Happy Birthday, Mom!

I haven't logged in in awhile; last week was very busy...different appointments and there's always a lot of prep for going 'up north'....I didn't have time to gather any old pictures of my mom like I did for Scott and my dad on their birthdays. Sorry, Mom.

I'm going to let you in on a little secret about my mom. She's the most quietly confident person I know...and in our family, she usually has her needs put last. I'm not sure if it's because we know she won't fuss about it...but I never hear my mom complain. She's not a gossip, although I know she's heard a lot and seen a lot. She's beautiful and passes as my sister in most cases, not my mom. She loves the Lord and isn't afraid to talk about it and show that love. She loves coffee in the morning, and reading; she watches HGTV and isn't much into mainstream TV, which I think is admirable. She enjoys walking on the beach and relaxing in the sun. She hates being cold (ironic that she's lived in northern Michigan for 25 years!) She's thoughtful and soft spoken. She loves her family and puts them before herself...she enjoys white zin and visiting friends and family. Raising me was a struggle I know, but she and I have become the best of friends as I've become and adult...I owe most of the woman I've become to her...her persistence, her patience, her wisdom.....her love- unfailing love. Not many daughters have relationships with their mom like I have...I cherish it very much. Happy birthday, Mom! You mean everything to me and I thank God for the day you were born; I wouldn't be who I am without you! I love you and hope you had a good weekend; we enjoyed seeing you and dad and Grandma Clarke!

I won the bet.....

A couple years ago my dad and I made a bet, for an unspecified amount, who would get stitches first...Ian (Scott's son) or Heath....well I WIN! About an hour ago, we returned home from Metro Health Hospital ER. Heath got 3 stitches in his upper lip. He slipped, as he was lying on the counter and his face came down on a plastic cup...luckily it wasn't a glass cup or it would have been much much worse. Here are some pictures. Oh yeah, he's just like his father, the biggest baby when he's sick or injured ; ) ...we're spoiling him and loving him up lots!

War

No not with North Korea...the card game. When I was young, my Aunt Cindy taught us the card game 'war'. When we would play, she would sing the old song from the 60's?..."war-huh-what is it good for absolutely nothing, say it again...!"

Well, we've carried on the tradition of the war song while we play....here is Heath's rendition...it's a little dark...but the sound is good.....enjoy!

Daylight savings time surprise...

Greetings! Today something happened that has never happened to me....I forgot it was daylight savings! Went to bed, never switched the clocks...got up, didn't realize...went to church....didn't realize...until Jack (of course) noticed that our GPS clock was "wrong". Ugh. Craig and I just looked at each other. We'd heard nothing about it on the news last night or on the radio yesterday....but, sure enough....we missed it...we were late for church, so we had our own service...here are some pictures.....

Craig is giving our 'sermon' here and the boys thought they would bring some 'friends' to church. Then the boys each wanted a chance to preach. The top right is Jack reading from the word....

Here a couple videos of the boys 'preaching'.....it's just too cute....

Month of birthdays.....

I almost forgot to mention my birthday...well I guess technically I did forget, but saw these pictures....anyhoo, I turned 29 ;) last Saturday and it was a very nice day....Craig and the boys surprised me with donuts from this little bakery run by two 80 year old Dutch women...so yummy, and coffee to go with it. I quickly opened my 'dollar store' gifts from the boys; travel containers for shampoo, conditioner and lotion from Heath...useful and colorful, and licorice from Jack...yummy! Thank you, boys!

Later that day Craig and I went to the dollar theater and out to dinner. I got to talk to many of you, which is always nice. I chatted with Scott on facebook, which of course caused me to almost wet myself from laughter, which typically happens when we "get together". I got many well-wishes and that always feels nice. My nephews Isaac (8) and Zane (1) also had birthdays this month.....happy birthday boys...I miss you both so much! Thanks for the pictures, Erika!

Ok, onto the boys, which is the reason for this blog....they are so cute together and I caught one of those moments on camera...this picture is of them having a pow-wow, trying to decide what movie they were going to watch last weekend, after their bath. Too precious.