9 Years

Does everyone remember what they were doing 9 years ago today? I was having the time of my life, smiling so much my face hurt, never leaving the dance floor, and marrying the most generous, caring, and handsome man. It seems like yesterday. Wow! How time flies.

Happy Anniversary Honey!

9 thoughts at 9:00

Nine thoughts at 9:00......

1. Yeah it's bedtime (for the kids).

2. I think it is funny the way life works. It is totally unpredictable and you can't guess its course. At 35 (I just typed 33) I'm a mother of 3 and still searching to find what I will be when I grow-up. I'm still trying to determine my true purpose. Right now I'm meant to be a mother. The toughest job EVER. My job is to help my kids be successful and happy in life so that they will ultimately know their true purpose. Kind of ironic Huh!

3. Sooooo.... I never found a sitter for Monday nights. I'm not taking my Photoshop course. I'm not going back to school. UGH! I guess it will have to be a different semester and a different course. Like I said, life is totally unpredictable. Things are just not meant to be at this time.

4. Since there is no class on Monday nights I have all the time in the world to familiarize myself with the teachings of the Girl Scouts. I have immersed myself in Brownie handbooks, web sites, etc. I'm a little overwhelmed, but a lot excited. My first official troop meeting is Oct. 9th. I hope I can entertain these 7-8 year olds with my crafty creative knowledge.

5. Nicholas has been studying the letters of the alphabet each day. He has been learning phonics, writing, and has to come up with words that begin with A,B,C, etc. The other day was G. I can't remember the G word he came up with (game or gorilla or goat), but he assured me the word WAS NOT gas. If he would have said gas, that would mean you have to fart! I tried to explain that it could be the gas you put in your car or "Step on the gas!" Only my Nicholas!

6. I'm so happy The Office is back on TV. It is so wrong.... it is so funny!

7. That new show Community is not too bad either. I'm the 30 something mother that wants to return to school. I could be in the Spanish study group.

8. I cooked my first Turkey (breast) ever on Thursday. I invited Mo and the family for dinner since Mohamed is out of town. I learned a couple of things. 1. It wasn't as difficult as I thought.
2. Stuffing isn't hard either. 3. It took 3 hours to cook and that is not a good idea for a week night dinner. We were starving by 7:00. 4. What took 3 hours to cook, took 10 minutes to devour.

9. I can't think of anything else to write so here are a couple new photos........



Until later................

Up to Speed....

Let me bring you up to speed...... First and foremost..... LOOK AT THIS..... Amanda got off the bus on Monday afternoon grinning a great big toothless grin. She was beaming. She had lost her tooth during lunch. Her loose tooth had been causing lots of anxiety. Would it hurt? Would there be a lot of blood? What if it came out when she was eating? She decided she just wouldn't eat. I'm so glad it finally came out.

Once again she decided to forgo the tooth fairy. She continues to collect her teeth (3 now) and has decided not to give them up. Hopefully in 5 years she will get a better rate for the multiple teeth. I'm sure she is trying to get the most bang for her buck, and even the tooth fairy is hurting in these tough economic times!

Speaking of cuties.... Gabriella just turned 5 months on Monday. She is an absolute JOY. I can do no wrong in her world. She giggles at just about anything and loves to babble. Unfortunately, Tuesday she came down with a cold and a slight fever. Such a bummer.... and it's only the 2nd week that the kids have been in school bringing home germs. This might be a looooong winter.

So here are the photos from Amanda's first soccer game on Sat. The whole family came out to cheer her on as she ran up and down the field, and up and down the field. In fact, that is what she did the entire game. She continued to run up and down making sure she never came in contact with the actual ball. Later she told me that there were just too many people trying to get the ball. Then I had to explain that was the point. At some time you have to get in there and try to kick the ball. Anyway.... she sure looks good in her uniform. I think she saw the most action while sitting out on the sidelines playing with her Uncle, Camo, and Nic.

Sunday, we had our annual family outing to Erwin's Orchard to pick apples. Nothing says fall like picking apples in 80 heat, wearing tank tops, and slathering on the sunscreen. We picked about 100 apples, and that means I have to get busy making pies, cake, and applesauce. Steve and I have been eating an apple or 2 a day. At this rate we will still have apples at Thanksgiving!

Gabriella checking out the Gala. Maybe next year......

Why is it that the best apples are always so high up?

I love that I'm color coordinated with the tree.

I think we are at about 68, 69, 70.....


The kids waited in line 30 minutes to get these balloon animals. They said it was worth the wait. Amanda has a butterfly and Nic is holding a not-so-gigantic-dinosaur-that-looks-suspiciously-like-a-crocodile.

One last thing to share.... I picked up Nic from school on Tuesday and when he walked into the house he said, "What smells so GOOD?" I immediately did a double take. Did he say something smells good? And it's coming from my kitchen? And Wow, maybe we might not have any complaints at dinner? I had spent about an hour prepping up veggies and meat to make beef stew. It had been in the slow cooker for a few hours so the house did smell good. I agreed with Nic.

"OOHHHH.... Mom it smells good like GRILLED CHEESE. Are we having grilled cheese for dinner?"

UGH.... I brought down his excitement about 10 notches when I told him it was beef stew. But then, in my next breath, like any good Mother I promised I would make him a grilled cheese sandwich too.

Why do I try? Grilled cheese will always do! Until later.....

Day 1

So we survived the first week of school. Amanda is an old pro now that she is in 2nd grade. She couldn't wait to race off to the bus stop and see her friends that she had missed all summer. Of course I got the obligatory smile with the backpack for her first day of school. I promised her that I would be taking these first-day-of-school-just-look-how-much-you-have-grown-pictures until she graduated from high school. I will try not to be the paparazzi stalker by the time she reaches middle school. I will no longer be running from behind saying Amanda can you give me a smile?????? Amanda just one more picture, I PROMISE........... Amanda, please. So without further ado............

She chose her own rolling backpack this year. She was so excited!

I just wanted to point out Amanda's fashion accessories. Trying to look her best she loaded up on bracelets and beads. I think I'm having an 80's flashback as we speak. I can't believe the Madonna bracelet's are making a coming back.

Here is our other student, looking so handsome on his first day of school. I can't believe Nicholas is in kindergarten. He did not make the cut-off for public school, so Nic is going to private Kindergarden where he attended pre-school. He was so bummed that he wouldn't be taking the bus with Amanda. Instead I dropped him off at his class room where he met his new teacher and some old friends. I was surprised that I wasn't choked up about him going to school. It just seemed natural. He was happy and excited and didn't even care when I left.


So we made it through the first week and I have lots of other pictures to share. They will be coming soon. In the meantime, I need to catch my breath before soccer, tennis, catechism, brownies, curriculum night, picnics, and troupe leader meetings begin. WOW.... Now I know why Mom always had a huge calendar posted on the fridge. Its hard to keep everything straight.

Finally, how do you like some of my neat photo frames? I'm taking an on-line photo editing course trying to learn some new things. I wish I had more time to play. In fact, I'm trying to find a sitter for Monday nights so I can take a 12 week Photoshop course at Schoolcraft college. So far my 3 babysitting options have been met with dead ends. It might have to wait until next semester. Bummer! Well, I'm off to get Gabriella up from her nap. Until later...........

A Family Photo

There has been lots of excitement around our house as we get ready for the first day of school. (I think I am the most excited. I can't wait!) We have met Amanda's new teacher and dropped off school supplies for 2nd grade. Tomorrow we will meet Nic's new Kindergarten teacher and he will officially begin class on Wednesday. (It truly is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!) ....No more boredom, no fighting, regular bedtimes... Ahhh.... Oh yeah, but then the homework and activities and the DRIVING... Oh well, that is life and so a new schedule begins for this household. I can't wait to see what the kids and I will learn this next year.

When we returned home from Florida, Amanda received a letter from her new teacher introducing herself and her family. As Amanda's first homework assignment, she has to bring in a picture of her entire family. Since we don't have a family photo, I just set up the camera on the TV console and hit the self timer. Here we are............

And........ you can't take a serious picture without following it up with a SILLY PHOTO!

My Cutie Pie... who is still not back on schedule since the trip. I'm quickly tiring of the 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. nightly visits. When will she go back to sleeping?

We just started rice cereal with Gabby. She does not eat it with gusto. Check out that face!

I promised some photos of Animal Kingdom, but after reviewing them, they were mainly duds. Here is a shot of the roller coaster Amanda rode with Steve. I wish you could get a feel for how large it was, the picture does not do it justice.

The crazy water ride that got Nicholas soaked.

Well I was planning to post more, but Gabby is at her limit and crying. Until later.................