Sam digging the Ramsey's pool

Sam's life will forever be changed, getting to navigate this big toy was off the charts fun!!!! He filled that bucket and actually dumped it in the dump truck with Steve's verbal guidance. Chance of a lifetime for a 6 year old!

My Birthday and Maria going away....

Maria, my sister's Norway Exchange Student, me and Samuel. It was my birthday and saying goodbye to Maria.

Dare Devil Sam

Kyle and Connor

Connor and Kyle hangin...

Four wheelin $20 gas, sand volleyball court $1,000's of dollars, starting out your summer with GREAT friends...PRICELESS!!

4wheelin buds

Macy and Mitchell out riding the "Mule" and having fun. These two are sooooo cute! So glad they are friends.

Your Destiny

I "borrowed" this from a friend:

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

Such a beautiful sight.

Even on the cloudy, windy days the beach still brings such beauty and pleasure to me. As I stop to take it all in I reflect on my life thus far. I take in the waves as they repeatedly roll in and out turning up the sand and delivering new shells and other treasures to my feet with each new wave. Along with each delivery the water systematically washes back out to sea taking with it the old shells that I have already examined and left behind to be discovered by the next set of beach combers.

My mind wanders into thoughts of how my life journey is similar to that of the sand and shells that are tumbled and tossed, washed and examined. I feel as though I too have been washed. Washed clean by our Heavenly Father, cleaned from sin, from bad choices, from hurting. I feel I have been tumbled and tossed by worldly happenings; marriage, birthing beautiful children, a divorce, finding TRUE love, losing my TRUE love. I feel I have even been examined, examined by all who I cross paths with each and every day. Examined to see how I handle life, the life that God has purposed me for. Some examiners taking me in forever while others decide to toss me aside for the next “beach comber”.
Of course I recognize this is MY life and it’s the life God created me for. It’s like no other. Sure there are similarities to others, but none are exactly like mine and that is what I cherish most. That my heavenly Father loves me so much that he has planned a very special life just for me! He has created one just for you too! Do not be afraid, love it, enjoy it and cherish it but most of all thank Him for it!

Sam's love of swimming comes from his daddy!

Nathan was teaching Sam how to dive. Samuel's natural love for the water is something that he will always have as it was something that Pete truly loved as well. He is such a little "pete".

Last day in Venice, FL

Nathan and Jenny joined us on our spring break trip. We had an amazing time and at the end of the nine days the boys were saying the didn't want to leave. They got along so well, it was truly wonderful. I thank God for placing this family in our lives, they are truly a blessing.

Siesta Beach, FL 2009

Samuel and I enjoying our first day at Siesta Beach. This beach is rated one of the most beautiful beaches in the world due to it's very white, fine and soft sand. It's amazing, a must see!

My Favorite

I can't see....as Sam it laughing so very hard while watching himself on the screen.

Awe

He does love his mamma...think he'll hug and pose like this when he's 16? NOT! lol

we're buds through and through

We love playing with this webcam taking all kids of pictures and just having fun.

Hangin w/my homies...

Sheryl, me, Tricia and Laura all hanging out at the middleschool volleyball tournament Saturday. I have some AWESOME friends!!!

Happy Valentine

Sam enjoying his class Valentine party

Nice Block!

Brittany (L) and Macy (R) jump up for the block and did a fine job!

What does it take to make a miracle happen?

God's best work:

God's best work has always been done with amazingly ordinary stuff: water, mud, spit, a piece of stale bread, a barn, a teenage girl, twelve DYSFUNCTIONAL disciples. God uses ordinary objects in regular places with everyday people!

Being ordinary is acutally awesome! Are you who you want to be?

Momentum For Life

"Many people master the art of making a living but never discover the joy of living".

I borrowed this from my current bible study group read. Author; michael slaughter...it's a really good book that leans into biblical practices for sustaining physical health, personal integrity, and strategic focus. Check it out.

The above statement is relating to the scriptures: Luke 12: 18-20, my favorite is verse 20 as it hits home to our recent life changes and the reality. Many know that I have a little collection of different bibles as I like to read each of them to make sure I understand what the scriptures really mean. I am so simple minded that I need all the help I can get. When I need the verses broken down for my level, I like to refer to the "Message Bible" it is a bible that translates into modern language and it has helped me a great deal.

Sam and some buds

Jonathan (aka Jono), Sam and Nathan hangin out at the Varsity Basketball game on Saturday afternoon. The Eddies won by one point! Great game.

Fayetteville, WV

This was looking out to the east side of the landscape of the bridge. Look at those sleepy faces, so early in the morning.

New River Gorge Bridge

Does it get anymore beautiful than this? This is a bridge that we visited on our way to Myrtle Beach. It's the New River Gorge Bridge located in Fayetteville, WV. This was very early in the morning and a thick fog was lifting as we watched the sun rise, it was breathtaking. A short hike to get down to this lookout point through the park it was a new, well constructed stairway onto a lookout deck.

the Leaf photo

For the past 12 years we have lived in this neighborhood, in the woods, and the oak trees are beautiful and overwhelming all at the same time.

So, for 12 years, every fall, I have taken photos of the kids in the leaves, I'm very grateful that they still cooperate and put up with my tradition.

What Form....

Connor and Pete had the opportunity to golf at the Arrowhead Golf Course in Myrtle Beach this past July, it was a great time for them and I was so happy they were able to have that time together.

New Shell Photo

I took this photo (above) of the shells on the beach while in Myrtle Beach this past July. I love the beach! What beauty created by God just for us. :)

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Macy, Ally, Kinzie, Lauren and Sam having some good old fashioned fun....it's what happens when the tv/computer and phone are off! Yippee.

Winter Formal

Maddi, Hayley, MACY, Nikki, Brittany all so beautifully dressed for the Winter Formal.

Macy made the volleyball team!!!!

This is our 8th grade starting line up, Macy is 3rd from the left. I am SOOOOO proud of her. They had their first game last night and won. Go Eddies!!

Not the Brady Bunch, but our bunch

Connor, Macy and Sam...Kyle, Mitchell and Nathan. What a great bunch of kids.

A second glimpse

Just a few seconds later it happened again! Maybe it was a wink the first time :)

Just For Me.

The sky was cloud covered with the exception of this one opening...I think it was the sun peeking through...just for me!

Unconditinal Love...

Macy is so good to Sam, she has always been the little mother hen to him. They have that relationship that when things are good they are really, really funny but if one of them is grouchy, OUCH...they can fight too.

Who wouldn't be proud?

Connor's all dressed for school! Today is "Orange & Blue" day at school for the basketball Coming Home game. Yes, Edwardsburg calls it coming home not homecoming when it is basketball???

I'm a proud mamma!

Added a Newer Song

I added a newer song to the play list so if you have a minute it takes a few extra seconds for the intro...it gets started a little slower than others but it's so worth it especially if you haven't heard it until now. ENJOY.

Reflection this morning...

01.26.09

After dropping the kids off at school it’s common for me to visit the cemetery. Sometimes I’m feeling very alone, and even though I know “Pete” isn’t there, I know that it’s more a memorial location to reflect upon many thoughts and feelings related to him. As I drive through the cemetery in the early hours of this most beautiful morning, I take in the full and bright sun as it rises over the snow covered grounds. I see all the sparkles of the ice formations and I am in awe of the beauty of the day God has created and thankful that he has blessed me to be able to see it.

As I look around it occurs to me there aren’t as many ‘visitors’ that come during this time of year. I begin to recognize that one might think of this location, where the dearly departed are buried, as a place void of any “life”. That it could be mistaken for a very lifeless and possibly depressing space. When in fact there are so many signs of living, breathing life it lifts my thoughts and spirits from what could have been a sorrowful few moments.

I notice signs of life coming through the various tracks from all of God’s creatures that are freely visiting this cemetery throughout each and every day and night. Some of these signs of life came from the footprints of families of deer, the wild rabbits and squirrels as well as the many species of birds, just to name a few.

I praise God for giving me the nudge this morning to recognize that even when one cannot see traces of human life; new floral arrangements or footprints in the snow from the family and friends that aren’t able to visit these memorial grounds, that there still are living and breathing creatures who are occupying this sacred space that we could easily mistaken for lifeless and empty.

So, in those times when we might be thinking there isn’t any “life” at the cemetery, and that it’s only a place for the departed I encourage you to look again and maybe God will give you a nudge as well. And in those times when we are feeling all alone, we can be reminded that we are never completely alone, God is always with us

Mariah, my niece Devyn and Norway niece Maria

My neice Devyn and my "Norway niece" Maria had their High School Winter Formal on Saturday so we took a few pictures prior to them heading out for the evening. What pretty girls!

R2D2 and S2D2

Sam is a real Star Wars fan so this was fun for him. It was REALLY cold this day so we didn't get as many pictures as we wanted but still fun.

They have a HUGE ice/bonfire on Friday night that everyone gathers for as well, we did not this year but have in the past and it is really enjoyable to see this large fire burning inside of this massive ice carving all the while there are carvers actively carving and putting on quite the show.

Hunter Ice Festival 2009

The date on the photo is wrong, silly camera...It was actually 01.24.09

Niles has an ice festival each year and I liked this sculpture for the Niles Water Works group, made me think of Pete so in a sense he is in this picture for me. :)

Me and my favorite girl!

I love my Macy! She is so pretty. She is so sweet. She is so special! Thank you God for the gift of a daughter.

no farting!

just kidding, no we didn't fart. I love laughter! They love anything that has to do with farting so if we mention the release of gas from one's body, everyone automatically starts laughing and it's a win, win.

spidey attack from behind....

all in a Sunday evening in front of the webcam!

Just being Silly!

Tam and Sam playing with the web cam, no we didn't mean to rhyme..tee hee

Can you read the tempurature?

This was the warmest part of the day today, and that didn't include the windchill temps. Wowzeeee I don't care for winter. The other three months of the year are just fine.

Fire?

There isn't any fire is this fire pit. Even though your skin feels as though it is burning, it isn't because of a fire. It's due to the -38 WindChill!

brrrrrr....

Christmas Commandos

We received a HUGE blessing from the Christmas Commandos late Christmas Eve. We returned home from my dad's to find our front tree decorated as well as this VERY large box on the front porch. To be the recipients of such GENEROUS giving at a time when our hearts are so heavy and missing Pete, what a surprise!

This organization is AMAZING and I am eternally grateful to them for the life long effects that this random act of kindness brought to me and my children.

I cannot not thank them enough. If you would like to learn more about them look for them on ://www.makeadifferencemichiana.org/Agency_View.asp?AgencyID=460

Chubby Girl

Kitty Fat Fat, you need to make a New Years resolution and join the gym!

Time with Friends

Connor, Macy and Samuel having some fun with Paige and her friends. I'm so proud of Connor and Macy for always including Sam!

School Christmas Party

Hanging out with Samuel at school for his class Christmas Party.

Choose to LIVE the life God has planned for you.

...so it's been almost 5 months since our Heavenly Father chose to take the love of my life, Peter Joseph Kaczor (I love you so much!), on to his eternal life in Heaven. Something I never thought I would be dealing with at such a young age.

Didn't God know? Didn't He know we had plans? Plans to bring our son home from China, plans to travel to Lubec, Maine to see the sunrise, also plans to move to a different home. Plans to see movies, to grow old together! Yes, He did know. Just as He knows right now when He will call each and every one of us "home" in His perfect plan in His perfect timing.

So, I say try to LIVE, live today, live because we don't know His plan for us. Yes, I will still make my plans but I will also be reminded my plans are not likely His plans and that's okay. It won't be easy, but I want to choose to live while God chooses to let me.