Charity Lemke

Where have you been?!

2009-11-05T08:11:00.000-08:00

Hmmmm, where have I been you ask? I have just been a busy mama trying to adjust to the new normal that is a new school year with one in kindergarten, one in preschool and one snuggly little baby. Every time I think I have a handle on life and schedule, the house seems to explode or I get buried in laundry or I am trying to come up with a good strategy to stop the bickering between two little boys or I am just having a hard time staying awake. Makes me tired just writing about it (and looking around at my living room). But we have still managed to enjoy trips to the cider mill, soccer and just playing with each other amidst all the craziness. Here are some pictures of our journey from this fall...

Caleb's first day of kindergarten! He was one excited little guy. With his backpack and snack in hand, he went off to that great big school (Greenfield Elementary). I think I had more butterflies than he did. He has a great teacher and is loving it. I am super glad that we went with the half day kindergarten, it is working well for him.

This is Nolan on his first day of preschool with Mrs. James (love his preschool!). He was so excited and ready to go. He had been asking for days (weeks) when he was going to go to school and I would leave him there. No tears (at least from him) or clinging to my legs, just super happy to be there-what a big boy!

Caleb playing soccer for the second season. He is becoming quite the skilled soccer player. Oh and Ty was the coach for his team which was very fun (interesting) to see.

Nolan got to play soccer this time for his first season. Let's just say he ran well. Didn't so much go for the ball. He did manage to score a goal, however, and he was the only three year old on his team that would 'play' the whole game. So all in all a successful season.

Getting their first taste of donuts and cider at three cedars farm-yummy! (sorry Finn, next year)

Griffin loves playing (eating) the leaves. It sure is fun to watch him grow bigger, but does anybody know of anything I can feed him to keep him little?

Another cider mill trip. This time we went to Spicer's. They have my vote for the best donuts and cider of the *ahem* 3 places we have visited.

Every morning when Finn wakes up from his nap, Nolan runs in his room, climbs in his crib and 'plays' with him. I think it is great brother bonding time, as long as Nolan doesn't step or fall on him in the process, of course.

It has been fun to have a little time in the mornings with just Nolan. We have done art projects and cooking projects. Here we are making pumpkin spiced playdough. I think his favorite project so far has been making applesauce. Because he got to eat it, of course. We also made a bunch of baby food for Griffin and have it in the freezer. Ty loves it (or thinks I'm a wee bit crazy) that I have added this to my schedule.

Which one is the real pumpkin? We are carving pumpkins at the Gramer's. Great fun!

Scooping out the pumpkin guts! Eeeewwww! This is shortly before Nolan gagged because of the smell and threw up (just a little).

Caleb at his class Halloween party. Doesn't Wolverine look menacing?

Yeah for coupons!

2009-07-01T17:06:00.000-07:00

The dutch-ness in me was very excited after my trip to Target the other day! Now many of you know that I love finding good deals and am not an extravagant spender but I do love shopping. I think if I were more decisive I would have some stacked some major debt due to shopping. But I digress... The other day I decided to take some coupons to Target inspired by the sale on Edy's ice cream (3 for $7) with a printable $1 off coupon for each. I was able to score Edy's ice cream for $1.33 a container. Then when I was there, I also picked up 2 packages of disposable razors (they were on sale for $6.49 each and I had a buy one get one free coupon and each package had a $1 off coupon). So, I got 6 razors for $5.49! Score! After all was said and done I saved $15 (which isn't a lot compared to some of the coupon pros out there but I am learning. I am one happy dutch girl :)

Raising Boys

2009-06-03T13:42:00.000-07:00

We went for a walk/bike ride the other day. We are quite the sight, let me tell you: Caleb and Nolan on bikes, Griffin in the stroller and me wrangling all of them plus Caspian. Everyone we pass shakes their heads, laughs and says something like, "Wow, you have your hands full, 3 boys and a dog". To which, I just smile and agree.

I know I have my hands full (as well as my mind and heart as well) but while I know that life is crazy and chaotic now, they will grow up and become more and more independent. So, I choose to embrace the craziness (at least today) and not worry about the laundry or the messy house and just play games and hold my baby because they grow up way too fast.

Speaking of growing up too fast, Caleb graduated from preschool. Aaaahhhh, watch out kindergarten!

And since I love poetry, here is a poem I came across that made me smile:

Raising Boys

(Roberta I. Teague)

I scrub the wall of fingerprints,
Pick up the mounds of clothes.
I sweep the dirt that shoes track in-
Wish I could use a hose!

Meals are served from dawn to dark,
Dirty dishes crowd the sink.
Just when they're washed and put away-
Everyone wants a drink!

The washer pulls the dirty grime
From pants worn thin and patched.
They look so very neat and clean-
Yuck, look what the pockets hatched!

Broken bones and bloody knees,
I should have been a nurse.
I take it all in shaky stride-
Just grateful it's not worse!

Screams and shouts and arguments
Test the keeping of my cool.
They left the neighbor's faucet on-
See their new front yard pool!

A soothing bath is ecstasy,
A reward at the end of my rope.
Raising boys isn't really bad-
But first I must wash the soap!

A rose can say I Love You,
Orchids can enthrall;
But a weed bouquet in a chubby fist,
Oh my, that says it all!

Three handsome boys!

Caleb graduating from preschool! *sniff*sniff*

Soccer Star

2009-05-30T11:29:00.000-07:00

Yep, Caleb has become quite the soccer player. While it took him a little while to become comfortable, he is now quite the star out there. It has been so much fun to watch him improve from week to week. It is a little strange to be a soccer mom. I don't think I have it down just yet. Today I was just happy to get all three boys dressed and to the game. I didn't have chairs or even a blanket to sit on but I think everyone had fun anyway!

I don't know which he likes more: playing or wearing the uniform!

Memorial Day Mayhem

2009-05-28T06:32:00.000-07:00

Having three boys is completely unpredictable. Our plans can change very quickly based on moods, naps and/or health. So, over Memorial Day, we planned to go to the cabin for a little family, food and fun! Unfortunately, Nolan's asthma was acting up and we were back home in less than 24 hours. Of course, he started feeling better as soon as we got home, so out came the monster truck! What fun!

Griffin really did make his first trip to the cabin!

Caleb showing off his driving skills!

Checking the engine.

Nolan thinks he is big stuff!

Welcome Griffin Scott Lemke!

2009-05-12T08:39:00.000-07:00

Griffin Scott Lemke was born on Friday, April 24th, 2009 at 8:37 AM. He was 7 pounds 12 ounces and 21 inches long. We are adjusting to life with 3 boys, but Griffin is a very easy baby so far. I keep saying if he was my first, we would probably have a dozen children. We are waiting for that day when he is going to really wake up and make his presence known. We feel so blessed to have him as part of our family!

Meet baby boy Lemke #3 (sort of)

2009-02-16T07:43:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of our third little boy at 29 weeks! We can't wait to meet him! His name is still up for debate, it depends on the week. Maybe we will just have to see him to figure out the perfect name!

Lovin Summertime

2008-07-23T11:58:00.001-07:00

We are having one of those busy and fun summers. I always remember summertime being really laid back. My sister and I did a lot of playing at our house and my grandparents' house. We wouldn't go a whole lot of places, but we just enjoyed being outside most of the time. Our family on the other hand has been enjoying lots of trips and visiting the various parks and the zoo and having a fabulous summer. Caleb at 4 has been a great, much easier and very fun and Nolan at 2 has been super cute but also a bit of a stinker at times. Here are some pictures of our summer fun!

What's better than Lake Michigan in the summer?

Fun in the backyard pool

Yum!

2 year olds and sparklers-what a brilliant idea!

Fireworks at the cabin

Mr. Adventure

The captain at the helm

Playing at the barn park

Birthday Fun II !

2008-05-01T16:47:00.000-07:00

Caleb turned four in April! We went to Rainforest Cafe' for a yummy birthday dinner of dinosaur chicken nuggets and then played in the play area. He brought cupcakes to his preschool, got a fabulous crown and enjoyed opening his presents. Over the weekend, we went to Grandma and Papa's house for dinner with some friends from church and they had farm and fishing fun. It was a little boys birthday for sure!

I feel like it was some kind of rite of passage for me as a mother to make cupcakes for his preschool class. Caleb wanted a dinosaur theme, so here he is with one of the chocolate ones with crushed Oreos for dirt and he also had vanilla ones with green colored coconut for grass-too fun!

Who doesn't love big tractors?

Feeding the cows at Uncle Al's Farm! We loved everything but the smell!

Feeding the calves at Uncle Al's Farm!

We asked Caleb if he wanted to go fishing or open presents first, i love that he chose fishing over presents!

The birthday boy catches a fish! (But I don't want it to touch me!)

Dinosaur cupcakes being enjoyed by all the boys!

Caleb's birthday concluded with dinosaur cake and presents at Grandma and Papa's!

One of his favorite gifts!

Birthday Fun!

2008-05-01T16:08:00.000-07:00

We have had a busy couple months with the boys' birthdays being in back to back months. I am now getting used to saying I have a 2 year old and a 4 year old! Wow, time really does fly!

Nolan celebrated #2 with a trip to Rainforest Cafe' with family and an Elmo birthday party with some buddies from church.

Here is the big man on his big day! He is my smart, easygoing, silly, super lovable, cutie pie!

Rainforest Cafe' with cousin Jack (who believe it or not turned 2 16 days before Nolan-he's huge!)

Nolan sporting some of the dress-up clothes he got for his 'birfday'!

The Elmo birthday party-gotta love Elmo! I don't know what it is but most 2 year olds love that furry little red guy!

Playing at the party with some buddies from church, too much fun!

You better sit down, I actually posted!

2008-04-10T19:05:00.000-07:00

I'm so over the music, so I had to post. Lots of stuff going on in Lemke Land. We are trying to work on a bunch of house projects because we would like to try to sell our house. I am trying not to get too excited because I know how the housing market is, but this winter the house seemed to close in on me. It just got smaller and smaller. Maybe it is because the boys are growing bigger, I don't know, but in the cooler months especially, I could use a little more space. But even if we can't sell the house, having all the odds and ends projects completed will make me feel better (I like order, what can I say?)

In kid news, Nolan is talking like crazy with tons of new words every week. One of our favorites is his rendition of the word 'fox'. Caleb is enamored by heaven. Every few days he must ask questions about what heaven will be like, who will be there, what toys are there, how do we get there, what do we eat there, etc. He's probably got a better picture of heaven in his mind than I do

Why do we live in Michigan?

2008-02-27T16:45:00.000-08:00

New distractions

2008-01-29T21:51:00.000-08:00

So you may have noticed that there has been some time off in between posts and I have to admit that I have found yet another distraction...facebook. It's a fun little social network where I can leave quick little comments and feel a bit connected to people. Don't get me wrong, I love to blog about thoughts and ideas but I am finding I lack the time, energy and creativity at times. I would rather read about the lives of everyone on my blog reading list and that leaves little time for keeping up on my own but you may get a snippet every once in a while.

With the holidays and our first bout with winter illnesses over, I am actually looking forward (do I dare say it?) to a little snow. There are lots of things I want to do this winter like ice skate, go sledding, play in the snow (more) and go visit some of the museums in the area. Have you heard of this neat deal that the libraries in southeast michigan are offering? You can check out (just like you would a book-for free!) a 2 or 4 person pass to various museums in the area. I really want to take advantage of that. I think we all need our dose of culture every once in a while. Anyway I don't want this winter to pass me by before I get to do some of those things.

In a couple of weeks, we will be leaving cloudy, cold Michigan for sunny, warm Arizona to visit my mom and sister. As much as I want to enjoy the winter fun, I am excited to leave it behind for a week and spend some time outside.

Oh and for the latest kid quotes: when Caleb is asked whether he wants a little brother or sister he responds by stating that he wants a big sister (like Josh W. has). And when we tell him he can't have a big sister, it just doesn't work like that, he said is God all out of big sisters?
And Nolan, he has some favorite words as well namely mommy (makes my heart smile), pizza (who doesn't love pizza?), and Elmo. He is at that cute stage of acquiring words every day and surprising us with new things. Aaaahhh what fun it is!

The latest

2007-12-18T16:29:00.001-08:00

We are about 21 episodes into the first season of Heroes. We've watched all of those in the last 2 weeks. It is pretty much what we do when the boys go to bed. We are regularly watching 2 and a couple times 3 episodes a night. It is a fun show with all the characters and the cliffhangers at the end of each episode. I like the whole comic book scene. At this point, I would still have to rate it #3 in the list of my favs, though, just after Lost and 24. We'll see if it can surpass them as time goes on. I think part of it is that I feel like I can find serious flaws in the storyline but I'll hold out judgment. Or maybe it is that I am not having dreams of Heroes like I did with both Lost and 24 so it isn't seeping into my subconscious thought life as much (maybe that is a good thing though).

Decorating the Tree

2007-12-14T17:08:00.001-08:00

Nolan searching for the perfect tree.

Placing the ornaments perfectly.

The destroyer was in full effect.

Everyone got in on the decorating action (it only took a small pumpkin spice latte bribe).

Caleb lovin' the nutcrackers.

Lovin' the nativity. He pretends they are like action figures. One of his favorites is to pretend the angel is telling everyone to worship God, but not you sheep only the big mans.

What handsome boys!

Fall Fun

2007-11-13T21:33:00.000-08:00

Thought I would post some pictures of the fun things we've done this Fall.

Nolan and Jack at the apple orchard.

Caleb on the tractor at the apple orchard.

Pumpkin carving fun!

The lion and tiger at the Zoo Boo!

The boys trick or treating with Ella and Lauren!

Fast internet connection!

2007-10-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

A couple of hours ago, we had faster internet installed and voila! I feel like a whole new blogger. Thought I would add a couple pics to fill you in on the Lemke drama of the past month.

1st I started back to work teaching kindergarten and had jury duty and was put on a trial and then released before deliberations. Then Caleb started preschool. Nolan had some weird stomach virus that came and went and came. The dog had a strangely large mass in his neck, which we thought was many different awful things. He had surgery and it was plant material that caused an infection. Then Caleb fell into a dining room chair and cut his head open and got 5 stitches. Is that it? I feel like I have aged quite a bit in this past month. I am still waiting for this school year to feel normal. Or maybe this is just the new normal for us.

Honestly!!!

2007-06-11T11:44:00.000-07:00

I would like to put in my resignation. You might be thinking, "she hasn't even started teaching yet, so why resign." Well, I don't want to resign from teaching. I actually want to resign from the portion of my mom job entitled the nurse. My kids have been so sick. If it is not one it is the other. Saturday, Nolan was writhing on the floor in pain, crying, screaming. I couldn't console him, he didn't want to be held, but he certainly didn't want to be anywhere else either. We finally brought him to a B'ham emergency walk-in clinic and confirmed that he had a double ear infection. By Sunday AM, he was a different child. All it took was a couple of doses of the magic pink stuff. The rest of Sunday was great, both children feeling pretty okay.

But, at 1:30 in the AM Monday, Caleb was puking. So the sheets must be changed, washed, pj's changed, washed. Never fun in the middle of the night, poor kid. After getting him back in bed, I laid awake trying to figure out what is going on. The past 6 months have been one illness after another, at least one illness for each child each month.

So, this morning Caleb's sickness is still looming, but we've been puke free for an hour and a half, that must be cause for a minor celebration.

Needless to say, I would like to resign from my nurse position because that has been far too much of my life lately.

Random happenings and thoughts

2007-06-07T18:44:00.000-07:00

As cute as that picture is of Nolan, I thought it might be time to update the 'ol blog. Lots happening around here. Caleb turned 3 in April-yikes! He can ride a bike with training wheels, knows all his uppercase letters, has short hair for the first time in his life and is looking like an incredibly cute little boy (oh and did i mention that he is incredibly strong-willed?)

Well it also looks as if I am going to be employed in the fall. Yes, I am going back to teaching, part-time that is. I have some mixed feelings about the whole situation. It was one of those faith things where we said, "Alright God here is the ideal situation-the school where I taught before taking a leave of absence and part-time afternoons-if I get that which is a huge long shot, then we'll feel green lighted" And against the odds, that is precisely what happened, so I am planning on teaching kindergarten in the afternoons. Ty will be able to be home with the boys a few afternoons a week and we need to find someone like a college student with a flexible schedule for a couple afternoons a week. So if you know of someone who is good with kids and reliable let me know. Caleb will be going to preschool 2 afternoons a week and Nolan naps really well, so I feel pretty good about that. I'm a little worried about the time that I will have to spend on school related stuff outside of actually teaching. If I could only go in, teach and go home that would be super. But I'm such an over achiever. I've already been in to visit, been to an inservice and spent many hours on the internet researching ideas. We'll just have to see how everything goes down. I know there will be quite an adjustment period for our whole family.

Other news, we've been enjoying the warm weather, riding bikes, playing in the sand table and the water table, going to parks, playing with friends and going for lots of walks. We are gearing up for all the graduation parties and summer events of a high school youth pastor. We are also considering running a 5K in September. Now, to many of you, you scoff at how short a 5K is but to me, it seems like a pretty lofty goal considering how much I loathe running and after only a few runs, my knees are killing me. How old am I???? We shall see if I can stick with it.

Nolan is 1!!!

2007-03-11T16:42:00.000-07:00

Nolan is 1, I can't believe it! The years just go faster and faster. Nolan has been walking for about a month now and continually gets into everything. He has such a beautiful sense of natural curiosity. He is such a snuggler and he has such a sweet disposition. He has six teeth, loves to eat (not green beans though), walks, says mama, dada, and uh-oh. Quite a lot of accomplishments for a little guy. We love him so much and even Caleb is starting to play with him.

Then: March 11, 2006 7 lbs 0 oz.

Wow! I can't believe that was a year ago! It kinda makes me want to do it all over again (Hee Hee, just kidding). When Caleb was a year old, we started considering having another baby. I think 12 months old is such a great age.

Conference

2007-02-20T07:27:00.000-08:00

It has been so long since I have had the opportunity to listen to a great speaker and know that my kids were being lovingly cared for. I had the pleasure of going to Cobo Arena friday and saturday to hear Beth Moore speak on friendship with man and with God. I went with my mother-in-law (I got it for her for Christmas) and I had a great time. Worship was good and Beth Moore was excellent. She definitely touched on some things that were relevant to my life and she does it in such a humorous, non-judgmental way that it makes me want to change. Stacey, my sister-in-law, stayed with the boys friday evening and saturday morning, which I am so thankful for. I know she was exhausted but the boys love her. So despite a sleepless night for me on friday night due to Nolan, it was a great time.

Boys Will Be Boys (Part II)

2007-02-13T07:44:00.000-08:00

Hopefully this is a phase that will pass but the stories are memorable. Last night Ty took Caleb to his Christian Ed. board meeting which is only supposed to last a few minutes but as many meetings go, he was in there for some 20 minutes or so. After only a minute or 2, Caleb whispered to Ty that "his penis was bothering him." So Ty took him out in the hallway to adjust himself. About 5 minutes later this was repeated, this time a few more people overheard his issue and giggled. The next time, Caleb was a bit louder and some ladies on the opposite end of the room overheard and were asking each other if they really heard what they thought they had heard. So when it came time for Ty to speak, he addressed Caleb's current fascination which had the board in stitches with one gentleman saying, "don't put that in the minutes".

BRRRRR!

2007-02-05T08:20:00.000-08:00

Schools in the area are actually closed today because of the extremely frigid temperatures. So we are holed up inside trying to stay warm. Just looking outside makes me cold and our old house has old, leaky windows, so when you walk by them you can feel the cold air seeping in. On the inside (yes, the inside) of our bathroom window, there is ice. Ty was saying that going out in this cold actually makes him angry and I can understand why. When will it end????

On lighter news, I am quite excited that the Super Bowl was last night and marked the end of the football season. I was reminded that it will be short-lived with the draft occurring in the spring, but I am thankful for the break and I rather enjoy watching March Madness.

Boys will be boys

2007-01-31T16:30:00.001-08:00

So the other night, Ty and I were awakened numerous by a child. Oh no, not Nolan as you might think, it was Caleb. He was complaining that his pe... hurt. Alright, whatever, it is something I will never understand but we showed him how to adjust himself and that seemed to work. Fast forward to today when we were at the library when he stuck his hand down his pants to "fix it". I was quite mortified. My house is full of boys, and sometimes I feel very out of my element.

Addictions

2007-01-27T09:43:00.000-08:00

Sounds foreboding does it not? But really, I think we all have a bit of an addictive nature, some more than others, of course. I think on the scale of addictive personalities, I would rank in the med/high range. My latest addiction (which I happily share with others) is this crazy game-Settlers of Catan. Why I enjoy frivolously spending many hours upon hours playing this game, I have yet to figure out. It is the perfect blend of strategy and chance where every game is different enough that it holds my interest. It doesn't hurt to win every once in a while, as well.

In addition to that, I am addicted to 24 (the television show) and LOST. Nothing inherently wonderful about these shows, but they are different from your average sitcom. I like trying to figure things out and form my theories. So, there you have it, my addictions of the moment. You are absolutely welcome to join me in my madness. Come watch 24 or LOST and then we'll play Settlers!

Jungle Java and the New Tooth

2007-01-24T15:56:00.000-08:00

Sounds like a great title for a children's book, right? Nope, just today's happenings. Caleb and I went to Jungle Java along with our MOPS group today. That place is a kids' wonderland of climbing fun and they have great coffee as well. Caleb enjoyed playing with lots of kids and running all over.

In Nolan news, we have not been sleeping well for several nights and today the culprit is rearing it's ugly head. Yes, a new front tooth is straining it's way through his little gums. That would make anybody wake up crying in the night. We just feel better knowing there is a reason for the madness.

Preacher's Kid

2007-01-19T13:08:00.000-08:00

To preface this story, Caleb has been asking where Jesus is and where God is. We tell him heaven (but what can that abstract thought mean to a 2 year old) and that Jesus lives in your heart when you love him and invite him to live there. To which he responds, "My love Jesus". So, of course, Jesus (and God) live in his heart.

So the other day, Caleb comes running up to me crying and amidst the tears points to his chest and asks me to kiss his Jesus and God. After asking what?!? a couple of times I found that he had apparently hurt himself by falling on his chest, so of course, mom, you must kiss it and make my Jesus and God all better. Which, I did.

Poor kid is going to have some messed up theology.

Pondering preschools

2007-01-18T07:33:00.000-08:00

I have been researching preschools for a couple of months now. What a hard thing. I want Caleb's first school experience to be positive, fun and exciting. I know he will love it, I'm not worried about that. I am just debating what will lead to the best possible situation for kindergarten and beyond. I love the school where I taught prior to having the boys but I also enjoy Southfield Christian. So then do I have him participate in a christian preschool or one in my school in Birmingham. Decisions, decisions...don't get me started on whether I am working or not next year, can't go there yet.

Vomitus Maximus

2007-01-18T07:32:00.000-08:00

the title says it all, pretty much sums up the life of my household the past few days.

Enjoying versus enduring

2007-01-16T07:36:00.000-08:00

I read a MOPS email this morning that struck me. So much of my time is spent enduring dirty diapers, nighttime wakings, cooking, laundry and all those other mundane chores. When I really and truly am very thankful that I am at home with my boys. I want to enjoy every moment with them because time marches on far too quickly. I know that Nolan will only hold onto my fingers and walk for a very short time and while I may want to get the dishes cleaned up or fold the laundry, I need to remember that each stage of their childhood is so short. Caleb is full of energy but will only play when I'm in the vicinity. If I move rooms, so must he. But someday, I will be knocking on his bedroom door wondering when he will grace us with his presence. So I choose to enjoy today and not just endure it. I will not just look forward to bedtime. I will look forward to playing basketball, peekaboo, and drinking "pretend" hot coffee.

Inspired

2007-01-16T07:14:00.000-08:00

Since the last time I blogged, many friends have taken up the hobby of writing thoughts and sharing them and I have once again been inspired to sharing a few thoughts of my own. (Disclaimer: I make no promises, this may be the last one).

Also, since my last post, Nolan has graced our family with his presence. We are incredibly blessed. So we shall see what this next season of blogging brings!

I'm Baaaack

2006-01-06T16:33:00.000-08:00

Don't ask me how but my blog was lost in cyberspace for some time and my feeble attempts to try to find it over the past few months have been thwarted at every turn until tonight. Probably because tonight I actually need to be studying for a reading specialist certification test that I am taking in the morning and now that I have found my blog, I don't think I will be doing much more of that.

Anyway, the biggest news is that our family is going to enjoy the addition of a BOY in March. So excited! He has given us all kinds of problems, worries, and issues so I am expecting him to be a perfect little gentleman when he arrives. Here is a cool 3/4D ultrasound picture of him at 25 weeks.

Enjoying the end (so sad) of summer

2005-09-03T09:59:00.000-07:00

Dinosaur fun at the park

Guess Who?

2005-09-01T11:46:00.000-07:00

Aaaah, so much to say and so little time, but at least I am posting. Anyway, tomorrow will be the 10 week point for baby lemke #2. It seems that some of the early ultrasound scare is working itself out and things are looking much better. At least I have some cute pictures of the little one. I will certainly try to be a better blogger but now I am going to work on getting some photos on here.

Online again...Just couldn't wait to get online again

2005-06-27T22:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks Tony for being a computer wizard! I am actually online and...alas...no pop-ups. Can cyberspace really be this peaceful? It has been so long since I have blogged that I almost forgot my username and password-for shame! It has been fun reading and catching up with all the blogs out there.

My life since disappearing from cyberspace has been busy but very enjoyable. So very much enjoying the nice weather-even the heat! We've had the pool out and are going for walks every day down the Berkley streets. Unfortunately, Ty is hating life working construction. Luckily, we are going to get some time off over 4th of July weekend-Yeah!

Caleb is a crazy kid. We realized/remembered yesterday during a sermon at church that when Caleb was born, we read the biblical story of Caleb and prayed for him to be bold and courageous. So far, God has blessed him with those traits ( sometimes to my chagrin). He is a bundle of energy, always busy, always movin' and groovin'. I love him lots.

Time Warp

2005-05-02T11:37:00.000-07:00

It's been a loooong time since I posted. My main excuse is that Caleb is walking and the computer office area is not walker-proof but that is probably only part of the story.

As for the time warp I was in this past weekend, we saw friends from college and it felt altogether very nice and very strange. We see some of these friends a couple of times a year and others very infrequently. It was really good to see how this "circle of impending doom" has panned out and expanded with children and spouses. It was refreshing to be with people that Ty and I could see ourselves keeping in touch with for years and years. Fun times.

Round 1: Complete

2005-03-21T11:09:00.000-08:00

Ty has returned from his business trip to Florida. He had fun but it was a long week for Caleb and me. Caleb was great, well-behaved even. It was a trial having my grandma here. She just does stuff, like starts feeding Caleb all kinds of foods he has never had and changing his schedule and cleaning my house. It was nice to have some company but she was here about a day and a half too long. But now it is over and Ty is home for a week then round 2 begins and it's even longer. I think this would all be more tolerable if it was warm and sunny outside but alas it is not so. I think I need to just change my attitude but I just want to get through it.

Hello-o-o (echo)

2005-03-17T10:36:00.000-08:00

So Ty has left me for sunny Florida. He has accompanied SCS' senior class to Florida for the week. And of course I am home taking care of Caleb and Caspian wishing for Spring to come. Caleb is being super good (so far) but I get a little bored and miss my husband terribly. Although I think I would rather join him in Florida than have him come home. Anyway my grandma is coming to stay with us today and I am feeling a little conflicted. I love seeing her in small doses so this may be a bit trying for me.

Oh and I don't know if this is curiousity or anxiety but Caleb keeps grinding his teeth and it just makes me cringe. Why does he do this? Doesn't it hurt? Eeeee! I consulted one of the many baby books we have and it said that it is normal. I guess it is one of those 'normal' things I could do without.

Appreciated

2005-03-03T11:21:00.000-08:00

I realize that I don't need to be validated by people but it sure is nice when it just happens. This week the principal from the school I worked at called me. He just wanted to know if I was planning on coming back to work next year or if I was going to extend my leave. He made me feel like he appreciated me and my hard work was validated. I hated telling him that I wouldn't be returning because a part of me would like to go back to teaching part time and I didn't want to disappoint the nice man. Anyway, he went on to tell me that he would try his best to get me back to the school when I did choose to come back. That phone call pretty much made my week. Sigh. Oh and of course I cried when I got off the phone.

Thank you Beth Moore

2005-02-20T22:25:00.000-08:00

I resisted this bible study with Beth Moore because I had my hang ups but I am soooo glad that we are doing it. We are doing a study called Believing God. Mostly it is helping me to be disciplined about reading and studying the Bible again. I am so bad at that. And it doesn't matter how many times I hear the same truths over and over, I still get something new from them. Anyway, I was doing my homework this week for the bible study and I came across this story about a miracle that really struck me and is serving as fuel for my faith in the way that I pray and approach God. Anyway, here it is, I pray that your faith may be fueled by this man's testimony.

Rick Jones was a pastoral minister who was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic carcinoma in 1990. This godly family wept together after receiving the report. The Rick asked a question he believes, in retrospect, that patients are better off not asking:"How long do I have?" The doctor replied, "Ninety days at the most." He assured Rick and his family that he would do wnay thing he could to make him comfortable. Though he had issued the diagnosis, something inside the Christian internest compelled him to reject it relentlessly. After much research the doctor discovered a kind of radical surgery that was showing marginal results in slightly extending the lives of some patients with Rick's diagnosis. The most important factor for even marginal success was the absolute inactivity of cancer in any other location besides the pancreas.

The internist found an experienced surgeon who was willing to perform the radical procedure, but on opening Rick up, they found cancer everywhere. The deflated surgeon told those attending him that nothing else could be done and to close him up. Just moments later when he walked away, a man put a hand on his shoulder and said, "James, you can do this surgery. I gave you the talent. What would you want them to do with you?" He turned to see who was talking to him, and no one was there. He returned to the operating room and announced they would continue the procedure. After removing as much infected tissue as possible, he turned away to take several sips of orange juice. When he turned back to his patient, every visible sign of cancer in Rick's abdomen had disappeared. This is a documented event that was caught on videotape. In fact, the sight was so dramatic that the doctor looked straight into the camera taping the procedure and said, "What you've seen here is the hand of the Great Physician." Furthermore, after tissue samples were sent to the lab, the surgeon received a message saying they must have received the wrong samples. The patient whose tissue they received had no sign of ever having had cancer.

Amazing, God is truly amazing. I don't know this Rick Jones guy but knowing there is documentation certainly helps the unbelieving skeptic in me. Thank you Beth Moore for using this story to reveal to me how big and loving our God is.

In a nutshell

2005-02-19T10:57:00.000-08:00

My week in a nutshell....

Caleb got to go swimming for the first time ever. He LOOOVED it! He is such a go-getter. He just wanted us to let go of him and let him swim.
Ty was home on winter break. He made a little extra cash doing some construction and we started a bit of a home improvement project. We finally took down the wallpaper going up the stairs (i know you are so disappointed) and ripped out the carpet. We are going to paint and upstairs and sand the stairs and put a runner on it. Should look better we hope.
Ty and I went out on a real grown-up date. Dinner, shopping, coffee, good conversation. I love my husband.
Got to see friends playing guitar and singing at a coffee house.
Ty is up north today working on the cabin-will it ever end?
Tomorrow Ty is preaching in Windsor again.

Good week. Fun week. I love my family. I love my friends.

Girls just wanna have fun

2005-02-17T22:48:00.000-08:00

Okay so last saturday, i got to leave Berkley in the dust and strike off for Birch Run with Kelli and Sherri. I must admit I was a little worried leaving Caleb with Ty but i figured that it really was only 26 hours-so would any permanent harm come to him from a weekend with dad? Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I got to shop, which is always fun and I even bought some things (with a little encouragement of course). I think my favorite purchase was my Banana Republic boots for $6.00. Not me, but who cares they're fun. We had a great time chatting about life, marriage, kids, families, and our hearts. We laughed, we sat in the hot tub, we shopped for hours and hours, we ate good food. It did my heart good to hang out with such great women.

And Ty and Caleb were none worse for the wear when I returned-yeah.

Far too long

2005-02-17T22:38:00.000-08:00

It really has been far too long since I have posted. Ty has been on break this week and I haven't had Keely. You would think that I would have more time to blog, read or whatever but it has been exactly the opposite of that. Why do I have such trouble with the changes in schedules? There are plenty of things that I need to blog about but they need their own space. So here is to a fun week of Ty being home (some days) and Caleb's front teeth finally coming through (say goodbye to Fang).

Little walker extraordinaire

2005-02-11T12:58:00.000-08:00

The amazing walker extraordinaire (circus voice). It is so much fun to watch Caleb stretch his boundaries. He is walking, very excitedly I might add, all along the furniture and walls (not on the walls but along the walls). He can go from room to room even and thinks he is big stuff. Caleb has even incurred a wound from his adventures, wild at heart i tell ya. He was traversing from his bedroom into the bathroom when *crash* down he went on the tile floor. Nasty goose egg bruise on his forehead.

While it is very exciting for me to watch him learn new things (especially when he is more content now that he can move more on his own), I think I am already missing the helpless newborn stage. I guess I still get little tastes of it though. Like this morning, he got up from a very short nap and I laid him in my arms and he fell back asleep for like a half hour. So sweet he is. What an adventure parenting is!

Let's take a moment. . .

2005-02-06T22:41:00.000-08:00

The Super Bowl...can't say I get it. Actually, I get football in general and fantasy football especially, even less. But let me just take a moment and say "HALLELUJAH" football season is officially over!

Nursery Duty

2005-01-31T13:41:00.000-08:00

Ty and I served in the nursery for the first time at Genesis yesterday morning. I was looking forward to it. I know half or more of the babies from playgroup on Wednesdays and I really was looking forward to giving back to the church in some tangible way. Anyway Ty confessed as we were waiting for the kids to come that he was more anxious about watching a few babies than he would be if he were getting up in front of 500 people to preach. Funny how different we are. I was totally comfortable with these kids. Now I will admit that there was some insanity involved. We had about 10 infants under one year of age and at one point a majority of them were crying but what are you going to do when you are completely outnumbered? We did the best we could. All that kept going through my head was the time that the children's ministry guy said "You never see the numbers come up on the screen because we are just that good." Apparently Ty and I weren't that good because he went and got a couple of the moms. Oh well, we did our best.

He is his father's child

2005-01-31T01:34:00.000-08:00

Crabby john-john. Caleb gets his temperament from his father. He likes to have people around all the time and get him off his schedule and watch out (okay maybe that part is from me). But yeah, he slept from 8:15 last night until 6:45 this morning without a single peep. I think he was a sleepy little guy after our busy day yesterday.

Snow Day!

2005-01-22T20:07:00.000-08:00

I love snow when I don't have to be out in it. It is crazy how much snow we have been getting this year and it sure looks pretty when everything is all white and clean looking. It doesn't take long however to get gray and sloppy looking from the cars and plows. I must say that I don't like having my Saturday evening plans thwarted however. I have had a somewhat mundane week so it would have been nice to get out and hang with friends and hopefully not hear about the "giving sermon" all night. Actually I'm not hearing about it which is a good thing.

Why is giving so hard for me? I love giving to friends and family especially time and gifts but the idea of giving more than my tithe to the church is difficult to swallow sometimes. Maybe I shouldn't be the one in our family to do the bills. Then I wouldn't think about it quite so much or maybe I just would be naive about it, not likely but maybe a good idea.

Case Solved

2005-01-14T14:35:00.000-08:00

The culprit: 2 nasty teeth. Alas, the mystery is solved and somehow it makes everything better. When Caleb woke up every night for the past 5 nights, I felt something was wrong but I didn't know what and I had all kinds of theories. Then when I give up trying to figure it out, there they are, those nasty teeth pushing their way through those tender gums. It feels good to know that there has been a reason for the madness and we are not losing our sanity. Now I can help although for him the worst is probably over. Hallelujah!

5 nights in a row- Aaaarrrgghh

2005-01-14T11:31:00.000-08:00

Imagine me saying that in a pirate voice. I am feeling a little slappy today. I am beyond the tired phases of crabby, barely functioning and mean now I have moved on to just plain strange. I pleaded with the Lord last night for some sleep but it was not to be so. The little Caleb man decided to be up again. I am out of theories and will now just take each night as it comes. We are heading up north to the cabin tonight and I will worry about whether he is waking everyone else up in the house but what is one to do? They're family, they'll have to deal with it.

On a brighter note, my husband is the sweetest man.

What to do???

2005-01-04T21:21:00.000-08:00

I got a business proposal today. I have the opportunity to watch two other children. Still only in the morning for another teacher from the school where I was previously employed in my other life. The kids are twins (boy and girl) and the teacher is super sweet and would pay really reasonably. I wouldn't have them until February and there is a big break in Feb and March/Apr. And Bham gets out of school June 3, so it wouldn't even be that long but do I really want to watch 4 children?@*? Am I crazy to even consider? Ty did say that we could partially finish the basement and have a playroom/family room downstairs. That makes it really tempting just for that. Maybe it would get Ty off his video game/football watching butt(hee hee). Maybe I would get the doorknobs on my closet too, who knows. I'll be mulling this one over for a little while I think.

Grrr...

2005-01-04T21:12:00.000-08:00

The maze of shelves. The endless array of boxes and cans. Dollar signs. Sale signs. Carts with crazy people. More crazy people. Long lines. Slow checkout personnel. Slower baggers. I can't stand the grocery store!

I am a Christian and most of the time I like people. But put me in a grocery store and I am put to the test. You see, I am on a mission. Get in, get food, save money, get out. Simple you would think, but people get in my way and it starts to take forever. And my patience wears thin very quickly. And I start saying lots of bad things in my head toward others. By the time I get into the car, I am frazzled. Who knew the craziness that could ensue from a Tuesday evening at Kroger!

Aaaaaahhhhhhh!

2005-01-01T21:05:00.000-08:00

That is a happy sigh of relief. I so look forward to the holidays every year. Great food, lots of time spent with family and friends, and gifts to give and receive. But I must say I breathe a little easier when it is all over. I always seem to need a little recovery time after this so called "break". I have enjoyed all the parties and get-togethers (some more than others) and I love seeing everyone and celebrating Christmas and New Year's but I am now looking forward to getting back into my routine. Those of you that know me, know that I thrive on schedules and routines (apparently it's a first born curse). I become all out of sorts after some time of having Ty home, going to bed after midnight and driving all over the world. Not bad out of sorts, just unsettled. So, I'll probably regret this but I am looking forward to the normalcy and mundane in the month of January. Still trying to think of my faith resolutions for this year as well.

Oh and for all of you who I have told about blogging and who peep at mine but do not have your own, I think it is time for you in this new year to set aside your fears of blogging and JUST DO IT! You really don't need to have a lot of time and it isn't scary. I want to hear about your lives and thoughts in 2005. Come on, jump on the BlogWagon! Anyway, Happy New Year!

Back from the Edge

2004-12-20T11:06:00.000-08:00

Well, it has been quite some time since my last blog. What can I say? Every time I have been online, I have been trying to do my Christmas shopping (which I have found to be oh so fun). Shopping in the midst of a million people at the malls with Caleb in tow just isn't appealing to me. However, there have been a few hiccups in my holiday season.

About a week and a half ago, Caleb got a wicked cold which led to a double ear infection. Now we have weathered a couple small colds but this one kicked us in the butt so to speak. Ty ended up being out of town for the worst day but Caleb was completely and utterly pitiful for about 3 days. We finally went to the doctor and found out he had a double ear infection (and I thought I was being a silly parent for taking him in with just a cold). So our first adventure with the pink medicine ensued which definitely got easier when Caleb decided he liked it. During this time, I got pretty run down and got sick for a few days as well. Luckily, a very thoughtful friend, Sherri, helped me to keep everything in perspective and gave me daily doses of "medicine". I followed her instructions to the letter and found that "me time" to be most helpful. Thank you for being my "joy with skin on" last week, Sherri!

So now I am nearing the end, but still not done with my shopping (hopefully by Tuesday). And now I am just stressing out about my online purchases which have yet to be shipped but said they were guaranteed by Christmas Eve. Let's hope so!!!

I feel like I am back from the edge and can now look forward to Christmas with illnesses and shopping craziness behind me. Yeah!

Fun Food Family Friends

2004-11-29T22:44:00.000-08:00

i am always unsure as to how the holidays will play out. i leave home a little anxious each time. my family situation is weird but i am convinced there is really no such thing as normal. dysfunction it seems has become the norm in regards to extended family. i wish it weren't the case.

in all honesty it wasn't that bad. in fact it was pretty nice albeit a little awkward at times. caleb is a great buffer. you just have to love him. anyway, we drove in a blizzard (which we will probably not do again), had adventures with "old" friends, met "new" little friends, ate good food, hung out with the fam, and did some shopping. i can handle it once or so a year.

it was also my 10 year high school reunion this past weekend. i didn't go. we had to come back home because ty was preaching and we still had his family's thanksgiving. now i'm bummed. since i talked to mags earlier today, i've been thinking about people and wishing i could have seen them and talked about where life has taken them in the past 10 years and where they are now. ya know i really did care about these people and even though i've changed and they've changed it would have been nice ....

Birthday Week

2004-11-18T14:04:00.000-08:00

Alright, everybody should have a birthday week, some should have a birthday month and others a birthday year (or decade-according to kelli). Now, i am willing to honor and celebrate others for the allotted time frame, so how come i get all the crap for wanting a birthday week (tyson)?

I did have a very nice birthday and my husband and son are great gift givers, thoughtful, loving, caring and all that. But when monday was over that was it. I feel like the rest of the week has been like a long hangover. Not bad really, just a let down. I get so excited about my birthday-yes i'm 28 not 4 but i enjoy having a special time each year just for me. You see, it's not about getting older, i don't really care about that and i don't feel that old. it's just about me. it's the only time when i don't feel particularly selfish to focus on me, pretty much the rest of the year that would be the definition of selfish but not at birthday time.

I was informed this year that my husband and caleb may not even be around on my birthday in the future because it is the opening day for gun hunting deer season. I just think that is silliness. hunting season is longer than i am asking for my birthday season to be- the choice seems like a no-brainer to me.

Oh and i must say, i did have a birthday weekend this year, but is it too much to ask for a week?

Yeah God!

2004-11-13T09:13:00.000-08:00

people often say that blessings come in small packages, well sometimes they come in big ones too. last week the little red Honda (which was a blessing for 2 1/2 years) finally pooped out. ty and i looked at each other and said alright God, we trusted you with our finances this year. we knew we would make it if our cars were fine and mortgage stayed the same and we didn't eat out on a regular basis. now we were faced with a dilemma. so, ty was sharing this with a friend from school and to make a long story short, this friend's incredibly generous father offered to sell us his wife's 2003 buick century for not a lot of money and no further payments. Yeah God! And thank you incredibly generous Mr. W!

i think this is one of the few times where i have actually placed my finances in the hands of God, more because i have to than i am choosing to. and we have been so blessed by believing that God will honor our decision for me to stay home with Caleb. He is an amazing God who likes to give good gifts to His children!

stir crazy :@#!

2004-11-09T21:29:00.000-08:00

it has been three days since i have left the house. you see, the red Honda (as opposed to the black Honda) has finally bit the dust. it has been good to us, don't get me wrong, but it is time for a new vehicle which (thank you God) is in the works (that's for another blog). in the meantime i have been stuck here while Ty has been gallavanting all over the place (primarily to school and back but i wanted to use the word gallavanting). so caleb and i have been homebound since saturday afternoon.

i am mostly a homebody but when i can't get outside and walk with the little man and go to the park or just sit in the backyard, i start to go a little stir crazy. oh, i find plenty to keep me busy. i am not sitting on the couch eating bonbons and crying over dr.phil, but it is time for me to drive a vehicle and leave the immediate premises. caspian and caleb need a break from me as well so soon and very soon i will hit the open road, but until then i will be blogging because it is proving to be a great catharsis.

No Sleep Til .. ..

2004-11-08T13:34:00.000-08:00

If you are unfamiliar with the Beastie Boys song to which I am referring to, I am merely saying that I have had very little sleep recently (at least uninterrupted sleep). Caleb is now cutting his second tooth, I discovered yesterday and has had a weird sleep schedule for quite some time. And try as I might, I cannot seem to find any rhyme or reason. Is it the teething? Or perhaps it is too much napping? Or not enough napping? Maybe something he ate? Maybe he's just being bratty? Or is he uncomfortable? Too cold? Too hot? These are the questions that inevitably go through my head at 1 AM and again at 2:15 AM and so on. Some time after I realize there are no answers to these questions that I can figure out, I start singing songs (in my head, of course) and making up new words to them. The other night it was, no sleep til.. .. peekaboo. It sounded perfectly sane to me at the time. However, the light of day sheds some light on the silliness that is my middle of the night brain functionings.

So, if I am to keep score I would say it is Caleb 53,922 and Me 2. It is a good thing I love him madly.

there is a first time for everything

2004-11-05T22:57:00.000-08:00

today is a day of firsts. first time blogging. first time winning at scrabble. first time that caleb's poop leaked down onto his socks. all in all i have enjoyed most of the firsts and especially look forward to experiencing more of the blogging phenomenon that i have been introduced to.