Isn't it about time someone started awarding Gold Medals to mothers for what they achieve on a daily basis? After all, each and every day is an Olympic event for mom!Just participating in the following field events qualifies you in the Motherhood Olympics and a Gold Medal....or better yet, a chocolate covered Gold Medal!

Diaper Derby Dash → Chasing un-diapered toddler in order to diaper said toddler before he does his "business" on the carpet.

Early Morning Relay Rush → Waking, bathing, dressing, feeding, carpooling, & hugging five children before school bell rings each morning. Rushing back to school to drop off forgotten lunch and homework. Rushing to store to get room mother treats. Rushing home to attempt Diaper Derby Dash on toddler. Rushing back to school to be spectacular room mother. Rushing home to put toddler down for nap. Rushing to clean up kitchen and do three loads of laundry. Rushing back to store for forgotten items for dinner. Rushing to dentist for twice missed appointment. Rushing home to attempt and once again train for Diaper Derby Dash. All before 10 a.m.

Nerves of Steel Tantrumathon→ Remaining completely calm while toddler throws self on filthy floor and begins to wail at top of lungs while in crowded store with many onlookers throwing dirty looks your way.

100 yard Hurdle→ Hurdling high across the sandbox full of children to grab binky covered in sand before baby puts it in mouth.

50 Yard Sprint→ Sprinting to the curb in a split second while in high heels to grab toddler before runs into busy intersection.

Weight Lifting→ Hoisting ten bags of groceries, one sleeping toddler, an infant in car seat, diaper bag, car keys, purse, one half eaten Happy Meal, and dry cleaning without dropping ...while carrying it all into house in one trip.

Wrestling Freestyle→ Leave busy restaurant with squirming child in arms with relaxed but firm body hold.

Balance Beam Routine → Balancing check book, three nutritious meals a day (plus snacks), laundry, house cleaning, carpooling, piano lessons, dance lessons, trumpet lessons, football practice, karate practice, soccer practice, Cub Scouts, Brownies, grocery shopping, holiday traditions, homework, dentist appts., doctor appts., recitals, school concerts, menu planning, PTA meetings, vacations, science fair projects, and many other things too numerous to mention.

First Day of School

Ok, so if Ady would stop talking for 2 seconds, I could get a better picture!! Anyway, here is Jaden and Ady on their first day of school. Jaden is a big 2nd grader and ready for a great year. He is in a 2nd and 3rd grade split, so we will see what we think as the year goes by. He has a great teacher, so I am confident he will do fine. Adyson was a little nervous going, I wasn't sure if she was really going to go. However she had a great first day and when she came home and realized that Jaden got to stay all day AND eat lunch, she was sure that she was jipped!!! So, they did great and I can't believe they are growing up so fast. Derek was sad to leave Ady at school, because it was a new thing and he was used to Jaden staying and Ady always left with us last year, but he wasn't sure about her staying. Derek also has decided that he needs a "pack-pack" too. So, we have a backpack for him that he can put his things in and he feels so big!!!

Adyson & her kitty, Molly

Adyson begged all summer to get a kitty and I finally gave in. So meet Molly, our little kitty. She runs away, so we had to put a leash on her, so we could keep her around, since Mom won't let her live in the house. We have a kennel with a litter box and her food outside and she can run as far as her leash will let her go. The kids love playing with her!!

BE County Parade & Fair

Ady took pictures of us as we were watching the parade. Derek has a pretty funny cheeser!!
Wade and his Dad watching the parade. (Ady is still our photographer, she did pretty good)


Derek and Ady on the monster trucks. Derek thought that they were great and wouldn't get off. By the end of the night he had riden them 4 times!!

Jaden's Baseball team

Jaden played baseball on a new machine pitch league and loved it. This is their last game and they won it at the very end, when the bases were loaded and they were down 8-11 and their player hit a homerun and brought all the bases in. It was very exciting and a great way to end the season!!!!

We went surfing with some friends before they moved to Arizona. Ady and Jaden had a lot of fun, but wish Ellie and Chase didn't have to move.

Ady was very brave and had a lot of fun. Jaden was pretty good at the surfing and liked the body boards too.

Nessen Family-all of us

All the Nessens gathered in July for a new family picture. We had them taken out in Howell. This is by one of the barns out back. It was the usual chase trying to get kids to cooperate! We should be good for a couple of years-yay!

Brothers -the best of friends.

Derek and Jaden sat in the wagon for a picture. These 2 are great friends and Jaden is such a good big brother to Derek.

Adyson, Derek and Jaden thinking, "Are we done yet?"