Girls weekend update

Ladies...Mom confirmed...we are not leaving Michigan.  No Canada visits.  You ladies can choose again if you'd like.....not all parties have passports.  :-)

Three more days

I work 3 days this week.....and I am so ready for the break!!  I spent 3 of the last 4 weeks covering for someone else....and of course it is the busiest job in the business so there was no spare time to work on my own tasks.  Ugh.  It will be a nutty 3 days back (and I am hoping the gal is back to work on Monday...she has been off - started with a vacation, then she had a sore throat so she called in and then it turned into sleep deprivation?  frustrating!!) but.....on the flip side....2 days off = a 4 day weekend with the girls!! Woot Woot!
I am soooooo ready for a girls weekend.

New cast yesterday....seems much more supportive and definitely the black is less obnoxious!!  My piggies were  COLD yesterday....so I will use the toe warmers a girl gave me from work for the weekend adventures.  She also was lucky enough to have the opportunity to wear a sexy boot about a year ago!!  Thanks Vickie.

Homecoming - we won.  Actually, all 3 teams won this week.....HOORAY!  Now we are on all home games for Freshman/  JV for the remainder of the season!!  Hooray!!

Have an awesome week.  I will be back with news of our travels.  (Taking a laptop along for the updates!!)

Guess!! I need your guess!!

Girl’s Weekend 2010 - Once again we are planning our Girl's Weekend..my mom, aunt, cousin, sister in law and I. My mom is the organizer and is not announcing our destination....she is so much fun....so below are the clues and I would like your guess!! A small gift will be brought back to the winner that guessed correctly and even a phone call from the road!!
(Stephanie and I both have them posted at work and have people guessing from there too!!) C'mon play long!!

Clue #1

Point your pinkie up……

when sipping tea!!! And practice your curtsey!!! We will be
visiting royalty!!! ( you may wear your tiara if you like)

Girls' weekend October 2010


Clue #2

With our ride over and the adventure of the first day complete - we will go (some of us will be hobbling) to our sweet retreat for the evening. Perhaps a drink (not tea with royalty this time - maybe Crown Royal instead) or two before we retire with a good night to all!!

Our second day should give us a good outlook for being leaf peepers and adventurers to be off and discover new lands. Perhaps Boatox will be in our future!! An app't at 11 and a leisurely afternoon. We will hopefully arrive in time to taste some of wares the people are preparing. A Taste of the Green.

Clue #3

We have had a few clues - leaf peeping - coach ride - tiaras (which are polished and ready) - so add
cameras ready for flora, fauna and little people houses

Hiawatha (perhaps the first line)
Shopping with a BRIDGE VIEW
and, A short retreat to our SWEET Retreat.
We are so excited to go and to hear your guesses


ALSO, on our day of departure - each participant will fill out THEIR guess of our destination!!!


NEXT DAY 2

Baget - Boatox - App't @ 10AM - Games - Walk the " Valet Service

Oh Oh Getting excited and ahead of myself!!!!

NOW WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR PREDICTION! YOU MUST COME CLOSEST TO OUR DESTIATION AND IF YOU FIGURE OUT THE FINAL TRIP WE WILL BRING YOU BACK A SOUVENIOR - REMEMBER WE ARE BUDGETED LADIES AND YOUR REWARD MAY NOT BE OF GREAT MONETARY VALUE - JUST A TRINKET FROM THE HOMELAND!!

**Side note…..I asked “Are we truly heading North from the noted meeting place?”

Mom’s reply- “Well, we can't go west or the mice will drown and we will get our regal gowns wet. So yes - kinda - we will be heading north - north easterly direction. South would take us back toward a destination we have already been AND this will be Different”

here we go............

• last week's game was a soggy game and a loss :-(  however, Jake did start as center and played quite a bit and Uncle Tim and Aunt Barb came down to visit Gma Meek and they brought Gpa with them.  an, all made it to the very, very wet football game.
• work for me is just plain crazy!!  They are making all kinds of changes.  Luckily, I am in on the changes but not being removed from the equation.
• my foot...ugh....back in the walking air cast.  Back to the dr on the 13th.  Sure was hoping that it would just heal and be a simple fix.  I do not have time in my crazy life to be slowed down - nor the $$ to be off again.
• did my first mammogram...oh how I love Passages....all digital and it was a breeze.  They called me the same afternoon to tell me that everything looks great!!  
• worked for 3.5 hrs this morning...came home...picked veggies from the garden....made 2 loaves of zucchini bread, a blueberry pie, cooked some black beans for dinner.....steak and black bean burritos.
• tomorrow...taking Jake to the mall to get a few back to school shirts and making salsa maybe
• Monday...Steve has to work all day..I have to go in for a couple of hours to do payroll.
• Tuesday....back to school....1/2 day

Just me and Steve

Stevie and I are heading out for some Mom and Son time.  My baby often gets scrambled together with the others and never gets the one on one he should get once in awhile.  Today the others are all off to Cedar Point with Dad...he is not fond of the coasters so we stayed back.
We are going to a 1 o'clock movie..'The Other Guys' with Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg...should be funny.....and planning to have a popcorn lunch!!
The heading to the mall to find him some school shoes and maybe some shorts and shirts.  High school....wow...I am so excited for him but oh so sad that my babies are growing up so fast!!
Then he chose APPLEBEES for dinner.....gosh, I love hanging out with this boy!!  lol

Tomorrow back to the crazy schedules and chaos.  (Steve took tomorrow off to recover from the CP trip....they will get home late and he will need the sleep.... he took 6 teens....lol that brave man.  Our 2 oldest, Kyle (our other son, Koda's good friend), Richard (our nephew) and his friend Tad, and our niece Jordyn.

We're off.

2010 football season

Jake is playing center....#71

WE lost to Holland West Ottawa ...all 3 teams lost! 

she's baaaaccckkkk

Kind of.  I am so stinkin crazy busy I do not spend time on the computer.  I am on it all day at work, then I go to my other job, then home to catch up on laundry, my wildly overgrown garden and boys.

My ankle....defninite Achilles tendon tear.  Podiatrist suggested trying a custom fitted 'brace' until Nov....then look at it again with an MRI if no improvements....surgery to re-attach.  Checked out the brace....$450 out of pocket!!  Hmm, and then surgery?  ouch.  Talked with more nurses and another dr....they all say tendons rarely heal.....very little blood flow to them.  I have read and read online and see the same.  Not convincing me into spending $450 out of pocket yet!!

My boys....Koda is finally back on track.  He agrees he needs to go to school...yeah!!  I am so happy that I just chilled out and let him find his way (Thanks Beth for the pep talks!!), Jake is a sophomore and playing JV football, and my baby, Steve, is a freshman!!  Literally, I cried the other day when I said this outloud....I cannot believe my babies are so darn old.  How did this happen so fast?!

Steve Sr hurt his back at work....still working just lighter duty and doing therapy....most days are better.

My 3 guys + 4 extras are heading to Cedar Point on Sunday for the day!!  God love my husband....he is the leader and such a trooper.  Leaving here at 8am and should be home by midnight!!
Stevie and I are staying home and I think doing some school clothes shopping and going to dinner and a movie.

Vacation days for me today and yesterday.  Trying to catch up and free my brain of some overload.  Last night we drove to Holland and met my family....Mom & Noel, Dad, Bill & Alyssa, Tim & Barb at West Ottawa High School to watch Jake play football.  It was great to visit and have them all get to see Jake play.
The score....wow....not good.  BUt good times with good company!!  Long long day!!  WE got home around 11pm!!

I am off to get some things done.  XXOO  Peace.

Great Monday!!

I took a vacation day yesterday to 'put the icing on the cake' after a super weekend.  I had such a great day...hated to see it come to an end.  Ugh.  Hate the many miles that now seperate us from our favorite friends.
2 lakes...loads of fun and awesome memories.
It was so nice to see Karen again!  It's been a long time!!  Thanks again Karen for letting Jake and I join the fun too, we had a great time.  (Jake slept until 1pm today....he was exhausted!!lol)

Karen, Beth and I on Karen's pontoon!!

The crew!!  They had so much fun fishing and swimming.....diving and jumping!!

Jake was trying to walk on water....lol

Back to work today...of course CRAZINESS awaits.  I was bludgeoned with the news that I have to go to BENTON HARBOR for 3 days for training!!  Alone in a hotel room in GLORIOUS Benton Harbor?  Yuck!!  I want to go somewhere fun...or somewhere close to people I miss and love.  Mt.Pleasant?  Big Rapids?  Holland?  Muskegon?  Ludington?  OR hello....somewhere like a vacation hot spot?

Nope...Benton Harbor.  Anyone want to come stay with me?  No takers?  I am shocked.

perma-grin

This chic had the most awesome night  - can't quit smiling or talking about the night - saw an awesome concert FRONT ROW tickets - I hit a slot machine for $150 - and it was a long overdue date night needed by my hubby and I!!  This explains why I am still awake at 2am!!  Can't let this fun end!!

WOW it's almost August

HOT summer conditioning for football

Time has flown by this summer and I have been so far away from my blog, my scrappin,card making, picture takin.......I am sad.  Those things I love.  I have been absorbed in doing 'what's right' for many others. This weekend I have set aside for ME!  Imagine that!!
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Jake is in Lakeview with Cory....thanks Beth!!
Steve Jr is on his merry way to Missouri with his cousin Corey for a week.
Koda is a working man so he is stuck home digging to find something to go do this weekend.

Let's see...I am a diet failure....hopping back on that wagon this weekend too!!  Like I said...it's all about ME this weekend.....and I am trying to make some changes so it will last past the weekend too!  LOL

Working both jobs is kicking my butt some days...but on payday I am re-charged and lovin it.

Koda is still lost and unsure of what he wants to do....this weighs heavy on my heart and mind daily!!  Working full time at MDOT for a couple more weeks.  Such a good kid...just wish he would set a goal and go get it.
Jake passed driver's training, has his permit - and is truly a calm and wise driver.  Football start in high gear next week....playing center for JV.  First game is August 26th! at Holland West Ottawa
Steve Jr is the laid back day by day kid.  Loving the idea of starting high school, all healed up and ready to wrestle.  He has been working with me at the dr office, mowing lawns and having a fun summer.

My momma at Christmas in July......she made her 70s shirt!!

Steve and I - 70s theme at Christmas in July

beautiful sunset over Lake MI - Ferrysburg, MI

the storm rolled in over Lake MI

Barton boys and Bliss boys at Lake MI

Jubilee balloon launch.....these were over my house on Sunday morning

another balloon....free show was awesome

Good stuff

We are closing in on Open House #2.  Not much of a work week for me...work Monday, off Tuesday but clean the dr office, work Wednesday, then off until Tuesday except for cleaning Thursday night!!  Heading north on Friday morning.  and the weather looks like we may be able to enjoy it all including the beach!!

Koda started back at MDOT yesterday.  He is content.  Researching and reading up on joing the NDT world with his Uncle Bill - and former field of work of his Grandpa.  He has seriously considered this field before the Navy entered his dreams, but had lost that focus when he started persuing the Navy!!

Jake started football camp yesterday!!  They started right off the bat working him in as center again = happy boy!!  He had a great day but was so oober thirsty and feeling woozie when he got in the car!!  The boys needs to listen to his Momma!!  Drink lots of water.  Gatorade to the rescue.
Jake made me so proud last night...I will share....  as we were driving home after camp last night we witnessed a middle age man flip and wreck on a bicycle.  Jake shouted 'Stop Mom, we have to help him!!"  he was struggling to get on his feet and shake it off....I slowed up and before I knew it Jake was out and helping the man to his feet!!  I stayed in the car with cellphone in hand....asking him if he was ok?  He was a bit shook up (maybe didn't seem to be completely in his right mind??)  Anywho, we went on once he was stable on his feet walking about!!  Jake got in the car and sais "well,that felt good.  I did my good deed today!!" smiling with a BIG BIG smile.  I love this boys' huge heart!!

Steve II has started the summer running to and fro.....Mr. Social.  Since school has released last Wed...he has spent 2 nights at home!!  That child is eating me out of house and home and growing like a doggone weed!!  Help!!  I am still trying to talk Steve into playing football.....but so far, it's a no go!!  Darn.  I have seen his game face when wrestling....he could do it.  He wants to stay with wrestling and his social schedule for now.
( I think if the right influence came around he would break and play....he debates often!) lol

I better get scootin....laundry running,need to pick up a bit and get myself ready to head to Ann Arbor.....thinking we will be facing some big decisions today....to cut again or not cut!!

Do you read the comics?  The comic Zits usually fits our boys daily...check it out!!

2 graduations.... *sniff*sniff*

WOWZA!  Yesterday was awesome - Steven, my baby,has graduated and moved on to high school.  I am a bit weepy when I think about this...no more babies.  NO more school programs, field trips, etc.  NO more babies

Dakoda graduated...one open house done, starts work at MDOT Monday
Jakob finished the 9th grade...starting driver's training and football soon
Steven graduated from middle school yesterday and is now a high school freshman.  wow

I got a couple pics...I need to adjust the lighting  etc as they are pretty dark....I always struggle with pics in that school!!

No kids home.....Koda and Steve II are up north...Koda's first road trip (guided by Grandpa) and they are going big lake fishing with Uncle Tim tonight!
Jake is at his friend Andrew's...the had a big end of school XBOX party!!  :-)

off to work...with a darn sinus headache.

Awesome Open House

Thank you to all of my family and friends that stopped over on Saturday!!

Dakoda and Stephanie had an awesome open house.  

The wet weather held off until 6pm....thanks for all the prayers!!  The power pulled through!!

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Thank you Hamlin family for traveling down to Jackson to see us....we all 5 loved to see you all!!  XXOO

Even Mr.Barton said "we need to get together with the Hamlin's again soon!!"  

Why did he and Kyle have to wait so long to find their common interests? lol

Pic #1 is the awesome quilt that my amazing Mom made for Dakoda.  It is super cool.

Am I the luckiest daughter or what?  I love you Mom!!  You are the best!!

Thanks to you too for all your help at the open house and for making that very long drive!!  XXOO

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Scary...it is really very scary to let go and release a little of the line!!  Koda already seems to much more mature....we have spent so much time together this past week.....and he, in a nonchalant way has admitted TWICE that I was right!!  I was blown away!!  LOL  and one was thing I told him was about women!!  LOL  Yeah,Kod that might be one subject I know more about that you!  LOL

I love it.  lol  Now, more serious.....I am truly struggling a bit knowing that he is at that point in his life where I need to let him grow up and move on.  This is where I have to let go JUST a tiny more and let him make some decisions.....and for someone who is aware that she is a control freak...this is a little tough!  The thought of him making a mistake and me not being able to get him out of the mess.....makes me crazy!!  

LOL  ok, I feel better now that I have admitted my issue.  LOL

Happy Monday night.....back to work tomorrow.  :-(

:-)

"God grant me the laughter to help me see the past with perspective to face the future with hope, and to celebrate today---without taking myself too seriously"

Craziness is closing in on me quickly....where's my panic button?  where have I left it?  I know it's here somewhere!!

just a few...

Koda and Stephanie

The Barton 5

Koda and my mom and dad

Koda and Nick

and the Class of 2010 was announced....and the hats FLEW!!

LOSER

22#.  AND I have to admit...I have slipped here and there.  My biggest challenge...ice cold tea or Coke!!

Tomorrow is graduation.  OOOH.  and I am so confused with this big school stuff.  My dad is handicapped so he has to sit somewhere else away from the rest of us....with one guest.  I get to go to the track to take photos.
and we get 8 tickets so we can all go!!

My goal is 25# by the open house.....and I know I am on the way there!!  baby steps!
(I wore a pair of my pants yesterday that I have not worn in over a year!!)

oh my...*sniff*sniff

My boys are getting too darn old.  They have not touched that tramoline in over a year.....so we have offered it to the family across the street.  It still has a lot of good bounces left!!

I will scan a fewpics laterof my boys when they were enjoying their trampoline.

the diet!

Here is the diet plan I have been following.....15 lbs was my last known loss as of Friday.  This weekend was a little rough.....crazy busy getting things ready for graduation and I lost my focus a few times as I was not able to eat as well as I generally do....I was off my 2 hr plan and my choices were not available....this was just one day....yesterday!  But I felt so BLAH! after I ate the 'other' foods.  Back on the saddle and I am off.

I had a couple requests for the diet....here it is.

Life is NUTS right now.  The weather looks like it is going to be awesome for Friday...please keeppraying with us....I need sunshine on Friday all day!!  This will allow for the graduation to be outdoors which means all of the guests can go....otherwise Jake and Steve will miss out!  Not cool.

Dakoda is officially done. This next week...he has practices, awards night, and baccalaurate and graduation!  Then comes Memorial Day weekend, followed by the 1st open house...then comes 8th grade graduation!!  and then the 2nd open house.....
somewhere shortly after we plan to go to the cabin and fix/clean it up.  It is time.  It has been 19 years since I have been with Steve and we have never been there.  Guess we should be more familiar since it goes to Steve if anything happens to his dad!  We have big plans we would like to see happen.....it is oh so close toour friends the Hamlin's...we are hoping they will come for a weekend or overnight visit ......and Beth suggested a great idea.....a cabin crop!  I am trying!!  :-)

Working the second job is also kicking my butt!  Love the workout I am getting 3 days a week, but mentally it is kicking my tail!  Steve is also working with a guy after his first job a couple days a week doing 'odd jobs'....a bathroom remodel, a concrete job,etc.  Our goal is to pay off some debt...lol and then make big plans
The biggest challenge with these working schedules...meal planning!!  Pass along any ideas you might have,please!!  Jake loves to grill so we have been utilizing those skills.

Sums up my fun and excitement.  Back to the diet 

Tic Tac Toe

Jakob has had a lot of fun this trimester in his wood tech class.  He loves it.  I was amazed tonight when I got home and saw this awesome little game that he made.  Tic Tac Toe.....and the pegs are kept inside.  How darn cool.  He made me a shelf for the wall earlier and a letter holder- which is currently a napkin holder on the table.

I can't wait to see what he creates next year in Wood Tech 2!

change

still my focus.  seems like I may not be the only one in our little crew making a change.

Koda went to MEPS (Navy) again today for the foot consult....since he has flat feet.  The dr scored him a 12 on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the most severe flat feet)  hmm.  the recruiter told him not to give up....they are working on a waiver?  not sure I will allow him to go with a waiver until I understand it more....a waiver to me sounds like they would ask him to sign something saying if ever he has troubles that are linked to his flat feet he would not be covered?  nope.  at 17 he cannot start out like that.  the dr also gave him a brand of shoe and style that will be great for him....I was scared.....$$$$ but actually they are only about $100/ pr.  which to some might make you squeal but to a mom of boys....and athletic ones....it is a drop in the bucket...just another pair of shoes.

my area of change is going pretty good.  still working out the details....defninitely have to plan ahead.  my weekend was a bit tough staying on schedule but I still dropped another 2 lbs!  :-)

had an awesome weekend.  great fun, but always too short.  miss my mom already.  i need to be closer so I can craft and hang out with my mom more.

will post pics later.  xo
ah ha!  some pics....Jake - handsome young man....dressed in business attire for a class project!!
Koda playing kickball with his cousins at Stony Lake park

Steven turned 14!  Ugh.  My baby is growing up!  and Alyssa playing kickball on Sat!!  (background...Yvonne, Tim and Bill)