Amway Party With the Family!

For the 4th of July, we decided to stay at the Amway Grand Hotel in GR to get a front row seat to the fireworks. After swimming and some relaxing in the hot tub, we ate dogs and ice cream out on the roof while the kids jumped on a bounce thingy and kept the DJ busy.

Married on the 4th of July

Twelve years is really nothing in the whole grand portrait of history, but for me it is an enormous dozen for sure. I was the first in my family to graduate from college, which I later followed with a Master's degree. I bought my first AND second house, got my first real job teaching elementary school (then transferred to middle school), and have traveled to several interesting places and met many interesting people as well. The most amazing experiences I have had, though, are all related to the pregnancies, births, and raising of my three wonderful children. I can't imagine a gal more blessed than I to be able to help them on their tender road to adulthood. Abby, Adam, and Charley are all good-natured, friendly, and motivated. Though each of my babies have their own distinct talents and quirks, they love each other and are best friends. Right now, as Paul watches a movie and I am typing this post they are upstairs giving each other a facial and "relaxin". Of course, all of this is because two people fell in love. And decided to stick it all out together. Sometimes, I dream of how awesome it would be to have another wedding. Reliving the joy and magic of that first day as husband and wife would be really precious. Yet, I believe that can't be duplicated. All of the emotion wrapped into a wedding stems from the hope and endless possibilities of a future together. We have shaped our lives, experienced sharp pain and many great delights, but each day is in itself a great joy. To share this life with Paul, and now Abby, Adam, and Charley...is my heart's highest elation. Whether it is sitting on a beach with friends, on a magical Disney vacation, listening to the pastor in church, or falling asleep at the end of a tired day--it is all that I ever really wanted in my life. Happy Anniversary Paul. Here's to the next dozen!

Where to Begin?

Christina--I'll start with myself, the head author of this blog! I am a perpetual optimist, trying to "find the right words" most of the time. It is hard to pin a stereotype on me, but "young, working mother living in small town America" is true and will do just fine. I love, love my kids, my husband, and my life. I also love to experiment with new adventures and hope one day to be a successful author and storyteller, spending my free time on the beach in front of the house of my dreams in paradise (wherever that might be).

Abby--Co-author and my sole daughter. She will add her unique, intelligent perspective to this blog as we go (she also aspires to write a novel one day). She is witty, smart, and likes to spend time with her brothers and jump on the trampoline. Abby is incredibly tall and is always asked if she likes basketball, which she is trying to do. However, dance is what she has spent most of her time doing...


Paul--My husband. He is also incredibly tall, lol! Paul will probably be an occasional commenter to this blog. He would say that he is a charming, hilarious, handsome fine man. I usually agree with that description. ;) We have been together since I was 14, and I suspect that we will still be together when I am 94!

Adam--Our middle child and one hilarious dude! He will SURELY be the subject on most days because Adam is my natural entertainer! Stay tuned for more on my Wii-loving, football playing gem of a child!

Charley is the baby, and definitely a mama's boy. He is determined to be boss, and often is. He is sweet, stubborn, and BUSY! Here's a warning to his future teacher--he will be starting pre-school in the fall.