Mitch turned 14, he’s almost 6 feet tall and wears a size 15 shoe. I now have to look up to him. I can’t believe another year has flown by. Where oh where did our little boy go. This one is big and full of attitude, but for the most part he’s a great kid and we’re so lucky we are a raising a nice and respectful kid. Only 4.5 more years until he graduates….wow!
Grandpa Brien, Grandma Brien, Tim, Kashton, Taylor, Alyssa & Grif
Alyssa is really into markers and painting, anything to with arts and crafts. We went to Michaels to pick up some paints and a canvas so she could paint Tim a picture for his birthday. She was extra good that day so I let her pick out something. She picked out this color by number painting. It was a great project her and Daddy. The painting for Tim turned out really cute, see the last picture. She was so proud of it.
Little hands at work
Concentration at it’s best
Alyssa’s picture she drew for Tim for his birthday.
Kashton just loves the kitty. He is constantly laying on Iggy and kissing him or hitting him. Here are some shots of Kashton and Iggy. He likes to grab right a hold of Iggy’s head and kiss him right on the nose. He even makes the kiss noise. Just so darn cute!
This year Alyssa had her first Valentines Party at school. We made her Valentine box and Alyssa and the boys and Taylor made all her Valentines. She was super excited. Tim was able to attend her party and helped all the kids pass out Valentines. This was a great day for Alyssa.
Here she is all smiles right before her and her daddy walk out the door for school.
Griffin was always the baby until 4 years when Alyssa came along. This took adjusting on his part. He loves them dearly and plays with his little sis and bro often. Although he tells me that they are so annoying at times. I caught him last weekend multiple times snuggling with them. This is proof that he does really like them.
New Years Resolutions…What are yours? Well, with the last year being pretty rough on us, I am determined to have a better 2009. When I say rough, I’m sure it didn’t compare to some but most of it was our own doing so together we want a better 2009. At midnight New Years Eve, I asked Tim if 2009 it could be better…his response “Could it get much worse” I said “Yes and let’s not let it” Tim and I had a great time on New Years, we celebrated with friends. Below are some pictures.
This is what I plan to work on in 2009:
Ø To become more active with my kids
Ø My marriage
Ø Putting my family first and spending quality time with people that matter.
Ø Decluttering my house
I wanted to share something I read this weekend and tell everyone to just sit back and take a moment to relax and enjoy life. On Saturday I was reading an article in Women’s Day magazine. How do I find time to read magazine you ask? Well it was while in the bathroom and I wasn’t alone. Alyssa is now kind enough to shut the door when she joins me so. While reading this 2 page article Alyssa asked me about 10 questions and didn’t stop talking but I managed to get the drift of the article and I’ll summarize for you b/c it really touched my heart.
Parents of a 3 year old little boy and 18 months old little girl were living the normal life with toddlers, which is crazy. They had just gotten back from somewhere, like a shopping trip when Cole the 3 year old said he had a tummy ache. Now like many mothers, I always wonder if this is real or are they just trying to get out of something, or are they really sick and going to throw up or did they just eat too much. Three days later they were in ER and after many tests he was diagnosed with an incurable fast progressing cancer. Cole died eight weeks later in his parent’s arms. I had tears in my eyes while reading this story and I realize that I’m always in such a rush and I do not always take the time I need to with my children. Shortly after Cole’s death they had another baby and vowed to take every day as a special gift.
The life of a child is such a precious gift and in a moment it can be taken away. I don’t want to look back and wish I had more time. This year I want to make my children first. The dishes can wait, the house will still need cleaning tomorrow, and I can be late for work if my baby needs some extra snuggles in the morning.
I have been blessed with four amazing children, all different and all have different needs and wants. So many nights I have put my kids to bed in anger because they didn’t want to go to bed and I’d spend an hour or so getting them to bed so I could get the house cleaned or watch a TV show. My clean house and the TV are not more important but at the time it just seems like it or I’m so exhausted I just don’t want to deal with them anymore. So many mornings I have let my boys get ready alone and leave the house without saying goodbye b/c I was to tired to get up early with them. Is my sleep more important then sending them off with a good breakfast and kiss? It’s not but why do I think so at the moment.
So many of us live life by rushing and trying to get so much done in so little time. I know this is how I do it. I ask each one of you reading this to sit and just relax with your children tonite and snuggle with your honey (or cat) at the end of the night. Life is to short and precious. Take a moment to just sit back and enjoy your day.
I was thinking it had just been a few weeks, maybe a month since my last post and it’s been a lot longer then that. So here’s the deal….I kept thinking I’d get on and do lots of updates but that seemed so overwhelming that instead I’m just going to start out fresh. Here is a summary of my family and some favorite pictures from the last few months. My goal is to update my blog weekly. My parents are leaving for Arizona on Wednesday so they told me I needed stay on top of things so they can see updated pictures of the kids.
I also didn’t send out Christmas cards again this year so I couldn’t even send pictures. Lots have been going on with my family so I’ll give you a recap.
Mitchell – Is 13 now and in the 8th grade and played football this fall. He’s growing so fast I can’t keep up. He’s about 5’10” and wears size 14 shoes. He’s doing pretty good in school, but has the typical teenager attitude. He can beat me up now so I had to stop wrestling with him.
Griffin is 11 now and in the 6th grade. He started middle school this year and is doing great. His grades are excellent. He also played football this year and was incredible. He played center and had some awesome blocks.
Both boys are looking forward to playing baseball this spring.
Alyssa turned 4 in October. She has a very demanding attitude; we like to call her the queen of the house. She pretty much has all of us waiting on her, except for Kashton, but I’m sure that will come soon enough. She attends pre-school two days a week and loves it. I’m amazed at how much it wears her out. I like school nights because bed time is so much easier.
Kashton is our little monster. He is a lot like Griffin was but only smaller. He’s very busy and into everything. He is constantly on the move. He thinks it’s so fun to bug his sister. He loves to steal things and take off running. He still doesn’t sleep that great but we keep hoping it will improve with age.
Tim is no longer with IMA as of December 1, 2008. He has started working on his own and currently working Grand Rapids. He has always wanted to go out on his own and now he has his chance.
Sidney still continues to get into the trash and spends her days sleeping on the bed and couch.
Hugo spends his days trying to get close to Sidney. Iggy our newest kitty has been a great addition. Kashton lays on him and gives him kisses and he just lays right there. Alyssa picked out a great cat. We ended up getting rid of Max b/c he started peeing outside the litter box. I found him a really nice home.
Not much new with me, just really sick of all this snow. I just keep thinking that spring will have to come early this year.
Oh and I still can’t type that great or spell for that matter so bare with me.
A Day at the new park close to our house.
Snap Shots of Kashton and his cool hair do
S
Fall
Family Pictures at High Roll Away
Sidney and Iggy snuggle on the couch
Halloween 2008
Alyssa Kashton acting like monkeys in their matching PJs
Fun in the tub
The bee hive inside my bedroom window….yes inside and I had my window open for days before I realized it.
Christmas time at the Bertrams
Ezra opening presents
Tobin with his present
Noelle giving Grandpa Mike a big thank-you hug
Grandpa Mike playing Hungy Hippo with the kids
Tim laying in bed with the kids….this is how he spend many mornings while he worked from home this fall.
Kashton and his new basketball hoop
Stud Boy Mitch
Tough Boy Griffin
A couple weeks ago went over to Eric and Mandy’s House aka…Alyssa’s man’s house Kyler. The kids had a blast playing and the adult had fun playing games.
Alyssa and her man sharing a sit and a snack.
Eric and Mandy
Kashton was trying to hard to reach the basket.
Keaton is on the run.
Kashton realized he better have a helmet on.
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