summer swim lessons

and she passed!! she loved it!! then she stole my raft...

this all happened yesterday!

today the summer storm took out my power. It was out from 430pm- till 830 tonight. Luckily we have a gas stove- so Steve could finish dinnner and then we basically enjoyed the outdoors until we got the power back. Our porch was a neighborhood hangout....kinda fun.

ugh- another week

who's your tiger? Steve decided Riley need to be the UN- official bat girl for the Tigers tonight while we were watching. After many attempsts she finally let me snap a pic. We took it for my dad....sending it his way! My Dad is a HUGE Tigers fan!!

(Don't look too close - her helmet is from the West Michigan White Caps game, not TIGERS )

Dad got his results back from his latest biopsy - NOT good. He goes on Friday for a meeting with the dr to talk about options. My brother is going to accompany him. I am going to patiently wait to hear from them from here.....hate the miles I have between myself and my family, especially in times like these. The talk is surgery and chemo with more tests to check to see if it has spread. Keep us in your prayers.

But on another Tigers note - those scratch off tix....if you have losers...send them in for the drawing! I talked my dad into it and he WON! FOR REAL, Beth :-) He won Tiger gear- very cool.

Here is the QUEEN !! She loves to be outdoors. A few nights this past week I have had to go out in my pjs to get her- she loves to crawl up in the lawn chair and go to sleep. I called and called her Thursday night and she would lift her head, loko at me, then lay back down and go to sleep. STINKER! Just like a kid!!

Nothing else too exciting going on.... The pool and the grill are getting used a lot. The garden isdoing GREAT! green beans, green peppers, tomatoes, banana peppers, corn and watermelon!

bummer

We bid, but were overbid by someone who offered FULL price on the house we were interested in. Oh well, there is a reason for it and somwhere is a new house for me. :-)

My lunch hour now consists of MOM'S TAXI. I drive home at 1015 grab Jake , pick up another kid, run to Parkside, drop them off for summer band camp and back to work. Today however, I tossed them out at Parkside and dashed to Target before going back....uhhhh HELLO...June 19th? The new Janet E book is released today and so was Bon Jovi's cd...yep- a quick $30 BUT well worth every cent. Love the cd and book BOTH!

Steve starts his band camp in just a couple weeks and Koda starts Driver's Training! The wheels will be smoking at lunch time for TAXI MOM!! (Thinking about checking the city bus schedule for the driver training kid? we'll see.)

AND I will start my new job. Effective 7-1-07 my new position, and pay scale will go in effect!! :-) Still in the same place, same people, I will just be working for Hospice instead of Home Health and no more speaking with every referral source! Don't get me wrong, I love my current job too, but the new one is working more indepentently. If you did not know....I am not keen on someone always over my shoulder watching me. LOL and one nurse in particular was a biggie ....I even caught her on my computer reading my email once. UGH.

Stay cool and enjoy summer.

happy father's day

What a weekend - in a flash!!
On our way home today a church on I 96 had an awesome quote.

Don't let your yesterday waste your today!!

loved it!! Sums it up completely. Hey Mom, a new quote we can use for our half empty friends! :-)

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

i love weekends like this

WOW! We have had a great weekend- we went back to house shopping - and oh my- I think we may have landed THE ONE !! guess what color the kitchen is? ahhh I will elaborate when we get closer. No more cursing my dream- and to those of you interested- it is in JPS district!! Not the neighbor to Beth - but still close enough for the kids to play / hang out!


kitchenfamily room in the basementliving roomlooking from the living room in to the kitchen- staitway to basement

I have tried some new recipes this weekend....and my family has been happy with fluffy full bellies all weekend. This one below is a new recipe I located online....I will share. And to be honest, cooking with beer scared me a wee bit ? but just like cooking with wine- the alcohol burns off during cooking so no big deal. Today I just put round steak (trimmed all the fat off) in the slow cooker on high with a bottle of BBQ sauce - as it cooked down and got tender I tore it apart with a fork and we had Beef BBQs. All 4 boys have been in awe this weekend...lol They even got a chocolate cream pie tonight for dessert- last night I made a weight watchers cream pie and they ate it but were not tickled by it. lol Of course no one passed either




My Kid's Favorite Pork Chops

Original recipe yield:6 servings

PREP TIME
20 Min

COOK TIME
1 Hr

READY IN
1 Hr 20 Min

6 pork chops ( I did 10 and used the same amt of beer and BBQ sauce) plenty
2 tablespoons steak seasoning
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
1 (18 ounce) bottle barbeque sauce
2 onions, sliced
DIRECTIONS
Sprinkle pork chops with steak seasoning. Brown both sides in skillet. After the pork chops have been browned, remove them from the pan.
Pour into skillet one can of beer. Stir around the beer until all the particles on the sides have been incorporated. Pour in barbecue sauce and place the pork chops back into the pan. Add onions and cover. Simmer on low for 1 to 2 hours.


Now back to the work week. No school - no activities. Jake will have band camp start Tues- Steve starts in July. Koda will take driver's training in July too, I think.

Hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful weekend.

YEAH Schools out!

What a week- nope not lost- just busy and not bloggin.
My bloggin usually happens in the evenings- and this past week so nice outside- just no time to blog! :-)
Week recap- lots of field trips, high school EXAMS, work is crazy!
I accepted a new position within the company.
I recently received 2 RAKS - a good summer bookand a photo envelope , and a goodie envelope full of fun scrapbook accessories, keychain photo album, note cards- SWEET, thanks ladies.
Now, to get the summer plans rolling- off to summer boarding school for boys!!
(ok, so just wishin that on some days)

Jakob- summer band camp - M-F 11-12 June 12- July 19
Steve - summer band camp M-Th 10-3 July
Dakoda- driver's training July - $400 (it was free 100 yrs ago when I took it)

Making plans for the girls getaway with Mom and my sis in law, Barb! ( maybe Bill's new friend too??) Shipshewana or BUST

what a weekend

Started with a day off from work! ahh!! Beth and I both took a day off...and we went to breakfast followed an awesome - totally relaxing pedicure. You sit in a chair that massages your back (kneading!) while they are massaging your piggies. I think I have a new addiction!!

Steve took Friday off too- so when the kids got home from school- we headed NORTH!!

Friday night we took the kids swimming IN Lake Michigan. Sunset pic of he and I

Frozen Steve

Friday - Sunset in Grand Haven

Sat- More swimming with friends. Spent the afternoon with Michelle and her family.

King Steve

King Jake

Saturday we went to Michelle and Nelson's for a few hours- the kids had fun in the pool and we caught up on the latest and greatest!! :-) We decided to all to to the horse race track, Great Lakes Downs. They say it will close after this season so we wanted to check it out! It was great fun. Yes, I won some and lost some. and the kids loved to watch BUT they started to get CRAZY chasing me to the bid counter pushing $ at me asking me to bid on a # for them....I created MONSTERS! LOL Truly, it was under control but seemed a little creepy with a 14, 12 and 11 year old arguing over horses, jockeys and winnings...lol

This pic was so cute. I was packing my bag to get ready to head for home today- and Riley hopped in when I went to gather my stuff from the bathroom....Momma was not going to leave her behind!

Hope everyone had a great weekend

say cheese

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

Is there really a puppy tooth fairy ?

• The tooth fairy is coming to the Barton's frequently this week. (Riley is the lucky girl)
• Dancing with the Stars - my favorite choreographer won! Julianne and Apolo (cute couple)
• American Idol - Jordin Sparks won- a young 17 yr old with a very powerful voice.
• I worked 48 hours so far this week- and I am sleepy tired
• Interviewing for two new positions within the company next week
• No firewarks tonight- postponed til tomorrow
• Thursday night Steve took our boys and Coutney to see Pirates #3. They loved it.
• I have the desire to create.

do what?

My trombone player- the future Parkside band member.

Jakob just had his first concert Thursday and he did a great job. He played the trombone all year and was hesitant to rejoin for 7th grade- but since the concert he has decided to continue on.

what's new?

Not a whole lot to report.....

Steve got off to camp on Monday- must have survived last night's storm- no calls.

Jake went back to school- still pretty tired- off to bed everynight waaay before bedtime.

Koda started his bands for braces- they started with just the back bands. Back on the 30th to get the rest? things are so different since when I had braces. (no, they were not made of slate as my kids asked!)

Steve Sr survived his 40th birthday.

Riley OH MY- I think she is going through the terrible twos. If there is something to get into she finds it....a royal stinker!! Tonight she got in my purse when I was in the kitchen and stole a CHECK! one I had voided, thankfully- BUT STILL. She loves the blowdryer...she runs when she hears it turn on and stands nearby on her hind feet- she loves it when you blow dry her belly.....ahhh warm! She has been sneaking out of the gate- so now she has to be a prisoner of a cable tie out! We tried to block every hole we could see and she still gets out- so the cable it is. Howver, now she sneaks out with the cable on and then is STUCK! Ugh, I cannot imagine starting over with kids at my age...she drives me nuts!!

ME I am looking forward to my weekend. A scrapbook day at Beth's- sounds so relaxing and fun. Love hanging out with you girls.....be inspired by all the craftiness.

Off to do some laundry- anxious to catch AI tonight- beth I do think 'your girl' will take it away- but last night I did vote- a couple times.....first time I actually voted...lol have you?

Happy day

Happy Mother's Day- my friends.
Hope everyone was able to enjoy a little R & R or even better- some royal treatment.

Had to share a couple cute shots I took today.

Busy Monday ahead of us .....

Koda get his braces on.
Jake goes back to school after his week off.
Steve heads off to camp in Battle Creek for one week.

Oh what a relaxing shot of Koda. Hammock, sunshine and jammin to his ipod w/ earbuds in.

I ran wild all day today getting everyone ready for the new week. Packing for Steve being away for a week.

Steve's 40th bday was cool. He said thank you to all for the wishes :-)

We spent the day running and shopping. Had pizza here with the kids, then went to the 740pm movie to see Delta Farce. It was ok, funny but not hilarious. We were home by 10 and then had his cake and ice cream. :-)

she has my eyes........

What a beautiful baby girl.















LOL my baby went to the groomer today. She has beautiful bows and a new haircut. Too cute.

Update about Jake- doing much better today. However, we still have low grade fevers. He will get a whole week off school- and we will not be going north for Steve's 40th bday nor Mother's Day! but that's ok and everyone appreciates us keeping our cooties at home. lol

Like Beth, I too kept just the complimentary 8x10 from our glamour shots photoshoot. Have to say, it was fun to do BUT the pics are waaaay tooo rich for my budget. Let me see about getting it on here.

Returned to work today- ICK!!! and I stayed until 530 to try to catch up....and I am going to work Sat 8am - noon. ICK again.

Then it will be Steve's day! Not sure what he has decided to go do yet....

they're back

The darn fevers returned last night! 103.8 and they have gone all the way down to 100.2 this morning. 4th day of fevers. Yep, and day three I am home and we are calling the dr this morning. UGH.
The poor kid was felling so much better yesterday then BAM! the fevers returned and wiped him out!

Our anniversary was nice. 14 yrs. Steve brought me flowers and a sweet card after work. He grilled steaks and helped me lay some of that flower stuff out in front of the porch- it is a butterfly mix. Let's hope it blooms- it says 1-3 weeks.

Raining today- inside projects for the stay at home mom. Unless, we are running all over or the worst fear comes true- an admission.

Big plans for the BIG 4-0 man. Turns 40 on Sat and we are supposed to go north and bet on the ponies. :-) The track up north will close after this year so Steve wants to go give it a try!! Then dinner with Mom on Sunday!!

Keep us in our prayers....we need that fever to go away for good. Have a great Wednesday.

YEAH

Jake's fever broke this morning. 6am it was 103.2 and at 8am it was at 97.9. Let's hope it stays there today!! maybe the meds are finally working. he also mentioned food for the first time - a hunger pain!! that's a great sign.

Hope everyone is having a great Tuesday.

Manic Monday Part Deux

Oh my- here's the update-----

1030am appt with the dr- paid 15.00 copay to hear the dreaded " I really feel this is just a virus, if any more symptoms appear please bring him back." left with him still burning a 101+ temp with Advil and Tylenol in him.

1200 pm- the triage nurse called to check on the fevers - took it while I was on the phone with her- 105.2- she said "Let me call you right back, I am going to consult with the dr." Called back and said "I know you won't like this much but with those fevers he needs to go to the ER and have another dr check him over."

Spent a few hours there with an IV, lab draws, eye drops and an xray. Grand finale- PNEMONIA and PINK EYE!

7pm- temp is 103.9 with drugs and taking antibiotics and eye drops.

Hoping for some sleep soon.

Just another Manic Monday

First a weekend update- then the manic Monday-

Happy Birthday to Steve II- 11 yrs old on 5.5.07

We had a great trip up north- the kids had a lot of fun. We watched the West Michigan Whitecaps play Sat night- brr, it was chilly- but they won. The kids got autographs from Chris Cody who was a draft pick (8the round, I think) for the Tigers. Did you know that Brandon Inge played for the Whitecaps before he became a Tiger? YEP! Cool game, loads of fun.

Steve got his DS Lite he had been longing for. This past year he has been really enjoying video games more than ever before....so for the past 4-5 mos that is all we heard about how he would love to have a DS so he could play too. LOL and now he has enough $$ to buy a game or accessory too. My sil, Barb, loves to have fun with the kids- here is a pic of what she spent her time doing the other day....

$$ FOOTBALLS !!

All in all a great weekend.

Manic Monday- actually started with a crazy Sunday night. Jakob started running a wild temp about an hour after we got home. Acting totally crazy- he fell asleep then woke up talking about a GIANT CHEETO and kept asking who is here, and his skin and the whites of his eyes were bright RED !! Took his temp - 104.2. Yep that's my Jake....the high temp kid. When he was younger he used to have the seizures from high fevers. So I started the Tylenol/ Motrin alternating schedule last night and my mommy instincts woke me about every 2 hrs like clockwork and I checked him- ALAS this morning he just broke the fever and is / or was at 98.9. Through the night we ranged from 102.9- 104.9. I believe it is a sinus infection.....Mom is home today with the fevering kid and off for a 1030am appt with the pediatrician. Did you know that Meijer does free antibiotics? hmm, I love free. lol

Sorry Beth, I am really hoping nothing that we could have passed on....the boys are wanting to come back soon....Brad wanted to come here for a couple hours before I took them home, so we promised maybe in 2 weeks they can both come stay overnight.

So besides a sick kid and an appt...I plan to make some huge dents in laundry and housecleaning that is all way overdue. I cleaned out dressers last night until bed time and have been packing up the winter clothes, sorting out what we will not need....sounds like we need to have a yard sale. the boys have really been wanting to have one...maybe we will let them host it and then we can work out a deal for the $$ earned. hmm- sounds like more work...LOL

Hope everyone has a great Monday.

busy busy

Still focused on losing the fluff....have been so busy only made it to the gym 2x this week- for this I am bummed but....start again with next week.

Off for the birtday weekend....taking off tomorrow morning with Brad and Cory coming with us. Love adding these two- they are so darn good and they keep all of mine from fighting and truly are both a lot of fun to have along....and my family just loves them!! Dad could not get over Cory's manners when he came up the first time....and Cory thanked him and gave him a hug before we left alongside my boys. melted Grandpa's heart.
West Michigan Whitecaps game tomorrow at 630 - cookout at 3 at my dad's - Lake Michigan in the morning before we come home. Thinking I would love to walk the beach and take some pics. We are way over due for some fun snapshots!!

My total BIG treat for this week....before the baseball game...lol

2 Dove dark chocolates...... and I love the little quotes inside.

"there's no excuse not to dream" and "Naughty can be nice."

better scoot and get off to work.

RAK slacker

It is April 30th and I must admit - I am a Rak slacker.

Jill- can you ever forgive me? I will give you the choice....I have it - shall I mail it tomorrow or have Beth bring it your way on Sat?
Please do not kick me out of the Rak-ing fun. I promise to do better next time....I pink swear!



I got my RAK today.....will post pics of my two RAKs later. Thank you Beth. and the lasagne was yummy!! Thank you. They loved it even more when I told them in was venison lasagne. lol MEN!

what a weekend

Time flies when you work 12 days in 2 weeks.

Beth and I went and did a Glamour Shots photo shoot Friday night- and it was a lot of FUN! They cake you up with tons of makeup, style your hair and take some very seductive, yet glamorous shots. The gal that 'hoochied' you up- was funny at first then she became very annoying....quite the storyteller. I cannot wait to see the pics when they come back.

Worked Sat, went on a food run, and then for a new hair-do. Quite different I must say....more than one color of highlights and a new shorter cut!! I am a guinea pig for a hairstylist I trust and like....so she mentioned a new idea she had for me and I said 'Have at it!' Believe it or not Steve said he liked it? not the norm, usually when I change or go shorter I get a head nod. LOL

Today- the boys are off with Steve's dad to explore out in the Waterloo area. Steve and I are heading off to get some tomato and pepper plants to add to our garden. Hungry? stop by in a few - we have planted cantaloupe, watermelon, banana peppers, green beans, and adding in green peppers and tomatoes. Seems like I may have missed something? I will have to ask the planter.

Just checking in......hope you all enjoyed our warm weekend.