March Recap

After reading Amy's (of A Commonplace Life) post i remember march I thought I'd follow suit and look back at the pleasant things that have happened over the last month that have made me happy. I am so tired of the yucky weather. I have seen enough snow and brown grass to last me a lifetime! I am beyond ready to plant my flowers and get some sun on these white legs. March has been a slow month, which is a good thing as April is beyond busy for us. Simon turned 5 this month and my reflection revolves around that. These are a few of my favorite photos from March 2011.

For his breakfast birthday Simon wanted pancakes. 5 to be specific. Alex was brilliant enough to snap a picture of me lighting the candle.

For his cake he wanted a Teenage Muntant Ninja Turtle cake. Being the ever so crafty {{wink}} {{wink}} mom that I am I made this beauty. The green blobs are each of the Turtles complete with their respective colored ninja eye things.

I found out that my puppy-nephew likes to beg, via his daddy's shoulder, for birthday cake...or maybe there is something good on the iPhone?? Who knows?

Simon was so greatful for all his birthday gifts. His best Buddy got this big hug after getting the best gift of all, a Kingdom Hearts game for his Nintendo DS. I hope his daddy is always his best buddy.

Since this week is our Spring Break I am going to try and spend more time with my blog and crafts and quilting. I am going to pray for no snow tonight. There were big ugly flakes this morning...hopefully that is the end of it.

Once upon a time there was a sweet little boy. He was born 8 days before he was supposed to be. His mother had the days to March 20 counted down on her calendar, she really didn't like being pregnant. Especially with this little character. He just kicked and tossed and turned in her belly all night. There were several times when he seemed to be trying out his Ninja Turtle moves and tried to kick through her stomach--she could see his foot print he was kicking so hard.

Well, this little boy's mommy and daddy decided to do some shopping on a brisk, early spring afternoon. This required a lot of walking for the mommy. During all the walking she had a funny feeling something special was going to happen. It was almost as if she knew it was going to be time soon. When the mommy and daddy got home the daddy was tired so he went off to bed, but didn't get to sleep very long. The mommy had to wake him up because she was right, it was time for the baby to be born!

All that night the mommy and daddy anxiously awaited for their little boy to be born. The mommy was in a lot of pain so had to have some special medicine to make here feel better, but a nasty, mean ol' lady gave it to her and didn't do something right. The mommy felt better for a little bit but not for long enough. When it was time for the baby boy to be born the mommy felt like she was going to explode. But finally Simon Cooper was born.

Oh how happy the mommy and daddy were. And Grandma Carla timed it just right and her and Grandpa showed up just a few minutes later and got to share in the excitement of Simon Cooper's birth. Simon's brother and sisters got to stay home from school that day and were all so excited (when they got to come see him of course).

But by this time the mommy wasn't feeling so good. You see the nasty, mean ol' lady had punctured a needle into her spinal cord and she was leaking spinal fluid....which gave her the worst headache she could ever imagine having in her life. She was so sick she couldn't feed her baby boy the way mommies should feed their babies. She didn't even want to hold him or have him in her room, because she couldn't take care of him. The mommy was very sad. She felt like she was the worst mommy on the planet.

But finally a nice doctor was able to come see the mommy and fixed her spinal cord. She felt like she was taking a dip in a nice warm bath tub. The pain miraculously went away. It was the best feeling in the world. The mommy was so happy. She finally got to see and hold her baby boy like a mommy should. The baby boy and mommy never did get the feeding thing to work out though, but they sure did try.

After Simon Cooper came home his aunt Staci and cousin Marker came and stayed a few days. Aunt Staci took some very cute pictures of the sweet baby boy. The mommy was so happy to have them around. Except, all the mommy wanted to do was sleep because all the little boy wanted to do was eat every. three. hours! That's a lot of snacks in the middle of the night. The mommy started to get real cranky and the daddy wasn't really sure why. He thought the mommy was sleeping all day with the baby, so how could she be tired and cranky? What a crazy daddy.

Well, some time has passed since that day. Now this little boy, Simon Cooper, is 4 years old. His mommy and daddy love him so much. He is so funny. You can't be around Simon Cooper without laughing and having a good time. If you haven't met Simon Cooper yet, hopefully some day you will. He is definitely worth having as a little buddy.

Happy Birthday, Simon!

Is it bad of me that yesterday was Simon's 4th birthday and I don't have 1 single photo to share?

Is it bad that all we did for his birthday yesterday was go to McDonald's {his choice} for dinner then left him home while we went to a basketball game?

Is it bad that by the time we got home from the basketball game he was passed out on the floor and didn't get to open 1 single present?

Is it bad that he probably had more birthday fun at the babysitters yesterday than he had at home?

If you answered no to all of these you can still be my friend! Sunday's the big party day!! Grandma and Grandpa are coming over and he's going to be getting some awesome presents! I can't wait. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and share them with you. Plus now my mom is getting more proficient on the internet and will be looking here for pictures, I'm sure. :)

Hopefully your Saturday isn't as dreary as ours is here. Enjoy your weekend.

"Since you've been gone....."

Alex turned 11 and had a few friends over. Alex had been talking about his party all summer and having a water balloon fight with everybody. Wouldn't you know, when we went to buy water balloons we had a hard time finding them. We did end up with 2 packages for a total of 72 (which I thought would be plenty). They went through them in about 15 minutes and then broke out the hose.




Simon ran around the house with no clothes on. Only underwear. Does this surprise anyone? I love how he's gripping his fists. This makes him "runfaster"







The boys played one of their favorite outside games. Ride the skateboard down the driveway. Simon did have clothes on for this. His spooky Spiderman costume.







School started. Here is Alex with his girl friends. He's such a womanizer.








Yesterday during the Michigan football game, Simon wanted to wear the helmet. He normally is terrified of this mask and calls it the spooky guy. He wore it long enough for me to get just 2 shots. This was the best. And what do you know....only underwear!


Enjoy your week.

Writer's Workshop: How can I not be giddy?

For those of you who don't know me in real life, today is a very special day for my momma and me. 31 years ago her favorite daughter was born (that's me for those of you who had to ask)! I think my 'official' birth time isn't until 5:35 p.m. or something like that but we're-a celebrating all day.

The boys have offered to do anything and everything I ask today. Like making me cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Emptying the dishwasher. Doing laundry. Vacuuming the floor. Cleaning their rooms without being asked. How can I not be giddy about that! What great boys I have!! I just <3>

Another thing making me very giddy is "my" room. I've been in somewhat of a cleaning/organizing mode lately and my room was victim on Monday. I cleaned up and sorted through some junk valued possessions.

I even brought out my red table. Which is quite fitting as my afore mentioned mother bought it for me at an auction for my birthday several years ago. It came with god awful yellow vinyl covered chairs that she recovered in this cute checkered material. I just love this table and now I have so much more room to sew and make stuff.

I'm just so giddy!

Now on a not so giddy note, when did I get so old? 31. I mean come on. 30 was cool because who doesn't want to say, "Yeah, I'm 30"? But 31 just is one year closer to 40 or 50. This is the first birthday that has made me feel sound old in my head. I know you are only as old as you feel and before today I still felt like I was in my 20's but now, I feel 31.

I don't like feeling the age that I am. And I know 31 isn't OLD per say but I feel like it is. Maybe when I turn 32 I'll feel better...but wait that sounds way old. Oh, no....I'm old! So I guess I just answered my own question....this is how I can not be giddy....thinking about what an old lady I am.

Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back and sign Mr. Linky. For good comment karma try to comment on the three blogs above your name!!

The Prompts:

1.) They just don't make (fill in the blank) like they used to!

2.) If you had the time and money...what charity would you help raise awareness for?

3.) What are YOU giddy about?

4.)What's on YOUR little kids list?

5.)Describe what brought you closer to your faith.

Happy Birthday!

Happy 14th Birthday, Laney!

My latest creation

I've been eagerly awaiting the day I could post pictures of this quilt, and I finally can.

I wanted to make a special quilt for my sister-in-law for her birthday. However I came up with this idea 4 days before her birthday. Needless to say it wasn't done in time. I did get it completed and sent off and she received it yesterday.

I have found that most quilters name their quilts and I chose the name 'Life' for her quilt, because some days are calm and cool and others are wild, crazy and full of activity, just like this quilt.

I hope that she enjoys this quilt as much as I loved making it. I can see her now, snuggled up with it and a good book on the couch.

Everything but the backing and some of the white came from my stash. I have been wanting to make a scrap quilt for some time and was glad I finally got one put together. It was so easy and fun to just start sewing. I didn't have to worry about seams matching up, and even with the quilting I didn't get too worked up that the lines are very crooked ....that's 'Life'! :) You can even see a leftover square from my Hole in the Wall quilt.

I'm sure you've been dying for this....

....ok maybe not. I'm sure Staci will enjoy them, that is if she can get away from her book stash long enough to read my blog! Anyways here are a few of my favorite shots from Simon's birthday at my mom's.

There is nothing like 'kissin cousins'. The tables were turned this year. Last year Simon was all over Ali and she didn't want anything to do with it. This year Ali was all over Simon. It was pretty cute.

Then Simon had enough, and said, "Stop dat Ali!"

He got 2 baseball bats, a ball and glove set and a t-ball set, plus some non-baseball stuff. He loved it all!

Here's dad showing the lil' slugger how to hit the ball, like Simon needed showing. He's major league all ready.He had several great hits. Not too shabby for only being 3.

I found out at the party that I had the opportunity to go to Florida for a weekend in April with my mom, Mike (step-dad) and Emily. Abby and her husband Chris are going down the same weekend but they aren't staying where the rest of us are. Nothing like a free weekend away!

The weekend here was gorgeous! We played ball outside this afternoon, and did a little cleaning up. Not too much, because I'm sure we will still have cold weather and I don't want all of my little sprouts dying off.

Did some major saving today. My mom read my post about coupons and had several for me to have. CVS is awesome. I can't wait to get some more extra bucks. My receipt got thrown away but I'd assume I got about $30 worth of goodies for $10! (Actually it was $14, but I have $5 in extra bucks to use next time.) Didn't do too bad at Meijer either, saved $32 all together with coupons and in-store savings. I'm becoming a saving freak. Joey made fun of me for getting so excited. But then he went on to say that I 'better be saving money for that trip to Florida'. Men!

Well, I guess that's all for now. Have a great week!

Happy Birthday, Simon!

Well, it's finally here. The day my baby boy turns 3. I just can not believe it. It seems like just yesterday that he was born, and I was a grumpy mama because I was up every 3 hours all day and all night. It was terrible.

But today was not terrible.

It was great! Simon has been talking nonstop about a Batman and Joker that he wanted. He opened all the presents and came to the last 2. He started to open them and said, "Dis iz my Batman!" (Before he saw what it was.) Well low and behold it was the Batman! He literally screamed, "AHHH, BATMAN!" when he opened it. I have no idea how he knew. The very last gift was the Joker and he called that before he got it opened too.

I had picked up 4 packets of Skittles, his candy of choice, to be gifts from the kids, and as he was opening them at the beginning of the night he kept wondering if that could be his Batman. Even though all 4 were wrapped in tissue paper and the same size he never thought that they could all be the same thing, and was just sure that one of them had to be his Batman.

He was just so fun. As we were singing Happy Birthday to him he kept looking away like Mr. Bashful that he totally is not, and smiling at us. Once we were done, dad told him to blow out the candle and he did on his first try. Dad wandered how he knew how to do that. I'm sure that was something else he's picked up from his countless hours in front of the TV.

We get to have another party on Saturday at my parents' house in Indiana, and we finally get to see Ali again. Even though it's only been a few months, it seems like forever.

Have you watched Cat in the Hat? The one with the real people. It came out a few years ago. Well do you remember in the beginning where Mr. Humberflube is introducing a new employee and the employee reaches out and shakes Mr. Humberflube's hand? And after the hand shaking Mr. H hollers, "You're FIRE--DUH!" Simon has been walking around saying that for a few days now. He's saying it now to Batman and Joker. "Your Fire Duh" and he does this cute thing with his head to emphasize the duh. Oh, how I wish he would just stay my little guy forever!

Soccer, Cross Country and a Beleated Birthday Party

And that is all in one day!

Alex played against his old soccer coach for the past two years on Saturday. Alex's team the Tigers won 5-2, and he scored 3 goals! We are afraid he might be developing an asthma issue. He could hardly breath after his game yesterday and was pretty scared, as was I.


Mariah is running on the Middle School's Cross Country team, and they had a meet yesterday. Mariah placed 23rd out of about 45-50 girls. Her time was about 40 seconds slower that her meet earlier in the week, but it was a hot muggy day on Saturday and she walked more because of that. We are glad she's out there participating and excited to see how she does.

After Alex's soccer game he had a belated birthday party at the local bowling alley. 4 boys and 1 girl came. The poor girl was bored out of her gourd! All the boys were talking about was wrestling, and just being dorks, so her and I hung out. She rides my bus so I know her pretty well. She's a great girl.


We broke up into teams 3 vs 4 and I'm not sure which team did come out ahead. I know I got smoked the first game by the 2 boys on my team, but I creamed them the 2nd game!!

I used to think girls bickered about silly stuff, but these 4 boys did noting but fight over the 'rules' to pool. The argued about the rules and where the cue ball was supposed to go. Boys.


Today has just been a lazy day. No school tomorrow! Our county fair is this coming week and all the kids in the county get Monday off. I've never understood why the fair is so late, other than teachers like the excuse for a day off. I'll be driving the band to the parade so no day off for me. :(

Happy Birthday, Alex!

Well #10 came and went without much fanfare this year. Just a little get together at our house with Alex's grandparents and cousin. He has a party planned for next weekend...bowling and a sleep over with a few friends. He's almost half way to his laptop, $$ wise, that he's been dying for.

Remember you never know when your picture might be blogged about, so always be sure to show your best side! He was making fun of how his sister smiles...now we have proof that he looks just as goofy.

Of course I'm running to get the batteries when the funniest thing of the day happened. Simon just walked up to the cake and blew out the candles. This is the shot I did get, of him waiting patiently to help brother blow them out.

I'm a dork...I know...but I just thought the sprinkles looked so lovely on the cake.

This is some brotherly fun after the festivities were over. Simon was singing Spongebob Squarepants, and the Umpa song from Willy Wonka, but of course again the camera wasn't ready. Story of my life.

My middle school girls played their 1st game last night. I only have 6/7 girls depending on the night so it was a double header for us. We defeated our opponents 7th grade team in 2 games, and was beat by their 8th grade team is 2 games. Our first match against the 8th graders was 24-25...it was just all down hill from there. But the girls did an awesome job. Everyone said we looked really well.

The father of my least {and when I say least, I mean least. Hubby thought I might have been over exaggerating, but said I was right with her skill level...or lack there of} talented player commented to me that he was surprised that his daughter even went out for the team. And said she doesn't have an aggressive bone in her body...he's right on there. They have a son who runs cross country for our high school and he said he'll be going to those meets from now on and won't be at many volleyball games. I could truly care less where he is, but I do feel sorry for the player on my team. How can a parent choose 1 child's sport over another? The son is a very talented athlete but I can't imagine not rotating back and forth between the two or something. This kind of stinks for me because I could use this mom and dad's help at games...keeping our score book and running the score board.

I've been feeling lately like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. Literally. I've came home from my morning bus run with a headache the past 2 days now, and snuck in a nap while Simon was watching movies. Between 3 teenage-ish step-daughters, 1 son who is becoming a 5th grade snot, kids on the bus, volleyball practice and games, trying to keep up with the house during the day so hubby doesn't have to do anything at night, never having enough money, the mother-in-law....I'm overstressed! But Simon just knows how to say the sweetest things and make me feel better. We worked outside a little this morning cleaning up the dying flowers and plants from the summer {fall is definitely just around the corner}, came in a took a bath and then I fixed his requested potatoes. After he was done eating and Dora was over...without even being told he got up and put his dirty fork back in the drawer {lol} and his plate and glass {and I do mean glass glass} into the sink. I could tell by the sound it broke, but hey no biggie. I just simply said, "Uh-oh sounds like you broke it." Got up to clean it up and showed him that yep it's broke, and he said, "Sorry, Mom." With a smile on his face like, OOps guess I broke it now what? What a dear. Yesterday we were attempting to play catch with a tennis ball and baseball gloves which of course didn't work too well. But Simon kept saying, "Come on, Mom." When I wouldn't hit his glove right on so it would go in. Then he would say, "Nice try" or "Good try." He is just a ball to be at home with. With all the money problems and stresses, I'm much rather be at home with him than freaking out stuck in an office. I'm glad I'm able to stay at home and raise this one. Maybe I'm more sentimental about it because he's the last one...and just so darn cute.

I really am lucky.

Happy Birthday, DAD!!

Happy Birthday, Honey!

Remember you should always try to take a good picture, because you never know when you will appear on my blog...even if you didn't sign a release so I could put your picture on the internet.



Me and a couple of the kidos enjoying Dad's special day!

So for his birthday today, I'm going garage saleing and he's going to stay home and watch some football. Isn't it great getting old!?!

We have been very busy since my last post. So instead of telling you what we've been doing, I'm going to show you with photos.

Mariah's 11th birthday was last Thursday (21st).
Her cake request was chocolate on chocolate.
It was nummy good! ~ As spoken by Simon

We got her a laptop case.
She thought it was pretty cool!


This past weekend was the Sweet Corn Days.
Mrs. Mary Swartz was the Grand Marshall.
There wasn't a more deserving person.
The theme for SCD this year was volunteerism, and Mrs. Swartz is the perfect example!

Simon enjoying the parade from behind a pole. What a doll baby!!


Joey, Alex and Mariah were a part of the Metaldyne (dad's work) float.
Dad's the hottie in the stripped shirt in front,
Alex is next to him and
Mariah is towards the right side/back in front of Mr. Boy Scout.



Alex participated in the Guitar Hero contest.
He won a trophy for most original.
Here is is versus a friend of his.
And hey, look I'm in the picture too!
(Holding the camcorder for those of you who don't know me.)


Miss Shelly (Wykes) {a librarian at the library} rockin' out during the Guitar Hero contest.
She was a lot of fun to watch!

Taylor and her friend Nick enjoying the Guitar Hero contest.

Laney helping her friend Kim at the Library's snack stand selling goodies.

And here we are today. Recouping.