Absolutely no excuses this time....I simply lost the desire to blog over the summer. Having everyone home and trying to adjust to Matt's new work schedule was just about all I could handle. Plus, we found out that we are expecting again (yes, that makes 7 now!) so trying to stay awake for any period of time was difficult! We had a really great summer, up until the last few weeks when the kids hit melt down, I'm- desperate- for- a- schedule- mode. But now everyone is back into school and we are enjoying the semi-normalness!

We are just finishing up a ten day stretch of Matt being gone. He, my Dad and brothers go up and hike Isle Royale every year. This year they had to go late due to Matt's work schedule. It has gone pretty well, the single parent thing. But I am super tired and I just didn't realize how wonderful it is to just have another set of grown up hands around! I'm looking forward to his return!!

I'm busy this fall as I have taken on directing a fairly good sized production at our church. We're going to do, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". It's a great show and I'm thrilled to be doing it!! It certainly has gotten my creative juices flowing. I will be the size of a small country by the time we perform it, as I'm due in January, but as long as I can waddle around still, we'll be good! Plus, I'm assistant coaching our church's JBQ (Junior Bible Quizzing) team. I LOVE quizzing and my two oldest girls are doing it....we're having a blast.

So there's a quick glimpse into us lately....I'll try and keep this as up to date as I can!

Ok, I suck as a blogger. :) Honestly, it's so much easier to blurt something out on FB in .05 seconds than to sit and gather my thoughts to print here. I have things to say....is it worth the time? The short answer is yes. I have found peace, resolution, and a place to speak here. And that is worth carrying on.

There are too many minute details from the last part of my life to share, plus it would be incredibly boring :) So care if I start from fresh? :)

I am currently extremely frustrated. I am trying to figure out why people make certain decisions. I know that, ultimately, everyone is responsible for their own choices. But what do you do when people you love are making STUPID decisions?? Decisions that affect so many more people than just themselves, and yet they cannot see that. I don't know whether to say something or to just watch and see what happens....what would YOU do????

Summer countdown is on, the kids have 9 days of school left. I am anxious for the freedom and yet dreading the lack of routine. I am desperately trying to find a reward/consequence system to implement this summer....does anyone have one that has worked???

Holy cow, I can hardly believe it's been almost two months since I have blogged. I completely blame Facebook. And Twitter. And the feeling that nobody really cares what I write here. I must get rid of that thought because I care what I write here. Period.

I won't bore you with ALL that has happened since December. We had a great holiday season and pushed into the new year with excitement and expectation for a great year. We snuck away to Grand Rapids for a few days of vacation, complete with staying in a hotel (the most exciting thing for my kids!), swimming, rollerskating and Chuck E Cheese. It was a fun time away and we loved it.

We have had an addition to our family. No, I have not gotten pregnant :) But we do have a baby...puppy that is!


This is Chester. I picked his name. I got it from the movie, "The Kid". He has a dog named Chester - "The world's greatest dog!" Plus it's for Chester Cheetah which is appropriate for our Frito Lay family!! And it goes nicely with Chunky which is our other dog's name. He is the sweetest thing and has fit in very nicely. He is potty training very well and is getting used to being in his crate. I really do like him :)

alright well must get my day going, but am hoping to be here more often!!!

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...there is some snow, but LOTS of ice...although the sun is out

I am thinking...that a snow day isn't so horrible (but ask me again at 4 PM)

I am thankful for...heat....it's -2 outside right now!

From the kitchen...I am making a cream puff ring for our ladies Christmas Tea tonight

I am wearing...comfy fuzzy pants and a long sleeved tshirt

I am creating...gifts for my parents for Christmas

I am going...NOWHERE!

I am reading...other people's blogs...I have been negligent lately

I am hoping...for a joyous Christmas, one where we realize how blessed we are to have what we have and to be together!

I am hearing...the sound of Becki typing next to me and the kids playing Wii

Around the house...things are out and it's fairly messy, the kids are home today, what did you expect??

One of my favorite things...the Christmas season, the music, the food, the anticipation....

A few plans for the rest of the week:Wrap up our holiday outings and events and then have NOTHING to do till Christmas!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

This is us with Molli at her girl's chorus concert....it was wonderful!



For more see : http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

I am literally exhausted from two late nights in a row and restless sleep. so no more posting than to say that I wrote something :) More tomorrow....

Today is a big day. For a couple of reasons. The first is this beautiful girl....



This is my Molli. She turns 10 today. 10. Double digits. She'll never be a single number age ever again. There's something sort of sad about that. She has grown up so much. I wish I could freeze her...or fast forward to about 20 :) I'm gonna have my hands full with this girl, she's her mother's daughter. She is so smart (Gold Honor Roll for straight A's) sweet, funny, has a beautiful voice, and is so determined. I just adore her. Happy 10th my Molli bug.


The second thing is no small thing either. This evening my husband, parents, brother, aunt and Grandma are going to see this....



I'm so excited!!!! I adore this show and it makes even more fun to go with my family. Matt has never seen it so he's excited too. I just love that my parents gave us kids such an appreciation for good theater. We have been so blessed to have seen as much live theater as we have, not a lot of kids get to do that. It's just another reason I love my parents! So it's time to get all dolled up...which basically means I'll be wearing nice jeans instead of sweats :) Lots of details and birthday pics tomorrow!

I would post today but I am too busy staring at and kissing this cute boy....