December 3rd...

Friday.  Today I am thankful for that. ☺  Looking forward to chaperoning both the Spanish Club dinner and the dance tonight.  I feel bad that Caleb is missing practice to go to the dinner but he signed up for it before basketball started.  If  he was required to go to practice, he definitely would.  I was happy his coach told him no penalties since he cleared it ahead of time.  I think 5 boys are in this situation.  Life.

Another thing I am thankful for is Warren Zweigle's Christmas tree.  My fascination started last year at holiday time.  I love to drive by every dark evening and see his beautiful twinkling tree standing front and center in the window.  It gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Oooh...how could I let this slip my mind?  Andrew's Spanish Club design was chosen as one of two winning designs to be used as a logo on their club tees.  His design will be on the back of the shirt.  Way to go, Andrew! {and miss Andie, too!}  What have I done to deserve these kids?  Whatever it is, yippee me!!!

My post could not be complete without me telling about my random bad luck.  I took my van in to get new brakes yesterday. {I need both new brakes and new tires before my next oil change.} I hadn't heard anything all day so I called over there in the late afternoon.  Maybe I shouldn't have called.  Ray asked me what I hit.  When I told him nothing, he told me I was lying to him.  I started getting mad.  Not because he called me a liar but because as of morning, there were no dents on my front passenger side.  When he asked me again and I said nothing, he asked why my rim was bent and my wheel bearing was bent and my axle was broke.  Hmmm... I'm laughing right now because now the conversation seems pretty funny, but last night...not so funny.  The night before, on my way to church, I lost control of my van while turning to pick Caleb up after practice.  I hit the curb.  That's it.  I remember telling Andrew that I really hoped it was just my tire and not my wheel.  That's because it sounded bad.  But the roads were bad and I was busy and I forgot all about it.  Wondering why I didn't notice the van driving funny?  Yeah, so did Ray.  And my boss.  And my mom.  The roads were bad both Wednesday night and Thursday morning so I was driving slow, fishtailing and all that jazz anyway.  I was already driving funny.  Needless to say, I am now buying tires, a rim and an axle Monday and I walked out of my "brake" appointment paying 447.29. {not including Monday's premium}  Ah, I was also leaking brake fluid and needed new cylinders and pads.  Really?  Okay, I'm not surprised.  Nobody should be.

December 2nd...

Last night, while waiting for the bigs to finish confirmation class, I scoured the books in the church library for something to take home.  I found a book written by James Dobson called Family Christmas {I think} and I opened it to see what was inside.  I was immediately pulled in by the stories.  I snatched it up to take it home.  A good cry on the couch, snuggling in the late hours of night, is always good for the soul.  I also picked up a few other books and hope to share them with the boys soon.

The Advent service was nice. We sang carols before the service started.  Loved it!  The only negative last night was poor Caleb had to wait until almost 8:30 for dinner.  After school he had to attend the Environmentalist Club meeting, then he had practice followed by class and church.  Whew!

I'm on day 4 of 10 of taking better care of myself.  I can already feel a difference.  My body feels different and so does my mood.  I like it a ton. ☺

I'm just maybe a bit anal about my Christmas cards and I have to get them out.  I always like Christmasy or wintry themes for my cards {except one time} with Christmasy colors.  I don't sway.  For whatever reason I was easily swayed the other night by my kids...all 3 took a vote.  They decided to request a fall pic I took of them as our card this year.  I only thought about it for a second or so.  Why not?  Settled.  Yesterday I was even playing around with {gasp} trendy, not traditional, Christmas colors.  I wonder what this means??  The leaf is turning...

The tree is finally up so I will get that decorated tonight and wrap more gifts.  A truly lovely evening...

December 1st...

And so it begins.  Went to bed ready for today. {despite the snow}  Was a little giddy in anticipation.

Today is the start of the Advent season and in it's honor, I have put together a new advent calendar for my boys.  I had fun filling it with treats, mini scavenger hunts and fun stuff to do.

                                                            *My current holiday faves...*

                                                           this one goes without saying...

                           yummm...also super great as a punch with sherbert I found out recently. 

 sheet music and candles...new favorite Christmas obsession!! {as you can tell by our storefront window}

santas always!!  this little guy is 3D but you really cannot tell.  he pops out of the chimney.

soft, cuddly stockings.  i bought new ones at the end of the season from pottery barn last year.

gingerbread houses...see mr. gummy bear walking up the steps to the front door?

Oh, and I have to share something I bought myself recently.  Used it last night for the first time.  Kids certainly say the darnedest things and for the life of me cannot remember most of them without writing them down.  This book has a page for every day of the year for 5 years.  It was originally intended for Kyle but it was Caleb who deserved the first entry last night...{the gist...}asking me to set a new standard for myself by being a better mom than the best {because I already am in his words}...by getting him a water.  DOOF!  I really do have the best kids ever. ♥

What are your holiday faves??

HoHoHo And FaLaLaLaLa....

Okay, I'm totally getting my Christmas spirit vibe on...two posts in one day!  Came home from Caleb's game {great job, Vikes!} to a sweet surprise...our first Christmas card of the season.  I've been looking forward to it for so long.  I always anticipate the first card and always know exactly who it will be from.  I guess it marks the official holiday card season.  Much love to the Lohman fam, well actually Stacey, for being so on it Every. Single. Year.

Christmas shopping started out fast and furious this year.  I always have to wait to supplement my gift giving fund until K gets his school money and his comp check...usually to weeks before Christmas.  I end up dreading shopping because I'm in such a mad rush that I don't find what I really want to buy and end up sometimes settling just to have a gift.  My coaching check was split in half, but the first half always seemed to come after Christmas.  This year K gave me most of his coaching check for presents. {and will bank his other cash later}  This is a bonus since he's never been paid for his time before. ☺ Once the initial gifts were purchased, though, I hit a slump.  There's always a few perfect gifts.  But not for everyone.  This year I hit it big at TJ.  Tomorrow I'm planning another big trip to Muskegon.  The trip isn't big...my loot shall be.  I have taken trips to GR, Howell, Traverse City and small trips on my own and I am still fishin'...I have a renewed sense of hope today.  Tomorrow will be grand!

Larry from work does a different kind of gift exchange it seems like every year.  This year the gift {I think} has a limit on the $$ and has to be handmade.  I've heard some great ideas from the past and really want to do that.  I am in the midst of a few handmades myself.  I love it.  Just need more time.  I have to get my advent "calendar" finished first.  I guess I only have tomorrow.  Ha!  I picked up a book today and as I put it on the counter I remember thinking to myself, "I should check the price in case it's one of those..."  Ah, yes...it was one of those!  I decided to keep it anyway because I really think I'll be pleased with some ideas inside...

I came home to the smell of paint tonight.  I had actually forgotten about the bedroom.  Um, hellllloooo...I may be mistaken but I think it's done!  I left Joe a to-do list which entailed filling nail holes, sanding,{both the spackle and other spots} taking down the wallpaper solar system thingies, priming the navy wall and painting two coats of paint.  Amazing!!  I'll show a pic soon. {memory card is still full}  I also gave the O.K today to finish my buffet.  HGTV's Sarah's House gave a great idea about how to make my "plumbing drawers" usable.  Cannot wait to pick out a sink and faucet.  Huh?  An end in sight for the bath?  What will I do with all my extra time?  Fuhgeddabouddit.

Okay, so I'm giving myself the gift of 10 days.  Starting today, for 10 days, I am totally taking care of myself.  I figure I'd hate to fail while I'm so filled with joy so I set myself up to not fail.  10 days shouldn't be hard, right?  Riiiiiiightttt...It's so foolproof that I imagine I've been here before.  This time is different.  I can tell.  10 days, right?  Wish me luck.

Happy eve of the day before the first day of December. ♥

Woooooosh...

When the phrase "when it rains it pours" was coined, I wonder if it's author was speaking of the monsoons, because, really??

Today the boys' room is being repainted.  I can hear the angels singing.  I imagine its high time to get rid of the solar system that wasn't.  Caleb was never fond of it, even at 7.  I figure 13 is a good enough age to send it packin'.  I've had the paint chip for weeks and even in my hot little hands the other day.  Knowing the painter was showing up at 9 to pick up the swatch, I ripped my house apart last night but never found it.  I frantically ripped through Every. Single. Paint. Chip. I own and came up with 3 randoms...none too close to my own first choice.  Luckily, when Joe got here this morning, he had his paint book as well.  Although the brand was the same, my sample was not there.  Oh well.  We settled on another and all is well.

The current church situation isn't faring well.  I am really torn with my feelings and I really don't know what to do from here.  I really feel like I'm being pulled in a few different directions and it hurts my heart.  Seems to be a lot of that going around lately.

I was totally L. A. Z. Y. this weekend.  Thursday was busy but then I never left the house again until yesterday morning for church.  I put up more holiday stuff and watched tons of holiday stuff on tv.  I was hoping to get my garage door fixed and my tree up, but...another shooting took place in Muskegon yesterday so none of it happened.

The boys spent the afternoon with gramma yesterday making gingerbread houses and decorating cookies.  Super great memories they will always treasure.  The house looked like a tornado had struck, but 7 kids {mine, the Tenbrinkmans and cousin Cody} had hand made gifts, gingerbread houses, decorated cookies, full bellies and irreplaceable smiles on their faces. {not to mention frosting and goo}  Priceless.  I wouldn't trade that for anything, even considering I didn't see my kids all weekend.

I did manage to spend a little QT with Caleb last night, however.  We tried like mad to get him situated with clothes for game days last Wednesday but ran out of time {with only a shirt and tie} and I haven't seen him since then so out we went.  We bought a pair of black pants, another shirt and tie, black dress socks and, last but not least, black shoes!!!  SCORE!!  He was looking mighty fine this mornin'.

{ooooh...bad color.  My little point 'n shoot is broken and my memory card is full on my canon}

Shopping was a hit.  Wish we weren't still trying to figure out Christmas and what our plans are because I could go HOG WILD shopping for him.  I kind of already did.  He's sooo easy to buy for.  Love it.  Andrew is fun too but I see a change in him.  I think it's middle school.  He has kind of put Alex P. Keaton on the backburner.  That makes me a little sad.  I think he's just trying out some new things and trying to figure out what's what and who he is and where he fits into the big equation.  He's gone from Alex P. to converse for all seasons to a semi-preppy pair of slip on mocs.  That and Hollister or Abercrombie tees.  Just getting comfy in his own skin, I guess.  I've said it before and it's worth repeating...I always tell the kids two things.  First, I will never steer them wrong and, second, I will do every possible thing I can for them...until I cannot.  So my point is this... if they need to try on a few different hats to figure things out, I'll just make sure to have coats to match. ☺

Happy Monday.

Gangsta...

Really, you don't wanna ask.  I've had a tough couple of weeks religiously and I don't really know if there is an end in sight to the frustration, anger, hurt and overall feeling of nonacceptance and letdown.  My kids are my world and I'll do my best to protect them, love them and raise them to be the men they are meant to be.  I will not struggle with my choices or why I feel the way I do.  However, the big fat question mark over my head right now is keeping me from wearing my hats.  And, baby, it's cold outside.

Ha, speaking of Christmas, Kristin and I decorated the windows at Northland today. {complete with tunes from the Glee cast}  The Holiday Walk starts tomorrow and we needed our windows decorated in time.  Technically we don't at all since we are not part of the retail gig, but we make every effort to fit in. ☺  In case you drive by tonight or early morn, we are not done yet.  It's pretty cool, though.  Kristin wanted a fireplace in the worst way.  We could not track one down so I pulled one out of my sleeve. {or the utility room in my basement} I think it turned out pretty cute.  Will post a pic.

UPDATE:  I purchased the buffet the other day.  You know, the perfect one. Today I spoke to the lady who will pick it up, take it to her home in Coopersville, paint and finish it and bring it back to me.  Super excited!!!!

Andrew competed in a Spelling Bee tonight.  I believe he ended up 4th so he made his goal of getting a Book Nook gift card and making it to regionals.  I believe he was 4th.  I know he made his goal.  Next stop is Remus, Mi.  I've heard of it.  Where??  Jen said 1 1/2 hours away?  Dang.  He was sooo excited.  He's planning for nationals now.  Dream big, buddy.

In today's mail were two letters addressed to the parent/guardian of.  One for Andrew.  One for Caleb.  They were both chosen to participate in the Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search based on their MEAP scores.  Caleb took the ACT last year.  He can either choose to take it again or try the SAT.  I see good in both.  The only negative is the closest SAT test center is in GR and the ACT test center is at Reeths Puffer...5 miles or so from here.  We'll chat.  This is so fabulous for the boys and I am doubly proud.

Christmas is around the corner.  Caleb's first ball game is the Monday after turkey day and Andrew's first soccer game could be as early as that following Saturday.  2nd season will be in full swing.

Hitting the outlets with girl fam Saturday morning.  Hoping I get much of the shopping list taken care of.  Do you know how hard it is to find Justin Dwieber loot?  Ash has 2 shirts, a calendar and the doll I believe. {shhh...gifts}  I thought I'd score at Walmart.  Nope.  What's an aunt to do?

The boys are all having a smallish Chrstmas this year... because we are heading to Chicago the day after, baby!!  That's right.  My big girl travel pants are coming out of the cellar and we're heading to the city with the 10% sales tax.  Truly have never been there.  We are all so excited.  The boys are already giddy because their Aunt Michelle will be here to visit next week and they are headed to Chicago with the Tallquist clan. Never before, then twice in one month.  Spoiled brats I tell ya. ☺

Peace out.

Could This Be More Random...?

I was helping Kyle with his homework last night and told him he needed to write his name on his paper.  He asked me if he could just write his ficials...

I asked Kyle this morning what he wanted off his Christmas list from Santa.  He told me he'd have to think about it.  I told him we'd be writing a letter to Santa soon.  His response was, "Why?  Doesn't he live on the moon oh somethin'?"

Caleb got back from 5 days at camp yesterday and will be presenting the group's idea to better the school tonight at the school board meeting.  Since he was gone during basketball tryouts, he will get to finish his tryout tonight at the first regular practice.  My fingers and toes are all crossed.

Andrew has signed up to compete in a spelling bee Thursday night.  He is so stoked.  He's been waiting a few years for this...ever since Caleb competed.  Cannot wait.

My bathroom reno has stalled {go figure} and I have an agenda in my head that needs to be followed.  Priorities, people!  Currently on the list is a vanity and sink.  Been looking for just the right something.  This is my want...

I found it online and haven't looked back.  I've been planning a trip to Grand Haven for last the last few weeks but have been stalled every time. 

Today, after our lunch walk, Kristin and I stopped into the Hokey Pokey to see what was new.  I found this beaut...

Okay, call it uncanny or what you will, but HELLLL-OOOO...other than the color and hardware. these are, dare I say, identical!!  I am the happiest little dog on the planet right now!  Tomorrow just may be the best day of my week!  I'm saving money on the cost {what I budgeted} plus I don't have to make a trip south.  Hooray!!  {and Warren, you will be so happy.} A little paint, tons of poly, pulls and knobs, a sink and faucet and my world is a happy, happy place.  Swoon♥