Wielding the mighty pen

Both Gabe and Zach have shown an aptitude for writing and over the last year this gift has really taken off for both of them; Gabe is writing and illustrating stories and Zach has a knack for poetry.

Recently Gabe had a book of his "published" at school which is now in circulation at his school library. His dean offered to him that he could read the story on power point during a middle school assembly, and of course, never one to be shy, my Gabe jumped at the chance!

Both boys were involved in a multi-school poetry event called "icreate" and out of hundreds of students (3-8 grade) Zach's poem was chosen as one of the winners. Local musicians put the poems to music and there was an amazing night at the local theater while they presented to songs to the children. Zach was called up on stage while his poem was presented in an awesome musical performance.

Very proud of these boys who have had so many transitions and adjustments to deal with this year; rather than choosing resentment they are embracing their new lives for what they are.

Last night we attended a soup supper at the boys school and happily Zach was able to have a bearded dragon sit on his head. :0)

A day at the museum

My friend Andrea casually mentioned at our Friday night pizza gathering she thought my kids might enjoy the free day coming up at the Henry Ford Museum; I replied  that since before we even moved to Michigan Gabe has wanted to go, so - "count us in!"

Not sure if my views of his politics had made me put off going to the museum, I was   happy to be prompted to take the kids, and even happier to hear we could turn a hundred dollar outing into a free family day.

And boy, did this family day deliver.

I got pictures if each of my kids sitting  in Rosa Parks seat, on the very bus she made history in! The boys stood in front of President Kennedy's limo - the one he was in when he got shot- as well as the limo President Reagan was in when he was shot. We enjoyed history of planes, trains AND automobiles (which brings to mind a movie... Definitely more laughs with the movie although I must have chuckled at some point between 1.) wrestling Rilla into her stroller, 2.) visiting each and every restroom in the 9 acre facility with a toddler who has taken to singing loudly as she announces the details of what's going on in her stall, and 3.) waiting in line for thirty minutes to take a tour before reaching the front of the line only to repeat steps 1 & 2...).

All in all it was a wonderful time spent with wonderful friends ; we even learned some stuff! :0)

We are the snowiest!!

Imagine that, it's snowing! 

Apparently this is the snowiest winter on record for Michigan, or in the last ten years or SOMETHING but no matter the statistic, believe me when I say, it's snowy!

Special delivery

Nana is soooo great about sending packages to us in the mail:0) - in addition to all the other things she is great about.

(What I am failing to mention is that WE are not so good at waiting to eat the delicious Granite State candy chocolates she sent... )

Seven

This morning our church met with six other churches from town at the Jackson High Auditorium for a giant service. The goal was just to promote the idea that we are all headed the same way and should be working together to bring about positive change in Jackson. Despite the itty-bitty teenager sized chairs that could hardly be expected to contain children, jackets, snacks, Bibles, books, toys and people, and then me carelessly leaving my husband behind as I gave myself the proverbial pat on the back for getting out of the parking lot so quickly (in my defense he went early to "valet" cars for the elderly so I assumed he had the same ride home...) it was a grand experience. No doubt the lovely folk who inadvertently sat next to our noisy bunch all sang songs of praise on the way home in their quiet, peaceful vehicles, glad their child rearing days are behind them; but ours are in full swing and I am determined to enjoy each chaotic day.

When I procrastinate...

So basically my blogging pattern is that I do very well keeping up and then my phone memory gets full or we are sick or some other mundane part of life comes along and I get so behind on the blog I feel it's unfair to post until I am caught up. Maybe it's a sign of maturity (insanity...?) to recognize I will NEVER actually catch up so the only way left to me is to dive in where we are. 

My boys are now ten and eleven, Rilla is of course taller and we are in our second semester at school. Break was a wonderful time to take a deep breath and consider how to make small positive changes which will make things a bit smoother around here. Some new things are cooking but more about them later.

Some missing links -

How those weeks in between Thanksgiving and Christmas get swallowed up is beyond me. The week before Thanksgiving I was busily preparing to surprise my mom by showing up on her doorstep with three kids so I remember  where that week went...

We were given an amazing gift that allowed us to go to NH while my dear husband worked over that holiday. While the 15 hours  to NH and the 18 hours from NH did take a toll on me, I would do it again in a heartbeat. This new life we have taken on will involve many such days of long drives that are made much shorter by the mere fact that at the other end of that loooooong highway (oh, Interstate 90.... My feelings are very mixed towards you!) and so the time has come to embrace the holidays of driving and also of keeping many miles between us and those we hold closest to us.

As a surprise to me, mom and dad had seen Jake, Abby and Lucy and they came over for a visit while we were there. "Noni" is what I have decided to be in lieu of Grannie, Grandma, or MeeMaw (right?!) because I remain firmly convinced that anyone under the age of 35 should not have to answer to name implying such vast years. Or wisdom!