Kick off Sunday...1

This Sunday Noelle and I kicked off taking the children to church, afternoon lunches, and boys/girls weekends. The preparations started Friday night and went through 3:00 in the morning on Sunday. This include a good cleaning of the house, almost 7 hours of shopping and preparing food, which included 16lbs. of hamburger.

We started Sunday morning with pick up of 10 kids for church. After church we came back to our house where other volunteers meet us for a BBQ.


This was our griller "Chef Dave" when he wasn't playing football.


Sarah decided to play basketball in her rollerblades and yes she landed on all 2 feet after making the shot.

Kick off Sunday...2

Noelle's Grandpa gave us this big roll of paper and we rolled it down our drive way so the kids could paint. The is Shakeena creating her master piece.


Charle, Mariah, and Jazmine also creating a work of art.


Mantie is pilling her candies to make a lolly pop with.


This was all 24 of us minus 2 because Noelle and I were taking the pictures.
Ranging in age from 91 to 5 years old.

Bringing summer to a close.

Every year I look at Labor Day weekend as closer of summer. My family has went camping over Labor Day weekend for as long as I can remeber. We started out in a tent and have now worked ourselves up a trailer, which some would not call it camping (James that is for you if you ever read this), but I guess I feel like I earned this privillage. Don't get me wrong I would and could still tent it any day.

The last two Labor Day weekends have been different then year previous to them. Last year it was our first camping trip without Dad. This year mom was not up there for the full weekend. So Nic and I decide to invite a friend of ours to go with us. James is very much an outdoors men, but he said yes. Even though when I asked if we was enjoying the camping trip he said it didn't beat "bow camp," I personally can not tell if it really is or not, but I enjoyed the weekend very much.

So as the weekend drawed to a close I was sad as this meant that it is offically time for school to start and life to get even more busy. Well I hope everyone else enjoyed this weekend as much as I did.

The summer in a sea shell...

Decided to take the summer off from blogging and enjoy the beach, the kids, and camping. Now that classes have started I hope to be able to blog on a more regular schedule so those of you who keep up with me through my blog will be able to so again. Below is a slide show of some of the high lights of the summer.

Challenging their listeners...

WCSG 91.3 (www.913.org) has been challenging their listeners to do for others. One of their first projects was to go through the drive through and pay for the persons meal behind them. It was a great success as it witnessed to those behind them and the employees at the window. Another challenge was to write a letter to someone who could use a word of encouragement. This witness was a little more silent but still effective.

Then the week before Memorial Day once again the challenged their listeners to adopt a solider as a pen pal or whatever we can do. So I thought that being a pen pal with a solider would be a good idea for Sarah(the girl I mentor) and I to do to teacher her to care about others. So I went to WCSG'S website and did some research. They conectted me to a site called Reagan Round Up at www.ReaganRoundUp.com.

Last week Saturday I got the information about our pen pal in the mail and am very excited to have this opportunity. I would like to ask for you prayers for Debra (the pen pal) and her safety. Also that God will show me how to share with Sarah that we need to care for others too.

Have a wonderful and may God Bless always!!!

Litterally a ZOO!!

That is what Noelle and I are now saying about our house after the addition of our neighboor's bunny Rex. Rex is a Mini Rex, he is pure black and has the softest fur I have every felt.

How we added: The neighboor's thought after we got Cappi (the 1st bunny) that they would enjoy a bunny themselves, but after having it for almost 3 months they have decided that it is not their cup of tea (best way to put it). When they first got Rex we told them if for any reason you need to get rid of him that we wanted first dibs (yes, you can call us crazy). So after listening to our neighboor's complain about Rex now for about 2 an half months and us telling them that they need to get him fixed, that would take care of some of the issue they were having, and not taking our advise we added him on Monday night.

Here is a picture of Rex and Cappi.



Cappi (Left back) Rex (Right front)

P.S. In case you were wondering what makes a ZOO it is: 2 Rabbits, 2 Turtles, 20 Fish (give or take), a bird, and a red claw crab.

Very Busy...

I am sorry that I have not blogged in a while, but I have been busy. Plus it is summer and I am going to enjoy the weather instead of sitting on my computer. Here is a slide show of some of things I have been busy doing.


This slide show was very easy to put together and I would recommed that you all try it.

It's a Boy!!

Scott and Amy the family that I babysat for had a baby boy yesterday. Drew Scott was born on March 20, 2007 at 7:00 am. Weighing in at 6 lbs, 12 oz. and 19 inches long. Drew was 4 weeks early too.

I stayed with Leah and Tiesha while Amy and Scott were at the hospital. Amy went in about 2:00 pm Monday. For most of that time the girls and I talked about all the fun stuff they would get to do with their new baby. Then about 9:30 pm Scott and Amy called to say good night to the girls. While Tiesha was on the phone with her mom her water broke. So to make a long story short Tiesha and I didn't get much sleep due to the fact that we were waiting for the phone call. It didn't come until 7:15am Tuesday.

After getting the phone call the girls and I got ready and went to the store to buy mom some flowers and it's a boy balloon. We also had to get Drew a toy. Daddy didn't get anything because we were not sure what to get him. Then I took the girls to meet Scott so they could go see Drew. Today is Wednesday and Leah keeps asking when mommy, daddy and her baby are going to come home. So to take her mind off it a little I decide that we would paint. We made a WELCOME HOME MOMMY AND DREW sign and hung it up. Here is the finished project and the artist Leah....

Leaving your comfort zone

While sitting in church on Sunday I was challenged to leave my comfort zone and walk across the room. Which is not the easiest for someone who is an introvert, but I am going to try it when the Holy Spirit leads me to.

Ok, to catch every one up the Pastor from my church back home is encouraging the congregation to get involved in a small group focused around the book "Just Walking Across the Room". He is also dedicating the next several Sundays to this book. I am sorry that I will miss both the studies and the sermons, but I am going to get the book and read it for myself. I will continue to up date you on my thoughts on the reading of this book as I get a chance to read it. But for now here is an exert from the book...

From the Publisher

If taking ten steps across a room could serve to point your friends and family members toward faith, it might just change the way you walk.
Just Walk Across the Room ushers in the next era in personal evangelism with a natural, relational approach that follows Jesus' own example. When Christ "walked" clear across the cosmos 2,000 years ago, he had no formulas and no script—just an offer of redemption to people like us, many of whom were neck-deep in pain of our own making.
Astounding things happen when you follow the model set by Jesus. Emphasizing the leading of the Holy Spirit, Bill Hybels invites you to step out of your "Circle of Comfort" and into encounters with people who long for someone to take an interest in them—men and women with stories to tell and hearts that yearn to experience God's love through your smile, your encouragement, your transparency, your friendship.
Find out how you can make the difference of an eternity for someone standing in your sphere of influence.
It all starts with a walk across the room.

Source: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780310266693&itm=1

The weekend...

I went home this weekend. It was very nice. I actually went home to celebrate my brother's birthday, but I was able to relax and just enjoy life. In fact I told my mom I was not going to make any choices I was just going to enjoy my weekend. So as you can tell not much happened.

One week later and I am still feeling the effects of my purse being stolen. You will not believe all the things that you don't realize are in your purse. Each day I remember something new that I don't have any more. For example my glasses, membership cards to different places, and gift cards. Speaking of membership cards mom and went to Sam's Club to renew her membership and add me. They won't let me get the membership card because I didn't have a picture ID. Even though I had a temporary Drivers License, which I had to come up with 3 forms of ID for that. I wonder if this person even realizes what he has done.

Some day he will and all I can do now is pray that he may find God in all of this.

Well that is all for now, but look for an update tomorrow.

Ten Ways of Looking at Children

I
Through the bars of a crib
Just after awakening from a nap
And awaiting your return.

II
Through the bus window
With tears running down
As you wave good bye.

III
Through a window
While the snow falls all around
And they make snow angels with smiles on their faces.

IV
Through the camera
Wearing special evening wear
As you tell them how wonderful they look.

V
Through tears of joy
As they walk down the aisle
To receive their diploma.

VI
Through the bags
As they leave home
To spread their wings and fly.

VII
Through the flowers
Making promises to last a life time,
Sharing their love with others.

VIII
Through the hospital nursery window
Holding their new bundle of joy,
Creating a family of their own.

IX
Through the window
As the visit ends
Hoping to see them again soon.

X
Through the clouds of heaven
As they venture through life
Watching their children grow up.
~ Kali Wiseman

A wake up call!

WAKE UP CALL!!!

REALITY IS HERE!!!

Today I was reminded of where I live and that I shouldn't take things for granted. I went and dropped off Tiesha at the office. Sarah and I went in to say Hello to Ms. Noelle and were only there for about 20minutes when we decide it was time to go.

Sarah got outside the door and came running back in saying Ms. Kali your car, your car. I said what about my car. I walked outside to see what she was talking about and found my car window destroyed and my purse missing. Here start the roller coaster!

Noelle called the police and I started canceling my credit cards, etc. Noelle and Mr. Macoy walked the streets to see if the culprit might have taken the cash and ditched the purse, but no such luck.

To make a long story short I had to get the window in my car replaced and lost a purse with lots of important stuff.

BUT, I am counting my blessings that I was not with the purse and that I didn't have all my fortunes in the purse--- hahaha (poor college student ring a bell)!

P.S. I will be taking my purse every where with me or locking it in my trunk!!!

** The post below is new too.

Snowed in!!

Just a few of the things we have been doing while the snow was falling. Snowed in for 2 days makes you think outside of the box for entertainment.

This weekend was "GIRLS " weekend. Noelle and I were up stairs cleaning the kids' room while the girls made a tent/fort with all the blankets in our house. Let tell that they were pretty proud of it too.

On Saturday it was time to ship the girls outside to run of some energy. This just gives you some idea of how much snow we got. When the girls laid down to make snow angels you could hardly see them.

Those crazy boys!! Damonic (left) and his cousin Dytona (right) walked over in the blizzard to hang out, because they were board. They ended up crashing in on the girls weekend, because we could not get out of the driveway to take them home.

Sunday afternoon the kids wanted to go outside and play again so we said go for it. When there is 5 kids the walls start to close in on you. They were making tunnels in the snow mounds (they were big enough for the kids to put their heads in and look at each other).

Today with school canceled and running out of ideas for entertaining the kids and myself, I decide to do a spa day for the girls. They got facials, pedicures, and manicures. Let me just tell you, Sarah (left) and Ty (right) thought they were living the high life.

A daughter for a month

Well as most of you know I am mentoring Sarah on Monday's, but what you didn't know is that, that mentoring turned into her living with us for a month plus.

Sarah's mom is in Africa visiting family and friends. Sarah is a true African, but she has been living in the U.S. for 8 years now. When mom left to go back to Africa she left Sarah with her Sisters who are only in high school themselves. Like most siblings Sarah and her sister have not been getting along. So to take some pressure of Sarah's sisters we decided to let her move in for a while. Noelle and I are adjusting to becoming "mom like".

We have come to realize that we do not have enough clothes that fit her. So last night I dropped her off at her house to get some of her clothes. Well then this morning we were looking at the sizes and there is no way what she brought was going to work. Most of clothes were 10-12 and she fits nicely into a 16. So I guess we will have to make a trip to Good Will.

Well that is what has been happening around our house lately. I just have to add I have a better appreciation for my cousin who while going to college, and being married to a unworthy guy raised a child. I just have to do it for a month and I have Noelle to help. More power to you. (I am not recommending that anyone try it though.)

Once again I appologize for not keeping you all updated more. You will have to cut me some slack this semester as I am taking a full load at school, babysitting, working at the office, and trying to keep up with kids. Do not get me wrong I am enjoying it or at least most of it. Still do not enjoy school, but I am almost done so that is nice.

On Monday nights I have started to mentor a girl named Sarah. So hopefully my time with her will give me some post for you all to read. (If there is anyone who actually reads me??)

Well here is a picture that is so cute. It is of my brother and my mom's dog lily at Christmas.

That is all for today, but maybe there will be more for tomorrow.

1st Weekend in January

I know this is a little late, but I had to get back to the real world this week and it has kept me really busy. Last weekend Mom, Nic, Our pastors twins from my home church, and went to the Great Wolf Lodge in Travers City Michigan.

For those of you who do not know about the Great Wolf Lodge it is an indoor water park and hotel. We left on Friday about 1:30 and arrived in Travers City at about 4:00. With 4 woman we had a lot to unpack and trust me Nic let us know. Once settled we decide to take a walk around and see what this place had to offer. We found one of the two "kids casino" the arcade. When we were finished winning our big prizes we went out for supper (much cheaper). That night we just vegged out and watched a move on TV.

Saturday night we had bought stuff for breakfast so that we could get up and go right to the water park before it got to busy. Then about 10:30 AM we packed up all of our stuff. Once we had everything packed up the girls, Nic and I went and got air brushed tattoo's. Then we left for home.

What a great time!!!! Here are some pictures from the trip.

The gang at the Great Wolf Lodge with a bear??? Right to Left: Nic, Me, Katilyn, Nicole, and Cheri (AKA: Mom).

As the sign reads, when this bucket dumped kids and adults ran to have the water dump on them.

Just one the the slide that we enjoyed. Front to back: Katilyn, Nicole, and Nic.

Katilyn and I at the kids casino doing the Dance Dance Revolution.

The lazy river is where you could find mom hanging out. She is not much of a slide rider.

Post 1 of 1 Being a part of history!

Over the last few days GR has been the center of national and local news. As most of you know President Gerald R. Ford was laid to rest in his home town which is Grand Rapids, Michigan. Last night the Ford family invited the public to come down town to the Presidents Museum and pay our respects and view the casket. So Noelle, Erin and Barb a long with 5 of the kids planned on watch the eleven o'clock news and see what kind of wait there was to get into the Museum. We did and it was about 8 hours. With 5 kids ranging in age from 4 to 13 we figured there was no way we could do it then. Our second plan was to go to bed and wake up at 4 am. Noelle woke up at 4 am and checked out the news to see what the current wait was. It still was 4 hours, so she decided not to get us up. Needless to say we were unable to make it down to view the casket.

Then today was the burial and still wanting to be apart of history Noelle, Erin, Robert, and I went down to see the procession from the church to the museum. We were able to do so. We were also able to hear the 21 gun salute. After the 21 gun salute there was jets that flew over and performed the missing man formation. Here are a few pictures that I was able to take.

This is a picture of all the new media trucks reporting.

The car caring President Ford.

Grand Rapids Police saluting the President as he passed by.

One set of jets that flew over.

This is the start of the missing man formation.

Post 2 of 2 A Helper

This morning I had a helper for babysitting. It was Robert and what a sport he was. Leah asked him to dress up with her and considering that there are only two girls living in house this is what Robert had to choose from.
Leah in her Princes dress up clothes waiting for Robert.

Leah and Robert posing in there dress up clothes. Aren't they too cute.

Robert or should I say Roberta showing off his/her new dress and hair style.

A butty shot and look at the dip! Wow wee!!

It is kinda scary how good he looks as a girl.

Christmas with the Kids

What a crazy and wild weekend. It was a lot of fun though. Noelle and I had a Christmas party for some of the kids that are over to our house on a regular bases. I had bought each of the kids gifts and Noelle. We went to church and then came home and had lunch. After lunch the party began. We started with decorating cookies. Next the kids took a plate of cookies over the neighboors to thank them for letting them use the basketball hoop and wish them a Merry Christmas.

Once the cookies where delivered the kids all ran into the house, because it was time to open presents. Lamont, Tia, Terrance, and Tonajarae got Bible to cary to church, my mom donated them. Then each of them got one other gift. Once the Bible were opened each child had a few verses to read about the birth of Christ. I think all the kids really enjoyed their gifts.

I had also gotten Noelle a gift from the kids. Each of the kids thanked her for what she does for them. Then Key also drew a picture to put in the front of the bag. Needless to say Noelle was touched or I think that is what you call teary eyes.

We had a wonderful time. Here are a few pictures from the party.

The tree before the kids got gifts.Little Kerby decorating his cookies and don't any one touch them!!!The rest of the gang decorating and Ms. Noelle helping them to understand hand licking and extra sprinkles are not good.Lamont looking up his Bible verse.Key- He recieved watercolor paper and watercolor penciles. We told him we expected a picture for our house.

Tia with her handcrafted mirror and make-up that she got. She ran to the bathroom and started putting it on right away.
Tonajarae with her handcrafted pillow. Damonic is sitting next to her with his remote control car.
Noelle being touched with the words from the kids.
Noelle opening her gift along with the kids peaking in.