Really?

This is random, but I have to post it so that I remember it. It is a confirmation of an earlier post......about Jaideyn being everything that I am not.

Jaideyn has a huge LOVE for the tigers. I like watching them also.....but I just watch while doing other things and then move on. I do not commit it to memory.

Anyways, tonight I was driving home from getting groceries with Jaideyn and I told her the Tigers were on tonight. She got super excited and asked if she could watch the game. I told her it started at 8pm so she would be able to watch a bit of the game. She was freaking out with happiness! Then she said to me "Oh I wonder who is pitching...probably Scherzer." I replied that I didn't think so because he pitched last night (which I now realize he did not). Jaideyn said "no Mom, Fister pitched last night and Verlander was the night before. So, I'm sure it is either Scherzer or Sanchez." 

When she said this I laughed and told Tim about it when we got home.....thinking he would laugh also. He did not. I think he was one proud Dad.  Because it turns out she was exactly right. I did a little research (yup, I had to look it up) and discovered~Fister was last night, Verlander Tuesday night, Sanchez was tonight and Scherzer is scheduled for Saturday night. 

How does she know this stuff!? She just gets it. For me it is just entertainment and fun to watch for an evening (part of the reason I laughed was because I was sure she made up the name Sanchez. Nope she did not. He is a pitcher for the Tigers. Who knew?) I don't worry about details. Just whether they won or lost. Jaide knows the pitching schedule. Oh how I love her little mind. All in a nice little organized compartment where details matter. Oh I so wish I had that brain.....and she is only 8!!

God's blessings

I am feeling love today. God's work! It is just a "normal Thursday" around here....but feeling so blessed. I was able to spend time with some wonderful friends today. Only a few minutes with one....but she always brings a smile to my heart. And I spent the afternoon with another friend catching up and chatting. And also cuddling and loving on her precious and beautiful two week old. That is always good for the heart!! God truly put these friends in my life for a reason.
I am also feeling the love for my family. My wonderful husband who works his butt off everyday for us, and then still has the energy to coach 18~ 5th and 6th grade boys (something I could never dream of enduring!!). And then he comes home to do the kids bedtime with me and gives hugs and kisses to us all.
And our 10 year old son who is working so hard on his school work and football. I know he is exhausted most days, but he just keep giving his all. His determination is amazing me. He is struggling with a subject in school and he is working so hard and showing himself and us that he CAN do it. He is also working his butt off and loving football. He never complains and always has a positive attitude about practice. Our little man is becoming a fine young man!
Our 8 year old daughter who is so full of energy and life! She is the energizer bunny. No challenge is too great for her. As she says "you will never get it right if you give up and don't keep trying." She is everything I am not (compassionate, kind, organized, on the ball, a hard worker, positive attitude, observant......and the list of amazing qualities could go on and on!) I love that God sent her to us so that we could learn daily from her.  I love her hugs and kind words, I always know they are from the heart.
Our 6 year old daughter who has an imagination that does not quit. And her endless "collections" (when the kids are missing something their first question is "Avery where did you stash it?") She too is so full of life. In a very different way than her sister, but equally as awesome. I love that she can be mad and screaming at me one minute and the next minute telling me a joke and laughing and hugging me. She too is showing a determination that I have never seen before. She wants to learn to read (FINALLY!!!!!!) And she is doing it! Overall, all she has to do is smile and I smile with her.
I have been convicted by the Bible curriculum that we are doing this year. It is Who is God? And can I really know Him? I am teaching this to the kiddos and it has presented in my life in a very real way. I have committed to seeing God in my life. It is often hard for me to do on a "normal Thursday." But I am realizing that if I open my heart to it, even a "normal Thursday" is filled with love and blessings that I have often over looked. This time I wanted to write it down so that on a hard day I can look back and see God's blessings are all around me......I just need to enjoy them!

Maybe we are back?

Today I received another email saying that my photo project is waiting to be finished. The one I started in 2012........needless to say I am no longer a good photo album maker. For awhile I made two albums a year and kept up on all my photos. I have let that slide and am now so overwhelmed with it all. I started thinking about how nice it was to blog every once in awhile and then at the end of the year make a blog book and call it good. We all love looking back at it and enjoy the memories. So, maybe I should start blogging again. Not sure if I will keep up with it, but thought I would give it a shot?!

The kiddos have grown up a bit since 2011. Life is busier and just as overwhelming, but in a different way. Now instead of trying to keep an eye on the kids and wonder what they are getting in to around the house, we are trying to keep an eye on the calendar and trying to make sure each one gets where they need to be each day......and on time!
Oh how life changes in the blink of an eye. Some days it seems so crazy but I know that I would not trade it for anything. I love these little blessings and I thank God for them most days....oh, .I mean EVERYDAY!

Winter fun

The kiddos are taking a science class at Blandford nature center. This week they learned about what different animal tracks look like in the snow. So, as our own lesson we made different animal
prints out of cookies and frosting!

This is Avery dancing. During halftime at Jackson's basketball games they play music really loud and Avery enjoys dancing to it. It has become a little tradition for her.

Also here she is painting. One of her most favorite things to do. And yes, I am a mean mom. I make her take her shirt off if she wants to paint. I have scrubbed paint out of one too many shirts!

Once a month we get together with other homeschool families for a gym day at Church. During this time the kiddos run around, do crafts, play legos and eat yummy treats.

Our little Aves and her buddy Ty. We had the Dejong family over for dinner and Avery requested that we set up this table for her and Ty! So adorable!

Aves being silly!

Jackson and Jaideyn playing one of their favorite games.

Aves with all her stawberry shortcake business that she got for Christmas. This was money well spent. She can sit for at least and hour setting all this up and playing with it. She has an amazing imagination!

Christmas

Merry Christmas with the Koster family!

MERRY CHRISTMAS with the Brink family!

Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We were blessed again this year with way too many gifts!

Fun times

We finally have snow! Enough to build a snowman even. This was all Avery talked about for weeks. We would get a bit of snow here and there, but never enough to build a snowman. Finally we woke up and looked out the window and there was a ton of snow. Aves didn't remember ever building a snowman, so this was all new to her. So, first thing in the morning we bundled up and headed outside to play in the snow and make Aves dreams come true~a snowman was made.

Avery is a bit accident prone. She is always falling, tripping or bonking into something. And each time she does one of these she cries and screams as if someone just chopped off her arm. And there is no consoling her. She doesn't want you to talk to her or look at her "owie" she just wants to scream and cry and be held. So, that's what we do. At a sale I found these little "boo boo bunnies" and thought they would be perfect for Aves and hopefully it would take her mind off the hurt so she wouldn't scream as much. So, I explained how they work to her and told her we would keep it in the freezer and next time she had a "owie" we would get it and it would help her feel better.

Well, guess what? It worked like a charm. The minute she got hurt she would start crying and head right to the freezer. I would give the bunny to her and she would be so interested in it that she would forget to scream. Thank you God for little blessings!

Jackson sledding on his new snowmobile sled that he got for Christmas from Uncle Chad.

Our little dancing princess.

Dad and Jackson doing a little reading.

Jaide and Avery putting together the world puzzle for their geography lesson.

Enjoying the birds at Grandma Greats.

A day of hanging out with Grandma Great. We enjoyed lunch, a walk, watching the birds and finally a treat from Grandma.

The neighbors house in under construction and each day we see something new. This day it was a big digger. Thank you neighbors for providing hours of entertainment for the kids and hours of quiet time for mom!