Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Years Eve!

What a year 2011 has been!  I feel like I'm finally getting into a groove with my kids and keeping up with household chores.  For such a long time it felt like such a daunting task, but now I feel refreshed and renewed.


Many of you know I started teaching again this year, but after careful consideration, heart ache, and prayer. We made the decision for me to stay home again and I haven't regretted it for one second!!! I love being home with my kids. I love being the person they bond with during the day.  And I love making memories with them and watching them grow. I know I'll never get this time back with them, so I'm eating it up now. Sure I miss the kids A LOT at school and I've been back to see them a few times.  It was extremely hard for me to say goodbye to them and I know it was rough for them as well.  But you know what, if I hadn't gone back to see if that's where I belonged I would have always wondered.  Lesson learned: my place is at home with my kids, supporting my husband, and taking care of our home.

These are some of the photos taken for our Christmas Card.  We ended up using the last one.
 



I'm ending my post today with a few New Years Resolutions that I'm totally capable of:
1) Use all of my jars this year canning as much as I can for our family and give some away as well!!
2) Study God's word more!! I'm currently reading and journaling the book "What's it Like to be Married to Me".  Ladies if you haven't read this book, it's a must and it has been helping me change my heart towards Drew.
3) Transform my body back to the way it used to be (as much as possible since I've had to kids and it's impossible to stop my boobs from sagging). I want to eat better and exercise often.  I've already started, I'm not waiting till tomorrow!!!

Happy New Year everyone, I'll see you in 2012!

Friday, December 30, 2011

October Phone Dump

So at the end of September, Drew and I headed to Chicago for the weekend to celebrate being debt-free.  Our good friends Jud and Tyler graciously handed over the keys to their condo and headed to Michigan to stay at their other place down the street from us. We had a blast and like almost all trips we take I forgot to take pictures.  However, I did take a few.  We enjoyed breakfast at this Ann Sather - twice! The food was amazing!



This is Wrigley Field - we were headed downtown on the "L" to do some shopping. Then there's the John Hancock taken on Lakeshore Drive on our way home.  Like I said I'm terrible at taking photos.  This is all I have.


October

During the fall I wasn't blogging at all but I was keeping up with everyone and most of you said fall is your favorite time of year. Mine too! I love it, everything about it: the smells, the colors, the crisp air - it's all glorious!

We took a trip to Jolly Orchard and then the Chocolate Garden. We splurged but we budgeted and it was worth it! Here we picked up a pumpkin or 3 (I can't remember), some doughnuts, cider, and we ate caramel apples! Yum!



Teague's hand on my leg. So sweet!  He was holding on while we were on the hayride.

Sister loves hay!
And her daddy!



One October night we went for a walk because when it's nice outside we like to walk - we stopped at the Choclate Cafe for coffee and headed to the bluff.  It was such a beautiful night. I love the carousel in the background and Lake Michigan!




We also went to a couple of weddings on back-to-back weekends, both at the Blue Dress Barn.  This one was Sharlee and Benjy's wedding.  It was perfect in everyway.  I even shed some happy tears when Benjy danced with his mom.



Sharlee and Benjy. Doesn't she look perfect?  And does anyone watch Once Upon A Time on ABC?  Sharlee looks just like Emma!

 Halloween: That's my pumpkin and my lion and my handsome husband.  Oh and the scary skeleton?  That's my baby brother Noah.  I was so proud of him too because he was so patient with Teague when they trick-or-treated.  I know he was just itching to run around and get more candy, but he didn't. He held Teague's hand and made sure he said "can-ies" (well he was supposed to say "trick-or-treat" or at least "thank you") for candy.  It was precious!
Whoa! Teague got a hold of my phone!
I love this picture! Teague and his "Bicah" asleep at grandma's house.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

September Phone Dump

...Well most of September - more to come.  What September?!?!  I know in 3 days we're entering January and the start of a new year, but we finally got our computer back and it works!!! We lost EVERYTHING else.  We might seek out a recovery specialist in the future, but for now enjoy these photos I've stored on my phone the past few months!

So these 3 pics are in our backyard.



Sometime around Labor Day weekend Drew and I, Matt and Jennie, and Joel all drove to Detroit for a tigers game.  It was a blast and somehow it felt like the hottest day of the year.  If any of you know me I hate humidity - like more than anything else in this world.  I'll stay inside all summer just to be comfortable (or somewhere where there's water). But I tried my best to embrace it.  When we arrived I think it was over 100 degrees at 6 pm!  We ate at hockeytown and then headed to the game. As you can tell by the pictures I was sporting a nice balmy glow (if there is such a thing).  And by the time we left around 11pm the temperature had dropped to 88 degrees - still way too hot for me.  Overall, I had a blast but next time I'd choose to go as late in the season as possible. Perhaps a more chilly time of the year.










We went to my mom's house for my brother Noah's birthday.  Do you see Teague's ribbon tail?!?!



I must have been playing around with my phone before making some jam.  Canning is a new love of mine.  Two nights ago Drew and I stayed up late to make 56 jars of applesauce.  My Aunt Laura let us borrow her pressure cooker and some kitchen aid mixer attachments.  Although it took a while to can all those jars, Drew and I bonded and we had fun. I'll post those photos later...


This was the only photo I took of our camping trip in September.  I think Teague ate 3 of Mrs. T's brownie cupcakes.  I'm not gonna lie, I probably would have too except it goes strait to my belly and booty.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Hello Christmas!

It is that time of the year again - Christmas time! I am almost done shopping. I have all my gifts ready to go but I still need to run to target to get some stocking stuff for Drew. I still need to wrap our immediate family presents. And although it's currently nap time, I've convieniently stored all the kids gifts in their closets. So I need to sneak in there and grab them quietly so I can get crackin'! My tree looks like a total mess these days. Finley is obsessed with taking the ornaments off the tree and yesterday I found them hanging off of the front of her tutu. It was hilarious, but I'm worried she'll cut herself on the hooks so she makes me a little nervous.

I think I should run upstairs now and go get some presents so I can get started without interruption! Happy Tuesday! 5 more days until I get to watch my kiddos open presents! I'm so, so, so excited to watch their eyes light up!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Smells

I absolutely love the way my kids smell. I love their breath. I love the way their hair smells so good after a bath and the day after or two. I could eat them up. I would even say that my kids love the way I smell. Sometimes in the middle of the night when they wake up and can't fall back to sleep I'll bring them into my bed to snuggle. They nuzzle up right next to me and will even stick their face right into my hair. I love it!

So I just need to update my iPad and then I'll be able to load pictures or if I can get my computer back soon, them I'll be able to load pictures. I guess which ever comes first. We'll see!?!?

Saturday, December 10, 2011

It's been a long time!

Things are definitely happening here in the Maier house. Most recently is our sick, sick baby Finn. It all started Tuesday with a fever and after 3.5 days and scary high temps we've transitioned to just constipation. Which might be worse. I thought yesterday the worst was over but boy was I wrong!!! She's been in serious pain all afternoon. So now after some milk of magnesia we're praying for poop and lots of it! I want my girl to want to walk - she doesn't even want to stand and she hardly even sits. I'm so thankful that Drew bought us a tv for our room. It's times like these when I'm glad I didn't listen to others criticize and tell us the romance would be taken away if we brought a tv into our room. Let me tell all you skeptics out there, so far so good - romance is alive and kickin' and may even be better then ever. Just sayin'!

So where have I been in the last couple of months? Well I'll share that soon! Where are all of my pictures been in the last... well,since summer? They're stashed away in my phone because I can't hook up my iPhone to my iPad and I don't know how to transfer and load. Can someone teach me and soon? Must post photos! Happy Saturday y'all!

Friday, September 30, 2011

friday bliss

Wow this week flew by! Now on a Friday night Drew and I are sitting here billing clients and listening to some chill tunes on pandora - and she delivers just what we need to hear.

We're planning a pretty uneventful weekend with enough to keep us busy. We're happy and hope your weekend is happy too!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

just plain rude

First, I want to announce that Andy Rooney is retiring! Hallelujah! I have always wondered why 60 minutes would allow someone to be so rude and negative on national television. Week after week same thing, whine, whine, whine. Seriously??? You can't see any good in life? Why cant you go find someone equally as negative to share your thoughts with? I personally don't want to hear you complain.

Second,I wanted to tell you about a little old lady I ran into last night. At first she was so sweet. We started our conversation by talking about my daughter. She asked how old she was and even complimented on how cute she was. Then after a minute as she was walking away she asked me what her name is. To which I replied finley. "what Cindy?" no Finley. "spell it" F.i.n.l.e.y. Then she looked at me with total disgust and said "oh". I just turned my head and decided I was done with that lady. Seriously?!?!? At what point do people feel so entitled to give their nasty opinions out? When is it that all sensitivity and empathy for others is lost?

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

A whole lotta stuff

Where do I begin? Or better yet where did I leave off? Camp Eberhart. Lindsay and I had a great time with all the kids on our annual trip over night in Three Rivers. Now we're about to dive headfirst into October.I'm so stoked! Bring on the cold!!!


Two weeks ago we went camping to Van Buren State Park and I'm happy to say that it was uneventful seeing as how last year I had to leave Saturday night with the kids because something was up with Teague. He just wouldnt stop crying. So almost the whole way home that night I had two screaming kids. Remember Finn was just a month old and obviously starving. Then our neighbor was blaring a late football game. Ummmmmm..... Hello?? People are trying to sleep!?!?!? And if I remember correctly it was the first weekend that was cool enough to have the windows open.

I digress.

This past weekend Drew and I went to Chicago and had an absolutely amazing time. Our sweet friends Jud and Tyler lent us their condo, CTA passes and gift cards to go out to dinner along with an array of other recommendations. Friday we went to PF Changs for dinner and headed back to the condo to sleep. I know lame right?! Then Saturday we hit up Ann Sather for breakfast then shopping, lots and lots of shopping. I loved every minute. I take that back. I loved every single second! It was so nice to FINALLY have extra cash to go and buy clothes. Then we saw a movie, had dinner and went to see another movie. It was glorious! I can't remember the last movie Drew and I saw together. Sunday we went to breakfast, whole foods and then we packed up and headed back home. My favorite part of the weekend (because it was so hilarious) was the condom we saw on the tail pipe of someone's car. Then there were the occasional belligerent drunks and I'll never forget the homeless rambler on the "L" talking about anything he saw transitioning into talk about blow jobs just like it was no big deal. I couldn't help but smile because I knew his mind was gone and he couldn't stop himself from being totally inappropriate.

I'm rambling again.


Last bit of exciting news. Well maybe not so exciting news first. Our desktop computer is on the frits. Best Buy informed us that it would take fours weeks to repair. We couldn't wait that long to have a computer so my hubs decided to buy me a new white iPad!!! Since we've become debt free Drew's been spoiling me. I'd be lying if I said I didn't love it! Happy rest of the week bloggy friends! Hopefully I can post some pictures soon!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Camp eberhart

So I'm at camp eberhart with all my kiddos from brookview and it's going well. We ate tacos, made some dream catchers, and did the Cupid shuffle. Life is good but i miss the kiddos.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

This post is for Kellie...

Happy Birthday!  Even though Maddie isn't here, I hope you have a great day! 

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Favor

Hey Guys!  I need a favor.  I lost ALL of my old phone numbers.  After begging and pleading with Drew about getting a new PHONE he finally caved gave my what I wanted (do I sound like a total brat or what?!?!)  Let me explain....  after weeks of not having a fully functioning phone (first I lost all use of the left side of my screen, then the right, finally the whole screen wouldn't work except for maybe a freak 15 seconds A DAY where I could actually call 1 person [so I really had to make that one call count]) I got a new one today and it has all the bells and whistles. It's a white i phone 4! I'm really excited!

I'm rambling... sorry!

So what's the favor you ask?  Well, I need you all to shoot me a text so I can re-add you to my contact list.  Make sure to tell me your name so I'm not left wondering who you are. Happy Wednesday ~ I'm off to give baths and do billing with Drew.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Life

Things are changing around here again:
  • I started my new job on Thursday and I love my teaching partner Lindsay.  She's so easy to get along with and she's super smart which I am totally thrilled about - maybe I'll learn a boat load of things from her???
  • Drew has officially resigned from his teaching position.  He's been working hard on growing his business and we've been shopping around for health insurance.  Health Insurance has been by far the scariest thing for me through this whole transition.  Now I just need to make sure my kids Pediatrician accepts our change.  If they don't I'm not going to be too happy.
  • The kiddos start school on the 7th.  I'm so excited for them - they'll be in a peaceful learning environment and they have some amazing teachers.
  • This afternoon we're headed to my 10th high school reunion - GO LANCERS!  I'm really nervous, but happy it's at the round barn winery.  If all else fails I'll just drink a glass of wine and loosen up a bit!  Wish me luck!
  • My cousin Amy is in labor as I write this and I'm so excited that Ariyah will have a little sis sis (as we like to call Finn) of her own and I'm happy for Amy that she doesn't have to be 9 months pregnant anymore.  Mama's out there, you know what I mean.
photo from the birthday party
...more photos to come.


Happy Weekend!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Finn's 1st Photo Shoot - Photo Overload!!!

This is Finn's photo shoot from her first birthday.  Rachel Snyder (Ashley Jewell's sister) came over minutes before the party started to take these adorable pics of my beautiful baby girl.  These are just a few, enjoy!












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