This and That

The past couple of weeks have been a blur of this and that. It's been awhile since I've posted, so I'll try to update you on what I've (we've) been up to over the past couple of weeks.

Two weeks ago on Monday through Wednesday I took my 5th and 6th graders to Hartley Outdoor Nature Camp. The kids got to discover many new and interesting things. They found a goose's nest with 5 eggs in it that was being guarded by the father!! We also found a snake pit! I didn't get too close, as I dislike even looking at snakes! Students learned more about the local mine industry that was discovered on Hartley's grounds. Also, they got to participate in an Archaeological dig with many finding interesting items, such as tools. Lastly, and most importantly, they participated in a "Game Show" that required them to work together. It was a blast! We had a lot of fun and everyone came home exhausted. It took me two days to recover!! Below is a picture of me with my girls at the Recreation night on Monday.



Thursday and Friday were spent recovering from Hartley and then Saturday I spent the entire day at my school coaching our volleyball teams. Our head coach wasn't in town and so it was up to Julie, Lupe, and I to coach the teams. Both teams had 3 matches with 3 games for each match. We had games starting at 9am and finishing up at 3pm. It was a long day!! Both teams won all their matches. Yeah!! Our 5th and 6th grade team ended their season being undefeated and the 7th and 8th grade team was in first place, even though they had lost two prior games.


Dennis and the girls spent the day helping my dad at the Yacht club cleaning and whatever it is they do:) They had fun and spent time with my dad out, so it was a win, win!

This past week seemed to be a blur! Between having an Anniversary dinner for my parents who celebrated their 41st wedding Anniversary, helping to pull off, surprise, and attend Dawn's 30th Birthday party at Co America park in a party suite, attending a CPR/First Aid class, and last but not least, calling in everyday, sometimes two times a day, to see if I had to serve my jury duty. Where do I begin?

First, and most importantly, I am proud of my parents for keeping it together for 41 years! Dennis and I recently celebrated our 15th year together and it isn't always easy, so I'm proud of them for setting a good example for their children.

Next, Dawn's party! What fun it was: keeping the secret, driving down to Detroit with good friends and laughing about everything, decorating the party suite, and lastly, surprising Dawn. Her reaction was priceless. She was shocked and rendered speechless for much of the night. I'm thankful that we were invited to be a part of Dawn's special day. At the moment I can't find my camera, so I'll post pictures when I find it.

This weekend was filled with volleyball tournaments, again! The 5th and 6th grade had their tournament on Saturday and the 7th and 8th grade had their tournament on Sunday. Being that Dawn had a prior commitment, Julie, Lupe, and I drove up to Pinconning to coach the 5th and 6th grade team to a hopeful victory. Being that we were undefeated, I suspected that everyone was gunning for us. Boy, was I right! We played the first match and won easily. Our next match was with a team we had beat before, but they came in strong. They won the first game, we won the second game. The third game was a nail biter, but they pulled out the win! What a bummer that was! I was so proud of the kids for doing so well the entire season, but it just wasn't meant to be. Oh-well, there is always next year.

Sunday we were planning on driving back up to Pinconning to cheer on the 7th and 8th grade team, but I woke up with a migraine. So we stayed home and prayed for a win, which unfortunately, didn't happen as well. The 7th and 8th grade team was taken down by the same team that took down the 5th and 6th grade team. So, while both teams had a great season, they didn't do well in the tournaments. I had a fun time coaching and look forward to helping next year!

Saturday Dennis took Emily to her first soccer game. She decided to try out the sport and see if she liked it. They only had two practices before their first game, with Emily only attending one practice. She had dance class on the first day of practice. I was sorry that I had to miss her first game, but I didn't want to miss the finally volleyball games. Emily has 4 more soccer games, so I'm good. Anyways, Dennis said Emily did good. Shy, but good. She got the ball 3-4 times and ran with it. I'll post pictures again, when I find my camera.

Well, that about sums up the past two weeks. Nothing much going on with Lauren, except she is starting to get back with boyfriend #1, who we liked alot. We'll see, she seems to be finicky. This upcoming week is looking to be intense, being that our school is going through a re-accreditation. You'll find me at the bar Wednesday night when it is all over:)

The Bar Not the Freezer

Another Emily funny:) This past week after picking up a bunch of canned vegetables at Krogers, they were on sale and everyone knows that I like sales. Anyways, I asked Emily to put them away in the bar (downstairs we have a bar setup which we use for food storage). I didn't think any more about it until last night.

I asked Lauren to put some meat in the freezer for me. After putting the meat in the freezer, she ran back upstairs and said to me quizzically, "Mom, did you put canned vegetables in the freezer?" I said, "No, why?" and she answered, "because there are a bunch of canned vegetables in the freezer." It dawned on me then, oh, Emily. Lauren and I went downstairs and I called Dennis and Emily downstairs. After they met us downstairs, I opened the freezer and said, "who did this?" We all started laughing, and Emily said, "Oh, I thought you told me to put them in the freezer." Needless to say, we now have a bunch of canned vegetables that have been frozen. It will be interesting to see if they are still good once they are defrosted!

Anyways, today we got up early and drove to East Tawas for our volleyball games. I help coach our school's volleyball teams. It was a long drive, but we got there early, so we had lunch before the games. The 5th and 6th grade team played 2 games and they won both. They are still undefeated. Yeah!!! The 7th and 8th grade team unfortunately lost their game and have now lost 2 games, which is still good. I find myself getting so involved in these games. They are so intense for me and I love watching them play. I never played volleyball in high school, but I am really enjoying helping to coach these girls and boys!

Dennis and I just finished watching the movie, The Number 23, which was a weird movie. I don't think I would recommend it. Now we are watching, The Departed, the jury is still out on this one for me, lots of swearing:)

Emily, just ran in here to announce in her "younger sister" voice, that Lauren's new boyfriend is a sophomore. Lauren is yelling at her from the other room, So, we'll see. Boyfriend number one has already asked her to be his girlfriend again, she said, "No." If I had my way, I would've said, "Yes." I can't help that I like him.

Well, gotta go, Dennis is giving me the eyes(making sure I am watching his movie, since he watched mine). ~Amy

Doldrums and Boyfriends

What a boring weekend I had. I didn't go to the store or anywhere. I spent most of the weekend in my pajamas grading papers! Yuck! Although it always feels good when I get them done, a necessary evil!:)

Now for the boyfriend part. Throughout my high school years I always remember my parents telling me to get my head in my studies and and away from the boys. I did like the boys, but not excessively. They say you get paid back in spades, right. Enter my first born daughter, Lauren.

Lauren is a freshman this year and hasn't shown any interest in boys until 3-4 months ago. I was beginning to worry. Finally, she had her first boyfriend, who we really got to like! Within 2 months, she broke up with him and was with a new guy. Her new boyfriend was okay, not the first one, whom we had gotten close to. Well, tonight she broke up with boyfriend number 2 because she found out that he smokes. I don't know whether to be proud or talk with her about going through boys excessively, because I think she is already eyeing up the next one!! I always spent more that 2 months with my boyfriends in high school! So, stay tuned!!

Funny story - Last week when I was taking Lauren to school and Emily was with me she noticed the moon in the sky. It was big and highly visible, a beautiful sight. Anyways, Emily was silent after pointing to the moon and exclaiming how big it was and then she says to me, "Mom, someday can we go to the Moon?" Just like we can go to the mall, right! I told her, Emily, if you have 20 million dollars, we can go to the moon." "Oh," she replied, and that was then end of that:) There are no boundaries with her, she reaches for the stars in her mind!

This is the same daughter who after being told about how Jesus died for our sins and rose again, says, "Mom, if he can die and come back to life, why can't I?" I love her quesitons, she challenges me! So, stay tuned!!!

Have a good week!!~Amy