these kids don’t seem to mind the rain.  I’m tired of it.  The rain and the cold and everything that is Michigan right now.  It almost seems as if we had an extra short summer and then skipped right to November.  And I have a feeling it’s going to be another long winter.  Blech.

Last night Leah and I drove up to McBain, Michigan to see Selah – our MOST FAVORITEST Christian group ever.  It was a nice drive – probably about 1-1/2 hours and we got to catch up  and talk and be silly like  we usually are.  And we got to see the cool “Wind farm” in McBain…I want to strap myself on and go for a ride!  These things are HUGE.

(I know the pictures are dark but I don’t feel like fixing them)

Then we got our 2 hours of great music  followed by our usual autograph getting and a few minutes of chitchat (because we stayed until almost everyone else was gone so we could  get pictures and talk).  We’re both looking forward to next month when they come to a church just 5 minutes from home.  But the drive was worth it. 

I don’t know why I was so shiny.  Other than I was having hot flashes and I don’t “do” makeup.  I guess I’m just a shiny girl.  But that’s us…Me and Leah up top and then Allen, Amy & Todd at the table.  Todd probably thinks Leah and I are creepy stalkers because we sit right up front and we just SMILE and SMILE and take pictures.  And then we go through the line twice (we were first and then we were last).  We’re not stalkers…we just LOVE Selah.  :)

I suppose I should update this thing

I don’t think blogging is fun anymore.  I love to read other peoples’ but my own is more like one of those jobs you don’t want to do but you do it anyway because it’s expected (kind of like making lunches for the kids…I LOATHE that chore…but I do it anyway because they have to eat)

Let’s see…when was the last update?  My cousin’s wedding?  That was about a week and a half ago so I have to think back and figure out what’s happened since then…not much really.

One big thing is Artprize.    It’s a big contest in our fine city (Grand Rapids, Michigan) with over 1200 artists participating.  Right now it’s down to the top 10 (of which only one really IS a top 10 piece in my opinion) and the top prize is $250,000.  It’s been really amazing to watch our city come alive.  Grand Rapids isn’t very big…you can walk from one end of downtown to the other within 10 minutes.  But it is a nice city with lots of things to do (although I can never seem to come up with something to do when I need to).  So anyway, I’ve been downtown a lot the past couple of weeks looking at art and taking pictures.  After this weekend it’s done so I don’t know what I’ll do with myself.  Here are some of my favorites…

  Manimal by Saul Gray-Hildenbrand  Octopus by Lucille Olechowski Portraits by Eric Daigh (created with thumbtacks)  Windseeds by Norman Mooney

Salt & Earth by Young Kim (He uses “tablets” of salt with earth from the area to create portraits of city residents – very cool!)Red Ball: Grand Rapids by Kurt Perschke 

Dresses like the Sky by Yolanda Gonzalez (a flickr friend!)

The first (and probably last) wedding

It was so nice to see my little baby cousin Kelly get married to a genuinely good guy.  I guess she’s not really a BABY cousin anymore…she’s 21 – I was 13 when she was born – so she always SEEMED like my baby cousin.  She looked beautiful and so happy.  It was a very stressful afternoon but once the wedding began everything was perfect.  Right down to the minister (who is also Heath’s grandfather) talking about Hanky Panky & getting too many people involved in the relationship (I think you had to be there and really pay attention to get what he was saying – I was there but I was paying attention to getting good shots instead of the actual ceremony).    Here are just a few photos.  I ended up getting some that were good but with the way time was going that day we didn’t get to do nearly what we wanted.  We went from expecting 2-3 hours for photos to having about 30 minutes (RUSHED minutes)

 

testing testing…

I’m just trying to see if this new Windows Live Writer thing works.

I got the new laptop today.  It’s big.  and heavy.  But it’ll be great for my photo editing…and facbook.  Because what else is there?

My cousin’s wedding is this week so I need to get ready for that.  I’m still nervous.  I’d really like to do a good job.  I’m not confident at all.

There’s your photo.  It’s a pig statue at the Allegan County Fair.  It showed all the parts.  I still think it’s odd that the shoulder is called the butt and the butt is called the ham.  Silly pig part namers.

Reluctant Goalie

Reluctant Goalie, originally uploaded by laniee75.

Soccer has officially started. They won the first game. Only 5 more to go and then Ben will never have to play again. He is obviously not a soccer kind of guy. They should have lightsaber teams.

I don't feel like doing this blog thing anymore. I guess I'll have to just see what happens. Nothing in my life is interesting enough to share. Even I'M bored with it.

, originally uploaded by laniee75.

I know there aren't many readers of my blog (outside of my family), but I want to help out in any way I can. So if you want to please go check out this website http://fightforfeuille.com/

He's the guy I was talking about that I "know" from Flickr. His baby boy was just born recently and he has two young daughters. His wife and kids are hoping to make it up to Indiana from Texas soon to be with him while he goes through treatment for Testicular cancer that has spread to his lungs. He just finished his first round of chemo and is getting stronger after a stemcell transplant so that he can go on to the next round. It breaks my heart anytime I hear about a family affected by cancer, but especially a young family with small kids.

I just got back from dropping my kids off at school. It didn't go very well this morning but I'm really hoping we get the kinks worked out this week and go on to a smooth year. It would help if I paid attention and got off at the right exit and turned the right way when I had to leave the parking lot. But everyone made it on time and I managed not to swear (although I did yell at other drivers A LOT).

Nicole was a bit nervous about not being able to find her classes so I reassured her that they expect that kind of thing from Freshmen on their first day. I'm sure she'll be fine. She looked awful cute in her uniform, too. I'm excited for her. I know it's going to be hard - especially the beginning of this year, but it's going to be worth it. Did I tell you that I found out she has to do a Senior Thesis?? This is what her handbook says : (you can skip this if you're bored!)

" Central to the culmination of our academic and moral focus curriculum is the Senior Thesis. This senior project application is due in the spring of a students junior year. The project should reflect a specific interest of the student and is either an extension of work begun in an academic course or work outside of academic courses and must be pre-approved. The project should reflect the culmination of student knowledge and experience and represent the student's best work. Students must choose a faculty advisor/mentor for their project. The faculty advisor should be knowledgeable in the area the student is researching and willing ot communicate and give feedback to the student on a regular basis.

All students MUST successfully complete a senior thesis in order to receive the GRPHS diploma. There are three key functions of the Senior Thesis:
1. To complete the GRPHS diploma requirements;
2. To prepare for the college research demands;
3. To explore a career interest: "My future plan for a life well lived."

In addition, the senior thesis provides an opportunity for students to research a specific area of interest with a mentor and develop and complete an original process/product -- something that contributes to the field of study. The thesis involves three parts: The process, the paper and oral presentation/defense.

-research - you will select a topic, gather information and keep a portfolio of project activities. It is due when you give your formal presentation (25 points)

-Project/product - you will produce a project or multi-media product that applies or explains some aspect of your research (25 points)

- Formal presentation - You will make a formal presentation to a panel of faculty in May. After the presentation you will answer questions from faculty and parents about the research and learning. (25 points)

- Reflection paper - you are required to submit a 5-10 page, typed paper that describes your experience and project from start to finish. The reflection paper is due when you give your formal presentation (25 points)

Students must earn a minimum of 75 points to pass their senior project."

Yeeeaaaah....that just sounds hard to me. I sure didn't have to do anything like that in highschool. I think it's a good thing, but I'm not looking forward to it.

heartside, originally uploaded by laniee75.

I'm feeling a little down this week. I started out so well, optimistic and ready to do what needs to be done. Now I'm just kind of "lonely" feeling. I'm not alone and I know that but I just feel alone. Even if I had 100 people I love around me I'd feel alone so it's not something anyone is doing. I just get this way sometimes.

I went on two photowalks this week and had fun both times. I got a few decent pictures - but nothing extraordinary. The kids had their orientation/open houses for school. I'm looking forward to a new year. Yet I'm nervous for NIcole. I know she is very capable of doing well, but after last year I know it's going to be up to me to be on her every day. And that's not how I'd like to spend the next 4 years. Ben has Kaleyshka in his class so he's happy. Noah doesn't really have any of his good friends in his class but I'm sure he'll make more friends. The kids have their hairs cut. Nicole has the appropriate shoes now. School supplies are packed up into backpacks...I think we're ready.

I found my mom & I's favorite LIcorice tea at Family Fare. That was the bright spot to my day. I'll see her Sunday and give it to her. She'll be happy. :)