Memories through Pictures

Hi everyone! Where do I even begin? My oh my it's been a long time since I've posted. I was looking back at some of our last posts and I think it's time to look back on all that has happened in the last couple months!

Our family isn't always busy but when there are 7 people in the family, it can be pretty hectic with all the different schedules that need to be maintained. School has been going very well for the 4 that attend a charter school and 'T' continues to grow and learn at home. Sports have been put on hold currently, until next month when Erin will start her season of indoor soccer. Christmas is coming up fast, and thankfully all the holiday shopping has been done. We also got plenty of snow that now covers the ground...so it will definitely be a white Christmas. :)

I thought I would go back and highlight on some of the key memories that took place this Fall. :)

MICHLYN

Michlyn finished her volleyball season in late October. It was her first year of being a captain on the varsity team and she will hold that role next year as well. She finished her season named "Defensive Player of the Year" and received all-conference honorable mention. She also was the person to have the highest amount of "digs" (volleyball term) and that 84!! Her best friend 'B' (pictured above) went to a new school this year and that has been a hard transition but they see each other as much as possible. She also celebrated her 17th birthday this year! To celebrate - Her, mom, and Erin all went out for pedicures, shopping, and dinner. :)

ERIN

Erin finished her soccer season in September and it was very successful for her! She made the most goals out of anyone on the team and that was 7! She was also named the team's "MVP" and received all-conference honorable mention. She loves soccer and continues to play it all year round except for the occasional 1-2 month break in between seasons. She excels in school and is especially good at math. Her best friend 'N' (bottom left picture) and her do everything together and they are so funny when they're together. She took her permit test a few months ago with 'N' and they both passed so they can both legally drive with a parent. Stay off the roads around here... :)

'J'

'J' is our shy and quiet one. He likes to observe things and watch from the side until he's comfortable and then he'll hop right in. He played soccer this summer and is so good at it. To think he's only been playing a few years blows my mind because he's got such great control and coordination. School has been a little tougher this year but he's been working hard and with mom's awesome studying help, he's been passing with flying colors. 'J' just turned 11 years old! He got a sweatshirt, sports bag, and new game that he really wanted. It was so fun to see his reaction when he opened them. :)

'S'

As I've mentioned before 'S' is our little comedian! He makes us laugh everyday and comes up with his own cute little jokes. He recently turned 8 years old! Wow that's crazy...I was only 9 when he was born so this birthday really made me feel "old". :) He had cupcakes and crazy ole' dad decided it would be fun to add a sparkler to his candles. He was born on Thanksgiving and we called him "our little turkey" so when he made a turkey hat at school, we had to get a picture of him wearing it. :) 

'T'

'T' continues to be homeschooled. She also goes to a co-op that my mom helps out with and twice a month attends a class called "LEAF Club" (Learning, Education, & Fun). Mom especially loves those days because it's a much needed break and quiet time for her. We were also able to attend our cousin/niece's wedding in October as a whole family! It was a great wedding and we were blessed to be there on the special day. 'T' continues to keep us on our toes but our life would not be the same without her. :)

Hope everyone stays safe during these busy holiday weeks and that you can find time to remember all that God has blessed you with! Remember the reason for the season :)

xoxo,

~Michlyn

Back to Volleyball

Today was the day. Open gym for volleyball!

This year I am one of the captains on the varsity team & you have no idea how excited I am!

Just had a meeting last week with the other captains - scheduled captains practices, picked out team clothing, and chose the workouts so we can all get back in shape!

It's going to be a very fun season!

A sign that it's been too long since I touched a volleyball... A bruise & a few popped blood vessels. :)

Blessings,

~Michlyn

Soccer Girl

Erin is still playing soccer. Like a pro.

This year, it has been particularly fun to watch her play as her team continues to play hard, have fun, and show us what they got. She's been on this team with the same [incredible] coach for the last 3 years. They are awesome. A couple weekends ago they played in the championship and took 2nd place! (Although it was for a shoot out and not because the other team was better)

Keep it up Erin!

~Michlyn

Well Hello There!

Hi everyone! It's Michlyn!

It's been awhile...

Thought I'd give you an update on our always crazy-busy life.

I finished my volleyball season at the end of October. This week we had our banquet to celebrate the season. We had a potluck at school, the captains made a video, both JV & Varsity players were there, and we celebrated the parents and coaches. It was so much fun to look back on all the memories we made in just a couple months. I was awarded "defensive player of the year", lettered for playing varsity, and was also voted to be a captain for the 2013 season. I am so blessed to be on this team w/ girls I love! :)

Erin continues to be our social butterfly! She had her soccer banquet a few weeks ago & also lettered for playing on the varsity team. She's doing fantastic in school and never fails to make us laugh. Something else really exciting is that she just got her braces off!!!!! 5 years people.....

Her teeth are so perfect! I currently have my second set on, and hope to get them off in the next couple months.

'J' will soon turn 10! Whoa - double digits! I remember when I was 10. Both boys hope to have a double birthday party with some friends from school. He is doing great in school, and we always hear positive things from his teacher. He is a whiz at math! I also think he is looking too old...slow down little brother. :)

Our little cowboy 'S' turned 7...just 2 days after Thanksgiving. :) Some know that he is our little comedian! Here are some things that have made us laugh lately.

'S': (belting out a tune): "All I want for Christmas is yoouuu! .... Psshh, who wants a person for Christmas? Weird!"

S: "Mom says I can go on the computer for 25 minutes...That's a lot of minutes right 'J'?

Putting 'S' to bed:
*I pray*
S: Now I want to pray!
Me: Ok go ahead.
S: "Dear Jesus, I thank you for this day and that we'll sleep good. I hope I have no bad dreams, all good dreams with good stories in them, and no zombies or skeletons. 

'T' is still adjusting and recently got a haircut. It was hard to take care of her loooong hair, when sometimes she didn't want us to even touch it. So to keep it more healthy, we cut it. It's short just like when she came home, and it definitely brings out her beautiful brown eyes! We really like it and it's much easier to do when she wakes up. Attachment is always a work in progress with this girl and we hope that sooner rather than later, that things will start to actually get better. She has had a couple actually good days, but the next day always seems to send any hopes crashing down. It's been a big step for our family and change is always hard. We would love any prayers and hope you realize how much we appreciate it.

Blessings, and may your holidays be filled with joy!

~Michlyn

#21

Michlyn just finished up her first varsity volleyball season with the Pact Panthers!

They did FANTASTIC!

I had the opportunity of watch just 3 games, 2 of which they dominated :)

But dad took in every home game, as well as a couple away games - he loves cheering his kids on!

Michlyn played team lebaro and rocked the position!

They played their final sectional game last night & Michlyn came home excited to report she got her first "tick tick boom" ... they didn't win but definitely finished with a BANG!

We're so proud of you!!!

"21 is lots of fun!"



Catching Up in this Fall Season

It's been almost a month since I last posted. Goodness gracious, how can that be?? August quickly finished it self off, and September came in full force! This post is going to basically be a giant catching up post... Here we go!

We started back to school bright and early on August 27th. We are all going back to our small Charter school, except for 'T' who is being home schooled.

I ('M') am a sophmore in high school this year. I've been loving it so far, and my favorite subject is Biology! I enjoy seeing my friends, getting to know my new teachers, and of course I do learn things! :) I started playing volleyball again this year! I started playing for my first year at school this time. I started on JV, but was just bumped up to Varsity. It's been very exciting, and I just love the girls! This year has been busy so far, but very fun and exciting!

'E' started her first year of high school this year! I know... ca-ra-zay! She got together with many of her friends this summer, but was also very excited to start school again. Besides getting up early, she loves school. She has always been our most creative one, so she loves her art class. 'E' is also our only girl soccer star, and is playing varsity soccer for school. Their team has been learning together this year, and just won their first game! She is always telling funny stories from her day, and keeps us laughing.

The boys are also back into the swing of things. 'J' started 4th grade this year.  He is always a little nervous on the first day of school, but did so well. He was excited to see the kids in his class again, and he really likes his teacher. 'S' started 1st grade...what?! Our little man isn't going to be so little anymore. He has a locker for the first time this year, and he actually gets to do homework. Both of them can get distracted while doing their homework, but they're doing great. They have already learned so much!

'T' is being home schooled again this year. I did a post a while ago on "Table Time". This is something she does mostly all day everyday. Since she has gone through so much trauma and is still having attachment issues, it is best she is at home with mom. Table Time is something that is predictable for her. She can color, do worksheets, she has beads, legos, and sometimes polly pockets. It a way that will help build her trust with us, and keep her world simple. So her every morning routine is the same, and my mom keeps up with her and best as possible - So she's in charge, and not 'T'. As she learns to be a kid again, and to slowly trust us with her everyday needs... It strengthens bonding & attachment. (I will do an "achievement" post on her soon) She also goes outside a couple times a day, and enjoys the fresh air. The routine is definitely different, but we do what is best for the whole family's needs.

The weather has been getting pretty cold already... Actually turned the heat on in the house for the first time today. Most of us LOVE Fall though! The colors, bonfires, and crisp air. And thought I'd end with a picture I recently took. :)

Happy Fall everyone! 

~Michlyn

Soccer is in Full Swing

We have soccer 4 nights a week. 'E', 'J', and 'S' are all in soccer. They all are great soccer players, and we enjoy watching their games! It's a crazy schedule with practices, games, tournaments, and then jamboree is at the end of the month. :)

And you know what's so awesome about 'J's team? ......Our dad coaches!! :)

Last but definitely not least, our only soccer playing girl - beautiful! :)

~Michlyn

We're Here and so is Summer!

It's Michlyn...

I know that I rarely post anymore, but that's about to change. It's been a good 10 days since my mom or I have posted. We do have a few posts floating around in our heads (or at least I do) and we will be posting soon.

Our last day of school was May 24th, so Summer has arrived at our house! Superdad is being REALLY super this week, and decided to take the week off to finish up some projects! YAY!

Despite some car break-downs, unexpected illness, and rushing to soccer 4 nights a week we're hanging in there. Just like a blogger friend said. "Even after school is out, summer holds a different kind of crazy."

Thanks for stopping by, and still reading! We love comments from anyone!

Blessings,
~Michlyn

I Wish...

Sometimes...

I wish teachers wouldn't give out so much homework

I wish my mom didn't get hurt while she tries to be the best momma she can be

I wish I had the stylish clothes and shoes ever

I wish my siblings weren't so mean or disrespectful

I wish I could please the Lord in a better way and more often

I wish my attitude was always good

I wish that making hard decisions wasn't so...well...hard

I wish the truth in some situations wasn't so hard to say

I wish that the house was always clean

I wish my makeup, hair, and face was always spotless and perfect

I wish that I didn't get so jealous over ridiculous things

I wish my dad had a better boss and a higher paycheck

I wish that money didn't get in the way of so much stuff

I wish that hearts could never be broken

I wish that there were so orphans in this world

I wish friends wouldn't lie and make things so complicated

I wish driving was a piece of cake and could be done with no possible accidents

I wish politicians could make decisions that help everyone

I wish athletes didn't have to get hurt and ruin their dreams

I wish that no one got sick and would stay healthy

I wish that I could take amazing pictures

I wish... I wish... I wish...

BUT

I know... That our God performs miracles and that some of the things above could eventually be fixed.

Nothing is impossible with God!


~Michlyn

powder puff game

Last Thursday Afternoon

On a beautiful Fall day in Minnesota

I had the chance to watch Michlyn play in Pact's 4th Annual Powder Puff game

Freshmen & Seniors vs. Sophomores & Juniors

Undefeated vs. The Hunters

It's was Michlyn's first opportunity to play

It's her first year attending Pact

She's a Freshman

They practiced a few afternoons & spent time "creating" their orginal team shirts before game day :D

--------------------------------------------------

It was a lot of fun to watch!

The players all seemed to have a blast too!

The game was close, even intense at times.

Undefeated WON 34 - 30

Woo Hoo!!!!

~PowderPuff Mom :)



Soccer... Came to an End

The soccer season finally came to an end about 2 1/2 weeks ago. It usually ended at the end of June, but for some unknown reason we went an extra month. Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend any of 'J's games except the last one. It was great to see him play, he has amazing talent! It was also a treat, because my dad co-coached his team of 8 yr. old boys. So here are a few pictures I took of their last game.

All the boys (both teams) played great! It's always fun to see siblings have fun, at something they're good at.

Until next summer... we'll miss you soccer field.

Blessings,

~Michlyn

Our Week in Words

We had a fairly busy week, even though some of our soccer games were cancelled because of the humidity index. I thought I would make a list of what we did this week!

• 'T' and 'S' had a soccer game on Monday
• Erin had a soccer game on Tuesday
• We also had ortho dentists app. on Tuesday (Erin and I have braces, but that's a different post)
• On Wednesday 'S' and Erin had soccer games, and I went to youth group ('T' had a hard day)
• On Thursday Erin had to travel with some friends to a far away game for soccer, and as you know we had a beach day with friends! 
• 'J's game was cancelled on Thursday because it was so hot out.
• Yesterday, Friday, after all the heat started to cool down we got a very bad storm. It rained like crazy, hailed, and it was soooo windy. Then, after a power outage the tornado sirens went off. Luckily no one was hurt, and there was no reports of any tornados.
• Finally today, Saturday, Erin got up extra early with dad to go to a friend's house and spend the day, and now she's sleeping over. 
• Dad worked so hard today... He volunteers to mow the cemetary where our baby girl 'L' is at. (with my help sometimes) Then he came home, and off to work to fix some machines because the power also went out at his work.
• My mom, the 3 youngsters, and I went to our grandma & grandpa's house to see a few cousins who were staying at their house. It was fun to watch them go on the slip-n-slide, (a.k.a. plastic grandpa pinned to the ground with the hose running on it) draw pictures, playing together, and enjoying some home-away-from-home time! 

Well that was our busy week! As you know, we're a not so small family, and in the summer time it's crazy busy around here.
Blessings, ~Michlyn

Fun, Fun, and more Fun!

This weekend was full of fun family time. On Thursday Erin played Soccer, and for about the second (or maybe first) time, I got to watch her. She's an excellent soccer player, and has been playing ever since she was 5 or 6 years old. I used to play once upon a time too. It was fun to see her play with her team!

On Friday, my mom finally got 'T's yarn extensions out. Well, I guess that's not so fun, but her hair is pretty in her natural "poof". (If it's not right when she gets out of bed) Yarn extensions are pieces of yarn that are braided into her natural hair. It helps her hair grow faster, and it's very cute. The first time we did yarn extensions in her hair, we added a few pink "highlights". We didn't do any colorful yarn extensions this time or last time, but I think we will do them again some day. :)

To end the weekend, we all went to the new movie, Cars 2 in theatres! It was a really good movie. It has lots of action, and it's a cute racing movie... A wonderful movie for the family. 

Wishing you all a fun and productive Monday! 
~Michlyn

Soccer Stars

Since the weather hasn't been the greatest these past few days, soccer has been cancelled. So, all of my siblings went and practiced in our yard! It's fun to see the three youngest go against Erin all by herself. Sure there is some confusions about the points, (even though we shouldn't keep score) but it's fun altogether to see their teamwork.
After running a few errands yesterday we finally got a new memory card. So I snapped a few pictures of them, showing their skills! ;)

Blessings,

~Michlyn