Ok, this post is way late in coming...but I love this picture so I wanted to share it!

New Year Revelations

Ok. We all started back to work, school, and daycare today. I told myself that if the kids were OK when I dropped them off (ie: no crying, no "I don't wanna go", no pouty faces) that I would be OK too. I decided that I WOULD be in a good mood despite the fact that I did not sleep well at all last night. I think it was just anxiety over starting back at the daily grind. Not necessarily for myself, but for the kids. Well, I made it through the day without seeing the glass half empty...at least for the most part. The kids were both pretty crabby tonight at which point I started to lose sight of my "I will be happy today" goal. However, we pulled through OK. I made a good dinner and managed to complete a happy bed time routine for both kids. I am now sitting down to relax as much as possible before doing it all again tomorrow. At times, it seems that the daily grind can really get me down. I always find something to worry about during the day whether it be bills, the waiting household chores, or some other needless worry. I am determined, however, to see the up side of my life for the remainder of this new year. I will focus on the fact that my kids do wake up in the morning and not on how crabby they can be about getting ready to go. I will focus on how my long drive to work gives me plenty of time to think and pray instead of how it gives me time to conjure up needless worries for the day. I will focus on the fact that God has provided a wonderful day care for my son to spend time at while I work instead of how very depressing it is that I cannot be a stay at home mom right now. I will focus on appreciating the good public school that my daughter is at instead of on how I wish we had the money for a private education. I will appreciate my job. I will love the kids I work with instead of finding their every fault throughout the day. I will remember my purpose for choosing this line of work instead of longing for bigger, better things. I will be glad that I have dinner to cook instead of complaining over having to cook it. I will cherish the minutes I have with my over tired babies instead of wishing bed time would come faster. I will be a good wife instead of taking my frustrations out on my sweet hubby. I will put my trust in God to provide for my sweet children instead of trying to do it all by myself. Last but not least, I will enjoy, savor every moment of this wonderful time in my life when my babies are young and love mommy more than anything in the world. I will be a good example for them and an encouragement to them as they figure life out...and how bad it can hurt.

One of my favorite plays is "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder. It has an amazing theme of appreciating your life while you can. One of my favorite quotes from that play is: "Do human beings ever really realize life while they live it? --every, every minute?" My promise to myself, and to my husband, and to my kids for this year is that I WILL. I will realize it and try my very hardest to quit taking it for granted!

Had a Merry Christmas and looking forward to the new year!

Hey all, We are home safe and sound. My last post indicated the anxiety over this years trip to MI, and, as it turns out, it was not for nothing. We took off on Friday afternoon around 2pm. I had been hearing about bad weather all day and school had let out early because of the threat of coming snow. We all figured that since we were from MI and used to driving in snow, we could push through it. Also, the weather updates seemed to indicate that we could beat the worst of it if we left when we did. However, we learned different. About a half an hour into the drive, we started to see snow covered cars coming from the southbound lane. We were headed north, straight into this snow, and began to get slightly concerned. It was hard to believe though because all that was happening above us was endless rain....how could it be snowing so hard just a few miles ahead? Well...it was. It was actually snowing so hard that we went from moving at 65 mph to 25mph in a matter of seconds. The roads that were covered in gallons of rain water soon became pure slush because of the falling snow. At this point, we were already an hour into our trip and did not want to turn back. We continued on, slow but sure, not knowing that 3 miles ahead we would end up stopped in a terrible traffic jam. We figured this out rather quickly but still were not deterred. A small accident up ahead...no big deal. It would be cleaned up in no time and we would be on our way again. NOT QUITE! The minutes turned into hours. We were stuck on I26 amidst falling sleet/snow and miles and miles of stopped traffic. We could not turn around or go forward. We were stuck. After about an hour of waiting, several cars tried to pull through the median and turn back. The bigger vehicles made it though, but every car got stuck in the deepening snow. We knew our cars would end up stuck so we had to stay put. An hour turned into two hours. The kids were amazingly good. They were hungry, but we had some snacks and activities to keep them occupied. Mommy needed to use the bathroom...but the wait continued. Two hours turned into three and three into four. I personally was getting very scared for the safety of my kids. By this time, the radio had been broadcasting about the storm and the accident up ahead that had put both sides of I26 at a complete standstill. Two semi trucks had jack knifed across all lanes, and the roads were too icy for wrecker crews to get in. They began to mention shutting down the interstate for the night and finding a shelter for all stranded motorists. YIKES! By this time, I was terrified. We had plenty of stuff and two cars full of gas, but home was less than and hour and a half back and we were going to end up either sleeping in our cars or in a shelter for the night. After 5 1/2 hours of worried waiting, the DOT managed to clear a path for the miles of motorists to at least exit the interstate. They ordered us to either find an open hotel or go to the nearby shelters for the night. The interstate would be closed, and we could go no where else. Ironically, we were at the Asheville airport exit. The airport had cancelled all flights for the night and 7 out of 7 of the available hotels had absolutely no vacancies. Mind you, the roads were covered in over a foot of snow, and we got stuck in every driveway while searching for an available place to stay. There were a bunch of cops manning the exit ramps so we stopped and asked them for directions to one of the shelters that had been set up. They had no idea that there even were shelters available and sent us on a treacherous goose chase to find nothing. We ended up driving and driving down some road that was taking us the back way to Asheville. It was the only way we could even travel so we just started praying for an open hotel. We stopped at every one we saw and all were full. We were starving and nothing was open. Finally after about an hour and a half of driving, we found an available room. It was crazy expensive and the last one available. It was 11 o'clock at night, and we were tired and hungry. Also, completely overwhelmed! Thank God we did not end up having to sleep in the car. Believe me, in the middle of all this I was thinking of all of the worst possible outcomes. I prayed and prayed and am sure that God saved us that one room. Anyway....I'm sure you figured out that it was a long night. We raided the vending machine and tried to calm our nerves enough to sleep so that we could hopefully continue the drive in the morning. We managed to leave about 9 o'clock the next morning and made it to MI around midnight. Needless to say....it was a long trip. I think it snowed the entire way up! So that's how out trip up went...our holiday was wonderful and we thoroughly enjoyed the time with our families. I'm sorry this is such a long post...but it is definitely a memory for the scrap books! I'll try to post some fun pictures from our trip within the next few days! Good night everyone!

Is it really finally here?

We have made it to the day before Christmas break starts. I say this with apprehension because every day of this week has brought new surprises for us that seem to be deterring us from heading out tomorrow afternoon. First, JJ came down with a stomach bug on Saturday night. Then, of course, I got it on Monday night and my husband got it on Tuesday night. (Miracle has been lucky so far!) Then the money bug started to gnaw at my heart...and I got really overwhelmed on Wednesday:) We thought Thursday was going great until I got this not so great call at school. JJ was sick---again---with what looked like another tummy virus or a possible sinus infection. I have to say, I am very nervous about what tomorrow has to bring. I am thankful for today because it allowed me to get a lot of our packing done that would have had to wait until this evening, but I am worried about JJ. The pediatrician would not give us an appointment until tomorrow. She said to wait it out. Now, normally I do this. I wait until I am absolutely sure they are sick before making an appointment. I learned the hard way that the doctor most always says..."Its probably a virus...just wait it out!" So of course...I wait until I am sure its not just a virus. Today is different though. We are leaving tomorrow and need to make sure JJ wont be miserable to entire time we are gone. So of course, I called...and, of course, they say to wait it out anyway. "If it gets worse you can take him to an outpatient clinic in MI," they told me. Well, Ms. Doctor, I just want someone to tell me he doesn't need an antibiotic so that I don't have to pay to see an out of state doctor. I could go on and on....but to sum it all up we have an appointment for tomorrow morning. He seemed a lot better tonight so we are hoping for a miracle in the morning! So this is my hodge-podge post for now...sorry this is so jumbled....so are the thoughts in my head!!! More updates to come....after the Merry days are over:)

oh the weather outside is....too warm!!!

Hey everyone! Its gotten a little colder around here in SC but not cold enough. It's December...I want sweaters, hot chocolate, winter coats, mittens, and scarves. I have yet to come to terms with the fact that we are no longer in MI this time of year...Yes, I must admit it is kind of nice to have less frost, less shivering in our beds, less need for thermal underwear....but the fact remains...it doesn't feel like the Christmas season without the prospect of snow! For this very reason, I am anxiously awaiting our Christmas break. We will be traveling to MI where we will spend our holiday with friends and family...and SNOW!!! Don't get me wrong, I love my life here. It's just that when I was young we would wake up looking for snow. Most days we were outside with all of our winter wear on sledding or even ice skating on our little country dirt road. Yes, I'm from the sticks...but its so cozy there. I don't regret it for a minute! We had ton of snow days in December too. So you see, I have other reasons for missing the snow as well. It's so nice to wake up in the morning, turn on the news, and see that school is cancelled for the day. We made a lot of memories on those wonderful snow days! We usually get a few here in SC but not until January...and that is if we are lucky! I'd almost venture to say that those memories are what made me so close to my brothers and sisters. Snow forts, snow men, snow angels, warm treats...and lots of fun pretending. When school was out, it was PARTY time! I guess those are the memories that will get me through these next few weeks until we get to venture on home to MI. Until then...here are some pictures of the snow last year:) There was a TON!

This is the view outside my mom's back door...PERFECT!

Some lonely birds stick around for the good stuff.

All bundled up at Grammies. Ready to play in the snow!


He had to borrow a scarf that was way too big for him...He endured though. The snow was so enticing!

The kids went sledding on a huge snow pile.

Hope you all enjoy the taste of Michigan's wonderful snow. I am so excited and will be updating about the rest of our Christmas plans soon!

New Hair and Holiday Excitement

Hey everyone! I know it has been a long while since a good update. I have no excuses...just an "I'm so sorry":) Overall, life is going well on our end. My family is coming into town tomorrow, and I am so excited to see them and get to celebrate Thanksgiving with them. I will get to see my uncle and his new wife. I have never met his new wife, and I have not seen him in ages. Also, I have never met my mom's sister's daughter, Emily. She is coming to SC with my parents so I will get to meet her for the first time. She lives in California but is in college in Indiana. It works out great for my parents to pick her up on their way down here. It will be a fun week for sure! In preparation for the holidays and upcoming family pictures, I re-did Miracle's hair tonight. It is starting to get cold outside, and she has been begging for curly hair like mommy's so I went ahead and put some extensions in. They are a lot of work...and way too hot for summer days outside...so she has had to wait for awhile:) It looks really cute....and she loves it. I think she has already flicked it over her shoulder like girls with long hair do about fifty times since we finished around seven. She is too cute!! Anyway...pictures of the new do are below, and I will try to update on how Thanksgiving goes. I have so very much to be thankful for and always enjoy this very special holiday that kicks off the Christmas season. We will be going home to MI for Christmas, and we are already counting down the days!!

Isn't she beautiful?? We are already preparing ourselves for the teen years...and the boys that will surely be drooling over this one! They better drool very respectfully or they wont even get a chance!

Randomness from the sister who visits too much!

So I am here visiting my sister and her family today, and on November 15 they are listening to Christmas music and Decorating their tree. I am all for this except for how we have not even Celebrated Thanksgiving yet. They say they will celebrate both, but I wil have to see if this is true. I would also like to wish my brother-in-law a Happy Birthday! I am thankful that I was included on your celebration even if it did include me watching you decorate for Christmas. :)

On to my other random topics. I have been going through pictures on my computer and found many of the Splan Clan so here they are in no specific order. Hope you enjoy the random pics of

the fun times I have had with all of them! These are not in any order since I do not usually blog and I had a lot of trouble figuring it all out. These pictures are from our day out to the splash park, the birthday celebration we had at Monkey Joes, our family get together, and them decorating the tree. Holly is helping but did not make it into the pictures from today. By the way Holly loves pictures of their feet. The pic was taken on JJ's birthday for her to always remember what small feet they were when he turned two. :) I hope you enjoy! From the blog Stealer :)