Mackinac Island Govenor's Honor Guard

It's that time of year again! My daughter has participated in this program for 2 years (this summer will be her 3rd year) now. I think this is the most wonderful program! Not only does she get to spend a week on this beautiful island, she is working on improving her leadership skills! The girls in this program raise and lower the flags at Fort Mackinaw, answer tourist's questions and do any other service duties as needed. Congratulations Nicole!

30 hour famine video

2009 Nazarene 30 hour famine

Before this day is over, 26,000 children under age 5 will die - most of them from preventable causes like hunger, poverty and disease.

My kids participated in the 30 hour famine held at their chruch this weekend to help raise money and awareness of hunger around the world (yes including the US). They spent the night and day at church, learning about poverty, hunger and ways to help. They made blankets for a local mission as well as organized a can drive.
This is at the local mission after delivering the can goods.

nothing says "welcome to Flint (Michigan)" like....

yeah, I got a little distracted...

...because with 3 kids, things get crazy fast and time just flies by! Hopefully I can get back into the swing of blogging more regular..... But here's what's been going on here lately:

My daughter has started playing lacrosse (she's #13). This is her before a game, getting "cleared" by the ref.

She also went through a "pre-employment" training program called TeenQuest put on by the Genesee County Regional Chamber of Commerce - they even had a "graduation for the kids" In May they will have a job fair, with the potential of getting a summer job!

Well apparently blogger isn't going to let me post anymore pictures tonight, so I guess I'll just have to update later....

HOCKEY TOWN U.S.A.

The picture tells the story!!

Well in a very, very nerve wracking game 6, it's finally over !!! The Detroit Red Wings have again brought home "Lord Stanley" where it has been 10 times before.

What do you mean I can't buy any octopus in Pennsylvania?? Geesh, do ya'll not understand the significant history in this ??? Hmmmm......

This tradition started in 1952. Back then there was only two rounds in the Stanley Cup Finals - 8 games needed to be won to win the cup. [Eight legs - eight games] A store owner threw an octopus on the rink before Game 1 of the finals and The Red Wings swept the series that year to win their 5th Stanley Cup. And so the tradition began of throwing an octopi on the ice at the beginning of a game - they believed the octopus was a "good luck" charm.

I would just like to say congrats to the ENTIRE Red Wings Organization, from the owner, Mike Ilitch, all the way down to the members of the team who were on the bench, not playing, but rooting their team on. Thanks for an awesome year, YOU GUYS ROCK !!!

Warm weather + Good friend = Good Times !

Well, what a weekend this was! My bestest friend Rachel came down this weekend and to top it all off, the weather was nice, FINALLY! Friday afternoon, we took Rach's 3-year-old niece & my boys to the park. A blast was had by all ! Then Friday night, we went to see Fireworks. This was the weekend of my town's festival. Saturday, we got up early and took the kids to a pancake breakfast put on by my town's fire department (hey, not only yummy, but for a good cause too!) before the parade. Dang, the kids got a TON of candy from the parade (great just what they needed!!) After the parade we went down to the festivities (carnival rides, elephant ears, games) and all had a blast! After that we just came back home and chilled out and watched some TV. Specifically the Red Wings game!! Whoo hoo, they won so now they are up 3 games to 1 in the Stanley Cup finals !!! GO WINGS !! Monday night will be game 5 here in Michigan - HockeyTown USA !!!!! Rach went home today (boo hoo) so I guess it's back to realility again! Yuck!!! lol Oh, and I got the new WiiFit game; can't wait to try it out !!!!!