Gone

Wow!! Its been too long! A lot has happened in the last months, the kids have aged, we moved (then moved back) started a new school year, celebrated my dad's 80th birthday, enjoyed some time with family and friends, took in some baseball, and so much more!!
I am back and plan to continue to post not only family updates, but I've have been on a major crafting spree lately that I MUST share all the fun!!
To start I first want to say how thankful I am for all that I have...the many friends, the loving family, a roof over my head, a great job, food to eat, and too many more to list. I hope you are able to take some time in the next couple of days to show your thankfulness to the ones you love!!

10

As we have hit a milestone...10 years, a decade, I spent some time thinking about what lessons and thoughts I wanted to share with Emmah. She may not appreciate all of these yet, but she will and learn to understand them too. 

1. You won’t be liked by everyone and that’s all right. However, I strongly encourage you to BE YOURSELF even if others don’t recognize how special you are. I'm sure this will take awhile to settle in, it did for me, but in the end you're a wonderful person and if someone doesn't see that...they are missing out! "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends." (Dumbledore-Harry Potter) Don't be afraid to fight for what you believe in. As I heard many times from Memah..."Kill them with kindness, and don't stup to their level and be the better person. None of which will be easy.

2. Always ask questions...no question is a dumb question, unless it goes unasked. There will always be something to question and an answer to look for...get out there and ask!

3. Keep smiling. It’s a cure for common sadness and can truely "make" someones day. Laughter is the best medicine and even in tough times a smile can warm the heart.

4. Dream BIG!! Believe that no matter what it is you want to do you can do it and we are always behind you, cheering you on along the way. It may seem impossible some days, but the more you push and perservere the closer that goal will become to reality. 

5. Don’t do favors or charity with the expectation of getting something in return, or having the favors returned to you. Do them because it makes you smile and warms your heart. Compassion for others is  gift to share...share it!

6. You’ll have your heart broken at some point, and you’ll inevitably break someone else’s. Pick up the pieces, hold your head high and look for love again. Sometimes...when you're not really looking at all you'll find it right in front of you. Let yourself love and be loved. Eventually, you'll find that one true love and when you do, your heart really will skip a beat, and and feel whole in their presence. Love isn't easy, but worth the work!

7. Always write thank you's...take the time to write a short note to the person to let them know you appreciated their thoughtfulness. As your Memah always said "If you're not thankful you don't receive."

8. Dad and I will embarrass you in front of your friends. This is inescapable, and at some point in your life you’ll appreciate the fact that we were weird,. Until then, please try to exercise some patience. Every crazy, wacky, and weird thing we do or say is, only because we love you. And that will NEVER change!! All the crazy years that are to come...the fights, the yelling its all bound to happen, but we'll always be here and LOVE you no matter what! We will tell you "We love you" (and won't tire of hearing you say it!) and will love you everyday, even if some days you don't think we do. You hold a special place in our hearts and that can NEVER be replaced!

9. Keep your family close, and surround yourself with wonderful friends. Family is there no matter what...when you make the wrong choices, the right choices and every step in-between. When you find the right friends they will become like family and fill the gaps, join you in laughter, cheers, and sometimes tears. They will you always believe in you and be there through thick and thin.

10. You are beautiful inside and out. You won’t always feel that way when your stand in front of a mirror, or with your friends. I know this struggle all to well, and kids and the world can be tough and sometimes down right MEAN. Striving to be perfect will only cause you more frustration, be content in who you are and always believe that's enough because to the right people it is.

Emmah Ruth Bloemers...you are an AMAZING miracle that has been brought into our lives. You bring us joy, laugher, smiles, frustration, and happiness. You will never fully understand how much we LOVE you until, hopefully someday you are blessed with a child of your own. Until then know that we are always here and love you til the end. Watch out world she is just getting started and she is going to be SPECTACULAR!

Lost

I promise I wasn't lost...nor did we have anything major happen to our family, its just been BUSY!!
I have missed blogging as I use it as an outlet to let my creative juices flow, share a laugh or tear, and get out what is on my mind.
Lately, there has been a lot! Sometimes life goes by with nothing exciting really happening, but it moves without us noticing the little stuff. I want to really take the time to notice the little stuff, the small moments that we share as a family. I have often been thinking that I really want my kids to look back on their childhood with fondness and think what a GREAT time they had, whether its a trip or tradition. I want them to enjoy the effort we put in to be their parents and make growing up FUN!!
I know we haven't given are kids every experience, and there are some that it would take some convincing for me to give them, I think they are important to shower them with the new, the old, and let them discover too! As we move into spring we have worked on a few little projects here and there and will be moving in birthday party mode...this week!!
Hoping to post a few pics and some tutorials next week!

Valentine

I know the date has past, but I still wanted to share with you the fun Valentines we gave out this year!! The kids and I had so much fun coming up with ideas and making these, best part??? They were SuPeR simple!! For Jake's we did these:

They were perfect and only cost me $2, for the glow bracelets. Jake even helped cut them out! Since he LOVES Star Wars they were perfect!! (Want to use these?? Well you can get your own from here!)
Here are Emmah's:

These have to be one of my most favorite ones we have done!! Emmah helped to design the tag and then stuff the bags!  (The original idea came from here)
I then decided that we needed some for the kids at daycare...there are some school aged as well as younger ones too. So of course I went a searching and found these on Pinterest!

Be sure to check them out...there are 4 different varieties, I only used 2.

Dinner Diaries

I am far from a great cook, I dislike cooking almost as much as I dislike cleaning. (So as you can see my children are well fed and live in a remarkably clean home!)
Well Pinterest has really encouraged me to try new things and find new recipes for the everyday and while some have turned out okay, some have turned out truly GREAT!! This is one of them!
The first recipe I tried was Crockpot Pineapple Chicken.
Recipe:

• 3-4 chicken breasts
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup soy sauce

Cook on low for 6-8 hours. 
Now the meat had a sweet taste to it and it was pretty good, I'm not sure I would make this again. I really would like to try another version of this because I see it quickly becoming a family favorite...I'll keep you posted.
Now on to my HUGE cooking success....
As a side to go along with our Pineapple Chicken I decided to try Humus Mashed Potatoes.
Recipe:

• 3 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes
• 3 Tbsp. butter or olive oil
• 2 cups favorite hummus, homemade or storebought
• 1/2 tsp. salt (or more to taste)
• 1/4 tsp. freshly-cracked black pepper

Peel the potatoes if you woud like, and cut them into large chunks, roughly the same size. Immediately add to a large pot and fill with water until the potatoes are covered. Bring to a boil over high heat. Then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until a fork will go gently through the potatoes. Remove from heat and drain the water.

Then return pot to the burner and use a potato mash the potatoes until smooth. Then turn off heat, and add in butter, hummus salt and pepper. Stir until combined. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. 

Now these were the MOST delicious side we have had in awhile and Emmah even asked if we could make them more often! Jake wasn't as much of a fan, but he ate a little!! I will definitely be making these again!!

**snow**

One of the benefits to living in Michigan is the fun we get to have in the snow. Now I'm not one to really enjoy the cold and snow, but sometimes you just have to get out there and have some FuN! Today we headed out with some friends to hit the hills and get some sledding in!! So far this year we have had 5 SNOW DAYS...which is fun, but the kids get a little restless!! We've had to get creative and find some fun entertainment!

Jake heading down the hill

Emmah's turn!

Family shot...minus Toby!

I LOVE this photo!!

4 years

It's been 4 years since you left...and I still miss you like I did on the very first day. I remember that day like it was yesterday, I can tell you where I was, what I was wearing and exactly how the day went. You were my BEST friend, you taught me to sew, cook (Not real good with this one yet!!) bake, and teach.  I am better because of you...I am who I am because of you. This one's for you Mom... For Good And although I know I will see you again one day I still miss you and wish you were here. Thanks for being the BEST Mom EVER!!

New Year

I can hardly believe that it is already 2013....WOW!!   As a family we had a really nice holiday, we spent time together, shared some food and laughter and started a few new traditions!!   We even got a special Florida visitor for a week!! My kids were super surprised and excited that their cousin Shelby came to stay with us for a week!! (I have to add that I was too!!!!)   I feel this should be said as well. You know those things that happen when you get together as a family, the jokes, the laughter, the love...I am truly blessed to say my kids will have some GREAT memories of spending time with family. I LOVE how much my kids, although there is quite an age gap, are a part of their cousins lives. My kids talk about them all the time as well as aunts and uncles. I have some of those same memories and LOVE the fact that mine with have some if not many more of their own!   Starting our year out...I have gotten crafty already, tried some new recipes, and enjoyed my NEW CRAFT ROOM!!!!! So much to share...but to start the year, be thankful for those close to you, those not so close to you, and those who have passed. The memories you have and make are yours forever and no one can take those away...now go out and create some memories!