Back to Happy

It has been such a long time since I wrote - life has been so overwhelming that I don't think I would know where to begin. I look forward to reading up on all my dear blog friends and see where you have been and what has happened in the past year.

We have been on a long road of healing and it has gone fairly well. I can only say that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and I have now started the Hercules Club :)

As of Friday the little ones are done with school, Christie and Will are done with finals. Christie has some work left to finish and she is on her way to recovery and starting a new year. She has cheerleading tryouts and clinics this week and I pray she finds her way back to happy. She is almost there, I'm glad to say.

I see that a lot of my blogging buddies have new babies, have moved, have just as many life changing experiences as we have. Can't wait to hear all about them.

It's EVERYWHERE!

Every time we turn on TV or radio or open your emails or facebooks - all you see lately is Bullying! Know why? IT'S EVERYWHERE!!!! Not a day goes by in our lives lately that we aren't personally living this evil. No matter who you talk to or who you stand by, you hear it affecting so many people and families.

For anyone that knows our family - you know that this past May, our beautiful Christie was a victim of a severe brutality. Not a day goes by she isn't reliving it. Our schools aren't doing anything to help. They are standing behind their "govermental immunities" but I want to say BS!!!! It is OUR tax dollars that pay your salaries - It is OUR tax dollars that pay for lights and water to run in that school - IT SHOULD BE OUR TAX DOLLARS that decide where our kids go and who to fire if the job isn't being done properly!!!

I just don't understand any of this. She continues to deal with it daily because other kids are SO RUDE and have no care in the world for others. IT STARTS AT HOME!!!!!!!!!

Raise your kids to say - PLEASE AND THANK YOU! Raise your kids to say - NO, YOU FIRST. And most of all, raise your kids - TO STAND UP FOR THOSE THAT CAN'T STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES!!! IT STARTS AT HOME!

Oh My!

With Facebook and Tweeter and emails and every other form of communication out there, I almost forgot about my loving blogging.

My new years' resolution to update at least monthly so that if anyone is still out there :), they can get the skinny on our clan.

I miss all my blogger friends but catch your updates on Facebook. Happy New Year everyone and see you soon.

Nan

Happy Birthday My Love :)

Happy Birthday to You.
Happy Birthday to You.
Happy Birthday Dear Ron, the Love of My Life.
Happy Birthday to You.

My neighbor posted this on Facebook from our Superbowl Party. Gotta love the 3D glasses.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Okay, I knew this day would come, but sometimes as a mom, you just don't want to admit it. With 4 kids in our family, it is always exciting to celebrate a birthday; however, there are certain milestones you don't look forward to hitting.

Our baby, Courtney Anne is 6 today. Quite funny really, here's how our conversation went.

Courtney: "When does my birthday start?"

Mom: "Tomorrow"

Courtney: "I know, when tomorrow?"

Mom: "You mean what time in the day?"

Courtney: "Yep"

Mom: "12:01 am so when you wake up, it's already your birthday. You get the whole entire day."

Courtney: "Screaming and yelling! Get out mom, are you serious? I bet I'm the only one ever."

Talk about an easy way to make your kids happy. However, now our baby is 6 and I think that is the point in children when they really aren't babies anymore. She is still MY baby, but she starts a whole new phase in life.

Where did the time go?

I just can't keep up!

So, I never got around to posting my halloween pictures even. But here is one that I HAD to post. So, you all know that my daughter Christie cut her hair off and donated it. Well, what you don't know is that she decided she wanted some permanent Hot Pink highlights. SO, we dyed her hair white (in chunks) then colored it hot pink. It was totally cool because it even glowed in the black light.

Well, she has decided that she wants a more "mature" hair style. So, with that said, here is her new hairdo.

What do you think?

Where do I even begin?

OH MAN! So my loyal blogging buddies have been SO good to me, and patient. I realize it has been FOREVER since blogging - sorry about that. But I have been checking in on all of you here and there.

Let's see, it all started 3 weeks ago when we had this HUGE deadline at work. The first week I put in 107 hours (Mon-Sun). The following week was a lot better, that was only 76 hours. Last week I was finally back to 40 hours, but with way too much to catch up with at home. So, here I am - finally.

It is really amazing how much stuff you can miss in just a few weeks. We had an election - I did get in to vote, my daughter Ashley finally lost her upper tooth (thought it would never fall out) and we had Halloween. I have SO many pictures to post for you guys!

But most of all, we have had such great weather! It has been cold and warm but I love fall so in between is good.

And - drum roll please!!!!! My mom is back watching my kids again for day care and it is the best thing ever! My kids are actually happy again. We had someone else for a while but, without details, I DIDN'T WORK AT ALL!!!!! So, Nana is back watching the kids, the kids are back to being happy again, and we are all becoming sane, just like before.

And I promise I won't be away for so long next time, OKAY AIMEE??? Missed you too!

What a Week for Chicago!

There is no doubt that my favorite team is the Sox! I have no clue what anyone believes about the Cubbies, but they just can't seem to get it done. And yet here I am just thanking GOD that we are one more day in the playoffs. Will we go all the way? Who knows, maybe not, but how exciting was this weekend?

Sox won yesterday, Bears SLAUGHTERED the Lions yesterday and all my Cub fans friends are finally off my back about the Northsiders.

GO SOX - GO BEARS! I LOVE THIS CITY!

Same Great Cause!

Okay, I hope I'm giving you all enough time to plan ahead for Monday, September 29th. ALL Chili's will be having their Donation Profit's Day. All their profits from the entire day will be going to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

So, with that said, I hope you find yourself enjoying a nice meal on Monday, whether it be lunch or dinner at Chili's for a great cause!

All for the Cause!

Christie has always been known for that long, blonde flowing hair.

She tends to put it up in these really funny buns.

But what you don't know about her, is that she will do anything for Cancer Research and Cancer Fundraising. Even cuttinting that long flowing hair. She did it at 5, she did it at 10, and she did it YESTERDAY! Check her out now! WAY TO GO CHRISTIE! I LOVE YOU AND YOU LOOK AWESOME!!!!

Supplies for 4

So the kids are all off to school now. Courtney is handling kindergarten well. I thought I'd share a little something with you, just in case you ever wondered what school supply shopping might be like for 4 kids. So, here is the following:

52 - #2 pencils
8 - bottles of glue
21 - glue sticks
28 - spiral notebooks
37 - 2 pocket folders w/fasteners
4 - plastic 2 pocket folders
4 - pair of scissors
6 - 24 count crayon boxes
1 - 24 count colored pencils
2 - 12 count colored pencils
2 - 8 count washable markers (broad)
2 - 24 count washable markers (slim)
200 - notecards
4 - rulers
2 - scientific calculators (for advanced math TI-83)
8 - highlighters
2 - rolls of scotch tape
5 - packets of post-it notes
15 - floppy disks
2 - USB flashdrives (just in case the computers won't work with the floppies)
12 - pencil top erasers
3 - pink erasers
24 - blue pens
24 - black pens
12 - red pens
2 - compasses
2 - protractors
3 - pencil cases
3 - 2" binders
2 - 1/2" binders
5 - packets of loose-leaf paper (wide ruled)
2 - trapper keepers
1 - accordian folder
4 - backpacks
NOT SHOWN
4 - pairs of shoes (to leave at school for gym class)
7 - boxes of kleenex
4 - packages of baby wipes
4 - bottles of hand sanitizer
8 - rolls of paper towels
3 - boxes of gallon size ziplock bags (girls)
1 - box quart size ziplock bags (boys)

And just think, by Thanksgiving they will be asking for more paper and pencils and pens. Who knew!!

On a Mission!

Okay, I am on a mission for the Ultimate Breakfast Casserole! We do birthday celebrations at work and I attempted a breakfast casserole. Although everyone here at work thought it was TO DIE FOR, I thought I could totally do better.

SOOOO, with that said, if anyone has a REALLY GOOD breakfast casserole recipe they would like to share, please feel free to do so. We have another birthday celebration on Friday.

If we get enough recipes, I may try them all and I will let you know the favorite!

And She's Off!

Our Little Miss Courtney is officially a Kindergartener! She couldn't wait to get on the bus, but after waiting a full 12 minutes, she did just great!

True Bears Fan!

A DOCTOR WHO IS A BEARS FAN

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A PATIENT WHO IS A BEARS FAN

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A BROKEN HAND

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Yep, that's my colorful cast. I broke it 2 weeks ago tripping over the dog. Who knew, it figured it would get better, i guess I was wrong!

She made a difference!

Kathleen Collins was the most incredible woman I have ever met. She was Ron's aunt, but more than that, she lit up a room and never said no. She would bend over backwards for anyone, especially her family, she was just so special. It was also 11 years ago today that we lost this amazing, beautiful woman. Aunt Kathy, you will FOREVER be in our hearts!! We love you!

Happy Birthday Heather!

On August 18th, 1997, we lost our sweet daughter, Heather Ann. This year is so bitter sweet as we send our last little baby off to Kindergarten. The house will be VERY empty next week when the kids go back to school. I just can't believe that they are all grown and there are no more babies at home. God has been so good to our family and we are just to thankful for the things in our lives.

I just want to share a little something with you. If it goes too fast to read the whole thing, feel free to click it on and read it page for page. My mom gave it to me last year on what would have been her 10th birthday.

Aren't They Adorable?

Sorry it's been so long since I've shown you my MOST ADORABLE nephews, but they came in to celebrate the 4th with us. Here are a few fun photos from their visit and a few photos from their visit to the Denver Zoo. Love you guys!!! Can't wait to see you again!

A New Toy!

We found these new underwater disco lights for the pool, but Ron and I found that if you turn the lights off, you can do some fun stuff with the camera. Check it out! hehehe, the fun things we can do when the kids are asleep!

Another Fun Concert!

John Mayer and Colbie Caillat!

We went down to Tinley Park for the concert and we were totally prepared for what we could and could not bring into the concert. No alcoholic beverages, no bottles, only soft-sided coolers or backpacks. Food must be contained in clear containers, SO WE GOT PREPARED!

VODKA WATERMELON!!! (no alcoholic BEVERAGES), unless you count the liquor in the CLEAR CONTAINER! HEHEHEHE

Vodka Watermelon and Bacardi Pineapples!! Still, no alcoholic BEVERAGES and they are in clear containers! YEAH!!! We also enjoyed injected Vodka Oranges (helps to go to a concert with a nurse, Thanks Celeste!!). Considering the beers there were $11.00 each, we did just fine without them.

Someone was being shy, but there is Celeste with the YUMMY oranges!

Thank you Celeste and Robb for coming along!

Kenny Chesney Concert - ROCKED!