Any Doctor Who Fans Out There?

A few months ago I introduced my kids to one of my favorite tv shows... Doctor Who.  I LOVED this show a few years ago, and then when we moved I wasn't able to have BBC America, and so I didn't watch it for a few years. Suddenly I realized it was on Netflix and convinced the kids to watch it with me. After the first episode they didn't need convincing. In fact... we had to tell Haley she was limited on how many she could watch in a row, because Rob was going to lose it if we didn't watch something... anything else.

At Halloween Davis wanted to be the 10th Doctor.. which is both my kids' favorite so far.  This is what we came up with...

And then I started getting on Pinterest and seeing all of these fun things to buy for Haley for Christmas.She wanted to be a Weeping Angel for Halloween and I just couldn't make it happen in time.  So to make up for it, I made her this. :) 

 Who knew that a $4 hoodie and some mending tape would make a girl so happy? I was promoted to Best Mom Ever status.  This is fairly significant coming from a 14 year old girl! lol

So what do you think?  It was SO EASY!!!

Woah!

Last month my daughter went to her first high school dance. It was pretty exciting... even though it made me feel ridicuously old. :/ Wasn't it just a couple years ago that I was going to dances?? Oh wait, it was like 20, lol. 

So the crazy thing is... I had put my dresses into a closet and forgotten about them. When we moved, I found them and figured we were so close to dance time that I might as well have Haley take a look at them. She fell in love with one, and asked if she could wear it. NO PROBLEM! Are you kidding me? Hello free dress!  So we went and got some cute shoes, a great necklace, and got a manicure.  She looked gorgeous!

 

I know right? Pretty fantastic? he was very specific on how she wanted her hair done... right down to the curls left out at her temples.  When she left I went and found the picture I knew I had of me in the dress.  Are you ready for it?

 

Yup... that is crazy.  Just wish I could find one of me standing to put them next to one another.  Thinking back, I had no idea how beautiful I was... but looking at Haley, who I know looks AMAZING... and then seeing how similar we look in these pictures... well it makes me realize that we all think of ourselves how we choose. I had no idea that I was beautiful. I hope Haley realizes it. Every. Single. Day. Love this girl.  

Turns out my kids are gorgeous

Just have to share these, since I can.  Every year I take pictures of the grandkids for my now ex-mother in law for her birthday.  This year I took the kids to a spot in dowtown Grand Rapids to take them.  It was so fun this year, since they are all old enough to listen, and they can all show their personalities. :)  I had forgotten how much I love photograhy as a hobby.

Anyway, here are some pictures of my awesome kids and their cousin Paige.  I love these pics. ;)

Something new...

After making purses for 7 years, I just couldn't make another one. I needed to feel creative. I needed to get my hands dirty.  So I got some reclaimed wood... and started working.  What do you think?

A new family

Like I said in the last post... I'm engaged. I didn't mention though, that he has four amazing kids.  So... yeah, we will be the Brady Bunch.  Our kids, as of today, are ages 4, 6, 8, 11, 14 and 18.  I am now that person that you stare at at the mall, lol. You know who  I mean. that lady that you're wondering if she brought her kids friends with, or if they are really are hers. ;)

First there is Travis... He is 18 and hilarious. Not too many words come out of his mouth, but when they do, boy does he make you laugh.  That or you want to smack him. Or both. ;)

 

Then there is Christian.  He is 8 and has the best giggle I have ever heard. When he laughs, I laugh too. Every time.

 

Next is Caden. At 6, this boy is like no other. On Rob's birthday he got a call that Caden was going to the hospital, because he had a rock in his ear. Of course, he did, lol.

And Malea. the youngest of four, and just 4 years old herself, she is a feisty one.  I mean, you would HAVE to be if you had these brothers. And well, if you have Rob as a dad... you're gonna be feisty. ;) 

When all 8 of us are at church on Sunday... we take up a whole row. It's cra-zay.  But it's never dull. ;)

Will it stick this time?

So... it turns out my daughter wants me to start posting again.  She said I "NEED" to.  So I guess I will start with a short update.

Umm... I'm engaged. Yup. To the most amazing guy ever. And he's really good looking.  And did I mention he's fantastic?  I went to high school with him. Then when we were both going through divorces we starting chatting on facebook.  He is funny, smart, hilarious, inappropriate, (did I mention funny?) and so so good for me.  Here is doing what he loves most... making me squirm...

Haley started her freshman year this year. Dude.  She is gorgeous, smart, and funny. You know, like always.  ;)  Here is is before her first homecoming dance...

Davis is in 6th grade this year.  He is kind, sweet, and adorable. :) Again, like always. ;) 

 

So for right now.. life is awesome. :) 

 

Now let's see if I can keep this blog thing going...

 

 

Growing too fast...

Okay, I'll admit it... I'm getting back into blogging slowly. Dipping my toes in the water. But I'm doing it. ;)  How about an update on the kiddos?  Let's see... Haley is 13. EEEEEK.  Yes, I shrieked a little. She's smart, beautiful, and a tad bit of sassy. Same Haley... just older. ;)

Here she is with her cousin Paige.

And then there's Davis, who is now 10!  Two in double digits! My sweet Davis has grown up so much since I blogged last. He is still my sweet, sensitive jokester... but boy is he "older". Not as much cuddling these days. ;)

Being a single mom has certainly been interesting... and I know it's been hard on my kids adjusting to me not being around as much. But I have been so proud of both of them.... they have stepped up to the challenge well. :)  I miss them every day when I'm at work! <3

Things that have made me smile recently...

I have a little folder on my desktop. In it, I keep pictures of things I see on facebook, or another blog that make me smile. Some of them are projects that I'd like to do some day... some are just words that make me smile. Here are a few...

Here we have an amazing piece from A Little Bit Funky (link to the right!) The color just brings JOY to my heart!

Wise, wise words. I found this on Pinterest. I have lived these words.

Another Pinterest pic. I want to feel the rain. :)

And this one... this one hit me. LOVE. Going to have to order this and hang it in my home. You can find it here.  My favorite line? "If you are looking for the love of your life... stop. They will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love." I don't think this could be any more true. Stay tuned to hear more about that one. ;)

Wow

Tonight I had an amazing meeting with some wonderful ladies. We sat and discussed the things we do to make ourselves happy... we shared things about ourselves, and I got pumped. Loved every minute of it. Then I had to give out  my blog address and suddenly I wondered how long it had been since I had posted. Wow... almost a year? That. is. crazy.  The past year has .. but I am happier have been in a long time. So now my goal? To start sharing that happiness again. Tonight I was reminded that there is power in words. And I miss this. <3

It's getting chilly

As the temperatures begin to drop, our daily habits start to change here in the Midwest. We find our winter coat deep in the closet. We go buy a new pair of gloves. We find that ice scraper deep in the trunk of our cars. We eat more soup. We get out the crockpot. And we start drinking more hot cocoa.

When I was a kid my mom would make a huge batch of hot cocoa at the beginning of the year, and we would have it for the entire season. All we had to do was warm up some water on the stove (or now in the microwave!) and we had instant comfort. Now I do the same for my kids. You know you want the recipe! So here it is. :)

• 10 cups dry instant milk

• 4 3/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

• 1 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 3/4 cups powdered non-dairy creamer
In a large mixing bowl, combine milk powder, confectioner's sugar, cocoa powder, and creamer. Makes about 15 cups mix, or enough for about 45 servings. Make sure to store in a sealed container.

I usually add about ½ cup to a cup of hot/boiling water. You can add more or less depending on how strong you’d like it to be. Don’t forget to add the marshmallows!

Suddenly

Suddenly, I have a middle schooler. Suddenly... I'm having conversations that I really don't want to have.  Are you ready for this? If you're not sitting? You should. ;)

The other day Haley and I were hanging out in the living room. Hanna Montana was on, though neither one of us were really watching it.  And Haley asked "Mom, do you remember how HM's mom died?" And I said, "I'm not sure, I think she was sick. Cancer maybe?" And she said something to the affect of  "Was it that disease if you have sex too early, or if you mix your blood?"  I was in awe. And trying desperately to figure out what she was asking me. 

Upon questions, I figured out that she was talking about AIDS/HIV.  But wait, did she say having sex too EARLY?  Wow... is that how the school explained it in the sex ed class?  Hmmm... that's what she took away from it.  And so... I got to explain to this precious, innocent face....

about STD's.  And why it's best to only have one partner in your lifetime because if you have sex with a  person that has had sex with five others.. it's like you've had sex with those five other people if they have contracted anything. I think at one point I used the word sex 5 different times in one sentence. (Gasp!) I was totally cool. Totally together.  And they she left the room and I thought... Did that really just happen?  ;)

Can I just say... that I love my daughter? I love her for asking... I love her for having the courage to ask any question.  And I love her for listening to the answer, and really wanting the TRUTH.  She is pretty amazing, that girl.  I just don't know that I'm ready for her to be a woman. ;)

I love me some Davis

My son is hilarious. I'm sure not everyone thinks so.... but for me?  He can make me laugh when I'm grumpy, angry, sad, or already smiling.  In the car last night, he had me rolling.  Let me share. ;)

My car recently had some work done on it, and I've been borrowing a car.  Davis made a comment that it sure was nice to have windows that roll down in the back seat. (Our mini van has the pop out style).  I told him that I was sorry... we were about to go get the van. He said "Well that sucks." And I looked at him and said, "Hmmm... I'm not so sure you should be allowed to say that." He replied, "That sucks? Why not?"  I said, "Well did you know that is Grandma Cathy's LEAST favorite word of all time?" and he said "Well that SUCKS!" And gave me a wink. I was cracking up.  I wasn't even able to explain why he couldn't say it anymore. I had to call my sister to tell her.  (To explain... my mom always  made us say "That sucks popcicles" because she didn't want it to be implied that we could mean something else. We still joke about this... since the idea of it meaning something else hadn't occurred to us!  lol).

While I was telling my sister the story, Davis was trying to get my attention. When I got off of the phone I asked him what he had needed. He said "I don't know, something about.. CHEESE!".  I know it's hard to give the effect in writing... but he is just a nut. He couldn't remember so he said that instead. Well, I giggled and said, no was it about Aunt Susan's car? (My sister was in a car accident last week, and I had asked her if she had gotten everything taken care of when we were on the phone).  He said, "Oh yeah!" And I said, well everything's okay but someone hit Aunt Susan's car with their car. And he said "Wow, that person must be REALLY STRONG!" And I about peed my pants laughing!  He is just so quick.. and so dead pan when he needs to be.  The perfect comedian. :D  Hope you at least giggled a little. ;)

Still Breathing...

Recently Kelly O. posted and asked if I was okay. :)  (Thanks sweetie!!)  It made me realize that I haven't posted in months. I guess I knew... I've just been too busy to do anything about it.

Life is good. My neighbors have settled in and realized we aren't awful people... and we found an amazing family down the street that the kids love. Five children... all homeschooled. There is more than enough fun to go around. ;)

In  my personal life, I've gone through an interesting several months.  Well, two years really.  If you read my blog you know that Ross moved to New York almost 2 years ago.  He has been living with his female friend since he moved there.  He came to visit here in June, and brought here with after I requested he not. After a year and half of waiting and patience, I decided that enough was enough. I filed for divorce a few weeks later.  I've been a single mom for 2 years... but juggling it all got harder this summer, since I now have a part time job AND the markets and craft shows that I participate in.  Keeping up the blog was just too much. I do hope to start again... as this really is something that I enjoy. I have met some amazing people along the way. My daughter enjoys reading my thoughts, and I love that for years to come she will be able to look back on this blog and smile. :)

I thought I'd post a few pictures from the last few months so that you can see that we really are doing well... and hopefully you'll get some more updates soon. ;)

I'd say from that look that they are doing okay. It's been a tough few months for them... and for me.  There are many things I'd love to say... but for their sake I will just say that I know things will be okay. And that I'm ready for what is to come. Life is good. ;)

Want to help?

So here's the deal... this is going to be a long post. Prepare yourself. :)  We all know I'm wordy... but this may be a little extreme.  So I'm just giving you a head's up. :)

As you all know, we recently moved to a duplex a few minutes away from our old home. I love the setting... gorgeous back yard, in our price range, great neighbors on the other side of the duplex.  It's fantastic. Except that there are some really crappy neighbors.  The first night we were there (just bringing some stuff over) a girl pushed Haley down the hill.  The next day a boy told his dog to "get them" and gestured towards my children.  The next day a mom came over to tell me that it is a rough crowd, and that she heard her boys using words she didn't approve of with my kids.  This is the only house that has parents who pay attention. No, I'm really not joking.  There are kids everywhere, but no parents save this one mother trying to raise her children to not do what every other kid in the neighborhood is doing.  Sigh.

So to get to the point..  on Saturday my sister (she rocks!) was helping me finally get my stuff from the old house.  We left our three children at my home while we ran there to load up the car. While we were there I got a phone call from Haley saying that there were some kids harassing them in our yard, and she had asked them to leave. They refused.  So when I got home, I went back and told the kids that they needed to leave.  None of them moved very quickly... instantly the husband of the mom mentioned before was there to retrieve his kids.  The two girls were not moving.  I told them that they were welcome to come and play in my yard when if they asked permission, or were playing with my kids, otherwise they needed to leave. Still not moving.  I went to the front of the house to finish unpacking the car, and the girls took a few minutes to come out and leave.  On their way out I told them that if they continued to be there without permission I would call the police.  Okay... let me just say that I know that's extreme...but I had had 3 separate people (including my landlord) tell me that that was what I needed to do... since I had already told the children to not be in my back yard. 

Yesterday the girls' father came over.  He told me that I was rude for threatening his children... and that that was not the way to "make friends" in this neighborhood.  I said, well, I asked them to leave and they did not, and this is my yard. He proceeded to tell me that they were not on my "side" of the yard.  (Which is funny, because the ladies on the other side of the duplex have been very clear that the entire yard is for both sides).  I had talked to the neighbor on Friday and she had expressed that she has told the neighborhood kids that they are NOT to be in our yard.  I told him as much.  He replied "Then she's lying to one of us, because she gave my kids permission to be there."  He proceeded to tell me that if I was going to threaten his children, he would call the police every time I "speed down this street". I replied that I don't go about 25, and that I was yelled at one day while going 20 after I had just let 2 girls cross the street in front of me.  He told me if I got yelled at that it was for good reason... "What if a kid darted out into the street?" So... he just told me that he would call the police if he felt I was going too fast... even if it was under the speed limit.  He proceeded to tell me that my kids aren't allowed in their yards or anyone else's. 

At this point I'm not sure what to do. I told the kids that they are to play in our yard... and if they would like to invite kids over to our yard anyone is welcome after an invitation or if they ask permission. But I don't feel comfortable with them in other people's yards anymore. I literally felt a little weird going to bed last night... and went and double checked our locks.  He was agitated, loud and just plain not nice. :(  So what is your advice?  Do you let kids in your yard at all hours? I feel like my children should be able to ask someone to leave their own yard.  I also feel like I have not done anything wrong by driving 20 down the road while stopping for kids when I see them. Be honest folks... I need it.  Oh, and if you're still reading... you rock. :)

The Reveal...

You thought I forgot didn't you?  The truth is...I thought that posting a sneak peek would help me finish the project earlier.  But alas, time does not  yield to my needs.  :(  And it took me a while to finish it.

This project is called "House Rules"... and proudly displays our rules on the wall.  I saw this idea a good  year ago and loved the thought.  I saw SO MANY of them that I loved that I couldn't narrow down what I wanted to do.  I put it in my vault of ideas... and recently decided it needed to happen. :)

I started by searching for "Family Rules Canvas".  If you end up wanting to make one, I suggest you do the same.  I swear, there are some amazing completed projects out there!  I needed help deciding on which rules I wanted to post.  Here are the ones I chose...

Be respectful, thankful, and grateful.
Dream big, smile often, forgive always
Always tell the truth
Encourage others, share in their joy
Use your manners... Yes please, No thank you
Work Cheerfully
Clean up after yourself
Be Yourself
Sing silly, dance crazy, hug often, snuggle often, say I love you
Share everything... except bad ideas
Be Creative
Have fun, Be kind, Ask first, No fussing, No whining
Keep your promises

There were some other cute options... funny options, serious options, silly options. But these were all things I felt were important for my kids right now.  Davis said "I do that stuff... well, I struggle with "clean up after yourself" huh?"  I'd say he's still doing pretty good. ;)

Plus who doesn't love a little bit of pom poms and ric rak?  *Swoon*

Really?

For years the Jenison Public Schools have been ranked as one of the best schools in the country. And I have to admit... I feel fortunate to be in this district. When Haley was in 2nd grade however...we decided to do school of choice and went to an elementary school in the same district.... yet not the one in our neighborhood. There were many things that contributed...the largest factor being the principal and her lack of discipline regarding bullying.  I never regretted my decision, as I love the kids' school and teachers.

Today I drove by Haley's old school. And I didn't know whether to laugh... or be angry.  Here is what I saw...

Hmmmm.... pretty sure that isn't correct grammar. Let me be clear... I do NOT claim to have perfect grammar.  I also don't work at a school.  Is this really what we are teaching our children?  I wonder if they are trying to be "cool" and relate to the kids?  Can we not relate without teaching them it's okay to be too lazy to spell out the words?  This sign makes me sad.  And I'm REALLY glad we switched schools. Maybe you think I'm over-reacting... I see it as the first of what is to come.  :(