The Klein Connection

The inspiration of women

2010-03-08T16:35:00.000-08:00

I'm not really sure where the time has gone, but it is now March and I'm getting ready to head into a new decade. It has changed me and caused me to reflect. I have been trying to think about the people who are in and have been a part of my life who have impacted my behavior and decisions. Making the move to Immanuel almost eight years ago was the best decision that I have made. My heart rejoices with the people that only God could place into my life at just the right moment and time. I would like to share about these people without names but these women have truly blessed me.
Back in college, I thought that I was "the stuff" and was so full of myself that it makes me laugh out loud at my ridiculous nature. I met J and she was different...not different in a bad way just didn't buy into every day activities. I was intrigued. She went to church like 3 times a week and was genuinely happy and liked going. I went dutifully every Saturday or Sunday because it was something that I had always done, but not really something that mattered to me. Well, she invited me to her church and the HS was obviously at work in my heart because I accepted the Lord. Throughout the years, we have had some distance because of my issues, but she accepted me back into a friendship and we have been close friends ever since. I can ask her to pray and know that she will do exactly that.
I also have a hugger friend - J. She is sweet and kind and just a nice person to be around to everyone. Whenever I see her she always comes over for a hug which is funny because I am not a huggy person but she draws me in. It amazes me that God knows that I need this hug even when I don't. She also was with a group of people to come to my house the night my father died. To come to someone's home on a night that is difficult and emotional and hard but to come and pray was monumental in my world.
My friend S helps me see out of the box. She is deep and reflective and asks the most amazing questions to direct my thoughts. The older I get the more convinced I am that I have adult-onset ADD. :) She is game for road trips and intimate thoughts and sorrows and doesn't judge or ridicule. She is funny and witty and a good person to focus the conversation back to scripture. I am in awe that God placed this person in my life with her unique gifts and talents.
I have a very special e-mail friend who makes me laugh during long days at school. She knows so much about my needs and the trials of my family and is trustworthy. I will always remember the Sunday after my mom's funeral, I came to church and she was the first person to hug me and I felt okay. She is funny and makes me giggle at work with her antics. C is an encouragement to my always.
My final story is about a person with whom I can share anything and be myself at all times. I don't feel awkward when I ask for help or just need moments of her time. She called me on a Sunday afternoon after I had driven by Immanuel for several weeks on Sunday mornings. She invited me to come back to the evening service and I did and that day began my journey (with God opening His arms to welcome me back). She has become a part of my family's life and shows my sons love and encouragement. She knows my flaws and points them out, on occassion. V also knows my strengths and pushes me to use them for God's glory.

There are so many others with whom I have a special memory. My first Barakel retreat when I was very nervous and way out of my comfort zone and the gals enveloped me. My singing friend L who continues to make me smile when I think of our lack of singing abilities. These women have become a part of my fabric and have helped create me into the woman that God has in mind for me. I may not always listen and I may speak out a little too quickly but I am always watching and learning from the women around me. Thank you. You help me grow and develop and I thank God for you all.

Fall Happenings

2009-11-18T17:42:00.000-08:00

Adam and Jackson eating lunch. We didn't have enough chairs so the kids basically had to stand and eat. Good sports, I tell ya.
Can you see the bug that Adam found? It was one of the items that each group had to find.
Amy's group making the letters TNT with sticks from the yard.

Funny faces by the pumpkins. That is our pool house in the background.
The girls with a cat tail.
A picture of Jessie's group on a piece of machinery.
Kaleb, Amy, and Jessie put on a little skit showing the older brother's perspective in the parable of The Prodigal Son.
This was the entire group. Don't you just love all of those tie-dyes???

Okay, so I surely did not want to take two months to actually have a new post. Seriously, though...not much is new or exciting. Kraig finally finished the 18 month-long job and is working hard to get the insulation in on the new barn/shop. However, just today he said that he was bored! I laughed and told him to go outside and play. Kaleb is in the throes of puberty and it is a real doozy. He is testing the waters and I am very thankful for Matt and Amber and the rest of the youth group for positive influences. Peer pressure is fierce! Otherwise, he is doing well in school and is ready to take some art classes. Trevor did very well in school and is enjoying life. He is usually the happy one and of course, very dramatic! I am trying to organize the drop zone in our house. Somehow, within two months time, our lives became hectic and we tended to dump our stuff on the counter or in our cubbies. Grrrrrrrrr...I hate when that happens. School is going well and I am enjoying my students...most of the time.

I thought that I would share a few of the TNT photos with you. These kids were great and they were very energetic along with their leaders who were very good sports at leading or participating in whatever. We had the party in October and the kids made hand plates with hugs and kisses for the older people in the church. They also made prayer pumpkins and wrote down their prayers for people in our church to pray for them whenever they saw their cute little faces on the refrigerators. I almost forgot about the tie-dye! Each of the kids made a tie-dye shirt and a few lucky ones actually had the right size and could wear the ones that they made. Whoops! Luckily, they were all pretty good sports. Enjoy the pics.

Questions...

2009-09-19T19:08:00.000-07:00

A quick update...the house is getting there. A stack of books that are looking for a good home, papers that must be filed, and office furniture looking to make its way upstairs for good. Other than that, the pool house is up and Kraig has to finish the roof tomorrow as it looks like rain for a good majority of this week. He is exhausted but is working hard to finish. That's the update, pictures will be at a later date.

We were invited to a bonfire tonight at one of Kaleb's team mate's house. It was a nice invitation and had it been from someone at church or a friend, we would have gone. From stories I have heard in passing or from sitting in the bleachers, the majority of parents are big drinkers. I hate drinking. In fact, I don't know if the word hate is a strong enough word here. I don't like to be around it and I don't want our kids around it either. I feel like maybe I am being a stick in the mud by not going to the bonfire but I truly do not want to associate with many of these parents on a social basis. I really only know them very generally and by face, so perhaps I am judging based on talk. I don't know. Here's the question for anyone who has a thought on it. Would you go to an event like this? Why or why not?

What am I doing the last week of summer vacation?

2009-08-22T17:31:00.000-07:00

Cleaning, organizing, and switching rooms around. Why? Isn't that what all people do during their summer vacation? Wait until there is only ONE WEEK before the meetings begin. I definitely need to get my head checked out because I am surely not sane!

Kraig is ready to begin phase one of moving the shop to the house. While that is a really great thing, this helpful little move is sending our lives into total upheaval! The computer room and the spare bedroom are being moved into the boys' room upstairs in the loft. Kaleb and Trevor will each have their own space which Kaleb loves! The loft will house a spare bed, a couch, a tv, 2 computers and desks, Kraig's print desk (which is huge) and a tanning bed (hopefully, it just won't fit). I will let you glimpse into my horror that is reality at this point. I will show you the finished product within the next week because it must be finished before September 1st!

Here is Trevor's first move...the LEGO's that he's built. Really??? This is what is most important. It doesn't matter if you move his clothes, bed or underwear...just his hobby.

...and the rest of Trevor's future bedroom which is a total and utter mess. You can only see half the room. Ugh...what was I thinking?

The beginnings of Kaleb's room. Of course, he is pretty organized and neatly took up 3 drawers, a small part of the closet, and the nightstand. All of his clothes (that still fit the little weed) are neatly put in place. I'm so glad that he is that organized but how did our stuff multiply? We've only been here a few years! The other stuff still needs to go to another part of the house. Any suggestions on how to store suitcases without a basement?

Aaaarrrrgh...the boys room with clothes everywhere. Trevor is in the process of trying on clothes and everything fits him from last year. Hooray...but where do I store the stuff that he will eventually grow into? Kaleb is SEVERAL sizes ahead of him! What a disaster!

Say goodbye to Trevor's bunkbed because it will soon be relocating to its new position. The drum set...not sure where that is going to fit. Probably stay in the loft so it won't be as loud...I think. My dad made the small armoire so that has to go somewhere. When did we collect all of this stuff?

Now, you see my dilemna. Who does this the last week before school starts? Oh, summer, where did you go? Maybe, I shouldn't have spent so much time reading at the pool.
Nah...

Stay tuned for an updated look or a crazy Chris.

pictures from the traveler

2009-08-11T11:47:00.001-07:00

A lone picture from the Appalachian Trail...I will be posting on that later. I just had to update after I saw that the last time you heard from me was about a calculator!

After the AT Backpacking week, I was crazy and took the boys on the train to Chicago. Kraig had to work and will be working crazy hours until the end of October and then I am praying for a work reprieve! Anyone with boys and touring Chicago, would know that the Lego store is the place to visit. You can sit around and build legos (for free) and browse their clearance section. In the mall, they have huge lego's build like this woman and her dog. Of course, Trevor went a little crazy and had to make a scene. Where does he get this from?

This was taken at Moody Bible Institute. We took the tour and you got to wear a Visitor's pass!!! How exciting is that? Kaleb thought that the campus was pretty cool and Trevor was totally not interested. You can't go there to be a marine biologist, so whatever.

Trevor became a worker for the Hershey's factory and got an ID badge and everything. This was his picture for the ID badge also. You must be thinking...where are all of the pictures of Kaleb. Hmmm, you must know that my 11 1/2 year old thinks taking pictures are so last year! Hence, Trevor and I are in the majority of them. I didn't even have to take self-portraits like I usually do.

After you saw this picture, you now understand life with an 11.5 year old. Pictures? Uncool!

We had just gotten off the water taxi and were on the Navy Pier. Of course, mom waited too long to have lunch and we were all starved! Hmmm, did we have pizza yet again, you ask? Of course. It was the only thing that poor Trevor wanted to eat when we went out. Arrrrgh.

Trevor without his glasses. He thinks that he looks way cooler without them. Too bad he needs them to actually see!

I think that I was crazy having back-to-back vacations together, but the boys were pretty good. The Bickerman's usually came along once or twice a day and then their mom, she's pretty strange, would become upset because she was actually physically exhausted herself.

MORE LATER!

Behold...the calculator

2009-07-01T09:32:00.000-07:00

This is the corvette of calculators. It is amazing and I was ahem, able to learn about it for a very long day and a half. So, this calculator is the new and improved TI-Nspire because it obviously is going to inspire my students to understand and want to do their math work. It has the alphabet on it and can do excel on it and then graph it within seconds. You must be wondering who needs this...well, I guess every student in the State of Michigan, for sure. It even comes with a removable key pad and then you can put in a TI 84+ keypad just in case you don't think you have enough information. Sigh...

This lovely information is ALL of the stuff that I have to be able to do and show my students by September. The instructor went really fast and I had no idea what he was talking about. Luckily, I knew that I would be shopping by 3:30 Monday afternoon and so I sat very quietly and continually watched the clock. Notice the yellow and black book? They wrote a Cliff's Notes for this calculator. Obviously, they don't want me to read the other information then, right?

I know that you all wanted to see my fat notebook of information that I took notes on, but then I would have to seriously hurt you. If you want to learn, you have to suffer, oh sorry, sit through and take wonderful notes on the calculator yourself. If you ever want to sit around on a rainy day and play with my calculator and some math problems, I'm sure that I could do without it for a few hours.

All Things Fun

2009-06-26T15:05:00.000-07:00

Trevor attended SpringHill's Day Camp at Midland E Free Church this week and had a blast! They created tie-dye shirts, did Euro-bungy, went to the Dow Diamonds and played kickball in the outfield, team building sessions, small group study, large group singing and dancing, and it was all based on the theme of Science. Woohoo - Trevor was thrilled with the theme. He was on Team Ballistic and they won the screaming monkey a few days this week for being energetic and loud!

This was Trevor on Thursday morning when he was too tired to move! 7:00 came around awfully early when one is attending Hopevale VBS in the evening along with day camp. He was great and was a real trooper even though he didn't even get to watch tv!

The inflatables in the background housed the watering holes and thank goodness for them during this hot week. He was exhausted everyday when I picked him up.

This was Brad and he was one of Trevor's counselors. Trevor received the Knowledge award for his thoughtful insights on the Bible teachings during the week and that made him really proud. He also helped make a new verse for the squirrel song. Something about a hippy squirrel and hugging a tree. Maybe, he'll sing it for you...but don't count on it. He's not much of a singer. I wonder where he gets that from???

Singing the Darth Vader part of the Star Wars song. He specifically told me to bring my camera because there would be some great pictures.

The kids came in dancing to some Bible Camp songs and were whoopin' it up for Jesus. Trevor has on the camo hat, of course. He had to wear it every day!

His group leading the song. Trevor is next to the counselor in the orange, in front of course.

Because of Trevor being gone from 9-4 daily, Kaleb and I got some quality time together. (Although, by Thursday, he was not thinking that I was very much fun.) "Mom, you're just not as much fun as you used to be!" This was Kaleb's quote on Wednesday but he now says that he never said that. We spent a good amount of time in the car driving back and forth to Midland twice a day and at this point, Kaleb was silly! This is his new man purse that he made out of a gum wrapper. It won't hold your cell phone, but it is priceless and he'll sell it to you at a reasonable price. He also made a lovely swan out of another gum wrapper. We also had some great conversations that I hope he will remember when times are tough and he gets in different situations without me around. Eleven year olds ask tough questions sometimes. Today, Kaleb was tired and after helping put down the stone by the pool, he went back upstairs to lay down and watch tv. I let him!

This gigantic frog was in my filter the other morning. Ewwwwww.....

Kraig has worked so hard this week after putting in a full day at the job site in 90 degree weather. We have to finish landscaping, electrical (lighting, of course), and complete our outbuilding which will house a bathroom and changing area! Hooray for outdoor potties!

It's getting there, slowly but surely. It has been a tiring week but the quiet moments with Kaleb and with Trevor being involved and happy while learning more about God's word made the week a success. At this point, it's time to jump in the pool and read a good book.

Keepin' up with the Jones'...

2009-06-12T18:43:00.001-07:00

...or maybe the Veihl's?...

...or maybe the Lemanski's, the Luter's, the Glupker home, or anyone else who thinks planting flowers is a joyous event! Phooey!

Isn't it wonderful when you have friends in your life who know your downfalls, ahem, killing anything growing that is green, but will help a sistah out? Viv came over bearing flats of flowers to plant in my weed infested black hole thingies. She stayed a long time and planted these babies in 12 pots. Trevor watered them and I helped dig out the monstrosities of weeds that had decided that the pots were wonderful! They look nice but of course, I am still wondering if I actually have to water them or will it rain enough during the weeks ahead that I won't have to touch them at all. Viv tried to tell me that I would have to dead-head them and then laughed and said she would be out to do it once a week. Is it possible to fail flower planting and growth 101? Thanks again to my green-thumbed sistah friend.

Tents and Pools

2009-06-10T12:08:00.000-07:00

The 2 man tent that was able to house our sleeping bags with Trevor's book. We read by flashlight the last 3 chapters of his book. He said that I fell asleep first and he kept poking me to wake me up, but Mom was tired!

About to enter and sleep. Kaleb was not about to sleep in the tent. He and Kraig roughed it and slept inside. I kept teasing Kraig and telling him that I wouldn't mind if he slept in the tent. He was a dear and was just about to come outside and get us this morning because a band of showers was working its way towards us. Who knew that I could actually wake up early on a non-work day? Did I mention that i suddenly feel very old? My hips are killing me. If I start mentioning bowel movements to you someday soon, you might have to ask me for my AARP card.

My backyard is coming around again. We no longer have major holes in the yard, but we have dirt and sand everywhere. The new septic field is in and obviously working. Kraig replanted his garden and put down grass seed last night. Supposedly, it is a fast growing seed and he thinks that we'll have grass by next week. He is dreaming! It will take forever to have grass in that yard and I've already had to hose down the boys because they were filthy last night. The pool is getting water! The liner went in this morning and they filled a portion of it today to check for leaks. It should be filled up by tomorrow morning some time. We still have a ways to go, but we're actually making progress. Hooray for summer but, I'm just wondering where the warm days are?

The Winners of Game #1

2009-05-21T19:22:00.000-07:00

Well Cathy, it would have been nice to have had a cheering section but I know that you were probably enjoying that little smiley guy. Congratulations to the IBC Co-ed softball team!!!

Woo hoo. We won and we had enough girls to play Wednesday night which is a victory right there. We played a team that is somewhat hard core and came out a little straggly in the beginning. One of the many highlights had to be Drew's pants falling down as he made a great catch in the outfield. I thought that only happened at Arthur Hill and on funniest Home Videos. Imagine what we could have done with that $1,000 prize! We made a lot of good plays and nobody got hurt. Oh, I'm sorry, did I say nobody? I obviously forgot about the old chick that was trying to play 3rd base. Hmmm, perhaps that old chick was me and I should realize by now that my days of being quick or fast are long gone!

When one old chick player slides into third base after being in a pickle between bases, she should remember that a). she was wearing shorts, b). people are throwing a ball at third base to throw her out, c). she can't even slightly remember the last time she slid into a base, and d). who slides in coed softball!!!!!!!!! Nobody should be the answer to d) but old chick though otherwise. We could go up by one run and the game would be over. So, safe at third after narrowly avoiding the thrower's errant ball that almost beaned me in the head, I decided that I would surely run fast to home plate. Ooh, mistake! Pain, hello...left thigh muscle says to old lady, "You are crazy. Stop running and sit down. The game is won"

BUT, is the game won? Noooooooooo, we tied the game and so had to play two extra innings. What? Robert was going to celebrate his birthday with a family dinner and we were going to celebrate Trevor's birthday with pizza after the game. Chris L. had a chance to pop out a homerun in the first extra inning. Did he? Mmmmmm, no. I think he struck out or popped out. Either way, he definitely did not hit that homer to send us home. Another inning and the opposing team scored three runs. Well, we didn't give up and Rod was there with his optimism and our team hit some great hits and we got four runs in the bottom of the 8th inning.

Is that our cheering section? Do you all hear it? It's probably still standing room only at the diamonds as they're still talking about the co-ed game of the season. There are still plenty of opportunities to watch us - Wednesday nights during the summer - c'mon over to Kochville, you'll have the time of your life. I'll take pictures during the next game so you can watch the action! Maybe Drew will wear those pants again and we can catch it on video to send in AFV.

I am loved.

2009-05-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

The Avenue spa had the fifth graders at Kaleb's school write letters as to why their mom deserves a spa day. He was a little upset that he didn't win the prize, but all of the students received a $40 gift card for their moms. What a wonderful surprise.

Trevor made this wonderful book with words to represent each letter of the alphabet. He spent so much time with each page and coloring and drawing pictures. What a sweetheart. He just couldn't wait one more day to give it to me.

This is a funny picture because I am sitting on a chair reading, Kaleb is laying on the blanket on the yellow beach, Trevor is in the water swimming...luckily, there are no sharks drawn in the water. What is funny is that there is a man working on a ladder hanging out one of the windows - yup, Kraig is working on vacation!

Look at how thin I am! I was a little worried before he told me that I am holding sunglasses. I thought maybe I had taken my boobs off. :)

This is just a Trevor saying. I am quite a good mom, not just a good mom or a mom who tries really hard and then says things like she's going to shave his head if he doesn't stop whining. Who does things like that?

I can remember laughing at my mom, who was a sobby gal, every time we gave her a card or a gift. This was especially true when she ws going through chemo. I wish I could tell her that I get it! I was just telling a friend that I couldn't even remember the last time I cried...I am not an emotional gal, by any means. Well, forget that. I had tears running down my face and they were shocked! That never happens. Kraig had to tell me to pull it together. Oh well, I obviously dried up the tears. The boys could not wait to give me their Mother's Day gifts that they had made or completed at school. If I question motherhood sometimes, when the Bickermans invade our house, I sure do know that I am loved.

Happy Mother's Day to all and enjoy these moments with your own moms.

Pictures and Stories - part 1

2009-05-03T18:57:00.001-07:00

After spending a couple of days at Disney, we visited with my aunt and uncle in Inverness, FL. They live across the street from a pond and Uncle Bill called to this alligator, like you would call a dog, and the gator just swam right over to the dock. The boys fed it marshmallows and loved every minute of it.

This was at Biscayne Bay, just south of Miami. We hiked out to this area and the smell was horrible!!! If you could look to the left, you would see some kind of plant spewing out some nasty smoke. This is not a place I would encourage you to visit. Our old babysitter Julie traveled with us to Florida and it sure was nice to have another adult. This was her first spring break as a teacher, not as a college student. She got paid for vacationing and thought that was great! :)

This is at Lover's Key State Park and it was very nice. We found sand dollars, star fish, crabs and lots of shells. We also saw dolphins playing and a sting ray that was caught by a little girl's fishing pole.

Kaleb became the great crab hunter. Oh, if he only knew how fitting it was that he liked to catch crabs. Mr. Crabby catchin' the crabs.

Trevor's favorite activity was playing in the sand and then dumping water on it to try and make it harden. Our condo complex can be seen behind Trevor. It was wonderful.

This one is dark on the camera, but oh well, you get the picture. Sunset, on the beach, etc.

This was the last night at the condo. It was very relaxing and I would go back tomorrow, unless it's raining there too.

Pictures and stories - part 2

2009-05-03T18:27:00.000-07:00

Putting together the sides on day 1. It was really cold, let me tell you!

Trevor helping Dad drill screws.

This is after a long second day. We have a slide, a climbing wall, and the beginnings of a bell tower. (Kraig thinks it's just a high rise for the neighboring bees.)

Saturday morning, the boys and I decided to head out to Hartley's Timberdoodle Festival. There was going to be a worm race at 10:00 and Trevor was ready. We went early and ate the pancake breakfast and were stuffed. Luckily, we were not racing. A Hartley teacher announced that the worm race was starting and called for any kids who were participating to come on over! Trevor ran right over and stood in line to receive his world record worm. A few moments later, he came over to me and said that he didn't think that he wanted to race the worm because it was squiggly and wiggly. I sent him back over - this was the whole reason for coming out to Hartley was the worm race!!! He came back over and said that he didn't get a worm and changed his mind. Well, there was nothing else going on until well after 11:00 and we had a playset to help build, so we left.

Let the drama begin! As we're walking to the car, Trevor starts crying, well maybe wailing is a better word. Whatever, he wasn't hurt and I knew Kaleb hadn't hit him because I sent K up ahead to unlock the car. Once inside the car, the drama really begins! If you can picture Trevor in his most dramatic state, then you can imagine what these words would sound like. (If you want a personal monologue, see me at a later time) Have you ever just made a wrong decision? Well, have you? I can't believe that I didn't get a worm and race him. While sobbing, he continued his rant about making bad decisions and not having time to fix them, blah, blah, blah. He finally stopped his sobbing and ranting after I told him that i would shave him bald if he didn't stop. Well, just for future reference, that worked! Hopefully, Mr. Trevor learned a valuable lesson this weekend.

On to the playset. 249 wooden pieces and a kajillion screws, nuts and bolts. He couldn't understand why it couldn't be finished in one day. He just wanted to play on it yesterday...but he got over it very quickly once he had to start helping carry wood and put it in numerical order. Ah, math skills! I've posted pictures and will apologize for any that you have to turn your head on. I will some day master the art of turning pictures, just not any time soon.

The now

2009-04-16T19:25:00.001-07:00

Well, it's official. I have been having these sightings of not really enjoying the moment and always looking ahead to the next thing. Last week, I was at the Disney park and rather than just enjoying that with the boys, I was looking forward to Ft. Myers. Each day in Ft. Myers, I was constantly looking at the next day's agenda. It took until last Tuesday's fiasco, I'll explain later, for me to reflect on what I'm doing. Our condo that we rented was owned by Christians and they had all kinds of books. Of course, I read all five of mine and needed more. I was on vacation. In one of the books, the main character kept looking ahead and looking ahead until it was the end of his life and then all he could do was look back. While I know that I will always be able to look ahead to a glorious homecoming, the devotionals that were left in the condo kept repeating a message of enjoy and reflect on the present. Today, at Bible study, we were studying and going through Hebrews 11 and the same message of reflecting on the present hit me again. I don't often reflect upon the wonderful, and sometimes not so wonderful times of the now! So, while I have started a new workout system, I've also decided to workout of my old habits of looking ahead. I am going to focus on the now and celebrate all that God has given, is giving, and will give. This is going to be a toughie for me, let me tell you.

Okay, the Tuesday fiasco. We woke up to clouds and cool temps in Ft. Myers. We lazed around the condo and finally decided that it wasn't going to get any better outside. So, I got the gps system and the Florida map and we decided to explore somewhere. Somehow, I forgot the Florida map but not the gps. Kraig called and told us that the Keys were only an hour and a half away. Why would I believe a man in Michigan for my travel plans for the day???? An hour and a half...no problem. The Keys have got to be warm, right? Well, anyways, Geography has never been a strong point, unless there's a 7-11 on the corner. After an hour, we were stuck in a major traffic jam. People were getting out of their cars, kids were playing in the media, and we sat in the car like good Michiganders. Forty minutes later, we finally pulled out of the traffic jam. At this point, we've been in the car for close to two hours and we're not seeing any signs for the Keys. Wouldn't you have gotten out the map? Yeah, I would have too, except that it was no where to be found (back in the condo sitting leisurely on the sofa). So, no map but a gps that loves to tell me that it's recalculating!!! ARGH! We finally get to Miami about 3 - 3 1/2 hours later and there's still no sign for the keys. I asked a lady at the toll booth and believe it or not, I do not speak fluent Spanish. Shocking, isn't it? We finally decided at a rest stop that we would go to Biscayne National Park on the ocean because they have glass bottom boat tours over the coral reef. Sounds great, doesn't it? Not so fast. I guess I didn't follow the gps directions well and we were lost in the ghetto for about 40 minutes before we found our way back onto the highway and to the exit for Biscayne Bay. We finally pull in and walk excitedly up to the counter and ask when the next boat ride would be...Oh, not one!!!!!!! The water was too rough for the boat and they usually can't take it out on any given day. So, we walked around the sidewalk area by the ocean and looked around. Hmmm...looks like anuclear power plant on one side and a nasty plant spewing out disgusting filth on the other side. The place was a dump!!!! Oh well, we got back in the car and the Bickerman's came out in full force. Lord help me! We drove down Alligator Alley on the way home and stopped at Tiger Tail beach and took a few pictures.
I ask myself now why I didn't just enjoy Miami. I had never been there and I'm sure there was something cool to see there. Why was I in such a rush to get to the next spot? When will I ever learn? I'll post pictures and Trevor's dancing skills later. I would tell you to be excited but join me on my journey of living in the now!!! You might like it.

It must be in the water...

2009-04-01T20:18:00.000-07:00

What??????????????

Those were my thoughts on this very topic. I don't know how it happened. I must work too much with kids or something. There must be something in the water at Immanuel. Goodness, I can't be responsible for anything like this happening. If you have been to our church lately, you know that the nursery is very busy on Sunday mornings, which is wonderful. I love to be with opk - "other people's kids" I can send them home and their moms and dads get to be with them for the rest of the week. I think there is some kind of conspiracy against me or something.

If you were thinking that I'm correct (about the something in the water at church), then you may have guessed my news already. I have a bun in the oven and it is definitely cooking!

APRIL FOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....I hope I got a chuckle out of you as I continue to enjoy YOUR children in the nursery or future children. Please disregard any nasty or diry spots on my oven. I just couldn't resist. Love to you all and I'll check you later. I still have to pack.

It's back...

2009-03-29T12:57:00.000-07:00

Oh, the dreaded sickness has hit our house once again. Kaleb was silently watching tv, almost asleep. i say almost because of the pesky cough that he keeps hacking. When, oh when will it ever go away? So, we are now praying for quick relief and health for our trip within the next few days. Do you also notice that ratty faded blanky with him? He has had this since he was a baby...this is the third one. The other two have found their place in the trash. This thing has more holes in it than my students excuses why they didn't do their homework.

On a brighter note, aren't these pretty? They actually have color and look springy. Oh, sorry. I forgot that we are currently having slight snow showers as I type this. Thank goodness April is coming fast.

Runnin' on Empty...

2009-03-22T18:51:00.000-07:00

This was our before shot at the St. Patrick's Day Race in Bay City. Can you say cccccccold???
It was chilly, to say the least. I know that you're giggling at the hat, BUT, I was able to tie it at the bottom, and my ears were nice and toasty. My friend Bridget and I ran the 5K race and only walked for a short while to drink some water and for Bridget to blow the runniest nose ever!

Sorry, you'll have to turn your head to look at my most wonderful picture ever! My hair was matted to my head I was sweating so much. Luckily, the hat stayed on. I even wore my Boston Marathon jacket from last year's jaunt to cheer on Rod but that didn't do much for my overall time. I ran the race in 37 minutes and 53 seconds which is terrible but I'll take it! I will get a little more focused on my training and pick a much warmer day to run.

Somehow, Bridget managed to have a better hairdo after the race! All in all, not too bad for my first race back. The Dow has a run on June 6th...anyone interested?

In other racing news...Kaleb and Trevor ran on Saturday for the 1/2 mile Leprechaun run and both finished with decent times. Kaleb ran a 4 minute 7 second half mile and Trevor ran a 5 minute 20 second half mile. Trevor's time just happens to be his birth date. The kids runs are the best because the kids run a short race and for $5, they get to race, get a t-shirt and a medal with refreshments afterwards.

A few questions and some answers

2009-03-17T18:12:00.000-07:00

I have some questions that I will share my answers too and I'd love to see your answers to the same questions. I found these in a book because you know that I did not come up with these on my own.

1. Do you like curly hair or straight ones? Well, since I only have one head (ones - that's plural, duh), and it tends to be curly, i would rather have straight hair.

2. What do you do in your spare time? Is this a question that you actually ask a parent? My spare time is after the boys go to bed and before I am too tired to move. This time is extremely short during the school year. However, if you must know, I like to read.

3. List one place that you'd like to visit. I'd like to visit any where that is warm and I could be lounging on the beach or poolside. Location isn't that important.

4. What's your favorite drink? Ummmmm, if you know me then this is a no brainer...Coke Slurpee.

5. What do you think is the most useless class in high school? Certainly not Strategic Math. Why that is the most important class in all of high school! Am I terrible if I say French class? Who speaks French besides the French?

6. Do you eat junk food everyday? By junk food, do they mean food that is literally out of the trash can? If so, I can honestly answer NEVER!!!!!

7. What is your favorite day of the year? The last day of school for the summer. Hoorah!!

8. Do you use pens or pencils? I use pens...not the cheap Bic pens but the I hate to lend them out kind of pens. I hate to write with pencil. It gets all over my hand and I'm not even left-handed.

9. What was your favorite toy as a kid? Really, the best toy was the Barbie cruise ship. She had it made because I always sent her away to exotic places. How come nobody sends me away to these places?

10. What is something that you have to work on? Seriously? Only one? I have to get better at reading people's needs. I am a good one for a joke or a laugh, but I usually fail to see when or if someone actually needs something.

11. Do you like pop or juice? Is this a question for a child? Pop, of course. Have you met me?

12. What was your best experience in college? Playing volleyball and traveling with a great group of girls. I had the best time!

13. What was your worst experience in college? I had to take an art or music class for my basics and I chose art (None of you are wondering about this choice, right?). I had to draw something after the first class and I had no idea what to draw, as in I am definitely not an artist, so I chose an ashtray. Who does that? Why in the world would I try to draw an ashtray? I have never even smoked. Needless to say, I received a C- (he was generous) but he never gave us homework again.

14. Do you shampoo or soap up first in the shower? Well, first, I turn the water on. Then I get it to the desired temperature. THEN...I shampoo my hair. Daily beauty takes time. That's what I keep telling Kraig as he yells that I take too long in the shower. :)

15. What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you? I honestly don't know. It could be trying to learn how to drive a stick with Jodie. I was stuck at the corner of Mackinaw and McCarty for a long time until this guy came running up to see if everything was okay. The guy happened to be Steve DeLong. I did finally manage to start the car and keep it going but I think that I suffered from whiplash after that driving experience.

Future tag blog

2009-03-17T17:17:00.000-07:00

Amanda - so sorry. I definitely confused you - I will come up with some questions for my tag blog that i mentioned in Laura's blog.

Soon, dear girl, soon. (Like after A. Idol)

By the way, school is good. I have taught every hour with most students paying attention. It helps that the topic is brand new and most of the kids are clueless! All the more reason to pay attention to Ms. Chrissy K..
Adios

Trevorisms & flooding

2009-02-27T17:37:00.000-08:00

If you read the previous post, you know that Trevor is sick. Really sick, as in I really don't know when this child of mine decided that tv wasn't important. Last night, he came into our bedroom and told me, "Mom, come quick. Kaleb's bed is exploding!" Thankfully, his bed wasn't really exploding. His fever had gone up to around 102 and I just told him that he needed a dose of Tylenol and he would feel better.
My brother Greg came over this morning and stayed with Trevor while I was at school and Kraig was at a flooded poo plant (more info. later). The best comment of the day was Trevor whispering to my brother that he was sure that he'd feel better if he only had some gushers. This is actually laughable because any other day, gushers would be the last fruit snack that he would grab.
Another funny quote from Trevor was this one. "Mom, I know that you think you know what you're doing, but maybe we should just call Aunt Viv." Okay, really? I've done this before and while I know that Viv is a nurse, she just couldn't do any better that I am doing at this point. Did my mom badge actually tarnish? I actually thought that I was doing a pretty good job and could actually win something...a hug perhaps? (Kidding, of course)
One last thought from the it's got to be the end of February!! Kraig has been working for the past 7 or 8 months on a huge waste water treatment plant job and will continue this job until November of this year. Who would have thought that he would get an early 6:00 am phone call to get to the job site because of flooding? He raced over to the job and stepped out of his truck, only to step into "MUD" (aka poo) up to his knees!!!!!!!!! Two of the large poo holes (I don't know what they're really called) were overflowing throughout the entire area and the building that he was working in yesterday was flooded up to the lights. Can I hear a yuck come from you? Needless to say, I am grateful that the shop is still located in Spaulding Twp. because he went there, rinsed off and washed his clothes before he came home bearing a Coke slurpee for Trevor.

Second week of pulling teeth!

2009-02-26T09:59:00.000-08:00

I never thought that I could become like a dentist, but I am so there. I ask a question, give significant wait time for students to answer, and it's like I am in an alternate universe. Does anyone speak? Helllllllllllllloooooooo...is anyone in here? The kids are in their seats and they actually have their materials. They look like students...oh wait, they would need to be involved in their learning. This is why I am thinking that I should just become a dentist. I already act like I am pulling out their teeth, or maybe my hair. Do I look bald to you? :)

Anyways, the team came to visit and tho different people came into my room, saw the work my students were trying to complete, and then left. No words of wisdom, no why don't you try......., no nothing! Oh well, maybe they have no suggestions for improving learning or they were just taking notes. Orrrrrrrrrr, they saw that I was teaching in the alternate universe and could not pull me out into the real world.

In other news, Trevor's teacher called to tell me that he was sick today. He left home feeling fine this morning and got progressively worse by 10:30. So, we are home. A half day off to catch up on laundry and actually cook. Woohoo for me and boo for Trevor.

I will end with a you know your child is sick when...
1. he forgets to put on his favorite hat as you're leaving school.
2. he doesn't think a coke slurpee would help him feel better. (a slurpee does magic)
3. he walks slowly in the house and goes upstairs to his room to take a nap.
4. he decides to sleep on the bottom bunk. (the bottom bunk is not cool)
5. he asks you to shut the blinds more because there is a sliver of light coming through.
6. he doesn't ask to watch any cartoons.

Enough already.....I get it!

2009-02-22T17:31:00.000-08:00

February 22 - no snow storm predicted for the evening and a long week of teaching ahead of me. I do not want to moan or mulk, sulk or sigh....but I get it. I will not get another snow day this school year. but, I long for one. That hopeful ahhhhhhh, as I get an early morning phone call, from friends who get up way too early for me, to simply turn off the alarm clock and roll over - no school today. Yes, I know that I am spoiled and most "big people" do not get snow days. However, I had a long week last week and did not connect with students because most simply refused to work. It was a very long week and I am dreading the start of this week. So, if you could add me to your prayer list, that would be great. I feel like I lost my optimism that I could make a difference at AH and I really need to regain my motivation. We have three different days this week where outsiders are going to come in and tell us how we could best help our kids. Pray that my students decide to do their best for the remainder of the school year if it crosses your mind as you drive by a school. So many of them are not doing well in their classes.

I can do this, right????????????????????

Useless bits of information

2009-02-11T16:05:00.001-08:00

Somedays, I have a funny job. This week has been one of those times. This is just a small sampling of what I can remember.

1. Today was count day. Kids in the hallway who were tardy (on purpose) told me, "I'm not goin' to class 'cuz you don't deserve no raise anyway." Funny, I have never received a single raise my entire teaching career. Thankfully, I don't even have this student which made it slightly funnier. This day ensures that schools get their funding which is spent on the students. Obviously, the newspaper is not dropped off on his front doorstep.

2. "Ms. Klein, I know that you think that you're funny, but your jokes are just bad." Okay, so I did tell a bad joke, but it was Trevor's. - What does a bee say when he's flying backwards? Zzub, zzub. My audience seems to get tougher daily. Either that or my jokes just aren't funny anymore. Nah, must be the audience.

3. A girl speaking with another student at her locker..."Ms. _____ (to protect the innocent) is so fat, she stank, and she always tryin' to tell me what to do!" Hmmmm, this is not a tough one. A teacher can tell a student what to do if it's reasonable and safe and the activity is for the student's benefit. This doesn't seem so shocking. The teacher has never "stank" (I think that must be the past tense of stink) and I frequently talk with theteacher named in the hallway after school. I have never smelled an obnoxious stench from her. Perhaps she has a little girth but the girl is not the slimmest one in the bunch either. Can you call someone else fat if you are similar in size? If so, wouldn't you be calling yourself fat too?

4. As I walked around the room checking students and their work, I stopped to help a boy who was clearly not understanding the work. I helped him and it looked like he was confident so I moved on to the next student. He whispered to the kid in front of him, "She's always tryin' to help somebody." I actually turned around and laughed. So, clearly, in the future, when I should ever have an encounter with a clueless person who looks like he or she needs help, I will definitely ignore! I will ignore the smattering of hands raised or the questions that must be answered.

5. The best one of the week was Trevor's. He was trying to explain how an odd number could be transformed (his word) into an even number. "Dad, let's suppose you have 3 pieces of candy. You can make it into an even number by giving a piece of candy to each person and then splitting the remaining piece in half." Kraig asked him how one and a half became two and he even did it without laughing. Trevor just shook his head and told him, "Dad, you just don't get it, do ya. Each person has two pieces of candy."

Volleyball Tournament

2009-02-02T20:19:00.000-08:00

Dare I say that we saved the best for last? I think that I should absolutely say that. We actually won our first game. A surprise for us and probably the team that we played also. Then, we played again and WON! Two in a row - it was a total record for us. That last match was a good one, a real nail-biter...think Superbowl Sunday, as in down to the last moment. The first game went to IBC 22-20. The second game - the other chicks! The third game...went back and forth. It was a rally score game to 15 and the final score was the other chicks 19-17. We took second place and didn't get the large trophy that would have looked great in Cathy's office window. She doesn't really need to see out of her window, does she? Well, her view will stay open and the trophy will hang out with the other chicks. Maybe another day.

The Gap

2009-02-01T11:04:00.000-08:00

First, an apology to Phil...if you are someone named Cathy who lives with the guy named Phil, you may not check out The Gap for any bargains stated below. By the way Phil, I should totally get bonus points for that little statement. ;)

The Gap has steals right now. Boy pants were less than $5 and there were some shirts and 1/4 zip sweatshirts for $6. All clearance items are 25% off right now. If you are able to shop for the next year and trust your judgement, it helps. I do not find the wonderful thrift store buys that Pam can find. Where are these thrift stores Pam???? Any of the ones that I have gone into have been junky. What are your secrets, oh thrift store guru's?

Anyone else have any bargain shopping places to go?

2nd major news - Trevor won the "Most Unique" car at the Pinewood Derby. He was thrilled and got a big trophy. It's all about aerodynamics and the camo paint must have helped. Enjoy your sunny, warm day. It's almost balmy up here...pretty soon kids will have their shorts and t-shirts on playing basketball in the driveway.

Old Navy

2009-01-22T19:35:00.000-08:00

I am passing the word around that Old Navy is having major deals! I bought Trevor a winter coat tonight for $11 and a fleece 1/4 zip top for $2.97. You just might want to stock up on their half off clearance sale. Good luck!

Would you rather?

2009-01-20T16:33:00.000-08:00

Just a couple of questions for you to ponder...

Would you rather have your father sing at the supermarket or your mother fart in the principal's office?

Would you rather lose all your hair or all your teeth?

These are things that I think about.
Trevor would rather have his mother fart in the principal's office. What does this say about me? or better yet about his father's singing ability (or lack thereof). My son would also rather lose all of his hair. He needs his teeth to eat chocolate and candy. Like hair is so not important!!!

90 days until the big three-nine!

2009-01-19T18:38:00.000-08:00

Well, as you very well could have figured out from the title, I am motivated to drop the big booty before I turn 39. 90 days away...what has happened that I am closer to 40 than 30? I am planning on running a 5K race on March 22 in Bay City and I would like to run it and not walk it. I am totally challenging myself and I have not done that in a long time. So, are there any other takers out there to run a race on March 22? It could be fun....in fact, it will be fun!!
90 days...goodbye slurpees (well, at least I'll cut down to only a couple a week), goodbye cake, goodbye pops, hello salads, and fruit, and vegetables.
It just won't be the same without you, coke slurpee. ;)

I have to go and cry so that I can wallow in my self pity as I miss my beloved slurpee.

Just one of those days

2009-01-16T14:17:00.001-08:00

Ever have one of those days? You know, it starts out wonderfully...school cancelled because the temperatures are too cold, so you get to sleep in unexpectedly kind of days? It started out so well. I keep asking myself what happened.

I went to college, I should know how to read the information on a computer screen at the post office, right? The postal lady was making me feel very uncomfortable and telling me which buttons to push, but I wanted to read the screen. First big mistake! I had to do it all twice because I pressed cancel instead of something else. Then, I put the stamp on the envelope and didn't realize that it was a sticker stamp but only the inside part was supposed to stick on the envelope. I felt like a big dork as I stood there trying to peel off the rest of the sticker. I think that I was actually talking to myself by this time and in walks Cathy making jokes at my expense. I may never be the same again. Actually, I don't think that I have been normal in a while now! :)

The boys and I went grocery shopping and I gave the boys coupons to go and find the specific items thinking that it would be faster. What was I thinking? I wonder that too. Even though most coupons have pictures, the boys didn't read about the specific size requirements and we spent a good ten minutes going back through the store getting the right sizes so that we could use the the coupons. I did save over $13 though!

We came home and had lunch and then Trevor tried to open a box with a pair of scissors. Bad idea. He screamed, Kaleb screamed, Trevor cried, Kaleb cried for him and then we loaded up and went to Med Express. Needless to say, Trevor is now the proud recipient of two stitches in his thumb. He cut himself right on the knuckle so everytime he bent his thumb, blood would squirt out and my dramatic child would scream and then Kaleb would cry harder. Oh brother. Trevor really got the prince's treatment at Med Express because the nurses there took him in the room with Kaleb and just smothered him. It's his left thumb and he's right handed but his best question in the room was, "Mom, I just don't think that I'm going to be able to do any of my work for ten days. Are you going to let my teacher know?" I'm wasn't really sure how the left thumb was needed for schoolwork, so he told me that it holds down the paper so that he can write. So, now we're home and staying in for the evening while Kraig tries once again to fix his plow truck.

Kaleb's new joke

2009-01-14T12:49:00.000-08:00

Well, I guess that I have a writer in the house...just not with his writing assignments at school. He has been trying to write jokes. This is his best so far...that means that the rest have been really bad. :)

What is the difference between roast beef and pea soup?

THINK, THINK REALLY HARD.......

Everyone can roast beef (as in cook), but not everyone can pee soup.

Definitely a boy joke. Don't worry, he's already trying to make up other ones.

Exam schedule

2009-01-07T12:59:00.000-08:00

You know you're in the big leagues when the administrators hand out the exam schedule and you want to shout for joy!!!

I get three full days of 8:45 - 10:15, a 15 minute break, and then 10:30 - 12:00! That's all? Seriously? What in the world was I ever doing at Webber? Ah, life is wonderful at AHHS and I am enjoying every minute.

Another topic - I am looking for some soup recipes. I made a potato soup and if you could have seen the boy's faces, you would know that there was something lacking. I have another one for chicken tortilla soup and I always have my faithful chicken noodle. I want to break out of my rut though. Any suggestions would be wonderful (except if it includes cauliflower). Cauliflower is not really in any of my food groups. :)

Treetops skiing

2008-12-29T12:14:00.000-08:00

So sorry. One day in the near future, I promise to learn how to turn my pictures. For now, humor me and turn your head slightly to the right. Trevor aka "Dr. T, the Politician" talked his way into Santa's pocket and wound up with light-up yo-yo's and lighting the Christmas tree at Treetops. Kaleb wound up with a cool skiing dvd and placed our tickets into Santa's bucket to try and win something cool. Well, we didn't win the Palace tickets to the rodeo (which Kraig was hoping for), but we won two XL t-shirts that had ski for life on them. The boys were super excited to actually win something!

Here are the super cool t-shirts. That night everyone wondered where the boys got their long pajama tops from. Trevor told one guy that if he just stayed one extra day, maybe the guy could light the tree and win a cool shirt, too. Not everyone is able to do these cool things. :)

An actual picture with everyone in it. We were super cold and ready to go back to the hotel. We had enough skiing that day and Trevor was cold because he continually wiped out for some reason. He thinks that he's probably growing.

The infamous hat...my family always knows where I am on the hill because they see the "ears" flying in the wind behind me. We had a really nice time and were able to safely navigate our way home in some pretty heavy fog.

Christmas photos

2008-12-29T12:03:00.001-08:00

Kaleb received a surprise gift from Santa - a paintball gun. Dad received one from me and kaleb was super excited to be able to do something with Dad. Kaleb's favorite question, you ask..."Mom, you never would have gotten me a paintball gun, right?"

Santa also deposited a Wii at our house and I must say that you all have 8 safe years out on the roads because Trevor is all over the road. He plays Mario Kart like bumper cars.

I told Kraig that I am never in pictures because I am always the photographer. So, I always try and do the camera flip on myself. My brothers and I decided to stop with the gifts and do something together. We went bowling on Christmas Eve day and then everyone came to our house for sandwiches and games. It was a nice break to enjoy my brother. My second brother was stuck in Howard City with snow, ice and wind.

My two nephews, brother Greg and of course, Trevor. He had everyone in stitches with his Batman impression as he bowls.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-22T11:41:00.000-08:00

My mom got this ornament for me after I had my first teaching job at B.V. She knew that my heart was for helping these kids to succeed. This is on our upstairs tree.

Kaleb's face on this ornament makes me smile because Mr. Grumpy pants is actually smiling, happy and full of joy.

Trevor made this wonderful angel that is our tree topper out of paper plates. Simple and yet sparkly too.

The painted Santa Claus is my favorite though because my mom painted it the year that I was born. Now, she was not crafty at all and would never admit to a paint by number, but I still smile when I think of all the jokes she would endure every year as she put up her painting.

SNOW DAYS AND VACATION

Merry Christmas everyone. Friday, I thought it was wonderful to be stuck at home - a snow day! Saturday was good as I got to leave the house and get milk, bread, the basics ya know. Sunday, another blast from old man winter had us with drifts up to our hips. Kraig got the snow plow truck stuck and he had to go to the job site to get his "heavy equipment" to dig out the plow truck and move the snow. Basically, Kraig had a wonderful day playing in his equipment. The boys made it outside for like 10 minutes and we stayed home as the wind howled around our home. I thought of you all as we missed the musicale.

Cathy waited very patiently and asked for pictures of any special ornaments or keepsakes. (The window is next to our tree and the camera wouldn't take a good picture. So, imagine something wonderful!) Christmas was my mother's favorite holiday and she used to deck out our house. So, I have 2 or 3 boxes filled with ornaments in the crawl space. I was the one who always had to help put the ornaments up and then put them back away (Half a day, at least). Yikes...I don't think there was a single branch that did not have an ornament on it. Sooooo, long story short, my trees are simple and anything that the boys want to put up, they can. I like a simple tree with just the lights. I have other things that I put up that remind me of "mom memories" because the thousands of ornaments and the Department 56 houses are definitely not my thing.

The update

2008-12-11T18:10:00.000-08:00

Oh dear...what to write about. Hmmm, it's hard when life seems to be speeding by and I am just holding on by the skin of my teeth (except at school). The school days are going by exceptionally slow. These are the things that I hear from someone at least once an hour. "Ms. Klein, why we gotta do work every day?" "Ms. Klein, ain't you tired of teachin' yet?" "Ms. Klein, are we doing anything today?" "All we ever do is work, work, work." and the best statement is (drumroll please) "We don't have homework in anyone else's class!"

Do you know what it's like to hear the refrain of a child saying mom about 15 times in a row to get your attention? You know, the time when you are in the middle something that is actually important? The questions that aren't really questions but are those small notions of someone needing attention? That's what I get every day, and on most days, every hour! It is exhausting.

So, I've been pulling fast ones on the students and today after I heard the "work, work, work" comment, I said very quietly, "Bow to your sensei." I had the attention of a few...and then I used my best yell across the gym voice and repeated..."Bow to your sensei!"

It i s from a movie and only 1 student "got it" and laughed. I spent at least five minutes talking about Napolean Dynomite and still only 5 of my students had even seen the movie. However, after giggling with my one student after class, I had a smile for the rest of the day. Bring on those ridiculous questions. I am sensei, do my work!

The Tag

2008-11-14T17:55:00.000-08:00

What is your husband's name? Kraig Allen
2. Who eats more? Ummm...I'm a girl. Of course Kraig does ;)
3. Who said, "I love you" first? My baby daddy.
4. Who is taller? Well, on those special occassions when I wear my four inch heels, I am.
5. Who is smarter? Dealing with trivial knowledge or how to fix or build something - Kraig. Everything else - ME!!
6. Who is more sensitive? Kraig, can you believe it. I am rarely sensitive.
7. Who does the laundry? Usually, I do. Kraig will help out if we get overloaded.
8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I am...when we be laying in it.
9. Who pays the bills? Kraig has to pay all of the company's bills so I am stuck with the household ones.
10. Who cooks more? Well, I have a giant pig-fibber who believes (in his fantasy world) that he does.
11. Who is more stubborn? Stubborn...no one at this house is stubborn. We are slightly strong-willed though. I'll never admit to being stubborn!
12. Who is the first to admit they are wrong? I am because I hate to be silent. I have an opinion or a joke about anything, just about.
13. Who has more siblings? We are equal, both have two siblings.
14. Who wears the pants in the relationship? Kraig wears the pants, but I like to hide out in the back pockets.
15. What do you like to do together? Watch Survivor and MAD TV, go to the movies, play with the Bickerman's and listen to his long, drawn out work stories...those are the best. :)
16. Who eats more sweets? Kraig doesn't eat sweets at all. Therefore, I would win this category hands down and win the title of Candy Queen and Princess Coke Slurpee.
17. Guilty Pleasures? chips and salsa, slurpees for me, and iced tea for him.
18. How did you meet? I was coaching at a local high school and his sister was the assistant coach. He came to watch his sister coach. He found me to be not only beautiful, but oh so very intelligent also. He took me to a company dinner and he still remembers that I had on cream tights with my dress. There goes the beautiful and intelligent comment...of course, he was two hours late. Anyways, we met, kissed, fell in love, and now he is my babies' daddy.
19. Who asked whom out first? He did.
20. Who kissed who first? I cannot even remember that far back.
21. Who proposed? He did.
22. His best features and qualities? He reminds me of my dad, can fix or build anything, works hard on everything, growing in his relationship with the Lord, and continues to change bad habits. He may not be a talker or a fellowshipper, but this guy will work hard! See lower post on the Oprah paw.

Gotcha...

2008-11-14T13:41:00.001-08:00

Kaleb has been taking art lessons on Wednesday nights. He found this dragon in a book and did a pencil drawing. He was very proud!

See the feet in this picture. You're probably wondering what in the world is going on at the Klein house. I just happened to run across the picture and when I asked the boys what was going on. Of course, I don't know was in my house. I felt like I was reading a Family Circle Sunday comic. So... those feet can't be Kaleb's. No way! AND...I'm sure that he wasn't telling Trevor to do the worm and that he'd take a picture. No, not the Bickerman's! The next picture is even better...I'm such a careful mom.

First, I thought this was a cute picture of Trevor trying to balance on the bed post. Oh no...he was balancing on the closet that Kraig made up in their room. Now, you need to know that on the other side of this is the steps to downstairs. Probably a good 10-12 foot drop. What were these two boys thinking????? And to think that I was actually wondering why my hair was starting to turn gray. Never a dull moment.

attendance

2008-11-14T13:22:00.000-08:00

Well, the honeymoon is over. I had my first "bad" day at AHHS and it was a doozy. I have two girls who continually skip my class so that they can go to lunch with the older kids. I left my 3 students doing their work with another teacher so that I could go and search for them. I came up with nothing and went down to the office to have them paged. My principal came down and was angry WITH ME that they were skipping. Now, I do understand that I could have called home on them sooner, but I forget by the end of the day. I was "spoken to" about not calling their home much sooner. To say that I was upset would have been an understatement!
I cannot make these girls come to class. I don't see them in the hallways before 4th hour to persuade them into the classroom. I take attendance on the computer every hour and we have an attendance secretary. At what point does attendance become the problem of the teacher? I am perplexed and angry that my teaching students is no longer sufficient. I am tired of having to wear different hats because students refuse to come to school or class. Each parent has access to the Attendance and Grade book from a computer. So, I am curious. What are your expectations of a teacher if your child were missing a lot of classes? (Mind you, the girls had poor grades and attendance during the last 3 years.) Do you think that you would already know?

Because of this situation, I called four other students with high absence rates. Left messages on 2 answering machines...no kids in school today. I spoke with one mom whose daughter had 19 absences. She wasn't shocked and thought her daughter only had 10 or 11. Really? Only 10 or 11 - ummmmm, that's two weeks of school. The other boy had left our school two weeks ago. Maybe it's me?

My hard-working man

2008-11-07T16:52:00.001-08:00

Kraig has been working so hard and found out today that hand injury number 4,679 has an infection. I'm telling you, I better take out some more life insurance. The lady at Med-Express asked him if he had a recent tetanus shot and of course he answered that he had one only a week and a half ago. Maybe I should buy some bubble wrap like we mentioned in earlier posts!
Anyways, Kraig let the boys keep the trampoline up because they just knew the weather would get better...said in a whiney tone, of course. So, tonight after seeing a movie, the three boys went outside and worked to take down the netting. Well, two boys worked and Trevor monkey just hung around. We enjoyed that last bit of warm weather and now on to ski season.

10 Fabulous Things

2008-10-25T18:26:00.000-07:00

So...I was thinking about the number 10. Hey, I'm a math teacher, we tend to think in terms of numbers! Do I have ten things that I am thankful for without having to think about life being a bummer. Praise the Lord, I have more than that, but I will only share 10, because that is the number of the day.

1 - The TNT kids laughing and playing, even when the weather wasn't very agreeable.
2 - Kraig setting up almost everything for the party before he left to go to work for the day.
3 - A good friend coming home and making time to visit (no gangsta kitty here).
4 - Kaleb and Trevor playing ever so nicely upstairs...together!
5 - My brother Greg is coming over on Monday to watch the boys so I didn't have to pay a babysitter.
6 - My pal and movie partner is always available on a moment's notice. Love her for that!
7 - People allowing me to hold their children and get my baby fix for the week, every Sunday.
8 - Election day is almost here and I won't have to watch any more commercials!
9 - Little boy kisses for making hot chocolate with whipped cream and grated chocolate. Little does he know that I would have shoved in another marshmallow for that same little kiss.
10 - A content heart and a life being fulfilled with all that God gives!

These are my ten. I have more, many more.

Progress Reports

2008-10-06T15:42:00.000-07:00

I know that a positive note or word encourages others. Well, Trevor received a "good job" note from his teacher. Last year, his confidence was down towards the bottom of a pit because he wasn't interested in school or his lessons and not paying attention. His teacher this year is full of positive remarks and praise, while still being able to say, "I know that you can do better!" He hs definitely exceeded my expectations and is focused on his work. Hooray!
Also, a student in my morning class was talking to me about not being able to understand the work. I paraphrased Philippians 4:13 loosely, I might add. He said (and I quote), " I know that verse...I can do everything through him who gives me strength." The kids then had a little mini lesson about using Christ to help them through their school work and when things aren't going well. They finally asked me if I knew the verse and we talked a little more and then moved back to math. Maybe they have taken prayer out of the public schools, but He was certainly present in my 3rd hour!

I hope that your Monday was as enjoyable as mine!

Opening Day

2008-09-30T17:01:00.000-07:00

Oh my...could it be? Yes, it's opening day of bow season!

Kaleb is trying to work it out for bow season. Hmmm...I don't think that this bow is the same.

Just a reminder that I have a bow that is available for any woman out there who is losing the company of her man for the next few weeks. Who says that it is just bow season for deer hunting! I had way too much time on my hands tonight. HAHAHAHAHA :-)

Barakel Treasures

2008-09-29T15:17:00.000-07:00

Who is Sarah about to kiss? Well, it turned out Froggy was just that... a frog. No Prince Charming appeared after she smooched him. What happened to those fairy tales? Froggy even had the nerve to relieve his bladder!

This was after the hay ride on Saturday night, right before chapel. Nora stayed back to get some reading done.

Sarah and Tracey paddled around in the funyaks. I snapped the pictures, held their electronic goods and sat on the dock basking in the sunshine.

Nora was nicknamed Sniper! She did a great job at riflery and if you are having squirrel problems, she can certainly take care of that.

Tracey, Nora, Sarah and I went to Barakel's Ladies Retreat this past weekend and had wonderful weather along with a good speaker. Many good tidbits that I will talk about later. This picture was at the top of the zip line. Sarah will swear that it wasn't swaying in the wind, but she's wrong, it sure was!

Well, you know how I feel about the singing...high and definitely out of my range. However, one of the songs spoke to me this weekend.

Restore My Soul

Restore my soul, refresh my heart, renew my life in every part,

Reveal to me what sin remains and lead me to the cross again.

Relight the fire that burned so strong reminding me what You have done.

My one request is to be changed so lead me to the cross again.

There is another verse, but I went to Barakel to be renewed and restored. School began and praise God, it is good. This weekend really showed that I was becoming so busy that I was "forgetting" to complete devotions or putting it off until later in the day. This song hit me Friday night. Nothing like starting the weekend with a good kick in the pants!

The speaker, Elizabeth Givens spoke about 2 Corinthians 1-5. She waas easy to listen to and gave some good thoughts. We talked with our room mates from Battle Creek Saturday night about Fragrant Walkers" and what would we smell like in the eyes of others. Would we have a sweet smell that would encourage others or would we be not so sweet.

Another tidbit was the treasure of affliction in 2 Cor. 4:7-11. She talked about a cracked jar and how the light would shine through if the jar were in darkness. God's light within each of us that allows others to see Him. The glory of God keeps the pot from falling apart during times of trial and adversity. It is during these hard times that God holds us together so that later we can see how much we had to rely on Him. This truly hit home for me because of the loss of my parents. During that time, I never thought that I would truly work through the anger and loss. And yet, years later, I am here and happy. I truly had to allow God to work through my anger and hurt on a daily basis sometimes.

There was more and hopefully, one of the others can share something else but I am refreshed, restored, and renewed because my sin was revealed. Amen to that!

80's music

2008-09-17T18:38:00.000-07:00

Well, I have a request. I need some music from the 80's (think Michael Jackson thriller era) that I can play in my classroom on Monday. Next week is homecoming week and Monday is 80's day. The kids at school were talking about what a throwback!!! AAugh, I felt really old today. I do not actually want to buy the music, just borrow or download a cd or something. I have an ipod but not anything to dock it on because you all should know how much I love that music!
I am also trying to think of an outfit that I could put together from my closet. I know some of you young ones were probably only in elementary or middle school, but let me know if you think of anything.

A room with a view...

2008-09-03T18:46:00.001-07:00

I have 20 by 30 pictures of Kaleb and Trevor between each window to cover the glue. If you noticed the flowers, don't be alarmed...they're fake!

Kraig came and put up a whiteboard over the nastiest wall of glue.

This was the longest bulletin board ever. Notice how far apart the math posters are? :)

Well, it's better. I can spend more than a few minutes in here without going stir cazy. The window in the door still is pretty shabby, but I like the door open, so I don't usually see the window. Baseboards are still missing, but I can overlook that. My mouse friends have not come back to visit me the last few days. Maybe, it's the Bounce sheets that I have in every nook and cranny around the room. I overheard a student say that it smells like someone just did their laundry. The first two days, while hot, were manageable. Students actually brought pencils, paper, notebooks and folders...shocking, isn't it? This is your peek into my classroom. Enjoy your day and maybe, if you're lucky, my mouse friends will come by to visit.

A Thumbless Man

2008-08-28T15:26:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am wrong and if you are offended easily, do not continue to read...

It turns out that my room was once occupied by a thumbless male teacher. He could not hang posters on the wall very well so he used LIQUID NAILS!!!! I still don't understand the no thumbs = poor judgement in decorating thing, but oh well. So, this explains why I couldn't get the guck off of the walls. My camera didn't work today, no battery juice, but I will take some quick photos and post them later. Have a good weekend all.

The City Mouse in Room 232

2008-08-26T18:45:00.002-07:00

Well, the summer days have flown by and once again the school bells are ringing for me. I finally went to my classroom last week and was mortified! I think my mice friends from the camper had distant cousins who lived in the city in room 232. Oh me oh my, why do mice think that I should be their toilet maid? Needless to say, mouse poo everywhere underneath the sink in my room. A former teacher had glued things...posters maybe all over the walls in my room and the ancient cement glue would not come off. So, I have been working on that to try and make it manageable for me to stay in for 8 or more hours every day. When you see the picture of the glue goo on the window of my door, let me know if you have any ideas. Well, I'd better be off to the snore zone because 6:00 comes around so early in the morning. Who knew it was so cold at that time? :)

Tackles and catches

2008-08-14T13:35:00.000-07:00

This is not the "official" uniform but I wanted a glimpse of how my first born was going to look!

Trevor is very proud and told him not to get a big head if he plays in the Superbowl. Little does Trevor know that it's just 5th grade tackle football.

The stance that I had to get him in. I can't believe that he's playing football. Trevor thinks that he is way cool!

Football season has officially begun. Last night, Kaleb began conditioning. We were two days late because he decided to play at the last minute. The other boys will be in their full get-ups but Kaleb will still condition today and Saturday morning, without the pads. I am a nervous wreck but Kraig said it's a boy thing. I'm praying for a fast young man who skirts past all of the other teams' tacklers or a young boy who tackles without getting hurt.

Barfs and the historical adventure

2008-08-10T18:05:00.001-07:00

At the National Zoo, we saw the panda. I think that this was the only moment that Ling Ling wasn't looking into his private area.

The boys at Union Station...trains, food, and Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

Sitting on the lawn on the campus of Georgetown University.

Sitting in front of the Capital - Trevor's picture taking skills.

Sorry. Turn your head for a view of Trevor's future home. Did you know that the White House has 31 bathrooms? This was Trevor's biggest morsel of information from the bus ride!

The White House has 31 bathrooms and the WH Visitor Center has a dungeon of a bathroom. Trevor said that he was going to take care of this!

The scientist studying at the Museum of Natural History.

Just in time to view the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Barfs...how does this term come to life during our vacation? Hmmm, where to start. Unbeknowst to his clueless mother, Trevor gets car sick during long trips. Who knew? I thought that he just caught the flu on the way home from Florida. A half hour stop at a McDonalds (somewhere in Pennsylvania on the way there) let me know that vomitosis was alive and raging in my youngest son. Thank goodness Mickey D's was kind enough, or took pity on us to give us some large cups and we made it to the hotel in PA. to stop for the night. Tuesday morning, we continued the journey into DC with a trusty GPS system. Everything was fine until we continually took the wrong right turn because the GPS was like a minute behind. I was getting angry, Kaleb was getting upset and of course, Trevor didn't really care because he knew we'd get there...sooner or later. An hour later, we finally managed to find the hotel and I was never so glad to say goodbye to that van than at that moment!

The next three days were jam packed. We went on a tour bus that had a double decker. We toured the city and saw all of the monuments and memorials with the exception of FDR's because it was 90 degrees and I thought young one was going to die! The morning that we went to the White House, Trevor just knew that President Bush was going to see him and invite him for a tour. My friend Jodie called and broke the news that Bush was in China. This news didn't faze Trevor...someone would see him. Then he heard that some people were getting some kind of a tour and he wondered why we couldn't get one. As I was explaining that his mom decided on Friday that we were coming - there was no way to contact anyone to let them know that Trevor was coming. Chuckles came from all around us, Kaleb rolled his eyes and yet he still didn't understand why no one would take him through the house. Where do these ideas come from?

Museums galore, the National Aquarium, the National Zoo and so many historical places to visit...I thought that we would never finish. While it would not have been my first choice for a vacation, it was a treat for the boys. The Bickerman's rarely showed up because they were busy. Well, that and tired! Thank goodness for the pool at the hotel. Every evening, they came back and swam for over an hour and I was able to read and relax. The only downside was that hubby could not make it. He was home working 12 - 14 hour days but was so proud of the boys and happy that they could experience DC with mom. I did miss adults and adult conversation. Somehow, talks of "boy" things just don't do it for me. I had several friends call and allow me some glorious moments of adulthood. We left Saturday morning and Trevor took Dramamine and did not get sick at all...It was good to get back to a normal life. Even though that means that the dreaded school year will be starting soon. Summer just goes by so quickly.

And...they're off!!!

2008-08-03T17:42:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning, Kaleb, Trevor and I are heading to Washington DC for a few days of history lessons. This was another last-minute August vacation decided on Friday. Today, I secured a hotel by the Capital Building and we'll arrive sometime on Tuesday. Kaleb wants to see the money being made. Rest assured, he knows that he won't be given any freebies. Trevor wants to see the monuments. He thinks that there will probably be a really cool gift shop. haha
Who knows...a few must sees and a couple of excited boys. Hopefully, the Bickerman's do not visit while we are there. Pray for safety during this vacation as I am a little nervous without Kraig being able to go also. See you all next weekend, God willing.

Camp Invention

2008-08-01T13:46:00.001-07:00

The boys just finished their last day at Camp Invention. They learned about inventions, patents, trying new ideas out, and how to work collaboratively in a team. I was slightly concerned about Kaleb wondering if he would like it after his day long ranting of I donwanna go! However, both kids had a great time and found some friends. They both received t-shirts and patent certificates.

Kaleb and Gabriel made the silver viking ship to the right of the Big Gulp cup. It was able to sail through the stormy seas and make it to the other side of the ocean to get the gold coins. Hooray!

In the Superhero Module, Kaleb's superhero did not resemble this guy at all...but they could only use recycled materials because they were saving the environment.

This is Trevor's superhero...Snakeman something. He created a wonderful little story about all of the superhuman powers that this snake had. That's right, Trevor was writing and even enjoyed it. Hmmm...could it be that there were no worksheets? :)

This is Trevor's invention - the Laughbot 3000. This wonderful invention was created to get a laugh out of his crabby brother. Who would have thought that an old VCR, egg cartons, a slinky, and some duct tape could be magically transformed?

Kaleb's group created a machine that had to catapolt an egg across the hallway. Everything worked until the ball went through and wasn't heavy enough to hit the catapolt to throw the egg. A kid stepped on the system and the egg flew across the hallway and splattered on the wall.

If there is ever a Camp Invention in town again next summer, I highly recommend that you send your child. I saw a ton of enthusiasm with all of the hands-on activities and total participation by the kids.

YSP pictures from the no-go slide show :)

2008-07-29T19:34:00.000-07:00

These are my children, aka The Bickerman's a day after camp. Believe me, it didn't last. :P

Boyne Mountain had the Cartoon Network's Get Animated Tour. The boys did several activities to get them moving. Trevor was talking this kid's ear off! Kaleb was traveling through the blow up obstacle course.

This was at the top of Avalanche Mountain. Trevor just knew that he was going to die on the way up!

The view was worth the trip for Trevor and it was good exercise. Of course, the stop at DQ afterwards probably nixed all the step work I did to get up the old ski hill!

Kraig and the boys played football in the lake all weekend. Trevor kept trying to tackle Kraig and there was one unfortunate incident involving the dad and forgetting to tie his swimsuit. He didn't make that mistake again.

Trevor was just plain tired out from two long weeks of vacation. What are the odds of an eight year old falling asleep on the beach for 30 minutes?

K and T were trying to do the splits.

Pictures from Young State Park...maybe

2008-07-29T19:24:00.000-07:00

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Well, week 2 was a bit more of the hit the beach and play in the sand time. We hiked up Avalanche Mountain, an old ski hill in Boyne City. Trevor just knew that he was going to die on the way. It was worth the short hike for a beautiful view. We went to Dairy Queen more times than we should have. The Anderson's church had a weenie roast and singing / short message in Boyne City so we attended and of course, it just happened to be in the park, next to the DQ! Boyne Mountain had a Cartoon Network gathering for kids to Get Animated. They had a blow up obstacle course, a bike ride (Stationary) on which Trevor talked the other kid's ear off, and several other rides. We played golf...a card game and went on bike rides and just generally sluffed off. I enjoyed hanging out with the Andersons and took the boys to Petoskey's Sidewalk sales...they were not impressed. Trevor did manage to buy a finger printing kit and so we all had prints taken for our many crimes that we committed. Lazy days and s'more at night.

Week 1 (Vacation without the Bickerman's)

2008-07-29T17:58:00.000-07:00

I looked forward to this week...is that wrong? Kaleb and Trevor were going to camp and I would have 5 glorious days to myself. At first, Kraig was going to be able to go, but then work started to pile up and couldn't go. So I dropped the boys off Sunday afternoon at Springhill, watched them ride off on the fire trucks and then took the trolley to meet their counselors and see where they were staying. Trevor went as a lone wolf and met friends immediately, played and wasn't even slightly concerned that I was leaving. He became best buds with his bunk mate and won the "Knowledge Award" for all of his useless tidbits of information. His head ballooned out when he heard about his knowledge award. He had a great time!

Kaleb ended up going with his cousin Jacob and Eric S. They slept in Fort Walton, which was part of the Fort Michimackinac fort scheme. The fort was two stories high and there were probably five or six of them within a gated compound. They had two great young guys for counselors and had a formation like the mighty ducks every time they left an activity. Kaleb talked a lot about how much fun he had and about how he was going to make sure that his prayers included thanking God instead of just asking for things all of the time. He said that in Copper Country, they used their Bible's a lot more and he learned something new every day. The counselors also incorporated their daily studies into all of the activities. My nephew received a Bible and learned some things that he talked about at lunch that day (Friday). If you can believe this, Kaleb won the Friendly Award. I almost picked up dirt with my dropped bottom lip! Was this the same Bickerman child that I dropped off on Sunday? He looked like my child, but the friendly award???? Kidding, of course. It sounded like Kaleb, too had a good time. You'll have to ask Eric S. if he had a good time, it seemed like he did.

The week went so fast but I truly enjoyed myself and the days of being with friends without having to be a mom. Sarah was tons of fun and she busted my butt on the bike. That girl is a maniac! If you've read her blog, you know that she has problems with directions, but we did manage to make it back to the camper safely after each "Lost" episode. I went on a boat ride, even though boats don't really get along with me very well. When we went on the boat ride, courtesy of the Andersons, we played havoc on their property at Walloon Lake. Viv G. and I had a major problem trying to get the paddle boat up to the water trampoline so that she could sit on it and read her book...for two minutes... before I had to paddle all the way back out there to get her.

Traverse City was a day trip so that Sarah could go there and visit...can you imagine being Sarah and not having been to TC? Well, that about explains week 1 of vacationing without the Bickerman's. Did I mention that I totally beat Sarah at Badminton!!!! Chris K rules!

7/11

2008-07-11T20:10:00.000-07:00

I know that it's the end of the day, but I hope you all enjoyed your free slurpee on 7-11 day. I know that my family did! :)

I hate those meeces to pieces!

2008-07-11T20:03:00.000-07:00

Mice...I think that I hate them. No, I know that I do. They had a fabulous time in our camper and set up many condo settings in the kitchen area over the past winter. It took several days to actually clean and disinfect the whole camper. I had major fits and Kraig was not as concerned. He kept telling me that it just wipes right up...of course, he was no where to be found when the wiping right up was being done. Hmmm, maybe he planned that.
I know that you're probably thinking Chris should have taken pictures of the condos, but I just couldn't. I knew that I wasn't going to rent any of them out or make any money unless someone wants their own special condo unit in their own home (or camper). As a matter of fact, I think that I will sell them...$19.95 for your own special meece's condo unit and if you act now, I'll send you a free one. That's right...$19.95 for two special meece's condo units. How can you resist?

The Parade in tie-dye

2008-06-29T13:21:00.000-07:00

My cousin and the water boys!

Trevor had a good time with his cousin. They didn't really perfect the art of tossing candy and actually pelted a few people with their monstrous throws.

The parade started at 11:00 and this was Kraig waiting for us to actually move out of spot 71 at 11:20!!! We finally moved at 11:35. Next year, we have to call and get an earlier spot.

Molly, 4, told Kraig that she was the princess of our parade. She even came equipped with little princess shoes!

Doesn't this look like fun?

Look carefully and you'll see the cincher that was used to keep the twins securely fastened to the back of the bucket truck. This is my good friend Bridget who baked on the back of the b-truck.

Kaleb and his friend were the friendly water boys. The parade was long and it was hot and muggy! People were yelling for the boys to spray them or throw the water balloons. They enjoyed every minute of it. Behind us, a whole slew of people were walking and passing out information for M. Thomas because he is running for prosecutor again. They were a lot of fun and kept the younger twins happy by talking to them throughout the parade. While Kaleb was aiming for the crowd, he happened to spray a guy who was a little more dressed up than we were. The prosecutor, M. Thomas was not as pleased by getting wet and told Kaleb that his mom better not get any tickets. Uh-oh! We passed out a ton of candy, threw the water balloons and filled up those water guns several times. It was after 1:00 before we were finally finished with the parade route. I hope that you all had as much fun as we did yesterday.

The bow...on a frilly dress.

2008-06-25T10:29:00.000-07:00

We measured the bow...14 inches. This was on my butt! :)

Trevor was getting ready to practice and was trying to balance that monstrous thing.

Trevor was getting ready for his clown outfit for Halloween. He had stuffed his shirt to give himself a big belly, too. Notice that the bow goes from shoulder to shoulder?

See the bow sticking out? Sorry, turn your head and you can see it clearly. This was my Dad...he was a good guy.

I am still having troubles with the whole posting of the pictures thing and can't get them where I want them and turned if they show up sideways. The bow is about 14 inches! Imagine having fourteen inches of a bow on your butt and thinking...I love this dress and I want to be married in it. More than a foot of a bow...a little girl could have had a dress made out of that much fabric. Trevor thinks that it's hilarious and that if he is a clown one of these years for Halloween, it would make a great bow-tie. I plead insanity on this dress and all fashion that was worn by the entire wedding party. I hope you get a chuckle out of my fourteen inch bow.

How we met!

2008-06-25T10:03:00.000-07:00

I had just graduated from college and was coaching the varsity volleyball team at Nouvel while subbing at Saginaw High. That year, I had an assistant coach who kept telling me about her brother and that I should definitely meet him. Right...you know that I certainly did not hop on that band wagon. I was still keeping a college "friend" around and wasn't interested in another guy because I was getting out of Dodge! Well, she made his family come to one of the games at Nouvel and I had to be polite and meet her family. He was okay looking but he had a moustache and tight 80's jeans on. Definitely not what I was looking for and he was not a teacher. Well, he called me one night and asked me to go to a Christmas party (in January) at the Germania. I didn't think that it could be too bad, so I told him that I would go.

He was almost two hours late!!!! My parents wanted to meet this guy and after an hour, my mom laughed and said dump this guy. He was late from work, had to get flowers, and used his sister's car so that I wouldn't have to get into his work truck. At least it was a good excuse. Despite the two hour lateness of his arrival, I had lots of fun. We continued to date throughout the rest of the winter. I was getting bored with this one though until he said, "I'm not looking for a girlfriend, I'm looking for a wife." Ooh, he was serious. I struggled for a while trying to figure out if I was ready to be this serious and did I even want to stay in Saginaw. Well, I got a teaching job at Buena Vista HS, we went out for dinner to celebrate and I thought that this guy has potential. He wasn't a teacher, but he had a job! A job that paid a decent wage and he was a hard worker. Little did I know that the hard worker in him would also be his worst quality. He loves to work!

By the fall of 1993, we were inseperable and in early October, he came to my apartment for dinner. I can't tell you much about the dinner because by the time we actually sat down to eat it, it was blackened and shouldn't have been. Looking back, he seemed very nervous and spent a long time in the bathroom...he came out, finally, and did the whole one knee proposal and I accepted. We were married on July 9, 1994 on a hot and muggy day filled with mosquitoes! It will be fourteen years this July and it has not been dull. We have gone through tight financial times to pay off his shop, the deaths of both of my parents and our grandparents, job changes, kids, and even a few health issues. However, we made it through and Lord willing, we will continue this rollercoaster ride for a while longer.

Flowers and gardening

2008-06-24T20:17:00.001-07:00

Kraig has a green thumb and loves to work in the garden. He is working on his radishes and has eaten several already. You can also see one of his tomato plants growing rather nicely. He is still a country boy at heart.

These are my absolute favorite! Don't you just love the way they stand so tall...water me, water me! I just can't wait to divide these and put them somewhere else around my house. I just wish I knew the name of these lovely green plants.

If I had to choose...this would be my second place flower. I looked it up on the Internet and it is actually called Pigpen. Doesn't it look like it should be following alongside of Pigpen from Charlie Brown? That is why it is my second place flower. Isn't it beautiful?

Okay...so hopefully you knew that I was joking. However, I did save the best for last. These are last year's petunia's that grew again from the depths of despair. Annuals - two years for the price of one! Woohoo!!! All of the inground pots from the front yard had petunias and they all grew back. Who says you have to have a green thumb?

Look out Bambi!

2008-06-24T20:00:00.001-07:00

We have a family of deer living in our backyard. You can see Bambi behind the hay bale and mom (or dad) to the left on the picture. Yes, I know, the picture is not all that you hoped for, but they are back there a ways.

Pictures...maybe.

2008-06-24T19:42:00.000-07:00

If you turn your head, you can see Trevor listening intently to his tennis instructions.

Trevor was having fun swinging in the baby swing. Trevor and his cousin, Megan are being so silly...this is why the baby swings never really work the way that they should.

The boys love Spongebob and I finally bought some new sidewalk chalk. This is Kaleb's view of the pizza guy. Notice the Hot 'n Ready pizza box. I certainly haven't been cooking as much as I should be.Trevor is trying not to get splashed. Of course, he was already wet.

These are a smattering of pictures from June. Amanda promised me to come over some day and help me learn how to do the whole picture thing better. In case you didn't realize it, we are into the third week of summer vacation.

The bow and an invite

2008-06-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

I know that you are waiting for the "bow" story and I will get to it. Between strep throat, closing my classroom and trying to teach...(is that what they call it?), I feel a little busy. Sarah, I promise to get it out there...geez. Stop buggin' me. Why you trippin'?

For the rest of you - Hospitality Night at our house at 6:00 on Sunday night. We are cooking hotdogs and hamburgers...just bring something to pass around, preferably a food dish. Kraig said that he would put gas in the go-kart and the Bickerman's are looking for some fresh meat to play wiffle ball. If you are interested, let me know and I'll get you some directions. You know left at the 7-11, left at the big cross road, and left at the first house on the left. Did any of you feel left out? Sorry, bad joke.

By the way, summer officially starts on Friday at 3:06!!!!!

Springhill Highropes course

2008-05-26T09:43:00.000-07:00

This is for Chris L. because I know that he thinks that Kraig is only getting hurt at softball! Oh no, we went through a highropes course this weekend and went through two stories of terrifying tightrope activities wearing fabulous harnesses!! The last step, I get up on the platform, and the other couple that we did the course with fell to the side and down went Kraig...banged his knee into the base of the wood on the platform. Needless to say, blood gushing down his leg onto his sandals and he had to be the first guy on Saturday who needed the Infirmary!!! He is falling apart :) the boys loved the blood though. Also, Chris, get t-shirt sizes at both games this week because we are getting shirts! Girls cannot play haphazard...we need to match. Enjoy your Memorial Day gatherings.

A new job!

2008-05-22T20:16:00.000-07:00

Well, God answered my prayers, in His time, of course. I anxiously waited for my number, 37, to be called to go up to the board and pick my job for next year. Arthur Hill - Strategic Math for ninth graders! I am so relieved that the other 36 people before me did not choose this job. So, for all of you who live by Arthur Hill, if I forget my lunch, I'll be knocking at your door. Hint...hint Sarah!! Maybe, we could meet at Kuli's Korner or Bill's Party Store for a slurpee. Thanks for listening to me whine about my job for the past two years or so...all is well.

The Tag!!

2008-05-13T18:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I am a little late with this, but here is my tag answers.

Ten years ago, I was...28 years old and finishing my master's degree from SVSU, while teaching full time at Buena Vista High School.

Five things on my "to-do" list:

begin running so I don't keel over on a 5K run
go through my closet and toss out anything that I haven't worn in a year
organize our kitchen...I don't know where all this stuff comes from!
pack up my classroom for the potential move
write questions for new math assessments for next year (Anyone care to join me on this?)

Snacks I enjoy...SLURPEES, chips and salsa, and the small (frozen) Dove bars. Kraig can hear me when I sneak into the kitchen to grab a frozen Dove and yells, "Put down the candy!" It doesn't count as candy if it is only a bite size. I thought everyone knew that.

Five things I would do if I were a billionaire...

Finish all phases on Immanuel. Well, hire it out. I don't think that I'd be any good in construction!
Quit teaching in the inner city.
Build an inground pool with a cabana (cabana boy optional)
Go back to school and get a doctorate degree.
Volunteer in the reading and math programs at the boy's school.

Five bad habits...

I don't always hear what people have to say, so I just smile and nod or laugh.
I cannot stand it when the Bickerman's bicker and so I yell at them to stop bickering. this kind of defeats the purpose.
I don't do laundry daily and so I have huge piles and it takes forever to get through.
I am an unorganized person (it even drives me crazy!)
Not following through and calling people when they are on my mind. I should send cards or call, but then I get busy and forget.

Places I've lived...

Sweetbriar in Saginaw Township for 23 years
Fox Glen Apartments in Saginaw Township for 1 year
Cole Rd. in the boonies in Spaulding Township for 5 long years (no 7-11, can you imagine?)
Foxboro Rd. in Saginaw Township for 6 years (loved it here~Shamrock Dairy in the 'hood)
Swan Creek in James Township for the last 3 years (7-11 down the road)

Five jobs I've had...

teacher
coach
babysitter
ticket taker at the old Cinema and Suds
cleaned and painted dorms and apartments at SVSU

Toodles all,

Chris

p.s the wedding tag is coming...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He's home and resting

2008-05-05T17:37:00.000-07:00

Today brought better news. His heart looks fine at this time. We won't have the complete results for another week or so, unless they see a major problem. They are still concerned about his liver enzymes as they are very high and continued to increase throughout his stay. Today's numbers were higher than Saturday night's numbers when he was admitted. He will go for a liver and spleen scan Wednesday and have more blood drawn on Friday. A specialist wants to see him sometime next week. On a brighter note, the bid that Kraig was working on so hard Friday, was given to Klein Electric! This is great news and an answer to prayer.

Thank you for all of your prayers concerning Kraig. Please continue to pray for him as he needs to have a total lifestyle change that will be difficult, to say the least. He seems to be in the midst of a spiritual battle and this change will only happen if he fully relies on God and not his own strength.

Please pray.

2008-05-04T12:03:00.000-07:00

As some of you may know...Kraig has not been feeling well since he took a dive on the bunny hill at Apple Mountain. Broken rib...blah blah blah. He has been vomiting almost daily since then and not feeling well at all. Well, Friday started his downward spiral. He had a large bid due and vomited at least three times and had to cancel going to Barakel. He came home, slept, ate very little and then woke up Saturday morning. He had tunnel vision at least 4 times and then passed out. He and a friend were on the motorcycles riding to Kaleb's game and they pulled into a parking lot. He felt a hand on the back of his neck and put his kickstand down. His friend Matt had to pull him off of the bike and layed Kraig down in the middle of the parking lot. At this point, he was not responding to anyone and 911 was called. Kraig came out of it and they RODE the motorcycles to Kaleb's game. (I didn't find this out until the Emergency room!!!!!) Later, Vivian came over and coerced him into going to the ER. Long story a little shorter...his liver enzymes are double and they are checking him for viral helpatitis, inflamation because of medication, or something else. They have scanned his head, yes his brain was in there, and gave him an ultrasound of the liver - all fine. He was admitted late last night. Please pray that his body continues to "tell" the doctors what is wrong and that everything comes out in the wash. Thank you in advance for your prayers.

Boston Marathon Weekend

2008-04-22T16:07:00.000-07:00

I received a wonderful gift and flew out Saturday morning to be a part of the cheer team of my good friend, Rod Anderson. I know that you're wondering, but no, I did not wear an actual cheer leading uniform! We took planes, trains and automobiles from Detroit to Providence to Boston and it was quite a trip. Rod registered for the race Saturday night at the convention center and the amount of people there was out of this world. We went to Vinny T's for supper and enjoyed the Boston scenery including the train. The next day, we indulged Jodie and went to the John F. Kennedy presidential museum or library...while interesting, history just isn't my passion. Jodie bought a few posters for her classroom and yawn, we finally left. HAHA, don't tell anybody that I said that. Yada yada...race day. What an experience of a lifetime!!! Jodie and I took the train out to Framingham (10k) and watched the wheelchair racers, the elite women and men and then finally, the masses of people. Some of these people who are running, look like they shouldn't be able to run a 5k, let alone a marathon. From the cancer survivor to the blind man with guides helping him run the race...the father pushing his son in the wheelchair and the son putting up his thumb when he could hear the cheers...the husband pushing his wife in a chair...the elite women sprinting (literally)...and just the cheering and general air about the race was amazing. It chokes me up just to think of some of these racers.
Team Anderson missed Rod at the Wellesley checkpoint because the train was late so we had to hustle just to make the finish line. Again, wall to wall people and yet the atmosphere was intense. We made our way to about 100 yards or so to the finish line and watched the runners come in. Some looked great and others did not fare as well. Runners with leg cramps so bad that they could barely walk made me just want to cry for them. Others would stop and encourage or help them along and the crowd yelling to push them the last 100 yards to the finish. I saw two men basically carry a runner down the final stretch. These men gave up their times to help this man across. He could not even bend his legs - they must have been so cramped. We got nervous because Rod wasn't coming at the time that he anticipated...you guessed it...leg cramps. He had them at mile 11 and kept running and stretching his legs. When we finally spotted him, you could tell that his pain was immense as his face was contorted and he was concentrating so hard. He made it! Not in the time that he would have liked (3 hours 48 minutes, I think), but he finished that marathon. It was quite an experience and very humbling. When I think about the runners facing huge obstacles, I better get off my duff and get back to exercising. Anyone, care to go for a run? :)

Florida pictures...maybe.

2008-04-06T19:29:00.000-07:00

I made the boys listen to Dr. Seuss story time and get a picture with the above Things. Sometimes, I really do think that these two visit my house when I am away.

So, I weaseled all of us down to the first row in the Sinbad show and the kids were chosen to help the crowd get excited. They all did a great job and were super excited...Trevor, especially. They each received a gold coin for participating. If you ask Trevor - he'll tell you that it's real!

Sorry...not so good on the pictures, but notice Trevor. :)

Seussland was wonderful at Universal Studios (Islands of Adventure). We had a great time.

Pharoah's Fury...a swinging boat that I would have definitely gotten sick on - the Bickerman's loved it!!!

Vivian and Trevor at Cypress Gardens.

We had an Easter Egg Hunt at the Condo. Kaleb and Trevor both found 20 eggs.

I know that you were all dying to see some pictures, but I couldn't figure out the cool slide shows. Maybe I'll add it to my list of things to learn. Thanks for checking out our silly Florida pictures.

The month of April...

2008-04-06T19:06:00.000-07:00

43 more days of school...summer vacation just around the corner...lazy days and time :) to actually think about the important things in life. April has become a month of staying busy and focusing on family. It has been ten long years since my mom died and I cannot seem to remember what her voice sounded like...that seems like such a weird thing to think about. I also lost my dad two years ago..the same month, of course. My parents and memories seem to come to the front of my brain and stay parked there for the entire month. So, if you have an extra moment during your prayer life, please pray that I begin to sleep during this month without dreams. I am a "rarely remember the dreams" kind of sleeper, but these are the haunting type.

Have you ever thought about the things that you'd like to do...someday? I have...it's an April thing. I was able to cross off two of them so far this year. Can you believe it?
Ride a rollercoaster that loops...check! I rode the horrible Hulk in Florida with Kaleb. He loved it, of course and I was scared, majorly, but I did it. Participate in a play...check! I had a small role in Immanuel's play and kind of liked it. I know, you're probably wondering if a musical is next for me...I don't think that the world is ready for that yet! HAHAHAHAHA I have tons of things that are still on my list and wonder if there are things that you think about doing...someday. I am trying to stop thinking about the some day and think about making these things happen. I listened to Randy Pausch's last lecture at Carnegie Mellon University on Oprah a few months ago. He has terminal cancer and was upbeat and positive and spoke about being a Tigger or an Eeyore. If you haven't seen his last lecture, find it on the internet or read about him in Parade Magazine April 6th edition. Anyways, I want to be a Tigger! Tiggers bounce while Eeyore's moan and complain. Who would you rather be...Tigger or Eeyore?

There's no place like home!

2008-03-29T06:28:00.000-07:00

Upon driving up to Birch Run, I clicked my green clogs and said, "There's no place like home!" HAHA...crazy weather. Kaleb still had on shorts and a t-shirt - I am such the vigilant mother. Trevor, meanwhile got sick at least 5 times on the way home...thank God for buckets and pop cups. The trip was very relaxing and WARM! I thought of you all when Kraig told me that it had snowed here. Where exactly is spring? Kaleb was a dare devil and rode almost every ride and even convinced me to ride the Hulk...that is a never again ride for me. I was better on the Flying Unicorn. :) By the way, I think that I need a vacation from my vacation. Adios all.

Did I mention it was 82 today?

2008-03-23T20:12:00.000-07:00

As I write this, my nose is bright red, think Rudolph, and I am sporting the white sunglass strip! A fashion statement for sure! The drive was loooooooong and the Bickerman's made their appearance a few times. Typical stuff...you're on my side, get off me, that's my game boy game and you can't play, etc. Our condo is nice and the pool is wonderful. The boys and I drove down to Avon Park to stay the night with Vivian and we're going to Cypress Gardens tomorrow before we drive back to Orlando and meet back up with Lori, my teacher friend. I think that Universal Studios is where we're headed on Tuesday and then my long range plans become incomplete. We are just resting, relaxing and having a good time. I forgot what it was like to sit by a pool with the sun on my face and actually read a book. A few more months and we can all bask in the sunshine. Have a great rest of the Easter week, especially those of you with school vacations. Later gators! :D

A much needed vacation

2008-03-19T18:13:00.000-07:00

Well, as I write this, I am dreaming of warm weather in Orlando. The boys and I will be leaving tomorrow after school, Kraig has to work and has a bid due next week, along with a teacher friend and her two girls. I know, I know...the Bickerman's in the backseat along with two girls who totally get along. It should be very interesting! Please pray for safe traveling and a refreshed and relaxing break. Before long, I will be standing in line to figure out what Saginaw Public School that I will be working in as Webber will be closing. My job is stressful (or laughable) depends on the day, and I am just praying that the Lord puts me into the position that He has already worked out for me. Is it wrong to be whispering, "Please be high school?"

I just read Kara's blog and realized how blessed I am to be connected with such a good group of people. You all amaze me in different ways. Have a wonderful Easter and make sure that you connect with the people you love!

Peace out brothas and sistas!

Well, here goes!

2008-03-13T18:33:00.000-07:00

Amanda asked many questions and I will try to answer them...if I can remember!

I am married to a wild and crazy guy...Kraig. He is an electrician and a type A personality. He started his own business a long time ago thinking that he would have more time with his family. This was a dream! The reality is long hours but a happy husband...ah, the trade-offs. My oldest son is Kaleb and he is an artist. He loves to draw and read and watch Napolean Dynamite. The moon boots thing gets him everytime and the katrate part. If you haven't seen it yet, Kaleb would say watch it! He is taking guitar lessons from Joey and loves him...the guitar is okay too but it kinda hurts his fingers. Trevor is the youngest and he is a funny one. He loves to play the drums...thanks to Lynn, the master drummer, swim, and play tennis. His hand eye coordination is not so good on most days so we spend the majority of the time chasing balls instead of actually playing. He is pretty laid back and wants to be a scientist...hug a tree, hug a tree is his latest saying.
Amanda wanted to know the kids' shoe sizes but I am the mom who takes the kids into the store and am shocked to realize that the kids have had small shoes on for months! Usually, one or two sizes too small.
I look up to many people for different reasons. Vivian G. is like a mom to me, since mine is no longer around and Dave G. is like a dad. They are my family, by choice. I have a ball with my Webber teacher friends and look to them for humor in the workplace and a break from the insanity that I sometimes encounter. I have college friends that I can call once a month or once a year and start up like there was never a gap in time. Those are the best! I have come to know my church as a part of my family because I see these people more than I see my own family sometimes. I also have many little ones that I love and look forward to seeing in the nursery each week. What a blessing they are to me...especially the potty trained ones who like to sit and discuss all kinds of great topics!!!
I cannot think of one other question that Amanda asked so I will close with a thought. A person's slice of life, no matter how inconsequential it may seem, allows others to view a portion of one's inner thoughts and develop a better understanding of said person. Thank you for the opportunity to get to know you all, you know who you are, and allowing me to stalk on your sights. I now know that I can sleep better tonight for having said my deepest thought at this moment in my life. By the way, I think that I missed choir practice.