My word for 2010

change.

It fits.
Lots of changes coming about it 2010.

our first born son graduating high school, healthier lifestyles and menus, my sister - in - law turns the BIG 5-0, I turn the BIG 4-0, my parents celebrate their 50th year class reunion from ERH, Steve II is in his final year of middle school, Jakob will be able to start his driver's training, I think I could go on and on......

*OK, Beth....something that makes me happy?

Jakob & Steve II laying on my bed on their bellies side by side.....Jakob explaining algebra to Steve II ....and the light bulb came on for Steve - and he thanked Jakob with a lot of enthusiasm...including telling him that Jake explains it so much clearer than his teacher.....did I hear compliments? from one boy to another? am I in the right house? that's happiness.

Coming home to a warm dinner made by my hubby, plowed driveway, cleared walkway, and some laundry done. YES!

Happiness is finding doctors that you are confident in. Dad's doctors at the U of M are making amazing steps towards finding him some relief. Hoping tomorrow we will find the same awesome results with Dr. Zande for Koda's new troubles.

a room with a view

This would be the view from my office.....well it was last week. Seems to be my second home nowdays. I think we may have finally made it over the hump of the new year and loads of Medicare changes that has kept the computer program changing almost daily!

Back to work tomorrow....

2010

We had a great New Years Eve...went to the Peek's. The adults played euchre, kids played XBOX or Wii.

Thank you Hamlin's for letting us borrow 2 of your boys.....our 2 were so darn happy to have them. They all got along great and traded several hours of sleep a night for gaming time.

It is so cool to see them all together again......awesome boys!

It was nice to get to see Beth, Kyle and the other 2 when we picked up and dropped off too. Quick visits but nice to see them for a minute!! Sure do miss them all.

Missing my Koda....he went north for the week to help Grandpa out! He has had loads of fun up there and had a lot of freedom. I sure do miss his wit and humor and all around just plain good kid. Hope he comes home tomorrow......could be a hold up due to the new storm.

Thanks Beth for the inspiration! I have started some de-cluttering. Started with the fridge....and kitchen cabinets. Also hit my bedroom.....that is a disaster in the works!

I think I will post these at home!!

What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities.
- Aldous Huxley
If you can find something everyone agrees on, it's wrong.
- Mo Udall

much better.....

Ahh I feel a little refreshed and I have 'filled my cup back up'. I feel like ME today..... :-) Hope that's still a good thing!! :-)

I made peanut butter fudge and chocolate cashew yesterday. Today I made peanut butter n jelly cookies, peanut butter, I am working on million monster cookies, brownies and regular chocolate fudge!

Steve went out again this morning to try to fill the rest of the freezer...he saw fresh tracks but no luck!! Maybe tonight?
The boys stayed the night at Jody and Bryan's - XBOX360 wars. Today they are going bowling!

My week at a glance....

• complete and total craziness at work tomorrow and Tuesday!!
• New phones for all staff on Monday
• and HUGE computer upgrades for all staff on Tuesday!!
• Kids are out of school
• Dad goes to the U of M on Tuesday - thanks Aunt Shar and Uncle Dick, they are taking him.....he goes for another MRI and to see the surgeon about the mass they discovered.
• Hoping to hear from the doctor about Koda's PFT - he does seem to be a little better since I decided to add Delsym into his meds.
• I am off Thursday - Sunday!! Steve has to work Thurs and Sat which puts a kabosh to any travels.
• Looks like we will have wither a white or soggy Christmas....we will see.
• Plans to go see Sherlock Holmes on Christmas day!

Do you have BIG plans this week?

what a start....

to my weekend with NO plans.....cup of coffee in bed with raspberry chocolate creamer, Steve went hunting, fresh blanket of snow....still snowing....aahhhh!!
and THEN.....Jake went to the basement freezer for me......WATER in the basement....NO!!

*pipe = shower drain leaking and is actually separated. We were scared...it is Christmas by all means.....we have no handy man funds...lol. Thankfully my hubby is a handy man .....it is fixed and didn't cost us a penny! The ring was warped and it just pulled apart!! YES, I am singing praises and thanking the Lord!! I need a break...seems the past 2 weeks have just plain been an overload of negative and my shoulders are SOOOOO heavy!! Time to shed some of the grief.
Lucky enough to have an awesome friend that checks in on me routinely and keeps me looking up and reminding me that I am strong!! Thank you !!

Now on to the fun stuff.....Jake and I made a double batch of creamy peanut butter fudge and now I made a single batch of chocolate cashew fudge. (Thanks Gram for the cashews!!)
and then I ran out of sugar!! OH well. Minor issue. I will make way to grab some more in a bit!!

Steve just took the kids to his sister's so the boys could hang out and play with their cousins for a couple hours...they love to have huge XBOX 360 tournaments together. We have all been so busy no time to get them together....today was perfect!!

The foot is SORE! I have been on the GO a lot this week and not been caring for it as much as I should and surely cannot sleep with the boot on all night long! It is hot and bulky!!

Koda had his pulmonary function test yesterday....he hopes to never have to go through that again....he says he now believes he is claustrophobic.....they closed him in a capsule and did several breathing tests and some made him panic.....felt like he was out of air and was suffocating!! Scary!! We should get results back this week.

Dad goes back to the U of M on Tuesday.....they have determined he has a mass on his spine which has been his issue all along. Looks like surgery soon and they are pushing for VERY soon!!

McKessy Christmas

Here is the entire crew!! Minus a few puppies.

Part of the ride up was a bit crazy....we saw 4 cars go into the ditch near Coopersville....but we stayed on the road and made fairly good time. Forgot 2 things ....napkins and part of Gram's gift. Not bad. And we all left home without a house key. My hubby the outlaw had to break in and scary enough, it took about 3 minutes....either he is a PRO or my house is not very secure...lol.

All in all a good Christmas with family! Starbucks giftcard and Warm Vanilla Sugar set from Bath & Body Works......made me a happy girl.

Off to watch Bedtime Stories with JT!

new boot for Christmas?

Yes, just one BOOT.....and it isn't a cute UGG boot either!
I slipped 2 weeks ago on the basement steps...I knew something was not right....I felt a pop and burn when I did it!!
I finally got in to see the ortho dr on Monday....I have a torn Achilles tendon! it is 2/3 of the way torn...trying to let it heal now without tearing the rest of the way.....if it tears the rest of the way ....surgery for certain. I had 2 choices...a cast or a walking cast. I chose the walking cast which means I can take it off to shower.
I am in the boot for 6-8 weeks.....depending on how I am healing......
No laundry duty for me!!

Christmas photo fun

I had fun this weekend with the boys.

SENIOR YEAR

OUR FIRST MEET TONIGHT FOR J HIGH...A WIN WITH A PIN. HOWEVER, ONLY ONE MATCH FOR HIM TONIGHT IN HIS WEIGHT CLASS.

HAVE HEADACHE...NIGHT ALL. PEACE

Happy Thanksgiving (belated)

We had a great day HERE at home with my 5 and Steve's dad. It was nice and a big change for us. I wish I had gotten my camera out to catch my helper in the kitchen......Jakob Tyler. He helped me cook the entire dinner....he did great. Of course, I also had the other two helping here and there too but Jake stuck with it the whole day! (I think he secretly likes to cook, bake but no sure he will admit it. lol)

Yesterday I was off work and I did almost NOTHING! I stayed off my ankle and watched movies....cleaned out many little 'stuff it' spots in my room.....it is amazing how nice it looks today. and my ankle feels better today and not as swollen.

Today I am planning to work with my men in getting some Christmas decorations up (maybe even the tree) as wrestling seasin has started which means life will now be on hold. I am also going to try hard to get the pic of my guys and my little lady for our Christmas cards....I have an idea in my head and I really want to make it work!! We will see and I will post the pics here.....or at least all the silly ones it takes to get that ONE good one. (actually I may surprise them and print the silliest one this year!!)

Tomorrow plans include baby back ribs......that's all I have listed so far!! :-) Ok, maybe some Christmas list making!! I have my cards all made and ready to start shipping!!

*Mom- we will all be together for our Christmas on Sunday, Dec 13th! Have that phone on....and could you send me the # to Noel's - could not find it and wasn't able to reach you on Thanksgiving on your phone. :-( Miss you. XO

hunting vs crafting

Woo hoo. All 4 guys are hunting tonight. I am home alone again. Last night I produced my Thanksgiving cards!! :-) Finally a clear mind (kind of) to let those creative thoughts make way!

Now today.....running and running. made dinner for the hunters. Ran into work to write down my schedule (psst. I work tomorrow and FRIDAY!) Tomorrow from 9a-230p. Then FRIDAY (day after Thanksgiving shoppers!!) 530p-10p. It isn't too bad. I like the customer service part. I love hearing about people's crafty ideas. But oh my aching feet after 15 hours! I worked from 7am - 5pm for the hospital then worked from 530-1045p at Michaels. My tootsies were killing me!! Dug out my tennis shoes and planning to scrub them up to wear tomorrow. I actually like next week's schedule better.....I work tomorrow at ONLY Michaels then Friday I work ONLY at Michaels and it will be a late night but no work on Saturday morning!!

Hopping into the kitchen to make some 'no bake' cookies for lunches. Doing some wash. Cleaning the bathroom and then making some crafy things. I want more decorations for my new office. I need one more black frame for my desk....Mom, remember the one I got at Hobby Lobby? Love it. I have my own office now at Homecare/Hospice and it needs some decor.

Started thinking about Christmas gifting.......HELP! I have three nieces that my boys swap with and a crazy sister in law that gave us a 'theme' this year of .....LIQUID! My boys have to give gifts to the girls that are 'liquid'. Thinking perfume....nail polish....polish remover....??? Any ideas?

Oh by the way.....ZERO deer!! Buckless hunters are just having fun in the woods I think? :-)

Mesenteric Lymphadenitis

Steve does not have kidney stones...he has the above. Huh what? It is an infection in the abdominal lymph nodes. Not all that uncommon in teen boys. (it even says that on the internet) However, I had not ever heard of it, have you?
Leave it to my boys to teach me something new. Steven had a trip to the ER last week and they debated between his appendix and kidney stones.....and when we left they called in kidney stones. The pain came back was horrible again with a fever....took him to our doc today and he sent us for a STAT CT Scan. I was with Steve at the hospital from 1030am to 2pm......the dr called in to give us the results....and he rattled off that big old name above.....then broke it down for me.
On antibiotics now and back to the dr on Wed!

I am off to a wrestling meeting at J High.......Ta da......and tomorrow BOTH jobs!!

deer camp

My guys have gone to deer camp tonight.... I went out for a little bit. They have quite the little set up....it is very cool. I love that 2 nieces are giving the men a run for the BIG buck, Jordyn and Kaitlyn. They had me out for dinner...and to pick Jake up for a birthday party.

They have a great little set up and what a meal plan....they grilled burgers for dinner, they are making cinnamon apples on the fire and marshmallows. They were all having loads of fun.

Tonight is fun tomorrow is serious battles for the BIG buck. :-)

Back to m

What a week

Steve II - kidney stones. 4 hours in the ER on Thursday night. IVs, drugs for pain, blood work, urnine sample, etc Yesterday started a little rough but as the day moved on so did that stone! And I had my normal kid back last night....causing havoc with his brothers and stirring up trouble.

Dad- took him to the U of M appt yesterday. Love that doctor. She is the clinical instructor as well as a dr at the clinic...she is so smart and boy she looks the part too. They have ruled out neuropathy as his diagnosis....found some protein in his blood work. Therefore 19 more vials were taken yesterday and we need to see a hemotolgist in Muskegon as soon as possible. The type of protein found can be a link to bone marrow cancer and it fits many more of his symptoms. (made him a little more nervous, of course, to hear that 'C' word again!! ) He is scheduled for a spinal tap and 3 CT scans in a couple weeks at the U of M. This dr is on a mission to figure out 'what is going on'...FINALLY! :-) You can just see it in her....she is a 'prove it to me kind of gal' ....my kind of girl....love it.

Koda - senior pics are back...loving them!! He is busy at school and hunting. I think he still lives here? Not liking that he is so independent now days. Where did the days go? and he is full wrestling mode....season starts Monday and he is pumped!

Jake - not wrestling. Planning to just do the weight lifting program that starts after Thanksgiving break through the winter then on to baseball and back to football. However, he is still being challenged and prodded to wrestle...so we will see?

Me- who am I? the crazy lady that is on the go trying to keep her days straight? Oh yeah, that IS me. Life is good. Busy is good. Started my new job at Michaels...fun but seems as though they are having issues with scheduling me? ha ha I told them I could NOT work on Wed and Thurs....called on Wed to get my schedule for this coming week....she said quite cheerfully we have you on Wed and Thurs from 530 to close. HUH? Believe me, I know scheduling is a challenge and can be trying, as I schedule 35 nurses, HHA, therapists but it was on paper and in the computer - we checked the week before? lol Oh well. I am working Thursday THIS time but cannot on Wed as that is a big meeting about the TX hold em tournament fundraiser we are hosting and working at!!
Life is good. It's all good. lol

Steve Sr- hmm? thinking he is the man that comes around here sometimes? Hunting, working, hunting, working, and sometimes he stops in for a meal with us.

They are all going hunting tonight....setting up a little 'deer camp' so they can spend the night out there together and such. I am not complaining.....house to myself with just my little girl, Riley! (however, I am working noon-4p in intake (normal office job) today....so I may not see them before they go?)

Have a great weekend

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful Mother! I am the luckiest daughter around.

My mother has always been a wonderful role model, compassionate, creative, social, polite, understanding, accepting, oh my list could go on and on. She is IT....my mom, my friend, the best Grandma ever.................

I love you Mom. Hope you are enjoying your fun in TX- we miss you! XOXO

*Today is is supposed to be 69 degrees here! :-)

the chef is in!!

The chef is in da house!
I have spent the whole weekend wither buying food or preparing food.....here's a list of what I have made so far.....
Yesterday
white choc macadamia nut cookies- the kind from the fundraisers
Choc chip cookies - break n bake
PB & J cookies - homemade and a HIT
individal pizzas for dinner....including a Buffalo Chicken pizza that they all loved

Today
choc chip pancakes/ pumpkin pancakes - for the boys
Bagel/egg/bacon sandwiches for Steve and I
Ham spread for sandwiches - thanks Mom for the hand grinder - we LOVE IT and the boys had fun cranking
Homemade Bean Soup - smells so good simmering
Pumpkin Crunch Chex Mix for lunches and afterschool snack

and I am heading back to the kitchen to work on next week meal preparations....burger time! Fry some and season some, patty some and ????
I am trying to make the actual cooking on the weekdays simple as our schedules are growing more complicated. I am working at Michaels right after my FT job tomorrow and Friday....so I will home close to 10pm. PLUS it is hunting season! I really do want them to be able to go and enjoy the season they love. It is tough to not start hating the season as men do not know how to balance hunting and anything else. errrg!

OH! I need a dessert to take Tuesday night.....hmmm, what can I make? or can Steve make Tuesday after work? Brownies? Something fall-ish but easy!
*edit http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/praline-pumpkin-dessert/a9e39b15-e1ce-49ee-b0a5-63da75ce72cb Thinking this is what I am making for Tuesday!! :-)

I'll be back! XOXO

Love this...

I used this awhile back....made an easy blog post template...Thanks Ali Edwards and The Simple Woman's Daybook....for the idea.

Outside my window... it is dark and cold

I am thinking...about getting groceries when Steve leaves to hunt tomorrow morning

I am thankful for...my family and our health

From the kitchen...I smell chili and hear Steve filling his bowl again

I am wearing...my pjs.

I am creating...a few cards for upcoming birthdays and my Thanksgiving cards

I am going...crazy!!

I am reading...blogs, blogs and more blogs....OH and Facebook too.

Around the house...things are settled. Jake is on XBOX with friends, Steve I and II are in my bed watching 'IT' - not me - freaky clown in that one. (Koda is not home...hello? it is a Friday night!!)

One of my favorite things... my family!

A few plans for the upcoming week...starting my new job, football awards banquet,

A photo to share...

Love this one! How cute. Miss you Mom! XXOO

Happy almost Birthday! XXOO

Great pics

Grandma and her babies


Had to share a couple great pics from a couple weekends ago before my mom headed out for TX!

Newest news. We have a new baby in the family...always great reason to smile.

A tiny little red-headed baby girl was born to my nephew and hi wife...Brielle Addison.

I will post pics soon

PEACE! xo

i want to blog

but I've been exhausted lately.
I have taken on a new part-time job....we'll see how this goes. Michaels hired me as seasonal part time....the pay is not high....but it will help with Christmas! and....I get a 25% discount on regular priced items! woo hoo. Make your shopping lists and I will happily share the wealth!
What's new with you?