Dreamin'

For as long as I can remember, I have loved acting. I'm the classic dreamer, I never think small scale about anything...I did small stuff while in high school and once I moved to Southern California I knew I had to take a shot at it. With my always supportive husband giving me the okay, I traveled four days a week into Los Angeles to take acting classes, shoot small indie films, audition, meet with managers, agents, casting directors, be the (ever so glamourous) extra on set, or just pretend I was cool hanging out with all my actor friends at this small little snooty cafe in West Hollywood/Studio City. I would actually come home to MI to visit and see friends of mine with two or three kids and think they were crazy!

Garth Brooks said it best, "Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers." I never in a million years would have thought my life's work would be sewing. I started sewing late in life and truly love it. I still have a couple of friends that I will once in a while see doing TV commercials, or talk to them on the phone and that life is so far removed to me. Kayden and Josh make me so happy and I am thankful that God had a much better plan for me. I really am loving where I am at right now and it has been an incredibly long time since I have been able to say that.

Candy, Candy, Candy!

Two years ago, Josh talked me into getting a COSTCO membership, sure that we would save a TON of money. After a couple of trips to COSTCO, I find that if we buy a twenty five pound bag of Goldfish crackers, we will eat all twenty five pounds the first week. Thus, we did not save any money.

This candy is on it's way to Mr. Bird's classroom. From my experience over the last 7 years, this candy will hopefully last about two months. If I buy half or even a quarter as much candy, that also will last about two months. I will keep you updated when I bring the next shipment.

One other tidbit: My husband has a twin (minus a few inches) Josh is taking Master's classes at the dowtown GVSU campus. Tonight he met a teacher from Zeeland who loves to surf, has connections to CA, and also teaches forth grade! Josh said it was a little wacky because they even talked alike. Know any single ladies looking for a Josh-clone?

Back to School

For most moms, as kids go back to school, time is freed up in their day. The opposite is true
for me. Gone are the days of leisure with Josh around to help with Kayden.
Some highlights of the summer:
~Packing the car, the bikes, the bike cart, snacks, beverages, extra diapers and heading out to Rockford for a bike ride. Ten minutes into the ride, having to turn around because Kayden won't stop screaming bloody murder.
~Taking nightly walks with Josh (after Jeopardy,of course) and getting caught in the rain and running the whole way home laughing all the way.
~The 90 degree day we actually spent almost nine full hours in the pool
~Playing Co-Ed softball with Josh and him hitting home runs every game. Winning the co-ed tournament which is probably the biggest sports moment of my life. Sad, but true.
I can't help but feel a bit gloomy as I think of the little time I get to spend with Josh once school is in session....

Pool Days are Done

We had our last set of pool parties today. It makes me sad that this summer has gone by so fast. It seems like yesterday that we opened the pool.

Kayden only fell in once so I consider it a success!! The top two pictures are of the kids Josh tutored this summer. Below are the kids from our church small group.

Two things occured to me this summer:

1. Kids do not care how cold the pool is.
2. Having a pool means you are automatically the house to be at, which can be good and bad:-)

They sure look cute don't they?

Grandpa and Grandma

Yes, that is Grandma in the playhouse...

Here are a few pictures with Grandpa and Grandma. The first two are at the Hudsonville Fair.

When I lived in California, I knew I wanted to be closer to my family, but I did not realize how nice it actually is! Grandma and Grandpa spoil Kayden rotten and think he is just the greatest! I love it because I get a break then too:-) I am so thankful that Kayden has such great people in his life.

I feel for Single Moms

Josh recently went to California for 2 weeks to visit friends. Two things came to mind: "I wish I was going with him", and "I can easily take care of Kayden all day since I do it while Josh is in school."

How wrong I was! Here are a few of the duties we normally share: Late night flower watering, vacuuming the pool with a nine foot pole, taking out the garbage(how many of you know the smell of old dirty diapers), feedings, laundry, picking up the four cracker items a day that Kayden dumps out, naptime, nighttime, did I mention the dog food that is usually spilled all over the floor?

It made me realize that is is so much easier when there is someone to share duties. I had grand ideas of putting Kayden to bed at nine and having some time to read or relax. It ended up that I was really busy with work, too so that did not help.

I feel for the single moms out there...