Dustys organized chaos

Lastly.....

2011-03-17T10:41:00.005-04:00

My final post of my favorite summer 2010 memories!!! Jona and I camping! Didn't matter where, just camping with her was a riot!!!! She loves to help pack, unpack, clean, cook, swim, bonfire etc etc etc!!!! Duke Creek she brought her best friend Grace, (way fun!) Jannessa visited as well! We loved the lake Michigan waves, however, she was much more fearful than Jaden! She loves laying in the sun to get warm, (keep explaining that she already has a God given tan!) We explored lighthouses and swamps and took many hand held walks!!! I Love my Jona Piper Brazil and I'm pretty sure it will be difficult to TOP one of the best summers of my entire Life as a Mother!!!!

Favorite moments with Jaden!

2011-03-17T10:07:00.005-04:00

Whoops, thats a Jona picture, don't know how to delete?

This one is extremely easy but unfortunately I don't really have any pictures:( My absolute favorite memory of Jaden and I was the day we spent in Lake Michigan while camping with the Neely's and the Stowe's. I had NEVER been in the lake when it was so warm and had such huge waves!!! It was a riot and jaden was a true fish. We had a blow up raft/boat that we hung on to and jumped waves for hours... Came in to rest and snack and would head right back out again. The waves went completely over our heads and he was never scared. In fact, I was more scared that he would get swept away from exhaustion..... as he would refuse to stay close!!! The waves never got old as we screeched with excitement each time they came. You and Calder played in the sand and all the kids fed the seagulls.... I loved this day and wished I could have had 10 more of them that awesome July!!!!!!

I got a little behind with my "Favorite SUMMER events" Posting!

2011-01-11T13:09:00.005-05:00

I believe I did Spencer, then Ivan! Now on to one of my favorite moments of the entire summer with my oldest and most gorgeous preteen (at the time) Olyvia Satja McKenna! It was actually difficult to come up with just one.... I had to pick so I picked the day we went to Ludington Beach while camping in Lakeview Mi with the Neely's and the Stowe's! Lake Michigan had unusually HUGE waves and was also extremely warm for the big lake. We were told it was because we had SW winds all summer. The lake is more shallow near Indiana so the water warms quicker and comes on up to us that way? We had a blow up raft and would float out to the sand bars. The waves were so BIG they would crash above us and land in the boat or float us inland... We did this for hours... laughing till we cramped. It was so much fun! Jaden also loved it but more so on foot than in the boat I think. Jona scared easily, especially if I let go of the boat.... But Olyvia and I road the waves for hours!!!!! Don't have any fun pictures of the "event" no water proof camera:( The pictures from the beach are just as beautiful. Later that day we went to Ludington Pier and climbed an awesome Lighthouse together for the first time EVER. Also road a bus out to Sable Point light house and both Olyvia and I bought sweatshirts to remember the occasion! So many fun memories from this short but AMAZING camping trip. Can't wait till Summer 11' it will be hard to top this summer for sure!!!!

Trying for the second time!

2010-11-02T13:31:00.000-04:00

This may have worked?

2010-11-02T13:27:00.001-04:00

http://http://www.highschoolsports.net/local/grandrapids/Bleachers/?bctid=645587286001

Olyvia went to a mud bowl! Football dirty style!

2010-10-21T13:26:00.001-04:00

The Spencer Elliott Show so the story goes on West Mi all star:)

2010-10-17T18:54:00.003-04:00

http://westmiallstar.com/?p=6697 vote for Quarterback of the week!

I hope this works!

2010-10-17T18:45:00.002-04:00

If this doesn't bring the "Real" article then click the browser and go have a look see!!!! Awesome Article!

http://westmiallstar.com/?p=6672

Whoop Whoop

2010-10-16T12:04:00.002-04:00

High school football, Week 8: Forest Hills Eastern 37, Catholic Central 13

2010-10-16T12:04:00.001-04:00

http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/10/video_forest_hills_eastern_pou.html

Perhaps this is it?

2010-10-04T19:30:00.001-04:00

Never know when this will work?

2010-10-04T19:28:00.001-04:00

http://www.highschoolsports.net/local/grandrapids/Bleachers/#/highschool/Forest+Hills+Eastern+35+South+Christian+7/221189307001/51325922001/622814936001

Rolling along with Football!

2010-09-30T14:32:00.002-04:00

I Love this guy and all his moves.....

First day of School, 1st day of NO UNIFORMS:)

2010-09-30T14:13:00.003-04:00

Their most exciting event was hot lunch and no uniforms....

Seeing if this works this time??????

2010-09-20T10:27:00.000-04:00

My 2nd most fun Event!

2010-09-08T14:38:00.005-04:00

Dads Birthday Ribs @ Fat Matt's!!!!

Our farewell Brady Bunch Shots!
In front of the Kings Memorial!
Uncle Ivan and Orion!
1 of many pee breaks on our trip, this one leaving Nashville!
I love these two pictures! My 007 coming from the deep end:)

So, a week after school got out our family headed South! This would be our first road trip together... I am NOT a fan of long car rides so I wasn't sure how this adventure was going to be. Ivan and I stood in the kitchen before pulling out of the driveway. We prayed for safety, for patience and for an awesome family vacation! Minus Spencer who was staying home bc of his first ever "official" summer job! We first drove straight through to Mammoth Cave, I don't know if Ivan or the kids were more excited? I was excited because they were so excited and because I new we'd be getting out of the car after 8 hours! Ivan was SOOOO patient on the drive. Not ever once breathing deep, huffing or yelling at the umpteen stops we made before even getting out of Michigan! The caves were an awesome experience with my family! I hadn't been there since I was 8 years old... the exact age of Jaden! We new ahead of time that it was 112' degrees in Nashville... ICK! Ivan loves the heat.... but the cold of the caves was a WELCOME surprise! After spending the afternoon at the caves, we headed for Nashville where we would sleep. On Monday we spent the day at Nashville Shores.... for many of us this was one of the BEST days of our entire summer! It was squelching heat and the wave pool was a HUGE hit, Jaden and Jona rarely came out of it! I was always taking note that mom and dad never argued once! That evening we finished the rest of our road trip arriving at Levi and Nichelles house late Monday! We spent the entire week with them. Going to the most awesome man made beach, play practice, Martin Luther Kings museum, church and several New restaurants for the Young's. It was both fathers day and Ivan's 42nd birthday while on vacation! His gift to self (a road side firework stop across the Kentucky border.) I'd say the most impacting memory of the week in Atlanta was the time Ivan was able to spend with his cousin! Levi is a very spiritual and uplifting man! Every morning before his family awakens he goes on a prayer walk through his neighborhood. He prayers for family, friends, neighbors, strangers, the world, his church and I'm pretty sure whatever else floats into his head! This was quite inspiring to Ivan who upon returning home started doing the same thing, both alone and with his children! How transforming to have a father prayer walking every morning to start the day! This was a fantastic trip and I can't wait for the next one!!! It took way WAY to long for this to happen and by far it was one of my best summer memories with my husband.

Next to come... My Most memorable summer moment with??? You'll have to stand by!

Spencer's First TV interview as HS Quarterback!

2010-08-24T21:15:00.001-04:00

All the best of summer 2010!

2010-08-21T23:12:00.003-04:00

Ronell visiting us about 6 weeks later?
CO Hot Springs... I can never remember the town?
Hannah Grace and her Fella's :)
First Night in Golden/Denver
Red Rock!!

I'm going to do an entry related to each of my family members individually! I'm going to write about MY BEST experience of the summer with them INDIVIDUALLY!!! I'm starting with Spencer because it's chronologically the first BEST experience I had:)

In May we visited Colorado for 3 college campus visits! Spencer and I went alone and I'm certain that in the past 9 years this was the most time we had been together (and alone!) Did I mention, we were alone:) I didn't get emotional, as I thought I would for sure! I enjoyed each and every moment that we were together (but I did find myself floating off into the realization that it was our last time together in such a way!) He absolutely LOVED the state and all it's beauty! He commented on every mountain peek we passed. Rick took us 3 hours North to the hot springs.... for the first hour and a half both of us couldn't get enough of the mountains and all it's beauty. Of course we tried to take a hundred pictures while driving.... they are NEVER as good as the real thing. Hannah Grace is in love with her cousin Spencer... she smiled for all of the pictures, we are told she doesn't do this ever! Our first night there I took him to Red Rocks! I was so excited to show him where U2 sang.. Unfortunately, there was a wedding going on and the inside was closed:( We did get to tour the amphitheater though! Our Second day we left at 0600 for the Hot springs.... We spent the day Up North, shopped, visited NIKE town and the POLO outlet! Secretly it was probably Spencer's favorite part! We had lunch in the mountains and swam in the Hot Springs! Our Third day we visited CSU, fantastic campus and the coach that met up with us gave us our own 2 hour tour... Spencer loved it! Next day we visited DU and University of Denver? all the letters confused the Hell out of me! Denver State? The campus in Boulder felt like Old white Cronies and the academic advisor didn't end up meeting with us? University of Denver felt like Harry Potter's second home. Old majestic campus buildings. We invited ourselves into the Lacrosse Coaches office and had a great visit. Our tour guide was drop dead gorgeous with boob-a-lishes flowing all out of her strapless dress with leather cowboy boots! Yea, that was a hot campus tour. We had an 80 year old grandma and grandpa on our tour that asked a million questions:) IT was a great day! On our last evening Rick and Marissa took us out to dinner at a local pizza joint. We bought ice cream and came home to watch the season finale of 24!! Bitter sweet that was!!!! Spencer and I both love Rick and Marissa's kids, they make us laugh all the time! Rick has an amazing house with spectacular views and neither of us would have a problem moving in with him:) I'd feel so happy if Spencer picked a school in CO. I'm sure I'd be able to visit some what regular and get to see family as well!!! Rick could keep (long distance) close eye on things and Spencer would have a place to go for Sunday dinner once in a while! We didn't know at the time of our visit.... but several weeks later he went back to CSU for a Black Student Caucus camp and met a really nice young man Ronell. Ronell came to Michigan several weeks later to attend a football camp and again..... Spencer went back to CO several weeks after that and stayed at his house. His parents seem amazing on the phone and I'm sure would also be a safe place to find help if Spencer chose a college so far away! They treated Spencer like their own son when he visited. I love this kid, I will miss him sooooooo much when he's gone! I'm so glad that we had this time together! This is a year of lasts for me as his mother (sniff sniff tears rolling now!) It's a year of endings and beginnings for him! He is So excited to reach this point in his life that I'm praying for God to give me strength and peace with all of it! How horrible to have a mom crying all the time when your so excited, right?

So this is what I'm going to do!

2010-08-08T03:09:00.002-04:00

I'm going to get back into the swing of things here! So that I don't feel overwhelmed and so that I continue to dialogue I'm changing things up a bit! Of course I'll blog about fun family events and 1 liners that Jona and Jaden say! However, I'm going to also try something new. I'm going to pick one particular family member and talk about them and their goings on for the day slash week slash month!

Like this one liner today!
Jaden says "Jona, stop kicking me, you hit and squished my "Vital Cord!" He either meant Vital organs or spinal cord? Neither of which would I have any idea how he knows about?

Jona, Olyvia and I swinging on the hammock today! GORGEOUS weather, beautiful breeze and Jona leans in to Olyvia, rubs her leg and then her stomach... "Olyvia, you are so long and tall and skinny and you will make a great wife one day!" WTH? Where and why does she come up with these things!

My thoughts for the day! Well they are plentyful but for now I'm sharing this one! These next 12 weeks are going to be some of the most exhilarating, exciting, nerve racking and anxious filled weeks of my life with Spencer! I'm the proud mother of the VARSITY QUARTERBACK! It will be a bitter sweet season for me FOR SURE, as well as for him I'm sure. It's his last of everything this year on his path to a lot more First's of so many more things. Last High school games, dances, practices, etc etc etc! I can't even imagine my life without his sporting events in it! No Friday night football games, no Bball or Lacrosse after this year! Jaden is so far behind in age that it will be a long time before we see the likes of a HS football field again:( Unless Olyvia decides to play a sport of that nature. I am so proud of his accomplishments and the man that he has turned into, at the same time I'm going to have to figure out how to move from this chapter to the next without crying all the time!!!! HUGS

I've got an idea!

2010-07-12T05:04:00.002-04:00

I'm at work and have to do my 0500 vitals.... so I can't share my idea yet:) But just you wait, I'm gonna do it realllllly soon! Wish I could start right now, but alas... I waited to long in the evening at it will have to wait. PS, we are computer-less at the moment, so it probably won't start until the next shift I work... Patients willing hahaha Meaning, if they sleep!!

It's a long loooong night at the Saints

2010-05-16T03:12:00.002-04:00

After a really REALLY busy day of scheduling, sports, birthdays, laundry, meals and naps... I'm doing a 13 hour shift. Rearing lives by day, saving them by night:) Accept tonight they are all sleeping and it's going by r-e-a-l-l-y slowing!!!!! I guess I'll start writing my rough draft letter to the Superintendent of Forest Hills Schools. The one that I'm meeting with bright and early Monday Morning and going to let him hear ALL that I have to say about his 10 yeared teacher that thinks it's ok to make sexual and racial remarks and to humiliate my son and then thinks that I won't stomp the grounds!!!

No One will ever catch my Ari, well... Chernetta's Ari really!

2010-05-13T13:29:00.002-04:00

Gotta love it when they "shmoke" em!

2010-05-13T13:18:00.003-04:00

I will never get weary of watching Spencer and Jeshuran SMOKE a relay team.... Yup, we came from 3rd place maybe even 4th and Jesh won by a hair!!!

Some Easter Color... Olyvia looking FAB-U-LOUS!

2010-05-13T13:11:00.002-04:00

OK, found a couple of Lax and Track!

2010-05-13T13:06:00.003-04:00

A random lady in the stands who's hair I thought was AWESOME!

Big brother telling Little brother to Whoop some of that What?? No I did not say that:)

Nothing, I have nothing...

2010-05-13T12:36:00.001-04:00

It seems I never have good track pictures of Spencer, I'm to far away? Lacrosse def has no good pictures to offer, I'm even farther away. I had pictures of Jadens Soccer game, but computer seems to have eaten 10,000 of my pictures and left me with only 4,000!! Yes, panic mode has set in.. Ivan keeps promising me that they "are in there" however I can't seem to find them ANYWHERE???? Took pictures of Jaden's birthday party last weekend and none on Mother's day? Who wants to load any more pics in the puter though... with them disappearing and all????? So for now, Nothing, I have Nothing....

Ivan would call this a Half Ass kinda morning:)

2010-04-27T13:04:00.002-04:00

Ivan actually swears very rarely, So I can't think of how he phrases it right this second? I say what he really means is "Don't do things half Ass!" So a joke around here when a lot is going on and nothing is getting done is "Yes, Ivan, I'm a half Asser. That's exactly what this morning feels like. Started mowing the back yard on foot... good exercise right? I ran out of gas. Started picking up dog poo, and for whatever reason I stopped to unload the truck. I carried 5 50lb bags to the barn (good exercise) why have the boys do it, right? I dropped the 6th one in the driveway. It's sitting there now waiting for me to sweep it up and put in bucket to drag back to barn. Then I raked up a whole bunch of sticks and straw in yard that looked trashy! But now the pile is sitting there waiting for me to scoop it up. Then I saw the recycle buckets overflowing all over. So I found some boxes and separated it all out into 4 piles. Now I'm hungry and have to eat, then I have to finish dinner b/c we are all eating in motion tonight (no McDonalds for this family!) So, Hmmm, maybe I won't want to be here when Honey Bear wakes up! LOL

Little house on the Prairie(ing) it today!

2010-04-20T10:36:00.002-04:00

I'm going to play Little House on the Prairie today... just like when I was a young lad:) Brought kids to school, came home cleaned up kitchen and switched laundry. Went to barn, collected eggs, put down fresh bedding, fed and watered chickens. Came inside, swept floor. Then facebooked and blogged for a good while (not very little house of me.) Now I'm going to P90X still not very little house of me:) THEN I'm going back outside to try and rebuild two rabbit hutches and re-staple gun the wire that's falling off the chicken coops! Very Laura and Pa of me don't ya think. I'm sure they had a staple gun in 1850:) If not I'm sure they wish they did! HA, I make even myself laugh even if no one else does. Then I'll start dinner and hop in the horse and buggy to collect kids and head to track meet! See-ya!

THE GIRL~ THE BOY THE BIG DOG ~THE SMALL DOG WE HAVE TRBLE CALLING THEM BY NAME?

2010-04-20T10:33:00.001-04:00

2010-04-20T10:30:00.002-04:00

LOOK AT THE LEG OF THE REF.... SHE CRACKED ME UP!!! ALWAYS THERE TO ENCOURAGE THE KIDDO'S I SUPPOSE:) LOLOLOL

Whoooo Hoooo it worked!!!

2010-04-20T10:25:00.003-04:00

I am SOOOO PROUD OF THIS GIRL I can hardly contain myself!! I love you Olyvia Satja McKenna!!!!!! We all know you got your jumping abilities from your momma! I jump from one thing to another to another to another... :)

OK, I'm going to see if I can upload in reverse order to get the pics to post in the RIGHT order? Wish me luck!

2010-04-20T10:22:00.002-04:00

Mom and Dad's new BABY!!!!

2010-04-19T22:27:00.001-04:00

Just for you Saints Crew!

2010-04-19T22:19:00.002-04:00

Gotta pin up that bra don't ya know!!!

Don't we all Play Baseball in our Easter Duds:)

2010-04-07T08:28:00.003-04:00

Easter Bunny doesn't bring a lot of candy to our house.... Always something small and fun. This year matching baseball mits as Jaden has had some big trouble using dads mit. LOL Had no idea how much they would actually enjoy them... played everyday since!

2010-04-07T07:38:00.003-04:00

IKEA for a quick 2 hour shopping spree and the boys had to sleep with my rugs all the way home:)

He did it! That's my Boi!

2010-03-26T03:50:00.002-04:00

Last weekend marked Spencer's first serious step into prepping for college football. The NIKE Chicago football combine took place. I dropped Spencer, Jeshuran and Raesean off on my way to a girls weekend and let them venture around Chicago independently for Sat and Sund. They all said it was a great experience, they wish they could practice a couple of weeks and do it again (now that they know what to expect.) However, for a practice run they all did an awesome job!!! Spencer ranked 132 out of roughly 900 athletes!!! Yea Ky!

Now on to the rest of my goings on....
I have a Junior in HS running track and playing Lacrosse (No idea how many practices and games that is in a week, WAY to many!)
A 7th grader running track and riding horses. (4 practices a week and or 2 track meets and 2 practices) Tutoring twice a week.
A 2nd grader playing soccer (1 game a week and 2-3 practices)
A 1st grader playing soccer (1 game 1 practice)
A resident that has to be picked up EVERY Wed from counseling right at the same time as the kids from school and practice.
A husband that works fulltime evening/night shift.... no not always available to help with transport (not his fault)

Hmmmm If I add all of this up that's approx 17 places I need to be on any given week. Seeing as though I'm only 1 person..... This may prove to be quite a complicating spring:)

PS somewhere in there I'm supposed to watch all these games, feed all these people and wash all there clothes?????

AND AFTER:)

2010-03-22T20:24:00.002-04:00

Before.....

2010-03-22T20:22:00.001-04:00

OH, and lookie there

2010-02-25T03:32:00.001-05:00

Looking down and saw that it's 0333! Imagine that! lolololololol Work is great this time of morning...

It's beginning

2010-02-25T03:25:00.002-05:00

This Sunday marks the beginning of Spencer's adventure into college and then perhaps the pro's. He will be spending his sunday at U of M's Highschool football combine. There will be coaches from around the country and some of the best known HS prospects in attendance. The will be getting timed and measured. Pictures taken, data collected and posted on a site somewhere where all college coaches can look them up. Then next month he will travel to Chicago to attend an even bigger NIKE highschool football combine. We've been on this athletic ride/dream for many years... However; this is going to be an entire new playing field. My baby boi has grown up, he's going to be faced with making decisions that will effect the rest of his life. He's going to chase his dream and find that he can do EVERYTHING he's always wanted. Growing pains are ruff on a momma. I'm going to cry and laugh and pray and cry and be filled with excitement all along this ride!!!! I love you Spencer F Kyller and I know you'll make your family proud!!!!!!! Enjoy yourself and remember each and every moment along the way!!!!! One day you'll be 40 and wishing you were 18 all over again... I'm not one of those persons that quickly says (I'd never go back) I'd go back and do it ALL OVER AGAIN! I had a lot of fun and made a lot of memories......

??????

2010-02-25T03:24:00.001-05:00

I'm really really really trying hard to figure out how all my settings changed. Why are my entries no longer chunked together 1 month at a time, in a neat file down the right hand side. Why is there 8 entries and then abruptly it switches to 2 years ago at my first entry... GggGGgrrrrr What the heck???

What the heck?

2010-02-20T01:57:00.001-05:00

janet please come help me figure out how I messed up my settings?????

whoops, that one was to small to see how he's grown!

2010-02-20T01:50:00.002-05:00

Santa WHAT were you thinking?

2010-02-20T01:42:00.002-05:00

OK, we went to pick out our most perfect puppy! Jaden was going to be sooooo surprised this Christmas! I instantly was drawn to the runt and to the blue eyes beauty! Never had I seen a sky blue eye on a dog. The spooky white ones that Husky's have, but not sky blue! I figured and said out loud "he's coming to a very unique household and he's incredibly unique, so he must be the one for us!" Little did I know the blue eye must make him stupid. I don't think he'll ever potty train. He's cost us an emergency surgery, endless accidents, fights over who's turn it is to take him out etc etc etc... What was Santa thinking. Oh I know, I remember now.... He was thinking... He sure is damn cute for a Beagle!!!!

I came home 1 day early...

2010-02-20T01:39:00.002-05:00

I was supposed to fly home Tuesday night! Heard a big storm was coming.... Boy, that was right! This is what I awoke to over the following 36 hours!!!!

My newest Niece and I got to spend a week together:)

2010-02-20T01:16:00.004-05:00

2010-01-18T19:10:00.001-05:00

Facebook killed my BLOG!!!

2010-01-18T18:52:00.004-05:00

Seems that everything I used to post here I have spent the last year posting on FB! If I was really good at this I'd have someone show me how to streamline my status updates to this site:) I'm going to do better b/c this will be more fun to read later down the line! So, Jona is the one making all of us smile these days.... Yesterday she was asking about brown and white skin, a genetics lesson for 1st grade. I get finished with the "part of me and part of dad lesson" and think she gets it. She says to me "So, ky and jaden and me are all brown cuz we have half of you and half of dad?" Yes, that is correct. THEN "that means Olyvia is all of you and none of dad.... she's only momma genes:) yes yes dear... What the hell else was I supposed to say:)

Trying to get these panoramic's to work??

2009-11-23T16:38:00.001-05:00

CONTINUED!!!!

2009-10-27T09:39:00.001-04:00

My 7th, 8th U2 Concert? I don't know, lost track??

2009-10-27T09:34:00.002-04:00

This one was really special for me, I brought Spencer to his VERY first U2 concert!!! I do believe it was as magical for him as it was for MEEEE, Ivan came, (what a trooper) It's not Prince after all! Let me not forget Patty, one of my oldest and dearest and bestest friends and avid U2 fan!!!!!

Whoops, I doubled the rainbow and forgot my boy!!!

2009-10-27T09:29:00.003-04:00

What a 13 days it has been...

2009-10-27T09:15:00.004-04:00

Ky first, he's never sick but heck, when your going to do it mine as well do it big! He started with the aches, pain and fever.... moved to Swine Flu in full force. Played in his Homecoming game feeling like hell on earth. Spent the weekend down for the count and stayed home Monday from school for the first time in probably 4 years I'm guessing. Chest Xray showed Pneumonia right lower lobe. Spirits crushed because the last 3 weeks of football have been nothing short of disastrous and now this:( Hmm, Jaden and Jona started with the Swine on a Saturday night. Jaden stayed home the entire next week from school. Jona fiercely fought her Swine Flu with temps of 104.3, WOWZIE! She made it back to school for a Wed and Thur run but then caught a cold and couldn't breath, swallow or stop her eyes from draining. Jaden still down. By Friday night after the football game Jona is in bed and then awakened with BIG ear pain.... Gotta be ear infection and I'm wondering if it will ever end. That was day Ummmm10. By Sunday all is faring pretty well it seems. Spencer's lungs still pretty junky but news that we made the playoffs has sparked some new life in the team! Sunday night, Olyvia goes to bed and re-awakens with stomach cramping and tears:( Nope, guess maybe I won't live!!! Monday night I go to bed at 6:30 p.m. FIGHTING with all the determination I can muster up.... I will not get this bug... So here we are Tuesday. It's 1 day short of 2 entire weeks! We have RUN from the Swine, caught and released Colds and 1 ear infection. Evaded the stomach flu for one more trip, kept pneumonia at bay and kept momma and daddy well!!! I think we are done now for the REST of this season!!!!

What a week it was!

2009-10-05T18:15:00.003-04:00

So in 4 days time we had 5 soccer games, 1 football game, (a small concussion) 1 resident admitted and discharged from the hospital. An airport run for Vegas relatives, torrential down pours, about 16 meals made and served, 16 loads of laundry done including bedding. A trip to church, the movies, the Art Prize, the bar and a huge bon' fire. Then got everyone back to school again on Monday morning before going back to the airport to drop Vegas back off:) That was a busy BUSY week!!!!!!

FHE vs Ottawa

2009-10-03T13:50:00.000-04:00

It's cold outside!

2009-09-29T10:13:00.002-04:00

It's freezing and I actually put the heat on last night for just a few hours to take the chill out of the air! This is what is right around the corner..... YIKES! Guess I better finish the summer/winter switch that is all over the basement floor!!!!!

OH MY GOSH!!! I figured out how to do IT! Here's 3 of his 4 TD's!!

2009-09-23T23:01:00.001-04:00

about 1 1/2 minutes in... ky's TD!

2009-09-23T22:54:00.001-04:00

Most Hilarious!

2009-09-17T13:25:00.002-04:00

Up and Running!

2009-09-17T13:02:00.001-04:00

School has successfully been up and running for 2 weeks. With 10 practices and approx 4-5 games a week I do still have my head attached. (for the time being that is:)

Caledonia didn't see it coming!

2009-09-17T13:01:00.001-04:00

2009-09-08T00:43:00.000-04:00

With fond memories, goodbye summer 09

2009-09-08T00:41:00.002-04:00

I love my Jaden

2009-08-03T16:56:00.003-04:00

Went on a bike ride with my Jaden this afternoon! He wanted to stop and walk in the Cemetery so I said Ok. While I bent down to tie my shoe he walked away.... When I looked up he was blowing each individual grave marker a kiss and saying "Jesus peace." I was so touched!!!!! He read their names out loud and wanted to know how old each person was that passed. He asked if his grandma Young was there? I told him as an angel she could be there, but that she was buried in California. Then he read Ps139 that was on one of the markers and declared it was now his favorite verse because of "what it means about me." I almost had to cry it was so precious. Then he asked if we could sit down for just a minute. After we sat for a bit, we got back on our bikes for home. He said "Mom, I want you to know that I love that place!" I asked him to explain what he like so much about the Cemetery? His answer, "I love that no one is shouting at anyone, it is peace there mom and you can hear the birds singing too." Then he made sure to add, "next time we are on a bike ride, I want to make sure we stop there and pray for everyone who died." "I want them to know that I love them there." OK, so that time I did cry:) I love my Jaden!

Jona

2009-06-10T00:42:00.002-04:00

Today Jona took her full chore chart off of the refrigerator and tucked it inside her toy stove. I asked her "what are you doing, why did you put that there?" She very simply and without thought said "I'm saving it for my grandchildren, so that I can show them how much work I did when I was a child!" "Then they can give their own kids these kinds of chores too..." I love that girl, she cracks me up, she warms my heart and she even breaks my heart sometimes!!!!
I love you baby doll!

One of the funniest darn things in my life!!!

2009-06-02T22:58:00.003-04:00

So Ivan wakes up from the night shift... he's been awake for about 30 seconds when Jona tells him "sit down, we have a surprise!!!!!!!"

My camera is back! I'll be posting soon:)

2009-05-30T15:23:00.003-04:00

Finally!

2009-05-01T12:37:00.002-04:00

I waited 6 long weeks for my SCUBA picture:) It was worth the wait, I love it!!!!

:(

2009-04-21T19:04:00.002-04:00

I miss my blog.... I miss posting and I miss reading comments and I miss everything about it! However, if I don't have a camera to download pictures, it's just not that much fun to post:( Gotta have pictures to go with stories!

My girl makes me laugh!

2009-03-19T00:02:00.003-04:00

Jona asked me about the middle finger today? "Mom, why is it so bad to hold up this finger all by itself?" I tried my best to say people do that when they are really really mad and they can't find words to use. OR they are in a car and the other person can't hear them. BUT these people are very naughty b/c it't just not nice.
What the heck am I supposed to say. So I said "it's like when someone says a really really bad naughty ugly word. It's very bad and that's what the finger kind of means to?" She listened intently and said Drum roll please....

"Oh, it's ok then for me to use it all by itself as long as I"m really really mad at somebody. It's like when dad yelled that word after sitting on the table and breaking it? If I was big and yelled SHIT instead I'm going to hold up my finger all by itself..... OK mom?"

OH MY LORD>>>>> I laughed so hard there was no point in continuing the conversation any further:)

I love my girl!

How come I can't type in color anymore?

2009-03-01T13:56:00.002-05:00

Ivan and I went to a Brazilian masquerade ball last Saturday! He won first place for best male costume... I'm taking credit for picking out the mask:)
I wanted the daily quote that you have on yours Shalimar... How come I can't figure this stuff out? I don't want this creepy Einstein thing?

I had a moment...

2009-02-14T21:01:00.001-05:00

Today Spencer and I started packing for Island School! Out of absolutely nowhere tears just started flowing. First I got a little sick to my stomach and then tears a rolling:( I know he will have a fantastic time and I will live through the event without tarnish! It just hit me at once that my baby is leaving really soon:)

A most Productive day! Almost:)

2009-01-31T19:09:00.003-05:00

Woke up rather late... have no idea how it got that way??? Loaded up the dishwasher, no emptied it first. Switched the laundry and started a new load. Vacuumed the downstairs, cleaned some windows, did some dusting, made some lunch and hmmmm. Oh yeah, then Olyvia and I had such an awesome time together. We went to the barn to play Laura Ingalls. We raked and raked and scooped and scooped! We cleaned out the entire thing together. Fed watered and collected eggs and then we had a great idea. She and I are going to make money at the farmer's market this summer. We are going to sell the barn manure from the neighbor and from our barn as "Farm fresh garden fertilizer." We'll bag it in the smaller size trash bags. The kind that are bio degradable. SP?? There are so many earthy kind of folks that use the Ada and GR farmer's market. Lots of them garden. There's even a huge plot of land that I used to pass near Fountain somewhere that allowed city peeps to garden. They would eat this stuff up. "Well, not literally." Then we will also be selling our Cage free chicken eggs. We will make some "green" signs that simply state.... 1 Dozen eggs, $1.50 plus your own egg carton to trade in. That way, we're teaching people to recycle. We don't have to buy them and we'll just keep trading them off. Oh, I'm so clever! Now we can't WAIT for spring and summer to get here! The money we make will be minimal, Olyvia thought she'd get rich! However, we'll probably cut even with all the feed they eat and might even be able to have family lunch once a week:)

Jaden is so funny!

2009-01-18T16:08:00.002-05:00

Jaden woke up first this morning and I found him on the computer. I asked him "have you had breakfast yet?" He replied "yup, I had cookies:)" Jaden, you can't have cookies for breakfast! He replied "why not, they sure do taste great and I love um!" hahaha

Once again last night Jona was refusing to go to bed and crying and crying unless someone laid with her. She's done this for months now. She falls asleep in a matter of minutes, but wants someone in the room. It doesn't matter that Jaden is right next door sleeping... she wants someone in the room. I told her "stop whining, use your words, what is it that you are afraid of?" Of course she whines more, starts tearing up, can't put words to it. "I'm scared of this, scared of that, I have this, I need that!" Finally I said "JONA, use your words and tell me what you are afraid of and why you need someone in here to fall asleep?" Jona sits up, looks at me and states "Mom, I can't sleep alone, I don't want to sleep alone and for the rest of my life until I die and go to Heaven I do not want to fall asleep alone in my room!" I was stumped as to how to reply. She used words, she shared her feelings, she was clear about her distress, soooo, you guessed it! I laid my darn head down and watched her fall asleep!

CAN YOU SAY SUCKER????????

and this one...

2009-01-03T18:34:00.000-05:00

I love these pictures!

2009-01-03T18:33:00.004-05:00

Wii Olympics

2009-01-03T18:29:00.002-05:00

Ivan left my blog open on his way to work... does that mean he wants an update?

What do you call a house full of competitive male athletes who live in a house that Santa delivered a Wii to? I don't know what you call them either but they sure are funny! Jaden held the high score bowling today for several hours. That was until his older brother found out. It took him about 45 minutes but her finally broken Jaden's record. Highscore is 245... Jaden had it at 230 for awhile:) I finally broke 200. I'm at 201!!

It's 4:11pm

2008-12-31T16:11:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year's to you all!!!!! Ivan is jumping out of his skin at this point he is soooooo ready to go dance!! After 3 days of txting and 4 hours of back and forth phone calls, I think we 99.99999% sure we finally have a destination!!! I'll post pictures in the future... can't do it anymore with my broken camera! Borrowed mommies for Christmas Pics:) Hang in there Shalimar, puppies take work!!!! Don't you have a tree out back that you can tie her to with a really long rope so she can run around?

Christmas funnies!

2008-12-28T17:38:00.004-05:00

How come the button disappeared to let me change txt color? Over all Christmas was a great success.... just long and kind of loud! Jaden takes the cake for funniest comment of the entire day. Ivan didn't know anything about the Wii so he handed out gifts kind of in the wrong order. Olyvia opened the remotes to the Wii first and freaked out and got all excited. Jaden looked at her kind of puzzled, shrugged his shoulders and said "to bad we don't have a Wii Olyvia, can't use those!" I laughed so hard, we all did! Bye for now!

Absolutely Hilarious!

2008-12-23T23:20:00.001-05:00

Jaden's turn to help me bake tonight! While reading off ingred and adding them to bowl I said outloud 2 and 3/4ths flour! He quickly said "OK, I got it!" He then opened up the drawer and started counting out forks.. hmmm?? I asked, what are you doing babe? He replied, counting out the forks.. you said 2 and then 3 forks!!! I laughed so hard that he even started laughing and I don't think he new why?

Left over's from my birthday! Wanna bite?

2008-12-23T22:43:00.004-05:00

Olyvia is gorgeous in this picture and I have no idea why? She is folded up in Nanna's old lady moveable bed:)

ONe More!

2008-12-23T22:41:00.003-05:00

That's a lot of snow!!

My big boy playing in the snow:)

2008-12-23T22:39:00.003-05:00

Ummm yeah, we gotta little snow goin on!

2008-12-23T22:31:00.002-05:00

THe drifts were up to my thighs!!! Snow all in my boots!

Never in my wildest DREAMS!!!

2008-12-23T22:29:00.003-05:00

I know... I always take great shots of Janet!

2008-12-13T17:15:00.004-05:00

more....

2008-12-13T17:12:00.006-05:00

Birthday!

2008-12-13T17:05:00.002-05:00

I don't know why but my pictures aren't uploading the same way anymore... I don't know how to type under them b/c they don't show up? The bottom picture is on my Birthday! I was able to go to lunch with two of my fantastic friends and had a fantabulous time!!! I'm so blessed to have both of them in my life:) Ivan and Jona putting up Christmas decorations on a freezing cold day! He had on two hats and a head band ear warmer:) My sister and I on Thanksgiving and Jona posing for model pictures again.. That's 4, what was the 5th?? hmmm

Getting ready for CHristmas and some Thanksgiving!

2008-12-13T17:03:00.004-05:00

OKOKOKOK

2008-12-12T16:59:00.002-05:00

I always forget that if I want Ivan to do something... ANYTHING at all.... all I have to do is very simply ask....
OR make a comment something like this.
"Ivan you will never" "Ivan never" "Ivan doesn't ever"
That's all.... if I put those few little words in my sentence he hops right on it!
After my last post and all the "girls" and his sister razzed him, he came home and cleaned the entire house, did at least 6 loads of laundry and then shoveled out the entire barn!!! All that because I said he didn't go out into the snow and cold to do any kind of work:) WOW! My man was a very busy beaver yesterday and I love him dearly:)

ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

2008-12-10T09:08:00.003-05:00

OK OK let me just vent here for a moment before I yell, cry, scream or pour myself a glass of wine at 9:08 in the morning...

Woke up, (nope) not going to be a snow day!
Get kids ready for school, (nope) their still sick, keep two of them home!
Get one ready and to the bus..
Get the ladies up, fed, dressed and to their rides!
Start the dryer again, and start another load of wash!
Shovel the deck and front of drive to get into garage!
Feed outside cat and collect the trash can and recycle from road! ( a truck hit them)
Salt the deck and drive b/c mom's resident is coming for 2 days and she is in a WHEELCHAIR!
(Oh yeah, i have no ramp for wheelchairs, I carry her up and down the stairs!)
Feed Jaden and Jona breakfast and restart dryer!
Bring all the inside recycle outside that has been piling up for 3 days!
Go to barn to water and feed chickens... Door frozen shut, go find WD-40!
Get into barn... OH YEAH.... 3 eggs, one dead chicken and I'm really irritated!
Scoop dead chicken, water chickens, feed chickens, shovel up some chicken shit! AND wonder why I'm doing
it b/c this is dad's project?? hmmmm, that's right, dad hates winter and won't go outside in the snow....
(still irritated)
Come back inside, load the dishwasher, check my sick kids on couch and decide that this day stinks already, how will I change it around? AFter all, it's only 9:03 in the morning and I'm spent.
Sit down to type this and find Olyvia's lunch and breakfast, the one I reminded her to grab at last 3 times:(

Note to self, remember to shower today, it's been 4 days at least????

Always find something to be Thankful for, in everything give Thanks!!!
Well..... hmmmmm, I bought those happy Vit D tablets... the ones that are supposed to be like sunshine to my soul! The sun is shinning right now in the back yard and I don't think it has in about a week! AND, I need a new job really, really bad and Porter Hills called yesterday to set up an interview... I'll pray for that new job, just as soon as I have two seconds to breath:)

Thanks for listening to me vent all:)

hugs, Dusty

Oh my gosh, it worked!!!!!

2008-12-05T00:03:00.001-05:00

Click the picture and it brings you to this really cool sticker site... I just love how cool technology is and how fast everything is. I just hate that I don't get much of it!! ANYWAY, I'm thinking that I found my next and last and final tatoo!!!!! Whatcha think??? Throw in a black U2 and I'm set for life:)

2008-12-05T00:01:00.002-05:00

I'm trying to figure out how to post something on here with a url... does anyone know how.. a site told me I could take there picture and post it by copying the url... it isn't working?

ummmmm

2008-11-28T19:36:00.002-05:00

WEll I don't know if any of you care.... but I sure do!!! My camera stinks, it's pictures fluctuate between fuzzy, clear and bad. I can't download them anymore b/c I don't know why? Something is not working on the end of the puter, camera or upload device. What am I going to do with my life and no camera???? Oh the drama... and Christmas is coming and Island school and and and...

I don't get it!

2008-11-25T14:16:00.002-05:00

I don't know why? I found an article with Spencer in it in the Advance Newspaper...... However, you can't copy and pasted articles into the blog, it doesn't work for me!! So I googled his name and found it. Click the m.live one that says something about FH Eastern gridders... whatever that means.....

2008-11-25T14:11:00.000-05:00

STUPID CHICKENS

2008-11-24T02:42:00.002-05:00

Worthless no egg layin chickens... Yeah, we got an egg! WHOOPIE!!! We got 2 then 1 then none then 1 then none then 2!! 19 Chickens in that barn and not even a dozen eggs yet!!!

2008-11-18T22:50:00.001-05:00

WE HAVE EGGS!!!

YUP, I SAID IT!!!!

WE FINALLY HAVE EGGS!!!!

3 ON SATURDAY

NONE SUNDAY

NONE MONDAY

2 ON TUESDAY

HOW EXCITING, THE KIDS THOUGHT IT WAS SOOOOO COOL!!

SO DID MOM AND DAD:)

What it is??

2008-11-12T20:46:00.002-05:00

Not sure what it is..... the weather? My pending Period? The gloomy rain? The news that has nothing positive to say at ALL about our economy? The RAIN? This house, that needs soooo much assistance and up keep? The fact that more than half of my shifts are getting cancelled during the time of year that I need them the most..... Hmmm, I think this happens every year at Saints. Something is sure in the air because I'm in a funk! A BUG FUNK!!! and trying desperately to get out of it... It's no fun being funky!!! Help me Jesus! I need your help:)

I thought maybe if I wrote in purple I'd feel better???