this week

loving life with Uncle T

brother

Been spending time with Troy this week....

Usborne Books

We're fans of Usborne puzzle books at our house. That's what Jonah asks for on a regular basis. We check out at least one puzzle book every time we're at the library, and we've read them all over and over and over and over again.

A friend is starting an Usborne business, and I told her I'd have an eShow for her because we love the books so much.

Go here if you'd like to check it all out.

Here's a direct link to some of the puzzle books.

Cinderella Lydia

Look who's THREE!

We had a small party with cousins yesterday. Here's a few pictures:

Vacation!

Are you ready for this? You must assume that a photographer would certainly have plenty of family vacation pictures to share with her family & friends!
We had a great vacation. We purposely chose a "low-key" vacation this year. Mike is in grad school from May-August so it's hard for him to be away from his studies for very long during this time. Ironically, we ventured to that lovely northern state. I laugh at the irony b/c we wouldn't think about vacationing in Michigan when we lived there!

We started in Petoskey and were welcomed with a frigid chill that didn't keep us away from the water!



The following morning we headed to Mackinac. We layered ourselves with every piece of clothing in our suitcase (and still stopped at Wal-Mart for some socks, rain parkas, & pants:) to shelter us from the cold Mackinac weather. As the ferry was leaving, literally, I realized my camera battery was blinking and my spare battery was in the hotel room. AAAAGGGHHH! So throughout the day I turned my camera on, took a quick picture to document a moment, and turned it back off again. I barely took time to look through the viewfinder! Let me say it again, AAAAAAGGGGHHHH!

As soon as we got there, we rented bikes and spent the first few hours bicycling around the island. Jonah loved every minute of it. He wanted to stop at every trail that we passed. It was the perfect adventure for him. Lydia, on the other hand, was scared of the bike and horses all day. Yes, she was scared of horses......
and we were on Mackinac.......
That was interesting...




I love this picture because it's so typical-- Jonah leaning to get out of the picture with his infamous tongue that tells us he's overstimulated. I think it's one of my favorite pictures from vacation.

All day, we said, "Vacation!" and held up our fingers in a "V." Here's a side of Lydia that most people don't get to see, enjoying fudge on the ferry, of course!

After spending the night in Mackinac we took the scenic drive-- and boy did we take the scenic drive-- to Charlevoix and met our friends, the Ross family. It was still cold so Carrie creatively thought we should visit Avalanche Bay, an indoor waterpark. WE LOVED IT! Jonah could ride every water slide and even little miss Lydia was a daredevil riding down some big slides on her own. As Carrie mentioned in her blog, "Vacation Carrie" and "Fun Traci" were alive and well. We were even spotted riding a double tube down the "flushie." Sure wish I had a picture of that! I think that the adults had as much fun as the kids.





The following day, we experienced some warm northern Michigan weather and enjoyed lake activities at the Ross cottage.



Pop and Grammy spontaneously met us in Holland for our final grand adventure. The kids were so excited they were there; I don't think they ever settled down!


Mike and I had been worried about vacation. A road trip seemed like a good idea when we planned it, but how would the kids handle the constant change in hotel rooms, the driving, the sleeping arrangements, etc.? It was great! We made so many memories, and we can't wait to do it again next year!

College Friends

I think there were 10 of us that lived in a lovely house during our senior year of college. Four of us now live in [state] and try to get together every few months. Beth had perfect timing and was able to join us while visiting her family in [state].

College seems like a lifetime ago. Thinking about these girls & that house makes me think of chapel... and watching E.R.... and Twizzlers....and Steve Madden shoes... and Shania Twain songs... and that green Geo Storm I drove... and student teaching... and crocheting... and dance parties... and boys....

Wow.

Memory Lane

I love my friends. I feel so blessed to live in this community where I can shop, pray, talk, run, and just "do life" with my friends. We had an 80s party with our small group last night. Oh dear-- I think we created some memories. What do you think?

Jon & Kelly:

Todd & Dara:


Mark & Christa (real high school sweethearts):

Carrie & Kristin (minus their husbands):

Rapping with Vanilla Ice:


And some details...
Fun Dip!


Oh my! A boyfriend's class ring!


A Wham! button :)

Thank you, Christa & Mark, for planning a memorable party!

Celebrating Mike

It was fun watching the kids enjoy Mike today. After church and a special lunch, Jonah asked for rest time with Dad, and then we spent the rest of the day at the lake. I debated on how I could make Father's Day special for Mike this year, but the practical side of me took over (doesn't it always?), and I decided to give Mike the day on Saturday to travel where he wanted to catch up on his reading for grad school. He went to his office for the day :)

Mike has a love language that's not mentioned in the popular book; we refer to it as "playing." I wanted us to play together on Sunday.

The kids turned into fish over the weekend. It's very apparent to me that they have their Daddy's genes! Lydia is Mommy's girl, but she is also her Daddy's little daredevil! She wanted to be thrown higher over and over again! I had to warn the kids that tomorrow's lake visit wouldn't be as fun since Daddy wouldn't be there to play with them, and Mommy doesn't really enjoy lake water :)

We're thankful for Daddy.

Today's Faces

It's fun to think about what my kids' interests will be when they're teenagers. I don't have a good guess for either one of them, really, but Lydia sure enjoyed her theatre exercises today.

a field of poppies

There's a new field of poppies on campus. While riding my bike a few days ago, I discovered it and quickly went home to get Lydia so that I could take a few pictures of her. It was the end of the day, and she was a bit of a ragamuffin, but I was picturing how cute they'd look in her Heritage Makers book! I've had a few clients request the poppy field for their upcoming sessions. I know it won't last long!

Watch Out!

Watch out for neighborhood pirates with water guns... and bow & arrows....and goggles.

A New Hobby

I took a picture of 16 packages of Electrosol sitting on my kitchen counter a few weeks ago. I can't find it now. I had a coupon for 2.50 off a box of Electrosol tabs. Actually, I had 16 coupons. I bought them on ebay (okay, so that's an entirely different post.)

They were on sale at Meijer for 3.00 a box. If you're following along, you realize that I bought each box for $.50.

I'll blame this new hobby on my friend, Heather. She told me a few months ago about her weekly food/drug store/cleaning supply budget and I was impressed. She coupons.

But it takes time, Traci, and I don't have time-- yeah, yeah. I don't have time either. That's why I let someone else do the work for me, and now that I'm saving so much money, I'll find the time!

The site I use most often is Bargain Briana although there is a whole internet community of couponers from which to choose. They give lists of sales at stores and then tell where the coupon is found that matches the sale.

For instance, I learned from the site tonight that K-Mart is super doubling coupons tomorrow up to $2.00. So a $2.00 coupon is $4.00. I have my list that was already prepared for me by Bargain Briana, and I'll hit the store after lunch tomorrow. I plan to get gum, tea bags, insect repellent, Bayer, Visine, Oust disinfectant, and St. Ives scrub for free, and I'll pay some loose change for shampoo, body lotion, and paper cups. Sounds like fun, huh?

There are a few things I've learned:
a. I've learned that it's easier to go without the kids so I can concentrate.
b. I've learned that I can't be brand-specific. There are some items where brands are important to me, and in that case, I just don't coupon.
c. I've learned that I plan my meals after I figure out the weekly deals.
d. I've learned that I can't go to every store every week; i live too far away. I choose to concentrate on Meijer and CVS and will visit Marsh/Target/Wal-Mart if I'm in the area without the kids.

My mom's addicted. It's fun to share the experience with her. Last week, instead of paying $4.38 per container of Old Time Country Lemonade, she paid $.25 per container and was given a catalina (the couponers term for the coupon you get at the same time your get your receipt) for $2.00 to spend on her next trip to Kroger. The week before that she bought Nabisco 100 Calorie Oreo packs for $.04 a box!

We're "stockpiling." That's our new word. She's added a shelf in her basement to store the dressing, barbecue sauce, Cheerios, and Charmin she's accrued.

Be inspired. Check it out. It's addicting-- and fun too!

Little Mommy

It's no secret that Lydia is Mommy's helper. While this often brings a smile to my face, it also brings some frustrations when she refuses to leave my side for 12 hours every day (with the exception of her nap, of course).

A few weeks ago, Mike and Jonah left for the day. I woke up that morning and said, "It's girls' day, Lydie! What do you want to do today? We can go get ice cream or play with playdoh...."

"Clean play room," she said, "It's really messy."

A little later that day, sticking with the cleaning theme that Lydia desired, I set up my ironing board in Jonah's room. "I'll iron and you have a choice. You can play in your room, you can play in the play room, or you can even play in Jonah's room with his toys since he's not here!"

She sat down on the trampoline in his room and declared, "Sit right here. Take clothes off hangers for you."

Whoa, Lydia. Don't have too much fun on our girls' day!

This evening I was preparing dinner, Jonah was outside playing with the kids in the neighborhood, and Lydia was organizing coupons before she walked out our front door. Wait! Did she just walk out the front door?

"Why did you go outside?" I asked.

"I'm checking on the kids. Jonah's staying safe."

I grabbed a piece of paper so that I could write down her words exactly as she said them.

She left the house again. "I'm just telling Jonah two minutes to come in."

"Actually, Lydia, dinner won't be ready for 12 minutes."

She ran out the door again and yelled, "Are you safe, Jonah?"

"I think he's safe. Do you think so?"

"Yeah."

So she sat down in the kitchen-- and started organizing her coupons again.

Yesterday

Lydia received a present after I found the money.

She picked out her princess helmet and elbow pads. They cost almost as much as the bike :)

sometimes money grows on trees

You know the feeling you get when you reach in an old coat pocket and find a five dollar bill? It's a good feeling.

This afternoon I was cleaning out drawers for a garage sale this weekend. I found a black velvet wallet that my mother-in-law gave me many years ago. I used it occasionally to store extra cash when we lived in Michigan.

I opened it up.

I found $129.

Now that was a GREAT feeling!

a visit with cousins

neighborhood friends

I grew up in a subdivision. Mike grew up in the woods. I have fond memories of playing flashlight tag, catching lightening bugs, and building leaf houses with Amy, Leslie, Jason, Troy, and Adam (to name a few). Mike has fond memories of riding on his 4-wheeler through the woods with his brother and playing with Evan-I'll-get-you-with-my-short-arm (that's what Mike always says-- as if it's one word) who lived through the woods.

Mike has always talked about owning a home in the woods. I've always wanted a house in a subdivision.

I'm getting my wish. Our little subdivision is growing. They're building the ninth house.

Jonah was outside yesterday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:45 p.m. He even had a picnic lunch on our neighbor's back porch. We played with the slip & slide, enjoyed sidewalk chalk, took advantage of the swing sets, and even filled water balloons.

Lydia thinks the big kids are her friends too. "Wait for me, Tyler," she says (as if eight year old Tyler really cares about waiting for her :)

This is going to be a fun summer.

Graduation

Jonah graduated from preschool this week. School is officially over, and we're preparing to transition to a summer routine.

I am so thankful for Jonah's preschool this year after last year's experience. I cried when the program first started. It was a mixture of emotions. I was thankful for Kiddie Kampus. I was thankful for Mrs. Fox. I was thankful that Jonah was up on stage and fit in. Unlike other mothers, my tears had nothing to do with my child getting older; they were all about the progress he's making. And in that moment, I was so proud!



Mrs. Fox, Miss Tonya, and Miss Diane. At his conference a few weeks ago, they had nothing negative to share with us! Nothing! They clearly took the time to love him, understand him, and appreciate his strengths. (I keep thinking about last year when the teacher could say nothing positive. My blood pressure rises just thinking about it. AAGH.) I've definitely learned to appreciate good teachers.
Jonah's friend, Reanna. Jonah told me once that he was going to marry Reanna. She's very special to him. We carpooled with Reanna this year; I loved listening to their conversations. Reanna's family is moving to Arkansas in a few weeks. They will be missed!