tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20304228958585380432024-03-14T02:05:05.604-04:00Canton CrewWe are living a fun, crazy, happy life and we don't want you to miss out on the fun. So, although you may live far away, you can check out what we are up to on a regular basis.Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-54645337672798219562012-01-31T15:51:00.003-05:002012-01-31T15:53:22.696-05:00January weatherIf I read this post in a few years, this title will be so misleading. I am actually writing to say how nice <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">todays</span> weather has been. It is 53 right now on 1/31/12. Yep that's right. I took a walk in a vest. Rarely do I enjoy weather, except in the summer. I love the sun and the heat.<br />I guess this feels like a heat wave since it is January.<br />Thanks God for this little bit of spring in January. I hope the flowers <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">dont</span> take to much notice, but I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">appreciated</span> it.Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-9137593379005771072012-01-10T16:21:00.002-05:002012-01-10T16:25:27.837-05:00Teaching mathmaticsLucas is learning to multiply two or three digit numbers by the same. It is challenging for him to remember what order to do what things. He is learning. He practices <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">alot</span> and uses <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">alot</span> of erasers. John worked with him for like an hour last night, just going over everything again.<br />Today he came home and said, "math was so easy today". Great!!! " So what you and Daddy worked on last night really helped huh?"" Lucas says, "No, we learned this new, other way to do it called lattice, it is so much easier".<br />I have been dreading this. I have been trying to teach him the "ma and pa way" on everything. That is b/c this is what I know how to do, this is how I can help him. He is going to come home doing some new way.......<br />Luckily, he has the same teacher Whitney had, thank you Mrs. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Weeda</span> for teaching ME how to do lattice when Whit was in 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> grade, so I can now help my son do it.!!Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-91138414925972991072012-01-10T16:17:00.003-05:002012-01-10T16:19:21.548-05:00December 14, 2011<br />John was driving my car and was in a horrible accident. Nothing was his fault, yet nothing will be<br />the same again. A semi hit him on the<br />right side and pushed him into a cement wall on the left. It was an accident; the semi was getting out<br />of the way of a car on the side of him that was out of control. He was driving<br />my car and it was absolutely totaled, smashed, crushed, it is crazy to look at<br />the pictures.<br />He called me to come get him, said he thought he was<br />ok. I got to him 25 long minutes later<br />and he walked over to me and got in the car.<br />I have never been so glad to see him and hug him and know that he was<br />ok. I then saw my car, the front and<br />side of my car. That he was able to get<br />out of that car alive let alone with only a scrap and a bruise is a<br />miracle. I know that God was watching<br />over him that day kept him safe, there are absolutely no other words to<br />describe what saved him.<br />It wasn’t luck, the car was well built and I appreciate Ford,<br />but it was God, all God. We both have a<br />new attitude about our family. As if we<br />didn’t love each other enough, but he literally saw his life flash before him<br />and knows what it is like to think you are going to die.<br />I now have a hard time when he leaves the house, which is<br />unfortunate since he has to do that every day.<br />I am constantly calling and checking up on him and making sure he is<br />ok. I heard sirens today and had a<br />little anxiety attack. He is good and<br />calls me when he is leaving and on his way home.<br />He has a hard time driving on the<br />interstate, especially next to semis. <br />I would give back every gift under our tree this year, just<br />having him alive is so much of a gift and I do not take it for granted.Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-80325863582991655742012-01-10T16:17:00.001-05:002012-01-10T16:17:37.380-05:00It has been awhile since I posted, anything at all.Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-63557648680944740432011-05-05T09:13:00.003-04:002011-05-05T09:20:56.225-04:00One battle at a timeI am sure I drank milk as a kid, my mom is very responsible like that. She would have made sure I drank it.<br />Somewhere along the way, I stopped.<br />Now that I have kids I am always on them to drink milk, "get your calcium, your growing, you need strong bones". I even made Gabrielle drink it when she was younger and at our house.<br />I have decided I need to walk the walk.<br />I am 41 and just started drinking milk.<br />I will be a much better example to my kids if I am drinking it as well. Plus of course, all the health benefits...I like my bones and my posture!!!<br />So, I started off small and chugged it down. Not so bad, why <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">haven't</span> I been doing this all along??? I mean I had the random glass with a piece of cake every now and then, but that is about it. <br />Whitney does not enjoy drinking her milk, but she does it. She looks at me with wide eyes and thinks I am nuts, but I hope she will one day appreciate that I am doing and wont think I am so crazy. <br />Although,we will probably have moved on to some other reason why she thinks I am crazy. One battle at a time.Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-55414149657565645712011-05-03T19:44:00.002-04:002011-05-03T19:49:02.546-04:00Osama Bin Laden was killed the other day by Navy Seals. I am glad such a horrible man will no longer be able to bring any more terror and horrible acts upon this earth.<br />I am still uncomfortable with people celebrating his death. He is still a human. As a Christian that just doesnt sit well with me, at all. God does not rejoice in anyones death.<br />Proverbs 24:17-18 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,and do not be glad when he stumbles, or the Lord will see it and be displeased.<br />I am not sure how to take any of this, it is still settling with me.<br />I still grieve for those families who lost someone in 9/11 and feel so blessed that my family and friends were all safe that day.<br />God Bless!!!Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-78047651296099614402011-03-28T08:43:00.002-04:002011-03-28T08:46:53.875-04:00Cuz she is cute<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JPLHD0WfkpI/TZCCsMdTV4I/AAAAAAAAAfs/qUhouYH6Mik/s1600/girl%2Bscouts%2Bbball%2B009.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589110833336768386" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JPLHD0WfkpI/TZCCsMdTV4I/AAAAAAAAAfs/qUhouYH6Mik/s320/girl%2Bscouts%2Bbball%2B009.JPG" /></a> <br /><div>I had to post this picture of Ruby. </div><br /><div>For no other reason then she just is cute.</div><br /><div>For some reason she needed to lay on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lucs</span> shoes. She <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">doesnt</span> do this often, but I had to share.</div>Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-34860406470648157602011-03-27T18:40:00.003-04:002011-03-28T08:50:47.470-04:00Pineapple upside cake<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ur27iiUUGZ0/TY-9KWA58nI/AAAAAAAAAfk/ssNZsavD89A/s1600/girl%2Bscouts%2Bbball%2B005.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588893647995794034" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ur27iiUUGZ0/TY-9KWA58nI/AAAAAAAAAfk/ssNZsavD89A/s320/girl%2Bscouts%2Bbball%2B005.JPG" /></a> <br /><div>I saw a recipe for this in a cookbook. Most of you that know me at all know I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">dont</span> bake. Cook yes, bake...not so much. But I really wanted to try this recipe. Partly because my dad always talked about how he could make a great pineapple upside down cake.</div><br /><div>Well, I made it in my fancy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cabelas</span> Cast Iron skillet that I rarely use. It was easy and it was fabulous, one of the best things I have ever made.</div><br /><div>I shared with friends. Everybody loved it, we ate it for two nights. Then we had to be done. We dont eat like this. What is all that time at they gym for to come home and eat a huge slice of cake or two. </div><br /><div>Then I remembered,my dad was talking about making a wacky cake.... </div><br /><div>Well, maybe I will try that one day. Oh well a yummy mistake huh.</div>Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-42265237987762776962011-03-13T12:22:00.002-04:002011-03-13T12:33:32.695-04:00the longest day of my life, literallyWhitney has been talking about wearing contacts, so we head to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">dr</span>. office.<br />He puts them in for her, then she has to practice taking them in and out several times before we are on our way.<br />She loves wearing them, she looks so different without her glasses. She has had glasses since 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> grade, I hardly remember her not wearing them. We thought it might be easier to play softball with contacts.<br />So after 4 hours she has to take the contacts out, on her own. She did this twice at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">dr</span>. office.<br />Initially, she's "got this" and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">doesnt</span> want my help, withing minutes.....MOM?!?<br />Within a few more minutes, there are tears and I am not being helpful.<br />I leave, John steps in a few minutes later. One contact out.<br />A call to a friend who just got contacts, more tears, more "you're not being helpful", more of me leaving, finally victory, the 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> one is out. 30 minutes later.<br />Of course all the kudos go to the friend and not me for any help. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">dont</span> know if she will ever put them in her eyes again.<br /><br />That was all by 4:00.<br />AT 9:15 last night, we left for the Mall, yep that is right, the Mall. We were attending Mall Madness with over 1,000 girls scouts of Michigan. The event was to be locked in the mall for 5 hours with 11-14 yr old girls........<br />I HATE the mall.<br />I have been <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">dreading</span> this for months, trying to figure out how to get out of it.<br />I came up with squat, we went. Long story short, it was better then I thought. The lines to get in the stores were long, since only a few stores were open. <br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Aeropastle</span> had some good deals for the girls scouts, and we loved that. <br />Hot pretzels taste really good at 1:30 in the am.<br />By 2:00, the moms were done, the girls had been to every store they wanted to go to and we were locked in the mall until 2:45. Coats on, bags in hand waiting by the door to open at 2:45. We wearily trudged to the car and had a quiet drive home.<br />The kicker....the girl scouts <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">didnt</span> change the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">clocks</span>, when we left at 3, it was really 4!!!!<br />I am 40 I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">dont</span> stay up that late anymore, I have learned something along the way.<br />Whitney is still sleeping, it is 12:30, I have been up since 8. There is a nap in sight for me this afternoon.<br />Thanks John for making dinner tonight, that is why I love you so much!!!Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-84505987983680810332011-03-05T08:34:00.002-05:002011-03-05T08:39:41.448-05:00Little bit of heaven<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Fd9ooONhSg/TXI8HkHlHYI/AAAAAAAAAfc/FbVy5ZteJuY/s1600/mid%2Bwinter%2Bbreak%2B11%2B050.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580588988917685634" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Fd9ooONhSg/TXI8HkHlHYI/AAAAAAAAAfc/FbVy5ZteJuY/s320/mid%2Bwinter%2Bbreak%2B11%2B050.JPG" /></a> The kids and I tore out of Michigan last week, we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">couldn't</span> get out fast enough. The cold weather and the 54 inches of snow we have had this winter was just too much.<br />So we headed South to let Mimi and Papaw take care of us.<br />5 days of the most beautiful weather, it was just what we needed.<br /><br />We did everything we could outside, the kids even tried playing tennis...Whitney hits everything like a softball, it is just in her blood I think.<br /><br />It was rejuvenating being down there. We came home with our spirits lifted sure we could get <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">thru</span> the rest of winter in Michigan.<br /><br />It is raining here today, finally, hopefully, melting all the snow that is still on the ground. I can look at this picture and remember how the sun felt so warm on my skin and know we can make it!!!!Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-1189420678622647442011-02-09T14:06:00.002-05:002011-02-09T14:11:15.081-05:00Ok Enough alreadyAll you see when you look outside is brown and white. Not black and yellow like the song, that might be creepy.<br /> The snow piles are so large around our neighborhood that you cannot see when trying to get out of driveways or the sub.<br />It is also like 8 degrees and cold winds, no fun.<br />However the bright spot is we are going to Florida.<br /> The kids and I anyway. John has to go to Indy for a mtg, and we have a week off of school. So we are headed south.<br /> It may not be hot down there, we may not be able to swim at 10 in the morning, but we can walk outside, feel the sun on more then just our faces. Soak up some rays, get some Vitamin D in our system.<br />The break from the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">monotony</span> of winter will be well received for us all. We will miss John, but we would miss him at home also.Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-44857900065373882682010-12-28T14:01:00.002-05:002010-12-28T14:04:40.674-05:00memory foamMy daughter wanted memory foam for Christmas. Put it on her list to Santa.<br />That and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">UGGS</span>, no way am I buying <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">UGGS</span> for an 11 yr. old. She got the memory foam.<br />She has slept on my sis-in-laws bed and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">couldnt</span> stop talking a bout the dang memory foam.<br />So I ordered her one from overstock.com (love that website)<br />it is the BOMB!!!<br />I am going to order one for all our beds in the house. <br />She has the oldest mattress in the house, needs to be replaced, but not so much anymore, it is heaven. I have slept on it twice, once just a little nap.<br /> I highly recommend them to all, and to all a goodnight!!Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-80444345950301632192010-12-24T12:16:00.003-05:002010-12-24T12:20:18.734-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TRTWEHaxZ6I/AAAAAAAAAfM/yWWixj9TDzE/s1600/Christmas%2B09%2B098.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554299606653822882" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TRTWEHaxZ6I/AAAAAAAAAfM/yWWixj9TDzE/s320/Christmas%2B09%2B098.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Today is Christmas Eve. Our beloved cat Zeke who was 15 years old had to be put to sleep today. Timing sucks, but he was failing. </div><div>We are sad, it isnt fun to be sad on Christmas Eve. </div><div>Everyone knew Zeke as the big fat cat, who was so sweet.</div><div>Rest little Zeke, you were loved, you will be missed.</div>Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-45810877593545815072010-12-16T09:59:00.003-05:002010-12-16T10:06:59.545-05:00The Christmas treeAn annual tradition that I look forward to. We usually put it up before we drive to Indianapolis for Thanksgiving. This year, we waited until after. <br />We got the tree out, the kids wanted a shot at putting it together themselves. This tree is old, it used to be my parents. The color coded rings are faded. They started at the top, only got about 6 branches on it. Then we had to intervene.<br />Whitney unwrapped each of the ornaments from the boxes, setting them all out on the table.<br />She loves doing this, "remember mom when I made this one?" "who is this one from?"<br />I love the ones they made, they still make a few, they are my most precious ones. <br />I also still have ones that were my grandparents. I remember them on their trees. I makes me feel like they are still a part of Christmas, even though they are gone.<br />Lucas <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">doesn't</span> care so much for this process anymore, he gets bored with it quickly. He ended up laying on the floor watching. <br />Our tree is so full, i think we may need to get a second tree.<br />My favorite thing on the tree is the star at the top. It was my grandparents. I look at it and it instantly reminds me of them. They always had a beautiful tree. This <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">isn't</span> really a true star, more of a spire. Whit thought it was plastic, it is just really thin glass. I freak out when we get to it in the box, nobody is allowed to touch it, I would be so sad if it broke. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">John</span> is very careful when he puts it on the tree. He <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">indulges</span> me!!! They all do, when I get a little sappy looking at all the ornaments on our tree.<br />It just reminds me how thankful I am for my life and my family.<br />Merry Christmas!!Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-38265228893930279622010-12-07T17:06:00.002-05:002010-12-07T17:08:45.822-05:00My new snowman<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TP6v7kRvbEI/AAAAAAAAAfE/mu3s4_0I0Ck/s1600/Picture0024.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548065228852259906" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TP6v7kRvbEI/AAAAAAAAAfE/mu3s4_0I0Ck/s320/Picture0024.jpg" /></a> For those of you that don't know, I collect snowman. Don't know why, but it started about 10 years ago. I have all different kinds, all over the house.<br />However, I got this little guy this year. It was an early present from my mother. He is about 3 inches tall (here he is sitting on a kleenex box). He plugs into my computer and is the only Christmas decoration I have on my desk. He turns different colors while plugged in. He is sooo cute, and my new favorite so far.<br />Just wanted to share.<br />Thanks Mom. and Trish, keep your hands off this guy!!!!Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-54542776936560921412010-12-01T08:49:00.002-05:002010-12-01T08:55:18.769-05:00Thanksgiving 2010<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TPZS-ojFTsI/AAAAAAAAAe0/wcQ40LE-0-8/s1600/thanksgiving10%2B029.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545711227143278274" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TPZS-ojFTsI/AAAAAAAAAe0/wcQ40LE-0-8/s320/thanksgiving10%2B029.JPG" /></a> We had a fabulous Thanksgiving with family and friends from all over. Our friends the Irvins joined us this year. My cousin Julie and her son Nick and of course Trish and Gabs.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TPZS-Ls_MaI/AAAAAAAAAes/vy0i__D-B_8/s1600/thanksgiving10%2B022.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545711219400192418" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TPZS-Ls_MaI/AAAAAAAAAes/vy0i__D-B_8/s320/thanksgiving10%2B022.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TPZS9v6MwOI/AAAAAAAAAek/nIDlbt97wGc/s1600/thanksgiving10%2B018.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545711211939414242" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TPZS9v6MwOI/AAAAAAAAAek/nIDlbt97wGc/s320/thanksgiving10%2B018.JPG" /></a><br />the turkey was great, as well as all the trimmings. The football game was sad, those Lions, just cant get a break. We had lots of fun the whole day long. <br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TPZS89t5FWI/AAAAAAAAAec/CTX3xoZ42lA/s1600/thanksgiving10%2B008.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545711198466020706" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TPZS89t5FWI/AAAAAAAAAec/CTX3xoZ42lA/s320/thanksgiving10%2B008.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We couldnt take a walk after we ate though, it was raining all day long, kind of a bummer. Had to just lay around and feel stuffed. That night, Whitney spent the night with Trish to go shopping on Black Friday and Lucas and John headed to the woods. Julie and I hit the gym Friday morning to work on the turkey dinner.</div><div>Christmas here we come.</div></div></div>Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-48879396961321689512010-11-22T08:46:00.002-05:002010-11-22T08:51:22.746-05:00Lucas and sportsLucas is now totally into sports. His dad is thrilled. He <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">doesn't</span> just play them every chance he gets, he watches them and talks about them. <br />I remember a day when on Sunday afternoons and a football game was on that John wanted to watch, I had to: A. Hope if fell during <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">naptime</span> or B. entertain the kids<br />This has all changed.<br />Lucas is in there watching it with John, talking about each play, cheering on a team after figuring out which team he should be rooting for. (Any naps now involved John, not Lucas)<br />He wakes up and watches sports center to see highlights because his mean old mom sent him to bed before the game was over last night.<br />So, now things have shifted and it is sweet to see that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">John</span> and Lucas have this to bond over.<br />Whitney and I are now watching <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">a lot</span> more football as well, so we can get in on this action.<br />We will always root for the Colts, being from Indiana<br />We will always root for the Bears, John has been a fan since about birth<br />We may one day learn to like the Lions, although so far in 6 years, that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">isn't</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">happenin</span>!!Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-22674149211019109272010-11-18T08:44:00.002-05:002010-11-18T08:47:31.857-05:00I am ThankfulSo cliche right before Thanksgiving isnt it???<br />But I do feel so Thankful. For my husband who goes to work everyday to provide for this family in an amazing way.<br />For my families health, for my parents and brother. Who even though they live far away, I love and miss so much.<br />For my freedoms to religious and political.<br />For my friends. I have amazing friends, near and far, old and new. They bring so much to my life.<br />So today I say thanks to God for providing all of this in my life.Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-80874601553587578132010-11-02T09:39:00.003-04:002010-11-02T09:41:29.649-04:00I am grateful today for my freedom. <br />Today I have the freedom to go cast a vote. I do not like politics, politicians the whole deal. But I will not shurk my repsonsiblity or freedom to vote. There are people around the world without this freedom, so I will cast mine today.<br />I live in a very Democratic state at the moment, that was a little challenging when we first moved here.<br />Now, I dont really care how you vote, just get out there and do it.Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-69177502877447954962010-10-28T11:21:00.004-04:002010-10-28T16:25:51.968-04:00The skunk part II<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TMmWfiU0VnI/AAAAAAAAAeU/DqTyESzhnxA/s1600/fall+006.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533119085735597682" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TMmWfiU0VnI/AAAAAAAAAeU/DqTyESzhnxA/s320/fall+006.JPG" /></a><br /><div>So John gets home, we round up another comforter to put on top of the cage, just in case.<br />He picks up the cage and puts it in the back of the pick up. Grabs a shotgun and jumps in the truck with Whitney.<br />They are home 20 minutes later, with an empty cage.<br />John somehow managed to open the cage, release the skunk and not get sprayed. Whitney said the skunk took off running, ran around in a big circle and came back toward the truck!!!<br />They jumped in the truck and took off, NO SKUNK, YOU ARE NOT COMING BACK WITH US!!<br />the end of the skunk.</div><div></div><div>Sorry this is the only picture, nobody was brave enough to lift the blanket and get close for a photo.</div>Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-64031204790464201142010-10-27T08:54:00.002-04:002010-10-27T09:09:11.784-04:00The skunkSo, a few weeks ago Ruby sticks her face down a hole by a tree in the backyard and gets sprayed by a skunk. This is at 6:45 in the morning, she comes back inside like nothing happened. I bend over to wipe off her face thinking it is wet from the grass, nope, not dew, skunk!!!<br />I am gaging, so off Ruby goes to the garage until I can pull it together.<br />I Run upstairs while the kids are yelling, "Mom, what is the matter??? are you sick??? what is that smell??? Oh my gosh did a skunk get in the house???!!!!" <br />I run some water in the bathtub as John carries Ruby upstairs. Let me be more descriptive, John <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">doesn't</span> pay much attention to Ruby so the fact that he was carrying her was probably totally <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">freakin</span> her out. He has on blue rubber gloves and is holding her as far from his body as possible. He deposits her in the bathroom and I rinse and scrub and rinse some more.<br />If you <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">didn't</span> know water makes skunk smell even worse!<br />We dry her off and try to get ready for school. I will deal with the rest later.<br />So after dropping the kids off at school, I try to get the skunk smell out of the house, the towels, the carpet and every other area it has infiltrated. It is a nice day so I am able to open the windows, but guess what... skunk smell outside too!!!<br />My neighbors cat had been sprayed a week earlier, so I head to her house to get the special <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">de</span>-skunk lotion they sell at the pet store. <br />Ruby gets several baths in that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">throughout</span> the course of the day.<br />The smell is on everything. I go to the gym and I can still smell it. <br />When will this end!!!!<br />I call a trapping service. For $250-$300 they will come take care of my skunk. <br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ummmmmm</span>, no thanks, we got plans for that money. John got a trap from his brother and we set it up in the back yard. We can do this right, my man is a hunter, he can take care of this.<br />We try several food options, peanut butter and honey on white bread....who <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">wouldn't</span> like that?<br />dog food, all we caught with the dog food was an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opossum</span> who we relocated.<br />Finally, we put some leftover rib bones out there, what the heck let's give it a whirl.<br />The next morning the trap is shut. <br />Now we put a furniture pad over the cage so when we do approach it, we hopefully wont get sprayed. Unfortunately, it also means we cant see what is in the cage. Standing almost on the other side of the yard, we peer in and see some black and white!!! We got him, we got the little stinky sucker. He has pulled some of the furniture pad in the cage with him, but he is nice and cozy tucked in there. <br />Well great, since you are comfy, you can just sit in there and think about what you have done. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">havoc</span> you have brought on my dog, on my family. <br />And, well, John is out of town, so we cant do much with it anyway at this point.<br />Stay tuned for the next chapter of the stinky skunk.Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-9514818416652441592010-10-20T11:29:00.002-04:002010-10-20T11:33:30.846-04:00This is Ruby<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TL8LEcik1GI/AAAAAAAAAeM/VNOGuhUv_1A/s1600/Christmas+09+138.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530151038442853474" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TL8LEcik1GI/AAAAAAAAAeM/VNOGuhUv_1A/s320/Christmas+09+138.JPG" /></a><br /><div>This is Ruby, she is a really sweet dog. We got her a little over a year ago for the kids. They were DYING to have a dog. </div><div>She is very affectionate and loyal, although, sometimes, not so smart.</div><div>John has never loved Ruby to much, not really his kind of dog.</div><div>But this morning, I heard John talking to Ruby, just the two of them.</div><div>We are trying to catch a skunk in the back yard and he was telling her all about it. </div><div>How She was going to help him trap that smelly sucker. </div><div>She was getting very fired up, I think just because John as actually paying some attention to her. </div><div> It was really sweet, but don't tell anyone, he will deny ever doing it.</div>Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-40013246052114746712010-10-18T10:04:00.005-04:002010-10-18T10:10:30.675-04:00Football<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TLxVEinfSGI/AAAAAAAAAeE/1_H9HKJLRpY/s1600/flagfootball10+003.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529387979004397666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TLxVEinfSGI/AAAAAAAAAeE/1_H9HKJLRpY/s320/flagfootball10+003.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TLxUgZXvu3I/AAAAAAAAAd8/GxZeT_WAd6A/s1600/flagfootball10+008.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529387358047157106" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TLxUgZXvu3I/AAAAAAAAAd8/GxZeT_WAd6A/s320/flagfootball10+008.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Some new favorite pics of mine from football.<br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TLxUgG2VV0I/AAAAAAAAAd0/rQLZt-d81tA/s1600/flagfootball10+009.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529387353075177282" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TLxUgG2VV0I/AAAAAAAAAd0/rQLZt-d81tA/s320/flagfootball10+009.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div>It was a cold day in Michigan yesterday, not just the weather but my baby got beat at his game. Has only happened twice this year, we dont deal well with loss around here.</div><div> </div><div>But look at my little man, he is happy and having a great time anyway. That is why he is my joy. He is always smiling!!!</div><div>love you handsome!!!!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-19685788836968271372010-10-13T12:28:00.002-04:002010-10-13T12:38:31.474-04:00Lucas<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TLXfeq0SPJI/AAAAAAAAAdk/Q1PiXLsXIPI/s1600/football+fun+008.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527569835649809554" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_y47FkGcmp7A/TLXfeq0SPJI/AAAAAAAAAdk/Q1PiXLsXIPI/s320/football+fun+008.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I feel like I dont post much about Lucas. He is so lowkey, no drama. Just cruising along, happy, smart and my handsome little man.</div><div>He is now a huge Michigan fan. The Michigan vs. State game was on last Saturday. Not being from Michigan I have no vested interest in this game, except now Lucas cares, so I will root for whoever he wants to win. </div><div>Makes it more fun watching the game</div><div>He was playing in the yard with a bunch of friends all morning pretending they were Michigan players creaming State players</div><div>Unfortunately, when the real game happened, State won. He was crushed</div><div>for 10 minutes, then he was back outside playing again.</div><div>I love 9 yr. old boys!!!</div>Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2030422895858538043.post-80447291793384415002010-10-12T08:22:00.002-04:002010-10-12T08:25:42.876-04:00The world of tweens.<br />So Whitney needed some shoes for softball practice. The Pride practice inside during the colder months, so some real athletic shoes. <br />So off we go. I think we tried on every pair of shoes in the store, nothing was making her happy. "Grown up shoes arent cute", she says.<br />Finally, we found a pair. SIZE 7!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy cow, she is killing me with this growing thing.<br />The price tag wasnt so fantastic either.<br /> OUCH!Laura Holdenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663826244084473282noreply@blogger.com1