Memories of Grandma are dancing in my head

My grandma is 82 years old. She has always been an amazingly generous giver. I really have no memories of her saying 'no' to me for anything I asked for. She served and served her family much of her life. I was lucky to be one of her three only grand-kids. I have great memories of spending every Christmas Eve at her house playing games and having a huge meal and waiting to go to the Midnight church service. And also every New Years Eve hanging out at her house eating yummy snacks all night long while we played pinochle and euchre card games. I also remember going to her house after school almost everyday when I was in Jr. High, we would eat cheese and crackers and watch soap operas on TV. I remember going to the Butcher Block with Grandma to get a few items and each time we passed by the bakery area, I would wait in anticipation for her to offer me a donut. (Cream filled chocolate covered)
Yes, I have many memories of my Grandma. She loved to play cards, sometimes we played scrabble, we would watch Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune and Tiger Baseball on TV. She came to almost every sports event I was ever in, and really anything any of us grand-kids did, she was there if she had a ride.
My grandma's house had an always open door as I got older, we could stop in anytime, day or night. She loved it if we woke her up for a visit. She would keep certain foods and drinks in the house 'just in case' we stopped by.
I lived with my grandma at two different times in my life. In 6th grade our family had a house fire, and we all lived with my grandma for 6 months. And in 12th grade, we were moving into a new home in town and the house wasn't ready yet and so again we moved in with grandma for about 6 months. Yes, I have many many memories of my grandma and of her house.
It was very sad 4 years ago when she had to go into Long Term Care for good. She moved out of her home and into a medical care facility where she can be cared for. It is so sad to me that I cannot visit more often. I really treasure the talks we had sitting alone in her living room, both of us crying and just enjoying each others company. She has always been a treasure to me. I think most people have special memories with their grandma's or grandpa's, and I am thankful that my three kids have wonderful grandparents. We really can't receive too much love, can we? I mean, as parents we want to shower love on our kids constantly, we want our kids to feel loved, accepted and special. We want them to have teachers, coaches, church leaders who love and treasure them, right? And so grandparents are just another piece to the puzzle. My grandma will always have a special place in my heart.

PS. I don't recommend all the donuts and soap operas, but I am just reporting the facts. :)

The Pros and Cons to being sick at Christmas Time

Pros:
1. Justin is off work, so I can actually rest.
2. I have an excuse not to have all my holiday treats made.
3. I have an excuse not to have my house clean.
4. Kids are being super nice to me and wanting to serve like never before.

Cons:
1. Missed out on sledding with the family
2. Missing out on family movie outing today
3. Missing out on all the extra cuddle time with the kids home from school.
4. Missing out on enjoying the special holiday foods.
5. Missing out on staying up late to watch movies with Justin.
6. Kids are so bummed that I'm sick and that makes me sad
7. Have a TO DO list that needs to be done ASAP in order to still pull off the 4 day Holiday trip to Michigan.
8. Wondering if we need to cancel the trip, and how in the world would we tell the kids.
9. Eating lots of raw garlic, onions, cayenne pepper, drinking lemon water, gargling salt water, etc, etc, etc...
10. Sleeping/in bed all day. (Is that a pro or a con?? At Christmas time? It's a Con)
11. Justin is off work, and we wanted to do fun family stuff together this week, so it is a pro that he is able to help me, but definitely a con, that during this time I am sick.

Okay, I guess I can see that being sick is not a favorite for this time of year. (or ever). I know that I am not too sick, but I really want to get better way quick and I don't want to spread it to anyone else, so I am quarantined in my room until this thing is over!

Recent Family Photos

2009 Christmas Letter

Hi Everyone,
Merry Christmas! I always look forward to this time of year. I enjoy getting Christmas letters from friends and family, so I am sending one out to my dear friends and family to say that we love you and miss you and we love to hear from you all! (PLEASE COME VISIT IF WE HAVEN'T SEEN YOU IN AWHILE)

This past year has not been an easy one. Deciding to home school or not was a big decision for us. We looked into moving, we looked into private schools, we looked into me working full-time to pay for private schools, me not working at all and home-schooling again, and finally we ended up trying the public school system again.
School is going really well. I am so thankful for my boys teachers. They are kind, encouraging and the boys love to get to school early and they haven't missed a day!

Friends are a big deal, for all of us. I am thankful for good friends for me and for my kids. I pray daily for the friendships they will form over the next 10 years. I pray that my kids will BE good friends and that they will have good friends. I know that when I am able to hang out with good friends for a few hours, I am energized and refreshed in every way.

I am thankful for good health. As many of you may know, we do things a little different here most of the time. We drink organic raw cows milk, use organic raw butter, cheese and eggs. Use only organic, grass-fed meats, we juice vegetables a couple times a week to drink fresh carrot, red beet, kale and celery juice. We use virgin coconut oil (from the Philippines) for all baking and cooking. We use raw honey or agave nectar in place of sugar. And Justin and I use sprouted wheat bread. We don't eat pork. I try to make as many things as possible from scratch so that we know what's in them, and we try to eat tons of raw vegetables and fruits. Now after saying all that, I will add that I love chocolate and ice cream. And I have diligently searched for healthy alternatives. I buy this block of dark chocolate (made with all good ingredients) and so I love to make chocolate covered raisins, chocolate covered almonds, anything I can dip in chocolate I will try it. And I love organic ice-cream. Now we are not fanatics. We will eat whatever you feed us if you invite us over, or if you take us out to eat, and we splurge on holidays or special weekends, or when Honey Nut Cheerios are on sale. But, we have made a decision in our life to study, research and then apply what we believe will help us stay in good health. We take some supplements, drink lots of water and try to get lots of sleep. I exercise, and Justin has just started to again also. We are doing it together in the mornings. So far so fun! Regarding the kids, of course I want my kids to eat healthy, but I don't want to be a control freak over everything they put in their mouths. I want them to learn to make healthy choices on their own and I want them to enjoy meal time. So I try to provide healthy meals and snacks in as normal and fun ways as possible.

Five Star is still growing and reaching many youth. Justin would probably work 100 hours a week if I would let him. It is a hard balance, when you love what you do, and when it involves helping people, especially middle school kids, it's hard to shut off your passion at 5pm. It has been great for me to have the chance to help Justin some. With both boys in school I have a few free hours each week to help out at the office. Also, Justin leads a group at Manowe on Monday nights called "Adventures with God". I am hoping I can be apart of it at some point.

Justin is an incredible dad, really the best. Cameron, Jalen and Miah are so lucky. Justin and I are so different, and sometimes what he does drives me crazy,(like watching Saturday morning cartoons for two hours with the kids instead of cleaning out the garage) but the time and care he gives our kids is priceless. They love wrestle time, dodge ball time, coloring, and playing Risk with their daddy. Miah loves her special dates with daddy, and the boys love the one on one outings as well. Justin is doing Cub Scouts with the boys twice a month. Now, for those of you who know Justin, you know that Cub Scouts is not Justin's kinda thing. He is all about soccer, basketball, football, etc. Now Cub Scouts teaches some great things, but Justin is so not into all the crafty things.... but the boys love it. So for now, Cub Scouts it is. Maybe in a few more years, basketball will take over.

Miah is growing up. She turns 5 years old in a couple weeks. She is so ready for school, and she is so fun to be with. She has a very crazy sense of humor, a very tender, sensitive side, and slight shy side (when I'm not around) and she makes the most out of her place in life as the youngest child, only girl, and baby sister.

Cameron is so creative, gifted and detailed. He loves being organized, getting his homework done, and having friends over. Cameron did a 2-week wrestling camp, which he loved. Cameron is starting his first business. Dog-sitting. He loves dogs and loves to make money. Hopefully it will be a good fit for an 8 year old.

Jalen is really into wild-life, especially tigers and snakes. The main thing he wanted for Christmas or his birthday was a pet snake. Jalen likes school because of the people, but he isn't really into reading, writing or arithmetic. He likes Gym Class and Birthday parties.

About me...
I still love to work-out, but my mind-set about it has changed a lot from 10 years ago. I am much more balanced, (meaning I exercise much less than I used to), and I do it to be healthy, to prevent injuries and to cope with stress.
We are Dave Ramsey fans, but more importantly we are trusting God daily with our finances!
My best friend in all the world is my Justin. I love him more and more each year, and I am excited to celebrate our 14 year anniversary with him on the 23rd!
My favorite moments each day are cuddling and hugging my children. Miah and Jalen are still very into cuddling and Cameron does the big, long hugs. There is no better feeling than when your kids run to you with open arms, hold on tight and don't let go.

Few of my favorite books from 2009
1. It's Your Time by Joel Osteen
2. Soul Revolution by John Burke
3. Driven by Eternity by John Bevere
4. Divine a novel by Karen Kingsbury
Along with lots of others that I read this year... I love to read, all sorts of stuff. The library is my friend.

I really believe that 2010 is going to be a great year, filled with God's blessings and God's favor. There may be some rather big changes happening... but that is all in God's hands and I choose daily to trust Him and follow where He leads.

Merry Christmas to all!
Jenny, Justin, Cameron, Jalen and Miah

Miah

Today as the boys left for school, Miah was crying and crying... I tried to comfort her. She kept saying, "Jalen" "I want Jalen". I held her and told her they had to go to school. She cried and said, "But Jalen is my bestest brother and he gives the bestest hugs, I want Jalen"


2 day ago, a similar thing happened. The boys spent the night at Pops and Grandma's. After we dropped them off, Miah cried in the van. "I want the boys!" "I miss the boys", we talked her through it, but hours later at bedtime, she cried again saying, "I miss the boys, I want them home..."

I knew she loved her brothers, but I can see the bond is stronger than I thought. I love it! These three get to be siblings and friends for the rest of their lives. So glad they have each other and so glad I get the privilege of being their mom

Christmas List's for 2009

I think this is the first year the kids have put together Christmas lists (maybe the 2nd year, I can't remember). We don't make a big deal about it, but after Cameron made his list, Jalen and Miah thought it would be fun. These lists give a good view at their individual personalities.
(Cameron wrote his own, and I will spell things just as he did. Jalen and Miah said their lists to me and I wrote it down word for word.)

Cameron
1. labtop
2. spiderman toy
3. rmot cintrol car
4. for weler
5. batman lego set
6. gernul
7. nerf gun
8. nitvishin set
9. DS
10. colren book
11. scrach book
12. wii
13. telscop
14. giftcard
15. ulectric scooder
16. tekdeks
17. spiderman shert
18. winter cot
19. webkin
20. penculsherpinre
21. pgamus
22. glovsa
23. baskitball
24. batman casul
25. waoch
26. under waer
27. markers
28. book
29. noremal spiderman toy
30. bathen soot
31. tool boks
32. dril
33. blankit
34. stuft animal
35. bible
36. big spiderman colerenbook
37. toy truk
38. belt
39. stikerbook
40. drums
41. clok
42. smol shelf
43. bike ramp
44. fut ball
45. noterdama cote
46. acshin figuer
47. big bownse ball
48. sled
49. boots
50. gren star wars litsaver not shoot out
51. ripstik
52. rake
53. pant
54. gogos
55. lepster
56. pogostik
57. boksen gluvs
58. tapmesher
59. digitul camru
60. poster paper
61. shoes
62. checen bord
63. saw
64. spiderman costoom
65. aerme aerplan toy
66. buck wilder book
67. utilt nifu
68. comb
69. toothpast
70. frisbe
71. spiderman notbook
72. siserc
73. mewcik
74. spiderman wocketokes
75. bioncul
76. werk gluvs
77. enything spiderman
78. colerd penculs
79. boerd game
80. enything you wantid to git me

Jalen
1. pet snake
2. Aqua-man coloring book (Justice League)
3. Transformer stuff
4. Sled
5. Batman underwear

Miah
1. Cookies
2. Christmas and Birthday presents
3. little teddy bear
4. decorate the table
5. putting stuff on the Christmas Tree
6. catch butterflies
7. make a birdhouse/feed the birds
8. flowers on the table
9. stuffed animal - cat, sheep, lion
10. glass cup that we can decorate
11. real pet lamb, mommy, daddy, cow, horse
12. real alive book
13. coloring book
14. chex mix
15. bible for mommy
16. Christmas doll
17. 5th birthday present
18. Bird food and fish food
19. Real dog & real cat & one cage (b/c dogs chase cats)
20. 2 collars
21. a meal

Cameron's "I'm Thankful for" Paper

Cameron's teacher gave out this assignment this week, and Cameron completed his last night. I will type it for you as he wrote it. You will need to sound the words out, as there are many that are not spelled correctly.

I'm thankful for my mom and dad becus they love me and git me nice stuff. And I'm thankful for all my grandma's and my grandpa's. And brother and sister becus they are fun to play with and be with. And I'm thankful for my church becus I go there a lot and I see my friends and do lots of fun and cool arts and crafts and it's a lot of fun to be ther. I'm thankful for my houws and things. I am thankful for the miltare becus of fredum and I'm thankful for anmals becus ther fun to have and play with. I am tankful for God becus he creatid the uoonvers and planits and peopl. I'm thankful for my school. And teacher. And clas mats becus I git to learn at school and play with frends and have fun and stuf like that. I am thankful that my dad haz a gob and my famly haz mune to buy food and stuff. I'm tankful for fun holdays like crismis and hallwen. I am thankful for berthdays and supris paretes becus thaer fun. And I am thankful for spoerts becus its hard and cool to be able to do. I'm thankful for moves becus its a speshul and fun wuns in a wiul thing to do. And I am tankful for my cusins becus they nice to play with and have over at my houws. And I'm tankful for my room and being abul to have a bed sow I can slep in a cumfritubul plays. I am thankful for plec becus they cep us saf and unhermnd. And I am thakful for toys becus they make you happe and joyful and ther fun to have to play with.

Okay - here's a little interpretation.
houws = house
miltare= military
uoonvers= universe
gob= job
mune= money
paretes= parties
abul= able
moves= movies
speshul= special
wuns in a wiul = once in awhile
cumfritubul = comfortable
plays= place
plec = police
sow= so
cep= keep
un hermnd= unharmed

Thankfulness

Today I am thinking of all I am thankful for. Sometimes I can get so absorbed in my small issues, problems, circumstances that I begin to forget the big picture. I have been reminded by a few special friends, recently, how much I have to be thankful for. There are people all around me going through tough circumstances. Loss of jobs, cancer, divorce, surgery, broken relationships, unemployment running out and still no job, husbands having to be away for weeks at a time to find work, etc.
It hits me right in the heart. If I were to rate my 'problems' my 'issues' compared to those, mine seem so irrelevant, so minor, so not worth talking about.
I have much to be thankful for. I have nothing to complain about. I have many to pray for and to encourage. I choose to keep my eyes on Christ, and I choose to focus on how I can help and encourage others.

Update on the past couple weeks

I am not sure where to begin. The past few weeks have been so fun, crazy and purposeful. I started helping Justin at Five Star the second week of October and I love being apart and I love feeling and knowing that I am needed and that what I am doing is truly making a difference.
We were working on this Annual Big Event that is coming up on November 14th. It is called "Change Our World". It is a service day/fundraiser/celebration rally. All our Five Star middle schoolers will be there and about 500-800 adults from local businesses that provide the funding for Five Star to be in these public schools. It starts at Penn High School and then everyone disperses to 3 different area parks for the clean up day. Every gets an event T-shirt and a free lunch from a great restaurant that sponsors the day.
So on October 14th Justin found out about the "America's Giving Challenge". He signed Five Star up for it, but the next 4 days for him were packed full of prior commitments, so he wasn't able to talk to anyone about it or even think much about it until the 19th. He told me about it on Tuesday the 20th, and I looked it up online and saw that we had 2 votes total and the other non-profits had been doing this since October 7th, and they had over 1,000 votes already. I was not very optimistic, but I cast my first vote. After we discussed it more and I heard and saw the passion he had and the determination in his heart, I said "I'm in".
The next 2 1/2 weeks we put as much time and energy into this project as possible.
The major highlight for me was the Elkhart Chambers Biz Expo. We put together a Five Star team of volunteers (about 20 total), and we rallied votes for 4 hours! It is fun to work together with a team of people for a common goal. We met so many people who have a child or grand-child or student who's been in Five Star and we've heard so many great stories. Also calling parents of Five Star students was encouraging. The parents are seeing good things and truly appreciate what Five Star is doing for their kids.
On Friday, the final day of the America's Giving Challenge, God performed a miracle. Early Friday morning Justin shared a voice-mail with me from an old friend. It is a moment that meant a lot to both of us. At that moment, we both knew in our hearts that God was at work and that we were going to see a miracle that day. At that point, Five Star was in 14th place and about 200 votes from 12th place. The other 'causes' were rallying too, so we needed to not just get 200 votes, we needed to pass the other teams. Amazingly people joined in and made phone calls all day! Seriously about 20 or more people gave their whole day to rally as many votes as possible. I watched as the votes just poured in. I calculated that Five Star received about 90 votes per hour. And they kept coming! At about 1:00pm we made it into 12th place, and I cheered so loud that Miah thought something was wrong! I couldn't stop cheering! By 1:30pm we were in 11th place, then 10th and then 9th place. (The top 12 finishers receive award money.)
It was a really cool experience to be apart of and so amazing to see Michiana care! Five Star is reaching students in the public schools and there are so many more students to reach. Without funding, Five Star can't move into more schools, so it was fun to see people care and to see them take steps to help.
We are now working hard, gearing up for the big celebration/service day on Saturday the 14th!
So, that's what's up for me.

Dear Five Star,

(Letter from a 7th grade boy)

5 Star,
Two years ago I was a problem child. In my 4th, 5th, and 6th grade year I had 4 police reports filed against me. I was suspended in 6th grade for fighting. Throughout my 3 bad years I was jumped 3 times. Not only was my school behavior bad, I was worse at home. I didn't do chores, broke stuff, and I was disrespectful. My mom had recommended military school and was ready to send me. Early in my 7th grade year Seth came to Schmuker and told us about 5 Star! To be honest, I only joined because there was free food and a way to get away from my crappy life.

The first season of 5 Star wasn't special for me. I had brought my attitude to 5 Star. I figured after a while the coaches would give up on me just like my dad, my "cool" friends, my sisters, and in my eyes (at that time) god. But for some reason they wouldn't give up. I cussed at them, I beat up kids, and I didn't care. But they wouldn't give up. Second season was hardly better.

I don't know why but season 3 changed me. I just became a 5 Star student! I was respectful and just different. At this time I'm a great kid. I even made honor role. In two years 5 Star has saved my life! Thank you all!

(Letter from a mom of a 5 Star student)

Dear Coach,
You need to know how important what you do is to at least one boy. My son, ________, at 13 years old has been let down, dropped, or abandoned by every man in his life so far. His father left, Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization told him they'd match him up and didn't, teachers in school who said he was too much of a problem to deal with because he couldn't sit still, cub scouts and boy scout leaders who continually forgot him, his step father who started out telling him he could talk to him anytime and now isn't very nice to him at all, and various others like fathers of his friends who would invite him to come along and something would come up. One of which told him he could come over to his house anytime and hang out with the boys and then moved without even telling him goodbye! All have promised to be there for him and then were not. Now, please understand I am well aware that most of these were not done maliciously or even on purpose. It did become expected for my son to assume that anytime a grown man offered help to him it wasn't going to happen.

Until 5 Star! I do not exaggerate. He has never been forgotten or left behind. When you've said your going to be there, you are. When you've said your going to call, you have. Everyone with this organization has been consistent on keeping their word and respectful of him always. He will have this example in his life (so far) a group of men kept their word to him and didn't forget him.
He has even begun to allow himself hope in new relationships with men he is associated with at church. Thank you so much for giving him this gift that may seem to you so simple, but for this boy so vital at this time in his life at this age.
Thank you,
his mom

Cameron... my list maker

I am a list maker, but mine are never this neat! So yesterday was Sunday, and with setting the clocks back we had an extra hour, and we thankfully had nothing planned for the day except church. So Justin and I took an hour in the morning to hang out and talk about the day and write down some things that we needed/wanted to take care of (rake leaves, clean out gutters, groceries, kill spiders, etc). And Cameron noticed us making our lists so he decided to make his own lists. The first is his grocery list.
1. garlic toast
2. beans
3. whip cream
4. Orange Juice
5. Lemonade
6. ice cream
7. chicken
8. honey mustard
9. turkey
10. cheese
11. oatmeal
12. cream of wheat
13. strawberries
14. potato chips
15. crackers
16. organic cookies

The second list is the daily TO DO list. (It's gonna be a busy day!!!!!)
1. play basketball
2. go on a bike ride
3. play video game
4. wrestle
5. go to play ground
6. color
7. go to shoe store
8. play bocce ball
9. do puzzle
10. sew my costume
11. go on trampoline
12. play with bat mans
13. run around the neighborhood
14. clean house
15. do writing workshop
16. nap time
17. go to Barnes and Noble
18. play in costume
19. go to the zoo

So it was quite a day. We declared it no computer day before we got out of bed, which was really nice for everyone! We did clean the gutters and rake the yard. Justin even took all three kids up on the roof with him. They loved it (I prayed hard). Justin and the boys took a bike ride, wrestled and colored. Cameron and Miah did a puzzle, I cleaned the house alittle, and we all missed the nap time. Justin and Jalen played Bocce Ball, Cameron and I went grocery shopping (with my list, although he is quite persuasive and we got a few things off his list too.) The day ended well, and all 5 of us were in bed by 8:30pm. Now that would be crazy, but hey, with daylight savings time it was like 9:30pm, and we wanted to start the week off rested and energized! Fun, Fun weekend!

Dear God,

(A letter written by a Five Star student after summer camp this summer)

Dear God,
I can't lie, life sucks. Things have a way of falling apart all at once and leave us stranded with no way home. There's times that I feel like I have nothing, like I can't go on. I've been beat down, haunted and convinced that I am nothing, I have nothing and I will amount to nothing. But that no longer gets to me! Today I say no more, and give all my heartache and pain to you. Today I let it all go. Today I say no more pain. No more cutting. No more endless nights on the bathroom floor wondering why I'm here. No more believing that I am not strong. No more letting people break me down. No more being scared of future. I'm done being hurt. I'm done being scared. Today I will stand and walk in your word, and grace and know I can make a difference. I should not be scared. I will be strong. Today I take my life back and I'm living it the way I want. Here I am. I'm done being scared and I will not give up. The future is unknown and the unknown is scary, but I will no longer be afraid. I will do good. I will no longer fear my destiny and obstacles, but embrace them with courage, faith, and positivity. I am strong.... 7/22/09

Phase Autobiography by a Five Star student

Five Star Changed my Life
Courage, respect, responsibility, integrity and sacrifice are traits I never really thought about until I became involved in an after-school club called Five Star. It is a social group whose aim is to build self-esteem and teach life lessons to young people. Since being in that club, I think about these valuable traits on a daily basis.
At the beginning I wasn't sure if I would like Five Star, but I decided to do it because my friends were joining. After meeting our coaches and listening to the goals of the club, I became very excited about participating because I really wanted to work on becoming a more caring person. Wednesdays now became my favorite day of each week because of Five Star.
My favorite part of Five Star was going on a day trip to Camp Manowe and trying new things that related to the goals of the club. A few things we did that were related with the goals were: we went on a high ropes course to show courage, we gave up things we didn't need to charity for sacrifice, and helped clean up the camp for responsibility. I had a great time helping out the community and it taught me a lot on how little things can make a big difference.
During the eight week course of the club, my view on courage, respect, responsibility, integrity and sacrifice changed. I try to put myself in an others shoes, and think about how I would like to be treated. I try to help out people who are not as fortunate as me. I try to show as much respect to others as I possibly can. I was taught how to improve these skills every Wednesday in my favorite after-school club, Five Star.

The Opposite Poem by Jalen Maust

I am happy when I am cuddling with my mom. But I am sad when I am not cuddling with my mom.
I laugh when my dad tickles me. But I cry when my dad gives me a spanking.
I am energetic when we are going to the mall. But I am tired when it is night time.
I am brave when someone is in trouble. But I am scared when vampires are under my bed.
I am helpful when someone drops their books. But I am lazy when I am silly.

Jalen Maust, 1st grade

Attitude

By Charles Swindoll

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change the past..... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...
I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it."

My Precious Cameron turns 8 yrs. old

At Cameron's Birthday Party last night, we did a little game I call, "8 Questions for our 8 year old"
This was his response to a few questions:
1. Favorite Food? for dessert- Carrot Souvle,
for regular food - salad or turkey sandwich
2. Favorite Subject in school? Writing Workshop
3. Favorite Sport? Basketball and Soccer
4. What I want to be when I grow up? 1. Artist 2. Archeologist 3. Soldier/Army
5. If I had $500, what would I do with it? Get a laptop computer
6. Favorite Hobby/Activity? Art and Recess
7. Favorite Super-hero? Spiderman
8. Favorite Animal? Dog

It is amazing to think I have been praying for this little guy for at least 9 years now. His life is in God's hands. His past, present and future are marked out by God Almighty.
This is one of my daily prayers for Cameron:
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Cameron, I love you. I am honored to be your mom. God has entrusted you to me and Daddy. God has entrusted you with many gifts, many talents and great ability. You are gifted. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are chosen and set apart. Great days are ahead. I believe in you. I love you. love, Mom

Laughter is good

At this point in life, I really want and need to laugh. I am trying to find things that make me laugh. It is good medicine. I have enjoyed some very funny 'you-tube' videos recently. My friends on facebook post some that they think are funny and so yesterday I watched some and then Justin wanted to see what I was watching and then all the sudden we have three kids on our laps and we are all five watching 'you tube' video clips. Laughter is fun. When I first got into facebook, I thought it was weird and maybe even stupid. But, it only took me about 3 days to really like it. I love to hear what is going on with my friends or even my long ago friends who I haven't seen in years. I seldom get on facebook without laughing or at least smiling big. So it is good medicine for my soul.
Also, church this morning was great. I laughed, I cried, I laughed some more.
There are certain people who can always make me laugh. I love to be around people like that. When we lived in Caro, Lane and Brook Walker were those people. They were so fun! And in Mt. Pleasant, Ryan Stockton always had something funny to say. Chris and Heather Cerbins were also very funny!
I am so thankful for all the fun, funny, even crazy people, they keep all the rest of us serious people from being too serious.
Even just now, as I am writing this, My little Miah made me laugh. BIG TIME. Here's what happened.
Justin and I are sitting reading and typing. He says, "Ew gross- look at that." I see a very used Q-tip on the floor next to wall and the dresser. It was definitely sat there on purpose. I just vacuumed the floor yesterday, so I know that it hasn't been there for long. I tell him that. We call for Miah. She says "no, I didn't put that there, I don't know how it got there. I don't know" So I say "what would you do with a q-tip after you use it?" she says, "I would put it in the trash." I say, "What if someone was in the bathroom and you couldn't get to the trash, then what would you do?" She thought about it and said, "I would take it to the trash in the kitchen."
So just as she was leaving and we were calling Jalen in, Miah says "oh, I don't think I put that there, I might have, but I don't remember." I say, "You might have?" she says, "Yeah, I might have, I don't remember."

It was so funny, we had her pick it up and throw it away, since she 'might' have. LOL

Trying to put a song on my blog.....

Fun Visit with Friends from 'back in the day'

A couple weeks ago now, I was lucky enough to take a short trip up to Holland, Michigan to hang out with some amazing friends. The bummer was that our whole group couldn't be there, but five of us were able to make it. My two boys didn't come (they had school) and Jody's son Austin was also missing (at school). But, otherwise there were 15 kids there ages 10 - 1.
I had a great, great time. Most of these girls were apart of a 'group of us' from when I went to CMU, and then after I got married and quit college, but stayed connected with them for many years to come. So Basically from when I was 18 till 25. So we have many great memories together, Sunday nights, many weddings and showers, Christmas break trips, etc.
I think of these girls often, and I often wish we lived in the same neighborhood and that our kids could all be best friends. But, then I remember that we are all married, and all following God on the path He has for us.
So for now, I will be thankful for, and treasure their friendship, even from afar.

Today is the day

I feel this way a lot, but seldom take the time to put it into words, so I am taking the time today.
My heart is full of love for my family, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness, love, and joy. I am so blessed to have three healthy, bright, loving and creative children. They make me smile. They make me cry. They make me laugh. They ask me tough questions. They keep me on my knees in prayer. They make me a better person.

And my dear husband is so solid, so consistent, so funny, so honest and truly my bestest friend. He loves our kids. He listens to me with love. He loves me. I am so thankful we are at this point in life and I look forward to each new day.

Our God is real. He is faithful to us and to His word. He answers our prayers. He cares. He cares for my kids, even more than I do. He loves my neighbors, my friends, even my enemies. He created us all. He is not mean and judgmental. His love never fails. He has a plan for me, for Justin, for Cameron, for Jalen, for Miah. His plans are good. I am thankful.

This is Only a Test

Please October Come!

I am so ready for a new month. For many reasons... lots of change is on the way for me. This is my last week of work at Peakfast. A part of me is very sad to be done there, but most of me is very excited for this next season of my life! I have total peace about quitting my job as a fitness instructor and I am anxious to focus some of my time and energy with Five Star. Now as always, my number #1 is my family and home life, but the few extra hours I have each week will be used to help Justin at the Five Star office.
October is also usually my favorite month, weather wise. I love the cool, breezy, sunny weather. The trees start to change colors, the flip-flops get put away, the sweatshirts find there way out, and I start doing some Christmas shopping.(Actually did a tiny bit yesterday)
The school year is now in full swing. This week the boys are auditioning for the school play... not sure how that will go, but an adventure it will be. I am amazed at how much homework they both have. Today we spent about 2 hours doing school projects, which, yes, they have 1 week to complete, but it is so much easier to do the whole project at the same time than to do 15 minutes a day for the whole week!
The next 4 weekends are quite full, so please keep us in your prayers, Justin will be working/away from home much more than normal this month. All for great reasons, but we will still miss him all the same!

My ramblings.....

Well, we had a great week. Many Ups, not really any downs. I am totally loving this fall/summer weather. It is my favorite!
Reading the book "The Penny" by Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford. It's novel and I am enjoying it.
Tonight we had a family night. Also celebrating some good news! So I did something that we really "never" do, I ordered Pizza! No pork of course, we got it with grilled chicken and extra sauce! So Good! Also picked up a movie from the Library, 101 Dalmatians.
I just found out that Justin has to work tomorrow, so now I need to adjust my weekend thoughts and keep a good attitude :).
Sunday we have a Birthday party for my nephew. Jordan is turning 4 years old and I am looking forward to celebrating!
I had lunch at the school today! So fun to see the boys in their school world. (And so glad that they want me to be there!)
Lots to work on with my little Miah. She is starting to believe that she really is the Queen of the World! Being the youngest and the only girl, we have to be really careful about not spoiling her or letting her think 'more highly of herself, than she ought'. She really is a sweetheart, but this little roll the eyes and say "whatever" attitude ain't working with me or Daddy.
Cameron is reading like crazy! He has a love for it, and he is great at it! I am a little surprised, seeing as I home-schooled him 1/2 of last year and I was quite worried that he may be behind in school. He is definitely not behind at all! (I also credit his 3 wonderful years at the Montessori School.)
Jalen loves school, but his favorite part, he says, is lunch! He is learning to read, although with him it depends a lot on how tired he is or not. After school he is pretty tuckered out, so he struggles to read these tiny little books, but when he reads on the weekends or after dinner (if he's not too tired) than he does better.
We adjusted our morning routine to get up earlier. Waking the boys up at 6:30am, gets us out the door at 7:30am great! Much more relaxed and fun. (My boys love getting to school early, they want to be the first kids there.)
I have a special trip next week, going to see some wonderful old friends that I haven't seen in way too many years! Can't wait!
Well, that's all for now, leave me a comment, let me know what's up in your life!

Day to Remember

Today I enjoyed my three little blessings.
I have about 520 Sundays left with Cameron at home, about 572 with Jalen still living at home, and about 700 Sundays left with Miah still under 18.
I want to make the most of those special days. Sundays are typically family days in most homes. It is in ours. Making memories is something Justin and I talk about often. We want to be intentional about it! It is not always easy, life seems to take over so often. There is always something to be done around the house or at the office.
So today, I decided, I will not waste this beautiful Sunday. We are going to make memories! It really was a great day, everyone got along and enjoyed each other! I am thankful and looking forward to making every day count!
These pictures seem to capture much of the day, except for the frisbee catching, rock climbing, and swimming!

60 minutes with out kids- What would you do?

I get to ask myself this question every now and then... and the crazy thing is that I have a hundred things to do, BUT, it is really hard to decide what is the most IMPORTANT thing at the moment and the thing that I can't do some other time with the kids. Sometimes I don't really do anything... I spend the whole time thinking..."What should I do?"
My list looks something like this:
1. Go run 3 miles
2. Sit in the sun
3. Read a good 'fun' book
4. Take a shower and actually wash my hair too!
5. Vacuum the basement
6. Scrub my bathtub and clean my bathroom (Haven't done this in almost a year)
7. Grocery Shop or misc. shopping
8. organize photos and put in photo books (I haven't done this in about 3 years)
9. call a friend and just talk
10. take a nap

Well there is my top ten! What about you... if you had 60 minutes (unexpected) that you had no responsibilities/ no job / no kido's to look after. What would you do?

My Favorite Chapter the Past Couple Weeks

Psalm 25 (New International Version)

¹^a]">[a] To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;

² in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.

³ No one whose hope is in you
will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame
who are treacherous without excuse.

⁴ Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;

⁵ guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

⁶ Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.

⁷ Remember not the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you are good, O LORD.

⁸ Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

⁹ He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.

¹⁰ All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
for those who keep the demands of his covenant.

¹¹ For the sake of your name, O LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

¹² Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD ?
He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.

¹³ He will spend his days in prosperity,
and his descendants will inherit the land.

¹⁴ The LORD confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.

¹⁵ My eyes are ever on the LORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.

¹⁶ Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.

¹⁷ The troubles of my heart have multiplied;
free me from my anguish.

¹⁸ Look upon my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.

¹⁹ See how my enemies have increased
and how fiercely they hate me!

²⁰ Guard my life and rescue me;
let me not be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.

²¹ May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope is in you.

²² Redeem Israel, O God,
from all their troubles!

Is Life Hard?

Miah and I were having a snack today and listening to the radio (Family life radio).
Miah says, "Mom, is life hard?" I say, "What do you mean?" Miah says, "The song on the radio says life is hard." I say, "Well, it can be hard... without Jesus" Miah says, "So the person singing the song doesn't know Jesus?" I say, "Well, I don't know about that, I think sometimes even when we know Jesus we sometimes forget to lean on him and trust him." She says, "Yeah cause Jesus sees everything and we can always talk to him, like he can see right through the ceiling of our house right now. And he can see in the radio and he hears the person on the radio."

Amazing to me the things our little ones are thinking about, and the phrases they hear in a song that gets them thinking.

My Shining Star!

Cameron started 2nd grade a couple weeks ago. He is turning 8 years old next month! And he is growing into a sweet young man. He is shining in so many ways!
He is working so hard at his school work, doing a great job in math, reading and writing! And a huge plus is that he is enjoying school!

On Tuesday this week, Cameron received a Shine Award at school. Yes, oh yes, we are pretty proud of our little boy!

Shine on Cameron!!!!

"You are the light of the world... let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

Family Update

Hey all! Been awhile, since I could blog, so much going on.... Mainly - School is back and very intense for the first 2 1/2 weeks! I have written at least 8 different checks to the school in the past couple weeks, and signed my name, filled out numerous forms and read tons of papers and emails, all about school-related stuff! It's a full time job! I am finally feeling in the grove of this school routine, up at 6am, kids up at 6:45am, breakfast, vitamins, teeth cleaned, dressed, last minute gathering of stuff, changing clothes again (this weather has been crazy- freezing in morning- but hot by recess!) So, out the door at 7:30am (that's the goal)- so 7:39am leaving the drive-way!

We are back on the 20 minutes a day of reading with Cameron and Jalen! Cameron has homework every night, but thankfully, it goes pretty fast.

Anyways... things here going good! Thankfully we have great teachers! Off to a good start!

Yeah- we have a 3 day weekend! I need it!

Tri-athalon- Three Rivers, Michigan

Justin's first ever TRI-ATHALON SPRINT! He did AMAZING! I was so proud! He finished in 1 hour 20 minutes! He is hooked, loved the biking and swimming, not so much the run, but the whole experience was a 10! Thanks to Josh King for planning the day and inviting Justin to join him!

Family Photo's

We did our "once every few years" family photo's. Lots of fun, so amazing how much fun the kids have, yet trying to get "real" smiles can be tough!

I'll post more some other time!