Closer and closer to that Black Belt!

This past Saturday Cody tested for his brown belt. He didn't want to go at first, because he thought said he "didn't feel comfortable" with his form. I convinced him that he would do just fine if he did the best he could, and that the rest would come. Well he did great, I knew he would remember all of his moves once he got started. It was awesome!

Here is part of his routine with his Nunchakus.

Part of his form.

This was some of his Sparring. I tried to keep him centered, but didn't have a lot of luck. There were

so many people there and not many places to sit, and the place I sat happened to be the spot everyone had to walk by!

Class picture

Cody with his instructor (Mr.Faett-5th degree black belt) & Mr. Faetts boss Mr.Lance (with 17 world championships under his belt)

Take care and smile, Christmas is almost here!!

A Big History Week

Before I get started with this post I just wanted to tell my hubby I had a very nice time on our night out for our 15th anniversary! And thank you Mom & Dad for watching Cody for us!!

We had fun with Cody's class this past week. Mike & I  volunteered to be chaperones for their 'Big History' week, and when I say all week I mean all week! They went every day last week all day long (8:30-2:30). We spent most of the time at the Historical Museum. On Monday we walked to the Capital and spent some time there, actually I missed Monday because I had to work, then Friday we walked to the Hall of Justice for an hour or so. It was a long week, but it was really fun, especially having tour guides at the historical museum. It was really interesting! Their teacher had a lot of fun assignments for them to do, for instance she had them, at one point, pick out 4 or 5 artifacts from any of the many exhibits, draw a picture and explain why this particular artifact was important. She had many things for them to do. It was really a neat experience for them.

This is the Historical Museum where they spent most of the time. Most of the exhibits they studied were on the 2nd & 3rd floor. The other half of the museum is the library, where they learned about looking at news papers on micro-film, and also learned a little about geneology. They actually let them look up relatives, from the 1930 census on the computers.

Watching, listening, and learning. They had quite a bit crammed into those little brains.

They walked around with their pens and notebooks, did the assignments and drew their pictures.

With all they had to do, I'm surprised they had as much fun as they did!

....and have time to play too!!

The State Capital

Click here for a neat interactive tour through the rotunda at the capital

Hall of Justice

All in all it was a very interesting and informative week. I think everyone had fun!!

My Son and His Talent : Makes My Monday

Cody hasn't used this chalk board in a long time. But he had me bring it up from the basement last week. He's been using it for practicing his math for school. The other night he was busy at it, and I wasn't paying attention to what he was doing. Well with the holidays soon approaching he's been thinking about Christmas (apparently). This is what he drew, and this "Makes My Monday".

Visit & play along with Make My Monday

School Picture

  I never thought we would receive Cody's school pic's, but we finally got them last week. The first pic's with his glasses on. He was really excited about it. I can't believe how big he's getting!! I wish I could snap my fingers and keep him the way he is! I also wish I could keep myself from getting older. The gray hair, and sagging face. Oh well, life goes on, I'll get used to it.

  I got my hair cut the other day, and she asked me where I wanted my hair parted, and I said the side to cover up all the gray patches! They say the 40 is the new 20..... I don't know if I beleive it or not. I remember when I was little, I always wished I could grow older faster, now sometimes I wish I could go back and not have to worry about taking care of family, working. Not that it's a bad thing, but just to have that free spirit, to play and to have fun. Don't get me wrong, I love my family, and wouldn't trade them for the world. I would just like to be able to have that child like spirit, and imagination again. Wouldn't  it be great?

Where Does The Time Go?

  I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted anything! A lot has been going on. Cody's doing good in school. He just got over a middle ear infection that moved into an upper respiratory infection, this was about a couple weeks ago. Mike was chosen to take some classes in Alabama put on by the Department of Homeland Security. He was gone the last week of October (the week Cody was sick), and again this last week, infact he just got back yesterday.
  Is this coming week really Thanksgiving already!?!?!?! I can't wait to spend time with family, and eat all the yummy food that were going to have! The only thing now is thinking about getting ready for x-mas!! We haven't even started our shopping. It seems to be the norm every year!! Anyone else in the same boat? It seems like it gets harder and harder to buy gifts for people, not knowing what to get.
  Hope everyone had a good weekend, and has a good week to come! Take care!

First Day of School

Well today is Cody's first day back to school after a very short summer!! I can't believe the trees are already starting to change. Not that I don't mind the colors, but that just means that cooler weather and you all know what follows after that!

Cody has been very excited about going back to school. One of the reasons why is that he has glasses now, and second because he said I got the "Teacher of my dreams". I never wanted to go back to school, the only reason I looked forward to it was because of new clothes and a new lunch pail! I would have much rather stayed stuck in the summer and played!!

Here a few weeks ago Mike & I realized that Cody was setting his chair in the middle of the living room to watch TV. We asked him one night to sit on the couch to watch, and he said he couldn't see that far away. Well, we took him to the eye doctor and sure enough! He picked out his own frames, he thought that was really cool, but we had him pick from the bendable frames. So hopefully it will save on having to buy more because of broken glasses!!

Anyway he's at school right now, and I'm hoping everything is going good for him. The other thing I forgot to mention is that he was really happy because one of the kids, that used to give him a lot of grief and torment, was supposed to be going to another school. Well guess who we saw this morning?! O'well, at least he's in another classroom! I'll keep my fingers crossed that he wont have any problems.

I didn't think I would, but I kind of miss him! Not used to having peace and quiet!

Twos-day - Shoes

  I can't believe how fast the summer went by.  I seems like just last week Cody was bringing home all his belongings from his desk at school. I guess I must have blinked one too many times!! ;0)  And now it's that time again... New backpacks, pencils, erasers, notebooks, etc. 
  We had to get Cody (another) pair of shoes.  I can't believe he is only nine years old, and his shoes are almost as big as mine!!! I always joked with Mike that Cody would be wearing the same size clothes as him before he hit middle school!  Well, I didn't actually think
this would be the case!! My gosh they grow fast, don't they?!?!
  Sorry about not having people for my pic, but I just couldn't help it when I saw his shoes sitting next to mine! (and yes I know, I need some new sandles!!)
 

Stop by and visit Debi to join in 'Two for Tuesday'

Have a great day!!

A Fun Couple Weeks

Cody had belt testing in Taekwando last weekend. Yesterday afternoon one of the students had a birthday party, and last night they had what they called "Ninja Night", it was just a fun get together for all the students with games, fun competitions, and it gave the parents the night out. They had pizza and drinks for them, also at the birthday party earlier that afternoon he had pizza and cake. I think he's had enough pizza to last him for quite a while!!

The testing last Saturday was held at a local park. It was really nice. Afterwards they had a balloon fight and then a cookout.

Cody receiving his Blue belt.

Class picture.

Then the balloon & water gun fight started! I didn't get too close, I didn't want to get blasted with water, while taking pics with my new camera!!

They all had a lot of fun, I think the instructors got soaked the most!!! The kids loved that!!

The cookout was great! Everyone brought a dish to pass, and all the food was very yummy!!

Things That Make You Thankful!

It's funny how becoming a mom changes so many things in your life, and I'm not just talking about having another little mouth to feed. I mean giving up the things you would usually do for yourself, and (besides loving your husband) knowing that you would give your life for the little one(s) that you bring into this world. Knowing a whole other love that you've never experienced before. And I think we take for granted (sad to say) that those little ones will always be there, and that you will go before them.

This past Thursday I had a reality check, that I think will forever change the way I look at the outside world. My Dad had been over to visit, Mike was working, and when he left, Cody does what he always does. He ran along the side walk to the corner waving good-bye. Mind you we only live 2 houses from the corner. Well, after my Dad pulled out of the drive, I went back inside to pick up from lunch. As I was going to the sink I happened to look out the side window and seen Cody, running like crazy, and by that time he was half way from the corner to our house. When he came in, he was out of breath and sort of rattled. I asked him what was wrong and he told me that two men tried to get him in their car, that was right behind my Dad's van. At first I couldn't say anything, just look at my son, while a warm unpleasant feeling came over me. All I could do was ask him where and how! Then, besides Cody, I wanted my husband. Thankfully he only works a block away! When we got there all I could say was someone tried to take our son, then the tears started! I didn't think that going to the police would do any good because there wasn't a liscense plate number taken, and I never saw the car. But Mike had us go next door to give a report to the police.

My life has been pretty hecktic with other things crowding my mind lately, and then this... I'm still numbed by the whole thing. And just VERY greateful that God was watching out for our little boy. It's wierd how minutes can seem like hours, and how fast things can change in the blink of an eye.

It's sad that our kids today cannot experience the kind of life we had when we were their age. It makes you doubt all your beliefs that you once had, It makes you do a lot of thinking. But then certain things happen that make you thankful too!

Mike & I are very thankful right now!!  And I hope that God keep's all little ones safe from harm!

A Great Day

I know this is a few days late, but I'm not keeping up with all this new technology lately. Anyway, last Saturday my brother & sister in-law invited us to go Huckleberry Railroad and spend the day. It was awesome!! We had a lot of fun, especially the kids. It was fun to watch them on the train ride and all the other things they had to do there. Cody has loved trains since he was about 2 or 3 yrs old, and my apologies to Barb & Paul for getting Jacob hooked on trains!!

The scenery was nice on our train ride.

Sarah didn't like the train whistle, she didn't let go of Mom the whole time!

Cody was in his glory!

Mike tried walking on stilts, he did better than I would have!!

Cody & Jacob had fun seeing the sites.

...and looking at the cows..

....Chickens...

...the Lamas and baby goats!!

When we got back to the house, Cody had fun reading to Sarah

While Adam played with Uncle Mikes watch..

It was a really nice day!! Thank you Barb & Paul, we all had a great time!! Thank you also for dinner!

Cody's Birthday

Cody's birthday was Monday. It kind of got celebrated all weekend. Saturday we went to our nephews Baptism, Mike was the Godfather, and they gave Cody his birthday presents afterwards. Then on Sunday he went over to celebrate with my Dad & Sister. On Monday we had a small get together with Mike's Mom & Dad, and my Dad. We had a cookout, then cake & ice cream. So all in all I think he made out pretty good! He loves all of his presents!!

..and of course he wanted another Thomas the Train cake!!

And I got an early birthday present from Mike & Cody.... A new camera!! So it will be easier to take & have with me anywhere I go, I can just stick it in my pocket. Maybe now I'll be more motivated to keep my blog updated!?!

Last week was a long week

  It's been just over a week since the first Firefighters funeral both Mike & I have ever been in. Joe, one of our firefighters, passed away from cancer. He was only 53. He was in a hospital in Grand Rapids for quite a while, then when he took a turn for the worst, he was transfered back down here to Lansing and put into hospice. He actually worked for two different departments. There was at least one guy from one or both department's with him in hospice the whole time.
  His son Andrew was also part-time with us and full-time with the other department. They were kind of like family. Andrew is my neice Karly's brother, and Joe was like a father/uncle to her. Speaking of family, you never realize how close the firefighter family is until something like this happens. We all worked together to help the family, and help out with the funeral. It was really nice to be able to help like that. We even had other firefighters from some other departments there, even one from Detroit.
  Both depatments had all the emergency vehicles in the procession, and it was a long procession! We had other departments cover the stations incase a call came in.
  Joe will be greatly missed!

Joe & his son Andrew

Our Chief at the church.

Casket Bearers (from both dept's) preparing for placing the casket on the bed of the truck.

Enroute to the cemetary.

There were police blocking major intersections.

At the entrance to the cemetary

It was a beautiful day, and everything went very well. I couldn't beleive all the people standing at the side of the road on our way to the cemetary, some of them were even saying they were sorry.

All my love to the family.