Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Cam's baseball game







Here are some pictures I took tonight at Cam's game. The kiddo that is pitching is Cam's cousin/close friend Mitchell. I thought it was a cool pic, so I added it. Also, there are 2 pictures of Julia. One is of her alone and the other is of her with Tyler (Theresa's fiance) and his sister Hope. Julia loves hangin out with Hope and Tyler. :-) It was cool to see them tonight.

Supernanny

Last night Anna went to Grandma and Poppa's after her t-ball game and so Cam who had spent the previous night at Mitchell's wanted to stay up and spend time with us. Ok. So, we were watching Supernanny. Which we typically don't do. I mean, we've seen the show, but it's not something I remember to watch. Well, last night was interesting to watch with our soon to be 10 y/o son.

Cam was FLOORED at how these kids were acting. They were horrible! Swearing, hitting, yelling and fighting, Cam was shocked. He kept saying, "Mom, me and Anna fight, but not like that. We aren't that bad, are we?" Wayne and I reaffirmed that he and Anna are NOT that bad, but we don't appreciate the fighting that does happen. The whole conversation open doors about what families need to do to get along. Heh. Maybe we need to watch network TV more often.

I'm very proud of Cameron and the decisions that he seems to be making. He knows who his friends are and when they act in ways that he knows are wrong, he typically doesn't participate. He knows what's expected of him and for the most part respects our choices for him and the girls. It's exciting to see your kids "get it". The kids attend Mason County Central (MCC) and they've turned that acronym into Making Correct Choices. We use that mantra around our house a lot. We're always asking the kids if they are making the correct choice. I think it's driving them batty, but it's a little reminder of what they've learned in school this past year.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Our family walk around the state park

Here are a few pics of our walk around the Ludington State Park tonight. We had a great time and have decided to do it more. Kids fought a lot but Wayne and I still enjoyed it.



















Thursday, June 21, 2007

Building Forts

So on the days when the kids have t-ball or baseball game I like to keep them inside and on the low-key side. I don't want them running around and using up all their energy, and then being tired for their games. As most of you know the weather here in MI has been beautiful. Warm, sunny days that are just right for being at Uncle John's pool and my poor kids are stuck in the house. Well...today is a different day.

Around noon they decided that today they wanted to build a clubhouse/fort. Ok. So, out comes all the blankets, pillows, flashlights, snacks, books...everything that you need to make a modern day clubhouse in the living room. Cam had asked if he could use my laptop to watch a movie and I had to politely deny that request. :-) As I listened from another room, I hear that they are struggling with keeping the walls of their fort up. I peek in ask if they need help. Cam says, "Mom, you know anything about building clubhouses?" Heh. "Yeah, I do believe it or not!" He smiles. "You ever do this when you were a kid, mom?" "Yep, I loved making little houses." As we tighten down the straps and use another chair to prop the sleeping bags, Cam says, "Wow! Mom, you're a pretty good fort maker. I'm impressed!" Hahaha! I love surprising the kids. They still don't make the connection between what happens when they grow up. Little do they know that some of the things you learn when you're a kid stick with you (like building forts!).

As of now, all three kids are just wearing their underwear sitting under 3 blankets and one sleeping bag, eating chips and drinking water out of sipping cups. K-Rock is jamming classic rock tunes out of Cam's little radio and Anna's little princess castle night light is giving off a pink glow....ahhhh, what it would be like to be a kid again. I only hope that my kids teach their children the art of making clubhouses and forts and can recall fondly of the times they spent together making forts with their siblings.

Friday, June 15, 2007

A reason, A season, A lifetime

So way back when I first got online (like April of 2000!), I got this email from a friend and I'll be damned if I can remember who. (If the person who sent it reads my blog...contact me!) Anyways, I have kept it and love to read it from time to time. I think we all have people who come into our lives for various reasons. Some known, some not. I have friends that float in and out, like the ebb and flow of the ocean. There are times when we need each other and times that we can go for a long time without speaking; although we both know that we still think of the other. There's no set of guidelines for friendships. Speaking of friends...I have a friend who lives in Canada (Hey Trashy!!) and for the most part we don't have tons in common. But we enjoy the friendly banter of talking hockey(I'm a Wings fan and he's a Senators fan!), asparagus, remodeling, my kids, his fish...you get the idea. What's crazier is that we've never met in person. Dan has been an online friend for nearly 7 years! He enjoys hearing all my crazy family stories and he shares his interesting work stories and amazing trips to Europe. Sure, I could ask why we were placed in each other's path, but...I don't care about the reason. How can you question friendship?? Anyways, here's the poem I love!!


Subject: A Reason, A Season, A Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually.They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met,Our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience or peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (any way); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas or your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. Thank you for being a part of my life...

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Cam's team getting trophies!

Trophies!

Soccer, camping and what a spring!


















Ok...so...I haven't updated the blog in a while. Sorry! We have been sooooo busy. We have t-ball (Anna) on Monday and Wednesday nights, baseball (Cam) on Tuesday and Thursday nights and we just finished soccer (YAY!) on Saturday. Both the kids' teams placed 2nd in their tournaments. Pretty good! I'm always excited for them to do well. Cam had a great time playing the goalie position this year. That's where he really wanted to be 80% of the time. The other 20% he wanted to be a forward. :-) Anna on the other hand hardly ever kicked the ball. But...in the last game she kicked it 6 times!!! What a miracle. LOL! Poor kid, she finally gets into the sport and it's the last game of the year. Oh well. I think she goes for the social aspect of the sport.

I'm also posting some family camping trip pictures. I didn't take as many as usual, as the mood around the camp was a little sober as we knew Big P was sick and not doing well. Then after we found out of his passing, it just seemed to go from sober to down right shitty. Ah well. We will again camp at Timberline and look forward to a much brighter time next year.

The kids are now done with school. It was a great year and I had lots of fun getting to know the kids in their grades. Cam had a primo class with lots of "good kids" as where Anna had an interesting mix of kiddos. I love them all and can't wait to see them in the fall.

Thanks again to all our friends and family that check on us. Kate, we missed you and Anthony up in Benzie. Cam had hopes of playing baseball/basketball with his "2 big tall guys...you know, the one...Uncle Eric and the other guy, mom...you know, he comes with Kate." Again, I assume he means Anthony! :-)

Well, here are pictures and video!