Aunt Ruth

Jeff's aunt died last week and her funeral was on Tuesday in Grand Rapids. I know it sounds weird to say but it was the best funeral I have ever been to. Ruth was Jeff's dad's sister. She was the last of the Simpsons from Jeff's father. For those of you who don't know Jeff's dad died of a massive heart attack when he was just eleven. His Aunt Ruth and Uncle Jack hold a special place in his heart. He has very fond memories of spending time with them growing up and at their cabin up in Baldwin. Jeff and I also took a trip to their winter place in the Florida Keys back in 2000. They were and are the nicest people.

Like many funerals you get to catch up with people you never see unless someone gets married or dies. The funeral itself was so beautiful, such a tribute to a wonderful, practical, warm women who left quite a legacy. As I sat there I thought this is the way to live a life. Be married to someone your crazy about for 53 years, have four smart, wonderful kids who have all found success in their lives and go peaceful home to Christ on your terms.

After the service we went back to Uncle Jack's and sat around and heard lots of stories about Jeff's dad and mom as youngsters and their dating years and of Jeff and his sister's growing up and good times with the Hornbachs. Jeff isn't very sentimental but I know he loves hearing stories about his dad. When your 11 when your dad dies, unfortunately alot of memories get lost. Thankfully, he had wonderful people like Ruth and Jack to keep Roger's memory alive and to create new memories with him. Like driving straight thru to Boston in the summer of 1987 where apparently Jeff terrorized Kim and Jenny, to fun fishing times up at the cabin. Lots of good times! I know Jeff and his family will miss Aunt Ruth!

In other news, we are off to Chicago for a long weekend, Jeff has a bachelor party Fri night and the kids and I are going to my parents! Have a good weekend!

SUE

The power of testimony

Today at church a women and her husband gave their testimony that I think is in my top five most impacting testimonies I have yet to hear. She honestly admitted that she embezelled money from her company due to a gambling addiction and next weekend she is on her way to W Virgina to begin an 18 month prision term..wow! She went on to talk about God's grace, her husband's grace and redemption that only comes through a relationship with Christ. In light of what my family friend is going through as well as a little over ten years ago my dad's secretary, who also was a good friend did the same thing to the company my dad worked for, I felt it was so powerful to hear the "other side" and see her regret and accountability. It also made me loathe gambling all the more.

This weekend has been damp and dreary and I have been mulling over some issues within myself. We almost missed church today for various reasons and I am so glad that we resisted that urge to take the easier road and stay at home and ventured out to be there to hear her story. It takes alot to be so open and vunerable..I give her and her husband alot of credit!

S

Staples...in the head

Matthew had to get two staples in his head yesterday. We had gone to my last MOPS meeting and when I dropped him off at the childcare, he threw a tantrum and threw himself into the door, well his head went right into the corner and caused a pretty decent sized gash. It bled for quite awhile and then stopped but still looked pretty bad. He was very brave but restless at having to wait. Daddy met us at the hosptial, which isn't very hard since he works there :) and helped. Thankfully my friend, who had just had her second child last week was able to watch Caroline, I didn't feel too bad asking b/c she still had some help from her mom who is in town.

After the running away episode, the staples and other dramas in my life, I feel emotionally drained. Today, we went to a friends house for a playdate and they live on a really busy street.He was running away from me and I just lost it. That fear of never knowing when he is going to run for it or be naughty is too much, especially in light of the past few days. I was in the midst of scooping them both up when my friend suggested that we stay for a little while and she would bring him inside. I am glad we stayed, it ended being ok.

If I make it to the fall with this little boy without being committed or drugged...it will be only a miracle!

S

Crazy freak on the block

That is what my neighbors are calling me tonight. Awhile back you may have all remembered me freaking out b/c Matthew snuck away at church and we couldn't find him. Well, today he did that...but OUTSIDE!! I seriously turned my head for maybe 2 secs and there were 2 other moms standing right there and then he was gone. One of the moms was new to the neighborhood and speaks mostly French..I wonder how you say crazy in French. The panic didn't happen till minute 2 and then...excuse the language but all hell broke loose in my mind. All I could imagine was that he had run up the street and was on the busy street that crazy highschoolers speed down. We had like five neighbors looking and one almost called the police. Finally, we found him down dive houses on a deck, just standing there, quiet as a mouse!! I couldn't decide if I should hug him or spank him!

The funniest part was that when Jeff came home shortly after he was found, I was saying, "Tell Daddy what you did" and he just looked forlorn and then I said you scared mommy and he just stood there and started MOCK screaming. Like he was trying to say.."She's nuts!" I swear that child will be the death of me! Seriously, it was a horrible feeling. I can't imagine how people whose children are kidnapped go on living it would be unbearable!

In other news our computer crashed today and after troubleshooting with a helpful El Salvadorian(is there such a thing?) and a completely wiped out hard drive, which caused my husband to lose all of his tax returns( yes, I did tell him to back it up but Mr. Do it later never did!) I am pooped off to bed!

S

GIRLFRIENDS!!!

My cousin sent this to me..I thought it was perfect...


A POEM ABOUT OUR GIRLFRIENDS
Someone will always be prettier.
Some will always be smarter.
Some of their houses will be bigger.
Some will drive a better car.
Their children will do better in school.
And their husband will fix more things around the house.
So let it go,
and love you and your circumstances.
Think about it!
The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart.
And the most highly favored
woman on your job may be unable to have children.
And the richest woman you know,
she's got the car, the house, the clothes~~~~
might be lonely.
And the word says, "If I have not Love, I am nothing."
So, again, love you.
Love who you are.
Look in the mirror in the morning and smile and say,
"I am too blessed to be stressed and t oo anointed, to be >disappointed!"
"Winners make things happen~~
Losers let things happen."
Be "blessed" ladies~~~~~
and pass this on to encourage another woman.
"To the world you might be one person,
but to the one person you just sent this to,
it could mean so much."

Busy Week

This past week was full of fun events for the Simpsons. Almost every night we had something going on. We had small group here on Wednesday, always a good time, Thursday I had a Pampered Chef party, and Friday we had some friends from church over. The guys went out to eat and the girls stayed at home with the kiddos and ordered pizza. It was a lot of fun. Last night we hosted the neighboorhood euchre game. I love entertaining and having our home filled with lots of people.

I also planted a bunch of flowers around the yard, it looks wonderful now, but man am I sore!! I also am trying my hand at some veggies this year, tomatoes,green peppers and green beans..we will see!

This week its a little more low key. We have our last MOPS for the year but that is about it. We're all going to a bbq on Sat and then Jeff and I have a babysitter coming at night so we can hang out with some friends from college at night. Long weekends with daddy at home are the best! Matthew is obessed with his father!! This morning Jeff was trying to sleep in a little extra..well Matthew wanted nothing to do with this plan. He wouldn't go passed our shut bedroom door. He kept saying.."Daddy!!" I told Jeff this was the downside to being the favorite as yesterday when it was my turn Matthew had no problem going downstairs without me!! The love building forts and playing outside. Caroline is on the verge of crawling, very cute when she sticks her little butt and the air and looks between her legs. She is also sitting up and in the big carseat..how quickly they grow!

S

This generations babysitters...

Ok, I am 32 years old and spent a large portion of my teen/adult life babysitting/nannying. I was taught by my mom that when you babysit, you a-watch the kids, not keep the tv on the whole time, b-clean up after yourself at minimum but also clean up whatever mess they left in the common areas.(yes, this includes loading the dishwasher, picking up all the toys, even ones I didn't use),change the kids diapers, use common sense.

I can't tell you how much all of my teenage, high school babysitters STINK!! Tonight for example, I had one come over for two hours b/c I went to see my friends new baby at the hospital and then to a church meeting. Well,no sooner had I arrived when Jeff called, irate because everything was complete chaos at home. Caroline has a minor cold and hadn't been fed or put down for a nap, Matthew was playing in the living room,which by the way is gated off! They both had sopping wet diapers...so annoying. We have one decent babysitter, she is more than decent she is amazing,but she is a college student and gone for the month of May! When she gets back I am giving her a raise!!

Sorry for the rant...its just so annoying!

S

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Day to all you moms out there!! Today was beautiful here in West Michigan!! We had a very nice day..it started with me attempting to sleep in...no such luck between Matthew getting in trouble and hearing daddy say a million times.."Matthew..no!" and Caroline crying to be fed in between it all, I just came down and requested that Jeff go to Big Apple and get me some bagels, which is what he did without complaint! Then we went to church, where we had nursery duty that went smoothly, no criers today and home for lunch with Barb and Bert.I made a trifle and it was yummy. Matthew enjoyed showing off his new playset to grandma. We bought the playset from our neighbors. Its awesome and we got a great deal on it.

Today, I am feeling just very grateful and blessed. I have such a blessed life. I have said it before and it does have a certain amount of cheese factor to it, But my cup runneth over. That is truly how I feel.I love my husband and my children. I love being a mom, no matter how crazy and routine it can get. I am a lucky lady and for today, I am just gonna appreciate that..not wonder why or wish for something on the other side of the fence. I like it here on my side!!

Have a good week!

S

p.s. one thing I wish for is comments!:(

more pics

Here are some garden pics

Hire it out baby!!

Well, here are the pictures of our new and improved yard. We have just come upon the 2 year anniversary at our home and the yard is big and a...mess!! Or was I should say! We finally decided to plunk down some money and get it cleaned up. We have a perenial garden that looked like heck, and grass had grown into a lot of places where it shouldn't be and we had a mint problem. I don't know if any of you have ever dealt with it but it JUST WON'T DIE! They had to dig 4 inches down to get the roots of those bad boys! I am so happy with how it turned out...just beautiful! Now we just have to keep it up!:)

There are also some pics of the kids and me with the kids. Self taken obviously! My nose looks huge in them, which was discouraging b/c I think I was in denial all these years thinking it was average size...hmmm, oh well. Oh and speaking and of pictures..Matthew and the ducks..horrible! He DID try and kill them! He threw all five of them into the water, tried poking their eyes out and was swatting them with his fishing pole. I am sure they will have a picture up next to the phone saying something like, " DON'T SCHEDULE THIS LADY, HER KID IS A NUT"! The pictures were really cute though and they were great with him,they acted like he wasn't as bad as he really was!Oh Matthew! I still love him to the moon and back!

S

No board for you!!

Well tonight was the annual meeting at our church, I had been nominated for the LBA(local board)and didn't make it, in fact, I got the lowest amount of votes..boo hoo!! I am not taking it personal,most of the voters in our church are older and many don't know me as we have only been going there for 2 years. But, I am discouraged. I really think we need some younger voices in leadership at LCC. I think we need to focus more time,energy and finances for our young adults.

So, I am taking this in stride. I was very prayerful about this and really felt that if God wanted me on the board,then it would be. I also feel like I can be as influential leading the other young adults. Our small group is doing a Bill Hybels study on building community in church. I feel strongly that God is calling me in this area.

Oh well, one less meeting to go to right?!:)

S

Being mommy....

Being a mommy is great..most of the time, but I have really struggled lately with being super frustrated that I am not giving Matthew and Caroline my all. I read another blog today about a moms struggle with being at home versus all the other places to make the day go by without any quality in it. I am the kind of mom who always has something planned. For example this week, today Barb, my awesome MIL,came over to watch the kids while I ran some errands for the morning. What a blessing that is. Not only do I get more done, I know my kids are with the best person in the world and having a ton of fun. Matthew adores her!! Tues, bible study, Wed, speech therapy and then Matt is getting his two year pictures taken with LIVE ducklings, hopefully he dosen't kill one(seriously), and then a playdate in the pm, Thursday,free day and Friday my LAMBS mommies are coming over. So, as you see the week is filled and every week is like this. Now, I don't see anything wrong with that persay, but I do feel convicted of the time I am at home, in the mornings and late afternoons when I have been guilty of using the TV as a mommy! I have made a real effort in the last week to stop this. I simply turn it off and just enjoy them. I will admit that sometimes I think to myself, "ITs only been 20 minutes. But most of the time its so endearing to watch them play and interact with the world, me and themselves. The relationship that Matthew and Caroline are developing is really sweet. I especially enjoy watching Matthew play outside. He is such a boy, such a thrill seeker, such a true combination of me and Jeff, that he is this wonderful little individual. Yesterday, after church, before we ate lunch I suggested to Jeff that we begin praying before meals on a regular basis, we had done this hit and miss but not regularily, well Sunday school beat me to it..he knows what to do, he folds his little hands and bows his head, with the most precious smile you've ever seen...totally makes any bad days with him seem well worth it. What a privledge us moms have to shape these little gifts from God, to mold them into the people God would have them be. So, I will continue to have a full schedule with my kids, but also remember the joy of being a stay at home mommy..is actually staying at home from time to time sans Toy Story!:)
S

Pictures..I think

I am retarded! I have been sitting down here night after night trying to figure this darn thing out..so here are some random pics. I found how to do it but couldn't view them first..I will figure this out!! These pics are of Matty's special bday balloons, him on his bday..beautiful day to celebrate such a special little man, Matt and Daddy's new favorite pasttime..fort building..its adorable and Miss Caroline..not enjoying her garden veggies, my mom enjoying a Curious George party favor, Matty enjoying cake, Caroline's toe...she always has it bent up like that..so cute, oh no some pictures are repeating themselves..ahhh and its a good thing my mom doesn't read this b/c she would kill me for putting that pic of her up..hee hee

Picture help

Ok, so I have loaded the Kodak easy share stuff and now I am stumped on how to upload the pics to blogger, I have spent alot of time trying to figure it out but am stiffled none the less..any helpful hints out there fellow bloggers...