I'm happy to be a mother

As I get a bit older I have started to embrace motherhood with a different perspective. That is to take each day one day at a time and not to bother with the small stuff. This is not to say that I have "super" days everyday, but if I don't worry as much then I don't get so uptight. "Yes" the dishes will get done at some point today and "no" my house is not always a disaster but, if you come over and it seems a bit disheveled then you may assume that I am in one of my I don't care moments:)Today is Mother's Day and I am so thankful for my children, my husband but most of all my mother and those other mothers that have helped and inspired me thought out the years. My mom inspires me more now than ever and I don't know where I would be without her kind words of encouragement each and everyday. I know I don't say it often enough but "I love you mom and I would be a mess with out you."

Happy Mothers Day to all the mom's in my life and everywhere.

Goodbye Grandma Nelson

As a human life departs its often times hard to let go and say goodbye. Well that is what my family has had to do recently. I am extremely happy that I have such faith in Jesus to believe that our dear grandma is in a better place and that she is happy where she is at.
Grandma has been gone from this world for 1 week and 3 days now, departing us on Good Friday. Could you find a better day to pass away then on the anniversary of the death of our Lord Jesus? I don't think so.So many things have come back to me after she left us like her unending words of wisdom and her laughter every time I complained to her about something the kids were up to. I used to tell her to keep a watch out for a big package with holes in the top because it was going to be one of the kids. Her favorite story to tell was from a couple years ago when I mailed her a care package full of her MN favorites and the mail lady came up to her apartment to deliver the box so that grandma wouldn't have to carry it so far. Well grandma took one look at that box and who it was from and said to the mail lady, "Oh, it's from my granddaughter- I bet it's one of my grandchildren because she always tells me that one of these days she is gonna mail them to me." The poor mail lady almost fell over thinking there could be a child in that box. Grandma laughed and laughed but had to open the box in front of the lady to ease her fears.
She has always been an inspiration to me and always made me feel like I was the best in her eyes. She told me time and time again that I choose the best man in the world to marry and I am raising good kids. Which means a lot coming from a women that has done so much for her own family.

Goodbye grandma.

If you read this raise your hand

How is it that I somehow missed 2 whole months of posting....Well let me explain..........
It all starts when the mom of the house takes on more then her little mind can handle. Not that I can't handle a lot- I just don't like to focus on "fun" stuff when I have other "plain" stuff to do. And I can't get my mind to settle down enough to focus this much energy on our blog. Not that all of our readers aren't extremely important in our life....I have just had to put you all on a very long hold for a minute or...err... 2 months. Well I am back and I promise to try, I emphasize the word TRY to be better at keeping you all updated with our never dull, always on the go life.
So what have you missed, well nothing of course!Since January 30th, 2010, Owen has turned into a "terrible" two year old- February 17th to be exact and Avril has somehow acquired a severe complex. She wakes up each morning picking out a dress to wear then asking, "mommy do you think (so and so) will say I look beautiful in this?" Hannah and Isaac go about their lives trying to dodge chores, homework and just about any other word, request, option, or simple command this mom might make. Joe has turned 30 and apparently survived it (Let's just say this was not his favorite b-day) however, we had one kick-butt "black and white" party to celebrate.
Swimming, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, gymnastics, play practice and school are soon coming to an end and I am happy to announce that the VanHoorik family is taking the summer off of all the running that I have signed myself up for in the many years of the past. Joe and I decided that it would be good to concentrate on relaxation this summer rather then trying to balance 4 kids and extracurricular activities. After the initial Hannah whine she realized that she would have more time for running the neighborhood and swimming off the boat. Two things she said she would "ok" with. So after Isaac finishes up baseball in June and a two week swimming lesson in July we are home-free of sports. (I signed Isaac up and paid for b-ball well before my spontaneous choice and swimming is always useful when you own a boat) Then we'll start all the madness over next year....We simply can't have our kids glued to us forever!
With that said, I will "try" to update you as the happenings happen because it's just not any fun to write about something that is 2 months old. Plus who wants to read that much in one sitting?
HAPPY NIGHT

Heeeelllloooo-hello-hello

You have requested and I have listened....Hello to all of you. I know it's been a while but this is considered leisure and I don't get too much of that anymore.

I know I've written it before but geesh, life lets take this a little slower. Why doesn't that statement work like a new relationship.

So exactly 1 week ago we returned from our 8 day, 2229 mile, 35 hours 25 minute road trip to Arkansas and back. I know that's a long way for 4 children in a mini van for a week but we all survived. Our belief is that if you start them young they learn that we are a crazy family that will do this time and time again so you might as well adjust real quick. I'd like to announce that our trip brought us closer together but as you can see Hannah had music, Isaac had a video game, Avril had a movie and Owen had endless books handed to him. The only talking we did in the van was reading out of our states facts book and for one of the kids to announce that they were in need of a bathroom break. However, we proved that we can spend quality time amongst each other and no one was dropped of in Oklahoma.
But for real- our trip was great. We drove into 9 states and saw some of our country's finest landmarks. We also learned that in order to actually go into these landmarks you need: A. No small children, B. More money then we budgeted for and C. Naps ahead of time. But it was just fine for Joe and I to see the outside of Graceland, The lobby of the Gateway Arch and the outside of Lincoln's Home in Springfield. We know what we are doing when the kids are gone and we aren't upset because what kid cares where Lincoln lived with his family for over 15 years. I don't think it's worth 60 bucks for them to say, "that was so boring!" We did what we wanted to do on that trip and that was to spend time with grandma Nelson and visit my aunt Marlene. I know how much grandma loves to see the kids grow and the kids love her care free attitude. They can't jump on my beds or coffee table but at grandma Nelson's they can. And if grandma's not gonna come here because it's too cold then by golly we'll just have to go to her.
The last little leg of our trip was spent at a hotel in Chicago. I am such a huge fan of big cities! We met up with Auntie Barb and her beau Mark and took the train over to the Shedd Aquarium. Well worth the money....if you don't have a crabby toddler to carry around all day because some stupid mother decided not to bring the stroller on the train because she figured they would have them to rent when we got there. WRONG! So we had to cut that adventure a little short because Joe and I couldn't carry him for another second. But again- oh well...We have a lifetime to go again sometime. I am just thankful that we all got a much needed vacation, got to see grandma and made it home before the big ice storms that are now hitting the south.
Now we are home and back to the every day hustle and bustle of things. I don't know if Joe and I were together for a whole evening last week but I suppose there will be time for that in 20 or so years. Now we have to care for poor baby Owen and his terrible cough & teething at the same time. Avril turned "4" yesterday and I just got the notice in the mail today that she was picked to attend preschool for 4 days a week next year. Isaac had his 1st Pinewood derby race as a Tiger Cub Scout and Hannah got her 2nd "C" time at her swim meet today.
As fast as life is going I am afraid I am going to blink and it will be all gone. All my worries about what I don't get to do because of kids will be gone and I'll think, "what was I so worried about, it's not that big of a deal anyways. I sure wish the kids were with us to see this." Right?

Sunday Sunday

I wish I could say that today was a super Sunday but it's not. I guess our luck has run out. I have 4 children and 1 sick husband laying around today. We haven't had any major sickness this year so I guess it's our turn. I just pray that I don't get it. Joe and I have big plans all day Tuesday and I have waited to long for them. In case your wondering we got Joe's sister, Beth to watch the kids overnight and will be going to a concert with some super friends of ours. I don't remember the last time someone took all of our kids-overnight. I guess it's a big job:) I also have a friend visiting from Iowa that I haven't seen in like 13 years. So NO sickness for me PLEASE! My theory is that mom's don't get as many colds and flu stuff because we are on the front line of it all. We catch it, clean it and cure it so we are more immune to it. ?Right?
Anyway, I can't believe it's almost 2010. We all had a wonderful Christmas this year with Joe's family on Christmas eve and my family on Christmas day. It was a little stressful leading up to the occasions but both Christmas's were carefree and very peaceful. Thankfully, on Christmas day we brought all the kids snow gear with us. It could have been more hectic with all the kids in grandmas 2 bedroom house. Oh and we give thanks to uncle Tony for bringing the 4-wheeler with a plow on it to clear off the lake. I think he covered grandma's entire side! I'm not sure who was having more fun....Tony or the kids...or is Tony still one of the kids??

2010 should be a good year with many things in the making already. Joe and Isaac will be going to WWE in January then we are off to Grandma's in Arkansas. We are hoping to GeoCache in 10 different states on the way down and back. Also in January is Girl Scout Cookie Go Day. So get ready for Hannah to call all of you:) Plus the start of a new semester for me. February brings Joe's big 30th b-day and my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. WOW! Then in May my dad turns 50 and Hannah and I are going to see Taylor Swift. (her big Christmas present this year) We will also be continuing the parent taxi service as usual.

This picture is of what Joe does in his free time. He decided that the kids needed their own sledding hill in the yard. Oh- and he is making it look like he shoveled the whole thing- well he didn't he snow blowed the whole back yard into a pile.
So Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. We love and miss all of you that we couldn't be with this holiday season.

Random Pictures

I know it's been quite a while so I am just posting some random last month pictures for your enjoyment. Some are of the kids on Halloween, Isaac in gymnastics (his passion for the time being) and Hannah in "Alms for the poor" play (Hannah is in the pink).

Happiest Thanksgiving to everyone!

Today I am thankful for all the wonderful people in my life. Many of you I don't talk to very often, yet you take the time to keep up with our family. We are so blessed!
I am thankful for my family that continues to love us unconditionally even when I can be a bit bratty. I thought Avril was our strongest willed in our house but I am beginning to think its me. (hehehe) I love everyone of you.
I am also thankful for the many friends I have met in the last 10 or so years. You are all my inspiration. All it takes is a smile from a friend and I know that even when life gets challenging your smiles keep me going. And it's those friendships that I know will last. Take it from me, friends have been pushed aside more times then not because we are more focused on raising our children. For that I am sorry but someday we be better connected.
Most of all I am thankful to my savior Jesus Christ. It sure would be lonely if I didn't have him to talk to 24/7.

So Happy Thanksgiving to all of you I can't be with today. Love you all!