Catch Up

I'm trying to catch up on my pictures. So for your viewing pleasure..

Rock rock

Three little munchkins

Seriously...how handsome is he...even with the glare on his glasses.

Pretty Girl

Blowing Kisses

Taking a drive

Mol and Grant

Sisters

Rachel makes beautiful dresses! namheedesigns.com

Stella and Molly being silly

More dresses...

Beautiful Dress that my Sis-in-Law made...See her at namheedesigns.com.

One of my favs

Miss Charlotte

Girls Night Out

Girls Night Out for our Birthdays. My mom and sister share the same birthday, and mine is 10 days later, and Rachel's is in July. So we try to get together all at once for a birthday celebration. We went to Judson's Steakhouse this year (thanks mom!) and it was super yummy and super fun. Then off to Bistro to top off the night. We always have a great time!

Me and my beautiful mom

Kindergarten Graduation

Grant receiving his awards from Mrs. Crawford-Poyner

Grant is moving on to the first grade! Good work bud. He got lots of great awards for doing so well in reading and math, and his teacher made sure to let everyone know about his gift of singing. (He did great with his mini solo in the school musical!) We are so proud of you Grant!

Proud Mom

Charley ~ 15 Months!

Where is the time going? Charley is 15 months old. I was just looking through my new blog book (so excited) and was reading through Molly's 15 month update, and remembered I needed to get on top of this for Charley too. I really can't believe she is so old already. I'm losing my baby, and it makes me sad.

Here's what's up with Chuck (cringe...I hate that nickname but it has kind of stuck)

Height: 31 7/8 inches (90%)

Weight: 22 pounds 5 ounces (45%)

• She has just about 12 teeth...waiting for that last molar to come in.
• She is getting a little pickier about what she eats and still doesn't like most things that are orange, but is starting to like peaches.
• She doesn't say very much, at least not compared to my other two at this age. She says mama, ma, and mommy all day long. She says dada to anyone that is male, including Grant. She's got ball and bubble down pretty good. She will sign please now but only when I ask her to, and sometimes signs all done. If she wants something to eat, she will bring it to you, and say MMMMM MMMMM, until you give it to her, and also does that when she wants milk. The pediatrician says its very normal for the third to be behind where the others were, because she has learned to watch her siblings and can communicate differently...mostly by screaming...and yelling...and being very loud.
• Still super smiley, and now with a lot of teeth
• New development in the last few weeks though, she is SUPER clingy. She wants me to hold her A LOT of the time throughout the day, which has made my life much more difficult. But this has also increased her desire to cuddle, which I LOVE, so I guess I take the good with the bad. She now will lay her sweet little head on my shoulder and wrap her arms around me. It's the best. And you can actually rock with her now and snuggle. Love it.
• She is a crazy kid, definitely my wild child. She is all over the place and into everything. Matt, as you know, calls her Chuck, and it used to be Baby Chuck, and now it has turned into Crazy Chuck. Nice nickname huh? Poor girl. Other than that, I have been trying to call her Charlotte more too because I really do love that name too. And I still call her Binks and Binksy...got me.
• I cut the mullet, mullet is growing back...the front just will not grow.
• She cracks me up. She is funny and makes funny faces and noises, and does things to get a laugh.
• She takes things out of Molly's hands all the time. She almost bullies her. Charley could take Molly down any day.
• She loves balls. Loves to pick them up, throw them, kick them. Think there is an athlete in her.
• Takes one nap for about 2-3 hours. Sleeps 11 hours at night. She is very loud when she wakes up and yells MAMA until I get her, which usually wakes up Molly.
• Still don't know who she looks like, maybe when she gets more hair we will see.
• If you ask her where her eyes are, she blinks and blinks, where her mouth is, she does her tongue...blab a blab a blab. Ask for a kiss and she'll head butt you. :)
• She says hi to everyone. HI! with a quick wave. She also says hi when she means bye.
• She is a stinker. I tell her no and she laughs and does it again and again.

We love her so much and love watching her change and grow. I know that she will be a loving and caring person full of life when she grows up. So excited to see where you will go. Love you baby girl!!

Relaxing with a book

so there...

such a big girl

saying hi to anyone walking by

always big smiles

Happy Father's Day

Top Ten Reasons Why Matt is an Amazing Father:

10. He is always willing to give bucking bronco rides

9. He is never to busy to hug and cuddle

8. He puts legos together with Grant even though that is probably his least favorite thing to do

7. He will let Molly be the "doctor" on him at least 20x in a row

6. He rocks Charley to sleep

5. He reads them the same book over and over again

4. He sings to them

3. He is patient with them when I am not

2. He prays with them

1. He loves on them every single day

I am so blessed that God gave my children this man. Happy Father's Day love...

West Virginia

The weekend before Memorial Day, we took the fam in the mini-van and headed to West Virginia for my cousin Lauren's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding and a beautiful location. We spent a couple nights at the Tygart Lake Lodge again, and it was an interesting time with three kids running around. We were thankful for the playset at the lodge and the grass maze at the wedding. It was a long trip home with my girls only sleeping one hour of the ten hour trip! But we made it. Congrats again Schlutermans!!

Swinging with Charley

Tygart Lake

Photo of Molly outside the grass maze (photo not taken by me)

Grantster

Swinging

Charley girl hanging out

Movie time with Stel-Bell

Awesome hat my dad bought Grant before their hike

Field Day

A week before school got out, Grant had his second field day (the first was rained out). When I was a kid, I loved field day because I was very fast and got a lot of first place ribbons...well it turns out Grant is following in our footsteps and is quite speedy. In this field day Grant took first in the sack race, first in the 40m dash, and first in the softball throw...oh and last in the shoe kick. :) Here are some pics of the eventful day! Great job Grant, we're so proud of you!

Taking the lead early...

1st place...funny story...no one hops anymore...they run in the sack...hilarious

Breanna and Grant...she took first place for the girls

love them

Charley cheering on G-man

My boy

Daddy and Mols on the sidelines

Grant with his cuz and best bud Ryan

Mother's Day

We spent this Mother's Day at my parents house and enjoyed a lovely brunch and just hanging out. I have been blessed with an amazing mother whom I love dearly. I'm so thankful for our relationship and all that she is to our whole family. She holds us all together. Love ya ma!

Mom and her kids

All the grandkids with one more on the way to make 9!

The best moms I know!

25K

At the Finish Line!

Training Buddy Joey G

\
No I did not run a 25k, but thanks for the laugh! Matt ran the Fifth Third Riverbank Run a few weeks back, and did an awesome job. Even though it was rainy and freezing cold, he ran like the wind...His personal best I believe at 1:47:53. He trains hard and runs fast, and every time he crosses the finish line, I honestly get a little teary eyed. I'm so proud of him for working so hard to achieve his goals. Way to go babe!

VanAndel Museum

We recently used our free passes to the public museum for a rainy day activity. Matt and I had our wedding reception at the museum, so it's always fun to go back and remember the good ole' days. The kids had fun looking at the Big Bugs exhibit and we enjoyed an expensive lunch in the cafe. And we can't miss a carousel ride to top off this family day out!!

This picture perfectly describes Charley right now...crazy wild lady...

It's fun to pretend that they like each other

TVBL

After vowing we would never sit through T-ball with Grant again, we moved up to Coach Pitch Baseball. It has been a definite improvement. He is signed up this year with Thornapple Valley Baseball League, or TVBL. There are a lot of kids from the neighborhood on his team, and he seems to be enjoying himself...at least once he gets there. He doesn't ever really want to get his baseball uniform on, but doesn't he look cute in it? He is starting to get the hang of it, but we're not so sure baseball is going to be his favorite sport. I recently asked him if he wants to do this again next year, and he said no. So we'll see. But for the time being, he is learning the game of baseball and seems to be having fun. At least its another memory to add to the book!

10 Years Later

I just think that it is really awesome that I still get the chance to get together with these girls, these two awesome mommas, that stood up in my wedding almost ten years ago. So much has changed, and so much has stayed the same. Eight kids later, lots of changing looks, but forever lasting friendships! So fun to be with you guys. Looking forward to our next get together!! I am so blessed with your friendships.

Three of a Kind

My babies...not so much babies anymore. When did everyone get so big? So...three of a kind...but all completely different. I am amazed at how three children that come from one set of parents can all be so completely unique. And each one seems to be taking on his or her "role" in this family. Grant, the first born, is independent and strong-willed. Praying this turns into strong leadership skills someday and the ability to stand up for himself and say no to things that aren't right. He is polite and kind to others, and is really starting to take on his "big brother" role for his sisters. It's heart warming to see him put Molly to bed and read to her. He is caring but also very fiesty and spirited. It's a special relationship between a mother and a son, and I'm so happy to have him. He shows me a lot of love. Molly, my middle child, can be quiet and reserved, but may also surprise you when she tries to make you laugh by being goofy. You may find her being sneaky somewhere and quietly doing something she shouldn't be doing, but always is quite remorseful when she gets caught. She has a soft heart and is very emotional. She has started to love to sing and I love to listen to her sweet voice, especially when she says the funniest things...like when I asked her if she needed to put her listening ears on, and she told me she lost them somewhere in her room. She is growing up so fast. The other day I asked her if I could pick her up and she said, no thank you, I'm a big girl...but I still love you. And Charley, my baby, my youngest. What a sweet heart his child has, as they all do, but she seems to want to make me smile the most. But I see her wild side coming out quickly. I'm certain she will be not afraid of much, as she climbs and shouts, and says hi...quite loudly...to everyone she sees. She may be more of a free spirit and I'm sure she'll be well-liked. But we'll see, I have yet to learn all about her yet, but I'm loving every minute of it.

They all show me so much love, and I eat up every hug and kiss, and 'I Love You' that I get from them.

I just wanted to thank God for these three blessings, that I'm sure have shaped me as a person in more ways than I can count. I am so very grateful to be their mother, and so very grateful to have a loving husband to help me along the way.