Jessie returns!!!!

After a long trip and a few days extra wait....Jessie returns. Her visit was shortened due to the storms in Denver CO, and she had to get back to school, so we didn't have a lot of time to do anything!!!! We basically, picked her up from the airport 1:30am Wednesday morning, and took her back to the airport Sunday morning....We still we able to have some fun!
I love you Jessie!!!!

Josh gets Senior Pictures

Josh has done well this year, with academics, football and now wrestling. He had his first wrestling meet this weekend and did pretty well considering he has never wrestled before and thought that the WWF was wrestling! He has successfully learned that you can't use chairs on your opponent and there is no "ring" with ropes to jump from.....
Anyway, good job Josh!!!

Josh's Football Banquet

Josh had his football banquet on Tuesday night at the new White Lake Oaks banquet hall.

The hall was beautiful and the event was top notch. The food was great, the coaches were humble and sincere.....and the evening lasted 4 hours. All worth it though....so much fun. So sad that Josh is graduating this year.

More baby pics

Baby Pictures!

Hi everyone! What a day today! Michigan lost it's great coach Bo Schembechler today. We have been shocked by this news on the eve of the BIG GAME. Now Bo and Woody can watch the game together from Heaven. Very very sad.

On another note, I have successfully learned how to scan things with my new equipment....YAH! I have scanned some baby pics with my new knowledge.....here is a pic of me from back in the time of the dinosaurs that is amusing if nothing else.

Work is going great and we had a Bocce Ball event last night that was a complete blast! This company is wonderful! Everyone is very fun and nice. They really know how to throw a party too!!!

Go Blue!!!!!

Ballet

This is Juliet's first year in ballet. So far, she loves it. And is keeping up with it. Jenna has dance again this year as well and will have a solo again in the June recital.

Mott Makes the Playoffs!!!

Mott makes the playoffs by beating Kettering 42 go 21!!! We found out tonight they will be paired against Lake Orion (I graduated an L.O. Dragon!) and L.O. is 9-0!! I don't expect Mott will win, but we can always hope....Lake Orion shut out Clarkston last week and Clarkston has a great team!!! Should be fun! Never thougt I would be saying "Go Blue" against the green.....Friday night will be an exciting night!!!!!! Good Luck Corsairs!!! Go # 15!!!!!

Parents Night (Football)

More Pics!

Homecoming!!!

Josh and Kali went to the Homecoming dance and it was a great success! Josh was told he had the coolest shoes at the dance (borrowed from his step-dad)! Here are some photos of the happy couple before the dance. By the way, Mott lost the game in the last 3 minutes....heartbreaking! But Josh had the entire family there to cheer them on and after the game the Band and colorguard had a special exhibit on the field and then the drummers formed a drum line and showed off BIG TIME!!!! They were awesome!!!!! It was a blast for all of us!!!

Jessie turns SWEET 16!!!!

My little Jessie-up turned 16 this week! September 20th is her Birthday that she shared with her Grandpa and Great-Great Grandma! Jessie.....we miss you!!! Hope you had a great day!!!!!!!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

New Job

After two months of working the GRIND at the casino, I have found a new and hopefully better position working as an HR Specialist!!! I am thrilled. I start this week and can't wait to have a normal scedule and work in a professional environment and best yet.....Weekends and Holidays OFF!!!! YEAH!!! I am so happy....!!!!

5 Years Ago

A day to reflect on the loss we sustained 5 years ago today. The memories are haunting. So much lost and so much has changed forever. Bless all those souls that were lost that day and bless every American as we mourn and remember with resolve to move forward as a free nation forever......God Bless!

Princess Juliet

Has it been a month?

Wow! Has it been over a month since I have last written?? It is September and so much has been going on. Jessie went to Oshawa (Canada) to visit relatives and will be resuming school in New Mexico in the next couple of weeks. We miss her sooo much! Juliet has FINALLY mastered "pooping" on the toilet. We mark 1.5 months of poopy-free panties! Life is good!!!! Cheyenne is still eating most of Juliets toys so I have learned to stash away the expensive or sentimental ones on the top shelf of the closet for her children to play with someday. We need a bigger house!!!!!!!
I still hate work and threaten to quit every day I work. It is driving Gabby nuts. I am too old to be exposed to such angry, unhappy people. Nothing like being called "the Devil, Satan, and JQIUZZZZZ (must be Arabic for bitch)". I am not used to being so hated by strangers. My thin skin is turning thicker!!!

School has started for the kids and we are already into our routine of "I don't have any homework today".........I understand violence now.......

That is all! Happy September everyone!!!!!!

How old am I???

Yesterday, the girls posted "2 Days until Mom turns 40!!!" on our message board.....
Don't think I am not feeling "40".....but the truth is, Mom is turning 39. Thinking '40', feeling '40', but still '39'. I am very in tune with the fact that I reach that milestone in one short year and believe me, I am not happy about that!!!
They made me a cake last night wishing me a Happy Birthday, and have been corrected on my true age. I guess the cake stuck to the bottom of the pan (they forgot to spray the pan) and they ended up having to dismantle the cake to get it out of the pan, and then "glue" it back together with frosting.....Here are some photos of their creation process....and then the finished product.....the cake.....
THANKS GIRLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Night Owl

My new schedule is relentless. I have yet to figure out how and when to sleep and I am pretty sure it is NOT when I am driving! Mom has been helping with the kids and we have simultaneously been on vacation camping. Lots of juggling. The kids are all doing very good. They are cooperating and helping and making me very proud of them as I know this isn't easy on them either. Today, I am off and we plan to go to the beach and have some real fun.

The New Job

I am officially starting my new job in the casino industry this coming Monday. It will be part time, but with travel, full time....should be interesting! This proves to be one of the larger nightmares in my life of turmoil! Josh has been working at Taco Bell for 6 months now and is going to football practice almost every day. Jessie is in a constant state of boredom (when we don't pay good money for entertainment) and has the typical "teenager" attitude which she has lovingly (?) passed down to her two younger siblings. You should hear my 3 year old (Juliet) tell me that "it really burns my ass".....She will be the hit of daycare!!! I never imagined having the kid in daycare who talks like a sailor and teaches all the little tykes the "f" word! Jenna is growing up super fast and her biggest daily dilemmas include "when can I go on-line?" and "am I a 'Goth' or a girly-girl?"....

As far as the dog goes....we are currently not on speaking terms. She is evil and obviously out to make my life Hell on earth. She has eaten everything of value including my sofa. She is a beast. Life after vacation is so complex! Next week is vacation #2 which is a canoe trip up North. I will be working (but don't have my schedule yet)...so I will become a visitor on the canoe trip. Should be fun for Gabby....all those kids to entertain.....hey, I might not be able to find my way up there on my days off......what a dream!!!

Disney World!!!!

Hello all!
We have returned from our fabulous Disney Resort vacation and we are doing great! It was a trip of a lifetime and we all had a ton of fun!!! I will post some photos. Other than some rain, we had 7 days of non-stop fun and had to come home to get some rest. Our resort was unbelievable.....I loved it! We were treated so well there and soaked up all the great scenery. Back to the real world.....I did get tired of people telling us to "Have a Magical Day"....My favorite overheard conversation was at the Animal Kingdom....A mom and dad were fighting over something while pushing two strollers and dealing with some bad weather...the mom says, "I don't like your attitude"....the dad says "I don't like your's either!" The mother-in-law says "Neither one of you are giving a Magical Answer! We are supposed to be having a Magical Day!!!" They all laughed and seemed to snap back into a Magical mood! I loved it!!!! (considering Gabby and I were starting to pick on each other too!)

Juliet and Luna

Cheyenne

Cheyenne is getting so big! We might have to buy a larger house to accomodate her! She is proving to be a big responsibility, but also a lot of fun. This little baby is quickly becoming a horse!

Kelly

Kelly is having a girl!!! We missed her shower but went to visit her anyway! She looks great and is positively glowing! Congratulations Kelly and Mike!

Freak accident

Proof positive that my house is officially a three-ring circus.
Sunday was a sick day. A "do nothing because you are too sick to lift your aching head" day. I spent 90% of the day on the couch. 10% to get up and get medicine and use the bathroom. On one of my 3 trips to the kitchen for medication, the dog (apparently while looking out the window) gets her paw caught in the steel furnace grate, lifts her paw and brings the steel grate with her, proceeds to fall into a psychotic tantrum, yelping and running straight for me......she flings the steel grate directly into my ankle making significant contact with my protruding ankle bone. Nice shooting Cheyenne! I yelp, fall to the ground, clutching my ankle, go into a coughing fit and having laryngitis am unable to express to my husband why I am crying and having a coughing fit on the floor. He later finds the steel grate (evidence that I wasn't just looking for attention) and the dog quivering under the coffee table (further evidence that I wasn't just faking it). I was unable to walk on that ankle until the next day which was kismet considering I needed to remain on the couch anyway. Perhaps this was Gods way of ensuring I get the rest I need while sick! :)

Jessie comes to town!

Jessie will be on her way in a few hours! I can hardly wait to see her again! We are so excited! (especially Juliet who keeps insisting that this is Jessie's REAL home)
We are all recovering from a hideous illnesses that range from bronchitis to ear infections to the flu. What a bummer this first week of spring has been. Low 20's and highs in the 30's.....right now we are getting some ground cover in the form of snow! Grrrrr......Spring needs to get here soon!

Jenna and Juliet

Jenna and Juliet in a calm, rare moment.

I am the mother of a 17 year-old

Joshy is turning 17 this week! Unbelievable!!! I am the mother of a 17 year-old!! Very scary stuff!!!

big pink coat

Every year my mother threatens to take my favorite coat and buy me a new one....she usually buys me a new coat, but I never let go of my favorite coat....most of my winter photos are of me in my big pink coat.

Mom has again threatened/offered to take me to buy a new coat...but I love this one!!! It is like a huge pink blanket and although it is obviously worn and old, I get compliments on it every time I wear it!

I finally gave into the pressure and Gabby bought me a new furry/leather coat. I can't hardly drive in it because the sleeves are stiff and it makes my shirt funky underneath the coat.....very dangerous!!!! I have shown skin when I didn't intend to! Perhaps I will have my photo taken with my new coat soon....and I will post it!

Happy Birthday Gabby!!

Today is Gabby's birthday!!! He is a BIG 33 today!!! YEAH!!! We will celebrate today by taking the day off and going up to Frankenmuth! Mom will take the kids and bus them around to their various activities! What fun! Juliet will be hanging with my mom today as well.....watch out, we might run away for longer than a day! (don't tempt me). Josh is doing great, Jenna is being a pre-teen (so I am never really sure how she is doing,,,,,somewhere between depression and delight) and Juliet is smarter than all of us put together. We miss Jessie so much. She made the softball team this week and celebrated by getting hit in the face with a ball and is now sporting a black eye....send pictures Jess!!!!! Gabby needs them for your blackmail file!

Josh and Jessie

Jessie is back in New Mexico. Here is a photo while we waited in line at the gate. We had freezing rain on the way to the airport, but it was 70 degrees in New Mexico. Sounds like a good gig to me! We miss you Jessie!!! XOXOXO

Jessie and mom

Schools In!

YES! School is finally in session! I can't even begin to explain the boat loads of money I have been shelling out for entertainment of all these children. I ended on a smart note by taking Josh to Taco Bell to fill out an application. He spent over $50 on New Years Eve alone (he treated his girlfriend).

Our Holidays were stressful like everyone else's. My moms move the weekend before Christmas put a damper on the entire Holiday, but it was a sacrifice that will last a long time. She is relocated in a wonderful house and other than moving the occasional piece of furniture for her, we are done! Yeah!!!! I didn't decorate this year but the good news is, I didn't have to clean up or take down a tree. That was refreshing. Yesterday was our first day without hard labor. (even Christmas day we were moving furniture in moms garage and I was vacuuming her floors)....No rest!!! But it is over!!!

Cheyenne is growing so BIG. The vet says she is on the largest side of the scale for her breed. We are proud parents of a huge puppy! She is such a biter though....We are working hard to get her over that! We all have many puncture wounds and scratches.

That is the latest from here. We need a vacation soon!!!! Our friends are renewing their vows in 2007 at a private resort near Puerto Rico, so we will be attending that and looking forward to the rest. Here's to a wonderful New Year!!! Happy 2006!

Jessie

Cheyenne Bearpaw

Jessie comes home!

YES!!! Jessie is finally here!! Just in time for the holiday! We are soooo glad to see her. She was exhausted when we picked her up from Metro Airport tonight, she had a 15 hour travel day and almost missed a connection which made it that much more stressful. Jessie got to see the new pup and Grandmas new house!!! Yeah!!!
Jessie came from 70 degree weather in New Mexico to frigid temps here....we will definately have a WHITE Christmas!!
Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

Jenna's Band Concert

Jenna had her first "official" band concert and it was held at the high school in their new auditorium. It was wonderful and fabulous regardless of the extreme cold. We had a great time and Jenna is doing great on the oboe! (Although one of the kids in class call her the "hobo" because she plays the oboe)....

And Dog Makes Six?

We got a new chocolate lab. Her name is Cheyenne Bearpaw. Here is a pic. I will write more later....dealing with pee and poo right now!!! FUN????

Josh Changes His Address

Joshua is officially becoming a Michigander....He is leaving New Mexico on Wednesday and will be here and attending school in Michigan! We are very excited and looking forward to getting some better pictures real soon!!! Welcome home Josh!

My baby's' Daddy

My husbands' bad jokes/antics were revealed to my mother on the worst of occasions....dinner---at her house.

The snitch? The young Juliet. There was no place to hide. You see, Gabby has this really "fun" game he plays with Juliet---it is called "Do you want to smell my feet?" It starts with dad beckoning for Juliet to come closer to him (this is similar to the old "Pull my finger" game, but not as loud---similar scents)....as she nears her dad, he demands she "smell my feet". It ends with Juliet saying no and then running away with dad chasing her....fun right? Well, I think my mother is convinced that Gabby is an abusive father. During a recent dinner at mothers house...the young Juliet, sitting smartly in her high stool, throws her leg/foot onto the table in my mothers face and demands "smell my feet!" My mother wasn't certain of the demand so Juliet clearly repeated the demand with a more forceful tone "smell my feet!!".

I wanted so badly to rat-out my husband so my mother wouldn't blame me for the disrespectful display at the dinner table, but Juliet took care of that for me stating that "Papi tells me to smell his feet and I say no!" I played dumb and just continued to eat and managed to change the subject to Jenna and homework....and dinner was saved! No feet were sniffed during dinner.

Man Down!

Juliet decides to take a quick nap while returning her shoes to the front door....wait, she never got the shoes off! My loungewear is courtesy of post-surgical requirements.....

Back from the adventure

We are back in action. Today is my first day feeling human....
Gabby underwent his final surgery and all is well with him, he is doing great, I am done with gallbladder removal surgery and am just starting to get back into the swing of things. Recovery was much longer than the one day my mother promised (although she knows several people who went back to work the day after they had their gallbladders removed) call me a slow healer then!!! Anyway, it is good to feel less pain. I am so completely bummed about missing my 20th class reunion which took place this past weekend. I have been anticipating that reunion for years! I was looking forward to catching up with all my friends. I was just too sick to attend and unable to eat or drink much of anything, and I know I would have needed an adult libation or two for the occasion. I guess I will have to be a big girl and stop my pouting on that one.....eh?

Jenna and Juliet