Spring Break is over

One would think that with two weeks off for spring vacation that I would have had time to blog before now.  Actually, I have had time, but relaxing has been taking up a lot of my time.

School is going well for everyone and we have manged to stay healthy over the last couple months.  Wow, if has been so long since I blogged that I can’t think of everything that has happened in the mean time.

Just recently, Damon got his head shaved for St. Baldrick’s -a charity that raises money for kid’s cancer research.  He set a goal of raising $300 and is almost there.  We are so proud of his accomplishment and willness to support a good cause.

Both kids have been working though some normal insecurities with being adopted, so we have been having fun reminising about when we found out we were going to get them and preparing for them to come home with us.  They were so small.  It seems like just yesterday they were little enough to carry -not anymore .

The hi-lite of our spring vacation has been chilling out.  We’ve had a couple snow storms.  One storm arrived as we were on our way to the Colorado Wildlife Wolf Sancutary.  We got to see the wolves very active, because of the snow that coming down.  They even presented us with a natural howl.  It was very cool.  It was a little hairy coming home, but we made it safely and had a great experience.

We’ve also enjoyed some beautiful 60 degree days.  So we got to do some bike and rollerblading, some jogging, some yard stuff, and dog walking.

In between the snow and sun, I was able to finally finish Nola’s curtains.  I think I started them two summers ago.  Mark also got the kids curtain rods (wood poles we found on hikes) stained so we could hang the curtains.

Mark and I also had fun in Durango last weekend -just the two of us.  Some friends watched the kids and some other friends watched the dog and we got to get away.  Durango is a neat area.  We went over one huge pass to get there and back.  We thought we were going to get our first experience with driving with chains, but the chain restrictions were lifted by the time we got to the pass on our way home.  We had a nice relaxing time.

Now we have today and tomorrow and it will be back to the routine of school -only about 7 weeks left.

Love to all,

Laura

The Ligtenberg Update

Apparently I do not update well.  I will try to do better.

Day 1 since my last blog….just kidding.

I must admit it is difficult for me to remember my last blog and I took a peak at it a couple minutes ago.  How sad….

I’ll start with Nola’s birthday.  We took Nola to Casa Bonita in Denver to celebrate her 16th birthday.  Casa Bonita was a blast.  If I ever download the pictures to the computer (life is busy!!!!), you’ll get to see how great it was.  They have indoor divers at the restaurant, all you can eat enchilladas, chips, rice, beans, tacos, drinks and sol papillas.  (not sure on my spelling).  Sol papillas are a donut without a hole type mexican dessert.  They also have 2 smaller arcades, had a santa, christmas lights, and other skit performers.  They have a marriachi band, too.  The band sang Happy Birthday to Nola and when they were finished, Nola bowed and said “Thank You” in the sweetest most reverent quiet voice.  It was too funny.

After Nola’s birthday, we began the countdown to Christmas.  I offered to help (under the impression it was only one or two things to be doing) with the churches Christmas program.  My friend was in charge, so I should’ve expected to be in charge of everything except music and directing.  I was in charge of snacks for practices, all costumes (including sewing 6 little cheerleader skirts, and creating a shepherd, wiseman, Mary, Joseph, and Angel costume out of a pile of material), the letters some kids were going to hold up during a song (she changed her mind about using them after I had them made -too crowded on the stage), set up and clean up before and after the show, plus getting everyone into costume during the 2 shows.  Oh, and helping iron on 50 iron ons on the t-shirts for all of the performers to wear in the show.  Plus, Damon had a lead part and I had to get him looking like a judge and help him learn his lines.  He stole the show.  People still ask why he doesn’t wear a tie and coat every Sunday, because he looked so great.

Mark’s friend Jamie came to visit the week before Christmas.  He got to see the kids program.  Nola was a beautiful singer in the chorus.  You could see her love for Jesus beaming on her face and in her motions and she was right in the center standing in front of the cross on the wall at the front of the sanctuary.  If I get a copy of the program, I’ll send it to mom for all of you to borrow and see.  At this same time, Mark got sick with an icky cold.

Ok, I have to skip through a few things or you’ll be here forever.  Laura got the cold…finished Christmas shopping…. Christmas evening candle light service was nice….open presents…..eat….eat….eat… stayed up til midnight with the kids on New Years….finished the flooring in the office New Years Day…took the kids indoor climbing…. Nola got the cold….time to go back to school.

Think January 6.  First day back to school and all is well.  January 8 Nola throws up in the morning and has a sore throat and stays home from school with Mark.  Laura comes home from school Jan. 9 with a splitting sinus headache, all achy -must be the flu and Nola is coughing and has the ickiest nose ever.  Jan. 10 Nola and Laura stay home from school.  Monday we all go back to school again, but Nola gets sent home because of a rash on her face and Mark stays home with her in the am and I take the pm.  Turns out she had impatigo and can’t go to school until she’s been on an antibiotic for 24 hours.  Laura stays home with her Tuesday.  Damon stayed home too because of a sore throat.  Wednesday, Damon has bad sore throat, so Mark takes him to the DR.  He has strep.  Mark stays home Thursday with Damon.  Friday, Jan. 16, Mark and I go to school,  Damon stays home and Nola has a 1/2 day so she keeps him company in the afternoon. So far we all have poor attendance at school.  Nola missed 4 days.  Damon missed 4 days.  Laura missed 2  1/2.  Mark has missed 3 1/2.

Jan. 17 -my birthday.  It was so awesome.  Friday night (16th), Nola wrote me a note about being the best mom.  I got to read in the bedroom while Mark and Damon made me a cake and cleaned the entire kitchen which was quite a task after all the craziness of being sick.  Saturday morning Damon serves Mark and I breakfast in bed and kept the kitchen clean.  We got up and he had a message on his Wii (Thank you G and G Heuker for the Christmas money to put towards it) for me.  Happy Birthday!  Your present is behind the tv screne.  He gave me a bookmark.  I also got the dvd Arizona bike workout I wanted from Mark.  I did have to do bills, but it was pretty painless after being treated like a queen.  In the evening, we went out for dinner and Mark had the waiters sing Happy Birthday to me while I wore a sombrerro.  Talk about a great day.  It was the best!!!!

Now,  it is already a week later.  The counter is still looking pretty good.  Monday we didn’t have school due to MLK Jr’s Birthday observance.  Tuesday everyone went to school.  Mark stayed home with Damon on Wednesday, because he was running a fever.  Raise Damon to 5 absences and Mark to 4 1/2.  Thursday morning Yukon (our siberian husky) wasn’t doing so well.  He has a tumor.  We found that out on Monday after blood work and x-rays.  The vet said it is probably attached to his spleen, so he probably has slow internal bleeding.  The vet said he isn’t in pain and could live a year, could live a week.  The vet said to watch his gums.  If they turn white, it means the tumor ruptured and he only has a couple hours to live.  Thursday morning his gums were fine, but his tongue was this pasty white – no pink in sight.  So… Mark does his crossing guard duty, gets a hold of the vet, takes Damon (he wanted to go, in case we had to put Yuk down) and goes off to the vet.  The vet gave Yukon some oxygen and prednizone and sent them all home.  The vet is a relative, so at least we get the family discount.  The new totals:  Nola 4 absences, Laura 2 1/2 absences, Damon 6 absences, Mark 5 1/2 absences.   We’ve only had 13 1/2 days of school so far in 2009.

Needless to say, I went out and bought every anti bacterial everything to clean with, everyone has multi-vitamins, we are eating extra fruits and veggies and drinking 100% juices and all are going to bed early.

Hopefully this brings you up to speed.  I’ll try not to go a month without a good update.  Linds, just remember, you wanted a real  update .

Love to all.

Wow! Where does the time go?

Ok.  I have no excuses, like spending my time on facebook or taking cool pictures of my little boy.  I just totally spaced blogging.  I was sorta in the mode of blogging on Saturday morning, but then we got laminate flooring for the upstairs -good ridance to the gross grey carpet.  So the first few weekends of November we worked on flooring and I’ve never gotten the house completely back under control.

This past Saturday, the kids were at a friends.  Mark and I got up early and did a 10K -really it was a bit longer, maybe 7 1/2 miles.  It was a good workout, especially the most I’d run lately was 5 miles on mostly flat ground and only did that once.  This route was very hilly.

AFter the race, a shower, a nap, and doing the bills, we did a bit of shopping.  Nola’s 16th birthday is a week from this Saturday.  Damon’s was just this past Thursday and Mark’s is a week from today.  There goes the diet -cake, cake, and more cake, not to mention Thanksgiving.

Well, my husband wants me to get off the computer.  Since it took me about an hour to catch up on everyone’s blogs, I guess I’ll have to cut my blog short.  I’ll try to catch up over the Thanksgiving Break.  No school after tomorrow (Tuesday).

Love to all,

Laura

It’s already October?

I don’t know where the time has gone.  Just yesterday it was August.  Let’s see.  I guess life has just been pretty busy since school started.  I have been spending a lot of time teaching, running and sleeping.  We finished our cross country season -with the exception of our end of the season awards get together.  I plan to keep running though to stay in shape (hopefully to get in better shape) for next season.  Our team did great.  We came away with 6 medals and 4 or 5 ribbons.  Our slowest runner broke 19 minutes -when she started her time for the mile and a half was around 24 minutes.  We also had another boy who thought he’d quit after the first practice, but his mom wouldn’t let him, who took over 2 minutes off his time to go from over 22 minutes to under 20 minutes.  It was really fun to see their confidence boost as they improved.  Our fastest girl took all 6 medals. 

Let’s see.  What else has happended.  Nola got to the top of the rock wall at R.E.I.  That just happened yesterday.  She had only gotten half way up before that.  I think the rollarcoasters this summer really helped.  Nola is liking high school.  She let’s herself in the house when she gets home.  She lets the dogs out, gets a snack and plays downstairs.  She also locks the door.  She really is growing up and enjoys the independence. 

Damon is going to be trying gifted and talented classes after break.  He is at public school this year.  He had a lot of students leave his school and other changes, as well, so we decided to have him go to the school where Mark is working.  He has met some good Christian friends already.  He just asks them if they area  Christian.  He also has some friends he can witness to, who don’t semm to know Christ.  We had his parent teacher conference and his teacher asked if he has been a good student in the past and if he has ever done gifted and talented classes.  We told her school has always been easy for him and that his school didn’t have a gifted and talented program.  We’ll see how he likes it. 

Mark is liking his job.  He occassionally gets kicked, spit on and has a kiddo take off all of his clothes in the timeout room, but other than that, it is going well.  He is also doing a men’s Bible study on Tuesday mornings, which he is enjoying.

I better get going.  Mark’s sister is visiting and we are going to the Royal Gorge today.

Love to everyone,

Laura

School has begun -the race is on!

Mark and I were back to school on 7/31, Nola started 8/5 and Damon started 8/6.  So far everything is going well.  It of course is busy and the weekends seem to only last a few minutes, but things are well. 

Cross country practices are going well.  I can even stay ahead of a few kids -literally 3, but that makes me feel good.  I think it gives me more energy to be running.   Damon is going to Mark’s school this year and seems to like it.  He says he enjoys spanish and music the most.   He has made some new friends, too.  Nola is adjusting to high school.  She has had homework a couple times -subtraction.  I think her teacher wants me to go bald pulling my hair out, but she is improving.  Nola enjoys riding the bus this year.  She is getting dropped off in the afternoon and letting herself in the house.  I have mixed feelings about this.  Sometimes I think it is good for her and other times I worry that if there is an emergency, she won’t know what to do.  We’ve looked into different things, but haven’t found any solutions yet.  She did well this week letting herself in and locking the door behind her.  She lets the dogs out, gets a snack, and goes downstairs to play or watch a video.  Mark is adjusting to his job well.  The little kids can be a handful after being at home for the weekend, but overall things seem to be going well.  I’m looking forward to next weekend -3 days off for Labor Day!!!!

Just the Girls

Well, Mark and Damon are of on a father/son camping trip.  They left yesterday afternoon and will return tomorrow afternoon.  They started this tradition last year.  Last year Damon took a friend along and they backpacked the trip -got dropped off with just the items on their backs and then got picked up.   This year they are car camping and doing day hikes.

So, it’s just Nola and me -the girls.  Yesterday Nola read to me before we watched a movie, and after supper Nola road her bike as I jogged.  Today we’re going to go to the library and doing Nola’s nails.  Nola gets to pick up some of her summer reading program rewards.  She has been getting a lot better at reading.  She really seems to like having toe nail polish.  Which is funny, because when we got the nails done in Michigan, she was pretty sure she didn’t want toe nail polish until the girl said, “Come over here so we can do your toes.”  I don’t do nails.  I’m a little OCD when it comes to the chips.  I can’t stand even a little chip and then feel the need to pick all the polish off.  Maybe we’ll make it to the pool for more practice swimming.  Tomorrow, Nola gets to come with me to a meeting at school.

I can’t believe I go back to school next week.  I haven’t gotten nearly all the things done I wanted to.  I have a good start on the yard.  I wish I could keep the weeds from growing back.  I haven’t worked on the office at all, or touched up the paint in the house, or painted the doors, or organized the office…  I don’t even want to think about what else isn’t finished. 

Well, I better do the bills and balance the bank account -it isn’t really the checkbook since I do everything on quicken. 

Please pray that we’ll be able to figure out something for Nola for after school.  Her school gets out much earlier than mine or Mark’s and she can’t be home alone.

flight simulator"moon walking"

 

More Pics

I can’t figure out how to publish more pics at the same time or to do a slideshow.  Any help out there?

Hot Air Balloon at Air ZooFlight Simulator

Pics of Trip

Rt Mushmore Wall Drug Damon and TJ

Devil's Tower

Out of order -Part II

Previously on the Ligtenbergs go to Michigan….just kidding.

Sunday morning the temp is down to 100 degrees F.  We can head up north.  We’ll just keep Mark away from people as much as possible.  We have the 3 generation family picture at 1:30.  We’ll iron the clothes when we get their.  We have to make a stop on the way, because Mark gets sick.  Overall, the trip goes well and we arrive on time, even early.  Wow, that makes twice we’re early.  It starts to rain on the way up north.  What will happen for the pictures?  Well it cleared up and the pictures should turn out fine.  After the program for G & G Winkel, there is a little reception.  I get to hold Jonathan Alan the whole time.  All of the Dick and Gert Winkel clan is in attendance along with their brothers and sisters and friends.  What a success.  We all get a little worried over mom’s big parties, but it does provide good memories.  After the party we head to Erin’s parent’s cottage.  Mark rests.  It has been a taxing day for him after such a high temp.  That evening, Darrell and Lindsey decide they will not go back to GR.  So, Porfidio stays too, since they were his ride.  We play Settlers.  I think I won for the first time that night.  The kids all enjoy the sleepover.  All the cousins are together.  We comment on how we’ve all grown.  The men are listening to Christian music and singing along during their game of Settlers.  Side note:  Jonathan likes me.  He hasn’t spit up on me once.  I even fed him a bottle.

Monday morning brings the big breakfast.  G & G Heuker and GG & GG Winkel come to join us.  Eggs, toast, bacon, cereal -whatever you want we’ve got it.  Even the coffee, after mom runs to the gas station.  Today is the big toe nail day for Nola and her sister Kelly.  I go to Big Rapids with Nola to pick up Kelly and we headed to the Cadillac Cosmotology Institute.  Nola wasn’t sure about toe nails, but she loves it.  Meanwhile, Damon gets to fish for the first time with Grandpa H and the uncles.  Mark is wiped out from going to the hunting land, being sick and not fully recovered.  We get back to the cottage for supper, baseball games and more visiting.  Mom H, GG Winkel, Brenda and I stay back from the games to catch up.  I got more time with Jonathan.  Of course after the return of the clan (minus Uncle Darrell, Aunt Lindsey, Jonathan and Porfidio who thought they should return to work on Tuesday) we play more Settlers.  Uncle Brandon, Aunt Dawn, Sam, Erica, and Lauren have to head back to Allendale yet.  Uncle Brandon leaves for Guatemala on Wednesday for a mission trip with his youth group.  One more game of Settlers. 

Tuesday is a good day for another big breakfast -pancakes, sausage, toast, etc.  Then a game of PayDay -boy has that changed.  Instead of $325 a month, the salary is in the thousands.  Then it is down to the lake.  The kids love the trampoline type float out in the lake.  The girls are the mermaids and the boys must have been some kind of pirates trying to catch them.  Jacob misses jumping off the dock with Lauren, but anyone else is welcome to join him.  He slides to me on the float a bit and seems to forget the dock jumping.  In the late afternoon, we head to Big Rapids to meet Grandma Nola for supper.  Nola hasn’t seen her in 7 or 8 years.  It is a wonderful time.  Nola has such a memory, bringing up many things from before being adopted.  We head to a park -you can only visit at Ponderosa so long.  Holly, Tye and Dennis join Grandma Nola, Kelly and us at the park.  Finally around 8:00 we say our good byes, bring Kelly home and head back to GR to G & G Heuker’s house.  We barely beat them back.  We decide we will go to Michigan’s Adventure on Thursday to get better weather and head home a day later on Friday.

Wednesday morning, well today would work better for MI’s Adventure.  Aunt Brenda’s friend’s son can’t go on Thursday and it will be hot and muggy on Thursday.  Despite the rain/drizzle we head out.  What a perfect day for Michigan’s Adventure!!!  It clears up by the time we get there and we have a blast.  Aunt Dawn and Girls drive in a caravan with us.  Aunt Brenda, Porfidio, and Jacob join us with their friend’s son and two friends around 1.  First the bumper cars, then the Mad Mouse.  Ok Erica doesn’t like heights.  Nola survived and everyone else liked it.  Then the frogger.  Re-affirm Erica doesn’t like heights.  Lauren however is a thrill seeker.  She and Nola are becoming buddies.  Head to Loggers run.  No, Erica doesn’t like heights and Lauren thinks it is great.  Meet up with Aunt Brenda and the gang.  Porfidio, Damon, Sam and the other 3 boys go on the ship ride (can’t think of the name and too lazy to find the brochure) and on to other coasters.  The ladies and small kids, plus Nola head to the Big Rapids, Erica’s favorite ride.  The consensus on Shivering Timbers is that it makes you feel sick. Somewhere in there, we go on the putt putt cars which now are 60s cars instead of model Ts.  Then on to the water park kid’s area and the boys and Sam ride the bigger water rides.  Nola and Lauren enjoy the slides in the play area and Erica enjoys getting dumped on by the big bucket of water.  She and I also enjoy so more Big Rapids.  Then comes the convincing to try the funnel of fear.  I have to admit, I’m glad Mark and Porfidio made Bren and I go.  I liked it.  I do.  I do.  I do like the funnel of fear -I know it’s supposed to be green eggs and ham.  Then off to the swans and the boys go for more coasters -the Cork Skrew and eventually the Thunderhawk (a hangin coaster with a lot of inverted sections).  Ok, I should not have assumed Sam would know what to do on the swans.  I knew her riding partner, Nola, would not be of help besides peddling.  Thank goodness we got her and Nola back to shore from their paddle boat.  It’s past 7:00 and we thought we’d back to Mom and Dad H’s by 6:00.  Glad we called to have them put off the pizza.   Cram in the kid’s rides while the boys go on more coasters.  The motorcycles, the boats, plains, Zaks Zoomer, the tilt-a whirl, Big Dipper and maybe one or two I missed.  The park is closing.  What a fun time.  Back to Grandpa and Grandma Heuker’s for some pizza.  Thanks mom for making the strawberry jam while we were gone.

Thursday we take it easy and stay out of the sun.  Can we say sunburn?  However, we still manage to include swimming at the Stedman’s house before supper.  Again, Nola and Lauren have a blast together.  Nola, along with Grandma Heuker, catching fearless Lauren as she jumps in.  Back to mom and dad’s for a fish and pork picnic in the backyard.  A movie in the evening and goodbyes as we will leave tomorrow for Colorado.

Friday, I run a few errands in the morning.  We pack and get on the road.  Still in Indiana, but nearing Chicago there is construction and traffic, and it is close to rush hour.  Who planned that?  We head south for a way home we haven’t done before.  Wow.  This is better than Iowa.  Oh no, bad weather.  What?  Tornadoes.  Are we in their path?  Pouring rain.  Who planned this?  Ok, actually we went south of the tornadoes and if we went our original route we would’ve been in the path of the tornadoes.  God is good.  He planned it all to keep us safe.  One more cheap motel.

Saturday back on the road.  Man, Kansa is longer than Iowa.  Yeaahhh!  Colorado.  We can almost get out of the car.  Back home around 4:30 pm, I think.  What a wonderful trip.

It was so great to see everybody.  Sounds like Michigan’s Adventure is going to be a tradition, just like when we were kids and mom and Aunt Diane took us every year back when it was Deer Park Funland and there were actually deer.

We love you all and hope you might come to visit Colorado sometime.  It will be a bit before we can come back.  We’ll hold on to these memories until then.