Go Jump off a Cliff

So this is what they do at college??? Becky went cliff jumping with a bunch of friends at school. It looks so beautiful, but I don't think I could do it. Are you sure that's Northern Michigan??? Looks like Mexico to me.

Blessings. . .

I did not intend to make my Idaversary (Idaho Anniversary) post a sad thing, I am very happy about my move, it was just very difficult. I consider myself blessed that I have great friends and relationships to miss. I have fantastics memories and those relationships are a huge part of who I am today. I am also very blessed with a great group of new friends, the Yada Yada prayer group, without them I would not have done so well. Thanks ladies, your great!!

Grizzlie Soccer Update

Yipee, they did it!! The JV boys won their first game last night 3-1. They have had a really rough start, so this was Awesome! Go Grizz!!!

One Year Down

Well we have officially lived in Idaho for 1 year as of the 27th. In some ways I can't believe it has only been a year and yet in other ways it seems like we've been here a long time. I have to say I love living here. I love the weather here, I love my job here, I love my bible study friends. That said, I miss my old house, I miss working with Hope, We really miss our friends. . .A LOT!!!!! I miss having "couple friends or family friends" I miss going to the store and knowing half the people I see and at least recognizing most of the other half (that said I can go get my groceries alot faster now). I miss going to the games and knowing the kids on the field, knowing wether or not they can do better, or if they are playing the best they ever have , knowing the parents in the crowd. I miss going to church and having a personal relationship with my pastor, I miss my pastor knowing my name, how many kids I have, how many brothers and sisters I have, wether or not my parents live close or far, etc., I miss having friends at church, knowing almost every person sitting around me, being missed if I am not there. . . the list goes on, and on, and on. . . and I haven't even mentioned family. . that is too much to describe.

I think back to those last couple of weeks we were in Gaylord, and am in awe at how much we were loved by some really great people. They just showed up and helped, and helped, and helped. . .I LOVE YOU GUYS!! I remember pulling out of my driveway for the last time, and thinking what am I doing?? Why am I leaving these awesome people?? Those last few days and the 3 days it took us to get here, and the weeks to follow were some of the sadest, most difficult days I have lived through. I look back and can't believe I made it through. . .but for the grace of God.

So here we are now, and we are getting into the groove. But I am sure it will never be as deep a groove as we had in Gaylord. We miss you, We love you, Please come visit!!!!

Becky's New Car

Becky has wheels again. So now the prayer is that she will be able to get a job at school as she now has a way to get to an off campus job, because on campus jobs are very difficult to get.

It's Back.....

Back to school that is. Back to shool = back to routine. It's funny how when school is nearing the end I look forward to not having a rountine for awhile, and then a few weeks into summer, I can not wait for routine. I have been busy the last few days with trips to the mall, getting haricuts(well I paid for haircuts anyway), and weeding through closets to get rid of the many items that no longer fit and/or just don't get worn.

I have been having mixed feelings as school approaches because my baby is going to high school. . . how is that possible? But on the other hand (the much smaller hand, of course), We are getting that much closer to the emptynest. I actually think it will be much the way it is with summer, some days I can't wait for it to get here, and then I am sure a few days or weeks into it, I will want them all back in the house.

Help....

I need an interpreter! My boys are speaking a new language and I have no idea what they are trying to say. Does anyone know how to speak grunt?? They do, however, still say things like...can you, will you, can I, do you have any money....unfortunately, I hear that loud and clear. Ugh!!

Blue Devil Soccer

Well, I guess I am not totally done with the Blue Devil. Our "like a son" Jordon will be playing on the Gaylord High School JV Soccer team. I am so glad he is continuing to play, this was one of the things Zach and Jordon loved to do together.

We have a Grizzlie in the house

Zach had soccer tryouts this week, and he made the JV team. It will be so nice to be involved in soccer again. So I guess its time to get rid of the blue and gold and pick up some purple and gold, eww! Atleast the logo is friendlier than the Blue Devil. . .even though that is more fitting for my boys attitudes these days. Go Grizz!!

To Grandmothers house they go. . .

Zach and Jake recently had the opportunity to go back to Michigan and spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa. They also got to go back to Gaylord for a couple of days to reconnect with friends. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!!!

While there, they found some old water skis in Grandpa's shed and talked Grandpa into taking them out water skiing. They spent a lot of time with their cousins, Austin and Cameron, and got to see other family as well. They enjoyed their trip very much.

Zach trying out the old water skis - he even looks like he knows what he is doing

Zach and Jordon. . . a couple of characters
Cousins, Austin and Cameron

The guys spending time with Great Grandma Harsh

Gone FIshing a.k.a. Ahhh....the day to myself

The guys took off for a day of fishing yesterday, so that meant I had the whole day to myself. What is a girl to do?? Dishes, laundry, sweep and mop, vaccuum, painted a night stand, ran some errands, watched a movie and took a nap. I love fishing!

Photo memories

I was looking for a picture on my computer and ended up finding alot of old pictures. Good times with family and friends. I will be posting them randomly in a slideshow at the bottom. I don't know if I will just combine them all, or do seperate slideshows. We'll see how it all works out, this has been a little tricky for me to acomplish, but I will push through.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!!

August 8, 1959

December '07

Wow!! 49 years!! Thank you both, so much, for everything you've done. I am blessed to be the 4th child (a.k.a. #4, Lil' Guppie) of these two wonderful people. God has placed many trials in their path (me being one of them) and they have been a great example of "for better or worse", "in sickness and in health". . . Thank you for that! I LOVE YOU!!

Family

I recieved something in my email today that really touched my heart, as I too, have truly AMAZING nieces and nephews (as well as amazing Aunts and Uncles, cousins, sisters, brother) Anyway, I thought I would share this with my blog readers. I pray you are each blessed with amazing people in your families, that make you smile from ear to ear when you think of them.


Something to Contemplate
By Mary b. Seger NP PhD


We are Family
[I got all my nieces and nephews with me!]
~Bernard Rodgers and Nile Rodgers
Recorded by Sister Sledge

The soul is healed by being with children.
~ Fodor Dostoevsky

I love the song and lyrics to We Are Family, I got all my sisters with me… I do not have any sisters. I do have four fantastic brothers who have married extraordinary women and they have become my sisters. They have given me the most incredible nieces and nephews anyone could imagine. I recently got to spend time with these incredible children over the Fourth of July. Actually, some are now adults. My, how time does fly!

Hanging out with children and young adults fills my soul. Being “Aunt Mary” is a role I cherish almost as much as I cherish the role of being mom to my Stephanie. I want to look at the roles of the aunt, uncle or grandparent; relationships where you are once or twice removed from the role of the parent.

When was the last time you hung out with children or young adults? Summer in Northern Michigan is a time of family gatherings. Do you have one planned this summer? I would ask you to take the time to visit family this summer. Find those children and young adults related to you and begin to develop or expand the relationships you have with them. If your family is far away, how can you enhance your aunt/uncle/grandparent relationship with pictures, letters, cards or email?

The relationship one can develop with a child who is not your own can be a delight for both individuals. I speak from both sides. I had the best grandma in the world. The unconditional love she gave so freely to my brothers, my cousins and me has remained with us, even though she died many years ago. We still miss her. The love and laughter I receive from my Godmother/Aunt Joan makes me smile whenever I think of her. As an adult, hearing the voices of children calling me “Aunt Mary,” makes me glow with love.

Over the Fourth of July, I was determined to get to know Josie. I had not been around 3-year old Josie very much, so she was not so sure who this “Aunt Mary” was! I decided to take my brother, her father, over to introduce us. After the introduction, Josie stuck out her hand to shake mine and I believe we will be friends for life. The next day came the sweetest words from her lips: Aunt Mary.

I was also able to spend time over the Fourth with my older nieces and nephew. . .I was reflecting on how much I love these kids and the joy they have brought me over the years. I was thinking back to Thanksgiving almost ten years ago, shortly after my divorce. Stephanie was with her father. My sister-in–law had invited me to Okemos to spend Thanksgiving so I wouldn’t be alone. It was a long drive, in the darkness, missing my daughter. As I stepped out of the car, I saw three little girls running towards the car, calling “Aunt Mary, Aunt Mary”, ready with hugs all around. As I entered the door, Shanna and Stephen were there with more “Aunt Mary’s” and more hugs. I spent the weekend surrounded by their love and knew I would be okay.

I also love watching my daughter spend time with her aunts and uncles. The love and support they show her is wonderful to behold. The wisdom they offer, different from mine, is helpful as she enters into the adult world. . . .

Blessings abound if we only seek them out. Find a child or a young adult and begin or enhance your relationship. You will change their lives and they will change yours. The love and joy you feel will radiate out into the world and make it a better place.

Only an Aunt can give hugs like a mother,
can keep secrets like a sister,
and share love like a friend.
~Spanish Proverb

Blessings to You,
Mary

AC - On or Off????

So having central air is new to us, as living in Northern Michigan it was not a necessity. We tend to go back and forth with having it on at night time. It does seem to get cool enough some nights, but I am having a horrible time with my allergies and I feel this may be part of my problem. Also there is a crazy builder who starts banging his hammer at 6:00 am. Our neighbor mentioned to Ron one day, "we heard your air kick on and off last night. . .we just open our windows at night time" so now I think he does not want to be a bother to the neighbor....meanwhile my eyes are swollen, my nose is all stuffy and runny at the same time, and my throat is itchy. Ugh, what to do?? Sorry for the rant this morning, but I did warn you not to get your expectations up for this.

May God Bless you and you all have a fabulous weekened!!

Revolving Door

So our house has had a revolving door this week. Ron had to go out of town for a couple of days, Jake came home from his month at Grandma and Grandpa's, and Becky left to spend a few weeks with her Dad before heading back to school. It was great to get Jake back home, but I was very sad to see Becky go. These are the times I regret moving SO FAR away. Jake had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa and got to spend time with his little cousins, but was ready to be home. . .he won't say he missed us. . .but he's glad to be home. SO. . .now it's getting back into the 4 person family mode again. . .meaning it's all boys against mom. . .pray for me!!