Mom's letting go!

Yep it's time to go to the movie and only Staci and Taylor are going! I thought it would be fine but of course had to ask the girls at work what they did. They are so happy and proud. When I started going places on my own I can remember my mom saying, "go where you say and behave because I have relatives all over" and sure enough I saw people I knew(relatives). I was just sitting here after Staci left and the phone rings I thought "Staci you didn't have to call and tell me you made it to the school to get Taylor" well it wasn't Staci it was my friend Beth calling to say "What is Staci doing??" Beth was picking up Shelby from soccer practice and saw Staci drive in...our girls took driver training together and we have talked about, when will they drive alone,how many kids in the car, and the big one are we ready for this? Well ready or not the time is here!!!!!

It is going to be a time when it will seem you are growing so fast Staci take you time and enjoy the ride. By the way one Grandma got to find out before she went we will tell the other after she has come home, no reason to have them both worry at the same time :) Love you both grandmas and know you both care.

OK OK Mom take the picture"Who ever said you could have a camera anyway?"

Spring?

Yeah! Spring is here time to get out the hockey sticks and play.

This picture is how a baseball player holds a hockey stick!

Notice the ace wrap on Steven's leg? It really is spring because the ice cream lady came through today, Steven was running so fast he wiped out on the snow that is still here. First raspberry of the year but it did not come from the ballfield :)

What we see and What we want to see!

Ok snow was fun in the winter when we liked getting a snow day each week but it is now time to be swinging a ball bat not a snow shovel. This is what we saw this weekend! This is what all three of us are waiting for.

Staci had a game cancelled today, and

Steven said yesterday that his season is to far away!!

WHAT is this?????

What this is, is a picture of my "Varsity Softball Player" what is behinde her is the snow storm that we are in the midst of today. Staci has, or is supposed to have a game on Tuesday next week as of today the field was still covered with snow before the storm started, "Yikes" The nice thing is that the practice field was snow free so maaaaybe they can play there.

Again, you never know what they are thinking!

Well it was a nice afternoon so the boys were outside and ready for some fun. You never can tell who comes up with the ideas but if one says try it the others say OK. Often it ends up looking something like this to which I reply "Surprize!!"

But as I have said before the laugh it off brush themselves off and they are ready to go again. You never quite know what you may see on Ida Street, some days we say "that's my boy" others you just shake your head and say "he's the neighbor"!

Tomorrow is the first day of spring and we are all ready for it. Staci is already practicing softball and wants the snow gone so they can pratice outside which would really be nice since next week is her first game. Steven is shooting hoops, and riding his bike, he is staring at his cleats and swinging his bat because more than anything he wants to be on the ballfield.



Besides playing softball, and baseball, and working the concession stand at the sports complex(we have said for years we should just move in out there) our favorite place to be is the porch. I don't know which we like the best, breakfast on Sat mornings when we can sit enjoy our coffee and talk or late nights when we can sit and solve any ones troubles who may have one that day. One of the best things we ever did (Thank You Bob) was hang the porch swing, it is the favorite spot of everyone. So for today I say

"bring spring!"

These are the moments we are waiting for.

Is it spring yet?

I think it is time for spring to arrive and stay. Yesterday there were about three bikes parked in the flower garden ( something which all the kids would run like the wind if I saw this in the summer) Tonight I told Steven leave it there until I get a picture. Grandma and Grandma the drive ways and sidewalks are clear so the bikes and basketballs are out but as you can see we still need to get rid of some snow,so no golfing up here yet Grandpa. Staci is hoping with the rain enough snow leaves so they can practice softball outside. Steven just wants time to fly so he can get out the field. I want to see the sunshine so I can work in my flowers and get something other than bikes in the garden :)

I hope Hawaii is warm

...that was the feeling today. Staci's soccer team is going to Hawaii to play in July, so we are fundraising from now until they leave. Today we were in the Holland St. Patricks Day parade, so the picture for today is of some of the girls who are going, imagine the fun they are going to have being 16 and in Hawaii with your friends, now those will be some pictures to post :)

Tonight finds me thinking

Today started out with the hardest question that we all ask at times in our lives. Why? We lost one of students today and we were all taken by surprise...why? We don't know the answers so many times to the questions we have but the hardest one to let go of is that big why question. The thing we need to do is trust that God does have a plan for each and every person and always has our soul in the palm of his hand.

I have seen the hand of God,and that trust so much in Mom, Dad and Marcie. Being a constant and always there for whatever we needed, without question, especially your time, we can count on you, thanks mom! Being a strong and quiet force, keeping us grounded in faith even in your time with the "c" word, you said I can't worry about it It's up to God the Dr. then me, thank you dad! Marcie well we tease you all the time about being long winded...OK sorry a little....but you are an excellent example of what family is and should be always reaching out to everyone.

Back to that why question I don't know why my students are born the beautiful people they are. I don't know why they are taken when they are. I do know they make a difference in the world and touch lives. So tonight when I say my prayers I will thank God for allowing me to know each and every one of the people I have met, known, and loved, and what you have all brought to the world.

Just Pictures of the 'Fam"

Tonight I am posting some recent pictures of us because I had a friend and relative who I had not written in a very long while ask for some new photos and to see how we had been. Well I hope you can see by the pictures we are happy,enjoying life, and the kids are growing into beautiful(sorry Steven boys can be beautiful) young adults.

Steven and mom in the fall and yes he is growing faster than our flowers and is so proud he has passed me in height, don't ya love that smirk type smile.

This is a favorite picture of mine taken by our wonderful neighbor who is WAY more than a neighbor to all of us, thanks Marcia for capturing the moment.

So that's a little bit of history and some recent pictures for those of you who I should have been in touch with more than I have over the last couple of years, we don't know where the road will take us next but we're not going alone.

Just a short writing tonight to let everyone know what happened yesterday besides Staci's b-day. In case you didn't get a phone call from Staci she got her drivers license!!!! It was as exciting for Steven as it was for Staci because now it means once in awhile he may ride in the front seat again when the three of us are in the car. As you can see the first drive with the new license mom was sent to the back seat, I didn't mind the three of us support each other and if I can show some trust by jumping into the back seat that's fine with me and look at those faces as the take charge of another piece of the world(for a minute)

Look at this beautiful baby so hard to believe that it was 16 years ago today we welcomed her into our world and promised it to her. She was, is and I believe will stay, as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. There have been and will be some bumps along the road but the strength. courage, and above all faith she has shown I have no doubt will take her any place she wants to go with her life. I am so proud to be her mom. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Staci Jo. Look at you now!

Well I am just starting to post and you will have to bear with me a little, Steven just looked at his pics and said you did it in the wrong order. Yep I did but we are learning and I think people will get it. So now I am going to try again with Staci so lets see how I do I think grandma and grandma will enjoy it anyway it works and show it to the grandpas.

Steven combining winter with summer!

Steven told me Cam and I can take the sled down the slide into the pool! I am really never surprised at what those two can come up with, and what they will try. As long as they can laugh at themselves it is all good I think is what they live by at this stage of life. I hope they are able to keep a little of that theory as they get older and into the big world past Ida Street and Allegan. They both have lofty dreams I hope they pursue, for now if you can stick the landing it is all good...