The Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA

We had a great time this past weekend in Hot Springs, VA at The Homestead Resort. This is our second year going, and we had more fun than last year. We were blessed to go again this year and spend some time with both the Bellone and Galietos families. We enjoyed a weekend of swimming, going to the all natural hot springs (the same ones that Thomas Jefferson used to dip into), ice skating (quickly a new favorite activity for Brielle), bowling, tubing, etc. The kids were exhausted each night after very full days of activity. We also got to see Abbie this past weekend as she came down to help us with some evening dinners. The kids got a chance to hang with her while Brett and I went to dinner with the adults on two different nights. I also had the opportunity to go clay disc shooting for the first time. I really enjoyed it, along with the time with Brett.

We both comment on how much the kids are growing up and how these trips are becoming more and more enjoyable again as they can do more and less of our day is spent around planning a nap.

traveling home...airport style...

we had a long day of travel to get home from Virginia, which included a 90 minute van ride, and then two flights, with a 2 1/2 hour layover in Chicago at 7pm. the kids did so well! Braydon saw these pay phones in the airport and promptly referred to them as "the old fashioned phone"...makes me laugh!

a couple pics from this past weekend....(ice sculpting contest in holland)

Family Picture on the giant Ice Chair in front of the Apothecary Shop.

some of the sculptures....it was a little warm for the event, but

some of the sculptures were just so cool! the detail was awesome.

one of our favorites.

not prompted by us at all, the kids asked for this

picture. cute, huh? this is on the corner next to

JP's coffee shop in Holland.

hard to believe it is Winter

with weather like this, it is really hard to believe it is January 9, 2012. I walked Brielle to school today, and then brought scooters when I walked back to pick them up. We played outside for almost 2 hours this afternoon. The sun was amazing, something I know we are lucky to be having right now (i remember those gray winter days as a kid). Sometimes I like to believe that God is just being really nice to us this first winter in Michigan and giving us a slow start to what things are really going to be like. Either way, I will take the sunshine as some true warmth from him and soak it all in!

How could this be.....

We were in Holland on friday night for the Ice Sculpting Contest (pictures to follow) and stayed the night in the "painted house" (as bex calls it). Saturday morning I took Maggie for a walk down to the beach and then around the neighborhoods. The mere fact that I could walk with barely a coat on, no hat, no gloves and still be plenty warm in January is crazy! We keep telling the kids that there will be snow, we moved to Michigan afterall. This has been a crazy season, I have a feeling a lot of snow is still waiting for us in January and February.

Needless to say, I loved the walk. That walk always makes me think about everything, and anything. We are so blessed and we have so much, we sometimes just forget to take it all in as life gets busy and complicated. I mean, how lucky can we be....to have a retreat like that to go to, and then to be able to take that walk down to this beautiful place. We have a retreat to head to for a break, for a change of pace, and family time. I love it!

The Grand Rapids Childrens Museum

One of my resolutions for 2012 was to try more things with the kids, explore more and to try to be more in the moment with them. This past year has been such a year of change and we had so much going on that I think I forgot to take so much of it in. The kids did great, but I do feel like I spent a lot of time getting the house ready to sell, then packing the house, moving the house, and then unpacking the house, and finally getting the house in order to live in. That is a lot of time. So, when we moved to Grand Rapids, I joined the childrens museum as one destination for some additional fun. This has been a great outlet for us, and I have often taken Beckett on her own when the other two are in school. I just love hearing her caring on in conversation for 1-2 hours while we play, discover and learn new things. On occasion, Brielle comes with us too before school and then the girls really get into make believe play. It is so much fun to watch!

and time to start 2012 at school...after a long 2 week break!

the first day back to school after break...

first day back to school after break. as i was helping braydon get ready this morning, he very seriously said to me: "mom, can I tell you something? you seem kinda excited about today....are you? are you excited to have me out of the house again?" i replied with: "braydon, I am excited...i am excited for you to see your friends again, to have recess, and to go to school" he looked at me, big grin....boy, he is getting smart. :)

I have to say, it cracks me up....he is a smart little guy. it is not that I was super excited for him to be out of the house again, but the routine and structured was definitely welcomed. I love breaks, i love vacation..but with little kids things start to spiral out of control. If you have nothing planned, you find yourself wishing the day away...hoping for a nap, a whine free moment, or happy playtime. I have to remember to enjoy these moments because before I know it, they will be gone. Braydon is 7 afterall....what happened to that little guy who used to babble his way around the house, mumbling little phrases to himself and then run to me for a big bear hug. It goes really fast, people tell you that....but you never believe it until you are going through it.

OUR FIRST SNOW.....1/2/2012

We had promised them that moving to Michigan would bring more playtime with snow. We have had such a mild winter so far, no snow even appeared for Christmas. So, you can imagine how excited they were when we woke up this morning to this small blanket of the white stuff. Braydon and Beckett were outside before 9:30am....anxious to jump in. This is really the first year that Beckett can "play" in the snow, and she was so excited! Brielle did join later, but was sleeping during these pictures.

2012 begins

CHEERS TO NEW BEGINNINGS, AND THE START OF A BRAND

NEW YEAR. WE SAY GOODBYE TO NEGATIVE OF 2011 (THERE WERE A LOT OF POSITIVES TOO!) AND SAY HELLO TO THE BRIGHT FUTURE OF 2012!!

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!