Love my job

I love my job.
I love these people. They are why I love my job.

Marriage Matters Jackson!

Tonya Kylee Shelby

Liza & Jaci

Best Website EVER- AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com

This is the BEST website EVER that my friend and co-worker Liza introduced me to.  AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com has weird, random, some creepy and downright hilarious family photos.  This one made me laught so hard last night that I stopped breathing for a few seconds, my eyelids felt like they turned inside out and I had tears running down my face.  One of my best laughs of my life- just struck me funny.There's just so much going on here.  Made it my profile pic on Facebook for a day and thought I'd capture it on the old blog to remember it long term. Enjoy...

Crazy Cat Lady

I like Blogs because you can preserve fun family memories or simply highlight random things that make you laugh. Saw this sign near the fountain at the Lake Michigan Beach at St. Joseph. I personalized the name to cover her number but I LOVED the fact we were supplied with options for names the kitty might respond to.  Absolutely ignores you if you say "kitty kitty" or "Fluffy" but whip out NANA or LITTLE GIRL and you've got puddy-tat snapping to attention.

Why oh why couldn't I have been around when these folks were roaming the streets yelling for this cat? I'm sure passers-by were concerned that someone busted out of a nursing home or else they were witnessing an Amber Alert.  No grandma's, no little kids, just a creepy black cat.

Side-note I hope Nana (A.K.A Little Girl) made it home safely! Probably a run-away cuz she thought the names were stupid.

Summer Vacation 2010

A few quiet minutes in the middle of a fun family vacation.  Mecosta MI, overlooking the lake, sun twinkling on the water, amazing breeze passing through.   A rogue cricket and the water lapping at the bottom of the rowboat are the only things I can hear. The precious few moments I get like this remind me how full and happy my life really is. I get to drink in a few minutes of quiet reflecting time where I can thank God for his blessings and stare out the window, reflecting on his exquisite creation for as long as this recess lasts. 

If I didn't have the promise of a pontoon full of chaos returning to the dock in an hour or so, I might find this same setting kind of empty and lonely. This wouldn't feel the same if there wasn't anyone to share it with. Pretty soon the pontoon will return to port from Party Island and up the dock will trot Drew, Sam, Faith, Grace, John, Melissa, Meg, Duncan and my Dad...tickling, tattling, bedtime treats, teasing and tooth brushing will resume.

For this moment no one needs anything from me. But what a comfort to know there are 3 little faces I will wash up later and kiss goodnight; and a sun-kissed husband who I will snuggle up to and reflect on the truth that our life is good.

Pensacola Pics- Spring Break 2010

Pics of Pensacola. We had a fantastic time on our Spring Break Trip to Pensacola. Drew's mom died when he was a little boy but she was one of 8 kids and many of them still live in Pensacola so we were loved on for the week with true southern hospitality. I took a TON of pics but I'll just post a couple to highlight our fun!

Back In The Saddle Again

Remembered my blog. Decided to check back in with myself. Over a year... wow. Strangely enough I am over-do for a haircut which seems to be my theme here. Facebook has had my attention for this last year. Better instant gratification. :) But I like blogs and following the little things in our life in one place. Snapshot April 2010- Drew is Asst. VP at Comerica in Battle Creek, my work with Marriage Matters Jackson is amazing and we become our own non-profit officially next week!

Sam is 10, in 4th grade with Mr. Greenslade. He has never played soccer but his speed got him an invitation to try out for a travel team. He has played only 3 games (in his life) and scored 2 goals already! He's smart and funny- we're working on his kindness to his mama and sisters!

Faith is 8, but she insists I say she's "almost 9!" She's as pretty as she is kind. She LOVES basketball and is now enjoying soccer season. My quiet little girl is competetive and loves sports. She's so smart and insightful and is my little helper and shadow.

Gracie is a 3 year old whirlwind! She is smart and sassy and silly. No one can get in her way! She goes full tork until she crashes at night then wakes up with awful growing pains like I suffered with as a kid. "My weggies hurt" is a familiar phrase we hear yelled in the middle of the night. She likes to "nuggle" with daddy and mama. Look out world- here comes Grace!

Pet count- Charlie our beloved yellow cat is alive and well, we have a black lab named Willow we've had since last fall. She's sweet and loving when she's not chewing on something of MINE! Newly added as of last week thanks to our friends the Asburys, 3 chicks and 2 ducks have joined our crew.

God is good. Life is good.