Prayer Requests

My week has gotten off to a rough start. Yesterday my grandma fell badly and was rushed via ambulance to U of M. Turns out she busted her head open badly, broke her hip, and is in rough shape. She is scheduled to have surgery today. Due to her thin blood, etc. it's a little risky. I am going to run up there at lunch time to say hello and wish her the best. The kids made her some cute cards, so I'll bring those too. Please pray she comes through smoothly and recovers quickly.

Here is my grandma (aka "gigi") just last week!

Then, my one of my BFF's since 10th grade texted me last night at midnight. Her brother is a freshman in college and had a drug overdose. I guess he got high on bath salts. If you google "bath salts high" you can see it's a popular way for young kids to get high. He's in ICU, along with two friends, in Grand Rapids. My heart breaks for them and I would like to go be with her tonight if I can. My friend and her mom drove over there in the middle of the night and I think he's not doing well. I am praying that he recovers and pulls through...and can get the help he needs. I know my friend could not handle losing her brother. I am so sad about this and it's weighing heavily on me today.

Please pray for both of them. I am really close with my grandma and am so sad to see her going downhill. My kids are also very close with her and I just want her to be around to see them grow!

"Christmas" with Matt, Jacquelyn, and Baby Alana

This is from last weekend, but hoping to catch up this week on all my blog posts :) Last Sunday (1/22) we finally got together with Matt, Jacquelyn, and Alana. She is six months old now and so cute! She has the helmet for a little while and looks so stinkin' cute in it. I know I might be upset if it was my child at the beginning, but I think they are doing well with it and noticing a difference already. She sports it well!

They came over on Sunday for lunch so we could accommodate all the kid's nap times. It worked out really well...we decided to just exchange gifts for the kids this year, so that was fun! I really enjoyed shopping for a little girl of course!

Jack and Alana on the horse together. Aren't they so cute?? I think they are pretty much related, so I don't think we can make wedding plans for them. Since Alana's dad and Jack's dad are first cousins, I think that is illegal. Or just too weird. Darn it. I guess they can just be good friends :)

Alana and her mommy...Jacquelyn and I went to high school and college together. I fixed her and Matt up and I can't believe they are now a family of three. I LOVE seeing her as a mom and look forward to us being able to have our kids be friends!

Alana got tired and I was amazed that they just put her on a blanket in our sunroom and she fell asleep. My kids would never have gone for that...I'm really happy for them to have a good sleeper on their hands. It makes all the difference in the world!

Well, we are blessed to have friends/family like Matt, Jacquelyn, and baby Alana.

Pintrest idea (courtesy of our nanny, Julie)...and rambling

I've heard a lot about pintrest, but haven't checked it out yet. Julie, our nanny, "invited" me to join, but I found out you have to have Facebook or Twitter to join. Maybe this will be what makes me finally join Facebook? We'll see. Anyway, she found some really cool ideas to do with the kids and here is what she did with Hunter yesterday. I think it might be my favorite "artwork" by him yet! It's so cute...you can see he used is hands and feet to make the flowers. His toenails are still green so we'll have to take a shower this weekend--haha.

It made my day when I got home from work yesterday :) Thanks Julie!! Now I just have to decide if I want to get on Facebook so I can use pintrest...or I'll just use Nick's facebook account to do it. Julie has lots of other ideas she found--she said her followers will think she has kids b/c she was looking up all sorts of stuff for Hunter and Jack--creative stuff and recipes. I think they are going to make homemade mini-pizzas next week, so that should be fun. Hunter has really started to enjoy helping us (well, Nick) cook, especially when it involves cracking eggs and licking bowls or beaters.

Hope you are having a good weekend! This morning Hunter went to his first basketball league practice. We decided to try basketball instead of soccer for this 10 week session at the place we go to since his friend Landon from soccer is switching too. They had fun today, so I hope he continues to like it. Jack and I went to Home Goods and found some cool stuff for the house which I'm really excited about! I feel like I'm growing up making my own decorating decisions without my mom's help--haha. I got a big decorative clock, hooks for coats, picture for laundryroom, and a few other things. I could spend hours (and a lot of money) there, but Jack wasn't having it, so that was a good thing. We are going to Jungle Java tonight with my cousins and some family friends. Tomorrow Hunter and I are going to Hands on Museum after church with another mom down the street and her three kids, so that will be fun. They have a boy who is a little older than Hunter and two little girls--Hunter is very excited to play with Alex. Nick is staying home to watch UM basketball while Jack naps :) Ten years ago I never thought this is what I'd be doing on the weekends, but it's all good!

t

Circus and a sleepover

Last Saturday my parents took Hunter to the circus in Lansing and then they had a sleepover. Nick and I were so appreciative of this! They picked Hunter up after soccer around noon and headed to Lansing. I gave my mom my camera and asked her to take lots of pictures They watched the circus and Hunter went on a pony and elephant ride. My dad looks so excited to be on the elephant, can't you tell? haha. What a good sport! My mom and Hunter held a snake too :) After the circus they went to dinner and back to my parent's house for a sleepover. I guess they were all in one bed, with the dog. Crazy. My dad he slept fine, but my mom didn't. Nick and I really enjoyed some one-on-one time with Jack. We took down our Christmas trees while Jack napped, went to PF Changs, and just spent some quality time together...so fun! We didn't make it to church the next morning bc we all slept until 8am--I haven't had that much sleep in a long time--it was much needed and felt so good. Now I just need to find a way to get him to go on sleepovers more often.

My dad and Hunter on the elephant
I feel so sorry for circus animals. It's not my thing, but I'm glad my parents took Hunter so he could experience it. The circus workers creep me out and it seems like a sad life for the animals. I wonder who is creepier--circus or carnival workers??

Sword fight!

Having lots of fun. I already had to take the sword away though b/c he was not being kind to Jack within five minutes of getting home with it. He's already forgotten about it.

Hunter on the pony ride...love that smile!!!

This picture makes me laugh. Hunter looks like he is having fun or focusing on the show...My dad looks like he'd rather be at work.

When I upload this it's the right direction, but then when it puts it on here, it's wrong. I am too busy to try to figure it out. Anyway, my mom is not scared of snakes. I would NEVER do this. Thank goodness for grandma's! haha. Hunter has talked about the "squishy" snake a few times. They are brave!!

Thanks again mom and dad...We cherish the one-on-one time with Jack. Hunter demands so much attention, so we just love having alone time with Jack. He's so sweet and funny. We really enjoyed going out to dinner with just him too. It's amazing how our perspective changes...we never thought it was easy to go out to eat with Hunter. However, now when we just have one kid it seems like a piece of cake and going out to dinner is not a big deal at all. It's probably a combination of Jack being easier and us loosening up for the second kid. I don't think I ever too Hunter to the grocery store alone before Jack was born. Now just taking one kid to the store seems like a breeze. Ha!

Have a great weekend!!

Happy Birthday to my Dad!

Yep...two posts in one day....wow.

Of course I think Nick is a great dad to our boys, but I think my dad is the best too! It's his birthday today and I just wanted to say Happy Birthday Dad! I wish I would remember to do this for all of our parents, but I just forget (sorry!)
There are a few things you'll notice when you see the pictures below. He's funny and he likes to drink. Sometimes he gets a little obnoxious when he drinks and tries to be funny, but oh well.

I love you dad...I hope you have a great day. Hunter and Jack love you too--they are so lucky to have such a fun grandpa (who rides elephants and goes to the circus--even though I know mom probably dragged you there). Lions game on Thanksgiving Day several years ago

Houseboat trip several years ago...he's at least 50 pounds lighter so he might not like this picture :)
Funny guy!

Christmas Eve several years ago...
Christmas Day a few years ago--the hair is much more grey now! Stress....

He really is asleep here holding his beer...I think this was 4th of July.

My wedding day...He thought he was so funny after he "handed" me to Nick he wiped his hands and gave everyone a laugh at the church. I know he was joking though!

He is a wonderful grandpa. He gets down on the floor with them, jokes with them, and is a lot of fun. Hunter and Jack both love him so much. Hunter had a sleepover last weekend with them and had a great time! Thanks for taking him for the night!!!

Jack and Grandpa driving the boat...

Dad, you are the best. You put up with a lot of crap between me, Emily and mom! I don't know how you do it sometimes (or is that why you drink??). You are so laid back back and I don't know how you remain calm and don't get mad very often. It's funny b/c you lived with three women and now I live with three boys. I am sure I have it easier...minus the energy level of Hunter. I probably don't tell you enough, but you are the best dad and I appreciate you so much. Thanks for letting me stay up to watch MASH with you when I was a kid and mom was working late, always saying yes (or telling me to ask mom), plunging our toilets when Nick can't do it, fixing stuff around our house (b/c Nick can't do stuff--LOL), taking us to the airport, and basically jumping any time I ask for help with something, even though mom ends up doing it at times. Thanks for moving my stuff every year in college when I couldn't stay in the same apartment for more than one year and I know it was a lot of work and drove you nuts. I'm glad I married Nick b/c he's a lot like you...Although I think he's better looking and minus the handyman skills, but thankfully you are close by to still help us!!! Nick, Hunter, and Jack love you too!!! I love seeing you with the boys and they are so lucky to have you be such a big part of their life. I can't wait till they are older and you can teach them your handyman skills, how to drive a dump drunk, drive a boat, plunge a toilet, change a light bulb (just kidding nick), and more :)

Happy Birthday!!!!

Family Fun at Chucky Cheese

Last Friday night we went to Chucky Cheese with the Fatt Family. Michael is about one month older than Jack and they have another baby boy, Caleb, who is just a couple of months old. Their boys are SO cute!! I am so excited that Jack and Michael will be growing up together and hopefully be really close friends. We've had so much fun hanging out with them since they've moved back to Michigan. They are one of the only families I feel comfortable with when Hunter is acting up. No offense to anyone else, but Michael is a little like Hunter, so I don't feel judged and we just seem to have a lot of fun together! We are so blessed to have such good friends who also have two boys and we can relate to the craziness. I am praying that Caleb is as sweet and easy as Jack since Michael is almost like a mini-Hunter. At least Jack will know how to get along with him!

The three boys...next year Caleb will be able to join in the fun. He spent a lot of time sleeping in his carseat instead :) Michael has the sweetest smile!!

Taking a ride with Chucky :)
Jack was having fun, but is alwasy scowling and making sad faces...haha. Look at those eyebrows...he looks so mad!
Here he looks just flat out sad...poor baby.

Checking out all the rides. We got a package together where we got pizza, drinks, and a ton of tokens. All of the adults played some basketball and ski-ball...that game is addicting and I love playing it. Hunter and I played next to each other while Jack collected our tickets :)

Hunter checking out the rides

Michael is up front with Chucky--Jack was too shy. I think Michael was dancing around with him too--so cute!

This was a roller coaster simulator type ride...Hunter, Michael and his daddy, Mike.

I laugh inside when I think about my life 10 years ago (or even 5) versus now. Who would have thought we'd have playdates at Chucky Cheese on a Friday night with our two crazy boys?? Not me. Our idea of "fun" has done a complete 180 from 5 years ago. I wouldn't trade it b/c I love our boys so much, but it is amazing to think about all the changes. Speaking of changes, I'm planning to do a post all about each kid very soon...I just want to document for myself what they are up to and donig at this stage.

Fun with paint

Julie and Jack stayed home one morning last week and painted pictures. She said she had to carry him like a burrito up to the bath afterwards so he wouldn't touch the walls or anything he shouldn't! He looks like he's having fun :)

Both of my kids are funny about getting their hands dirty, but once they get going, they are fine.

Painting a pretty picture!

Check out my work guys!

Hmmm. Putting paint other places might be fun.

Lovely. This is what always happens when we pull out the finger paint! Just know they have to take a bath afterwards...and this is why they do it naked or in a diaper!

Probably trying to go after Julie...haha.
So darn cute. I seriously LOVE this kid more than I ever thought possible. Even last night as I took him up to bed, I just sat and held him and rocked him for a long time. I just love that he loves to snuggle with me. I think he's going to be a mommy's boy and that thrills me to no end. We just sit in the rocking chair, read books, sing songs, I rub his head and back, and I just don't want to put him to bed. Nick thinks I'm nuts and wonders why I am up there so long, but he's just the sweetest little guy and I don't want to put him down. There are many times I've fallen asleep holding him in there and rocking with him :) I don't remember Hunter sitting still that long and letting me cuddle with him, so I'm soaking it all up while I can! I never thought I'd be that sappy mom, but I can't help it!

Soooo late, but that's just me lately

My mother in law sent me these pictures a few months ago and I just now had time to even look at them! They were from Mark & Brandie's wedding last summer...pics from their photographer. Nick was best man and Hunter was a ring bearer. Some of them are really cute, so I wanted to have for my blog book :)

Thank you to Men's Warehouse for measuring my son's foot and then giving us shoes that were way too small. I had to fly like a crazy person in high heels to Meijer to pick up new shoes before the boat they were getting married on took off. I feel badly that Hunter has on the wrong shoes in these pictures. I put Nick in charge of Hunter's outfit and it would have been smart of him to try them on before we literally got to the area to take pictures...like at home before we left? Oh well.

Hunter and Kyle were both ring bearers in the wedding. Hunter was 3 and Kyle was 6 I think. Kyle is Brandie's nephew and a really sweet boy. His mommy passed away a few months ago and I think about him often b/c he's had a rough few years I think. He's really good with Hunter and Hunter LOVED playing with him. Hunter loves to play with kids a little older than him, so this was perfect.

Someone must not have wanted their picture taken!
Being silly :)
Hugs--they actually met at our house a few months prior to the wedding (can't remember why), but it was good that this was not their first meeting.
Nick and Mark before the wedding...Poor Nick was sweating his butt off (literally I'm sure) in his all black outfit. It was a HOT day too so that didn't help!
Nick at the reception.

Hope you had a good weekend. Ours was busy and FUN...lots of pictures to post soon. In summary, our weekend involved Chucky Cheese with friends, Hunter holding a snake with Nana, riding an elephant with grandpa, a sleepover, us having a nice dinner at PF Changs with

Jack, lots of one-on-one time with Jack, good sleep, taking my Christmas trees down (finally), seeing Matt, Jacquelyn, and Alana, Christmas presents, and I think that's about it--all in one weekend!! haha. It was good!!