu just Camille was here so I handed her the phone instead of saying hi she say "who is your name" ? Mom must of said something to her about coming there and so now that is all she keeps talking about. She asked if daddy could come to and when grandma said yes she turns to me and squeals "my daddy can go to." I'm sure by now you have all heard about the earthquake, Jared was up and reading his devotions around 5:45 and when I got up at 6:00 I turned the news on for weather and they were talking about an earthquake. I was trying to tell Jared about this lady that said she felt an earthquake ,and he was like what, when, where anyway he also felt it. At first he thought our dog was shaking his chair then when he looked up he saw the lamps shaking. I asked him what he was reading that God was shaking him. The only thing I could think of was God was saying Jared your wife needs a VERY LONG get away. He didn't think that at all can't say I didn't try. Anyway I need to get things done around here before tomorrow since I can't start my vacation is going to happen.

Spring Break

2008-04-08T18:46:00.004-04:00

I remember when we first moved here I wondered why we have to have a whole week of spring break. One day was fine with me, but now I understand. Everyone goes to Florida for the sun and you really try and be happy for those who have family there but deep down you kinda hope it rains the whole time (NOT REALLY SHANNON)!! We can't complain at least this year we have had sun last year it snowed. We were going to go to Kansas and visit with Joe's, but since we have been sick and surgery's we just decided to stay here so on Sunday morning Jared and the boys went to Michigan City and took the train to Chicago to the Cubs game. They had so much fun, and since they are all playing baseball this year they were very excited. Camille and I went to church and then to a meeting at church then back home for naps. We were going to go to prayer meeting but since it starts at 5:00 and we woke up at 4:45 we didn't make it. Anyway back to the boys. Jared said they took everything in and we are waiting for something crazy from Carson since he always has something to say. He reminds me a lot of his cousin Austin. Maybe that is who has taught him. He has really grown up so much lately you can see it in his actions he loves playing ball. It has been so nice having Jared here all week to that don't happen very often. We don't have anything else this week which is nice it won't be long and things will soon get busy. It seems once we have spring break school is soon over with getting field trips, field day and this year Cameron will be leaving the later elementary so they make it a big deal he will go over to the middle school, and Coleman will be leaving the early elementary and going to the Later Ele. so we will have all 3 boys in different buildings. Enjoy the pictures and hopefully I will remember how to do it.

Boys on the train to Chicago Cubs game.

Outside the stadium with the boys.

Future ballplayers?

Carson out!

Tired Dad..................

The Wedding

2008-04-03T17:18:00.002-04:00

My sister Jackie has asked for Camille to be the flower girl in her wedding which we are planning on doing that. Our boys get out of school on June 6th and the wedding is on the 7th so since we are planning on being in Nebraska on May 10th for graduation we were just going to leave Camille there so she would be there for the rehersal. I didn't think about how long I would be without her until the other day when i was talking to Luann and she said Kim I don't know if you could do that she said she won't be able to. So I have been trying now to figure out how we were going to do this. But after last night I think I sure could use the break. She has this thing every night she says she isn't tired so she don't need to go to bed she just watch tv NO NO!! So here is my night. We put her to bed around nine and at 2:30 here she comes to our room mom mom I need to sleep with you. I told her no so she goes to the foot of the bed and lays down on the floor as though I won't know it. I shut the tv off and I heard her whimper so I said go to bed now. It lasted 10 minutes and here she comes again "I need to go potty" so then back to bed she goes. I kept hearing things and sure enough here she comes again this time for her daddy. "Daddy my bed is all messy you need to fix it" NO GO TO BED!! About ten minutes later I hear her again so I finally got up and she runs to her room lays down on her bed and she grabbed her blanket to cover up her face and her feet were sticking out and she had her Hello Kitty water shoes on. She laid there like I was even in the room and all of a sudden she takes her blanket off her face sees me standing there and she jumped and quick grabbed her blanket again over her face. Now I have had my times with the boys but she acts like I am as dumb as a brick. So after that I will gladly let Jackie have her for a month it will be great birth control or maybe just maybe she will change. GOOD LUCK Jackie!!! HAVE FUN

Kids Glasses

2008-04-02T09:35:00.003-04:00

I am looking for some good ideas of how to make a kid pay to replace his glasses. For the last two days I have turnd this house upside down and today I am starting again. I know they don't understand how much they cost, but how do you teach them that? I know that my sisters will tell you that when something is lost I let it consume me until found, but at the same time ask Annete if she is glad it consumes me I don't think I have ever seen someone that excited as an adult. She was that happy all night!! Miss you so much Annete!!!! Go ahead lose something again then maybe that will get us to come to Nebraska. The thing that is driving me crazy is I can't even tell you when I seen them on his face. I told them all this morning that we will be doing nothing during spring break but look for them glasses!!! We were wanting to take family pictures but that to is on hold now. So if anyone has any good ideas let me know.

Frogs

2008-03-31T23:19:00.004-04:00

For those of you who know me real well you know about me fear of frogs? Why you ask well it is like this: they jump, some have suctions on their feet, they look slimmy. When we first moved up here I really hadn't seen that many of them, well now that has changed they are everywhere even on my dumb laptop. But first I have to tell you that last summer when we went to family camp there were dumb frogs all around for example we have movie night at camp then we have ice cream. Now let me set up the scene for you. There is around 150 people there and the camp leaders will make us 3 different meals. So while we were in line here comes this child right beside me with a cup in his hand (I didn't know him). His mom asked what was in there and as he uncovered the cup there was about 10 to 15 baby frogs. I was gone I was no longer hungry. Then the night we had the ice cream social I was sitting and talking with Shannon. Camille came over to us and I don't remember why or what but I rung out her socks or something like that. I have no idea who or how many people were there but I heard Shannon say oh buddy you really need to take that off the table do you know what it was yes a dumb frog. Well I was to my feet faster then you could say another word, but since I had put water on the floor I kept slipping. So this little boy says I'll just put it in my pocket and he did. By now I had all I could do not to scream and not start to cry because I sure could of. That dumb little frog stayed in the pocket but I found a different table to sit at. Then Shannon got us started on letter boxing last summer and we had fun doing it, but I don't enjoy going to frog areas. Then this past Christmas Vicki had my name and she decided to put a fake frog into a box with a spring so when I took the lid off the dumb thing came out. They all had fun with that. Yesterday I was going to help Shannon watch her kids she babysits for so she could go to an appointment so I went to my hotmail to see what time she was going to be here and there was an email from John Ball the zoo here and it said look what is new so I did well I am so glad that I still have my laptop once I opened it up popped a black and yellow frog. Believe me I could care less from now on what is new at the zoo!!!! Then after all that and my heart was back in my chest I went and read Courtney's blog and she had blogged just for me with a frog song she found. I laughed so hard and I showed it to Jared later on and I didn't think he was ever going to stop laughing. So thank-you Courtney for the good laugh it did feel really good to laugh I do agree laughter is the best medicine. But just wait I might have to get you back.

PRAISE GOD

2008-03-29T06:43:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was another big day. Coleman had his doctor visits in Grand Rapids and it is usually just Coleman and I that go to these, but since we have been doing all the work up for his transplant Jared went with us. We started at 10:00 for lab, then 10:30 1st doctor. Well our 10:30 appointment was not at all on time it was at 12:45 so that meant we missed our 11:30 appointment. When Dr. Bunchman came in he said that Coleman looked great and after looking at the growth chart he said that he was right in the middle where most kids his age are, (just a reminder) kids with kidney problems don't grow like they should. Now I haven't asked, but if they ever think he is to thin I will let them know I have plenty fat to transplant if they need it, and as far as that goes I would be VERY willing to give anyone some fat. You know on the back of your liences it asks if and what you would be willing to donate why isn't there fat on there they might get more donors if they did that. Sorry about the bunny rail there. So then he pulls up his lab and until he starts reading them and telling us what they are you just hold your breathe. As he was looking at his computer he says your boy is boring. Coleman's lab were so good that he looked at us and said with labs like this we won't be having a transplant for a very long time. He said that this only the second kids that has went through the transplant workup and their labs got better. As I sit here and blog I have one of our cds playing and the song came on WHEN GOD'S PEOPLE PRAY WOW the words could not be anymore perfect!!! I just want to stand on top of mount everest and let the whole world know what happens when God's people pray. The song is by Wayne Watson look it up and listen to it. I also had a doctors appointment yesterday with the surgeon who will be doing the transplant when needed. I am the one and now all is done until he needs it. Only God knows that so we will give it to Him and see where we go from here. Since all this has started every winter Coleman is pretty much sick and misses alot of school, but this year we have had the stomach flu, strep throat, and influenza. Coleman has had none of them. Please praise God with us as we continue through journey.

FEARS

2008-03-26T12:10:00.003-04:00

I remember growing up fears things like fireworks, thunder, lighting robbers, getting home from school and no one being there, and that my grandpa McCullough knew how to empty the grain truck without my dad telling him how to at the elevater. Simply things nothing that I won't be able to ask my parents about and them telling me things was going to be okay. So I understand having fears I also remember worrying about what if the trumpt blows and Jesus takes everyone but me then I will be in the fire by myself. Now I have a child with fears all kinds of fears. At the end of summer he started going around the house like 2 to 3 times at night making sure all the doors were locked just ask Jared he got locked out a couple of times and the crazy thing was that he thought I was doing it for fun. Now let me tell you at night I don't have the energy to lock someone out believe me. We finally figured it out and when we went on our summer vacation we heard he tell the boys that he didn't have to do his job because they locked on their own like we gave him that job. Then when we got home from Christmas he kinda had gotten over it but we have it now again but with something different this time DEATH. I heard him asking Coleman today if he really wanted to be a vet when he grows up and Coleman says yes then Carson says well you won't be able to cause we will all be dead by then. He then goes off on global warming (which came from Cameron) we will just all be dead because of that and then I hear Coleman say you are so weird like that's going to happen. He has asked that if robbers come here can they just take stuff and not him and are there real robbers and wolfes,bears and can they really hurt us and the list goes on and on to the point where I don't even know what to say anymore. I had to pick him up from school one day and we live only 1 mile from the school, but it sure is enough time for questions and it was " Mom if you have a headache will you die"? No Carson "If you get a haedache for alot of days then do you die"? No Carson you won't die. Then he sits back in his seat and says good then I don't have to think about that anymore. He is always fearing something he even has Camille going some days. Jared was going somewhere so he took her along as they were driving out of the driveway she says "Daddy is that where the bad guys are" as she points to house that had the meth lab going. I am hoping this doesn't last to long I could be done with it now. I just don't know where he keeps getting the things he worrys about. So we just keep on loving him and letting him know that he is okay and we all are.

Laundry

2008-03-24T15:20:00.003-04:00

Do you ever feel like smacking Eve and tell her that if she wouldn't of messed up we would have to do all the laundry. That is one chore as a mother I DON"T enjoy it's nuts!!! It is never done no matter what and you just know that if you have kids it will be an all day affair. I don't even like the weekend to end because I know I will have way more then I want. I am so glad I have only one girl, but one the other hand if the boys get a shirt out to wear and then decides they don't well where does it go in the dirty laundry. WHY?? Perfect example Carson heads outside to play about ten minutes ago after being out for 2 minutes he comes in and says he needs more socks not just one or two but three!! He got all of his stuff back on and went back out walked to the back yard turned around came back in need said he is done he is just going to stay inside. I really can't wait until it is summer !!! So once again I am headed to the washing machine mumbling on the way there that Eve this is all your fault!!!

NEVER A DULL MOMENT

2008-03-22T08:23:00.002-04:00

Last night on the 6:00 news they were saying that if you don't have to go anywhere PLEASE stay home the roads are bad and it is snowing very heavy. So Jared knowing that I was stuck here all week with just the kids came home and said that I could leave and he would stay with the kids he didn't really want me out there alone, but was willing. I believe it was two minutes later at the most after he had said that and here comes Camille crying, holding her breathe, and limping so I picked her up and she showed me her foot and her little toe was instant purple right in front of our eyes we saw the color change. Well there went that thought of me getting away out the window. So not knowing for sure if it was just the toe and not the foot we took her to the ER which took longer to get there and she cried most of the way. Jared drops us off at the door and we walk in she looks the the lady behind the desk and says hi (as if there so no more pain) the lady says can I help you and I told her why we were there and then she says what is her name and missy here says Camille Jaide the lady laughs and says thank-you. So then we go into the room and the nurse says what happened? (I forgot to tell you all the way to the hospital she kep saying her broder Cameron cut her toe) I started to tell her and Camille say my brother Coleman cut my toe of course the nurse couldn't understand and why Coleman now who knows. They she asked how old are you and we say with no hesitation 6 as she is holding up 3 fingers. When the doctor comes in she said that since alot of her pain is more where the toe connects to the foot she wanted to make sure that her foot was okay so she says to Camille we are going to take a picture of your foot. When the x-ray tech comes in she says are you and Camille says I'm Camille Jaide the tech smiles at me and says okay so they laid the film thing on the bed and Camille picks it up and says let me read it they said no we have to take the picture first so she says okay and the tech said okay don't move now so she looks up with this cheesy smile and says cheese. Well the child didn't have a clue, but by this time the whole staff was just laughing. So then we they came back in and said that nothing was broke but badly sprained and try to keep her not so active and I looked at him and said she has 3 older brothers and he said oh then just give her mortin. When he left I told her that we were going to go home and that nothing was broke, she looks at her toe and was VERY serious had a little talk with it like we would when we correct our kids she says "toe you don't hurt me again that's not nice I a good girl" then she put her croc on and looked at me and said let's go eat at donalds I want chicken nuggets with fries. We got her a haapy meal with nuggets on the way home and to finish off the little trip we hear her talking to her happy meal toy which was a crown and says to it you are a stupid crown you do this now no clue what the crown did wrong. When I heard her say that it reminded my of thursday morning before school Carson was driving her crazy and she was so done with it and so I heard her say Cameron I don't want Carson to be my brother anymore he is mean to me and stupid. I thought after I had corrected her for saying those things she won't be ready to say that word again. So once again that was our great start to our weekend we are hoping to have less action for the rest of it.

Winter/Spring

2008-03-21T17:09:00.003-04:00

This past week has been really nice. It was raining on tuesday and some on Wednesday but yesterday was beautiful. This morning I put the boys on the bus at 7:45 it was cloudy but nothing else then around 8:00 it started to snow and it has not stopped!!! Around noon Luann called my neighbor and she said that we already had 2 inches. As of yesterday it was the first day of spring so why do we have to have snow now? Didn't we get enough this winter? It snowed last Easter to I called Shannon today and they are in Ohio to see family and she said that the sun was shining and it was in the 50s last year they were in Florida so next year it don't matter where they are going we are going along!!! Don't tell because they will stay home. Well no matter what the weather is doing it is still EASTER and I can't thank God enough for what His Son did for me. Try not to get wrapped up in all the bunnies egg hunts and new clothes let's remember the true reason!!!!

Single Parent

2008-03-19T08:58:00.002-04:00

Once again I will be the first one to admit that I would not make a good single parent!!! I admire anyone who can do it and my kids aren't even that little, but remember there are four of them so I am very much out numbered. My good friend Shannon told me that Jared is only going to be gone for 4 days because I kept saying it will be a long week with him gone the WHOLE week. Okay so maybe she is right he is only gone from monday-thursday but it feels like a WHOLE week. So after being sick off and on since Jan. when everyone is feeling better I am without a husband oh GREAT joy. They have more energy then ever and all I hear is MOM, MOM. We are staying busy so it has been going good and we are having fun even if we have to drag Carson by his toes to go shopping, but I have learned if I give him a mission while we are there he has fun not saying he would want to go back but he gets through it. I am about tired of Camille's new line since her dad is gone mom listen to me I am real hungy. She's going to weigh 10 pds more when he gets home. He will be back tomorrow night so best get things done so it don't look like I've been a single parent and he could care less but it makes me feel better.

Prayer

2008-03-16T20:35:00.002-04:00

Prayer what is prayer? Is prayer that important? Why is it used everyday in some way? Do we say the word prayer to loosely? Do we really know what we could have with prayer? Could we live life without it? When we say that God will answer our prayers do we really believe that? Has it just been something that we have heard all our lives so we are numb to what it really is? I have said so many times in my life I can't do anything about it but just pray. JUST pray wow what am I saying? Yes I will pray but God already has it all in His plan so it really don't matter. For the past month our leaders in our church have expressed how they want our church to be God's house of prayer which is in Mark 11:15-18 so what does that mean? So they have started every sunday night we as a church come together and pray for an hour so of course I was dragging my feet. My thought were I can pray at home, what will we do with the kids, why can't we just do something else, how long is it going to last, why does it have to start at 5:00 that means we have to leave at 4:30 and I don't want to reck my nap so I will just stay home. Then today in church we watched a video on prayer and wow I don't think there were to many dry eyes when it was over. We have so much at our finger tips if we just use it and God wants us to!! My heart and mind has been changed and I can't wait to see what God has for us. I so encourage every one to watch this video and you can get it on the interent it is by Jim Cymbala. He is a minister in New York and his life has been changed through pray. There is no way that I could even being telling you about it so you NEED to watch it you will never regret it I promise!! I don't want to go back to my old way of prayer it means so much more to me now and tonight Jared and I went to the prayer meeting and I hope we never let it go. So if you want your life changed watch the video!!!

Results

2008-03-09T15:37:00.004-04:00

Just a quick note on the fearfully and wonderfully made post I was told on friday that everything looks great, but they have found a cyst on my right kidney so I am going to have a few more things checked out. They think it is just a fatty tumor and not cancer at all but they just need to make sure. I so bad needed to hear the sermon today it was on the 5 loaves and 2 fish our minister was bring out how God know anything I will ever need. So I need to not worry just give it to God to, be honest that is very hard for me but I am willing to change.

Broken Record

2008-03-07T14:25:00.002-05:00

I will have you all know that this is not a record that you want to break. It all started on January 8th and it is still on going and I am VERY sick of it. On the 8th I went and had my sinus surgery then 2 weeks later Coleman was feeling well but it only lasted for 2 days, then the next week Cameron got the stomach flu the very next day Jared got it then the very next morning Carson and I got it. I know that when that was over I figured we were done, but oh no we were just getting started. A week and a half later Cameron threw up again and I was like okay this is crazy well it turned out that he has strep throat. I bet you can't guess what happened next I'll just tell you the next morning I had it and Jared was starting to get it to. So alright we are done with that no more!!! Yah right Carson started with a cough about a week or two ago and last night he started running a fever of 104.7 he was so good though he was so willing to do what we were asking him to even though it was 2:00 in the morning I took him in today and he tested positive for influenza. So we have pretty much been sick since I had my surgery. We need a couch for the kids TV room so last night Jared and I went to look at one that I found on Craig's list well they didn't tell us they have a cat and after sitting on it for awhile we told them we would buy it. At 3:00 this morning I was up with Carson and I started to itch and I haven't stopped so I called the doctor this afternoon and he put me on steroids. So between Carson's fever and my itches we are just a happy little family. I don't care if it is 20 below 0 I am going to open all windows and freeze any germs to death because I am about ready to lose my mind this is just plain nuts!!!!! So if anyone would like to see if you can break the record for being sick this long go ahead I don't mind if you want to take it from us I have been taught to share so I am willing to share this. No I am glad if you are all feeling well we to will get there sometime real soon I hope.

Where did he come from

2008-03-04T16:47:00.002-05:00

I would like to know if I am the only one who battles this, is there another mom out there wondering when will I ever be able to take a bath or shower in peace? It is not possible they will walk or run past their father 5x before they will get to me and not say a word to their dad. Well today took the cake we had to leave after Carson got home from school, so when he walks in I tell him please go watch tv with your sister and as soon as I am done taking a bath we will leave. So I go to my room into the bathroom and start my water, so while it was filling I decided to put the towels away then doing something my mom taught me, I went to put my pj's away so as I come out of the bathroom there stands Carson in my bedroom door with his binculars it scared the jelly beans right out of me he says mom I can see you. Now what would of you done, my first action was run back in the bathroom then when I realized it was him I wanted to what I don't know. Now why would you do that to your mother? I know that there was no way that he couldn't see me I could only wish I was that small. So that is why I ask where did he come from. I know I never did that to my mom and neither did Jared so where and why him? This is just the way he is as all of you who know Carson you can agree. I always try to clean out his bag before he leaves but one morning I didn't have time so the next morning I did and what did I find my journal that was about my breast reduction he just had it so he could draw in it on the bus. I can tell you this there is never a dull moment in our house with him here and we do love him so much we just look at each other very often and shake our heads and very thankful he is ours. I know there are so many more things he has said and done but I have forgot some of them so to all of you who I have shared with please help me out and let me know what they are. Thank-you I really need a book for that one.

FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made

2008-03-01T10:37:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I went to Grand Rapids and did more testing for Coleman's transplant. I had to draw blood, chest x-ray, EKG, and then the CT scan. Everything was so easy until I got to the CT scan and then my heart wanted to stop I don't do well with small spaces and the coordinator said it would take 45 minutes so what was going through my mind. I was SCARED. So they call my name and on our way back to the room I asked the nurse how long will this take her reply was oh not long around 5 to 10 minutes I think I lost 10 pounds off my shoulders!!! In my mind I was saying thank-you Jesus!!!! While I was in there that is where I learned something new she told me when they start the IV I will feel like I am really hot and I did first my throat then my arms and chest and then she said it will feel like you need to go to the bathroom but you won't it just warms up your bladder and that is what we want. As soon as they shut off the IV the whole warm thing was gone it was really weird, then in comes a different nurse and this is when I learned alot she told me that when she says cough I need to do it because your kidneys are close to your diagram and when you cough it move your diagram and then that rocks your kidney and when you kidneys are being rocked it spill urine out into a tube and that was what they were trying to see. So of course I obeyed and she replys you did great you are done. I had my eyes closed the whole time unless they were talking to me so all I know is they told me that from right below my neck down was all that was in the tunnel I don't care I am very thankful that I was able to live through it. So thanks to all of you who I asked to pray your prayer were felt and I could feel God right there beside me. I just had to think on the way home how cool God has made our bodies I know for myself when I learn something like that my minds goes to the verse that says we are FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made. I also thank God for giving people the minds they have to learn theses things to help others, and at the same time no one knows everything the way He does. Now my next pray is that these test come back like all the others have. All PRAISE to our MAKER!!!! I can't wait to meet HIM!!!

What do they mean

2008-02-28T10:42:00.000-05:00

Growing up my parents would teach us words and what they mean. I am now wondering how a state that is only 10 hours away have been taught other word like: My friend Shannon will call and say let me know when you get here and I will open the bay, okay but what is a bay? It's a garge door. And in Nebraska if you say something about Bible School we all know what we are talking about, not here if you say that they all look at you and say what is that, so you need to remember to say Vacation Bible school or VBS. Then there is the word slider that is patio door, and we don't have interstate here but we have hi-ways, and if we say the interstate they look at us and say oh you meant to say hi-way, NO I called it what the real name for it is. Then there is the name thing you are always refered by your last name so there is no need to give your kids first names just hope you have an easy last name to say. So who is right well of coure it's us because ours makes more since. oh yes one more if you tell them you are going to make chili soup they laugh and say you know you just need to call it chili everyone know what you are saying. Okay it has been fun at times when we are all saying this but with different words. So you all can let me know what you think their words or our words.

Neighbor's

2008-02-25T21:46:00.000-05:00

Well have you ever stopped and took the time to thank God for your neighbors? In our married years we have had a few good and some that you pray will feel the need to move away. At our first home in Ne we had a very sweet women she always had a smile and would take time to talk and enjoyed Cameron as a little boy, but there we also had tech kids that were not always the greatest thing. Then we went over to 2nd street where we had so many good neighbors and we do miss them. The Philsons were just like my kids grandparents I remember when ever it was nice in the morning I would have one over there swinging on their porch swing with Phyllis. They would either sing talk or just sit there soaking up all of her love for them she would treat them as though they were her grandkids and the boys knew and felt that. Now here we are away from all that and our first year here we lived in a duplex and we had good ones then but not as good as Dale and Phyllis. Now we are in a different home and on the west side of us we have a family who are wonderful our kids are always together and us as parents also enjoy being together, but the story has changed with the neighbors on the east side of us. When we first moved in we were told that it was a single parent of older kids like out of school and the girl has a baby. We were also told that he had cancer and it seemed like things had slowed down over there then this past november he past way. Things started being loud and all sorts of things were going on, and it wasn't so bad when Jared is here but when he has to leave for a couple of days I don't like it. Our westside neighbor her husband is an EMT so he is home 24 hours and then gone for 24 so that does make it easier to know she goes through the same thing. Her husband knows the police so when Brain is working or Jared is gone the cops know and will drive around here more at night. So tonight when Jared got home we needed to run and get Coleman's BP pills and other things and a we were leaving at 5:45 we saw that there were cops at the neighbor's and when we got home they were still there. I called Luann and asked if she knew anything and at the time they didn't it was long after that she called back to tell me they busted up a meth lab now don't that just feel good. We have no idea what is going to happen or if they were all hauled off, but I do know this I sure hope they will feel the need to move real soon. So tonight believe me I will be thanking Gods for all our neighbors and that the city takes over the other place and they find us a great family.

Getting Started

2008-02-21T21:09:00.000-05:00

I have had so much fun reading other's blogs and wished I was smart enough to figure out how to get my own started. I also wondered what would I write about, then after listening to my boys this morning I knew it wouldn't be to hard. This morning two of them were in the tub and they had no clue that I was listening to them as they were trying to figure out life. The subject was marriage, and mind you they are 8 and 6 the older one said you don't have to get married Carson says yes you do then he says if you don't get married you can't have kids (pause for a moment) then Coleman say in a very serious way so what kids are alot of work. Thank God for the revelation!! Well it didn't stop there but I finally told them that thy were going to miss the bus bad idea don't walk it a very important subject unless you have all the time in the world for more questions then you ever thought could be. Carson is in half day kindergarten and believe me when he got home we started all over. Mom do you have to kiss and say all that stuff when you get married? Well no but your wife would like it but I don't know what to say tell her you love her but mom then why do you have to say I do? Mom how will I know what girl to marry? Well you need to pray and ask God to show you who it is. How will He be able to tell me and how did He tell you to marry dad? By now I am wondering how I could just tell him he needed a nap without him thinking I just didn't want him to ask so I told him God cares for you so much that if you listen to Him he will show you when the time is right. I then opened another can of worms by say do you know how much God cares so much for you He knows how many hairs are on your head. He does? well will He know if I am bald, yes He will. Now you know why when it hits 7:30 I am so tired and my brain hurts so off to bed they ALL go!!! I still don't know for sure what and why are we worried about all of this when we are only 6 but I am glad that he asks I just wonder it I did this to my mom and if I did then mom I'm sorry. I don't think for one moment that I was I know he is just like his dad all the way though.