Crazy Camp Chaos

November 16-17-18

2011-11-18T11:09:00.001-05:00

I am thankful for friends I have not seen in FOREVER! It was so nice to see Becky and catch up with her. It feels good to have friends that can pick up where they left off. A little stressful when you come home and your husband doesn't follow any of the "house" rules, but I guess I have to take the good with the bad. We are hoping to get together once a month.

Bonus...yummy dessert at Applebee's!!! Anything involving a chocolate chip cookie, ice cream, oreos and chocolate sauce is 1000% terrific by me!!

November 17

Today I am thankful for my health. I do currently feel like I am am swallowing hot razor blades, but it could be way worse and I do have health insurance that allows me to go to the doctor...just to tell me I have a virus!

Bonus...Sam's Club has take and bake meals. Wonderful. Food that makes me think I am a cook. Could it really get any better?

November 18

I am thankful to be going on another date with my husband today. I get to have the a great babysitter come back over to play with the kids and enjoy some adult conversation with the Raeths at the Melting Pot. Love adult dates!!!!

Bonus..Paul Mitchell's new line awapuhi ginger. Love the whole line and it makes my hair smell very good. Yes, it is the little things!

November 14-15

2011-11-15T11:14:00.002-05:00

November 14...
I am thankful for Shelly. Poor girl thought she was getting rid of the Camp Chaos:)...no such luck!! It is so nice to drop my kids off and not worry. Eight years later, they still love going there!!! Very nice for a working mama who can not be ALL places at all times!! To be fair, I should include Aunt Steph in this thankful post as well:)!

Bonus...A kick ass DVD that literally kicked my ass. Lots of fun doing, bordering the line of death and excitement for actually doing it. Let see if I can get fit enough to actually do the full routine in its entirety and correctly!!!

November 15, 2011

I am thankful for friends who are there for me and let me rant and rave about things that effect my family (and life in general). As Mr. Hundt has said in the past, I am a verbal processor and I need to get it ALL out of my head. It is nice to have people who listen, don't judge and let me have my "crazy moment". Don't think for a second I don't appreciate it!!!

Bonus...getting my paycheck early because I have over spent...oops:)...this time of the year ALWAYS kills me. Need to budget better. Love to shop, love Christmas...the two together VERY bad news!!!!

Novemebr 12-13

2011-11-14T13:11:00.002-05:00

November 12...

I am thankful for FABULOUS babysitters. I have been beyond blessed to always have a mom that will take my kids, but there are times when I just want to go out to dinner with my husband and have a conversation...just a few hours...not my mom's job to raise another set of kids...DONT get me wrong, I will still use my mom:)! Friday we had out very first "real" babysitter, not a family member or close personal friend, a real girl!! She was wonderful!! I walked in the house and Isaac came running up to me..."Mom, pay her extra. She was GREAT!" They bugged me all day Saturday wondering when she could come back...Friday is another date night:)!!

extra...haircare products...
I love the smell of my new shampoo and shopping at Ulta for a new curling iron and hairdryer (that are on sale!) are always a bonus!!!

November 13
I am thankful for family date nights with GREAT friends. Six kids, 4 adults going to BW's and Puss in Boots was a wonderful evening!!! I didn't get to talk to Brent or Kara very much. Hopefully, our next date we can actually have a conversation:)!

bonus...Ashley actually caring about gymnastics and kicking butt at it!!! Doing her valdez, back walk over and back handspring in progression was awesome to see!! Way to go babe!!!

Novemebr 11, 2011

2011-11-11T16:32:00.001-05:00

Today I am thankful (well all days!) for freedom and people who graciously serve to protect that! I am proud to be a daughter of a veteran. I drove by his home today to see a US flag and an Air Force flag flying high and proud. I, too, felt the same way!! I was a little unnerved when my dad told me the story about buying the flags and how amazon had them for sale made in ANOTHER country. What? How could anyone own an American flag made in China? It is the one thing that should be American made!!!

Bonus...new babysitters and date night!!! Tonight I am having my very first, non-relative, non-friend babysitter. I hope the kids are good. I am excited to have a conversation with my husband without being interrupted 1000 times. Sometimes that is all you need. Dinner out with a great guy, catching up on our week. Kids get to be home, watching tv...everyone is happy!!!!

Novmeber 10, 2011

2011-11-10T14:05:00.001-05:00

I am thankful for family. I am thankful for Jared and Kate having a baby. I am super excited to hold a baby again:)! I thankful that Keith can text me, and I quote, "Ur the shit girlfriend!" I am thankful that Jodi and I can work together and live next to each other and still mange to be friends:)!

bonus: Seeing my husband unexpectedly...even if it is just a drive by. I saw him driving down the road on his way to work and after all of these years, still brings a smile to my face when I get to see him!!!

November 7-8

2011-11-08T13:19:00.002-05:00

November 7...
I am thankful for healthy active kids...who actually listened! It was kind of a crazy day driving to Muskegon twice in a few hours. Allison's spacer fell out AGAIN and had to be recemented in. I guess to be truthful, I have to be thankful for health insurance as well:)! Got her back to school for a few hours just to turn around and pick them all up. All of them were super good in the morning and at Northland. That never happens!! Left work early to get Isaac to soccer. I love to watch him play. He is such a fun kids to watch. So determined! Left the game a little early to drive back (shoot, maybe I should be thankful for my car!) to Whitehall to drop Tude off at dance. I really like that they all have their own thing and they are good at their own thing. The smile on their faces makes it worth the price and time spent on these things!

"Bonus thankful"...G&L. Isaac's team lost 28-0, bad I know!!! Nothing dinner with Dad at G&L couldn't fix :)!

November 8

I am thankful my my life group at church. It has been really enjoyable getting to know people better and feeling really good when I leave!!

Bonus...my mom is taking my kids on a school night next month so I can go with my husband to T.C. for a night and pretend like we are in love:)!

November 9

I am thankful for GREAT schools. I got to help in Ashley's class today, minus her crying (that really, sad trying not to cry, but crying). It was a lot of fun to see her in "action". It is SO TRUE...everyday that girl is a little bit more her mom!!!!

bonus...weight loss. I started my "weight loss journey" early this summer and I am currently down 39.3 pounds!!! Clothes not fitting sounds like a good thing, but when you really need everything and you have no money...things get difficult...oh well, I am happy!!!

Thankful Cont.

2011-11-07T09:30:00.002-05:00

Update, I also decided to be thankful for something "silly"...you know something that you really like, but could do without...challenge myself a little :)

November 5... I am thankful for unexpected friends. Friends you never knew you would "end up" being friends with, but are. Who knew the girl holding my other leg while pushing out the twins would end up being such a great friend!!! Thanks for being my"good" friend and for letting Jimmy come crash your bachelorette party!!

I am also thankful for s'mores at Bonfire. Our food was not so tasty, but the s'more and the FIRE were wonderful!! I also have to include moscato. Super yummy!!!

November 6... I am thankful for church that fits my family. It was a big change/choice to change churches back in March. Once we did, we have never looked back!!! It is a great place for my family!! It is especially wonderful that my parents and my sister (and her family) go there! We walked in yesterday to Keith and Kyle sitting there without Jodi. She was sitting in the front of the church going over the verse for call to worship. I realize she was the one reading, but somehow I felt more connected to the church. As she began reading, she said Psalms 100...Allison got a huge smile on her face, stared at me and starting reciting it to me. She had to memorize that verse for Awana. I was very proud and thankful for both of them!!!

Christmas trees on November 6th!! Maybe I should be thankful for Jimmy for letting me be the crazy girl that put up 4 trees on the 6th of November! too bad, 3 out of the 4 prelit lights didn't work. Good thing I have time to correct that!!!

Thankful

2011-11-04T09:45:00.002-04:00

What if today you only woke up with the things you thanked God for yesterday...

My mom had this on her facebook page a few weeks ago and every night I think about it. I am so busy with my day to day that I forget to be thankful for my day to day. I figured (with the help of reading it on Kate's facebook) that I am going to be thankful for something new each day this month. I am a little behind so I will catch up...

November 1st...I am thankful for my job. A place where I feel at home. I like the people I work with and I like the job I do. I like the added "bonuses" of picking up my kids from school and getting to help in their class. I like that for birthdays we go out to lunch.

November 2nd...I am thankful for my mom. First, I have to be thankful to any lady who is 5 feet all and has a 24" baby. Not sure how I managed to fit into such small quarters. Probably why I hate being in tight spots now!!! I was a little sad about my birthday. I had the day off and nothing to do. No one to spend it with. I really didn't want to stay home and clean my house and I didn't want to shop or eat alone. My mom said she would be "my friend" and spent the day with me. It was so nice getting coffee, shopping, having lunch, shopping :). I take my mom for granted. She helps me out with a lot of jams that I get in. I am VERY thankful for her.

November 3rd...I am thankful for "smart" kids. I was a little concerned about having parent teacher conferences on my birthday. I love my kids and I know them very well, so I had the right to be a little concerned:)! It usually goes something like this...Allison is a very good student, does really well in class, a joy to have around, but she needs to understand it is ok to make a mistake and not be so hard on herself. Isaac is a smart boy, VERY BUSY, tends to not sit still, needs to have "jobs" to keep him busy, talks a lot, but does the work well. Ashley is a joy to have in class, everyone is her friend, very bright girl if she applies herself.
The twins conferences went really well. Better than I expected. Both of them tested in the 5th grade vocabulary level. Allison is reading at 4.5 level and Isaac 3.8. Both of them tested very well on their math. The goal is 10/20. Isaac did 20/20 and 16/20 and Alli 20/20 and 14/20. Crazy enough Allison is starting advanced math and Isaac is not. Thank goodness for Jimmy abd his "politically correct" ways to ask why Isaac didn't get asked to join the advanced math group with better test scores...could it be because he is busy?!?!? Long story short, both kids get to be in advanced math and Tude will start advanced reading this week. I am very thankful for their ability to do their best in school. Even better, Isaac is following the rules, making huge improvements on not being so busy. Allison has only cried one time at school and is learning to calm herself down. Ashley is doing great...everyone's friend, following the rules and she is reading in class. I was a happy to hear that. I spend a lot of time with Al and Iz and Ash gets what's left over which is not enough. I am going to try to do better with that.

November 4th...Getting two loads of laundry done before work this morning...thanks again to my mom for taking the kids last night...and for getting to go to my husband's soccer game last night. It is nice to be the wife. He did really well and I enjoy watching him play.

Think Spring

2011-03-17T09:50:00.002-04:00

I am not even going to say that I am going to keep up with the blog this time because everyone knows I don't mean it. I think I will try for like a once a week to start. Baby steps!! At the very least I will highlight important events. I like to think/write about it, so why not.

I will have to update pictures on the vacation and my big kids turning 8 so stay tuned...to anyone still reading this:)!

Big Catch Up

2010-12-14T14:07:00.001-05:00

OK, big catch up for the past few days. On Thursday we went to the new Great Lakes Salt Company. I like Jimmy having a business that is actually close enough for us to get and "check on him". Building was a little scary, but it is cheap and services it's purpose.

Yes, that is Isaac on Jimmy's shoulders.

Ash driving the machine equipment around. Such a girl:).

We have been busy. With all the snow and ice we have got, Jimmy has been crazy busy at work. We REALLY like snow..."pennies from heaven" in the words of Jimmy!! This weekend with ice, it actually got upgraded to "nickles from heaven"!

I have no idea what we did on Friday. I know we did something, but could not tell you what it was.

Saturday was Isaac's first indoor soccer game. BEYOND FABULOUS!!! He played hard, hustled, did 2 headers and scored a goal. I love watching that kid play soccer. To see him play hard with that gigantic smile on his face is priceless!! Did a little Christmas shopping and worked on the basement. And of course, went sledding!!!

Sunday was another day to Muskegon to get everything we needed to "start" to "finish" the basement. There is just something very wrong with 5 people in 1300 square feet. The extra 1300 would REALLY come in handy!!! We did manage to get 3 rooms painted and the closet. Not bad!!! Took the kids to lunch and got hot chocolate at Target...that is the Christmas thing we did :)! I also bought National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. I remember watching that as a kid and thought it would be OK. I popped it into the DVD player and was driving down the road listening and ended up popping back out...not what I remember:)!!!

school...

2010-12-09T11:13:00.000-05:00

Today I got to help in the school Christmas store. It was wonderful!!! It always is. The kids are so full of the Christmas spirit. They have just a few dollars and want to find just the right present for their family. It makes me appreciate what I have. There is always a few kids that do not have enough money to buy that "special" present that I just tell them they do. I just makes me sad that these kids care so much, I guess sad is not the right word...
If you ever get a chance to do it, I would recommend it; especially little ones.

In the Allli and Isaac's class, they are learning about different Christmas traditions around the world. It is amazing all the different things that last for weeks and weeks. Yesterday, they celebrated traditions of France. I had to bring in chocolate cake. The tradition goes something to the effect of they have a big party and serve the cake one person's cake will have a bean in it. The person with the bean in his cake is declared the king of the party. For the record, if a girl has the bean, she is still the king, not the queen. anyway, Isaac got the bean and was the KING OF THE PARTY!!! He was so excited. He left his classroom and found me in the school store just to tell me/show me! Love that little boy!!!

Sledding, baby!

2010-12-09T10:56:00.000-05:00

Tuesday was another sledding day at the TenBrink's and we got to bring Andrew along. Like I said before, we don't get to see the Stratton/Tallquist kids that much, so when Andrew did not want to go to the basketball game, I was thrilled to have him come over. I was not sure he would want to sled (not that much of an out door kid), but he seemed to have a great time. It is VERY difficult to ride on the back of a 4-wheeler, trying to take pictures in the dark. So the pictures are not the best but the laughing sound in unforgettable!!!

Thanks Jennie, again, for reminding me to find something special about each day in December. It has been really nice to do!!

Dad's home

2010-12-09T10:16:00.003-05:00

Monday was pretty uneventful...until 6 o'clock hit. Jimmy walked in the door and angels sang in my kids world. They were thrilled to have him home. He almost did not make it. In Atlanta he had to run to make his next leg of his flight and missed the turn and kept running in the wrong direction. Adam and Dale tried to yell for him and called him 9 times, but Jimmy was on a mission to run in the wrong direction:)! They tried to hold the plane for him and gave him 2 minutes to get there. He got there with 30 seconds to spare!!
Dad being home meant one thing...SLEDDING!!!! The kids could not wait any longer. Twenty minutes after being home, I put his dirty clothes in the wash and he was outside pulling the kids. Life was back to normal!! Screaming kids, laughing dad and me doing laundry, yeah I would say that is just about right:)!

Sunday December 5

2010-12-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

The first Sunday in December is our annual "Mom family Christmas". It was rather small this year, but is always nice to see the family and the new babies that are born throughout the year. 5 new babies in the family this year!
Crazy, my baby is losing her teeth and other people are just beginning...the circle of life:)!

Ash and Poppy. She loves her Poppy so much, not as much as her food, but loves him just the same.

LOVE!!! Such a handsome man and a mom that loves him so much!!

The family photo, minus the Dad because he was too busy racing:)!

It is nice to have tradition and family. I am very blessed!!

Mama Love

2010-12-06T10:06:00.000-05:00

Christmas Program

2010-12-06T09:29:00.000-05:00

OK, anyone who has followed my rule and blocked out last years Christmas program, let me recap. I have a problem visualizing. When something is in my head it must be that way. It can not be changed. Most of the time, it does not turn out that way and I am disappointed. I am working on changing that. OK, who am I kidding? It is never going to change.
Anyway, last year was our VERY first church Christmas program. Jimmy was racing and I was ready with 3 cameras. My family was there, Jimmy's family was there, even Shelly and her family were there...I was ready, proud mom with a vision. Let's just say the vision did not happen and Isaac is lucky to be alive to hear this story today!!!

This year, however, I got "shy" kids. Oh how wonderful shy kids are!!! I have NEVER had a shy kid before. They are so calm and well behaved!!!!! Seriously, the kids did FANTASTIC!!! Isaac kept his hands to himself and even tried to sing along. He said he had stage fright:)!!

Ashley forgot to smile. She was "concentrating" on being good:)!

Yes, in case you missed it in the last photo, that would be my daughter flossing her teeth with a rubber band. Can't win them all!!!

He did really well until the end, but this was the worst thing he did all service. I consider that a HUGE SUCCESS!!!

Good Will

2010-12-06T09:09:00.000-05:00

Not to be confused with the store!! Today, I did something nice to help others. Actually it really was no big deal, but I have to have something Christmasy so I am going with a good deed. Keith had to work late and Jodi had a date with Caleb so I took Kyle. We played 100 games of Old Maid and had a good time just being. It is always fun to watch "both sets of twins" play together. With Kyle living next door you would think he would be around a lot, but he really isn't. It really got me in the Christmas spirit. Just enjoying family, playing with my kids. Taking it all in slwoly. Thanks Kyle, Allison, Isaac and Ashley!!!

Kaos Motorsports

2010-12-03T09:26:00.002-05:00

Sending a lot of love and hopes of success to Kaos Motorsports as they attempt Snowball Derby again this year in Florida. Yes, Florida. Very jealous, but it makes me feel a little better that it is in the 40's. Wish I could see Kelley but she is still HOURS away from Jimmy. Last year they did not farewell when John forgot to turn in his first lap. Anyone who knows anything about racing will know that you MUST turn to go around the track!!!! When you don't you hit the wall. NOT GOOD:)!!!

With back to back championships under their CRA belt, I feel this year is going to be GREAT!!

Nothing better than this on the finish line!! Well, John may feel different.
(yes, that would be Rebecca at the races...all American Girl dolls go to races, right? Maybe that will the next girl of the year...Racing Reagan!)

Good luck Jimmy and John!!

Day 2

2010-12-03T09:17:00.000-05:00

Well, I actually did something Christmasy today. We put the ornaments on the tree!!! With the house is its crazy state and not knowing where ANYTHING is, Jimmy was kind enough to buy me some new ones; pretty red, green and gold ones. Lovely!! We also got caught back up on the advent calendar. The kids were very sad getting 2 pieces of candy instead of one:)!

A couple of pictures of the "process". For some reason, my camera has been having issues. It has lead a very full life with a lot of use. Things are starting to break on it and for some reason the focus is having some issues. Oh well, still love it!! The best Christmas present e.v.e.r.!!!

Kisses to all and to all a good night!!!

For you Jennie

2010-12-02T09:42:00.002-05:00

I do not have a picture for today's post and it is going to be short and sweet!!

I was having coffee with my friend Jennie yesterday and she was talking her December daily and committing to writing something everyday for the month of December. I am hoping that it makes me take the time to breath and enjoy every moment of the great season. I love Christmas and everything about it. I start early just to enjoy the moments, but this year like EVERY year, things are spinning out of control. The basement is not done, the house is not decorated, I have no place to put presents (so I can not wrap them or hide them). Life is just a little crazy, but it would not be Camp Chaos without a little crazy.

So anyway, yesterday was the first day of December, the first day of enjoying the season. WE DID NOTHING!!! We did not even open our advent drawer. Not a good start!! OK, let me see if I can put a positive spin on this. We had our first snowfall of the season, well, the first snow that actually stayed. Very pretty. Very Christmas like. I did buy ornament holders to put the bulbs on the tree (yes, the tree that has been up for 5 days without any ornaments!). Allison skipped ballet to go to Muskegon so I could buy snow pants and boots for the kids. All three grew again this year, imagine that:)!!!

So that is what I did...I purchased the hangers for the tree and prevented illness on Christmas. All in all a successful start!!!!

Life...

2010-08-31T15:44:00.002-04:00

You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the facts of life, the facts of life...

My FAVORITE show growing up (on a side note, waiting patiently for the "older" seasons to come out on DVD and watch them with my girls, LOVED that show!), The Facts Of Life. There was just something about that show I really liked.

The theme song seems to be playing in my head a lot lately. It really is true of my everyday life. You do have to take the good with the bad...I am very blessed that I have no "major" bad, just things that make me a little sad like the kids starting school again. I always get emotional this time of year. It is like time slaps me right in the face. The kids act older, look older...ARE older. It makes me feel like I missed my opportunity to "be the mom". I am always the mom, but the older I get the further away them seem and I like to give myself a VERY hard time about working and not staying home. I like to stress about things I can not change. It is great fun.

At the request of my lovely sister, Jodi, I am going to start my blog again. I am going to take the good, the bad and the ugly of my life and treasure it for what it is...MINE, all mine!!

Here we go...

Isaac...

2010-05-25T16:34:00.002-04:00

I also realized that I have not posted any photos of the other two playing soccer...so that will follow!! BUT, I had to share my current favorite soccer photo of Isaac. Not the best "picture" (lots I would change about it, like getting WAY closer!), but Isaac's face is the BEST!!! He has taken a lovin' to soccer and his mommy has taken a lovin' to watching him!!!!

Ash the soccer player

2010-05-25T12:28:00.005-04:00

I realized that I never posted pictures of Ashley as "the soccer player". She has done quite well this year. Hopefully, it will continue. She is not afraid to run after the ball (and take it from her own team mates!). She isn't too aggressive, but does get the idea of playing hard. She has scored a few goals, some against "good" goalies and even one against her own team!!! After a few tears, we did find out those do not count; good thing!! Over all the season has been a lot of fun. I am actually sad that this year is almost over. Just one game left!!!

So, here is my youngest soccer star...

attempting to turn the ball...

going down the field...

hanging out with her dad, she does get a little territorial over him at the games...wonder where she gets that from!!

trying so hard to kick the ball while in goalie that she missed the ball...classic!!

she got it that time :)!

My baby, the goalie!!

When Bad Things Happen To Good Cats...

2010-05-04T11:12:00.001-04:00

Poor Chevy...

Not only is Chevy "required" to put up with Ashley carrying him around by his neck, he is now "required" to play princess dress up. the least she could do is let him be the prince. Good ol' Chevy, not a whole lot rocks his world.

Ashley is 5

2010-04-08T13:33:00.005-04:00

My baby girl is 5!!! I can hardly believe the words I type. My baby girl is more than just my baby...she is beyond words. Anyone who knows Ashley knows exactly what I am talking about. She has an opinion and is not afraid to share it, to believe it, to not change it. She is my baby that was "never going to happen". Maybe that is why she acts the way she does. She is against all odds baby, instead on winning the lotto, I got Ash and I am so happy I did. She will guarantee to drive me CRAZY everyday, but is also the one I guarantee makes me smile!! Happy Birthday my Ash a Ley!!!!

Happy "twins" Ashley and Ryan after our play date at McDonald's. Happy Birthday Ryan!!!!

Some random pictures of our "party", just a small little something with Jodi's family and my parents. Andrew could not make it, but we thought of him often:)!!

Ash wanted a picture of her and Chevy!!

We are the hostess with the mostess at Camp Chaos, we, I should say Isaac even offered "arm painting" as a party option.

Kyle's "football" that ran after the large amounts of paint were used.
Grandma's pink and purple heart with blue flames behind it. Again, a little less paint would be good. Jennie, he is still looking for his lessons:)!!!.

Allison was in charge of "decorations". I 100% LOVE the Ashley sign, it will be saved forever!! Fantastic!!!

This is the big top cupcake. It did not bake as planned, but it was OK. She was thrilled and that is all that really matters I guess.

Ashley and her Ashley doll (her name is Ashley until she thinks of a name she likes more!). Side note, not sure I was really wanting to get the girls American girls dolls, so glad I did, them love them!!! Notice the matching pj's?? Ash had to change her and her doll's clothes before we could do anything else!!!

Not sure why this one is at the end, but he in concentrating so hard (notice the tongue). He just wanted everyone to have a good time. Thanks Mom for being a good sport and letting him paint your arm, you too Kyle. In case you were wondering, faces scare me a little with "white kids" I would rather have their arms break out than their faces:)!!!

Happy Birthday my favorite 5 year old, who now feels so old, "like a mom"!!!

Happy Birthday, my loves!!!

2010-03-29T12:24:00.001-04:00

All in all I think Allison and Isaac's birthdays were a success. They seemed to have enjoyed it and as always got spoiled by everyone. I think we are finally done with birthday parties for the eldest TenBrink kids. We have one more "combined" birthday party with the TenBrink's when everything calms down a bit. In six weeks time, I have all three of my kids, Jimmy and my father-in-law's birthday. Good times!!!

A cute picture of the girls in their matching clothes. I guess I should say coordinating. I am not a big fan of matching, I prefer coordination. Who wants to wear the same shirt for YEARS??? I think it has something to do with being the youngest child. I do reserve the right for matching dresses at Christmas and Easter...come on, I am a mother to girls:)!!!!

Can you just feel the love in this picture??? Allison was going to give him a hug, Isaac felt a little different:)!!!

I am not sure what their wish was, but I wish for them to be exactly like they are. To be confident kids that know that they are loved beyond measure!!! I hope this year they stay happy and healthy. I love my babies so very much!!!

Hula Hoop

2010-03-20T13:36:00.000-04:00

Yes, Ashley has learned a new trick and she is beyond proud of herself. She is a hula hooping honey!!! I guess taking the VERY large stance helps and lack of Jimmy's hula hooping genes can not hurt either. If you are ever having a bad day, ask Jimmy to hula hoop for you...guarantee you pee your pants!!!

Happy 7th Birthday Allison and Isaac

2010-03-19T11:08:00.002-04:00

Did you ever wonder what a "brand new" 7 year old looks like? Wonder no more....

I went to bed last night with two 6 year olds and woke up with two 7 year olds. What a blessing they have been! Jimmy and I were talking about wanting just one baby and being blessed with two last night. It is one of those blessings that just does not get old. Another blessing, that they are still here...alive, functioning, learning, being. Given Jimmy and I are their parents, this really is a good thing. I can only imagine the things we will learn in the year to come. I use to get very worked up when the kids had a birthday. I was sad that they were getting older. I am not sad this year. I am just in awe of them. Every day they are just a little...cooler!! The things they know and continue to learn amaze me, they amaze me. Thanks for being MY kids! Thanks for always being yourself, good or bad. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face because you said some crazy joke that made no sense, you crossed your eyes like a goof ball, you cry because the drama is just over flowing out of you, you play a mean game of wii and ds, you draw a beautiful picture, you read....GREAT, you cuddle with your mom, you make me feel like the BEST mom in the world.
Happy 7th Birthday to my most FAVORITE 7 year old's in the whole wide world!!!!

B-O-R-I-N-G

2010-03-18T11:59:00.004-04:00

I think my life is kind of boring, not a lot going on, so why blog about it. BUT my lovely sister and her handsome husband "suggested" that I update my blog.

Yes, my life is boring, but I am totally OK with that. I get enough excitement being married to Jimmy dealing with him, racing and his business. Did I mention that he sells salt in the winter and it "forgot" to snow the month of January and most of February...that adds some excitement!!! Add the crazies to the mix and you have about all I need to keep me on my toes.

We have not done a whole lot the past few months but stay locked up in the house. It was cold and I don't do cold!!! Well, minus having a cold. I seem to do that rather well. It has lingered for the past several weeks, but I do believe I am on the mend.

Spring finally came and we have been trying to enjoy it BEFORE the snow starts again this weekend. My kids are very outdoor kids. They would swing and play in that stupid sandbox all day long. The girls have "grown-up" this year and have decided to start driving Isaac's quad too. They are both doing a great job. In the words of Allison "I only hit one tree on the way to Aunt Jodi's pond!" Yes, I am proud of only ONE tree!!! I decided to take the kids on a walk on Tuesday, Jimmy got Isaac's 4-wheeler out, Allison went "running" and Ashley rode with Jimmy...some walk I know!!! I decided to walk to the mail box by myself. It was such a nice night. I looked at my watch to see what time it was (to make sure I had enough time to get home and get the kids in the tub, this time change thing is killing us!). I went on my solo walk and was gone 7 minutes, yes a FULL 7 minutes. In that time, Ash decided to "learn" to drive the 4-wheeler, Alli hit a tree and Jimmy managed to fall into Aunt Jodi's pond. All of them were screaming "Where have you been?" and "What took you so long?" Seven minutes people!!! You would think Jimmy could have it under control, but no, he is the ring leader!!

(sorry, she was moving and is out of focus)

Ashley also got invited to her first birthday party. She was beyond excited. Thanks Kerri and Addy for the invite. Part of the extra excitement was Jennie and La La Land painting faces. As ALWAYS, they did a wonderful job. She was thrilled that she got to get her face painted and the big kids didn't AND she got to wear it to Lowes and dinner. Oh, the GREAT things in life!!!!

Yeah, life is boring, but good!!!!!

snowy days

2010-01-05T14:17:00.003-05:00

What can I say...the weather here has just been terrific!!! NOT!!!! What can you do when it is freezing cold outside and it just keeps snowing and snowing and snowing....and your husband has a giant smile on his face and says pennies from heaven...ENJOY it and take the kids sledding!!!
Yes, that would be Isaac's naked foot. I swear those kids' boots eat their socks!!!!

Ashley and her "normal" sitting style.

Even a crazy dog to go with the chaos!!! He loves to be outside, throw in snow and some kids and his world really does not get much better:)!!!

All Mine

2010-01-05T14:11:00.000-05:00

I know I said I would "try" to maintain this blog and I am going to do that. I do not have my camera with Christmas pictures here with me at work and this morning was completely waisted with Ashley's help here at Northland. So I went with some pictures of the most handsome man I know. Sorry ladies, he is taken!! Mine, all mine!!!

Pure evil!!!

Christmas pj's

2009-12-22T13:03:00.000-05:00

A few pictures that were suppose to be on the last post that did not make it there...oops...stupid blogger!!!

I'm BACK....

2009-12-22T11:58:00.003-05:00

I am back. That is my New Year's resolution...a little early. I really enjoy blogging, I have just been too busy. But when I think about what I just said, I think, am I really to busy to enjoy the "small" things to take the time and document a funny conversation or experience? Of course not. I know for experience all of those wonderful memories that you swear you will never forget, you forget. Jimmy and I remember funny things the kids said growing up all the time and we can never remember which one said it. I guess having 3 kids in 2 years and 2 weeks does that to a person.

I am not going to go back to far in the past. I think December is a great place to "start up again". I am following the scrapbook rule...if I go to far back, I will overwhelm myself and stop blogging again. Maybe here and there I will throw in an "old" post just cause:)!!!

We purchased our annual Christmas pj's again this year. Not as cute as I had hoped, but the effect is still there. A family all in matching pj's, kids really do not think much is greater than that. At least not the TenBrink children, granted they are easily amused:)! As soon as blogger stops being difficult, I will post more pictures, but for now, I can not handle the sabotage that blogger is trying to do...

mother like daughter

2009-10-30T16:56:00.000-04:00

Strawberry Fields...

2009-10-13T16:19:00.000-04:00

Yes, it is October and it is freezing outside and yes, I am very behind on blogging this. I have (well, Jimmy has) a little blue camera that is small and convenient and fits in my pocket, but it does not have a way of getting the pictures to my computer....long story, computer cord does not work and the computer that I could put the memory card into, Lynn has taken away.

Anyway, this past summer the kids and I picked strawberries for the very first time. Jim and Cheryl were kind enough to take us "newbies" and show us how to do it. It is a very good thing we had Cheryl with us. Jim took the job of picking strawberries very seriously (she went as far as calling him the strawberry Nazi...ha! ha!), but nothing is serious about the last picking (literally) or anything with the crazies in general. It was a lot of fun. Like blueberries, I think we ate more than we picked, but unlike blueberries, my back killed when we were done. Lots of fun...same time same place next year!!!

Cheryl and Iz

Jim and Ash

not sure why this rotated...oh well!!!

typical Ashley face!!!

Six for Six

2009-09-25T10:36:00.000-04:00

I guess it is only fitting...my baby is six, I guess she should lose 6 teeth. Don't tell that to Isaac, he still has not lost one. Not for a lack of trying, that poor boy has his hands in his mouth wiggling them all the time. In true Allison style, she lost it at Crazy Bounce. Kyle had his birthday there on Sunday. Jodi and I went over to the Gap Outlet (without any money may I add...did manage to have Jodi buy me a couple pair of tights!), about twenty minutes later I get a very angry call from my husband, Allison had gotten her tooth stuck in the net and ripped it out. All I could think was there must have been blood everywhere, they had to shut down one of the "rides", she is freaking out, we need to go now!!! We got there and all was well...all the blood stayed in her mouth and she was done being sad by time we got there. Jimmy handled it very well...good job Dad:)! Let's see...school, church, Bob Evans, home, Arby's and Crazy Bounce...all have been blessed with locations of "teeth loss". Only Allison!!

I have to say, I was a little sad when I saw her, her pictures were 4 days away...4 days!! My mom assured me that this picture would be my favorite 20 years from now and not to get upset about it. I have to say, I think she was right, again! There is something super cute about this toothless smile that warms my heart!!!

Great Cause

2009-09-21T14:33:00.000-04:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I am such a sucker for anything breast cancer related. If it is pink and has a ribbon...I will purchase it. I think it is a wonderful cause and too many women are affected by this disease that is just makes me very sad!!! Whitehall is "broadening" the cancer cause to include all cancer...which is even better!!!! They are selling black t-shirts with the above logo for $10.00. The sizes range from children's small to adult XXL. If anyone who reads this is interested in purchasing a t-shirt (or several:)!), please let me know and I will get you to the right person, Michelle Zack. They are available on Wednesday!!!!

Ashley's First Day

2009-09-18T12:29:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Uncle Keith, I realized that I have not updated in awhile and I never put Ashley's first day of preschool photos on her. She did a GREAT job...she was ready go, picked out her outfit, wanted her picture taken and most important...her Dad was going to school with her. She has since changed classes to the afternoon and really seems to be loving it. We go over and over the 3 rules...Be kind..Be safe...Be in control. In all honesty, these rules are GREAT rules to live by...simple but very true!!!

My BIG girl!!!

Ash and her favorite person in the world...her Daddy

Jimmy feeling bad for me had to get a picture of us too.

The kids going over the rules. Yes, that is Kyle behind his "be in control" sign :)! I have to take my moments when they come. It is not very often a TenBrink child is doing what they are suppose to be doing!!!

First Day of School

2009-09-08T09:46:00.005-04:00

It is official...I am a mom of two first grade children. Two wonderful children that will go to school ALL day long, have lunch at school, have at least 2 (sometimes 3) recesses (I thought I would use these as highlights...they are all my kids care about!), who will come home everyday a little "brighter" than when they left me. Life is a ride. I am, again, as always, holding on tight trying not to scream too much and enjoy it. Right now I feel like I am on the up hill part. The not knowing what is coming next...is it going to be a big drop or a little drop with a turn. Life has a way of just doing what it is suppose to do...so I will just ride my ride...can't get off so I might as well enjoy it!! I do have to say, I am on it with GREAT people.

I uploaded these pictures in reverse...oops!! Look at how big they already are!!

photo session

2009-09-04T11:00:00.001-04:00

We had a little photo session this morning. I am not sure where these come from, but somebody wants to take pictures and we all have to pose. I can not get to upset; they come by it naturally:)! Poor kids know when Mom has the camera we should just do what she says and get it over with quickly.

Isaac taking the picture of the ladies...obviously:)!...

Ash taking a picture of me...she is getting better...

Alli taking a picture of Isaac's love for his mama!!! He is giving me kisses in case you were wondering....

Allison taking a picture of me...I did have to photoshop this one to make my skin look a little less pale. Oh, to have pretty tan skin...a girl can dream!!!

Marilyn Manson

2009-09-03T16:41:00.003-04:00

So...in prior posts I have referred to myself as a Pete Wentz look alike. I feel like I no longer resemble Mr. Wentz...instead I have taken on Marilyn Manson FANTASTIC eyes...

Don't you agree? Or you can agree with Jodi who thinks I look like a dog? Either way...FUNKY to have only one eye dilated!!!

Cheerleading

2009-09-01T21:37:00.005-04:00

Saturday was Allison's first cheer leading game. The weather was horrible to say the least, but all and all she did fantastic. There was a small moment were I had my doubts; sometime during the 3rd quarter she tripped over her own foot caught herself on her hands and cried. Cried so hard that the announcer had the crowd clap for her when she stopped crying only to have her cry harder and few minutes later. She is 100% her mother...she was not ready to not be sad so the tears began...until her crazy mother went on the track and threatened her to knock it off or she was going to be in trouble. A cheer later and all was well. She did GREAT the rest of the game.

I have to give big kudos to both Janet and Kelly (the coaches); they are great! The girls even did a dance. Allison has been practicing at home and at Shelly's (a big thanks to Kenzie too!). She was ready, not to mention, the cutest thing I have ever seen. Hannah Montana...you ain't got nothing on Allison TenBrink!!

Allison and her best friend Kenzie!!!

My baby girl...the BIG girl cheerleader!!!

Only in Detroit

2009-08-25T16:17:00.000-04:00

Only in Detroit do people get confused by the standard boy/girl pictures on the bathroom door that they had to add the pony tail to alleviate any confusion!! Personally, I thought the pony was a very nice touch...hope to see her popping up in a bathroom near me(and you!) very soon!!!!!

Water Fun...Detroit part 2

2009-08-24T15:07:00.007-04:00

After the Zoo, we went to the boardwalk and had a little (ok a lot of) fun! The pictures tell the story better than I could...

Yes, it was a very wet ride home!!! Thanks Aunt Kate and Uncle Jared for drying our panties!!!

Detroit Zoo

2009-08-17T10:42:00.006-04:00

A few weekend ago ( I know, I am a bit behind), we went to Detroit to visit Uncle Jared and Aunt Kate. I have to say a special thanks to Kelley for getting us a GREAT deal at the Hyatt for the weekend and an extra special thanks to Aunt Kate and Uncle Jared for showing us a rockin' good time and for all the help with the crazies!!!
We met at Leo's for breakfast and headed to the zoo. If you are ever looking for a good zoo to go to, I would recommend the Detroit Zoo. There is a lot to see and do...BUT have you walking shoes on and lots of time. By far, Isaac had the best time...he is such an animal lover. His favorite by far was the frogs and snakes. Wouldn't you know it, I don't have any pictures of that. Must be I HATE snakes.

Here are a few of the many pictures of the zoo...

In the butterfly house. It was so GREAT to have 4 extra hands!!! Jimmy and I actually got a little break and can I say...enjoyed ourselves!!!

I saw this look a lot!! Someone was always carrying someone...well not everyone:)! I could have used a ride!!!

There is a gorilla in the background. Kind of hard to see.

Alli wiggling her teeth.

The crazies with Uncle Jared and Aunt Kate.

James with the weight of the world on his shoulders:)!

Seals showing off.

Coolest thing...polar bears. It makes me very sad to think that they could become extinct in my children's life time. Oh the things you learn from the movie Earth...I also learned that my kids are horrible at the movies and that they might die from starvation and thirst in a matter of 88 minutes!!!!

The kids being prairie dogs.

Ash doing what we ALL wanted to be doing!!

Allison and Aunt Kate

Again, Isaac on Jimmy's shoulders.

Happy Birthday to two of my favorite people

2009-08-12T12:01:00.003-04:00

Just a great picture of the birthday kids. It looks a little like an engagement picture which is a little creepy being that it is a grandma and her grandson, but since I am the one who too the picture...IT'S GREAT!!!

Hope both of these wonderful people had a birthday just as great as them!!!

Up next pictures of Detroit...took lots of pictures will be several posts long...had a an absolute fantastic time!!!

Big News and Sorry

2009-08-11T16:49:00.000-04:00

First, I am sorry that I have been such a slacker on the ol' blog. I promise to start to do better. We have been so busy just enjoying summer that I have been a little lax on getting things on here. I promise to get it all on here...it will take me awhile and will be out of order, but it will come.

The most important thing that has happened to us is this...

After leaving Michigan's Adventure, Allison was playing with her tooth a lot and said it is getting "really wiggly".

I felt it, thought I was going to puke, sent her to see her father, told him to pull it out...

and he did!!

My baby right after the "blessed event"!

One down NEVER being a baby again...two more to go!!

Funny, Isaac was very sad when Al lost her first two teeth. His aren't even loosening up a little, but after seeing Alli, he just responded with "I think I will keep the teeth I have." Yes, she a little white trashish at the moment. I think she would look FABULOUS with a gold tooth. What do think????

Again...

2009-07-31T12:09:00.003-04:00

I go through these phases of boredom. I think it has something to do with my crazy issues and if I "look" different than maybe I will "be" different. I am not really sure how to put it. I am trying to make an attempt at "fixing" things that bother me; not blaming anything or anyone and not wanting anyone/anything to fix it for me. In so doing, I decided that my 27 different color hair is done for awhile and I was going to get my hair cut into a style. Still keeping it past my shoulders (for confidence...NEED to have my hair!!), but a little style.

Well, lets just say the confidence is gone as well as the hair. No, this is not what I wanted. Crazy enough, I had pictures of the front, sides, and back...yet I got a completely different haircut. Lucky for me I can squeeze it into a pony and it is summer....it is just hair I realize, but I really was trying to "fix" some issues and instead made more.

At the end of the day, it is just hair. It will grow back. Everyone is healthy. But still....

4th of July...family

2009-07-27T14:00:00.002-04:00

A few last photos from the 4th. I 100% love all of these cute kids with my whole heart♥ (including my very first nephew who is not present in these photo)!

I love how Allison already has control over Isaac...telling him when to smile and to look at the camera.

Pure Bliss...Love it♥, love it♥!

You know they say that once people are married, they start to look like each other...

What do you think??

Scary, I know..he's turning me into him:)

4th of July...Allison

2009-07-25T12:45:00.000-04:00

I love this picture of the kids...I really don't know why, but I do.

A few "Mommy and Alli" pictures.

My baby with BOTH of her front teeth...oh, that smile will never be the same again!!!!

4th of July...Isaac

2009-07-24T16:23:00.001-04:00

I love holidays at my mom's. It is when I am pretty much guaranteed to be in a picture with my kids. Here are a few fun shots of Isaac...picasa only allows me to upload 4 pictures at a time...that is why there is always 4 pictures on my posts:)!

I see this face and love it EVERY time!!!

Winking at his mama!!!

Counting his sun kisses...love all of those blasted things!!!

Oh, I forgot 4th of July...

2009-07-23T15:46:00.002-04:00

I realized that I forgot 4th of July in my "blog world". It was wonderful as always...thanks Mom and Dad for hosting another fabulous party. After the party, we decided to go to Indiana (I wanted to be spontaneous). We drove 3+ hours to go watch Johnny race for Kaos Motorsports (aka Camp Chaos...the "k" is for Kristin). The kids did great, Johnny did great...what can I say, it was a great day!

As always, when we have family functions at my mom's, we have little mini photo shoots with everyone. Here is a few pictures of Ashley...she never gets to go first.

Her FAVORITE person in the whole wide world!!!!

She was showing off her big muscles...love this CRAZY girl!!!

Red headed love

2009-07-16T12:27:00.000-04:00

Yes, I am one of those mom's that let her kids sleep with her! They NEVER start there, but Ash seems to end up there about 70% of the time. I am so tired and our bed is big enough that it is just easier to let her stay. I know, I know!! I got out of bed with these two on separate sides of the bed, but when I returned this is how I found them. Honestly, could this be any cuter?? Love them red headed babies:)!!!!

Is it wrong??

2009-07-15T12:22:00.000-04:00

Is it wrong that I want my 6 year olds body? I am beyond jealous of those legs!! She is built like her Daddy...sorry Ashley you got your mom's genes!!!

It's the little things

2009-07-14T12:20:00.000-04:00

It is the little things in life that make me smile...I walked into the living room to see and HEAR Allison reading Ashley a story. It really did bring tears to my eyes. I am a very lucky mom!!!

A face only a mother, I mean father could love!!!

2009-07-08T16:32:00.002-04:00

Yes, this is a face I see quite frequently on my son. It is a face that only a mother could love. He thinks he looks creepy...which to him is a good thing. I thought where in the world did this boy get this from until I saw this picture of his father. It is all starting to make sense. As with most CRAZY things with my children...it all leads back to their father...you may know him...he played Roberto...Bobby Boucher's daddy in the Water Boy (as himself!).

A Few Down...MANY TO GO!!!!

2009-07-08T09:30:00.002-04:00

I am on my way to a few less chaos es in my life. We got the basement "emptied" out and Servpro arrived this morning. They informed me that in 3 days, I should be dry!!! Isn't that exciting?!?! Jimmy is in Kentucky this week and when he returns home...it is going to be dry...now to finish all that we tore up!!

We received this letter in the mail a few days ago. We are officially done with the identity theft issue. The perps got off scot free (another story for another day), but we for sure do not have to pay back the $30,000+ in stolen money!!!

And last but not least...the dumpster that has made his home at my house for the past few months went home to be with his family. We no longer need him looking over us. After filling this blasted thing twice...I hope NEVER to see it again at 3220 Johnson!!!

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

2009-07-07T13:18:00.004-04:00

First, I have to give a BIG HUGE thank you to Jeff and Shelly for letting the chaos come to their home and their lake. Not only were they nice enough to let us come and eat...they took us out on a fabulous boat ride that included tubing and skiing. Isaac was convinced that he could ski, so Mr. Jeff gave him a quick lesson in the yard. Yes, a little white trash aka Camp Chaos style trying to teach your child to ski while hooked to a lawn tractor. They kept telling the kids that if they could do it on the lawn, they could do it on the water...

Allison actually did better than Isaac keeping her butt under her.

Isaac had a hard time keeping his legs together but knew he could do it:)!

To the lake...to live in the association, you get private use of this lake...very warm...very clean...

Thanks to Mr. Tony for wearing dry clothes into the lake to help my son get started. In just a few seconds...
HE WAS UP!!!! THE GOOD...

He did so good!!! He actually skied for a good few minutes and then fell. No one told him that he would go under and to let go of the rope. Needless to say he got drug a little under water...THE BAD.

Alli decided if Iz could do it, so could she. Mr Tony again went into the water and assisted. She was happy ready to go when THE UGLY hit...she no longer wanted to do it...right at the same time the boat took off. Mr Tony to the rescue who went under water to get her (right as my camera ran out of battery). Everyone was OK and Allison decided that tubing was more her style...less effort!!!

My baby girl, watching taking it all in. LOVED riding in the boat...tubing was fun...not even going to attempt skiing!!!

I l♥ve this picture of my men!! Both of them are so genuinely happy and loving life!!!

One last picture of my handsome man!!!

Again...

2009-07-03T09:20:00.001-04:00

I know, I know...but I can't help it. Allison "makes" me 100+ cards/signs a day and most of them are put in the circular filer by the end of the day (I HAVE NO ROOM TO STORE ALL OF THESE TREASURES!!!). But there are always a few that get put in the "special" box and a even more select few that make it onto this blog...this is one of them. I could I not put a picture that says I rock...especially one that says I rock the howes!!! Not quite as good as a coke can, huh Jodi?? Yes, Aunt Jodi also received a sign that says she rocks the coke!!!

A Little Peer Pressure

2009-07-02T09:00:00.004-04:00

I am not sure where the nice WARM sunny weather went, but I am sure it will return with a vengeance. Michigan is known to do that at times!!!

We went to my mom's house several days in a row just to swim in her pool. I feel bad, but it was so hot and we have a SEVERE mosquito issue...so to be outside we must be at my moms:)! Ash was not a big fan of the water, but a little peer pressure from her older siblings and a little pushing from her parents...see what 5 minutes can do for a child. LITERALLY 5 MINUTES!!!

Have a WONDERFUL and SAFE 4th of July weekend!!

Jesus and Pete

2009-06-30T11:10:00.002-04:00

Another year of VBS, this yeat Isaac did TERRIFIC and passed the "crying gene" onto his sister. What a good brother, don't you think?!?!

They all had a great week. Thanks Kenzie and Hailey for coming too, the girls were very happy that you were there. I was very impressed with how much the kids actually learned. Isaac learned that God loves him even if he is naughty (nice, I know:)!) and Ashley learned that "Jesus and Pete went fishing, but didn't catch a lot of fish". Honestly, out of the mouths of babes...Jesus and Pete!! Love it!!

Too Funny, NOT!!

2009-06-26T09:40:00.002-04:00

OK, my lovely friend Christina sent me this very cute email that said something like "if you see me in the back of a cop car, what is the first thing that enters your mind that I did?" Very cute and harmless, I sent it on to my friends...
I got a few degrees of answers. I received answers that I stole makeup (damn spending freeze:)!), I beat someone up who spoke/did something bad to my kids, flat out child abuse (thanks Jodi...to be fair, she did see me hit my children with a flip flop at Wal-Mart on Friday) and the overwhelming answer INCLUDING MY HUSBAND was indecent exposure. What? Indecent exposure...what is that????? ♥

Happy Fathers Day

2009-06-22T11:21:00.006-04:00

My sister came up with the grand idea of going to Michigan's Adventure for Father's Day. It has been years since we (JIMMY!) has been home on Father's Day and if you went to MI Adventure with a season pass holder (which my mom and I purchased for the Stratton family) then it only cost $10 a person. Rock on...we were going!!! I could go on and on with all the fun we had and for the most part everyone was really good. Kyle liked to run, but he had a good time...that is all that really mattered. It actually helps me when Kyle is not so good, it makes Ashley be super good so she can say that she is better than Kyle. Bad I know!!!
The big kids rode Zack's Zoomers about 100 times...thanks Grandma and Poppy for riding it with them 99 of the 100 times. The Sea Dragon was also a big hit. Good thing Uncle Jimmy was there to keep Kyle from shaking out of his seat, but by the end, he loved it!!!
Isaac, Jimmy and my Dad rode some ride where they got soaked. Allison was beyond sad that she could not ride it too. You had to be 46+ inches and she was only 45. She just kept saying, but I am the oldest. Poor thing, I guess she just needs to eat more!!! I look and the boys are riding shirt less. Classic sight let me tell you:)!
The Ferris Wheel was also a hit...not for the adult women. Not a fan!! We left the "men" in charge AGAIN!!! Aunt Jodi did a great job taking Ashley with Kyle to ride rides her size...thanks Aunt Jodi...Jimmy and I were too busy riding Zack Zoomers again, and again, and again!! Oh yeah, leave it to my mom to swear on a kiddy ride. In her defense, her and I were riding in the same car together...which was meant for a kid to ride in ALONE...we were already giggling...it was the first ride she had been on in 20 years...certain words are going to come out!!! Poor thing, I never let her forget it rest of the day. Towards the end of the day (on ride like 95), Jimmy told the ride attendant to tell the lady "in the front with the little girl to please watch her language, she had gotten reports of some foul mouths". Lucky for my mom, she was sitting with Isaac:)!!!
All in all it was a fantastic day. I was really happy to spend the day with Jimmy and my Dad. I think my Dad might have had one of the best Father's Days spending it with BOYS!!! For the record, we missed Keith, but he was doing his job solving murders...so we have to be proud:)!
I wanted to spend the day enjoying my family, not looking through a camera lens. Of course once I was there, I was sad that I did not have my camera. Thanks to Jodi for taking pictures, forwarding them to me, and letting me post them here.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Father's Day spending their day with some important man/men in their lives...appreciating them for being them.

Daddy with his baby girl!!!

Isaac after riding the water ride and standing on the bridge and getting soaked, Jodi caught this great smile!!! I love this kid!!!

The men and the kids riding the ferris wheel. Doesn't it look like something out of my baby book. LOVE this photo action!!

Camp Chaos

boy cousin love!

Poppy and Grandma love and Ashley looking like Ashley:)!

Jimmy and 2 1/2 of his kids:)!

Alli and her mom. I did not like our teeth so I tried to whiten them, but instead I think they made them worse. What can you do?!?!?

#1 Reason Why I Love Michigan

2009-06-18T15:43:00.002-04:00

Yes, Michigan has lots of goods and bads and lately, it seems like there are many more bads than goods...including this lovely weather that has included lots of rain (flooding my basement) and cool weather that made me think summer was never going to come. I guess to be fair, I have to enjoy the winter...ice melter has kept me family fed!! Needless to say, I think summer has finally come.

On Friday, I went out with my girls and Jimmy had to take care of the kids. Pet peeve #!, Dads babysitting their children!! I can not stand when someone says that. How can a dad babysit his own child/ren?? Do Mom's babysit their children? It makes me very angry!!

I digress, while the children were under Jimmy's solo care, he took them for ice cream and to the beach. Sounds lovely, but I had ice cream melted in my car along with beach sand and wet clothes in a bag that sat in my car for several days. It smelled wonderful, NOT!! Worst part, I had to clean it all up...heaven forbid he take his truck to do this!! The good of this story is that the kids had a fabulous time and wanted to go back on Saturday. I thought is was a little chilly, but it was actually a perfect day! It is a lot of fun to just sit back and watch the kids. This is the first year that I was not SUPER paranoid that someone was going to drown. Still a little, but not a l0t:)! The kids loved it and it tired them right out. In fact, they wanted to go back on Sunday, but I quickly called Aunt Jodi who informed me that the beach was closed on Sunday. Way to take one for the team Aunt Jodi!!!! Worse than that, I actually never even made the called, just held the phone to my ear...naughty, I know!!!

Some photos for your viewing pleasure. The beaches here are fantastic. Who needs to go anywhere on vacation when we live 3 minutes from this??? Not to mention, I am still on my spending freeze:)!

Happy girl!!!

ALL boy!!!

Lovin' the water!

As many things that Jimmy does that drive me crazy....like taking my vehicle and destroying it...he does so many wonderful things like being one wing ding er of a dad and fabulous sand castle maker!!!

Simply Love

2009-06-16T14:20:00.000-04:00

To put it simply, I LOVE this boy...everything about him, especially this picture!! I love it when he finds my camera and I "come across" these wonderful self portraits. They get me every time!!!

Girls Night

2009-06-16T09:33:00.002-04:00

I have said it before and I will say it 1000x more, I love the blog world. I may not be the best blogger (especially lately), but the friendships I have made and rekindled has made it all worth while. This past Friday I went out with MY girls again. It had been awhile, but like always, I had a wonderful time. They are all very good at dealing with my crazy issues and making me feel like I really am not all that crazy. Trust me, that is a tough thing to do:)!

Mya tends to get a little red while she drinks, so I thought I would take a before and after picture. Instead of turning red, she just stayed beautiful!

Then the conversation turned to Jennie who asked what the strangest thing in your purse was...I only had my wallet in my purse so I was out of this game. Jennie breaks out the LARGEST paint brush I have ever seen. First, I am not sure why anyone would need such a large paint brush and second, why in the world she was carrying it in her purse. Mandy topped Jennie with butt paste. Maybe they make me feel a little less crazy or maybe they are just as crazy...not really sure!!!

What is the matter Mandy...embarrassed over butt paste or the conversations in general?!?

AND...the lady of the hour...I hope you had a wonderful birthday Theresa!!!

9 Months

2009-06-05T09:09:00.001-04:00

Nine months...that is how long it takes from conception to birth...all the changes that happen to a baby...completely amazing. I feel that same way with the past nine months. My kids have changed so much, I can not even describe it. Yes, they have grow physically, but the mental is just out of this world. They are such different, bigger people. I don't even have the words. I am forever grateful to both Mrs. Johnson and Ms. Terri for giving my children the best foundation I could have ever hoped for. They loved my children through the good and the bad (remember...chaos follows them everywhere they go!). I dropped two of my most favorite people off at school today as kindergartners and I will pick them up as 1st graders. It is mind boggling. I am excited about the new to come, but still can not help but be a little sad of what has been. Life doesn't get better than what it is RIGHT AT THIS EXACT MOMENT!! Right when I get "sad", I am reminded just how great older kids can be. We were at G&L for dinner on Tuesday (just me and the crazies...ALONE!!!) when Allison reads the waitresses shirt "Would you like some fries with that sh sh shake?" The lady thought it was so cute...I thought Oh my God, she just read your shirt! Just like that instantly proud and think I love this stage!!!

First day of school

Get ready for the BIG difference...OK maybe only the Mom can see it, but it is there, I promise!!

I would say they are comfortable in their class:) and themselves. What more could a mom ask for???

Love for Big Jim

2009-06-04T12:13:00.000-04:00

I have to send a lot of love out to my father in law. Grandma TenBrink passed away last Friday. I don't care how old or young you are, losing your Mom is not something that is easy to do (not that I speak from experience, but the thought brings me INSTANTLY to tears!). He has been handling it like a champ and still was kind enough to come over a mow our lawn for us. Yes, we do not have a lawn mower...just add it to the VERY long list of things we need to get. In the mean time, Jim has been nice enough to mow and it makes me happy when I pull into the driveway and see my lawn looking half way decent versus a hay field. In payment for his kindness...I gave him some love. What could make a sad grandpa happy but some lovin' from the crazies!!!! He again had to be "nicer" and give them rides (and let some little boy drive himself). Thanks Jim for being you and know we all love you!!!

Isn't that picture just filled with love?!?!?

Shh..don't tell Dirk!!!

2009-06-01T11:03:00.001-04:00

My friend Kurt got married opening night of racing (which meant we could not attend). I was looking at his facebook page and saw this STUNNING photo and had to "steal" a copy and show it to everyone. I would love to give credit to the photographer, but I have no idea who it was...all I can say is they did a fantastic job on this beautiful photo that totally screams Kurt!!

Congrats again!!!

Dirk, don't tell Kurt:)! I am just admiring a photographers great skills!!!

Thanks Kim

2009-05-29T12:41:00.000-04:00

My cousin Kim was kind enough to send this fabulous "sprinkler" to the kids. I guess she thought it was only fair that they get to play in some water since the indoor water park is off limits. Thank you very much for thinking of the kids...THEY LOVED IT...even if it was only 70 degrees!!!

I love 6 year olds!!

2009-05-28T10:30:00.000-04:00

I have said it before and I will say it again...I love my kids. I love them all for different reasons...mostly for just being themselves. Allison loves to draw and write. Her most prized possession is her journal. She has been driving me crazy with the ever famous line "How do you spell...". Mrs. Johnson told her that it was OK not to be perfect (with her spelling...Allison and her crazy ways...takes one to know one I guess:)!) just to sound out the words. That has led to LOTS of writing! She even wrote a story about a princess saving the kingdom. I LOVED the fact that the princess saved the kingdom, not the prince!!

Anyway, yesterday I am cleaning off the table and see that she had written out her letters and numbers...again! Of course her crazy tendencies had to kick in and she had to write name (literally!) and added a new twist...her middle name...I LOVE how she sounded it out.

Jimmy then tells me to go look at their doors. Come to find out, Allison made hers first and Isaac wanted one too. He told me that he "hired her to make him a sign because he didn't know how to spell the words". Little does he know, she doesn't either!!! He did add the stickers himself:)! Way to make it your own, Isaac!!!

Yes, that is a picture of Ashley and Allison. I have no idea why these things made me so happy, they just did. I think maybe because I have been in such a bad mood about things I can not change...so why be mad. I have so much GREAT things in my life that I need to spend my time thinking about that and enjoying this phase with my kids. It won't be like this for long!!!!

Oops...

2009-05-21T16:28:00.000-04:00

I forgot the picture of the class.

Ashley's Last Day

2009-05-21T16:21:00.000-04:00

Ashley had her "official" last day of three year old preschool today. Seams only fitting...she is four now:)! This was the girl who was fine the first two weeks of school and then cried every time for the next two months. The same girl who just stopped crying one day because "Grandma with the pool asked me to". That is my Ash in a nut shell. The girl can switch moods like she switches her clothes...OFTEN!!! Yes, we have had to put a lock on her closet she changes outfits so much. She is very independent, which is a blessing and a curse. I think I forget about Ashley a lot...not that she lets me, but I do. I do forget that she is not the "third twin", that she is only 4 years old. She has spent her life "keeping up" with the other two...by HER choice...sometime I just forget to "enjoy" her. She is so crazy and keeps me on my toes. She will tell you exactly what she thinks...good or bad. She is a lover and a hater in one second...just ask Kyle. She is a baby and a big girl all in one...just ask her mother!!

Thanks Ashley for being you...the best you, you can be. For being the pissy girl that I love to love. I hope your craziness never leaves...maybe take it down a few notches:), but never leave!!!

I bet you did not know we had a ho-down, did you??? Yes, just another Ashley trait...dancing and not to mention her "gumby-ness"...she is the most flexible thing!!! Almost freaky flexible!!!

Happy Birthday James

2009-05-15T11:22:00.000-04:00

With all that is going on at Camp Chaos, I forgot to mention that T had his birthday last week. I am such an awful wife, he didn't even get a present. I know, horrible!!! If he even dreamed on doing that to me...we don't want to go there!! I did take him out to dinner (he even got to choose the place) and got him an ice cream cake from Marble Slab. We are going to celebrate both of our birthdays on my birthday this year. When life is a little less crazy!! In the mean time, I want everyone to know that I think this man ROCKS!!! He is the ring leader of the crazies, but he melts me every time. You know, everybody has "that friend" who has the nicest husband in the world, the one who never fights back, always does what the wife wants...you know that type. My husband is anything but that and I LOVE IT!!! I like that he is crazy, that he has to be doing something, that his mind is always going, that he fights back, that he has an opinion, that he keeps me in line. He really does complete me! I love you T!! Hope you had a great birthday!!!

Bad Mood Explained

2009-05-14T15:44:00.000-04:00

I am still dealing with the flood waters at Camp Chaos. Every time I think we might have this thing under control and make an appointment with Servpro to come over and extract the remaining water, dry the place, and most important make sure no mold grows we get more water! It is never ending. I keeping saying (and believing!) that this could be so much worse than what it is, but it is just overwhelming me. My house, my place of "zen" if you will, is a place I HATE to be. Who hates being at home? I pull in the driveway and I'm instantly pissed; everything is off. I have an overflowing dumpster, the yard hasn't been mowed, I am parking outside, there are no flowers planted. I walk into my garage...aka Jimmy's closet...he literally has clothes hanging from the tracks of our garage door. EVERYTHING that was in our basement is in boxes/totes in our garage. I walk into the "shoe room" and I instantly smell the water. I walk in a little further and see chaos. Now, I live(d) in chaos, but this really is too much for me. There is no break. I have not played with my kids in weeks. They have been good (kinda:)!) about it. I feel like I am on vacation, you know the END of vacation when you have been gone to long and just want to get back to your home, your surroundings, your comfortable place...I just want to go home!!! I guess this too shall pass. I did have an appointment for Servpro to come out today, but woke up this morning to a few new additional inches of water...so it will be awhile...again!! No point in paying thousands of dollars just to do it again.

My most wonderful friend Dirk (yes, you will only hear me speak GREAT of this man...he really is one of those rare breeds...always kind and willing to help a mama out!) Rather ironic really that this is the man who helped build my basement... that he would be the one to help take it apart. Of course, he did it with a smile on his face telling me destruction was way more fun. He even had me kick the wall to make me feel better. Let me say, kicking my mushy wall did nothing but make me cry, but his heart was in the right place. Only on little boo-boo to speak of. I am not sure how he felt the next morning...Jimmy was sore, throwing the drywall and insulation out the egress window because heaven forbid someone use my front door...my birds have to be safe:)!

In order to draw the water away from the house we had a well point system put in. They basically drive 8 points down into the ground, hook them together, hook up a pump and push it out. I now have Lake TenBrink forming in my back yard, but not under my house. The water has been coming out of the 2 inch pipe for almost 15 days straight. It pumps out 90 gallons a minute; that calculates over 2 million gallons of water pumped into Lake TenBrink!!

A picture of the basement before the insulation taken out. Currently, the water is back above the wood base. I keep telling myself that we have done all we can do. The walls are open and circulating, the drywall and insulation are out, now it just needs to stop coming in.

Dirky waving hello and blowing everyone a kiss... Thanks again Dirk for all you do to help!!!

I would also like to thank Keith for helping remove the carpet. It was very kind of you too!!

Love You Kelley!!!!!

2009-05-08T14:10:00.001-04:00

http://news.cnnbcvideo.com/?nid=drhT.yXYIrN1bguweWiK4zkxODc4Mzg-&referred_by=15732626-IozEH.x

Before I was a mom

2009-05-05T12:25:00.004-04:00

I received this as an email from my great friend (and 2nd mom to my children) Shelly. Yes, I am sure everyone has read this a time or two, but it still holds very true. Thanks for reminding me Shelly, I needed that today:)!

Happy Mother's Day a little early to all you WONDERFUL moms out there that can relate to this!

Before I was a Mom, I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or notmy plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming childso doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at nightwatching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just becauseI didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom .

Worst Week...

2009-04-30T14:33:00.002-04:00

I am sorry for the lack of posts recently. I have been off from work, not watching tv, not blogging, not looking or responding on the internet...NOTHING but removing EVERYTHING from my FLOODED basement!!!

Before I go on talking about my worst week, I would like to stop for a moment and say things could be 1 million times worse than what they are and everyone is healthy which is the important things in life...which does lead me to a prayer request for Jodi's niece, Sammi. You can read more of her story on Jodi's blog, but for the few of you who read my blog and not Jodi's, please keep a 16 year old BEAUTIFUL (both inside and out) girl in your prayers as she is fighting Hodgkins Lymphoma. Thanks!

I got home on Monday evening...pushed Ash on the swings, got Alli to ride her bike, saw that the baby birds on my front door had hatched...all good until I walked down stairs to my room and my feet were wet. I thought maybe the kids had spilled something, but was too wet for that. Looked up and everything was dry, then realized that the water was coming from below. NOT GOOD!!! Let's just make a VERY long story short and say that we do not live in a flood zone, we have never had any issues with water, so we have no FLOOD insurance. Yes, I am a licensed insurance agent who does know that this is not covered on your standard home owners policy, but in my defense, who has money to throw away every year on flood insurance for a home that does not flood...well, so I thought.

By Tuesday morning there was standing water and it has just gotten worse. My living room, bedroom, and "catch all" (a.k.a. the pit) are all down there. When I say living room, I mean living room, not family room. My only couch is down there. When I say bedroom, I mean MY bedroom, filled with my stuff and my closet with LOTS on the floor. So i have spent hours and hours bringing things up. Not as easy as you think. You can not rest ANYTHING on the floor or it just gets worse. You can not tromp through the basement and then up the stairs or you spread the water with you...oh wait, too late it has been spread. Currently the water is about 3 inched above the carpet and padding and rising...even with pumps going. There is NOTHING anyone (including myself) can do, but let it flood.

I think that is the hardest part for me. I like to react. I am a doer. Things happen and I want to fix them. I think that is the lesson that I am suppose to learn in this situation. I don't have control and I can not fix everything. It is very hard to see a basement that we spent so much money and time doing being destroyed and not being able to make it better...at least a little. To know that we have to do it ALL over again and to know that the finances just are not there is very depressing. It just makes me sick to my stomach. A girls home is her home. It is also my families, but not in the same way it is mine. I maintain it, I decorate it, I take it from house to home so to see it like this...very sad!

So bare with me, I may be a little emotional and ramble about nothing. My poor mom, sister and husband... I would "clean" up something and take a break and call them. It is just yucky!!!

I try to remind myself it is just a basement...what is the big deal if we sleep in the laundry room for the next few years??? At elast we have a place to sleep, right? Isaac is already looking at the positives as well...he wanted to know if he could "slip and slide in the basement". Jimmy just laughed...he was thinking the same thing!!!

Soccer, Baby

2009-04-21T15:46:00.001-04:00

This weekend was our first soccer game of the season. Let me just say...it was terrific!!!! What a difference a year makes...that and the weather was very nice. Isaac did not play last year, but was ready and willing this year. Allison is not as fast, or as big as the other kids, but seems to hold her own and does very well at goalie. Hopefully rest of the season goes this well!!!

Jimmy also had his first race of the year, too bad he blew up his engine during practice. Easy come, easy go right? Anyone want to sponsor a $25,000 motor????

It's That Time of the Year....

2009-04-16T10:24:00.000-04:00

Yes, it is that time of year again when I NEVER see my husband. Between work (spring is CRAZY) and RACING...he is kind of a figment of our imaginations! What can you do? Hate it or learn to deal with it and try to be happy that he is doing something that he loves. Yesterday was his first day of practice and he said the car "felt pretty good". Thanks to my GREAT photographer friend, Dirk, for the pictures.

Happy Easter

2009-04-14T14:18:00.000-04:00

A few of my favorite pictures from Easter. Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.

Yes, she can do it!!!!

2009-04-14T14:01:00.000-04:00

With a little peer pressure from her 3 year old cousin, Allison learned to ride a bike on Easter. Isaac has been riding a 2-wheeler for a few years now, but Allison, she is another story. It took Jimmy holding on to the back of the bike while she got on and that is about it. She took off...crying the whole time. She didn't need Jimmy, she was doing it ALL on her own, but continued to cry that she was scared. CRAZY girl...issues...kind of like her mom:)! Needless to say, she did it and we could not be more proud. Ashley thinks she is going to do it this weekend...we will see!!!

Way to go BIG girl!!!!

Ya Whooo....

2009-04-14T09:21:00.000-04:00

Kaos Motorsports made its debut this past weekend in the opening race of CRA in Indiana at Anderson Speedway and we WON!!!! Way to go team Kaos!!!! It is good to know that crazy chaos can make a great KAOS racing team. Great job guys!!!!

Happy 4th Birthday Baby Girl

2009-04-09T14:13:00.001-04:00

We had a semi great day on Tuesday...it was my baby girls 4th birthday, but a very high fever rotten day for Allison. My sweet, crazy, living up to the spit-fire red hair baby girl had a fantastic day. We went to crazy bounce with my girls and all of their children, followed by lunch at McDonalds. It was a lot of fun, but I felt like I was missing something...I think it was my other baby girl Allsion. She spent the day with her Dad doing basically anything she wanted. They started the day at McDonalds eating milkshakes. She had not eaten well so I thought there are a lot of calories in a milkshake...go with it. They then went to the animal store, to Toys R Us to buy a barbie and to Bob Evan's for pancakes. It is probably a VERY good thing that we never had an only child. She got home and got worse so we went to the doctors...high temp 104 after advil and a postive strep. Ashley was such a big girl waiting very patiently for us to get home so she could have cake, ice cream and open presents. We cancelled with Grandma, Poppy, Aunt Jodi and her clan just to make sure everyone stayed healthy. Ashley is one of those kids that is "all about her" so to give up the party all about her on her birthday was a very big girl thing to do. See was OK with everything and said she had the "most fabulous day of her life". I can relate, April 7, 2005 at 8:40 pm was the most fabulous day of my life (take 3)!!! Thanks Ashley for living up to the red hair requirements and for making every day an adventure....to say the least!!! Yeah, no more 3 year olds!!!!

Stupid People

2009-04-06T11:03:00.000-04:00

OK, let me first say, my mom raised me right, I am not one to call people stupid. BUT there are times when stupid is actually a really nice word to use for these people. About three weeks ago, I get a phone call from my husband telling me that someone has used his Great Lakes Salt Co debt card to the tune of $3000. What??? He assures me that he never had the debt card and the money would be put back in the account. The fraud department at Fifth Third and the Michigan State Police were on it. It must have been mail fraud. Throughout the day, my husband realized that he indeed did have the card (at one time) and that someone stole it out of his safe at work. Keep in mind, this safe is under his desk, so to get to it, you basically have to climb under his desk. If the door is not pushed in all the way, it does not lock...in case you were wondering:)! Even better.....not!!! How do you go to work everyday with people you do not trust. Even better news the bill was up to $18,000 and because it was in his possession, it was not longer a State Police matter, he would have to start all over with Wyoming City Police. Fast forward about 3 weeks and the police finally did something. In their defense, it takes awhile to get camera footage and go through it, but come one!!! We open the mail to see an actual list of the spending habits of the thief, where they shopped, how often, and what they spent. Let me just say, I thought I was going to puke!!! In 18 days, these people managed to spend $30,355.13!!! ALL ATM with drawls and debt card purchases, which means no credit card protection. The first day alone, they used it at 8 ATM's for over $1500. At this point, I believe Fifth Third should have noticed. Jimmy has had this account for a year and wrote 4 checks...TOTAL!!! On one day they shopped at the same Meijers 8 times and another Meijers 6 times for over $3000. Honestly, STUPID PEOPLE!!!! Good news, a lot of these places have video!!! Sam's Club takes a pictures of EVERYONE that uses a credit/debt card.
Well, come to find out it was actually a guy and his girl friend from the cleaning company. He worked for the cleaning service one whole day!!! Nice!! The owner of the cleaning company identified the people and the police gave them a call. The girl came in right away, signed a confession and turned on the boyfriend. The boyfriend, who obviously is not smart and may I say VERY STUPID, has not come in. So now a warrant for his arrest has been made and we will have to see what happens. Fifth Third has put the money back into the account...for now. The owner of the company who would have had coverages to cover this under his insurance policy (that he gave a copy of to my husband...good thing when your wife is your insurance agent!), but no, he let his insurance lapse...again with the stupid people. Sorry!!! We did nothing wrong, and I will NOT be out $30, 355.13. And the story continues...

Stupid people take two! We get a call from Allison's soccer coach last weekend telling us when soccer is going to start and such and Jimmy mentions something about Isaac and the coach nicely says "I don't have Isaac on my team". What? The coach gives out the number to S, who runs the program and suggest he talk to her. Jimmy calls her and they have a discussion. She asks him if we asked for a "special arrangement to be made". Jimmy says no that they are twins, same age, same house, same check for payment that was all stapled together. Their policy has ALWAYS been to keep siblings on the same team, I would say twins are siblings!! Now let me back up and say that having twins, especially boy girl twins tends to lead to a lot of questions...stupid ones most of the time. People have a hard time wrapping their brains around boy/ girl twins, they really think they need to be the same sex and 90% of people assume they are boy twins. Not sure why that is. It has gotten a lot better the older they get, which is probably why this bothered us so much. Prior to this question, the absolute stupidest question we have been asked is "Are they identical?" One is a boy and one is a girl, albeit a small difference, but at the same time, a very major difference in "identicalness". So the lady precede to tell my husband that they do not make special arrangements for families and Jimmy says "you just asked me if I did and besides, they are twins, they should be together, they are twins!" Her response "Do they have the same last name?" OK, I will not tell you Jimmy's response, let's just say, that was a VERY STUPID QUESTION!!!! She ended the conversation with there was nothing they could do, they do not make exceptions and twins are not on the same team. Jimmy wanted his money back and she told him it was non-refundable. Three days later, she called back sweet as pie telling me everything was taken care of and there were no problems and they are on the same team. Can you say bipolar???? Oh well, at least I am not running two kids to different practices alone. This is Jimmy's busy season...we don't see much of him:(!

One last STUPID thing, this time it is not a person or question, but a bird (s). If you remember last year, I had a bird make a nest in my hanging baskets on the porch. I take it to heart...having to protect the mama and her babies. I take it personally that she felt she could be a good mama at my house. I know, I am crazy, it is nothing new to hear...my sister and husband have been reminding me all weekend. So Saturday morning, I hear this noise on at my door and see two birds flying around. Those STUPID birds decided to make a nest in the wreath hanging on my front GLASS door. Again, I will remind these birds of the three chaos children, the golden retriever BIRD dog, and the cat. Honestly!!

The science lesson in the making. My husband had to be in Ohio this weekend while all of this was going on. My dad told me just to move the wreath and problem solved. BUT, I could not do that, they had been working all day on it. Jimmy came home and told the kids they were not allowed to use the front door for a few weeks. Love that man:)!!!!!!

Happy {Preschool} Birthday Ashley and Ryan

2009-04-02T13:52:00.000-04:00

Yes, she is my daughter, sitting in front of the class all lady like and such!!!

Love these kids!!! Have a great {REAL} birthday Ryan and Ashley!!!!

I hope you feel better Jennie...

2009-03-31T10:05:00.000-04:00

This is for my good friend Jennie, who has been under the weather for quite some time. I hope this "marriage cake" of Barbie and Davey Jones brings a smile and some laughter to your world. Feel better soon!!!!

Birthday Party x 3????

2009-03-30T12:21:00.000-04:00

I think we are up to the third birthday party for the twins. Good news, I think we are done!!!! Uncle Jared and Aunt Kate were kind enough to drive up (over) from Detroit to spend some time with family at one of my favorite places bd's Mongolian BBQ!!! Yummy!!! After that we went to Jimmy' s work to have a look around, open presents, and have cake!!! It was a nice afternoon spent listening to three kids play their flutes (thanks Jim:)!) and hearing them scream thanks to their father chasing them around and Aunt Kate and Uncle Jared "keeping them safe"! Throw into the mix, the girls putting on their new bathing suits in a building that is 60 degrees and you have an idea of our afternoon!!! Glad everyone could make it...it meant a lot to the kids. Thank you!!!

Aunt Kate and the girls

Uncle Jared and Aunt Kate and the crazies

Grandma TenBrink and the kids

I love this picture of Jim. He got a mohawk and it looks really good! I hope he keeps it!!! Picture does not do it justice.

Love Totally Rad Productions...

2009-03-27T16:40:00.000-04:00

Ok, I am really obsessed with these Totally Rad photo actions (for the record, that is what they are called, not what I am calling them...but they really are totally rad!!!)

Happy 6th Birthday!!!

2009-03-27T14:35:00.000-04:00

Happy 6th Birthday my favorite big kids!!!!!

Worth Every Penny

2009-03-27T13:38:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago, my friend Jennie suggested that we go shopping. It does not take a lot to convince me that shopping is a necessity!!!! So the fab five girls were on it...until life happened and Mya could not come...we missed you Mya!!! Anyway, the four of us went and had a wonderful time eating and shopping. Literally, that is all we did for 14 hours. Life doesn't get much better than that. We went to IKEA and a scrapbook store and overall I did not spend too much. I had several things I wanted to get for IKEA; you have to buy it at the store...shipping is CRAZY priced!!! On the way home we stopped at the outlets in Kensington. BIG MISTAKE!!! I love it here! We only went to 3 stores and I managed to spend a lot money. In my defense, things were cheaper, I had no kids to yell at and most important, my kids needed spring/summer clothes. Those children never listen to me....they just keep growing:)!

I will let you be the judge.

We had to try the dresses on and take a few pictures....worth every penny...especially Allison. She LOVED the hat!!! The dress, hat, purse, shoes...everything matched!!! Love it!!!

Love this picture of the girls. Allison has never really been the loving older sister. Even when Ash was a little, Isaac was the one who loved on her not Alli. She never not liked her, she was just never really affected by her...good or bad. She is the Tude, what can I say????

Ashley looked more like a bag lady, but still cute!!!

This was not the photo I meant to upload, but you get the idea...too cute!!!

OK, here are some more pictures of the kids that I took with a little "photoshopping". I REALLY like that 70's look to photos. Something about it is just too cool!!!!

I don't know why I love this hear no evil, speak no evil, say no evil so much! It just makes me laugh, probably because these three are so EVIL!!!! It is tough to have angel wings and devil horns at the same time!!!!

Oops He Did It Again...

2009-03-24T18:17:00.001-04:00

Yes, it seems I am married to a celebrity once again.

Check it out. I am so proud!!!

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/Businesses_combine_to_save_money

It will be Spring SOON!!!!

2009-03-24T13:37:00.000-04:00

And we will see lots of this....

Isaac's Birthday Party

2009-03-23T14:55:00.000-04:00

As much as it pains me to admit that Isaac could possibly have a wonderful time (birthday party) without his mom; he did!!! I am very happy that it was the awesomest birthday party ever, just I will have to make sure I am there from now on...to at least take pictures!!! They ate pizza (anytime for 3 hours), played video games, drove bumper cars, go-carts, and played laser tag. Yeah, it was an Isaac birthday all the way!!!

Thanks Rusty for a great picture of Isaac having the time of his life!!! Finally tall enough to do it on his own!!!!

Opening presents...thanks everyone. Isaac loved them all!!!

Isaac and Jimmy self portrait!!!

At the end of the party, the birthday boy gets to spin the wheel for a prize (tickets, stuffed animal, another ride etc). Isaac won a stuffed animal. He picked out a large snake for the example on the wall. My dad took him over to claim his prize and they handed him a little snake...about 1/3 the size of "example one". Anyone who knows my dad, knows that this is not acceptable. This is the man who does not pull ahead at McDonald's when they ask him to...his response "this is fast food and I want my food fast!". He does have a point!! He has calmed down SO MUCH since becoming a Poppy, but the "prior self" came out when someone was going to cheat his grandson out of his snake. No keep in mind by this point, Isaac has the small snake, loves it, has it wrapped around his neck, named him Poison and is ready to go. My Dad is still arguing with the people over not getting the snake he deserves and if they do not have the large snake than they can just give him the "example snake." Jimmy assured Poppy that Isaac was fine and it was time to go. I do love to see my dad get fired up over something....

~I warned you Jimmy is not the best picture taker, but he did pretty good. Thanks for being a GREAT Dad James and taking Isaac to be a boy and have a boy party. It meant the world to him!!!!~

Happy Birthday Babies...

2009-03-19T12:23:00.002-04:00

My babies are officially 6 today. I am so filled with emotion. I really have no idea why I get so worked up over birthdays. I just do. I love that they are getting older and I love thinking of all that has happened in the last 6 years. Isaac woke up this morning and I was talking about what we were doing 6 years ago right at that moment. They both really love to hear the story of "them". I was telling him that we was born in the middle of the night. Allison at 12:51 and Isaac at 1:46...AGAIN, I will point out that there is 55 minutes between them...no 2nd one sliding out:)!!!!! I mentioned to Isaac that no one is allowed to mess with me in the middle of the night (yes, all motherliness leaves me from the hours of 11-7...not a good time for Kristin) and he responds with, "Why didn't you just pop us out earlier????" Excellent question, I would have loved not to be in labor with those lovely children of mine for 18+ hours. Why didn't I think of that??? Who knew I could have just popped them out on command?!?!?

Here is the first official photo of Allison Marie and Isaac James...

Allison did not want to come out of the test tube. It took them 3 times of trying to get her out (when they were placing the embryos in). We knew right then and there that "it" was a girl with an attitude. Imagine that, we were right on!!!
Isaac was active from day one, bouncing all over while Alli just was there. Again, not much has changed.

First Birthday Picture...

Allison is wearing a 6-12 month dress that is WAY to big. Isaac is in a 12-18 month shirt that he wore just for pictures...it was way too small. I love how as things change, so many things stay the same:)!

Just a cute photo for your pleasure ( 9 months)

I just love these two little people so much. Words can not express all the love I have for them. I believe everyday God had/has a plan for me and that these two little people were 100% meant for me AT THE SAME TIME!! They bring a smile to my face with the little (and the big) things that they do/are. They are bright, healthy, fun loving, lovable, exciting, fascinating, trouble-finding, GREAT kids...just to name a few.

I really do love you a little more each day. Happy 6th Birthday Allison and Isaac.

Allison's 6th birthday party

2009-03-18T10:43:00.000-04:00

Allison had her girls only party at Clippers. If you ever want to have a great GIRLY party, I would 100% recommend this place. Andy was terrific, from start to finish, she really made the girls feel like princesses.

Sign when we first walked in. Al loved it !!!

The girls prior to hair and make-up.

Allison's finished product

She is such a girly girl, can you tell????

The other princess TenBrink

Geez, I think I should have gotten my hair and make-up done as well...lookin a little rough!!!

.
Thank you girls for coming. Allison had the best time being a princess with all of you. I do have to admit, she really liked sitting in the "princess chair", while her "subjects" sat at her feet.

Allison and Bailey

Allison and Hailey

Allison and Kenzie

Al and Ash

Fun times!!! Don't worry, Isaac had a wonderful party too. In his words, it was the "awesomest birthday party ever Mom. Just next time, can you and Alli come?!?!" Love that boy. Jimmy took some pictures (Jimmy quality:)!), I will get them on here tomorrow!!

80's Prom, like totally

2009-03-17T12:17:00.003-04:00

Saturday was Prom night. I have to say that it went over very well and I think everyone had a really good time. Really, how could you not....80's music, hair, clothes (some more than others:))...friends, food and Boone's...

It was not hard for me to "channel" my 80's self. I have a lot of hair. I actually got myself completely ready in 15 minutes. When you just apply as much makeup as you can and not "control" big crazy hair, it is quite amazing how quickly things go.

No prom would be complete without a picture with my Dad

Scary thing, when my Dad got home, my mom asked him how I looked and he responded with pretty. It is all starting to make sense, Isaac gets his "wants" in a woman from his Grandfather...no doubt the boobie lovin' came from Poppy!!!!

James did not find me beautiful. He actually made me promise to shower before going to bed!

Only girl going to prom with almost 6 year old twins!

Lots of make-up!!!!

the girls...

lookin' seductive...trying to channel that 80's thing.

VERY SCARY, I have this picture from the 80's talk about a blast from the past.

Don't be scared Jodi, it will be all right!!!!

I uploaded the wrong picture of Ammy. She was a dancing fool. I will have to post more pictures on facebook...blogger is being difficult. Needless to say...totally rad time!!!!

6 in 6

2009-03-13T11:33:00.002-04:00

I have been having a really hard week. I am one of those people that get kind of sad when their children have birthdays. I know, I am crazy...Jimmy reminds me of that everyday! It is VERY hard to believe that my babies are going to be 6 in 6 day! I have been struggling with them growing up and letting them grow up. Isaac has been having difficulty with the bus this past week (well, to be fair this past year), but it seems to be happening more frequently. He just is not capable of sitting still. I am not making excuses for him, I am just stating a fact. After 3+ hours of school and trying to sit still there, he is all out of trying by time the 40 minute school bus ride comes along. I was told yesterday that (by an adult, that is rather irrelevant) that it is time for me to control my child. That if I tell him to sit down and face forward, than that is what he should do. Don't I wish it were that simple. I thought that kids would be that way UNTIL I actually had a child(ren). I do get frustrated when I go to school and see the rest of the kids being calm and normal and it is ALWAYS my child that is being crazy and out of control. But at the end of the day, you can feel like you are failing your kids or you can just realize that that is how your kids are. They don't need to be anything else. They are not falling behind in school (the big kids got their report cards yesterday and they did GREAT...Alli is social and talks to much, Isaac has a problem sitting still...imagine that!!!), they actually exceeded expectations on a lot of their requirements. They are also very loving children. They love life, people, learning. That to me is what it is important. They are functioning, capable children who just don't like to sit around...sounds a lot like their parents:)!
Anyway, here is to hoping that prom tomorrow makes me forget about the "bad" week I have had and I will actually look forward to their birthday and letting them get big:)! Don't get me wrong, I am looking forward to all the new stages of them getting older. To be honest, I thought I would really only like the "baby stage" and I think so far that is my least favorite stage (well, minus 3 year olds:)!) The older they get the more I love them as people not only as my kids, but the people they are and are becoming!!!!
Sorry for my emotional self. I told you, I will be over it in 6 days, when the new chapter of 6 begins!!! We have parties this weekend and another one on their birthday and another one the follow weekend so I guess after the 4th party, I will be all ready to start with Ashley's birthday a week later!!!!

For you Jennie...I wanted to make a new header for the kids birthday and was so TEMPTED to use last years picture with "THE CAKE", but decided not to go there and play it safe with the Meijer's cake!!!! Sorry Jennie, you will just have to look back, I can not possibly put it on my header or you would be on my blog every second...laughing:)!!!!

One More for Aunt Jodi...

2009-03-06T15:10:00.000-05:00

For You, Aunt Jodi

2009-03-06T15:08:00.001-05:00

For everyone who knows that Aunt Jodi loves animals...especially Brady....know the love is "right back at you"!