Ballet Starts, School Picnic, and Aunt Angela visits!!!!

this was a crazy busy week, but we made it!!! Every day we had something going on, and it was really fun...exhausting at times..but fun. I am still amazed at all the things I can do and not really drive more than 5 miles, that is crazy to me! I was commenting to Brett that I have not filled up the gas tank for the van in 2 weeks!!! It is not that I am not leaving the house, things are just closer...ahhh, how nice. It is starting to feel more and more like home and that is good. I did feel a longing for Maryland earlier this week, maybe for the comfort of the known...but I was quickly reminded why I like it here so much with the sounds of my kids playing, talking to their grandparents, riding bikes around the block, playing at the back to school picnic, etc. All things we could easily do in Maryland, but now with the comforts of "pleasantville" around me. :) Beckett was sick this week, poor thing.....we ended up skipping school on Friday and will start fresh on Monday with another try. I know she has a hard time with the separation, but it is good for both of us. Both kids had soccer games this morning....Braydon did a great job of keeping a positive attitude and tried to participate, Brielle got really nervous and sat on the sidelines. Both kids are making friends at a fast pace, and have been playing with several others on a daily basis, makes a mommy happy!

school picture day...Y5's (I forgot to take Braydon's picture)

getting so tall!

first day of ballet for Beckett. She got really excited, and then really nervous and would not go into the class. She promised me that next week she would try.

first day this year of ballet for Brielle. As always with new things, she was scared and nervous and excited at the same time. She enjoyed it, one complaint...."it was really long"..it is an hour long class versus 45 minutes. :)

back to school picnic with some friends, The Rapaport family

Aunt Angela is visiting us for the weekend!!!! Can you tell Beckett was excited at the airport as she was watching for her to walk down the jet way. They are now all playing and not letting Aunt Angela out of their sight!

Beckett starts school..

Beckett had her first day of school on Monday, September 12th 2011. She is enrolled in the Tween (2 1/2-3yr old) program at the Children's Workshop. She was very excited about going, and could not stop talking about her teacher Miss Gloria. I wish I could say the excitement lasted, but when I dropped her off and said goodbye, she immediately started to cry. I left, being my third child..I know that it is better for me just to go...not to linger. The hard part this time, she is my baby, my last one....and I can tell that I handle these situations differently. I left and promptly returned at 3pm to pick her up, only to see her sitting with a teacher, pacifier in the mouth and tear stained cheeks. Yep, she had cried most of the time, acted very tired and not really involved herself at all. When we got to the car I asked her about her day, "i was scared mommy without you there." I assured her that I would always come back and get her. After that moment, the tiredness went away, she was chatty, giggling and playful. So, we will see what happens when I take her on Wed.

High School Football and Homework....

Friday night we took the kids to the high school football game. East Grand Rapids vs. Union. East won the game easily, but it was the experience that was fun. The last time our kids were at a football game it was an NFL game to see the RAVENS...this is so much different. I had not been to a high school football game since I was in high school. It was really cool to see the community support that surrounds this team, and this school. I think more than once, Brett and I looked at each other and were both thinking the same thing... "we did the right thing, this is so right for not just us, our kids, but for our entire family" I have thought about this move a lot lately and events like that just reassure us once more that we listened to GOD, we waited for his timeline and we let things line up when they were supposed to. There are still so many uncertainties, but we can reassure that we are in the best possible place.

watching the games from the stands

sitting in the stands, looking out.

We also entered the world of homework. Braydon is in 1st grade and we knew it was coming, but had just forgotten about it. This was his first assignment, an "all about me" chart. Needless to say, it got done....not without some whining, complaining, laughter and help. I feel like I really have this big kid, big tasks, and big fun! The homework is somewhat torture for the parent when the kid is not excited....we will hope for excitement on a more frequent basis this year. I am so proud of him and what he has learned this past couple years, he is doing so well in school and generally really likes school. Favorite subject: Reading. :)

other first day of school pics.....

on his way for his WALK to school...no more buses....it is by foot, or a ride from mom and dad now. :)

and SOCCER begins....

new chapter: our kids have never really shown any interest in team sports, hence why we have stuck with gymnastics, ballet, and karate. When we moved....i mentioned to Brielle that East Grand Rapids Recreation Department had soccer....she immediately wanted to play. First practice is tonight....we will see how it goes. She was ver excited to go. Brett was planning on staying for the whole practice.

Brielle and Beckett before the first practice. Beckett is really into copying her older sister right now, so of course....she had to bring a ball to the practice too!

Braydon also started soccer today, although once today came he was not as excited as he had been about starting. We are not trying to force but to set the example that when we sign up for something we give it our best shot and then go from there. I was really proud of him for going. After practice....he did say he was excited for his scrimmage on Saturday...we will see. :)

First Day of School 2011

First Day of School 2011

Wealthy Elementary, East Grand Rapids, MI

Braydon started 1st grade with Mrs. Doele. He absolutely loved his first day in a new school and thinks that this school is awesome! He loves that he has 3 recesses and that they have a huge playground and play area to play in. He is also excited to have his own desk and locker!!

Brielle started Young Five's with Mrs Ziemba. She made it through her first day with a brave face (few tears), and was excited to go on the second day. This has been a huge change, and transition for her and we are really proud of her for doing it. Even today when I dropped her off (second day) she was more smiley, and will to into the classroom on her own.

Here is to a new year!

Beckett starts next week at Children's Workshop, MWF afternoons.

summer comes to an end......

(ludington state park, MI ....September 1st, 2011)

summer is ending....school starts tomorrow. the past three months have

brought a lot of change for our family, all good. i think back to all the

nights we prayed about this change, and really asked God to hold our hands, guide us,

and direct us on the correct path.....we listened and we waited until it really

was the right time. timing is everything. we are starting to get settled,

more boxes have been unpacked, things are put away, friends are being made, we are finding

our familiar routes, but tomorrow marks the start of yet another change...a new school.

the kid have nerves, anxiety, and fears....but what kid doesn't before that

first day? this has been an amazing time in our lives....we are all really

looking forward to the first fall in Michigan.

The summer of change is coming to an end....now more change..

as I sit on the couch in the Big Bay house....my kids are running around the house, being loud, laughing, jumping, giggling, pretending play, and fighting. yep..fighting..but....that is normal, right? We have had quite a summer...very non-stop to be clear. Let's look:

1. Memorial Day weekend....put the Maryland house on the market.

2. June 4-12th...California (Ross and Georgina's wedding, visit with Bart and Mel, Disneyland,

San Diego Zoo)

3. Came home to an offer on our house, and SOLD! we sold our Maryland house in 16 days....that

that was incredible, stressful, blessing, scary...all at the same time. We never even

thought we would see our house that fast.....we were very prepared to hold on to it

for some time.

4. June 26th-July 8th ....michigan vacation with the Bolt family

5. July 9-15th.....back to Maryland to pack our house....many emotions! We also have many

tearful goodbyes to lots of good friends!

6. July 15th....the movers pack our house in 2 large trucks, and a trailer....they pull away from

our house and our entire family sheds tears......tears of excitement, sadness, anticipation,

etc.

7. July 19th....the movers arrive in Michigan with our stuff. The hottest day (100 degrees, full

humidity) of the summer!

8. The process of unpacking starts, and adjustment to another home. We spend a lot of time at

the beach, with family, and friends.

9. July 28th....Brett and Kim go to Traverse City Film festival to see Ross's movie, "Deadheads"

10. August...we start to settle in, sorda....we find ourselves in constant motion....time to make

our way in this new neighborhood.

As I look at all that change, it took place in a short timeline, but we had planned for it. We prayed a lot about making this move, about making change in our lives, and talked with those close to us about it. We had known for a long time we wanted to make this change....we needed it. As a family, this is a great move for all of us. Don't get me wrong....Maryland is wonderful and we have MANY fond memories there, but we knew that our family was most important and being near that family would make a difference in our lives in years to come. I am so proud of may family, my husband specifically for having the courage to make this change.

Now that we are here....we see many possibilities, and are excited for what the future is holding for us. We have a lot to do, but we do finally feel like we are home....

2011.....the summer of change!

My goal is to start writing in this blog more frequently again, as it really is a place for me to document our lives, our adventures....and the constant changing of our kids!

The summer has started, we have been really busy....and the next month will prove to be no different. In less than 3 weeks, the trucks will be at our house to load all the boxes, all the furniture, and other things and start the 12 hour drive to Michigan. In less than 3 weeks, we will be residents of Michigan! It is so hard to believe that it is really happening, that we really are moving and that we are starting a new chapter of life.

I, of course have lots of anxiety (as does our entire family) about this move....but really, truly believe this is the best thing for our family, our kids, my husband, etc. I will miss many parts of Maryland and hope that someday we can take the kids back to show them all the beauty of that state that we lived in for the first part of their lives. The rolling hills, the horse country, the big city, the close vicinity to all the fun on the East Coast, the wonderful seasons (and lack of winter), etc. I will tell them all about that good things that we got to experience because we lived there.

We are very excited about this move, and about showing the kids the beauty of Michigan! This is a new adventure for our family!

bye bye Aunt Angela.....

Aunt Angela left today, after living with us for nearly 7 months. Needless to say, it was an emotional morning for all of us. I am not quite sure the kids fully understand that she will not be coming back, that this is a permanent move and we will not see her on a daily basis anymore. The kids have more than enjoyed having Aunt Angela around this year, from the play times, talks, laughing, dancing, etc....she was a blast to have here! My kids have such a deep bond with her that will last into their lifetime after this stay, she was here for more than a third of Beckett's life...isn't that crazy? Beckett has definately developed an attachment to her, often choosing to sit on her lap when she was in an uncomfortable situation or tired. I will miss Beckett greeting Angela in the morning with a giant hug, and Braydon telling her all about his day at school, and Brielle just being plain and goofy with her.

I will miss my sister. I think we have grown closer in the past few months than we have been in any of our adult life. We understand each other, that we are different and that we accept that about one another. I feel like i gained a friend, along with a deeper bond with her in this time. She helped me a lot in the past few months and I can only hope we were able to help her as well. i love you angela.

The good news is we will see her in two weeks for Easter, and then again at Ross and Georgina's wedding in June. I do plan to take the kids to her farm sometime in May to go strawberry picking and to give them a chance to see where she is living.

Beckett turns 2! (march 27th)

i did it...

i took both girls to the mall today......

i really did....

and to think, just two years ago....i really thought that would never be possible because they would be too active, too out of control, and i would not be able to handle it. but, you know what...

we had a great time! we shopped (for a wedding gift, and a few summer items), we ate lunch, we laughed, we walked (alot!) and we had a wonderful experience!

i look at them and really wonder how we made it to this point, and yet there are so many things to come....beckett is only 2 after all, and brielle only 4! we have so many more experiences to have.

an then there is braydon....i missed him today. being in school all day changes things for him, i feel like i don't get those outings with him anymore, or those quick runs to the store, or even the library. i remember when it was just he and i, and we would jet all over the place because it was only us and our schedule....no one else. i miss those days at times, and the close bond i have with my little boy....he is becoming so much more right now...and so fast!

i did it, i really did it.....

these kids, we made these kids....GOD gave us the gift to raise them.....i love it! I love them!

Beckett turns 2!

I really can't believe it...my "baby" is 2! Where does that time go? How come it goes so fast? This past week, every time I walked by a family with a tiny baby I felt a twinge inside of me.....that feeling of, "oh, what would it be like to have another baby." I am very content with our family, and don't really want to have another baby, but the idea that all my kids are beyond that "baby baby" stage is just crazy to me. I look at Braydon now and he is this handsome young man, with intellect, humor, ideas, and personality.....and he is 6! really! and then there is Brielle...she is changing before our eyes....into this beautiful young girl with so much spunk and energy....where did my baby go? Now, Beckett...in the past few months has just blown me away with her words, humor, her spice of life.....where did my baby go?

I am really excited for what is to come in the future for our family, it just seems to happen so fast. People tell you when you have a baby to enjoy it because it will move so quickly....it really does!

Happy Birthday Daddy! (bretton)

Happy Birthday Daddy! 42!

The kids were really excited to try his cake this year, we made an Angel Food cake from scratch with everyone's help. We enjoyed pizza for dinner from J & P to help support Braydon's elementary school, and the PTA program. We celebrated as a family the night before his birthday because Brett and I were going to New York City for the weekend just the two of us!

and yes....Brielle is in a robe, underneath is her bathing suit....this has been the outfit of choice for about a week. :)

her first really good set of pigtails!

the kids all made their own cards for Brett for his birthday, and Brielle was excited that she wrote her name herself on the card. :)

We spent the weekend in New York City! Angela and Abbie had the kids for the weekend, and we enjoyed some adult time just the two of us. Friday night we had dinner at Suyra (and Indian restaurant in Soho), and Saturday night we saw the broadway show Wicked. It was excellent! We entire weekend we also shopped, walked around, and just enjoyed being together!

the kids with Abbie during the weekend (doesn't look like they miss us much:))

love you babe!

standing in front of the Kardashian sisters store

the streets of Soho

our fun saturday afternoon find, "the cupping room" we sat

and had coffee, omelets, and a chocolate filled croisant.

have to take the token picture infront of Rockefellar center

A Bunch of Random......

I always find that we take so many pictures at Christmas, that when January rolls around we forget about the camera for about a month. This year has started no different as I feel like days are going by before I even turn the camera on. Oh well, life is busy...what can I say. Today is Martin Luther King day, schools are closed and all three kids and I are home.

2010 Christmas Comic (by Brett)

Brielle's preschool class took a trip the Gamber Firehouse. Daddy took her on this field trip which made the day extra special.

Braydon had the opportunity to go to the Raven's Football game with Brett....had a GREAT time!

cheese!

little ladybug. :)

making cookies with mommy! (and yes, they did enjoy eating the batter just like their mommy likes to do.....yummy!)

how she got herself in here, I have no idea?

new little outfits that mommy bought after finding out that our flight was cancelled and we would be staying in Michigan for 2 additional days at Christmas. They are becoming better friends every day. Beckett really looks up to her sister. :)

our little sleeping angel....

Beckett's first playdate without her siblings, Bella and Beckett had a great time!

just too cute not to take a picture! sleeping literally on her pillow. :)