it could be worse...

Haidyn has been running a fever since the early hours of Monday morning...and she has a horrid dry cough...shes been out of school for the past 2 days...the doctor says it's "post nasal drip"? I'm not sure I agree...but I don't have the medial degree!!

This is how I went to the grocery store this morning at 7:15am (to buy Tylenol for #3). Whats worse...I didn't notice it until I was walking around the store!!(I said to myself..."self? somethings feels a little weird!") Then I just prayed no one would look at my feet. My life has been a little crazy lately...the start of the school year has been kicking my butt!! (In my defence...I had been up for about 45 min., the house was dark, we all own flip-flop, they are all different colors...it was an honest mistake...?I have no explanation for the two left feet??)

But... it could be worse...I could be to busy to take the time to notice this!!! This was tonight's sunset!!! Beautiful isn't it? Gods little...(or big), way of telling me...no matter the craziness of my life He is always here...especially in the ordinary things...I just have to take the time to notice them!! I'm certain that God is the only one who could create something this amazing. I thought I'd share it with everyone...in case you missed it(or don't live in west Michigan)!!


"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, ... I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Genesis 28:15

because....well...just because...

In His image...

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-28

(This section of this post has been removed...because my dear husband thought it my be offensive to some? I found it funny and thought provoking...I personally feel that God has a sense of humor...and I didn't intend it to be sac religious or to offend anyone. You can now locate this section of this post in the comment section for this post if you would be interesting in reading it. Enter at your own discretion...those with no sense of humor...might want to skip it?)

God created ALL of us in His image. Not just everyone who looks like me...or believes like me...not just the people I like...or those who like me...EVERYONE!! The people who live half way around the world...who I will never meet...who maybe have never even heard the name Jesus...yep...God created them...and...IN HIS IMAGE, just like me.

As a mom I have gotten the "What does God look like?" question a few times. And I always come up with an answer that "seems" to satisfy? "Well...we won't really know til we get to heaven...but I'm sure He is amazing!" But...this morning the best answer came to me, I think, He must "look" like ALL of us...

but...image isn't just how we look; it's not our size or shape, it's not the color of our skin or hair...

Image; vb: meaning: to create a representation of.

In the end it doesn't really matter what God looks like, His physical appearance isn't the part of His image that's most important!!

So...those are my thoughts for this beautiful Thursday morning. Have a great day...and when you walk out your door...remember just who It is you represent!!

and so it begins...

...up early and off to school. It creeps up on me every year.

We had a great summer...so...I thought I'd share some of it with you...

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The girls and I are adjusting (s-l-o-w-l-y) to this new schedule. It may take awhile to get into a good routine again. It sure was easy to fall out of the routine though?!?

Anyway, Tatelynn started 6th grade, middle school (already)...6 different classes, lockers (with combinations), her school starts an hour earlier, I think the adjustment is hardest on her.

Quincey started 4th grade. She loves school, was so ready to go back, and is right back into the "swing" of things. I think the adjustment is the easiest on her...she is a morning person.

Haidyn started 1st grade. She was ready to go back too. Or maybe her mother was ready for her to go back...maybe both? She sometimes has trouble applying herself...she is rather strong willed...someone told me she could be a future world leader? None-the-less she seems to be liking it a lot...she is very tired at the end of the day...but that makes bedtime pretty easy.

I, Shannon, started my 2nd year at Davenport University. I am taking 12 credits...I am wondering if that was a wise decision...but this time last year I was wondering the same thing about going back to school in the first place. It is going to take a lot of commitment, and even more time management. This could be interesting!!

What does $130.50 get you these days...

• 5 tickets to Michigan's Adventure
• $8 parking pass
• 2 rides on the Mad Mouse
• 2 rides on the Cork Screw
• 2 rides on the Sea Dragon
• 2 rides on the Falling Star
• 2 rides on the Wolverine Wildcat
• 4+ rides on Shivering Timbers
• a few rides on some of the smaller "carnival" type rides
• 3 Large sodas
• 1 Large slushy
• 2 hours in the water park on various slides and in the pools, enjoying the refreshing, cool water!!

and...

• 10 hours of FUN! FUN! FUN! with our friends the Roelofs.

@ $13.05 per hour...I would say we found the deal of a lifetime!

Two parks for the price of one, FUN!! FUN!!

We have just returned from a great day at Michigan's Adventure. We have a little bit of sun burn... sore feet...wet towels and suits...and some more great memories!! Everyone is fast asleep after our 14 hour "vacation" today. 10 hours at the park...wonderful weather...many rides ridden...many laughs...many screams...Haidyn's first time on ALL....yes, all of the BIG coasters, with absolutely no tears. She's a brave one!!!

What a great way to say goodbye to summer!!

Thoughts for the last week of summer...

Happiness keeps You Sweet,
Trials keep You Strong,
Sorrows keep You Human,
Failure keeps You Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only
God keeps You Going!!!

Enjoy this last week of summer vacation with your children...just 7 more days...Lord, let us all make it in one piece!!