Employment news...

As of the end of this week, I will no longer work at Team Industries. A lot has transpired in the last few months, and it is time for me to move on and try out some new adventures.

As of Monday, the 5th, I will be contracting myself out for 2 months. In the meantime, I will be able to evaluate what direction I will go in next...and continue to market myself as an independent contractor. I hope that this will allow me to expand my knowledge base, put some of my past experiences hard at work and allow me to focus more on my family. I am VERY excited.

So - if anyone is looking for a super fab AutoCAD designer...you know where to go.

Farewell Brontosaurus Head.

Brontosaurus Head. The nickname of Blue's best doggie friend - Max.

Max passed away yesterday. His poor body just could take no more. It was sad, and sudden.

How do you explain to your doggie - that his friend is gone? We are very sad, for our friend's - who have lost their dear, loved, hilarous, loyal buddy - and for our boxer, because they were, quite simply, best friends.

Dawn and I used to always sing:

"Best friends, two of a kind....hanging out....best friends".

Farewell, Maxie-boy. We'll miss ya.

Courtney's Pic's...

Courtney took some candid shots of Isaac this weekend - I thought I would share!

Rough n' Tumble Boys Playdate

We had a rough n' tumble boys playdate last Friday with Luke and Lucas. There was lots of one-on-one basketball action, fun with goo-goos (trains) and chocolate cookies.

:)

A little bit of Catch up

After talking to some family & friends we decided we should post a quick couple of pictures and a quick video.

These pictures probably wouldn't be so funny, just Isaac putting on one of Brian's old shirts. What makes it funny is the second picture with the cross in the background, the shirt looking like a robe, and Isaac with his hands up appearing to be giving a blessing...The gold Mari Gras beads add a nice touch too.





And here is a little video of him talking.

Bush asks for money to fight zombies...

Silly St.Patty's Hat

This one is for Isaac's godmother.

Visit in Flint...

Isaac and I got to spend a few days in Flint last weekend. So, we played with the Gifford kids at the children museum, hung out at the Brown Sugar Cafe with uncle Michael, and even helped him get some work done. :)

Whole buncha boxers

Isaac likes his boxers.

Do you ever just listen to the words?

So, I am sitting at work, with my itunes cranked so I can try to get this design off my desk...when suddenly I start listening to the words of a song "What Sarah Said" by Death Cab for Cutie.

It depicts a person mulling about a hospital, obviously there for someone they love.

The words go..."I'm thinking of what Sarah said, that love is watching someone die..." and then..."who's going to watch you die"...

Oh so sad! How many times have I listened to this song and never heard what it was about? It's true though, all the words about waiting rooms and nurses with their heads hung low.

The irony is, my brother and I were talking about our Grandmother this weekend. 8 years later, we are still overcome with sadness at the memory of her passing. Not just that she passed, but the days preceding - all the love that was shown by the friends and relatives who came to say their goodbyes (whether they knew that it was a goodbye or not). Now this song makes me think of that...and thinking of that makes me worry and fret about my parents, my brothers, my husband, my child. Just a little more than I can handle because I turned on itunes. Another one to throw in the vault that is only visited when one if feeling morose.

Off to the next tune...Beck - "Where's it At?"

W.V.F.D.

Tim is the President of the Wolverine Volunteer Fire Dept - and so on Saturday, we took the boys for a tour of the firetrucks!!!

Tim shows us the oldest "fire truck" - built in 1904 - and it still operates!

Fireman Tim and his son, Will.

Snow Shoe-in!

Here are the boys, pre-snow adventure...

Will is a pro at snow shoe-ing!

All the gang....Tim on ski's, Missy helping Brian and Isaac in the backpack!

Weekend in Wolverine

We went to see Tim, Missy and Will this weekend. The boys played perfectly together! I don't have time to write much - so here are some pictures!

Isaac and Will - pre bath time.

Missy discovers that Isaac loves pesto!

Isaac and Will - two buddies, just hanging out.

Isaac's first haircut...

Today I took Isaac to "Snip-It" for his first haircut. I wasn't sure what to expect and was a little nervous - but he seemed to dig it! They had fun music playing, kid sized chairs and the hairstylist was VERY patient!

Now he has a cute little boy haircut!

Trains in Columbus...

A few weekends ago, we went to Columbus to visit Sarah. She and Paul took us to the Conservatory - to our delight, they had trains by the same guy that made the one that was at the Meijer Garden at Christmas. Isaac loved it! Here is a video...

Publish Post>

Monkey Tribunals

Isaac decided today that he didn't want to go to bed. Instead he held Monkey Tribunals and read them the riot act. Maybe no one else will find this as amusing as us, but we thought we'd share.

Videos of Isaac...

Courtney and Chris took some videos of Isaac while they were watching him a few weeks back...

http://genie28.blogspot.com/2008/02/videos-of-isaac.html

Stoopter Bowl....

I will have to blog more later, but I thought I would pop a couple pictures from our Super Bowl weekend at the Moyle's...

Funny how things go....

So, I was trying to find the website for the diapers I just purchased, so that I could forward it to a friend...

http://www.angeldrydiapers.com/store/Default.asp

Of course, I looked through all the pages, etc...only to find...they are handmade by a woman in the Flint area. Now, what are the chances that of all the cloth diapers being made out there in the world...I would pick ones that are made in Flint??? How cool is that!?

Anyways, thus far, Isaac has worn them every day since I have purchased them - 4 each day - and it's going really well. They are easy to use, wash and stay dry an amazingly long time!

Whatcha got cookin.

Today I am doing pork chops, ala crockpot. I am in love with the crockpot - as they say on the "Ronco" commericals - "set it and forget it".

Today's chops are being cooked in a fruit stuffing, complete with apples, cranberries, celery and onion. It smells SOOO good right now.

Last night, we were in Alma. We went to see an old classmate/roommate of Brian's - Bob Gruca play at Alma College. He is a classical guitarist. I honestly had no clue what to expect, but I will say, it was excellent!

If you would like to hear an example, visit his page: http://www.robertgruca.com/

Well, off to get some stuff done while Isaac is napping!

Hope everyone is keeping warm!

For those who thought it sounded good - here's the recipe:

Chops with fruit stuffing

6 boneless pork loin chops
1 tbsp oil
6oz herb stuffing mix
2 celery ribs
1 med tart apple, peeled and chopped
1 cup dried cherries or cranberries
1/2 cup chopped onion
2/3 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup butter

Brown chops on both sides in oil. Combine remainder of ingredients in bowl.

Place half stuffing in slow cooker. Top with pork and remaining mixture. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, or until meat reads 160 degrees. (Makes 6 servings)