What's been going on...

I'm posting just to update everyone on a few things that have been happening here lately.

~Jason has started his first online grad class at WMU. So far it's been a lot of fun, we go online at night together to figure it all out. He's mastering in Educational Technology Integration and this class is called Secondary Education. He's already got 5 things due for this Tuesday but has them all done and is now working on the first big project due next week. He's glad he picked this class and master so far.

~Macey is doing great with her blue cast and is crawling around and climbing up and down furniture just fine. She isn't putting any weight on it and doesn't ask to have it taken off that often. The last time was a few days ago, when she was determined to give Kelsey a bath. She played just fine crawling around nursery today at church and doesn't seem to be in any pain at all. We'll still be glad when July 22nd comes around to get the cast off!

~Kels goes on Tuesday for her 4 month check up. I am curious to see how much she's grown. I had to go shopping last night to get her more clothes since she's outgrowing everything. Macey wans't this size until more the winter time months so I can't use any of her clothes anymore. She tried rice cereal last night for the first time. She did okay, so we might try again tonight. She wasn't too sure of the taste or texture but did take a few good swallows and seemed happy about it all.

~Not much is new with me, just trying to keep the house clean if we need to show it. Had another garage sale with the Burgess side this past Friday and Saturday. Made about $40. It's better than nothing and I got more stuff out of the house so I was happy.



Rainbow from last night looking out our front window.

Macey so proud of her blue cast.

Look at that stream of drool!

Enjoying one of the MANY things loved ones have sent to keep her busy. THANK YOU!

camping with a blue cast

Well, the blue cast is officially on and Mace is for the most part, a happy camper about it. We were at the doctor's office over 2 and a half hours waiting. They took many x-rays and the doctor was WAY behind. She was very interested and nosy about everything that happened. Asking about the x-rays and repeating everything the doctor would say. I was pleased she was so excited about these things and wasn't crabby for the circumstances and we were way past naptime. Since the cast has been put on, she's had many friends sign it and she moves around quite well. She's allowed to scoot on her buns or knees, but just can't put any weight on her foot. After her nap for the day we were off to Sandy Pines for camping with friends. Her and Kels slept just fine in the trailer (thanks Mom and Dad Burgess!) Mace kept up with her friends as much as she could. As you can see in the pictures we put a bag around it for certain activities. I will have to post other pictures of her and the cast without the bag here soon. Kels really enjoyed camping as she loves being outside. I think we all realized, that a weekend is the perfect length of camping with kids. By Sunday morning, the affects of shorter naps, later bedtimes, and being busy was taking it's toll. This afternoon is time for relaxing. We took a walk this morning and went to the library for awhile and now it's naptime for the girls while I sit on here for a bit. After camping yesterday we came home to clean and organize since we had gotten a call Saturday night that someone wanted to go through our house on Sunday. We actually left the suitcases packed and just placed them downstairs where the other luggage is since I didn't feel like or have time to unpack and do laundry. Needless to say, we got the house spick and span and I got a call this morning that no even went through the house. They found a house they liked right before they got to ours. At least the house is clean now and we have to hope for another showing here soon.

Doing better....

I'm glad to say that Macey has slept 2 nights in a row without waking up from pain. Yesterday was a much better day. I kept her off her vicodin, so she was more awake and active. I can see how this will be more of a struggle in the coming days. She's starting to ask to walk on it and wants to get around. We're going to attempt to go camping still this weekend. At least our house is only a mile away if we need to come home. I am just relieved she's not in terrible pain anymore. Tomorrow she gets her cast on, let's hope they have blue as an option!

One Bad Night...

Yesterday was such a fun day. Went to the park, took a walk on some trails, went to the library, had a great start to potty training, was having fun playing with dad after supper and BAM! it happened. Our poor little Mace, jumped from the ottoman and broke her leg. Jason heard a pop as she landed and she grabbed her leg and sobbed. Jason was still dirty from work, dishes were all over from dinner, and Kels was in the middle of a meal. We quickly got in the car and drove off to the emergency room. Macey was a trooper. They took x-rays and sure enough, one bad break to her tibia (bigger bone in lower leg). She's in a temporary cast until next week. Once that cast goes on, she can't bear weight for about 4-6 weeks. The doctor told us, it will be the summer we remember carrying our daughter everywhere. She's finally sleeping right now from a LONG night. I slept on the floor in her room. She woke up every 15 minutes crying because it hurt and she wanted her big boot (that's what we called Jason's cast from his ankle surgery) off. She couldn't get comfortable. It's not easy to keep a toddler from moving around in her sleep, let along trying to keep her leg elevated on top of that. She would just look at me and have tears coming down her cheeks saying, "hurts mom, hurts" How's a mom not suppose to cry at that. I fear for her waking up this morning and being in even more pain. Both girls are sleeping and I can't sleep. I am not sure what I''m suppose to be doing, so here I am blogging. I know everyone has her in their thoughts so I wanted to post an update. Jason's mom is bringing over her prescription here within the hour once it's filled. It should make her tired and ease the pain. Hopefully it won't make her sick to her stomach, we don't need that on top of everything. It will be a day filled with lots of movies, reading books, snacks, and naps (hopefully). Let's just pray today goes well! Here are two pictures I took last night around 10:30pm after getting back from the hospital. She sure was a brave girl....Oh how I love her!


ps. Kels wanted to rollover for the first time last night around 10:30pm, it made her big sister smile!

Father's Day

We had a fun Father's Day today. Woke up, and Macey remembered to tell her daddy, "Happy Father's Day!" before I even remembered. Good job Mace! She had given him her present yesterday since she was so excited about giving it to him. She made him a bracelet and a cup out of PlayDoh. Nothing too fancy but it was made with love and he was excited about that. Not only did she know it was Father's Day, but she kept telling me, "Happy Mother's Day" as well so that was nice :) We headed into Holland to go to my dad's church. Mace had fun in nursery and Kels made it through the whole service (awake until the last 5 minutes or so even!) The most noise she made was passing a little gas. We all had a good chuckle. That's my gassy girl! We then went to my dad's house and had chicken dinners from Ottawa Beach Inn. Before heading home, we stopped at Captain Sundae where Mace got a Dora popcicle, in which she ate only her two gumball eyes, and I got a butter pecan flavorburst. Once home, I took the girls for a walk to the park so Jason could have some peace and quiet at the house and watch whatever he wanted on TV. Both girls were tired from the day and sleeping by 7:30. It was a fun day.




Here are some random recent pictures.

Macey asked, "Why you buy that sign mom?"

Macey's new favorite pastime- washing bottles.

Um, can't see Kels there Mace.

Loving her rainboots and swingset.

Up for Sale!

Well the house is up for sale! It's weird to look out the front window and see a for sale sign. I guess this is really all happening. Our realtor seems to do great work and told us that we're not going to get back what our house is worth. Especially since we have to sell quite quickly, we had to put on a low price tag. Hopefully we'll make up for it with buying low down in Colon. I've been busy trying to pack up stuff we won't need for quite some time (who knows when this thing will sell) and we're going to store it all at Jason's brother's basement. That way, when we have a showing, they won't see ALL what we store downstairs and being more empty should make it look a bit larger. We'll see what all we can accomplish this weekend. I want a lot done because I have no clue when we'll get our first showing.
I can't post without putting up some new pictures. I tend to take more pictures of Kelsey lately as she's growing so fast and doing new things all the time.

Time for change....

I write this posting with mixed emotions. Our lives are being led in a new direction these days. On Monday, Jason was offered a teaching position down in Colon, MI. This is something he went to school for and has always wanted, but after many interviews, even visiting North Carolina several times, it never happened. The thought of being a teacher had been pushed aside for awhile, thinking it would never happen. Recently, he's been getting signs and suggestions that he should try one more time. His first response was, "Why would they hire someone that's been out of school for six years?" "We'd have to move" "You'd have to leave your job", etc. After many prayers and realizations, he applied and was eager to go for this position. It took some waiting, meeting the principal, two interviews unitl we knew. They wanted him. We knew if this big change was meant to be, everything would fall into place. Of course we have some fears of not selling our house, big financial sacrifices, and of course leaving loved ones (only 1 hr. 30 minutes away). We have faith that this will be a good change in our lives right now. I am so proud of my husband for going for this position and regaining the confidence he needed to interview. Also, that Colon Community Schools can see past his lack of teaching experience and see that he will be a great math teacher due to his gifts and using his real life construction experiences to teach.

Right now the girls are still sleeping, and I am about to get things going for the day. Our realtor comes tonight to put our house up for sale! Life sure can change fast!

Do I look like my Daddy?

I got out some old pictures of Jason the other day to see if Kelsey resembles him at all. Here he is at 2 1/2 months old. What do you think? I know her face is rounder!

Sunny Day to Stormy Night

Yesterday, we had a fun day at Jason's parents' house. The men were busy working on several of our vehicles, while us girls relaxed outside in the sun. Macey was quite hesitant about going in the pool at first. (kiddie pool, filled with warm water, and only a few inches deep at first) But once we got her in, we couldn't get her out. Kelsey loved the water which was no surprise to me since she has liked her baths for quite some time. It was so relaxing to her, she fell asleep while floating in her little boat.
Around 8:30 last night we lost power. Both girls were sleeping so Jason and I watched the storms roll in until around 9:00 and decided it was time to go to bed since it got so dark. The power turned back on around 9:30 and about a minute later we heard the tornado sirens sounding. We quick turned the tv on and noticed that there could be possible rotation in the skies near us so we waited a bit. I went downstairs and got the bathroom (safest room down there with no windows) all ready just in case. When I got upstairs, Jason was grabbing Macey so I grabbed Kelsey and downstairs we headed. It suddenly became SO windy! I huddled with the girls in blankets and pillows while we watched tv in the bathroom. Kelsey fell right back to sleep and Macey curled up next to me while we watched the news. We stayed down there for about 45 minutes. The storm was neverending. We are thankful we live on sandy grounds with no big trees near us, so no damage has been done. Overall, it was quite the experience.

three months old already....

Well our little Kelseroo is now 3 months old already and boy has she grown! I would estimate her being around 13 lbs and who knows how long she is, but she's outgrowing her clothes very fast. She is getting to be so much fun as she responds more and more and is moving around a lot more. It's interesting to see her personality starting to show a bit more each day. She's quite determined and gets frustrated mighty fast when she's unable to do something (finding thumb and rolling over) Overall, she's quite content and very smiley at this age. I forgot how much they change from month to month at this age.

Here's a list of what Kelsey's life at 3 months of age is all about:

1. Sleeping from 9:30-7:30 in her crib.
2. Cat napping all day long, nothing over 30 minutes usually.
3. Starring intensely at her big sister.
4. Attempting to roll over from back to stomach.
5. Still not enjoying the time on her stomach.
6. Loves pat-a-cake and being sung to.
7. Still having troubles finding her thumb, but when she does find it, she sure is happy!
8. Hanging out in her bouncey seat or on her back on the floor.
9. Feeding all the time, all day long.
10. Being held facing outward to see what's going on.

Life doesn't get much better than this! :)

Proud Mommy...

On Saturday, Macey was the flower girl in my cousin Rachel's wedding. When asked last fall, I was so thrilled. Not knowing what Macey would be like just over two years of age, I was a bit nervous of how she'd deal with this honor. For those that know Miss Mace, she's not too fond of unfamiliar faces and can run to hide behind mom or dad's leg quite easily.
So the day came, and let's just say I was such a proud Mommy of my little girl. She made it down the aisle!!!!! (with a little help of bribbing with gummy worms) It just shows how your little one can always surprise you in the best of ways. She did a wonderful job :) Thank you to Rachel and Dave for asking her to be part of their special day, it was a beautiful day!