I am impulsive. It's true. I like to call it "spontaneous". My husband calls it "reckless". Sometimes, when a fancy strikes me, I like to indulge it. I totally inherited this from my dad who would come home from work, or even take the day off of work, pack us all up and head out somewhere. I love doing that now with my family. So today, when my girlfriend and I were talking about camping at the local campground this summer and how we needed to get sites soon or they'd all be full, I decided we needed to go out there and scope it out in person. She indulged my spontaneous decision and we were off. Well, one of the camping loops was plowed and accessible, the other was not. After, driving around the plowed one I decided we should try the NON plowed circle. My friend cautioned me, but I laughed and replied "Where's your sense of adventure??"

Clearly, she was right. About 1/4 mile in, I realized we were in trouble. The snow was DEEP and there were barely any tracks. I decided we better turn around. YEAH RIGHT. We were so stuck. Both she and I had slip on shoes on and no gloves. At one point, we had her five year old pushing on the gas pedal while we both pushed! Thank the Lord that we were able to get out of the mess I had gotten us into. And now I have permanently given my friend something to harass me about!

We did find some good sites though :) Totally justifies the impulse right????

Yesterday was amazing. I had no idea that I would be so excited t watch our new president get sworn into office. But I was glued to ABC and Facebook/CNN. Seriously, they were on ALL day. I made my kids watch some of it before they went to school. Jonah said, "Mom, why do we have to watch this??" I told him, "Because you will be able to tell your grandchildren some day that you saw the first African American become president." It was historic. And, while I don't agree with most of our new president's policies or beliefs, there's no doubt that I watched a piece of history yesterday. WOO HOO!

Moving on.....

I've started working out again. UGH. My poor body is so sore and mad at me :) I've resolved to lose at least 10 pounds by the time we go on our cruise. I just don't want my face to look fat in pictures! The rest I can hide.....well until I go to the pool at least :) I've started eating better too, making better choices. I must brag on myself for last night though. Tuesday nights are basically like Fridays for Matt as he has Wednesdays off. So he gets to stay up past 7:30 and we watch our favorite show together. Well, last night I wanted ice cream SOO bad. That's been our tradition. But, instead I had a glass of water...totally NOT ice cream, but so much better for me, especially right before bed! So yay me!

Tomorrow night I'm headed out with a bunch of gals from church to see Last Chance Harvey. I adore Emma Thompson and can't wait to have some "girlie" time.

My latest annoyance.....my little son is obsessed. With what, you might ask. The Red Wings. For those of you "non Michiganders" the Red Wings are Detroit's hockey team. Hockey is the only sport my husband watches and he loves the Red Wings. He thought it would be great to introduce Thomas to the Red Wings. So at the beginning of the season, Matt taught him to say, "hockey". It was SOO cute. Then we started working on saying "Red Wings". Well all Thomas could say was "Hot wings". :) But now he has it down pat. And he is obsessed. He has a Red Wings coat that MUST be worn every time we leave the house. He got a Red Wings outfit from my mom for Christmas that must be worn every other day. And then Matt came home with this.....




And now we can't get him out of it. Today he stood by the washing machine, hysterically crying for his red wings. We have created a monster!! Wait till his new hat and socks get here!

I've been wanting to do this for some time, but never really had anything to say...until today of course :) I found it at MckMama's blog SO hold on to your hats for......



OK, so this morning, in a huge bout of laziness, I certainly DID NOT throw a sweatshirt over my pajama shirt, no bra and go to the store. NO way!

Then, at the afore mentioned store, there's no way that, when Jonah dropped a huge glass jar of spaghetti sauce, I ran from the aisle as quickly as possible so no one would know it was my child! I could never do such a thing.

And how on earth could I have bought my screaming two year old a toy just so he would be quiet while I was shopping?? What kind of person does that? Not me!

I would never look at my second daughter and tell her she must be an alien because of the funny things she says, never would those words leave my mouth!

And lastly, I did not toss everything from my living room and kitchen into my bedroom and shut the door because I knew someone was stopping over. I couldn't do such a terrible thing!

This was very fun and therapeutic...join in the fun!!

I am depressed. It's snowing...AGAIN! This is why I moved away from up north. I couldn't handle all the snow. And this is not typical for this area. But I am tired of the three feet of snow and the -26 degree windchills. So since I have nothing to say except whine about my life, here's another meme.....


The Idea is to randomly choose one of your friends who's name starts with each letter of the alphabet and answer the question about them: Choose the friend BEFORE you read the question, and then tag your friends...Try to use the opposite sex as much as possible.

A is for Amber
How long have you known this person?
3 years, but she's been my sister-in-law for only 9 months

B is for Brody!!
Would you ever kiss this person?
I give him lots of kisses when I see him, even though he's furry :)

C is for Carol
Would you die for this person?
I would, she's my favoritest aunt

D is for Dad
Have you ever slept with this person?
Probably once in my young life...

E is for Emma Jane
Do you know this persons birthday?
LOL, I hope so since I was there giving birth to her!


F for Frank
When was the last time you saw this person?
At my Aunt Barb's funeral, years ago

G is for Grandma
Do you think this person is hot?
LOL, totally hot as far as Grandma's go


H is for Hubbard as in Mindy
Do you think this person is sexy?
Absolutely :)

I is for Ian Michael
Do you know this persons favorite color?
Army green?

J is for Jonah
What is the funniest thing this person has ever said?
When he was little he couldn't say "watch a movie" Instead he would say, "Wamoppie?"

K is for Kimmy
What is a fun memory you have had with this person:
Dragging her out the day after Thanksgiving for shopping, I think she was sleeping the whole time!


L is for Lisa Bower
When was the last time you saw this person?
This past May, she was here for my brother's wedding

M is for Matt
Are you related to this person?
I am, he is my soul mate, my best friend, and husband

N is for Noah
How do you know this person?
He's my wonderful, sweet, caring baby brother

O is for Oprah (sorry it was all I could think of!)
Would you marry this person if they asked?
That would be a no

P is for Phil Blankenbaker
Would you live with this person?
Well, my husband might not approve and since I haven't seen him since I was 13...probably not

Q is for Quinn
Does this person know you well?
No

R is for Rachael Lovell
Would you kiss this person?
Maybe, she's pretty sweet

S is for for Sydney Diane
Have you ever flirted with this person?
Nah, but I like to give her lots of kisses when I can catch her!

T is for Thomas
Do you love this person?
With all my heart

U is for Ursula
Are you related to this person?
Nope.

V is for Victoria Hoekstra
Do you know this persons boyfriend or girlfriend?
She's married, so yes, I do know him and he's a great brother-in-law

W is for White as in Dr. White
Would you sleep with this person?
NO

X is for Xavier
Ever went and saw this person in the hospital?
Can't say that I have.

Y I have no Y
Do you think this person is sweet?


Z is for Lisa Zinn
When was the last time you saw this person?
It has been a while...wondering if we will ever see her again :(

Last night, Sydney asked me to cut her hair. I cringed. We haven't cut her hair, EVER. She's almost 5. Her gorgeous, blond, curly hair hangs way down her back. "I don't know sweetie," I told her. Then Matt piped up, "What about Locks of Love?" Sydney wanted to know more so we sat at the computer for the next half an hour while I explained it all to her. She looked at me and said, "Mom, I really want to give my hair to a girl who can't have any hair. I can grow more hair, Mom." My eyes filled with tears. So, this morning we made the trek to Mrs. Shelly's to do the deed.
12 inches later....











I'm so proud of her!!

For TODAY January, 13th...






Outside my window... is so much snow....I can hardly believe it!!

I am thinking...that I'd really love a nap!

I am thankful for...my crockpot! I know we'll have a yummy dinner and there's hardly any prep work!

From the kitchen...a pork roast is roasting and maybe I'll get some cookies done

I am wearing...my favoritest jeans and a t-shirt

I am creating...this post which seriously is all I can manage

I am going...to attempt to pick up when Thomas goes down for his nap

I am reading...The Shack

I am hoping...that the snow goes away soon

I am hearing...Yo Gabba Gabba which I HATE and Thomas loves!

Around the house..I finally got the kids to sort through their toys and felt awesome to pass those onto another family!

One of my favorite things...at the moment, it's my Bath and Body works sugar scrub...feels so great!

A few plans for the rest of the week:Friday we are headed to Jungle Joe's with our friends. It's a huge, indoor inflatable playground. So much fun!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...when winter gets to you, just pack yourself to somewhere else!





Want to do this on your blog? Go here

More "cruising"

I apologize ahead of time. I am so absolutely geeked about this cruise that it it almost all I can think about! I know it's a ways away yet...but I am so excited.

So last night, Matt and I had to choose our shore excursions. I thought this would be fairly straightforward. However, there was SOO much to choose from. I told Matt that i really wanted to do something fairly adventurous. Some of the choices sound absolutely frightening, like cave tubing!!! Are you serious?!?!?!?! What about bacteria? (Tarzan reference there) More importantly, how about crocodiles and piranha??? So we won't be doing that. Here's what we settled on to do in Belize City....


Enter a cavernous tunnel which leads to a primeval rain forest encircled by crevassed rock walls more than 100-feet tall, for your canopy tour of the Lost World Cave. There are five zip lines, ranging from 100-500 feet in length, taking you across the fallen ceiling of this enormous pre-historic cave. Your internationally-trained guides will outfit you with your helmet, harness and gloves and provide you with a detailed safety briefing. Soar from platform to platform like Tarzan and Jane, high above the floor of the densely populated forest. Your last traverse takes you to a rock ledge protruding from the side of the large tunnel-like entrance into the cave, ending with a rappel to the floor.



Fairly daring eh? Our second excursion was a no brainer.....




Standing on a submerged platform, enter the water and be introduced to your dolphin friend. Enjoy this rare opportunity to touch the sleek and playful animal, and pose for a dolphin kiss. You'll be led into deeper waters where you'll be pushed by your dolphin while on a boogie board, pulled by their pectoral swims and snorkel with the dolphin. Marvel at the grace and intelligence of these incredible creatures as they perform fast swims, high jumps and other breathtaking tricks. Free time is available.



I know it's fairly cliche....but seriously...how often do you get a chance like that?!?!?!?


66 DAYS BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!

10 weeks and counting

Alright so my blogs have been dry lately...I've done every Meme known to man. Sorry :) Having five kids home all day every day for 2 and a half weeks limits my creativity! I'm so busy trying to find ways to keep them amused!! Thankfully, school resumes tomorrow and I am very grateful!


However, the main reason for this post was this.....


10 weeks from today...this is where Matt and I will be!!







Aboard the Norwegian Pearl and headed out onto the ocean. I am beyond excited for this trip. We have never been anywhere, just the two of us. I find myself just giddy at moments for what we will discover and the time we'll be together. I just can't wait.

So long 2008!

Where did you begin 2008?
At Ken and Robin's house with some really gross champagne....sorry guys!

What was your status by Valentines Day?
Happily married

Were you in school anytime this year?
No, thank goodness

Did you have to do something you didn't want to?
I'm sure I did

Did you go to the hospital?
Yes, several times

Did you have any encounters with the police?
I did get pulled over once, no ticket though

Where did you go on vacation?
We went to Indianapolis, Camping, and to North Carolina

What did you purchase that was over $100?
My lap top, and my Kitchen Aid

Did you know anybody who got married?
Yes, both my brother and my sister!

Did you know anybody who passed away?
Yes

Did you move anywhere?
NO! I hate moving!

What sporting events did you attend?
The girl's soccer games

What concerts/shows did you go to?:
School concerts and Jonah's Boychoir concert

Describe your birthday....
Kind of a nothing day...

What is the ONE thing you thought you would not do, but did, in 2008?
I didn't think I would buy Guitar Hero :)

What has been your favorite moments?
Being away with my family, those memories are the best!

Any new additions to your family?
LOL...no

What was your best month?
July

Who has been your best drinking buddy?
Mindy, Girl's Night Out baby!

Made new friends?
Yes

Favorite night out?
Our trip to KZoo with Tim and Mindy was memorable :) hehe

Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
My mom's? Probably the pool....

Have you lost any friends this year?
Not that I know of

Change your hairstyle?
yes

Have any car accidents?
No

How old did you turn this year?
29

Do you have a New Years resolution?
Of course, who doesn't?

Do anything embarrassing?
LOL, if you know me, you know the answer is OF COURSE! The spider in my pants story was probably the worst!

Buy anything new from eBay?
Heck yes! Love Ebay!

Get married or divorced?
Nope

Been snowboarding?
No

Did you get sick this year?
Yes, UGH! Threw up for the first time in 7 years!!!

Are you happy to see 2008 go?
It's always nice to start over

Been naughty or nice?
I'm never naughty :)

What are you looking forward to most in 2009?
MY CRUISE!!!