North vs. South

I am enjoying a good laugh today from several of my friends who live further south.

Last night they got a dusting a snow and school was cancelled, LOLOL!

I know it's because they don't have the equipment in the south to deal with the messy roads because they don't get snow on a regular basis.

But I just think it's so funny how we'll get two feet and it will be -10 degrees and our kids are out there standing at the bus stop! LOL!

But then on the flip side, I wouldn't know the first thing about hurricanes and tropical storms like they get either. Those are the kinds of extreme weather they deal with, whereas we wouldn't know the first thing about what to do in a situation like that.

Today while I was standing at the bus stop it was so cold, I was actually getting a headache. I cannot stand these sub-zero temperatures. My body is rebelling!

Our poor trampoline is caving to the weight of the snow. This has been one harsh winter...just too much...too quick. Bleck!

Thanks Jen!

I have to start this post by thanking my friend Jen from CafeMom. Not only did she give me the "umph" to get this blog up and going...

If you look to the side...I "FINALLY" got a recipe for chicken & dumplings, WOOHOO!

Thanks Jen!

Evan will be thrilled when he comes home from school and smells chicken and dumplings!

He has been BEGGING me to learn how to make homemade chicken & dumplings! I have been asking people for recipes to no avail...and FINALLY I found Jen's on her blog! Woohoo! Thanks from all of us Jen!

We can't wait to try them tonight!

Officially done with winter!

Sorry...just couldn't resist the image of this 'toon freezing her booty off. Because that's exactly what we're doing here...freezing our booties off.

We have officially decided we are done, over, and through with winter.

We've had it.

No more snowblowing.
No more shoveling.
No more actic temperatures.
We're done.

It's getting to where it's making us really irritable.

Every single weekend we get dumped on. We have to figure out when we can plan our trip
to the grocery store.

And trying to keep the driveway constantly clear for my clients is another story. And you can be sure, just as soon as Jamie goes out and snowblows or I go out and shovel...the county truck will come by and throw a huge icewall in front of the driveway.

Done, had it, over it.
We are all ready to move south!

He did it!

Well, Nate did it!

He got his first "mini-filling" at the dentist yesterday. He was such a good patient. If you look at the picture, it's on your left (his right)...on the top, second to the back. LOL!

The dentist said that it was so tiny, more of a soft spot that hadn't turned into a full fledged cavity, but was on it's way.

She said that it was more the "anatomy" of the tooth, the reason he even got it in the first place because that tooth had such a deep "crevice"...that it would be nearly impossible to get a toothbrush in there to keep food out. She said it wasn't due to him having poor brushing habits. That made us both feel good.

He didn't even need it numbed! He did awesome! Took about five minutes and he was done!

We went to check out...he got a toy from the treasure box AND the receptionist gave him AND Evan a certificate for a free kids meal at Red Robin! How cool was that!

Nate came home and said, "I LOVE THE DENTIST!" LOL! He said that last time we went for cleanings in the fall too. Most people can't say that. I'm glad he's off to a good start!

Crowns and fillings...but not both for teeth...royalty and dental, LOL!

Well, here he is..."KING" Oreo. Nate made this crown for Oreo today. He looks absolutely thrilled with it doesn't he? What royalty! LOL!

The boys are off school today...Records Day.

Nate has to go to the dentist at 4:15 to have a little "spot" on his tooth worked on. It's just a very small spot. Not even really a full-fledged cavity. More like a "soft-spot" that she didn't want to develop into a cavity. She doesn't even think she'll need to use the regular "drill". She said she'll probably just "clean it up" and he may not even need an actual "filling"...I think there may be something else they use for something this small. It's pretty common with younger kids. I remember seeing one done when I was doing my internship in the dentists' office. He doesn't seem nervous...yet. Either Jamie or I will go back with him probably.

This week has seemed soooooo long. I don't know why. The days aren't dragging...but the week itself has lasted forever! The daycare kids have been good. Things have been pleasant in that respect. Maybe it's been the stress with Jamie's job. I don't know. I'm looking forward to a nice, relaxing weekend at home!

Feeling sad...

A little blue today.
Don't really feel like sharing...except to say...I could use prayer.
...prayer for God's will...prayer for direction...
Hopefully soon I'll be able to update more on the situation as things come to pass. It's probably just another test of faith.

Other than that...it's been a typical day. The boys are at school. Today is their last day for the week. No school tomorrow due to Records Day. I'm actually glad. I enjoy having them home. The older they get, the more help they are to me during the day. Any extra set of eyes in my line of work is always a good thing! LOL!

It's snowing like crazy. The temperatures this week have been bitter. Hasn't been above 10 degrees. And the windchill is awful. They've been keeping them inside at recess too. You KNOW it's cold when Zeeland keeps the kids inside, LOL!

Think I will make one of those Tyson pre-cooked/packaged roasts for dinner. They are so quick, easy...and GOOD. Will throw together some mashed potatoes and stuffing. A hearty meal for a cold day.

Well, that's it for now...hopefully I'll be back with good news soon...I'm still feeling blue worrying about some things...whisper a prayer for us! Hugs!

The ups and downs of life...

Tonight was church. Evan came out of Royal Rangers with two more badges. He got a Bible Merit...1 Peter and also his Computer badge. More sewing for mom to do! LOL! Nate is in the midst of working on several more as well. It is always a competition between them to see who has more. I am so thrilled that we have such an awesome Royal Ranger program at our church and that the boys like it so much. The men who work with them are so dedicated to the program and to the kids. I love it.

Today when Jamie came home from work, he was a little down. He found out his supervisor gave his resignation on Friday and won't be back. He's pretty disappointed, as his boss was one of the things he liked best about his job. They got along really well. I am just praying the next supervisor that comes in will be just as great or better and that Jamie will like him as much or more than his old one. Jamie is such a hard worker. I'm so blessed to be married to him! Shhh, we won't let it go to his head. LOL!

Enjoy them while they're little!

I've decided I need to quit worrying so much about having a perfect house...it just isn't gonna happen. The laundry is done, the dishes are washed, the floors are vaccuumed...the house is clean enough...for today. I'm not going to agonize about keeping up with the Jones' anymore. My home is clean enough, "lived in", and homey! We are a family...and it's time to start spending more time as a family.

Even though Jamie is working, I've been trying to spend more time in the evenings playing games with the boys. We've been having alot of fun. They're only young once. I don't think they'll remember how "perfect" the house was, but they'll remember how much fun we had playing games together!

"Snow" much for a blizzard!!! Pun intended...teehee!

Well, we're under another Winter Storm Warning. Big surprise there, huh? I am already sick of winter and it's only January. I think that's a pretty bad sign. So far, so good...nothing yet, except frigid temperatures...but they say 6-8 inches is coming. I don't think my body is "Michigan material". I am ALWAYS cold. I 'm even cold in the summer for crying out loud! Come on spring!

The boys were hoping for a snow day today. They took every precaution including wearing their jammies inside out, flushing ice cubes down the toilet, and sleeping with spoons under their pillow. No such luck. Oh well. They'd have been bored by noon anyway.

Well, I'm going to keep this short today...I have a furry black & white creature...Oreo...sitting on my lap trying to type with me. He is vying for my attention. If it's not the kids...it's the cat. LOL!

More later...

No more dilly-dallying...time to get this thing going!

Well, I've procrastinated long enough...

I've seen so many people's amazing family blogs and decided it's time to get going.

I started the initial process of catching everyone to date...from how Jamie and I met, to the birth of our children...now it's time to chat daily!

Today is a new day and I'm FINALLY enjoying my job again. I have a good group of kids and families to work with. When one feels at peace with and enjoys their job, life is a whole lot better in my opinion.

Evan has "late starts" this week at school due to the exam schedules. Do you think he'll sleep in? NOPE! LOL! Nate will be a little jealous I'm sure that he has to go in earlier than Ev. LOL! They are both off school on Friday. It's almost report card time again! Oh boy! They both are really good students. We always see the Honor Roll...sometimes by the skin of our teeth...but alas, we make it! LOL!

Jamie had his dr. appt. and it is looking like he will need surgery for his arm. We're kindof at a "wait and see" right now, as he has to talk to his boss regarding "work-related injury", "restrictions", etc. Hopefully this will correct the numbness, tingling, and lack of use he's had with his hand/arm. Prayers appreciated.