My latest pages

I have been busy in my scrap booking room the last few days. I made a page honoring my husband. I also did a page for my girls and a photo collage of when the girls were small.





Okay, so this year I decide to plant some flowers. I have NO green thumb whatsoever, but the girls asked me to, so I did. We went to the store and I bought 2 small hedges and some pink lilies and I planted them on one side of the front of the house. After about a week, the lilies started to bloom. They were so pretty and the smelled awesome. I would sit on the porch and the wind would blow and I would get a whiff of them. I was so excited.


Then, the storm hit and we got pelted with hail and the stinkin hail KILLED my beautiful lilies...this is what was left...


I think my green thumb will be washed and I will hang it up, because I can't handle the pressure!

Colorado

Well, Matthew survived 9 days out of Michigan without me! From the little bit of information I got out of him, he had a great time. He loved going up in the mountains where he was having a snowball fight and the breathing was different then he was used to. He learned to defend himself from the "older" students, and held his own. It's hard to believe he is officially part of the youth group and will be doing things now that he is a part. I know that the Lord is going to use him and that he will grow into a man of God. He might even be the next youth minister! Or the worship leader! He plays a mean drum!

This was the top of a tree in Utah, where the flooding was. They had to go 170 miles around to get pass the flooding.

This was a baseball field in Utah, completely underwater!



I am so glad he got to see another part of the country. I missed him very much and was so happy that he got home safe and that he had a good time.

If your over thirty...

Got this in an email and had to post it. The writing is not mine so if the language offends..sorry. Enjoy!

If you are 30 or older you will think this is hilarious!!!!

When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their
tedious diatribes about how hard things were when they were growing
up;
what, with walking twenty-five miles to school every morning ....
uphill
BOTH ways yadda, yadda, yadda!

And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way
in hell I was going to lay a bunch of crap like that on kids about how
hard I had it and how easy they've got it!

But now that... I'm over the ripe old age of thirty, I can't help
but look around and notice the youth of today. You've got it so
e asy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a damn
Utopia!

And I hate to say it but you kids today you don't know how good you've
got it!

I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have The Internet. If we
wanted to know something, we had to go to the damn library and look it
up ourselves, in the card catalog!!

There was no email! We had to actually write somebody a letter...with
a
pen! Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in
the mailbox and it would take like a week to get there!

There were no MP3's or Napsters! You wanted to steal music, you had to
hitchhike to the damn record store and shoplift it yourself!
Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio and the
DJ'd
usually talk over the beginning and @#*% it all up!

We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the
phone and somebody else called they got a busy signal, that's it! And
we didn't have fancy Caller ID Boxes either! When the phone rang, you
had no idea who it was! It could be your school, your mom, your boss,
your bookie, your drug dealer, a collections agent, you just didn't
know!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances mister!

We didn't have any fancy Sony Playstation video games with
high-resolution 3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600! With games like
'Space Invaders' and 'asteroids' and the graphics sucked! Your guy was
a
little square! You actually had to use your imagination! And there
were
no multiple levels or screens, it was just one screen forever! And you
could never win. The game just kept getting harder and harder and
faster
and faster until you died! Just like LIFE!

When you went to the movie theater there no such thing as stadium
seating! All the seats were the same height! If a tall guy or some old
broad with a hat sat in front of you and you couldn't see, you were
just
screwed!

Sure, we had cable television, but back then that was only like
15 channels and there was no onscreen menu and no remote control! You
had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find out what was on!
You were screwed when it came to channel surfing! You had to get off
your ass and walk over to the TV to change the channel and there was
no
Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday
morning.
Do you hear what I'm saying!?! We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons,
you
spoiled little bastards!

And we didn't have microwaves, if we wanted to heat something up we
had
to use the stove or go build a frigging fire .... imagine that!
If we wanted popcorn, we had to use that stupid Jiffy Pop thing and
shake it over the stove forever like an idiot.

That's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids today have got it too
easy. You're spoiled!!!!!!!!!

You guys wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in 1980!
Oh yea, and a seatbelt was Mom throwing her arm across your chest
every
time she hit the brakes.
Regards,

The over 30 Crowd

Blogging

For the past few days, I have been reading random blogs that I have come across and I have found some of the saddest and heart wrenching things from people, mostly moms, who have gone through difficult times with their children. I continue to read Angie Smith's blog and I am always so touched by the things that she writes about. She has a gift of writing and I enjoy reading her thoughts and admire her strength.

When I was in high school, English was my favorite subject and I really got into writing in my freshman year. I could write stories after stories using my imagination and I loved it. I hoped that it would continue long after school was over, but I got out of the habit. I'm going to try to get back in it. I have, maybe thirty journals that I have started and never got through. I would write daily for a couple of weeks then that would be it. I have yet to complete a full journal!

So, after being inspired to write my thoughts and dreams and goals from the blogs that I read, I am going to start back up my journals. When my kids are older I would like to leave them to them to read so they know all about me and the things that I have gone through. Who knows, maybe they will be writers and journalers too!

Family

This past weekend, Ken and Robin and the kids came up from Tennessee. It was so good to see them! They have only been gone a short time and the kids have changed so much already. They are great kids and Ken and Robin are doing a wonderful job with them. They have such good manners and are so polite. We got together with them at Vivian and Kevin's house and had a BBQ. All the kids played outside and just had a good time. One of the best things to do in life is to be with your family! I love to be with mine. If you don't have family, you don't have much. I enjoy every minute I spend with Marvin's side of the family. They are so fun to be with. When you get Marvin, Vivian, and Kenneth in the same room, it's always fun.


Ryan turns 4


Candle blowing



Funny face cousins


The Metcalf Family

Today was the last day of school for the summer! I am glad it's over. I'm tired of the driving, homework, lunch money, and getting up early! It will be nice just to relax and not have to rush in the morning and get to bed early. The kids are glad too!

I'm getting Matthew ready to go to Colorado on Friday. This is the first time he will leave MI without me:( It's going to be a Loooong 9 days! I know he will be fine and that he will have a good time.

Please pray for a friend of mine. Her BIL is having a feeding tube put it because he had part of his stomach removed because of cancer. His name is Jason, also pray for his 7 yr. old daughter, Sammi. She had an MRI and they found a mass in her brain. They are doing more tests to find out what it is.

GRADUATION 2008

My Nephew, Rian Marshall Hegedus, graduated from Melvindale High on Wednesday June 4, 2008. He graduated 20 years to the day that I graduated! We are so proud of him. His ceremony was outside and the rain held off and we were glad. He plans to go to college for criminal justice! I was so excited when he said that's what he wanted to study.

I can't believe how time goes by so fast. He seems like he was just a little boy, and now he is a young man! Congrats Rian!


Brett, Rian, and Brandon


This is going to be a fun weekend. Robin and Ken and the children are going to be here tomorrow and we are getting together with them at Vivian's house. I can't wait to see the kids and to see pictures of their new house. Ryan will be turning 4, and we will celebrate his birthday while he is here.

Well, I hope everyone has a fun and happy weekend! Enjoy the weather!

SELAH-more sad news

A few posts ago, I wrote a blog about Todd and Angie Smith and the loss of their baby, Audrey, after she was born. Well, today, I read her blog and Todd's sister, Nicol Spongberg,who sang with Selah, lost her 2 month old son, Luke. No details were given but that she went to check on him and he wasn't breathing. My immediate thought was "crib death". Please be praying for that family and beyond. According to the blog, they are all traveling to Georgia to be with Nicol and her family.

There has been alot of tragedy with Christian artists this week. Tragedy strikes everyone at some point. It doesn't matter if your "christian" or not. I cannot even imagine losing a baby or a child. My Niece, Amber, died of crib death and that was hard enough!

On a lighter note, school is almost over, and I am actually glad this time. I'm tired of going back and forth, especially at $4 a gallon! It will be nice to sleep in and not have to rush around every morning! I wish Marvin, could have the summer off too! We hope to go to Tennessee this summer to see Ken and Robin, and the kids in their new home. Other than that, we are sticking close to home this summer. We bought a used pop-up that we are hoping to use this year too and do some camping.

Matthew is going to Colorado when school is out for 10 days, to do missions work with the youth. It's the first time he is leaving the state without me and it freaks me out. I am already praying for safety and that he will be okay with the "older" youth. He is one of the youngest youth going and the others like to use that for their advantage!(Just horsing around w/ him) I hope he uses this time away with church that he grows spiritually.

Well, that's it for now. Remember to pray for the Smith family and Nicol Spongberg during this difficult time.

PRAYER!! Steven Curtis Chapman's family

Here is an article posted on his website:


MARIA SUE CHAPMAN, DAUGHTER OF STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN, DIES IN ACCIDENT AT FAMILY HOME

NASHVILLE, TN...5/21/08... At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters.

More than five years ago, Chapman and his wife MaryBeth founded The Shaohannah’s Hope Ministry after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 1700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. Chapman is a five-time GRAMMY ® winner and 54-time Dove Award winning artist who has sold over 10 million albums and garnered 44 No. 1 singles.
The Chapman family is so grateful for the incredible outpouring of love and support at this difficult time.

If you’d like to meet Maria and express your condolences click here

By mail, send to PO Box 150156 Nashville, TN 37215.

In lieu of flowers, the Chapmans request any gifts be directed to Shaohannah’s Hope.

Also, due to tragedy of Wednesday, Steven will not appear at the May 24th show, Artist appearing in his absence to be announced shortly.



______________________________

Dale Adams

I just found out today, that a dear friend of mine has gone to be with the Lord. Dale was one of the sweetest, kindest, lovingest, men I have ever known. He was a huge part of FBC and it is a great loss to the church and to all of us. He loved his Lord so much and he radiated God's love to everyone he met. In the hospital at the sickest times of his life he still shared Christ with the doctors and nurses that took care of him.

In 1998, after the death of a friend of mine,Donnie Heim, my heart was shattered and I prayed that God would put a man like Donnie in my life, a week later, I met Dale and his sweet wife,Pat. They became my Sunday School teachers and I knew that they were special. And they were. He was always smiling and telling all the ladies of the church how lovely, sweet, charming, dignified, and well versed they are. He said that every week. He also told everyone how much they were loved. He is truly going to be missed and I am going to miss him even more.

One of the things that stood out most to me about Dale, was that He was a Detroit Police officer. He was a good one too! He retired awhile ago, but once a cop, always a cop. I loved to hear stories about his time as an officer and I will miss that too! When he became a Christian, he shared Christ with his fellow officers too.

Rest in peace, my friend. It won't be the same without you and my life has been blessed knowing you were a part of it. Enjoy walking with Jesus, you deserve it. I love you very much and I'll miss you everyday. See you later.

MOTHER'S DAY 2008

One of my favorite things about Mother's Day is the things the kids do at school. No gift compares to the sweet things they make and the time they put into it just for me. I'll share a few things each one of them said about me.

Matthew: Gave me a card the says on the front"Nothing is stronger than a mother's love...(open) except maybe one of dad's farts!!! Happy Birthday..oops, wrong card. He crosses that out and writes Happy Mother's Day, Mom. He was so funny about getting the wrong card, but I loved it anyway.

Ashlee: Wrote a book about me. She says that I'm the best mother because of my cranberry chicken that I make(Marcia Heim's recipe)that I take her to school everyday to get an education, and that I help her find her karate belt! She had to describe why I was special..she wrote" My mom is very special because she works hard at everything, she supports me at karate, and she knows that I love her".
She also did a poem using the letters on Mother
M=making me happy
O=outstanding work you do
T=time we spend together
H=helping me
E=everlasting love
R=right here beside me
Isn't that the sweetest. She was very busy in her class.

Lauren; Wrote a sentence about me in a book all the kids did. Hers said" My Mom is an awesome, sweet, lovely, kind, and wonderful mom. She is a good cook. My favorite is chicken. I love my mom. Happy Mother's Day. She made a tile with a flower on it. It was so sweet.

Lyndsey: Wrote ten reasons why she loves me; 10. she reads me hard words 9. helps with homework 8. she makes me laugh by singing funny 7. she taught me how to bake cookies 6. I love to hear my mom sing at church 5. she finds time to take me to a friends house 4. she cares because she tells me she loves me 3. she's smart because she helps me with my homework 2. she works hard at taking care of me 1. she is the Best Mom Ever!!

I am so blessed to have such wonderful kids. When I feel like a terrible mother, I just look at what they have done for me and it makes me smile. They gave me this stuff and I bawled through it all. That thought that was funny!

I posted a page I did for the scrapbook with my new cricut machine. I LOVE that thing! It was my Mother's Day present from all the kids and Marvin too.

Marriage is Forever

This September, Marvin and I will be celebrating 13 years of marriage! I have been blessed with a Christian man that I know, without a doubt, loves me as Christ loves the church and I know our marriage has been ordained by Him and He has blessed us beyond anything I would have ever dreamed. Marvin has been a wonderful husband and the best father I could have ever asked for, for my children(his too!)Our marriage is not perfect, we have our differences and strong opinions, but we went into our marriage knowing the Christ comes first and we come second. Marriage takes work, no matter how many years you have been married and I appreciate every day with Marvin and I love him more and more everyday. I am one of the lucky ones and I thank God for that.

One of my friends is hurting right now. Her husband came home from work the other day, and out of the blue said he wants a divorce and that he has been miserable! What a JERK!! How can you tell your spouse one day that you love them, and the next day, tell them you want a divorce? I don't get it! She has been a good wife, because I have seen it and takes care of the "housewife" stuff and now he is causing her heartache and shock. She is devastated and is trying to make sense of it. I don't even know what to say to her or have any good advice to give. I have never been in that position. But, I have gone through it with my best friend and I know the pain and hurt it causes. I will be there for her if she needs me. I will sit with her, cry with her, talk with her, support her and do whatever she needs to get her through this difficult time.

When I see people's marriages around me fall apart, it makes me sad. I hurt, when my friends hurt and I look at my own marriage and I think how did I get so lucky? I went into my marriage with fear because my whole family has been divorced, except my grandparents, and I decided that whatever happens in my marriage, divorce is not an option. I will fight for it and protect it with all that I have. I will break the divorce cycle in my family.

Pray for my friend. Pray the God will reconcile their marriage. Pray for protection for their child. Pray that I can give her comfort and support. Pray for your own marriage and thank God for your spouse. I know I will hold my husband closer and love him with all that I am...forever.

SO MUCH ALIKE, YET SO DIFFERENT

Lauren and Lyndsey are sometimes so much alike it makes me laugh! As they get older, they start doing things different from each other and they both have very different personalities.They still have alot of similarities, such as eye and hair color, weight, and clothing sizes. They are different in alot of ways too. Lauren is taller, has bigger feet, has a dimple and is right handed. Lyndsey is shorter with smaller feet,has a scar,and is left handed. Well, up until this past Friday, Lauren wore glasses and Lyndsey didn't. Not anymore! Lyndsey complained that she couldn't see at school, and I just thought that she was saying that because Lauren got glasses and when one kid gets something the other one wants something too. So Friday, I took her to the doctor and sure enough, she can't see good either! So now, she will have glasses too. Hers are blue and Lauren's are pink.

Since preschool, I choose to have them in separate classes because, even though they are twins, they are not attached at the hip. Each one has their own personality and they need their own friends and to spend some time away from each other. It was a good decision. I remember picking them up from preschool, and they would run to each other and hug and kiss like they have been separated forever. Sometimes now, even in second grade, they walk to the car holding hands. They definitely have a twin bond that cannot be broken. I am so proud to be a Mom of twins. They are so special and unique. When my friends were all pregnant, I wanted them to have twins too, but none of them have yet!(maybe next time, Stacey!!)

Our plan was to have two kids, but God had other plans and I am so glad He did. I cannot imagine not having them in my life. It was hard when they were born, having four kids under three, but with God's help and the support of family and friends, I made it through the hard times. The next big hurdle will be the teenage years, when all three girls reach puberty!!! Poor Marvin and Matthew!

Well, that's all for now. Have a great week:)

Selah

My favorite group for the last few years has been Selah. The group was originally Todd Smith, his sister Nicole, and their friend Alan. Nicole got married and had a baby and left the group and they got a new girl in the group. Anyway, they are sooo awesome. The sing mostly praise and worship and Todd has a wonderful voice. i just love to hear him sing. I have seen them in concert a few times and I listen to all their songs on my ipod.

I just read today on MySpace, that Todd and his wife, Angie, had a baby girl on Monday that passed away within a few hours of being born. He had a link to Angie's blog that I read from beginning to end and cried the whole time. I truly felt a part of their lives by the way she talked to people reading her blog. She poured out her heart to so many people and I was blessed by some of the things that she shared. I can not imagine losing a baby that I carried for nine months or even one of my kids now. I have been so blessed to have four beautiful, happy, healthy, kids. I was also blessed to carry twins for 37 weeks without too many complications and that they were big and healthy. Yet, people who I don't even know go though such loss and yet they can share with strangers how God has carried them through. What a testimony she has. Please pray for this family and the sadness that they are going through at this very hour. Now, every time I hear my favorite group, I will remember their sweet baby girl, Audrey Caroline.

Read her blog and see if it touches your heart like it did mine.
www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com

INTRODUCING....

The new Lauren!!!!



She was having trouble seeing at school and we went and got an eye exam, and sure enough, she is nearsighted just like the rest of us in the family. Now, nobody should confuse the twins! She looks so cute!

This is the last week of school for them before spring break. I am hoping that the weather is nice when they are off so we can be outside. I'm tired of snow and cold. I want to sit on my porch and relax. We all want to sleep in too! Marvin's going to take a few days off and we might do some spring fishing and go to Kensington and walk the trails.

I am getting ready to do some redecorating in the kitchen and the living room. I'm getting fired up to make my house a little more visitor friendly. the kids are old enough to keep this house looking nice without all their stuff laying around. I'm going to be looking at some paint colors and flooring for the kitchen. It's time to get busy!!

It's supposed to be a nice week and I am looking forward to better walking days. Since I started walking, I have lost 10 pds. I am doing well on WW again and I am totally looking forward to summer because I am going to look and feel better. I am still going to be at Heritage Park during the week at 11a.m. so you know where I am so get the kids and some walking shoes and get moving!!!!

My mom is having some tests this week so please keep her in your prayers. I'm a little worried about this.

Have a great week!

SNOW DAY

Here are the kids playing in the snow and having a blast. They all played outside for hours WITHOUT fighting. I like days like that.