Shawn, Katrina, Cassidy & Brooke

You Can Support Cassidy with an ad!!

2009-05-01T20:27:00.004-04:00

Hello!!!!!!!!!!!! We are doing a fundraiser for New Heights Athletics - Gymnastics Program - Cassidy is on a level 3 team now. We are currently offering ads in our home meet programs! It's open to not only businesses but to family wanting to show support!
The prices are business card size $25 - 1/4 page $50 - 1/2 page $75 and a full page is $100! 70% of that cost does directly benefit Cassidy!

If you interested please let me know!

Thanks, Katrina

Here is my whole page ad and my Aunt Midge & Uncle Paul's 1/2 page ads I made them here at home!!

Gymnastics Banquet

2009-04-05T22:31:00.004-04:00

*We did not know this was a dress up kind of banquet, wish someone would have told me! It was about a 50 - 50 split! Next Year she WILL be in a beautiful dress!!*

The New Heights Banquet was Friday night and it was a carry in dinner with lot's of lasagna's, salad and garlic breads. It was a GREAT variety, nice to try other's way of things. Cassidy was chosen by the coaches as most improved on the training team! We are so VERY proud of how well she has done. What a great girl she is!!

Cassidy will move up to be a level 3 for next year, they asked for Brooke to join the training team for next year but I really think she is to young and not ready so maybe the next year!

Train - American Girl - Chicago

2009-03-30T08:09:00.002-04:00

I started planning this trip last year in August for Cassidy's 8th Birthday! Brooke will go when she turns 8 if she'd like too!! Anyways.....We decided to drive to South Bend, IN and take the train into Chicago. I asked my mom to go along to share the tradition and experience. We waited for months and finally the big day came.........

After letting Cassidy sleep in and dropping Brooke off to get to school. Mom, Cassidy & I drove to South Bend, IN and missed the train, I had printed a weekend schedule and they don't consider Friday a weekend so a nice lady at the counter wrote some directions on a post it note and we drove to Michigan City by the time we got there they are an hour behind and we had an hour and 45 minute wait - I was thinking is this a sign but Mom being all calm we waited and time flew so we hopped on there! It went really fast and we were glad not to have to drive in the city, once we heard all the HONKING!! Ahhhh, now I know why my Dad hated the horn! LMAO

We had so much fun shopping and eating and exploring the city! It was great! We did so much walking it was unreal but so worth it! We LOVE Chicago!

The American Girl store itself was truly AMAZING!! We loved it!! Cassidy picked a doll that looks like her and she named her Carly as in the show iCarly!

We had a reservation for months to eat lunch at the Cafe inside American Girl and it was the BEST thing ever! The food was AWESOME and the attention to our table was just awesome too! Cassidy was the first girl they came out to sing Happy birthday to and it was so funny to watch her. I was so proud of how grown she has become and such a young lady! I love her so much!!

Cassidy LOVED looking at the clothes and dolls. We got Carly's ear pierced and picked out several outfits and things she NEEDED!!

American Girl was so AWESOME!

Kroger Field trip

2009-03-26T22:06:00.000-04:00

It was a great time looking top to bottom at Kroger's! They even got to frost a cookie in the bakery! It was FUN!!!!!!!!!

I'm such a slacker!! I know!!

2009-03-11T21:24:00.001-04:00

Okay so I have been slacking lately!! It just seems like I hardly have time! I mean sure I jump on fast to check e-mail or facebook but that seems to be it but I'm going to get back to it! Hope everyone is doing well! I love reading your comments let's me know someone out there is reading what I write!! Anyone out there??

Kalahari Luau 2009

2009-03-09T21:37:00.001-04:00

It's been months in the making and finally the big weekend came! The Kalahari Luau Meet 2009! Woo Hoo!!
Cassidy was competing Friday morning at 7:45 am! So we went up Thursday after school, Shawn wasn't home so my Mom went along to help with the kid's in the waterpark. This very nice man named Jim helped us get everything out of the car and into the room and he was so full of information. We jumped into our suits and down to the waterpark we went. We had so much fun! We did go on lot's of slides then headed back to the room to get settled and roll Cassidy's hair for the morning! Mom ordered a chicken brocoli alfredo pizza, YUM!! We ate and were in bed with lights out by 9:45pm! We were up before six and we got around and went down the the meet. There Shawn, Dad, Norma & her friend and neighbor Rita met us! It was so cool to see Cassidy out there stretching and smiling so much. You could tell she was excited and nervous. She did a great job! All the girl's did great! I'm very proud of how much she has learned! After the awards Shawn, Cassidy, Brooke & I took over a three hour nap! It was NEEDED!!! We hit the waterpark before 4 and finally met up with our friends after 8 and we all rode and laughed until after 10 then we split up and we got pizza and it was so good! What a day so we did go back to the waterpark the next day until 2!! What a weekend!!! Thank You to Grandpa & Grandma, Grandma V. and Rita for your support at the meet! Thanks to Betty, Danny, Kelly, Lauren, Zach & Riley for the Friday night entertainment!! It was all so much fun!!

2009-02-20T17:11:00.000-05:00

Science is a great thing!! Cassidy had an assignment on Mercury! We learned some very cool things about the closest planet to the sun. Shawn & Cassidy worked very hard as Brooke & I looked on I think they did a GREAT job. Cassidy did get an A+!! Way to go Cassidy!!

Shawn turned the BIG 3 0

2009-02-11T23:20:00.000-05:00

I totally LOVE Shawn and him turning 30 first is a GREAT thing!! Cassidy, Brooke & I wore John Deere to celebrate!! He was only home about five hours so I made supper and our parents and Jordan came down and we ate and the girl's & I made cupcakes! It was a nice night!! I hope I take turning 30 as well as he did!! LOL

Monster Jam 2009

2009-01-20T09:27:00.000-05:00

We went to Monster Jam in Detroit! What a trip the roads were horrible! We got a bit of a later start than we had wanted but it turned out to be just the right amount of time! It snowed so much it was just silly to even be out, I don't think any road in our county had been plowed at all by noon! We stoped for a quick McDonald's lunch in Toledo and we were off to MONSTER JAM rahhhhhh!! LOL Once we got into Detroit we seen over six cars and trucks off the roads or spun out most were 4x4! I have to admit I was nervous. We followed our friends and they plowed the way! We got there for a pit pass time then the show, our seats also came with hot dogs and pop! ((Kelly & Shawn figured all this out when buying tickets!)) It was so much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The drive home was even longer because of the roads but we made it back and had a BLAST!!!!

Christmas Day

2008-12-25T23:38:00.002-05:00

Christmas Day what can I say it was WONDERFUL!! Shawn had been out on the road and he got home at 5:30 am and thank goodness the girl's slept until almost nine!! It was a great time and the girl's were so EXCITED to open all their gifts and they even "fainted" a few times!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Santa's Cookies

2008-12-23T22:03:00.000-05:00

We usually do this all together but Shawn was stuck out on the road so we tried to hold out and finally on the day before Christmas Eve we made our Santa cookies. They turned out SO cool! The girl's always do an awesome awesome job!! They were super yum-o!

Preschool Christmas

2008-12-18T15:31:00.000-05:00

Brooke's school party was so much FUN!! I was in charge of the craft and we made snowflake ornaments for the tree with their pictures on it and they turned out super nice and Kelly (my friend) was in charge of games and she is super full of enery and excitement so it was so awesome and another Mom brought cookies to frost and did they ever!! LOL So much fun at five!!

Merry X-mas Grandma & Grandpa

2008-12-17T20:48:00.001-05:00

A few pictures of Christmas with Mom & Dad! They suprised Cassidy with the Hannah Montana House and Brooke the Highschool Musical House anf boy were they SUPRISED!!!!!!!!! Thanks for EVERYTHING!! Love you!

Christmas Tap Programs

2008-12-14T16:20:00.002-05:00

Cassidy & Brooke did such an awesome job!! They both knew just what they were doing!! I'm so proud of both of them and glad to put an ending to this LONG weekend!

Gymnastics Holiday Show

2008-12-12T19:09:00.001-05:00

Cassidy and Brooke wanted to be in the Holiday Show at gymnastics so December 12, 2008 the girl's set out and did a WONDERFUL job! Thanks to Grandma & Grandpa & Grandma V for coming. A real SPECIAL thanks to my friend Kelly, she is a pro-gymnastics Mom cheering the girl's on!! Thanks Kelly for the support and for letting me come EVERY preschool day so Brooke can ride the bus!!

Cassidy and the Training Team were the opening act then they did a performance with all the teams as the ending act! Great Job Girls!!

Brooke and the Kinder Bears did an awesome JOB!! Their sparkle leos were the best ever!!

Happy Holidays

2008-12-11T07:38:00.002-05:00

I asked my Mom to come over last night and she took these pictures of us in front of the tree!! Thank You!!

Makeup Session 101

2008-12-05T17:06:00.001-05:00

Cassidy decided to do her and Brooke's makeup!! Super HOT eyes!! I tell ya I need to learn a thing or two about makeup from Cassidy!!

Second Grade Christmas Program

2008-12-04T13:59:00.000-05:00

Cassidy enjoyed being a part of the second grade Christmas Program!! She was one of the eleven clacker clacking and then they sang a few songs during the play of Teddy Bear Christmas.

Happy 11 Years To Us!

2008-11-08T07:32:00.000-05:00

Shawn & I celebrated 11 years November 8, 2008. We ended up trying the Melting Pot in Toledo. It was a romantic resturant, not for kid's at all! First course we chose a cheddar cheese fondue it came with apples, breads and veggies. Second course was a salad, Shawn had house which was AWESOME and I had a Spinach tomato bacon, it was good! Third course was the main course, we has deleted all seafood we don't eat it at all so we had steak, chicken, duck and ravioli with potaoes, mushrooms & broccoli. Dessert Course was last and we chose a ying yang fondue and it came with so much to eat! It was by far the best course! It was truly wonderful, the bannanas and marshmallows were my favorite! It was a wonderful night!!
www.meltingpot .com

Halloween 2008

2008-10-31T21:02:00.000-04:00

Cassidy & Brooke had costume day at school but they had to be dressed in a sports theme!! They both chose to wear a cheerleader outfit out of the dress up box! They looked so cheerleader-ish!! Cassidy won best girl costume in the second grade! They both loved wearing them all day!!

We came home after school and they got half way ready and we headed over to my friend Kelly's house!! Kelly made french toast and it was oh so yummo!! Thanks Kelly! Then we got all the kid's ready five of them total and headed off to go Trick or Treating!! We had so much fun and we headed out for pizza after!! Thanks for a wonderful time!!

Brooke was so HOT in the Scooby suit! Cassidy was rocking in her Hannah Montana, your not seeing double there are two Buzz Lightyears to the rescue go Zach & Riley and the witch Lauren she came to be silly!! Danny was our leader and Kelly & I made sure we had all five kids!

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY BROOKE!!!!!!

2008-10-27T20:57:00.008-04:00

Brooke wanted a Scooby Doo Birthday party this year! He wasn't exactly easy tio find but we did find things to make it totally cool!! Thanks to EVERYONE who made her birthday special!! She is so HAPPY to be five!! I'm happy to but it's hard to believe she's five ALREADY!!!

FAMILY PICTURES 2008

2008-10-21T21:13:00.002-04:00

We finally made it, we've been meaning to make it for months now and finally we made it!

Cassidy & Brooke looked so beautiful and I can't believe how big they've gotten!

Libby Lu

2008-10-17T21:24:00.001-04:00

Libby is getting so big and so I thought I'd post a few pictures!

Pumpkin Patch Kids

2008-10-14T21:48:00.002-04:00

The girl's & I headed off to Toledo Sunday afternoon to look for Scooby invitations for Brooke and we decided to go find a pumpkin patch and did we ever!! The kid's were able to ride ponies! They had an awesoem hay ride and you got popcorn and picked a pumpkin from the patch then they gave yo ua donut and cider when you got off!! It was AWESOME!! Then the kid's rode a "Pumpkin Express" train!! It was a GREAT day, wish Shawn would have been able to go with us!! Maybe next time!

BOW CHICKA BOW WOW

2008-10-14T21:44:00.003-04:00

Shawn got his new toy, FINALLY!! He's been looking at trailers for months and months and he finally went for it!! It's so shiny!! I think he smiled for day's! SO he's off on the big road!! I asked if he was going to buy anything else that doesn't fit in the driveway!! He said NO!! Keep your fingers crossed for me!!

Preschool Field Trip!!

2008-10-14T21:39:00.002-04:00

So we headed off to the pumpkin patch!! They had bunnies and cows. The BIG RED would stick out her tounge and swallow ears of corn whole, it was way to cool!! Kelly & I rode the bus and sat together so we chatted and the time flew by!! We all got pumpkins OH MY - I LOVE PRESCHOOL!!!!!!!!!

Trick or Treating

2008-09-23T20:49:00.003-04:00

Saturday was a BIG day for sure! I work thirds and so I got off at seven and went home to sleep. Shawn had to have Cassidy at gymnastics by 10 - 11:30 and Brooke goes at 10:15 - 11. He has to feed them breakfast, dress them and pull their hair up, I taught him last week and he's not impressed and neither are the girl's!! Then Cassidy had a swim birthday party at 12:30 - 4:30, so he had to feed them lunch and help her get into a swimsuit and changed! I got up after she had left and Brooke & I got around and went to Issac's 1rst b-day party for a few then we had to get back to get Cassidy then get the kid's dressed for trick or treating!! Shawn took them to trick or treating, they do it the last weekend of the camping season!! Mom & I went to a jewlery party it was really neat stuff and then we went out to eat and to Wal-Mart then I headed to work for my 11pm - 7am shift and at 4 am it hit me and I was TIRED!!!!!! Sunday I laied around most of the day!! LOL

Dancing Diva!!

2008-09-23T20:06:00.003-04:00

Brooke is hilarious let me tell you! She loves to dance and sing and she thinks she's totally cool so a week or so ago I decided to take a video on my camera her facial expressions crack me up!!!!!!!! Cassidy would NOT dance for me at all!! She was acting all shy but she's usually really outgoing!! Hmmm!!!

Fair Time!!!

2008-09-01T21:51:00.001-04:00

So it's was that time of the year for the fair. It's always a good time of great food, rides and lot's of dusty dirt! Swear our feet were BLACK both nights we went so far!! Anyways we did have a great time!! Love the fair!!

BIG NEWS!!!

2008-08-25T10:44:00.002-04:00

Well a few weeks back I was asked to attend a meeting for Cassidy to be on the gymnastics training team. She would train Tuesday's and at the end of September she would also train on Saturday's! Then come March she would compete in a real meet at Kalahari water park in the conference area!! Exciting right!!!!! Well we only had a week to decide they had given me so much information it was almost to much and I hadn't heard from Mrs. Karen (their tap teacher) on what day the girl's will have tap so we missed the deadline for gymnastics but we did hear from Mrs. Karen and they go on Thursday's this will be Cassidy's 5th year and Brooke's 3rd year in tap so anyways Cassidy can be on the team and still do tap!! She's really excited about learning more of skills rather that just being in a class for fun!! I mean it will still be fun just they will learn more of a routine and what not. She is so excited so check back and I'll keep everyone up to date!!!

P is for Puppy or Puppies

2008-08-21T22:18:00.008-04:00

Mom & Dad recieved a new puppy as a gift last week. She is adorable and full of energy too!! She is a jackshit!! That's right a Jack Russell and a Shitzu. They named her MAGGIE SUE! Needless to say she is alreay spoiled plum rotten!!

She was so cute that a few day's later we found out kinda by accident she had a sister and well ..... she came home with me!! She was so dirty and sick but we took her to the vet and she's doing great! It's so funny because she is so laied back and relaxed and she fit's right in like she has been here forever. She slept one night in the crate now Shawn & I have a beautiful tan and aqua doggie bed in the middle of our king size bed and there she sleeps! She's a babe (I stold that saying from my mom) and we call her Libby Lu!

Watch out PM Preschool...here comes Brooke

2008-08-19T13:21:00.003-04:00

Brooke went back to school today!! The house feels so empty!! I miss them very much!!!!! Even though a break is nice I still miss them!!

Cassidy's First Day of 2nd Grade

2008-08-18T08:02:00.002-04:00

I knew it was coming I just didn't expect it to be so fast!! Cassidy went off to second grade this morning. She was very excited to see all of her friends!!

BG Tractor Pulls 2008

2008-08-18T07:25:00.006-04:00

Of course Shawn, Cassidy & I went to the tractor pulls in Bowling Green. It's like Shawn's superbowl or Daytona. We had an awesome awesome time. We have had the same seats for three years now so we know everyone around us. We went to Saturday's morning and evening sessions so in between we always do a tailgate, grilling hamburgers and hotdogs with all kinds of goodies and it gives us time to relax out of the sun and stretch out! It's such fun wish it was twice a year. I did take a few videos but I'll only post one or two!!

Brooke always spends tractor pull day with Grandma so this year she took Brooke & Madisynn to the Toledo Zoo!

Girl's with SPEEDY wheels!!

2008-08-12T21:36:00.004-04:00

Shawn & I took the girl's to the park last Friday and they got to ride their bikes on the trails and they were so EXCITED. I had been wanting to take them and finally we did it! We started off on a trail and Shawn said it was a 2.3 mile trail no big deal right. So we set off and they were like lighting. After a LONG while I said to Shawn do you think we might be almost back my feet, which I had flip flops on were starting to really hurt all the sudden and he assured me it should be about to dump us back out to the truck. After another fifteen minutes or so I can feel blisters in between my big toes and it SUCKS! So we see this old road we had passed about half way back so Shawn decides it's the quick way out. So we see this jogger go by as we head off onto this deserted road in the middle of the park. We did see a doe about four feet off the trail. SO we walked and walked and the kid's rode and rode. Then we pass the jogger AGAIN! Mind you my poor toes had blistered and burst, so after walking back we seen the sign it was a 5 something mile trail plus when were almost out we re-walked the trail. Needless to say we were gone over two hours of walking and riding and besides my toes it was an AWESOME time. The girl's loved being able to ride like CrAzY! Next time Shawn & I will take bikes, we didn't this time because we weren't sure how the girl's would handle the trails but they did GREAT! Afterwards we played at the park. My feet are better incase anyone cares! LOL

Sweet Sadie..........

2008-08-08T16:28:00.010-04:00

Let me tell you about this old friend of mine.
She might look tattered or maybe old
But I won't say goodbye until you've been told.
She had the brightest eyes I had ever seen,
And wore a beautiful fur coat that would out shine a queen .
She was never prissy but walked with an aire ......
And oh so polite, you could take her most anywhere.
She could run like the wind and could catch anything she chased
But she protected and sat with me when I had problems to face.
You could not find a friend nearly so dear.
Because no matter the trouble she always stayed near...
She has never asked for much;
Just to love and respect her and I think you'll agree .
To give her a good bone from time to time ;
When she has given me her love and to her this was no task.
Now I understand you have a schedule to keep.
But I have a small favor before she nods off to sleep.
Please fold your wings around her and let her feel young while in no pain ;
Dear Guardian Angel of Pets ,
please keep her safe and happy until we see her again.

Sadie swimming in the pond

Sadie playing with Brooke & Cassidy

Cassidy & Brooke riding with Sadie & Abbey!!

Dad & Mom's boxer Sadie went to doggie heaven today she was thirteen years old and loved by all. She was a GREAT GREAT dog and she will be missed very much.

Summer Sunset

2008-08-05T21:14:00.008-04:00

We have had a WONDERFUL summer for sure. Our family has gotten to do so much!! I truly have enjoyed each and every moment. It's sad to think that in less than two weeks the kid's will be back in the swing of school, tap and gymnastics. Bitter sweet!! I miss the routine of things yet I love the summer freedom. We started the summer with swim lessons, attended the McIntosh reunion and on Father's Day we went to Great Wolf Lodge indoor waterpark!! LOVE IT!!! Mom & Dad got a pool this summer and we freaking LOVE it!! I do mean LOVE it!!!!!
*Cassidy underwater diving for rings*

*Brooke looking at me underwater*

We also have be able to go to Cedar Point and Cataway Bay which I posted pictures of. The girl's had a AWESOME time when we went to visit Vickielynne in Indiana and they both got to drive the boat, talk about cool!! Gymnastics has been a great activity that they look forward to on Wednesday's! Your NOT allowed to take pictures or video tape but....they did allow us to take a few pictures when the first summer session ended, only of Brooke's class though maybe Cassidy's class will later!
*Brooke at gymnastics*

Tonight we went to Sauder's Village with some of the Vanderveer crew! Jordan brought the babysitting kid's and they were cute!! Hunter and Brooke together however means one thing TROUBLE!! Not bad but ornry for sure!! Cassidy LOVED telling us what she had seen when Norma (Shawn's mom for those who don't know)took her last year and they looked at all the quilts during the big quilt show.
*The girl's at Sauder's*

POOL junkies

2008-07-31T19:59:00.005-04:00

Long - long story but Mom and Dad got a pool and we LOVE it. The girl's & I are pool junkies to say the least! Cassidy was still leary of the water when it was ready to have swimmers and Brooke was wearing floaties and a ring and little by little they have become braver and braver! Mom had a grand idea to try goggles mask! OH MY!!!! What a HUGE HUGE difference! Cassidy has been diving under for rings and sticks and she has learned how to do a head stand and somersault. She is doing so well and we (Grandpa & Grandma included) are VERY proud of what she is learing to do. Tonight she did three in a row and I was able to catch it on my underwater camera, which I'm in LOVE with!! It takes these amazing pictures and the video's. Ahhhhhhh I'm IN LOVE!! Brooke is still wearing her wings and ring and she does wear the goggle mask and goes under some but she'll get there. She is more of a pool floater rather than the go go diver jumper Cassidy has become. I did get a video of Brooke swimming to me with her face in the water. Did I mention that I LOVE this new camera???? Thanks............you know who you are!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!

Happy Anniversary

2008-07-24T23:54:00.001-04:00

My mom and dad have been married twenty one years today!! I love them both very much and cannot imagine how my life would be without them! They have taught me so much over the years and I may have a slight bias but they are the best!!

4TH of JULY

2008-07-09T20:35:00.005-04:00

Mom & Dad had a cookout for the 4th and it was a great great time!! They should have those parties once a month!! Here are some pictures before the baseball, kickball, crouquet and swimming started!!

Shawn-Katrina-Cassidy-Brooke-Mom-Dad-Terry-Korina-Jake-Audrey-Madisynn

V A C A T I O N

2008-07-09T20:25:00.003-04:00

We decided since Shawn is off for a week due to shut down at the factories she should take a little vacation so Tuesday Amanda & I looked around on the internet and Wednesday Shawn the girl's & I were headed to Sandusky. We stayed at Castaway Bay which is a hotel and waterpark just minutes from Cedar Point. So we swam and went down the slides and they had a wave pool that the kid's just LOVED. It was fun and the best part was TGI Friday's was attached the the hotel so we went and had supper which it is my #1 place to eat!! I was HAPPY HAPPY!! It was a great day and Thursday we woke up early and it was raining and I do mean raining. So after breakfast we went and walked around the mall and after we did that the sky was clearing to we headed out to ride rides!! That is just what we did too!! It was a great day!! Overcast and cool!! WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!! After our drive home Shawn helped me get a few things ready to go to my mom & dad's the next day for the 4th! We got to bed after two AGAIN!!!!

A visit to the COUNTRYSIDE!

2008-07-09T20:13:00.002-04:00

I have not seen my friend Vickielynne in over a year now so when she called and asked us to meet up with her and a some friends about and hour and a half away I jumped at the chance. She always has such and good time and makes me laugh my butt off and she did not disappoint! We drove down Monday after going to the drive in the night before because VL wasn't sure what was going on!! So anyways we headed out kinda late in the morning and when we got there she greeted us all with big hugs and HELLO!!!!!! In no time we were in the boat and out on the lake. There were three lakes that connected and Cassidy & Brooke took turns driving the boat and they LOVED it!! It was a chilly but sunny day and after cruising the lakes we headed back to land and went swimming back at the pool and VL had the bright idea we should have a few drinks. Well cherry vodka and red bull go down smooth but they hit you like a rock. After I had asked VL will these take me down she kept telling me no no!! She's a liar by the way!! I drank a few glasses which I haven't drank in FOREVER. So I went down the slide and when I hit the water I could barely get back to the top!! SO I quit drinking right then. We had dinner and rode out in the woods in the "gators" and sat by the fire. We got home about two in the morning and we crashed. We had a good time!!

Fun Fun Fun

2008-07-09T19:58:00.002-04:00

So we have been go go go for well over a week now. Myself & the girl's had a sleepover night with the Sink's girl's!! It was a great time, although Cassidy & Brooke have NEVER and I do mean NEVER heard a siren other that the tornado sirens we have out here in no man's land and in the big ol' city where the Sink's live there is a fire siren that goes when it needs to no matter morning, noon or night and I'll be darned that when they all laied down to go to sleep that thing went off and Cassidy was a freaking, Brooke tagged along as well (monkey see monkey do)!! I told them it was fine and that they do it there if someone needs help yatta yatta. Well she woke me up "several" times in the night and would say mommy are you there and I'd say YES CASSIDY and back to sleep she'd go. Well guess what went off again at seven thirty in the morning?? Yep that dang siren. UGH!! So up and adam they were and hearts beating 100 miles an hour. Is that healthy to have your heart working so hard at such a young age?! I could barely drag my butt around and I felt so sick. Thank goodness my dearest bestest friend had a GRAND plan already. So after she made everyone breakfast we packed all the kid's up and sent them to Vacation Bible School (which Kennedy & Emmy had already been going to) and sent them off. We no sooner drove through to get a tea at McDonald's and went into the dollar store and looked for a garage sale that was ABSENT and we had to pick the girl's back up!! Shouldn't VBS be an all day thing?? LOL Just Kidding we do LOVE them!! So we picked them up and headed back down here to Ohio and went swimming at Amanda's dad's after lunch. It was CHILLY to say the least but still fun!! After Amanda dropped us back off at home the girl's & I laied down and slept for over three hours!! I haven't been that tired in...YEARS!! The Sink's wore our butt's out!! Thanks ladies!! I can't wait for the next sleepover!!

A day of friends, heat and FUN!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-24T21:52:00.003-04:00

Emmy - Brooke - Kennedy - Cassidy

Today Amanda & I met up and went to lunch, the park and duck pond. It was a warm sunny day and as soon as we met we realized we were out numbered by two!! We did have an AWESOME AWESOME day!! The girl's played and laughed.

A house in progress............

2008-06-24T21:49:00.003-04:00

Shawn started last week wanting to get rid of a pile of wood he had collected some time ago!! So little by little he has worked each night and what started out as a pile of wood is turning into a princess castle!! I can't wait to see them playing in their own "house"!!

So Shawn was hammering down and he hit his thumb and it turned black and blue and by the next morning it was twice the size it should have been and he couldn't bend it! So I talked and talked and he caved and went to the doctor! They had to drill into his nail bed with a needle. Needless to say he was NOT happy. Most of you know he is VERY VERY afraid of needles and blood. He did well and it did release pressure but it still looks NASTY so I took a picture, check it out!! It's a week old now!

It looks WAY worse in person!!

Father's Day !!HOORAY!!

2008-06-24T20:31:00.004-04:00

So on Father's Day we headed out to Great Wolf Lodge and we had an AWESOME AWESOME time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kennedy's Party!

2008-06-14T22:13:00.003-04:00

Our dear friend's Matt & Amanda's older daughter Kennedy had her fifth birthday party today and we had a great great time!! Here are a few fun pictures!! Amanda has black mail of me on her camera! Bless her heart!!

Brooke & Kennedy - Emmy - Cassidy
Shawn - Amanda - Matt
Cassidy - Kennedy - Brooke

Diving Board

2008-06-14T22:06:00.002-04:00

Cassidy & Brooke have been going off the diving board so I thought I'd share a few pictures!! I love the concentration and bravery!!

Brooke.............

2008-06-10T21:57:00.002-04:00

Tonight we were driving home from a busy day of swim, doctor appointments, shopping and supper. The radio was playing and the kid's were eating candy they had bought with their $1.00. All the sudden Brooke let's out a BIG whine and I say what Brooke and.....she say's I don't want to grow up...I say well you have a long time until then Brooke....she says I'm scared to be pregnat!! Where did that come from!! Normally I don't share but I had to tonight!! I swear she thinks she's twenty!

Cassidy has talent!!

2008-06-10T21:32:00.004-04:00

So Cassidy sat Brooke down and parted her hair make two piggy's and braided them. She has talent!!

Check Up

2008-06-10T21:18:00.002-04:00

Cassidy & Brooke went for their check up today. Both look great and their throats look fine. He even gave them a "tickle" test. So no more Dr. Hottie!! I mean the man should be on Grey's and he can really operate!! Grrrrrrrrr!! Amanda says he should be Mc Thirsty!!

Swim Lessons

2008-06-10T21:02:00.003-04:00

Cassidy & Brooke started swim lessons this week. Monday was their first day and they did well. I thought "maybe" they would be timid or shy but they jumped right in and they really like it. They will go Monday through Friday for two weeks with gymnastics on Wednesday nights still!! Busy summer!! Keeping BUSY!!!!

A Reunion

2008-06-10T20:28:00.011-04:00

Cassidy's Last Day Of 1rst Grade

2008-05-30T15:35:00.002-04:00

Cassidy's last day was Tuesday! It was "Field Day"! They had lot's of races and toss games and dancing! It was so much fun to watch them!!

Brooke's Last Day of the Year!

2008-05-23T16:06:00.002-04:00

Today was Brooke's last day of preschool for this year. They blew bubbles, they had a pinata and they played corn hole!! What a day they also had cupcakes, candy and juice!!! It was a WONDERFUL day and I look forward to Brooke being in there next year learning as much as she did this year! She has learned so much and I'm a VERY proud Momma!! A special thanks to Mrs. Call & Mrs. Schmitz for not only their time but patience and hard work, they are truly wonderful ladies!!

*Cassidy has to go one more day next week*

Race Fans

2008-05-23T15:58:00.003-04:00

Cassidy is ALL Jimmie Johnson!! She has LOVED the 48 Lowe's car since she was a little thing. She used to say go Lowes...go! It's was so funny! She has stuck right with that 48, I think she is may just be a forever fan. She now also knows it's her Great Aunt Becky's favorite so......she is all 48 fan!! We have molded Brooke into a Dale Jr fan!! She always says it's a junior shirt mom!! LOL

Teacher Gifts

2008-05-20T20:55:00.006-04:00

Yeah so I'm one of those people...I love to give gifts to the teachers and bus drivers at the end of the year as a Thank You for not only their time through the school year but the patience and things they do that they don't have to! So I usually just give the gifts I make and have NEVER taken a picture of my creative talent! LOL So this time I took some picture to share with the rest of you!! I hope they like them. Plus last year Cassidy told her teacher "grandma" made it! What a stinker!! LOL

Cassidy's teacher Mrs. Youtzy LOVES Butterfinger - so I made a candy bouquet and of course I had to something with scrapbooking so I made this picture frame in the school colors she can place somewhere in her classroom!

Brooke has a teacher and a teacher's aid so I made them both "photo" cubes with differnt preschool stickers and school colors. Go GREEN & Gold!! Plus I had an awesome smelling candle for them and some dove chocolates!!

We LOVE the zoo!!

2008-05-17T12:46:00.002-04:00

So this is the last field trip of the year for the first graders. They had fifteen parents to nineteen kid's, so only four kid's had to pair off. We went to the Toledo Zoo. Forecasters had said it was supposed to be sixty six and rainy. So we headed out and it was chilly. By the time we go to the zoo and started walking around it was begining to warm up and no rain. Hip Hip Hooray!! It was an AWESOME AWESOME day. It was warm but not hot and the sun was shining and we got to see plenty of neat things and take lot's of pictures! It was nice the two of us just set out and went where we wanted and the one on one time was well needed. It was one of the best day's we have gotten to spend just the two of us! It may just have to start a new tradition in our home!! After we got back from the zoo and school we headed off to pick up Brooke over in Indiana, she had had enough trucking and Shawn had four hours of driving to go. It was a shame we drove over picked her up at the outlet mall. So the girl's & I went shopping, I felt so forced!! LOL

Brooke has been back to school two days, that's it!

2008-05-17T12:18:00.005-04:00

Brooke started back to school finally on Tuesday, she was so excited to see her friends and teachers. Later that night she started feeling warm. Wednesday she woke up with a slight fever but it was gone by ten so I sent her to school and she did well. We went to meet up with "Angie" who WAS going to watch Brooke while I went on the zoo field trip with Cassidy, yeah was Brooke has another high fever spike on Friday morning so she had to go in the semi and she was not happy, She had woke up at six thirty so excited to go to Angie's! Back to my story......By four on Wednesday she was so whiny and we were out and about running errands. When we got home I felt her and she was on fire 102.5 so it said. So Wednesday after supper we took her to urgent care clinic and the doctor said the fever was 103.1 so needless to say I was very worried. He concluded very quickly that she has a "slight" infection just on her sides of her mouth and her tounge. So back on antibiotics, and they said to follow up with the ENT or pediatrician the next day. So Wednesday night was a LONG night. Shawn left in the semi after we went to urgent care and so I had Brooke the great on my hands. Cassidy went to bed and ((by the way has been back to school since last Thursday and doing WONDERFUL))! Brooke was up until 2 am crying and tossing and turning and burning up! I got up at six thirty put Cassidy on the bus and waited to call the ENT at eight. It felt like forever and so at 8:02 I called I was put on hold over seven minutes and finally told Bridgett my four year old daughter had surgery two weeks ago yesterday and she is running a temp of 103 and the urgent care doctor thinks she may have an infection, the lady sounded off back to me well he is in surgery all week call your pediatrician, I said okay....click she hung up. She must not have yet had her pot of coffee. So then I had to wait until 8:30 to call Dr. Chrissy's office and I called and right away they were so positive as well right away they say I think she is all booked up and I let out a BIG UGH!!! I got an appointment that afternoon. As soon as Dr. Chrissy came in she said you should really have seen the ENT for this not that I don't mind but.........I told her what happened and needless to say no one really wanted to take care of us. So, Dr. Chrissy confirmed yes it looks like an infection and to stay on the antibiotics. WHOA what a time to get to the bottom of a fever!! I tell you what if it's going to happen to anyone it's going to be.................ME!!!! Brooke has had a fever since Tuesday and today Saturday is the first day so far no fever!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T20:08:00.000-04:00

Cassidy & Brooke are feeling BETTER!!

2008-05-09T21:41:00.002-04:00

I just wanted to let all of you that read this Cassidy & Brooke are feeling better. Cassidy went back to school a half day yesterday and the whole day today!! She still hurts some when she swallows and if she does to much she get's tired pretty quickly. Brooke is still at home with me! She still talks REALLY quiet and slow. Other than that she complains of pain in her neck and her throat burns some. They are both up doing lot's more and feeling better for sure.

Update!

2008-05-02T19:28:00.002-04:00

Cassidy & Brooke are doing well. They both seem to be drinking and eating pretty well. Not GREAT but well. They are starting to want to get up and move more which is good and bad. I will keep everyone up to date!!

Surgery Day

2008-05-02T19:04:00.003-04:00

The girl's both had their surgery on Wednesday. Cassidy had a little more anxiety as she thought she knew what was going on. They ended up in seperate room's cady-corner from each other. We had to be there an hour early and they where running an hour late so we had a pretty long wait. Brooke's nurse was awesome and she kept them both pretty busy. She told some CRAZY kid jokes that Brooke thought were HIL arious!! The girl's got a stuffed animal and coloring books and crayons. They also both wore a surgeon's mask, hair net and gloves. They looked so cute.
Brooke went back first and she started to cry and her nurse just scooped her up and took her back. Her surgery took about thirty minutes and as soon as she went into the recovery room they took Cassidy back. We could hear a child screaming and I do mean the worst scream I have EVER heard from a child. I finally asked the nurse to please go check if that was my daughter, although we didn't think it was but then I knew she would sound a little different. She came back and assured me Brooke was sound asleep in the recovery room. Then once Brooke got back into her "room", Cassidy was being taken into the recovery room. It was pretty back to back so we didn't have time to really be upset or anything with how busy they had kept us. The nurse came out to ask me to come into the recovery room because Cassidy kept telling them "I'm trying not to cry but I want my mom"! So I went back with her and Shawn set with Brooke while she slept. After awhile Cassidy went back to her room and as she got all settled and back asleep Brooke woke up and she was so "confused" and she just started hollaring I want my grandma, whom I had just called as she woke for a second time, so she said if she wants me I'm coming and she did!! Grandma got down there SPEEDY quick and she held and rocked Brooke for a good long time then Cassidy woke up and so we all gathered in one room and they ate popsicles and pudding and drank gatorade. Finally they both went potty and they started to get us ready to go. After a bit of craziness we did get to go home. My mom went to get the RX's and I thank her so much that she did because they told us it would be fifteen minutes and she was there an hour.
A special thanks to Mom for coming down to the hospital on such a short request!
We would also like to thank EVERYONE who has come by and called asking about the girl's. Thanks to all who have brought gifts, you didn't have to but we do thank you for them!!

My tummy is rumbly

2008-04-28T07:39:00.002-04:00

I suck so bad. My nerves always seem to get the best of me. It has already hit me. I have a lump in my throat, a headache and a BIG BIG gut ache!! UGH!!! I didn't even sleep last night and I have until Wednesday!! AHHHHHH!!!!!!

Cassidy is so excited......

2008-04-27T21:04:00.002-04:00

Cassidy had wanted a Nintendo DS for awhile now and Shawn had said NO because we had just gotten a Wii at Christmas and what not. Well Cassidy had gotten money for her birthday and she was just a little short under thirty dollars. So we debated with Shawn and he said NO NO NO so today we were talking about what she was going to spend her birthday money on. Grandma piped up and said if she wants a DS she should be able to spend her money on what she wants. So...........she bought a PINK DS with her birthday money!! Thank you to Uncle Marv & Aunt Becky, Michelle, Johnny & Karen and Grandma & Grandpa for making Cassidy so happy by getting her new pink excitement!! She was so happy playing her cooking mamma!! It was so AWESOME to see her that happy tonight!!

Dancing Darlings

2008-04-27T20:52:00.006-04:00

Cassidy Lauren dancing to Looby Loo!

Cassidy 4th Year - Mrs. Karen - Brooke 2nd Year

Brooke Morgan dancing to Good Ship Lollipop!

Today was the girl's dance recital! They work so hard from January to April on new routines and they do such a wonderful wonderful job. They both danced VERY well! A VERY special Thank you to Grandma, Grandma V., Fay & Heather for coming. Your support means a lot to us. Thanks!!
Also thanks to Grandpa who came to the rehersal last week since he couldn't make it today!!

Tree Time

2008-04-27T20:40:00.002-04:00

Cassidy brought home a tree last week, for Earth Day! She was so excited to have a tree to plant. She wanted so badly to take it over to the property but I wasn't so sure you never know. So we planted it in the front flower bed and when we move we WILL take it with us. I can't wait to see how big it get's over the years!!

HOT HOT HOT

2008-04-25T17:26:00.002-04:00

Brooke says it to hot!! Already so she decided to "strip" down to her panties and head outside with Shawn's crocs on. She danced in the yard and when the neighbor guy pulled out of his driveway she hid behind the tree so he couldn't see her boobs. Never mind all the people driving down our road could see she was a dancing panty wearing fool! I love it!!!

Major League Meltdown

2008-04-25T17:17:00.002-04:00

Today Cassidy got home from school and had a major meltdown. Normally Cassidy get's attitude but NEVER has it been this bad. She got so mad she laied under the kitchen table and fell asleep!! Now that's a meltdown that I can live without!

Smile and say CHEESE!!!!!!!!!

2008-04-24T22:09:00.002-04:00

Today I took the girl's to Sears for Cassidy being seven and Brooke being four and a half now! They both are getting so big. It's sad but yet so wonderful to watch them grow and become such beautiful young ladies. They both smiled and posed so nice. I was proud of my girl's!!

In a week

2008-04-23T22:44:00.004-04:00

By this time next week both girl's will have had their adnoids and tonsils taken out. Their surgery is next Wednesday morning sometime. I know it will be a long haul with two kid's down and Shawn out on the big road. But, hopefully this will help Cassidy's health. She has missed fourteen day's this school year all with a doctor's note. Poor thing. She had her fifth strep for the year a few weeks ago and that prompted us to see the ENT. We had seen another ENT sometime last year and he was a mean mean man. I swear it was an awful experience. Then my dear friend Amanda's older daughter Kennedy (4 almost 5) had the surgery with a doctor from another practice and after her positive experience I had decided to try them. It's been a VERY positive experience so far. We cannot go to the exact doctor they did but it is a doctor in the same practice and he is the most kind and caring doctor I have seen in a very very long time. Thanks for the referral Amanda & Kennedy! I pray and pray this will help Cassidy's health and for Brooke to sleep through the entire night without snoring like she's fueling a town's electricity. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

My heart is filled with laughter

2008-04-23T22:39:00.003-04:00

So my heart is filled with true love and laughter. Shawn always had teased me about oh why do you need a laptop to sit five feet from the desktop. If you know Shawn it was constent teasing and picking! I always fired back with lot's of but...but.. well now that we have this wonderful new toy guess who has been on the laptop everynight before bed?! Yeah me but hello Shawn too!! That fills my heart with laughter knowing he loves this as much as me!! I think we may both have an addiction!! Good thing it's a good addiction! LOL

Happy Happy Joy Joy

2008-04-18T08:41:00.005-04:00

Shawn & I have had a computer since back in 1998. We have ALWAYS had dial-up and it is so slllllllllllow. I mean it takes me ten minutes just to check my in box for e-mail and I may not even have any new e-mail. Then one of the times I was down watching John tattoo someone was talking about an air card. I had never even heard of them. I know slow computer so slow at getting information on new and exciting things available. Anyways I have looked at these wonderful cards that would speed this baby up and yesterday I got one!! Hip Hip Hooray!! It all started when I stopped by to visit my mom. She said she was heading to Toledo after work. I thought I should just ride along so after I picked the girl's up from school I called Mom and asked if we could ride along because I had found out Shawn was going to be late. After getting to Toledo and circling the laptops and air cards SEVERAL times I called Shawn to ask about the air card. Then I handed off the cell to my mom and after her talking to Shawn I was getting a laptop. I love my momma! Thanks!! I'm so VERY excited!! Beyond excited. I can see and hear things I never even knew where here. HELLO!! I think I may be now addicted to the internet, plus my wonderful husband got me a laptop!! So I'm a very excited woman right now! So in the words of my BEST friend Amanda this "blog will be on FIRE"!!!!!!!! LOL

Sweet & Sassy at SEVEN

2008-04-18T08:21:00.003-04:00

SEVEN!! Holy Hannah Montana Cassidy turned seven on April 13th!! It was a Birthday Party planning turning point. We have always had our parties here at home and this year we decided she was old enough to have more friends and start doing things she likes. Our house is just to small for friends and family. She had wanted to go skating then she decided bowling was her calling. We had her party at the bowling alley in Morenci! She had three friends from school plus Miranda, Kennedy & Emmy and lot's of family, so we had a great time! Cassidy LOVED all the Hannah Montana stuff she got and she has two gift cards to Wal-Mart and she can't wait to go shopping. We'll have to see what she picks!! She is a sassy seven!! Lucky US!!

Fort Wayne shopping!

2008-03-30T13:15:00.003-04:00

We set out yesterday for some fun. Shawn, Mom, Cassidy, Brooke & I got to Fort Wayne with a game plan in mind.

Cassidy had wanted to go to Club Libby Lu the last time we had went so I suprised her with already having an appointment time for her. She was shocked to say the least. She picked a Rock Star makeover. So on went the nail polish, makeup and star face bling. She looked so cute then they did her hair in twisty's and then came the rocker girl hair! She looked so dang cute. She also got a "Pooch Parlor" which was a stuffed friend, t-shirt for the pet, collar and a pet purse. She got a pink kitten and she named her Pinky. Shawn headed back out to find a bench while Mom, Cassidy, Brooke & I helped Cassidy decide on wether she wanted to make body spray, lotion, lip gloss or facial masks. She finally decided on lip gloss and body spray! It was so much fun and we can't wait to go back!! Everyone kept commenting on how cute she looked!

After Libby Lu we headed down to Build A Bear for some fun for Brooke. She ran right in and was picking out animals to stuff. She had a hard time deciding wether she wanted a elephant or a bunny. She did choose a bunny. She fluffed that poor bunny FOREVER!! It was funny. After that she picked out an outfit after picking out ten. She named the bunny Spongebob!! She LOVES spongebob so much!!

Finally we got to go shopping in the mall and ate at Red Robin! We did a bit more shopping and stopped off to Sonic on the way home for dessert! It was an AWESOME day!! Thanks to my momma for going! Can't wait to do it again!!!!!

Spring Break at the park...........

2008-03-30T13:02:00.003-04:00

This past week the kid's have been home on spring break. On Wed. we headed out for a day at park in Wauseon. The kid's ran and jumped and played for over an hour, we even took a walk in town. Brooke was wanting to find a bench the entire time for a "break". Dad came by and we all went to lunch. We had a good day and after supper I let them go back outside and play while I raked some leaves and things. What a beautiful day it was.
Thursday was a big day for Cassidy, she was going over to her friend Emma's and playing with Emma and another friend Chloe. She had an awesome time. Even though school is on break dance goes on. So we left for dance and it was a spitting rain and a few flakes of snow. By the time we got out of dance the roads were a snowy rainy slush mess. By morning the roads were icy and nasty!! Is our spring hiding under a blanket of snow?! Can you believe the last week of March and we are still getting snow storms like this....?!!

Family time

2008-03-24T16:21:00.004-04:00

*Cassidy * Mom, Cassidy, Grandma, Me, Brooke *
*Cassidy & Aunt Midge * Brooke*

I had Easter dinner yesterday and what a day!! The girl's loved running and playing with the kid's. Great food and great company. Thanks to everyone who came!

Easter Morning

2008-03-24T16:09:00.004-04:00

Amanda & I had went to Toledo earlier Friday and went shopping and to lunch. It snowed a little and then by the time we got back into town it was melted and the roads were wet. By eleven that night the roads were horrible covered in snow and drifted. Friday night we got a boat load of snow to say the least! The Easter Bunny had no choice but to hide the eggs inside with the five inches of snow we had outside but it worked. The kid's were so excited. They love the beta's.

Addiction to ink.........

2008-03-24T16:06:00.002-04:00

Okay I'm honestly begining to think going down to Randy's for more ink just might be an addiction!! So this weekend my grandma came up and got her tattoo bling-ed up!! She loves it and from the pictures what a difference!! He is a talented fellow!!

Lilly has found a new home!

2008-03-24T15:52:00.004-04:00

So ... Lilly had been doing so poorly for a long time on going in the house, since the first snow fell. Back in January I sent Lilly out in the semi with Shawn and he took her to my friend Vickielynne in Indiana to see how Lilly would be with dog's like her (Vickielynne has three) and if she would do better because I was at my witts end with her. So when she came back she did AWESOME for awhile then it seemed like maybe she was jelous of the attention the kid's got. Last week she pooped on the floor twice then she peed on the couch on my blanket after coming in from outside and I had seen her go. I put her on petfinder it was truly what had to be done and a really nice vet tech from about thirty minutes away adopted her and she is doing very well there as "Michelle" has no kid's and someone is always home. I'm very sad to have had to do this yet very glad to be poop and pee free home once again!! Lilly will be missed VERY much! Brooke wants to visit he rnad maybe over the summer we will.

A "splash" of a good time!

2008-03-12T21:16:00.004-04:00

We took a mini-vacation this week to an indoor waterpark Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky. It was so amazing to get away. We had a AWESOME AWESOME time. I had my reservations about the girl's! They both don't like water in their faces and they are VERY reserved in and around the water! To my amazement they both were VERY brave!!!!! They went down everything and LOVED it!!

Tattoo - Tattoo - Tattoo

2008-03-09T17:00:00.003-04:00

Yesterday it all started with a phone call from Amanda Jo. From there Mom & I went to Amanda's brother Randy & his wife Heather's house! Randy's friend John was there tattoo-ing. I got a tattoo on my foot of flowers and foo foo, Amanda got a star-y girly girly on her foot. Today, Mom got her's foo foo-ed up!! lol Fay got her Dale Jr - Amp tattoo! We all got inked and John's coming back next weekend so more ink.......maybe baby!! lol

My sharpie game plan - My tattoo - Amanda's sharpie plan - Amanda's stars - Mom's before - Mom's foo foo-ed tattoo - Fay's sketch - Fay's Dale Jr - Amanda & I's feet!!

It snowed a little last night!!

2008-03-05T23:07:00.004-05:00

So it snowed a "little" last night. Cassidy & Brooke could hardly wait for Shawn to get home so they could go out and "build" something!! So off I went to town to run a few errands and about 45 minutes later this is what they had created!! So much excitement for me to see.............they are talented huh?!

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-17T13:07:00.004-05:00

They both had great parties at school!!

Bye JUNO!!

2008-02-14T22:53:00.004-05:00

Hello!! To those of you who haven't heard or I haven't e-mailed you!! I have had some VERY serious technical issues with Juno. I had scanned and updated my anti-virus and it stormed over two weeks ago and when I shut down the computer, I have recieved error messages since! I cannot connect or check e-mail at all!! How weird is that?! So I call to try and recive help and I get an automated blah blah blah, after several phone calls and getting MAD I finally got a real guy in the cancellation department to talk to me so then after waiting over a week for a new Juno CD and after installing and unistalling Juno several times. Still no luck then I called the almighty technical support! Mind you I have had Juno over six years as an free e-mail and after trying others as my internet access I have always went back to what I was comfortable with. I call and they want to charge my credit card they have on file, which is Shawn's debit so it comes straight out of our checking..are you ready for how much?? $1.99 a minute!! I about fainted are you kidding me!! So after calling several numbers I found in all my computer junk I get back into the cancellation department. They offer a month free of this all "wonderful" technical support. So I call and after a FIFTY EIGHT minute conversation on the cell phone the woman was so frustrated (I could barely understand her - I could tell she was foreign and we had done so much "fixing" and nothing was still working) so anyways I tell her this is making me very upset that I have had not one but two problems in the past thirty days and I start to vent (not cussing or being rude) and can you guess what happened?? She hung up on me!! Dang it Amy!! Now i'm not just mad I'm freaking HOT!! I sat in the same spot not to lose her on my cell the entire time!! UGH!! So I dial right back and it was busy!

SO meanwhile I check on Brooke who is still up and adam!! Not to my suprise she had been in the water and had a mess in the bathroom!! YEAH as a mother I LOVE messes, NOT!! Shawn says it's job security but that's another conversation, check back!! LOL So I decide I better potty and there is no toilet paper!! I think to myself I knew I had gotten out a new roll for Cassidy that morning, I look around thinking maybe it fell or someone put in on the shelf something right! I think to myself....BROOKE! I look in the bathroom trash and to my suprise there it was soaking wet!! That kid I tell you!! So I ask what happened and she swears it wasn't her. I asked did you put it in the sink and after awhile she admits her guilt and so I put the toliet paper back on the roller to dry until morning. I'm not about to let her throw that in the trash it has become an expensive MUST HAVE!!

So back to Juno I go back to the cell phone all call again, I get a guy who is insisting I have a pin number to access the account, I have no such thin and NO ONE else had asked me for this information. After talking to three more people I finally get a woman who is willing to drop my price in half if I'll stay blah blah. I tell her that's fine but I had spent by this time two phone calls and over an hour and a half on the phone and no one can get me online at home with the software! I have a REALLY old CD that I can get online but I cannot access my address book or anything I have saved with Juno. So after a thirty nine minute conversation I ask the woman where is your call center located, ready?! The Philapenes!!! I said no wonder I cannot understand what anymone there is saying!! I have now deleted my account with them and I'm moving on!! I did set up an e-mail account but we haven't found an internet carrier just yet! So please add our new e-mail address!!

snkv97@gmail.com

Madisynn

2008-02-12T20:28:00.000-05:00

Madisynn is having surgery tomorrow! I ask that you still keep my three year old niece Madisynn is your prayers! She went last Friday and had her surgery to have the stitches taken out. They came out well, with the exception of one spot had to have a "tape" put on and it will fall off in ten day's or so! The eye doctor came in and good news she can stop taking the eye drops and cream. They look good!!
Today she went to see the doctor and have an x-ray of her elbow. Bad news! It has shifted and she will have to have surgery tomorrow! They will put two screws into her arm and into the bone to place the elbow in the proper place to heal correctly. She will have them in for two weeks and be in a soft cast!! She is not to be out of bed except to potty and she has to be carried there. After that the doctors say she will be in a lot of pain for the two weeks. Then if it's healed correctly she can have the surgery to have screws taken back out and then get a hard cast! Poor thing!!

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!!

Paper Alice Trip

2008-02-11T10:55:00.000-05:00

Three Generations!

My Mom & I left at seven Saturday morning to go to my Grandma's. We couldn't go our normal route because of major flooding in a few smaller town's about an hour south of here. So we had to detour and take the inerstate the entire way. We stopped off at Denny's and had a WONDERFUL breakfast!! When we got down to my Grandma's she was very excited to see us! She LOVES company. Not to brag but especially us! We got to check out her new space in the basement where she is making herself a scrapbooking room! By the way it is the most bright and fun looking scappin room south of home!! I love it!! This weekend we went to attend a paper making class, about twnty minutes south of her house. It was really neat. We had quite a group and it was so much fun. We made all this beautiful paper from junk mail. It was such a simple process, it was amazing. Stacy (Great Aunt Sue's daughter), Anette (Stacy's friend), Susan (a friend of my grandma's)& I were the newbies and took the beginner class. We also learned how to do paper mold. It was just as neat. after she taught us the process we were able to play around and make more paper or molds. My Mom, Grandma, Great Aunt Sue and Carol all took the advanced class. Although I think they spent most of their time watching us. We started at noon and didn't stop playing until after five thirty!

After the class my Mom, Grandma, Aunt Sue, Carol & I headed off to the scrapbooking store about thirty five minutes further south. We went to a few craft store also. Lot's fo good deals and finds. We decided to eat at TGI Friday's nine o'clock that night and it was VERY yummy. Three courses for $12.99 you can't beat the price and the food was wonderful unless we were just starved. After that we headed back to my grandma's to unload the treasures we all had found. We had the cruiser PACKED! It was so windy when we got back and it had rain and froze a little. Mom & I packed up the Jeep and left from Grandma's about 1 am. It had to be 20-30 below 0 with the wind chill. Can you believe Mom looks down about a quarter of the way and realizes oh no we don't have much gas!! I had to get out and stand in that wind to pump gas while she talked to me out the window. We both thought this was hilarious maybe Mom a little more than myself as I jumped up and down trying to stay warm, I did ask if Mom had hat or gloves and she did buried in the back under all our bags!! Who keeps the hat and gloves so far from the front?? My Mom does!! We didn't run into any bad weather just lot's of wind until we hit back in the city limits here. Then the roads were snow covered and icy!! I got home at three thirty am, and I thought my Mom turned into a pumpkin at ten!! Guess not!! We called Shawn and he unlocked the door and helped me in the house!! It was a GREAT time and we both only slept until ten the next morning. I beat my entire family up!

www.paperalice.com

Cassidy's Puppet Show - Gingerbread Boy

2008-02-11T10:40:00.000-05:00

Cassidy had a puppet show last week at school. She was so proud to be narrator 2 in the first session. She did a great job!!

My niece Madisynn

2008-02-04T18:17:00.000-05:00

September of 2007

My three year old niece Madisynn was involved in a car accident this past Sunday (2-4-08) in Paulding. Her mom drove off the road into some slush and she went in the ditch and hit a telephone pole on Madisynn's side right behind the door, exactly where Madisynn sat in her booster seat. The side and back window both shattered. Madisynn was in pretty bad shape when they life flighted her to Toledo. He poor lilttle face was covered in blood and you couldn't tell what was what, she had a neck brace and they knew her little arm was broken. She did open her eyes and talk to us, she was on morphine so she was pretty silly. They were able to get the glass out of her eye and there is a small ping on her eye that will need follow up treatment. She had surgery last night at 8:30 and was in about an hour and they were able to sew 11 lacerations on the right hand side of her face and they set her arm with a soft splint. Other than her belly hurt. They were saying she might be able to come home today - as of last night. We got to go back 2 by 2 to see her after surgery. She looked worse than I had remembered in the ER she had stitches all over the right hand side of her face and her little arm was all wrapped in a gauze type of cast. You could now see where each piece of glass hit her face. NO ONE at three years old should have to have this pain. Today I went up to see Madisynn and her eyes are swollen shut and her little face has swollen. Poor thing still looks like she in in lot's of pain. She is still complaining her belly hurts, other than that she lays with her eyes shut and softly sucks in her sleep. She's not talking much at all. They did a cat scan of her belly today and there is a small spot on her bladder that is causing some concern. They say it may be just a blood clot or it could be more. They were doing a ultrasound as I left today and I'm patiently waiting to hear back!! So PLEASE keep MADISYNN in your prayers!!

UPDATE!!!
Yesterday Madisynn opened her right eye but said the left one still hurt. After seeing Grandma brought her a new doll she forgot how much it hurt and opened BOTH eyes!! YEAH!! All she wanted was ketchup and french fries. Madisynn was feeling better. They did get her a sling and took her for a walk and she was able to play in the hospital's play room last night. She did have a hard time going to sleep and her eyes are still very watery and red. Today Madisynn was still saying her eyes hurt but once she was going for a walk they popped open and she was off. How funny! She was walking all over and we took her for a wagon ride and Jake & Audrey got to come and see her. She was eating well. Korina got her to eat cereal, and she ate applesauce when I was there this morning. She is able to come home tonight!! YEAH YEAH!! She does have to go back and see the eye doctor as her eyes are still very watery and red and she has to go back Monday for an x-ray of her arm then every week for five weeks. They also are taking out her stiches next week, I guess they will put her under for that!! All that matter's is she is feeling better and HOME!!

Prayers can be answered!!!

Brooke & Derrick

2008-01-21T20:25:00.000-05:00

When Brooke opened up a BOY baby alive at grandma and grandpa's she was so very excited. She was even more excited to find he had a "pointer" in his pants. I laughed and said Brooke it's not a pointer it's a pecker and she argued back it's a POINTER!! I told her she can call it whatever she wants!! She loves him and sleeps with him every night. She named him Derrick because that was going to be her name if she was a boy. What a memory!! She forgets him once in a while and we have to hunt him down. When she goes to school he has to stay in the "vehicle" because he will want her when school is out. Brooke LOVES Derrick!

Aly & AJ - Hannah - Miley

2008-01-12T14:47:00.000-05:00

Hannah Montana Concert

2008-01-12T14:37:00.000-05:00

Last night we went to the Hannah Montana - Miley Cyrus Best Of Both Worlds Tour concert in Detroit! It was a very good time. The girl's were shocked on just how loud the screaming was. Aly & AJ were the opening act and I wasn't to familiar with their music but clapping and swaying along worked for me. Brooke was so mad at how loud it was she layed down and went to sleep before Hannah ever even hit the stage!! Poor thing missed it all!! Cassidy was on the quiet side since she had been up since 6:30 am for school but she enjoyed the show!! Hannah took the show and she sang quit a bit and she changed clothes three times I couldn't believe how fast she changed. I was amazed by this to say the least! Then Miley came out and sang for us and she changed five times I think!! All in All it was a really great time!! I wish Brooke would have stayed awake because she loves to sing and dance but we have pictures to show her!! LOL

ORANGE ya glad we are "normal"

2008-01-11T00:13:00.000-05:00

The girl's were eating oranges with their pizza tonight and they both kept goofing off with rines so I snapped a few pictures!! They were being so funny!! I love it!

Brooke's Christmas Party

2008-01-10T23:51:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures from Brooke's Christmas Party at school Monday! The first picture is of Brooke and her "boyfriend" Trent. She is boy CRAZY already!! They had lot's of fun!!

Cassidy.......hair stylist?!

2008-01-10T08:54:00.000-05:00

Monday night Brooke let Cassidy style her hair!! She did well and I took pics!! Maybe her calling could be future hair stylist! Never know!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2007-12-26T19:39:00.000-05:00

**You can double click the picture to see it LARGER**

Here are a few pictures of the kid's from Christmas! There are pictures of them spreading the reindeer food out on the side walk and looking up to see if they could see Santa!! Setting out milk and cookies, opening presents and later in front of the tree!! We had a great day!! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!!

Cookies!!

2007-12-23T23:34:00.000-05:00

The girls and I have a tradition of making and frosting cookies! The other day we baked them and tonight they frosted and sprinkled them!!

Children's Wonderland

2007-12-23T23:27:00.000-05:00

After the dance program we headed to Children's Wonderland! Cassidy & Brooke were so excited to meet the "real" Santa! They still are convinced he's the one and only!! I LOVE it! We had a great time looking at all the Christmas lights and displays. Then we went to eat at Smokey Bones, we had BBQ pulled pork nachos and they were so yummy!!

"Spring Time Melody" & "Baby Face"

2007-12-23T23:00:00.000-05:00

Cassidy & Brooke had their tap program yesterday. It had been cancelled last Sunday because of all the snow we had gotten. So they tapped their little hearts out. I don't know why but this time Cassidy seemed to be VERY nervous, but she did well. Cassidy is in her fourth year and she had a jump rope, ball & bat all in her routine. Brooke was antsy but also did well!! I'm very proud of them both.

The GREAT mouse catcher...that's me!

2007-12-17T23:28:00.000-05:00

Okay well today I noticed some mouse type droppings and we have lived here six and a half years and we have never had a mouse in the house. So why now? Why when Shawn isn't going to be home tonight? Cassidy is terrified of everything so she was a perfect target to tease all day "there's the mouse" and she'd scream and Brooke & I'd laugh. Then we'd tease Brooke too. Well Cassidy woke up about 11:30, she was having bad dreams about the mouse. Poor thing! Her heart was beating so hard it felt like it was going to beat right out of her chest! We should have been more kind to her fear. Well I was in the restroom and she was asking from her bed for some water and I said sure but we are out of TP and Brooke is to busy watching Spongebob and it's still in the breezeway from shopping. So Cassidy ran right out and said I'll go get it for you momma! So she did and as she came back in that damn mouse ran out from the bathroom pantry right behind her like two inches from her feet. I was in shock so I said real calm Cassidy the mouse is right behind you please come closer to me, now! So she did and Brooke came running in (Spongebob came less important now), and they were all scared so Cassidy went and got me a shoe crying and what not the whole time mind you. I tell her to call your dad and I shut the door. I open the pantry and stirred some things around and out it came again!! I yell eww and the kid's come are you okay are you okay and I can hear Shawn on the two way!! I'm sure he finds this amusing out on the big road! So anyways I decide to go grab a bowl and try to catch him, who wants to kill a mouse with MY shoe? He was a fast little sucker to boot! So I stir things around again and out it comes and it climbs up the bath and on the edge starring me down so I swat it down into the bath tub and put the bowl over it!! CAUGHT at last!! YEAH GO MOM!! lol So he's under my pyrex in the tub, where it will be waiting for Shawn tomorrow!! I'll be using some bleach tomorrow after it leaves! Brooke just said it's so cute can we get a cage and keep him! Cassidy & I say NO WAY!!!