It's Homecoming!!!

Today is spirit day at all the schools! Anna wanted to wear her cheerleading outfit, but she has gym...so she settled for the cheerleading shirt and cute hair ties. I put my go blue earrings in her ears for her, she was very excited to show her teacher all of her maize and blue! Go Eagles!

Pumpkin Patch

O.K. so I am not impressed by these photos at all! I usually have every dressed in "fall" attire. We went to the pumpkin patch for our pumpkins, but didn't have room for the straw/hay bales, so we will be back, maybe I will have them more "coordinated" for that visit!

A long night for Luke...

Luke had a really rough night last night with pain and discomfort. Lots of moaning, crying and sitting up not understanding what was going on. We are only able to give him tylenol for a few more days so that will just have to do, tell that to a 2 year old that doesn't understand. We are super thankful that his first night was comfortable and pray that he feels better soon. He has had a rough day so far today as well. Sigh, I just feel bad that he has to have so much discomfort. Everyone is down for naps right now, hopefully he will wake up with a fresh start!

Anna's School Photo

This photo makes me feel old! Anna is enjoying school so far, although she wishes she were in school 5 days a week!

Fix me up Doctor!

Luke had surgery to remove his adenoids this morning. I was able to go back to the operating room with him until he was asleep. He did well. We had to stay at the surgical center for 2 hours or so after the surgery as Luke refused fluids...and proceeded to bring up all that we were able to get down! Once home, though, he did really well. He drank 6 cups of juice or water the rest of the day. We were to keep him on a liquid diet the first few hours after the surgery...well I'm here to tell you that by 3:45pm that boy was going nuts he was so hungry! Thankfully he slept through the first night comfortably and we are praying for another restful night tonight too (Tuesday). Thank you for all your prayers, they worked! He did great and is recovering like a champ...Oh, guess what he did this evening (Tuesday)? While I was reading to the big kids, he somehow found a permanent marker and colored all over my kitchen cabinets! Thank the Lord, it did all come off with the help of a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! (phew!) That boy is out to kill me!
P.S. that "thing" he is holding is "Scarey Kitty" he belongs at the surgical center and Luke took a strong liking to him!

Luke update...

Luke is officially scheduled for surgery at 8:15am on Monday...yes, just a few days from now! I have a call in to work to see if it is possible to get out at 6am on Monday morning. (now that I am weekend option I work every Sunday night). Please be in prayer that everything goes smoothly with coordinating schedules and also for Luke's recovery. Dr. Winkle is only taking out the adenoids, he said the tonsils look small so they are not a concern at this time.

Jake and the Firefighters Visit to Preschool!

This week Jake learned about what to do if there is a fire in your house. He was very excited to tell Mike and me all about how he would be really loud and not hide, but still stay away from the flames. Today at school the Hudsonville Firefighters came to talk about how important it is to not be afraid of them in all their gear. They got all dressed up and showed how they would look and sound when looking for them...this is when Luke FREAKED out!! (it was a bit scarey to see, escpecially when you are 2). Then they got to see the firetruck and hear it! (again, Luke was afraid!) All in all it was a great day! We have to go over fire safety with the kids as we haven't established where they would meet us once outside!!! Stress! I hope it NEVER really happens!
P.S. pray for Luke. He has an appointment in about an hour to see if he needs surgery to remove his adenoids...

Daddy's hat

After Anna got on the bus, I found the boys fighting over Mike's Hudsonville hat. To stop the fighting, I told them I had to take pictures of each of them for daddy with the hat on...I think it worked out, don't you?

Playing in harmony....

It rarely happens in this house, that all three kids are doing the samething...and doing it quietly! They were all playing nice with playdough. It was heavenly, even Mike got to experience it. His comment, "this is pretty nice!"

Our Princess at Bedtime too!

AnnaJoy had a princess birthday party to attend today. Daddy dropped her off and picked her back up, he claims it was pretty girly! Each little girl that went came home with a jewlery box with tiara and ring...and lip gloss that Sunday morning Luke used ALL over his face and head........had to change just as we were leaving for church! Good ol' kids! (sorry I got side tracked). Anna decided that after baths she needed to have a picture of her looking like a princess before bed...here you have it!

Race For The Cure...

Luke and I walked in the Race for the Cure 5K this morning with my friend Deb and her family members (who were walking to remember Deb's mom). I also met up with my buddy, Amber for a quick pic towards the end of the walk. The crowd was huge, it was great to see so many out to support fighting breast cancer.

Do you need a nap?

After going to the gym, I always turn on Dora for Luke (or whoever is home) to watch while I shower. I came downstairs to find this...I think he may have been tired!

We Got Spirit!

I didn't video much of it, but this was all the girls favorite cheer!

Our Little Hudsonville Cheerleader!

This has been a very eagerly anticipated night for AnnaJoy! She was so excited to be a cheerleader again! This year she was a bit more timid, but I think that is because she didn't find anyone that she knew to tag along with and the cheerleader that was helping her along to her spot had to...be a cheerleader, so was unable to stand and hold her hand the whole time! She came out of her shell at times, but mostly stood quietly and did the motions! (must be more like her daddy as I am (obviously) a loud mouth!!!! This was also Luke's first football game! I think we brought him once last year and once when he was tiny, but this is the first year he actually was interested in the game! The boys and I left at half time (as did Aunt Noelle and Calli Jo). Everyone else is still at the game cheering on their teams!

More Game photos!

AWANA night!!

Wednesday nights are a big deal in our house now that all three kids can go to class! Luke is in Puggles, Jake is in Cubbies and Anna is in Sparks. They love it!

The ALL Girl Bathroom is Finished!!!!

Anna's bathroom in completely done and ready for use. She took a bath down there last night and now has her toothbrush down there. (Although I prefer everything to be done upstairs so I don't have 2 floors to deal with when trying to get kids ready) I think we will let the excitement wear off then I am hoping to talk her into having some stuff back upstairs! But she is soooo happy to have a girly bathroom!

Where were you when the world stopped turning???

I was at work 7 years ago, working day shift in the Neonatal. I went on a run to pick up a baby from Saint Mary's after the towers had been hit. It was terrifying to hear. The ambulance driver told us as we were driving of another hit. Terror in the US, our safe home. Mike was at school, they came over the speaker and told everyone to turn on the television. Silence in a placed filled with high school kids. I remember thanking God that we didn't have kids (Mike said he did too). Little did we know that we were already expecting our first child. And to think there are many that have to remember loss from that terrible day. I pray for them especially today.

Mr. Independent!

Can you even tell he is ready to go to school, alone!?





Jake didn't fall asleep until after 9:30 last night due to his anticipation of today! He was up at normal time. He saw daddy leaving and said, "Where you going Daddy?" Daddy answered "to school bud" Jake about burst and said, "I'm going to school TOO!" Mike said "yup, but not yet". Jake bowed his head in disappointment, not time yet!!! Finally, we got Anna on the bus and we were on our way! In honor of Patriots Day I had the kids in Flag shirts today, so he was excited to show off his shirt too! He raced to school and didn't really look back, aside from when I had to peel his brother from the room, kicking and screaming! AUGH! His teacher is Mrs. Victory and Jake is pretty excited to learn from her!
Since dropping Jake off, Luke has been whiney and moaning "Jake" everywhere we have gone! It is pretty sad, and he has been crying too! Oh I can't wait to do this for another, what? 8 months!!! AUGH! P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELEANOR!!!!