Merry Christmas!!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!! We had a blast!!
Wed morning we had our family Christmas just the three of us. We had chocolate chip pancakes and then we opened presents. Lainey had so much fun and was excited with every gift. We talked about Jesus's birthday and just had some family time.

At lunch time we headed out all packed and ready to make the trip to Muskegon. We had dinner with both Grandmas and then we headed off to Christmas eve service at the Journey. It was nice to be back with friends and family for the week. I miss The Journey and the friends we had there. I feel so much at home when im there.

Christmas day we went to Joshs aunt and uncle for dinner and some more family time. During the prayer that josh's uncle was doing, Elaine decided that he had gone on long enough and blurted out AMEN!!! before he was done praying. After that everyone erupted into laughter so the prayer ended a little early. Around 4 we headed back to muskegon to spend some time with my dad. Elaine got to open her stocking from Grandpa and she loved all the fun stuff she got. Coloring books, playdough and other little items. She enjoyed seeing grandpa and all the friends and family there too. She was exausted by the end of the night.

Friday night we had Christmas with my mom and sister and her soon to be husband. We headed down to holland for dinner. My sister and Jon made their first turkey. It was delicious!! They did a great Job. Josh had to carve it, that was funny!! he did a wonderful job too :) We opened more gifts. I was excited because I got a mixer from my mom. I have never had one and I cannot wait to use it. Elaine was so excited because she got a dora bike with peddles. Although when my mom and I went to buy it we asumed it was half way put to gether. We were wrong so so spent a while putting together the Dora Bike. It was all worth it in the end. She loves it and wakes up talking about her BIKE. she has been riding around the house, or should i say trying to ride it. Hopefully by spring she will have the hang of it :) It was a busy few days but it was wonderful to be with family and enjoying each others company.

Saturday Josh and I spent some time together and ran over to the mall. I had to get some stuff for my sisters wedding and then josh paitently walked through the BIG SALE at Bath and Body Works. I was so excited about my purchases! We headed home in the afternoon. We got home and played outside in the crazy 60 degree weather thats NUTS!!!!!!!!!

This next week will be busy as my sister gets married on New Years Eve!!! So i will be heading back monday afternoon. Josh heading back on Tuesday. We wont be home until next week Sunday!!! Crazy busy.

We wish everyone a blessed and happy New Year!!

p.s. we are almost 26 weeks pregnant and everything seems to be going fine. Im definitly getting more tired and starting to slow down a bit. Jacob's kicks are getting much harder and starting to hurt a bit. He is definitly growing :)

BIG SNOW

This week brought us a ton of snow. 12 inches by us. and at least that much in west michigan. Thursday am bright and early lainey and I headed out to Grand Rapids. I had a appointment with The Maternal Fetal Medicine group. I have to go every six weeks for a check up and ultra sound. Things look great! Its really a treat to see Jacob grow every month or so. Everything looks great so far. After the appointment lainey and I headed over to my moms. We spent the night there. Grandma and Grandpa T came over for dinner too, so lainey had all her grandparents for the night. Lainey was suppose to have her 2 year check up friday at 10am. I got up early because i knew it was snowing, and woke her early and got dressed. only to get a phone call that her doctors office had closed. I was so frustrated. She is a month behind on shots and i needed a health appraisal done so that she can move forward with the early on transfer. So hopefully the will accomodate us next week when we are home again. ( I have yet to find a doctor here for her, and I really wanted her doctor to finish up her first two years) Elaine and I spent the day together at my moms, watching cartoons,playing with the cats, and we both painted our nails red !! It was so fun!!

Friday afternoon we headed out to hastings to my cousins to meet up with my sister and get our hair done. It only took half hour longer than normal. and the roads really were not that bad. Elaine had fun with my cousins kids for a few hours. Lisa and I got our hair highlighted and cut. My cousin is doing the hair for lisa wedding so we tried some updo's on lisas hair.
Around 8pm, lainey and i headed home to Farmington Hills. The roads were perfect, dry and i was able to drive normal the whole way home. until, i reached the Brighton area.... Have we heard of snow plows here????? the roads were so terrible, i went from 75 to 30 mph. Finally we got home, i was so relieved. lainey and I slept in until 10 am !!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was wonderful!! Then Daddy made us eggs and toast. yummy!!!!!!!

This afternoon, I with Josh help made three batches of peanut butter balls!!!!!!!! Lainey kept saying yummmyyyy
We also ventured outside for a while, josh shoveled out the rest of the driveway, lainey norman and I just played. Elaine loved shoveling the snow "like daddy" she would say.

well, its almost bath time, and then bedtime!!! YEAH!! josh and i are going to try a new church tommorow, called Kensington? (sp) have a great rest of the weekend!!!!!!!!!!

LAZY DAYS

life around the troast home has been pretty lazy lately. having to stay home and hang low is tough for all of us. I got to go out the other night, when i got home i said to Josh it felt so weird to drive?? i have not driven in several days. thats insane :) I do a couple things every day around the house. today i vaccumed. Last night Josh helped me address all the christmas cards and seal the envelopes while we watched my favorite show, the biggest loser!! A women won for the second season!! GIRL POWER!! Elaine and I are headed to GR tommorow morning. I have another appointment with Maternal Fetal Medicine, and another Ultrasound. Then we are staying the night with Grandma O. Friday Elaine has her 2 year check up. Then we are making my way to my cousins on the way home to get our hair done. Hopefully that makes me feel better. my hair is nasty and it makes me feel terrible.

Last sunday Josh asked if we could bake cookies?? yes he really did. He usually only helps dip the PB balls. SO i said sure, he helped mix it, and roll the dough(we made sugar cookies) then i sat at the table and frosted them. Elaine also helped, she had so much fun!! i have posted some pictures of her helping, and the finished product.

We took our own christmas photo, with the timer on the camera, we look a little goofy, but we got it done, we both did a lot of laughing as we would set it and run to our places. It was a good family moment. We hope everyone enjoys them. :)

im going to get going and lay down for a while. Today is the second day Elaine has taken her nap in the big girl bed. I think this weekend we are going to move it into her room. Right now its in Jacobs room. She layed right down today and fell asleep.

explosion

funny thing happened yesterday. We were sitting down for breakfast and all of the sudden we heard a huge crack and water rushing..... Josh and I jumped up and ran into the bathroom right around the corner. The tank had burst right in half, water from the tank running all over the bathroom, it was crazy!! Josh quickly shut the water off. We both looked at each other and were like what the heck??!!! Our house is always cold we have no basement and are on a cement slab , the floors are cold and the water is cold, so maybe water comming into the tank warmed up and it cracked?? we dont know. By 1:00pm, the plumber came and fixed it and got us a new toilet. so now we have a all white toilet in our bright blue bathroom :) it was a crazy thing to have happen after our busy crazy couple of days. Thank goodness for renting because we did not pay for it or have to arrange it being taken care of. It was just one of those things that happen i guess. we are laughing about it now:)

Jacob and Mommy

My so far un-eventful pregnancy turned into quit a scare on Thursday. All week i have been under some stress, combined with some other stresses and monday Night i started to cramp for about 12 hours. through out tuesday things improved and weds night it started all over again this time it was worse and i had really bad back pain as well as a ton of pressure. By Thursday morning i could not sit still, rest or even walk around for long, everything just hurt. Thanks to a doctor josh works with he was able to pull some strings and get me into an OB doctor. ( a little back story, because we really want to deliver back in muskegon for convience and because i really like my doctor no doctors here in detroit want to take my case because they wont make money, so they tell me they cannot corrdinate the care between two doctors. I have been driving back and forth to muskegon for appointments.) So joshs doctor at work pulled some strings and I was able to be seen by one of the doctor groups that had turned me down. I went in about 4 pm thursday. She did an internal exam and at that point felt my cevix was softening. She imediatly sent me to Providence Hopsital in southfield. ( they have a level 3 NICU, its smaller than GR but has the same stuff) I was given morphin for the pain and was able to relax. They kept me in labor and delivery on monitors until friday night. I had another ultra sound and cervical length which turned out to be ok. They also did other work ups for preclampsia just to be safe, that all came back fine, my protien was 160 so that is ok for now, once we get to 300 than they are going to start worrying. But so far i feel fine with all that there are no other symptoms associated with it. I was just scared and did not want to be in any sort of labor, we are almost 24 weeks. so things would not have been the greatest. Im very thankful for all the quick prayers from family and friends, I know it helped and I know that is why things looked better on the ultrasound.Jacob so far is looking great and is very healthy. his current weight is 1 pound 5 ounces. I came home last night and Im on moderate bedrest, I need to stay home as much as possible. I can go out once or twice a week briefly. meaning no more walking the mall and all that stuff. I used to go out daily and that wont be happening anymore, well for at least two weeks when i have another check up. I will keep you posted. I hope everyone is doing great and enjoying the weather on the west side, we dont have much going on around here, I sort of miss the occasional lake effect snow. Here its just cold with a small amount of snow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELAINE KATHRYN

Two years ago today I layed in a room at spectrum in pain and two hours from delivering lainey by emergency c-section. Last night I woke up every couple hours and could not sleep, i kept thinking about what i was doing at that time and how i felt, then i would cry and fall back asleep for a while. finally at 3:30am i fell sound asleep. I dont remember doing this last year but i guess im more emotional this year. Last night we were wrapping her gifts for tonight and i broke down again. oh well this too shall pass.

This morning when Lainey got up i walked into her room singing happy birthday,and she said to LAINEY!! and then she said" tank you" When josh called she said the same thing when he said happy birthday to her. We have been having a low key day, its been raining here all day long. So this morning we gave norman a bath and cleaned the bathroom. She and I have just been hanging out. Tonight josh is comming home a little early and we are going to have mac n cheese with hot dogs( her favorite food, although we dont have it all the time) and then i bought some cookies and we are going to put candles in them, then open a few gifts we got for her. This comming saturday my sister, her fiance and my mom are comming overnight and we are going to chuckie cheese. I just cannot belive how big she is and all the fun stuff that she can do now. SHe is such a big girl!!!!!!!!!!! WE LOVE YOU LAINEY!!!!

OUR NEW HOME

wow, its been a while, its day three of our first week in the new home in farmington hills, MI. Things are going ok, we are pretty much settled in, only our storage boxes need to find a place to store:) and then we are fully un-packed. We left for home sunday afternoon at12:30 made one stop in allendale for our christmas tree, and we were on the road at @ 1 pm, and did not arrive home until just after 5 pm!!! We did hit some bad snow, but the roads were relativly clear, there was so much stopping and going it was crazy, at several points we did not move for 15 minutes. with clear roads. I think it was the combination of snow, and everyone going home at the same time. I hope those kinds of trips are far and few between.

Sunday night and Monday was spent un-packing and organizing and doing loads of laundry. Which i really like because the dryer here drys in no time. Our old dryer could take over an hour for one load. Lainey and I ended up outside to shovel and play in the snow. Monday night I ventured out to do some grocery shopping, I found a Mejier relativly close so I went there. NOT ALL MEIJERS ARE THE SAME, so i learned. most every fruit and veggie were on sale and rotten, i could not understand the lady at the meat counter, so i got way more lunch meat than i normaly buy, the store was dirty and gross, i wont be going back. There are some Krogers and Heartland stores closer, ill try those next. I came home to lainey sreaming, josh was watching shrek with her, and the dragon came on and appartently she was having nightmares. no more big kid movies. ( we dont have cable hooked up yet so we resorted to movies we had on hand) She was awake until after 10:30 and then again at 3:30am, 6 am and finally at 8 am. She ended up taking a three hour nap tuesday.

Tuesday lainey and I ended up at the twelve oaks mall!! ihad to schedual her two year pictures at JC Pennys and pick up a few things. This mall is HUGE, i only stayed an hour because it was such an overload on my senses. Lainey just kept saying " oh wow" over and over, its a big two story mall filled with any kind of store you want. I just could not belive how big it was. Tuesday night we got our tree set up and decorations out, I have all my christmas candles burning and it smells warm and cozy in here right now. Laineys favorite decoration on the tree is a sponge bob ornanment josh had from a long time ago, she keeps going up to it touching it and jumps up and down saying "spon BOB" yes she is weird:) ! yes she slept better tonight, only tears for brief moment and then she slept until 9 am!!! weds.

Its currently wed am. Lainey is engulfed in Veggie tails and so im taking the time out to write this. we seem to be adjusting well, josh is liking work so far, and getting used to his new enviornment. he has some tough stuff to do in the next months to come stuff that no boss really wants to do so pray that he can do it smoothly.
Im still trying to find a doctor, i found one today that specializes in problem pregnancies. But she declined to see me unless i dont go back to deliver in Muskegon, she said it was to hard to coordinate care. Im really down with this laty,all i want to do it come home for the delivery if i even make it that far. So i still dont have any doctors over here. things are so different here and all i want is to have doctors, and familar places of which i dont have. I handle things well until about nap time, when im sitting here all alone,and then i think about doing stuff back home, how easy things were and then i get really down and out. I hope it changes soon, i think being pregnant only multiplies stuff, but to me its all still real.

well, veggie tails is done, i better get going and get ourselves dressed we have to go to target for some tights for lainey, i bought some that are way to big on her. she looks like she has droopy legs its really funny. Enjoy the pictures!!

MOVING DAY

TOday is the day!!! Josh is working a half day and then picking up our 17 foot uhaul truck!! I really cannot belive this day is here. I really envisioned this day as being one that we would be on our way to building our house in Grand Haven, Not moving to Farmingtion Hills. None the less we are moving. the house is looking really bare. Really all thats left to pack is the computer, T.V. and the small amount of stuff I left in the kitcken,plus food. Everything eles is in the garage or in boxes in the house. Iam truly sad to be leaving. hopefully the right feelings will fall into place too. :) We are loading the truck tonight and leaving first thing tommorow morning. The goal is to be at our new house by 11 am saturday. We will be back sunday night because Josh has to work in holland MTW next week. Then we will be around for all of thanksgiving and the weekend. Heading back sunday night for our first full week living in our home, and Josh's first full week at work. WOW!! well, i better get this day rolling, we got dumped on with snow over night so lainey and i are heading outside to shovel, and play of course :) she loves the snow, and stays all bundled up which is funny. She gets so mad when we have to come back inside. we can only stand a half hour at a time. Everyone have a great weekend!!!!!!!!!!!

First Snow!!!

Yesterday was the first big snow that we had!! I woke up at 5am and looked outside to see the ground covered in snow, and by the time we actually got out of bed there was a ton of it!!! Lainey woke up and saw it and kept saying now, now (for Snow) So after her Early On appointment I bundled her up and we went outside to play!! We threw the ball for norman and then we went for a walk with lainey in the sled. I tried to hook norman up to the sled but he kept pulling her all over the road so that did not work. Lainey was having so much fun !!

JOsh and I also ventured out into this winter wonderland to get our mattress and paint for the kids rooms in the new house. THe roads were completly covered in snow and ice. It took us a half hour to get to Art Van. Im glad we went because when we got there i saw this really cool table and chairs, the set was for the same price as a table we were looking at at IKEA only this particular table was solid wood. The sale price was for the floor model but it only had two small inperfections. It folds out into a big square table, with four chairs, and two benches. It is really neat. that is being delivered on Friday before we leave. Then we went and purchased the mattress, that is being delivered tommorow in Farmington Hills at our new house. Josh is currently there working for today and tommorow. Hopefully tonight he gets the bed put together so that we can sleep on it saturday night. He is also going to paint laineys room. We got a yellow color like what is currently in her room. For Jacobs room we got a color called Mountain Cliffs, its a blue grey and then im going to use different shades of blue and tans, for bedding and wall hangings. My sister Lisa and I are going to paint that room on Saturday as it it a smaller room and wont take much time.

Life on Green Willow pt. 1

SO, we spent this past Thursday,friday and sat morning at our new home that we are renting in Farmington Hills. what a few days!! Lainey got sick while we were their, the runny nose, congestion and two boughts of runny BM's :) One of which was explosive last night in the middle of IKEA!! what a mess, almost down her legs by the time i got to the bathroom with her.

Thursday was busy, we signed the lease, did a walk through. I went to Target for some cleaning supplies and josh headed off to work. This house has turned out not to be what we thought. I guess you cant tell much by spending ten minutes in a home, and then a week later rent it, with out seeing it again. Ispent almost 9 HOURS CLEANING!!!! Josh had a dinner he had to go to, so lainey and I ate pizza and continued to clean. Josh came home around 9 ish and then he and i unpacked our boxes. Neither one of us, slept well, because we were on my sisters air mattress that has a slow leak. We woke up several times to blow it back up. At least lainey slept through the night.

Friday josh went to work and lainey and i were doing some more cleaning, then we went on a walk through the neighborhood with norman. We went inside and I decided to run a cycle through the wash machine. As it was rinsing all the sudden every sink, toilet, and bath tub made the most awful, loud gurggling sound, even lainey cried because it was so loud. I thought the house was falling apart. i went to the back of the house in the laundry room, to find that water was comming up through the drain in the floor!!! I called josh and he called the relator, who called the landlord and said if this is not fixed in the next few hours the tenants are moving out. SO of course at 12:30 plumbers were at the door. Three hours later, a broken toilet and a snake pip thing, the house was back in working order. Aparently when you let pipes sit for as long as they did, and then start using them its not good. The pipes had eroded and then when we started flushing and using water, that caused a back up. So they ran water and ran a snake through it for an hour, and then replaced the toilet that broke in the process. at 3:45 they finally left. I began to seriously regret this decision, plus they never put a fresh coat of paint on the walls,which are gross with smudes and stains.

Friday after all that we went out to Chili's for dinner and then to IKEA which is only 20 mins away!! AWSOME!!!! We purchased out bedroom set, we finally got our KING size bed, now we have to put it all together. Friday night was a good night. Saturday we got up packed up and came home. I can tell you that the Spring Lake/Grand Haven Exit never looked so Good. Im really going to miss what we have here. Im ,with reluctancy ,looking forward to Farmington Hills. NExt week is the offical moving week, we are loading up Friday night, and then leaving Sat Am, and spending the weekend there. We have to be back here the week of thanksgiving so from here on out its a lot of back and forth until at least January.

ready for a VACATION!!!

So today started out like any ordinary day....well not really, everyday this week has been the kind that you just want to turn around and climb right back into bed and forget everything. TOday was just the stick that broke the camels back.. for me. Lainey and I were getting ready to meet grandma O for breakfast. Grandma was running late, so i was bring a few things to the car,(I had to return library books) so we bundled up and went out side for a few mins. I opended the Automatic Side on the van, lainey kept climbing in as i was putting my stuff in. I told her no,we are going to just play outside until Grandma comes. I got her out of the van and she started to follow me, so i thought, and i clicked the door to close and walked back to the house to shut the house door. I suddenly heard a scream i hope i never have to hear for along time. I ran back to the car to find the door had complelety shut on laineys hand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I lost it, i had to force the door open and when I pulled her hand out, it was all dented, turning blue and swelling!!! I franticly dialed joshs phone. Josh was at the doctor getting his wart removed on his hand. he came home and took a look at it. We decided she should go see the doctor. He left for work and Grandma and I went to Hackly at the Lakes Urgent Care. We ended up waitng TWO HOURS!! mind you that lainey had no breakfast, neither did grandma or myself. Grandma helped lainey sit still for the X-ray,( i could not be in the room because im pregnant) she eventually cooperated and the Xrays looked fine, no broken bones. The doctor said to keep an eye on it and that it will probably bruise and look worse before its better. I finally got home and she ate, two bowls of applesauce, two PB and J sandwiches and some brocoli. I felt so bad for making her wait.

It all hit me as i was eating something and i just burst out in tears, it has been a really hard week and im worn out, and need a break, only it did not come yet.... I felt terrible and just needed to cry. and Of couse lainey is sitting there saying "no no mommy" "no no mommy" regardless the tears still flowed. Now after a nap i have a splitting headache. Hopefully tomorrow can change???

Lainey just ate snack and now we are going to try and get to the library??!!

TODAYS BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

The wait is over... we had a check up and ultra sound in Grand Rapids today. I had my first check-up at Maternal Fetal Medicine. They specialize in high risk pregnancys. Everything looks good so far. I have to go back in six weeks for another ultra-sound and start checking my blood pressure weekly. Todays ultra sound revealed what we have been waiting for.... drum roll please....... ITS A BOY!!!!!!!!!!!! that little bugger would not show us his stuff for a long time, the tech was not even sure we were going to be able to see anything... finally he spread his little legs and between them was his package!!! it was so fun, i shed some tears, and josh just laughed with excitement!!! The tech was really cute, she froze the frame and just sat there a minute, i knew right away and josh just sat there and finally said... "is that what i think it is.. a penis"?? she said YEs that is your son!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, its such a rush to find out.... i have been so excited all day.

Happy Halloween!

last night was alot of fun!! Elaine started the evening out with a big bowl of chili to get her ready for the night:) She was a bumble bee and stinkin cute!! we just went to my moms house and my dads house and then to some of his neighbors. Earlier in the day we went to holland to visit my sister and her class at work. Lainey got to trick or treat to all the teachers, they gave her candy. Then we had lunch at Daddy's work so that all the ladys could see her.
When we got to my moms house my mom let her pick out her candy, and being my child she goes in for all of it!! Grabbing all the candy that could fit in her hands, then she would put it in her pumpkin and start all over again. Then we went to my dads where she received more candy!! it was a fun two hours. I think she just had fun getting all the candy. She has a major sweet tooth, thanks to me. She was so tired that she slept in until 9am and then took a two and a half hour nap, and still went to bed on time.

Detroit update:
We are in the process of applying for a rental home, writing up a lease and all that fun stuff. The house is a 1700 sq ft Ranch(no basement) 3 bedrooms two bathrooms. its an older house with updates inside,all except the two bathrooms which are stuck int he 50's with all that old school tile everywhere and the ugly colors like bright blue and pee yellow. But its all clean ,just outdated. I will have a much bigger kitchen with storage and matching appliances. the home is located in Farmington Hills in a subdivision, it has a very large back yard for the area, always a plus. we will be able to start moving stuff in on Nov 13, we are going to take a load of stuff over and spend the night there as a family, so i will get some pictures and post them.

Pumpkins

Last Sunday night Josh and I carved pumpkins with Elaine. We got outside and it looked like rain, so we carved in the garage. Next thing we knew the sun was shining and then it thundered and then lightning , then hail and snow!! What a weird night. Even though we had great family time carving pumpkins!! Lainey took a couple bites of the goo, and then ate some seeds. After pumpkins I took lainey inside and we made homemade pizza and roasted the seeds. Elaine put on her apron and helped me cook!! she was so cute. What a fun evening.

On Monday and Tuesday Josh and I headed out to Detroit to meet and see the places/people he will be working with, and to find a house to rent. Josh sure has his work cut out for him, but it was a fun day to meet everyone. On Tuesday we went house hunting. We went through ten houses with two possibilites. Today we found out the one we both really liked and wanted, was no longer available apparently someone called on it before us. It was the dream place to rent, and we were really excited about it. IT was an old house downtown south lyon, in our price range, remodeld and almost 3000 sq feet. So its on to choice number two.. a smaller ranch with no basement or storage, but it was nice and remodeld nicely and clean. so hopefully we will hear about this one soon. There was not much to choose from. Well that is our update for now, we will keep you posted.

Tag... Im It

4 things I was doing 10 years ago..
1. I was in high school
2. getting ready to go to college, to study what i love, early childhood education
3. my parents were getting divorced
4. we moved from Grand Haven to Ferrysburg

4 Jobs that I have had...

1. washed dishes at a nursing home
2. worked briefly at a coffee shop in spring lake( the worst boss's i have ever had)
3. taught headstart in holland and Grand Haven
4. worked for my dad for many years when he owned a sandwich ice cream store downtown Grand Haven. Old Chap's Galley

4 Movies I have seen more than once......

1. Office Space
2. Shrek
3. In Love and War
4. A Beautiful Mind

4 Places I have lived....

1. Willmar, MN
2. Grand Haven, MI
3. Ferrysburg, MI
4. Grand Rapids, MI

4 Places I have been...

1. New York City
2. St. Louis, MO
3. Sarasota, FL
4. cozumel, Mexico

4 T.V. Shows I watch...

1. THe biggest Loser
2. The Office
3. Super Nanny
4. Extreme Makeover, Home Edition

4 Things you may not know about me....

1. I secretly always wanted to be a mortition??(sp), I have been facinated by how they prepare a dead body and have always wanted to see it being done. ( sorry that this will freak some people out)

2. I love Jo on Super Nanny, that is my first passion, I want to be here and be able to tell people like it is with parenting and not get into trouble. Naughty kids get my goat.

3. if i could I would sleep in past lunch every day and stay in my PJ's. I love being comfortable

4. Im very shy, and dont have much confidence in my self, I tend to not be able to make friends easily,because im scared to get hurt or let people know what im really like. I donot like being the center of attention. Im also deathly afraid of speaking in public. I just started to feel comfortable with talking in small group.

4 things I lOVE about Josh...
this one i could go on for ever about, i guess i better censor this one :)

1. He is secretly sensitive to my feelings, sometimes he does not show it. But i have always loved that he is this way with me. He is a wonderful man and I love him so much!!

2. He is an incredible Kisser(sorry i had to throw that one in)

3. He is so paitent with Elaine, and is a wonderful Daddy

4. He can fold laundry so GOOD, I love it!! I have never seen a man fold and Iron as well as he does. Im truly amazed!!

4 People I tag... wait not many people read my blog do they??

1. Alicia
2. Lisa Dawn
3. Kathy A.ka. MOM
4. Flora

We are Moving

Well i can finally announce this, Josh has taken a new Job promotion with in his company, procare. He will be the Practice manager for TCPC, procare in Detroit. He will be running the clinics in the Royal oak, Novi and Livonia areas. We made the decison to move last week. Josh starts working Dec 1. We are busy trying to find a home to rent for now,while we try and sell our condo. The company is taking over the Condo, so the price has drasticly dropped. If anyone knows some one who is looking for a place, they will definitly get ours at a steel. THe current price has dropped to 89, 900!!! someones going to get a deal!! Pass the word around. We are both sad, nervous, scared and happy at the same time to be making this big change in our lives. Please pray that the move goes great and that we can find a good place to live. We will keep you updated.

Wedding Weekend!

This past weekend my good friend Alicia got married. My sister and I were both in the wedding. it was a busy, yet fun weekend. Congrats to the happily married couple!!
Enjoy the pictures

Troast Family Up date

Sorry it has been so long, life has been busy and every chance to blog turns into something eles. We have been busy over the last month or so.

* labor day weekend we spent time as a family and hung out with friends. It was warm so Lainey and norman went swimming in the pool.. at one point they were both in the pool together.

* we picked a few grapes off the vines on our land

* I have had a couple doctors appointments already. We are almost 15 weeks pregnant. things are going fine so far. blood pressure is fine and I feel better than i did with lainey. We have to meet with the doctors and perientologist(spelling?) in November for a check up and an ultra sound. Hopefully we can find out what we are having. Im so anxious for that!! I dont feel as big as i did with lainey, which i guess could be good in the long run.

* At the end of september lainey had a NICU reunion In Grand Rapids. we only knew a few people there but she had fun. there was a fire truck, and an ambulance that she was able to go through. It was a tiring day,but fun!!

* Josh was in New York for work. He was able to go to a Yankee's game, have lunch with Grandma and Grandpa T and had dinner with his cousins. I stayed home and spent my birthday alone with out josh( my family made up for his absense, I got to eat out alot that week) thanks everyone!!

* This past week we celebrated our 3rd wedding aniversary,WOW time flies!!!

* Thursday night friends of ours from small group called and said that spring lake was having their fire saftey open house. We went with them and had so much fun!! The kids were able to tour fire trucks, cop cars, ambulance's, and boats. There were many saftey booths set up inside and free popcorn, hot dogs, chips and pop!! What a fun night. To top it off we all went on a fire truck ride!! Lainey loved every second. it was dark out so when the lights flashed it looked really cool. she was so excited!!

* We went to the pumpkin patch the first weekend in October. Some of josh's friends were there and we all ended up hanging out. Lainey made new friends. then we all went to Arbys for lunch.

enjoy the pictures, they are a mixture of the last month and a half.

Hair Cut

Last Thursday August 28 Lainey got her first hair cut. Daddy came too and took some pictures. She did very well, we bribed her with a cookie. She had a cookie in one hand and a comb in the other. She sat on the booster seat by her self. She looks so cute.

DUE DATE

Josh and I had our First doctors appointment for the baby. The check-up went great!! Dr. was a little concerned that the due date may have been a little off. She tried to use the ultrasound monitor (its funny that a Dr. has no idea how to run the machine:) Josh and I were able to see the heart beating, we did not hear it yet. But just knowing that he/she is in there is such a blessing. Dr. Mc.D had me go later in the afternoon for a "real" ultra sound. IT was so amazing to see this little person no bigger than 2 inches swim around and move. I was able to see a much better view of him/her when the tech was doing it. The tech gave me my first picture. You can see the head and back , and the little but. GOD is so amazing. I came home and watched the babystory, and i cried through all three episods. So our due date is April 7,09 but ofcourse we will have a c-section so the baby will come the week before that. We are currently 8 1/2 weeks pregnant!!!!

Random Thoughts from a day in the life of me...

*Lainey is getting her first hair cut tonight, she is either going to be really bad or really good.

* Do NOt take your car to Betten In Grand Haven to be fixed, its taken over three weeks to get our van completly fixed from having the brick thrown through it. they sure gave us the run around, Josh had to call the insurrance company and had it out with betten, hopefully we get the van back today

* We got a new T.V. our old one is on the way out, it was not turning on, and you could only change three channels at a time and then you would have to turn it off and back on. So we got a 40 inch samsung flat screen!!! its wonderful. happy birthday, christmas and anniversary to josh and I :)

* I was watching Super Nanny last night, boy could I related to the mom. Jo was able to reach out to a mom who was just plan bored, tired and stuck in a rut. This mom often mad faces and reacted just like myself. (my kid is not bad or doing the stuff her kids where, but the mom herself is whom i felt like) I actually cried today thinking about her. Lately i have just been feeling like i just get up in the morning and go through the daily routien and not think about it, just ho-humming along. Jo encouraged her to stand up and be the women she was ment to be, and was able to give her some confidence back. She was able to give her alittle fun in her life and show her that she can be a kid as well. Am i the only one who goes through this?? wondering what im doing?? why im doing it?? is there going to ever be a break being a mom? and do i even want a break?? How can i make things fun again?? sometimes i wish that I could just work, and someone eles can clean the house, dothe dishes, laundry and so on. Maybe this is just my pregnancy emotions.

* we went to the farmers market on weds. Laine had a cinnamon doughnut and we bought watermelon, blueberries and the sweetest corn i have ever eaten.. We came home and I made homemade blueberry pie, crust from scratch and all. It was so good!!

* I have been so unbeliveably sick... its been so bad that I feel like I cannot even move on some days. I have not even been able to drink as much water as i normally do. I gag on it. Everything makes me sick. I havenot been able to eat alot and feeling weak. Im about seven weeks along. I see the doctor tommorow, so hopefully i can figuare something out that will help me feel better. And for the first time in history sweet stuff like choc, cake, icecream make me sick, i dont want to eat it, see it or smell it. Last night josh was eating icecream on the opposit couch where i was sitting, i could smell it and i started to gag. that it weird!! I never thought i would see the day when i would turn that stuff down.

GUESS WHAT!!

WE ARE PREGNANT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!! yes its true, we are going to have another baby sometime in April, we dont have an exact date yet. I have a doctor appointment at the end of August. We are very excited and looking forward to adding another one to our family. I have been very sick, and nauseated all day long. Food just makes me feel sick. I have thrown up a few times, but its more being very tired and just having that feeling that you get when you are about to get sick or get the flu. acky, nauseaed and just not feeling well. But we will get through it and its all to be expected.

Unity and a brick

So last night was free for the Unity Festival, so Grandma came to babysit and Josh and I went down there, It was a lot of fun!! I did not know any of the bands but it was fun to just get out. I saw alot of people that I have not seen in a long time. About an hour in a storm rolled through so they shut down for about a half hour. Josh and I walked back to the van and waited it out. Then we went back to the festival. When the night ended around 10:15 or so, we started to walk back to the van that was parked on a side street across from the Muskegon YMCA. josh and I were talking and he ran head to open the door and put the chairs in, then he opened the drivers side and a yelled and a brick fell out. when we looked up the passanger window was completly smashed in, glass was everywhere, and the steering wheel was nicked and a huge cut in the door. We called 911, they came out and did a police report, luckly nothing was stolen, and I even had my purse under the seat!! thankgoodness, it was just a huge mess. the police were not very helpfull with how we were going to get home, but we managed. This morning we brought it in to be cleaned, and fixed. there were glass pieces everywhere!! hopefully we will have it back by Tuesday. SO i guess I get to ride my bike everywhere!! Im actually really upset, josh and I work hard for what we have and pay cash for stuff, so when some un thoughtfull IDIOT, who cannot think five minutes in front of him or herself does something like this it just makes me so mad and angry. They did alot of damage just to have a little fun. So the car is in being fixed and hopefully tommorow ill have the van back, and the new steering wheel and door panel will be in next week. So tonight when Josh goes down there, there is no parking on side streets with out alot of people and lights. We are also thankfull that it was the Van because that has full coverage, the Saab does not.

Family Reunion

At the end of July we went to Spicer, MN for a family reunion. Josh was able to stay home because his cousin was getting married that friday. Elaine, myself, My mom, uncle and aunt, and two cousins and their families all caravand(if that is a word) to Minnesota. We set out on a Thurs July 24th we drove to Blackriver Falls, WI and spent the night in a hotel. Thank goodness for my cousin's kids they kept Elaine so occupied that she did not even know she was traveling 14 hours to minnesota. They played with her, sang to her and followed her around everywhere she went. Elaine loved swimming in the pool at the hotel. She did not want to get out. Swimming helped her to sleep right through the night. Friday afternoon we arrived at the campground. It was so nice to see all of my family. and most of them had not seen lainey yet so that was fun! It was a busy,weekend, keeping up with a one and half year old at a campgroung with a playground, and beach with in walking distance from your cabin, was a handfull. Elaine was able to see some of her third cousins that are about her age, She played and played. here are some highlights from the weekend.

* Elaine swam naked in the lake with all the other kids, during an evening walk by the beach, it was not planned. It was so fun to see allthe kids having fun!!

* The word NNOOOO!! was learned and freqently spoken by my child!

* Elaine at lots of camp food and junk food, she loves monster cookies!

* having a wonderful church service just as a family. Four cousins singing acapella!! Gods presence was felt while sitting outside at a campground.

* Elaine fell asleep in her high chair at lunch while eating a chocolate brownie

* walking with great uncle harlan by the beach , they both bent over at the same time and came up and bumped heads.

*uncle Jon meeting all the family for the first time

* Elaine was able to ride a Horse for the first time at my cousins house. She was so excited and did not want to get off of the horse. my camera battery died at that exact moment, but i should be getting copies soon.

* visiting tht two family farms, reliving memories and lots of tears and laughter

* Mommy almost stepped on a snake, I started to hyperventalate

* the tears that welled up in my eyes as elaine climbed up and sat on my Grandma and Grandpas grave, They would have just cherrished seeing her. It was a special moment. My Grandparents were very special people. Im sure they were looking down with joy and love.

Overall it was a great weekend, the drive was long but made easier thanks to all the kids who kept her busy.

New Jersey and New York

Finally, I had time to update on our family vacation last week. the last weekend of June we ventured on our first family trip. We went to New Jersey for Joshs Grandparents 60th wedding aniversary/family reunion. This was a 12 hour road trip for most of us, and some family members flew from far away places, and others drove from wisconsin about 18 hours or so. Almost all the family memebers where there. there are about 100 total and I belive we were missing maybe 6 or 7 people. Josh and I drove through the night on the way there. This went well, and we did not have to entertain laine much because she slept most of the way. We arrived in new jersey around 7am. We were tired but laine was in a great mood! Friday night Joshs brother and wife arrived and joshs parents. We ordered some wonderful new jersey pizza! the best pizza ever, but you have to like grease!! Sat morning joshs two brothers and sister arrived. Sat afternoon, was the big bash and the church!!! I was able to meet everyone eles!! I have only met a small hand full of Josh's extended family!! What a blast. Elaine had so much fun playing with all her new found friends!! There was an open house for the community in the afternoon, then a big family picture,and then a catered in family dinner. All 90 some of us!! There was a program with songs, poems and a very teary eyed special speech from Grandpa T, (even josh cried) Grandpa and Granda Troast are so in love, even 60 years later, you can see how much he adores her, he watches her from across the room with such love in his eyes. He spoke to his whole family on learning to lean of Jesus Christ, and if you ask Christ he will be with you no matter what you are going through in life, you cannot go through life with out him. He also said that its ok to wrestle with God and ask Why?? but be ready for the answer. Grandpa is such an amazing Man, and Im proud to be part of his family. Part of their wedding party was still alive and able to join them for cutting the cake. That is so sweet!! !!

On Sunday every one went to church, josh;s dad who is a pastor was able to (with the help of the pastor at the church) surprise his parents by delivering the sunday sermon. Grandpa and Grandma T were so surprised! Sunday night josh and I along with his cousin and wife and josh's brother ventured into New York City!!! What and adventure. We came up off the subway to the Gay Pride Parade just finishing up!!!! what a culture shock for me!! I have seen gays and lesbians but this was to the extreme!! these were outragous and wild gays. it was funny to see this madness, yet i felt an overwhelming saddness for all those messed up people. They walk around so proud and happy. truth is they are sick. all you can do was say a little prayer and keep walking. We then ventured down to ground zero, its one thing to see it on T.V. but WOW in real life you get goose bumps and teary eyes viewing it with your own eyes. Then we took a subway to Time Square!! we had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe We had so much fun!!! the lights and the busyness was wild!! we started our way home and on the train we encountered some more gay guys. Only this time it was even more extreme, they decided that the train ,that was full of people, was the place to have a make-out session!!!! needless to say this time we laughed, and laughed and laughed. they just would not stop. They were doing stuff that straight people would not do in public. finally they left. we got home around12:30am.

Monday we went and spent the night with one of Joshs cousins and his wife. They have twins that were born a few weeks after laine. They had so much fun together.

Tuesday we headed home. We traveled during the day. Elaine did ok, but it was definitly better through the night!!

We are finally getting back on a schedual again!!! Ihope everyone had a wonderful fourth of July!! we went to the fire works and Elaine had a blast!!

Wedding!!

This past weekend, Josh's sister got married. Thursday night was rehersal, with a pizza and beer rehersal dinner! It was a perfect night, the dinner was outside at the new brother in-laws sisters house in Grand Rapids. It was so nice to see all the family again. IT was also nice because lainey stayed home with a babysitter :) I was his sisters personal attendant so I had a list of duties that I was responsible for. Friday was the wedding. I arrived at 1:30 to help out, it was a busy afternoon. As for the actual wedding at 6:30.... I watched everyone walk down the isle, and then..... Lainey was clapping and yelling, talking, so I had to take her outside. ( the church is in an open warehouse building, so everything echoed, so I missed the whole wedding. I came inside just in time to hear them be pronounced husband and wife. Then we headed over to Mc Faddens downtown GR for the reception!! It was a blast, I was able to do some dancing, and josh joined me for one song, which is more than he has ever done. (except for our wedding) I enjoyed a delcious dinner it was salmon, potatoes and steamed veggies!! It was a fun, yet very busy weekend.

A Bike Helmet and Sunglasses

What a busy few weeks. My sister and I did an Unsucessfull garage sale june 6-7 in holland ,so we packed it up and set it back up in muskegon for another two day garage sale the following weekend at my in-law's place. We did much better. the last few weeks seem like such a blur. Laine was with me both times and did excellent!

A few weeks ago, my neighbor asked if i had a bike helmet for Laine, i did not so she game me one that her granddaughter had grown out of. Laine fell in love with it, its a touch to big but in no time she will fully grow into it. And one of my moms friends bought her velcro sunglasses. So she was loving wearing both, so much that when she saw her reflection in the mirror she started kissing her self. She was so funny wearing both!!! She also got her first baby doll, she loves feeding her a bottle, and carrying her everywhere! We went to the park and she took it down the slide. she is quite the little mother.

We are getting ready for josh's sisters wedding on Friday June 20th. Its been a busy week as Im the personal attendant, so thurs and friday are going to be very busy. The following Thurday Josh, Elaine and I are heading to New Jersey for Josh's Grandparents 60th wedding aniversary/reunion. We will see how lainey does on a 12 hour drive. We are going through the night so hopefully it will go well.

No Wonder America is so FAT!!

Ok, so if you are a busy mom and wife some times you get burned out from cooking for life gets so busy that you take a trip or two to a fast food joint for the family dinner. We all know its bad for us, but until you see the numbers!!!!!! you just eat it and forget about it. Well tonight we had an open house and had to run some errands, so josh, Elaine and myself went out to Mc Donalds for dinner. and to tell the truth I have freqented this place and other often the past few weeks due to being so busy with my mother who just had surgery and was in holland for two weeks. Anyway...Back to tonight. We went to Mc D's I picked up the nutrition booklet that is available to the public. when we got home I was looking it over. Josh had the quarter pounder meal deal, I had two snack wraps and a coke, and laine had the cheeseburger happy meal.... are you ready for the grand nutritional total of all three meals combined drum roll please............ calories 3,250 total fat.105 grams, sodium4,030 grams This is totally and utterly disgusting!!! Talk about feeling ashamed as a family of three we consumed a lot of bad food. I really need to be more concious about what I eat and what i feed my family. I have not been a good example. the problem is where do you start and who do you belive. Everyone has the "best" answer as far as losing weight and getting healthy. How do you find the balance. what diets and lifestyles work and what is just hokey???? I have been trying to follow my hunger signals and eat when the hunger tells me to. I have been trying to see what the bible says. Im finding stuff about glutoney and not worshiping food, all foods are clean and stuff like that. But what does God say about the food we eat, and is that the way to eat??? HELP!! if you know the answer pass it on. All I know is if the world keeps eating this stuff and some people eat it three times a day, we are going to all die young, YIKES.

0 156th!!!

Friday May 23, 2008 we officially signed our names to the land!! We closed on our piece of property friday afternoon. Josh and I signed our name for about 20 minutes. and to tell the truth I dont remember what I even signed for other than a payment book from the bank :) It was all a blur, and today its actually sinking in. After the signing josh and I along with Josh's parents, who were watching laine, headed out to the land to have a toast! We walked the property lines and envisoned our home and were it would sit, were the driveway would be and all that fun stuff!! I posted some pictures for everyone to see!!

What a Week!

What a crazy couple of weeks. Elaine had a check up with her doctor about her cough and stuff. He sent her for Allergy testing. She had to have some blood drawn... it took them three times before they were able to get a vein. She was a mess, crying,sweating and so was I. It was not a fun day. Two Days later her results came back negative for all allergies. So she is just on a nasel spray and the cough it gone, she is back to her normal self. I know she is better because she is back to her 1 hour naps instead of 3.

My mom had back surgery last friday before mothers day. It was a four hour surgery. She is doing well but after six days in the hospital she was transfered to Freedom Village for at least one to two weeks of Re-Hab. This place is in holland so we are racking up the miles and the gas!! Its busy when you are taking care of another household and her cats, and visiting her at the nursing home and taking care of your own family. They are taking her off some of the strong pain meds so that means things are progressing. I convinced her to put some make-up on and that would make her feel better, she actually agreed :)

In the midst of all this, last week i started to get a kink in my neck and by friday after my moms surgery i could not move my neck. Saturday I woke up with a stiff neck to the point that I could not open my mouth the whole way and it hurt to chew food. On sunday I left church early because I thought i was going to pass out. I got home and took some vicodin to make it through the rest of the mothers day festivities. We did not want to go to ER because its a really expensive pain reliever because they would just shoot you up and send you to the doctor. So Monday morning I headed to the Chiropractor... he tried to adjust me but said the muscles we way to tense, i had to go home and Ice, Ice Ice and i was not to lift anything. So my wonderful mother-in-law came to help for the day. I went back to the doc. for a half hour massage and he tried to adjust again but it would not budge. So i have lived on muscle relaxors and vicodin. Tuesday I felt a little better and could move a little more. Weds morning I went back to the doc. and he could only do a little for me. I babysat Emma for the morning and did great. After nap time my neck was stuck again and hurting bad. My wonderful husband was able to get me into the pain clinic thursday morning early. Another thanks to my mother-in-law for coming to the house at 7:30am!! Dr. K was able to give me some relief, Josh thought he was cool because he got to give me the sedation. Dr. K did some ocipital nerve blocks and an epidural in my neck. after sleeping for a few hours I woke up and could move my neck!!!! Im tired and a little spaced out but i feel better. I have one more chiropractor appointment on Monday and then I think things will be going better!!! I need to get this household back in order, Laine hasbeen cranky due to not really having me around this week.
I have posted some pictures from grandma and grandpa troast's house a couple weeks ago!!

My sweet Elaine

well, Elaine had to go back to the Doctor today. First a little back story, the middle of march elaine started having a really back barking cough.... we brought her to the doctor who said her lungs were fine,it was just a cold and teething... then at the in april she went back because she had the same cough... and was waking up many times during the night. At the second appointment the docotor said she had croup, and she was still teething. (for those of you that have kids that she has been around this whole time, she was only contagious at the very begining which was the end of march, the contagious part only last three days, and at that time we did not even know that is what she had. So the cough and stuff is just that a cough,she isnot contagious anymore.) So anyway... at the second appointment the Doctor just had me do stuff like a humidfier, tylenol for the teeth, prop her bed up, stand in steam from the shower etc... But still a month later, and she is still coughing, and NOT SLEEPING!! this has been really hard, she is a really good sleeper and so this waking up for hours at night, coughing and gagging is really getting old. So.... the past three days have been the worst... I have not slept more than four hours at a time, neither has Elaine. she doesnot want to eat much and gasped for breath during naptime yesterday. and she has a new cough more of a phlemy deep cough. So last night josh listened to her lungs and he did hear some weezing and the base sounded like there was fluid. So My handsome husband called the doctor this morning because he is concerned as well. So Elaine and I went to the doctor. She checked her out and she does have a really bad sinus infection now, so she perscribed antibiotics. As for the lungs she said she still hears stridor which is still croup and she does hear the stuff josh heard as well. she gave elaine a breathing treatment, and Elaines lungs still sounded the same, no better. So our first step is to clear up the sinus infection, which can cause some coughing. We have to go back on Tuesday. If she is still coughing in four days then on Tuesday we are going to dig further by giving her some albueterol because she is thinking it could be Asthma. The doctor wants to clear up the infection first and then tackle the Asthma stuff. More than likely if its Asthma its because her lungs were underdeveloped due to being born so early. So that is were we stand right now. Elaine is taking her nap, and has only coughed twice in a half hour so that is good. Well, Im going to try and lay down and hope for some rest.

opps

I put the pictures in backwards.

Reflection

hey everyone,

I was just reflecting tonight.... I guess its the combination of Friends having babies and they are so cute, having just watched Juno(funny movie) and having the eye doctor today warn me about having more children... that has made me a bit emotional... so I was just looking at the many pictures that have been taken of Laine when she was born, so amazing so tiny and so precious. I love Elaine so much, what I went through to get her and keep her was a roller coaster but she is so worth it!!! I thought everyone might like to see some of the early days... Enjoy I sure did and do. :)

Spring Is Here!!!

Yes!! Spring is finally here!! We have been loving it, how about you?? Laine is outside almost everyday. She loves being outside and when its time to go inside she frequently throws temper tantrums. Elaine is growing up so fast. She is doing so well, our only worry right now is speech, she tests out at just below 12 months and she is 16 months. Early On is going to keep an eye on it, but we are not too worried. She excels in all other areas so we expect it to come soon.

Oh those molars... she is currently getting all four at once... the first one is through. Does anyone have any good advice... we have been battling these four teeth for over a month! ahhh!!! She is so miserable, with all the cold symptoms she has with it. the runny nose, cough etc... We also found out that with the teething came a touch of croup, its not too bad, although she does wake alot at night and nap time. She is not contagious anymore as we figure its been there a couple weeks.

Elaine is going to be a flower girl on new years eve this year!!! My sister Lisa Just got engaged over spring break. We are just praying Elaines hairs grows a little more. Elaine loves to be the center of attention so this should be very interesting... then again we will be approaching the terrible twos... so who knows.

Josh and I still have the condo for sale... anyone want one, we will give you a good deal. We have been strongly considering building. We have land picked out, and we have the preliminary drawings. We are now just waiting for the pricing to come in for the house before a final decision is made to build or not. We are also offically dorks!! We broke down and bought the MINI VAN!! its a Pontiac Montana!! Im loving it, but josh says he is going through his mid-life crisis!(secretly he loves it, and he often asks to drive it :)

well, i hope this post finds everyone doing well!! Take care

Sara's Surgical update

Hi,
I just wanted to send an update on the surgry that i had last week. I had my follow-up The pain i had been having was actually a very large cyst. I also had a spot that was biopsyed from the back of my uterus, that turned out to just be fluid filled sac, nothing to worry about. Everything looks great. and hopefully be ready to think about getting pregnant in a few months.

Parent's night out

Hi !!

On Saturday night March 29, 2008 Josh and I went to Grand Rapids to Notos Italian Restaurant. Josh had his yearly "big bash" for work. Every year the corporation throws a big party for the employees as an appreciation for their hard work. I have been looking forward to this scince I began my weightloss journey. I went out and bought a new dress and shoes. Josh went out a bought new clothes as well.( doesn't he look hot!!!) We had Grandma babysit and we left around six and stayed out till 11:30!! that is late for us!! We had a blast, the food was incredible, for dinner we had a live Jazz band and after dinner another band that played the rest of the night. I was able to meet the people josh spends his working hours with. It was a great night. And i must admit, I did not call home once. I have posted a couple pre-party pictures. Enjoy!!

Spring Fever!!

Hello friends and family,
Here is another update on the troast family, what we have been doing and what laine is up to these days.

Elaine Kathryn Troast... Is 15 months old, that still blows my mind that she is so big. She had her check-up at the doctor last week. her weight is 22.5 and 31 1/2 inches long. Nothing new medicaly with her. She is doing very well. She is still crossing her eyes, but the opthamologist is watching her closly. other than that she is doing very well. She is walking all over, its so much fun to watch as she is now attempting to try and run :) she can say mamma, daddy, doggy and mumbles the rest of the time. She is a very busy little girl, she is really enjoying books,playing with balls, and playing with her toys. She recently got a Dora chair to sit in,she thinks she is pretty tough stuff. Now that the weather is getting warmer we have been spending some time outside, she loves pushing her bike and going after norman.

Joshua Peter Troast... He remaines the same. nothing has changed with him. He is still enjoying his job and the ladies all love him!! He has been working out at home with the Total Gym..( he is still trying to lose his baby fat too ;) Josh, is enjoying the role of Daddy. Laine completly adores him. The second is walks in her eyes are on him. Its so much fun to sneak a peak at him when he is giving her a bath or a bottle and bed time story. He does so well with her. He wont admit it but i think he wants another one.

Sara Lynae Troast.... Im done with medical weight loss, I had to stop early because we found out the food I have to buy from them was giving my severe migraines, but... I did lose 27 lbs and 13 inches!!!!!! I cannot believe that!!!!! Iam into all my pre- pregnancy clothes. its feels so good to be healthy again. Im still trying to find what works for me ,to lose the last 10 pounds or so. If anyone has any suggestions... let me know. I have been so busy with laine, she is so much fun!! She does so many funny things and she keeps me on my toes. Its so much fun to be at home, I love the many mommy moments. On Monday 10th, just her and I went to Bob Evans for lunch, we took our time and just enjoyed the moment, she took a bit of a crayon, drank her milk from a straw and we ate burgers. she walked all the way to to car,slow and steady stopping to look at everything along the way. I learned that day that life is full of wonder and excitement, just take your time... little wonders are everywhere, just look dont step on them,clothes can be washed, dishes can really sit for a while in the sink, but your kids grow up right before your eyes. Enjoy the moment.

Fourteen Months Old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you Belive it!! Time flies by so fast. Laine will be 14 months old tommorow! Life sure has changed. She keeps us so very busy. Elaine had another check up this week at the Gerber Center for Infant Development In Grand Rapids. Her Doctor was so impressed with her, both developmentaly and physically. She passed her hearing test, despit the inherited ear wax problem :) She weighs 22 lbs, 30 1/2 inches long and is starting to walk. She does have to go back to her pediatric eye doctor a bit early because she is still crossing her eyes, and she has one eye that tends to stray a bit. Other than her eyes she got another A+ from the doctor. She has to go back in October to have more testing, this time a whole psycological work up, they will make sure that everything is fine inside the ol'noggin.
Elaine has learned how to climb down the stairs by herself. so all day its up and down, up and down. She enjoys going to play groups, playing in the snow, coloring and painting. She makes frequent visits to Your Plate or Mine, in the mall.. her area of interest is coffee mugs. She loves to paint. She has been so much fun!!
Josh is doing fine... he keeps busy at work. He has been home sick this week with a high fever and a terrible cough, he is finally on the mend. Luckly mom and laine have not caught it yet... lsyol spray(on everything josh touches) and vitamin C to the rescue!! Josh is still involved with high school youth group,and basket ball on tuesdays.
Sara.... well not much happening with me... Keeping very busy with laine and norman. I have been working very hard at losing all the pregnancy weight and then some. I made it to 22 pounds and only twenty more!! Thanks to medical weight loss clinic, exercise, and the newly learned self control. :) Im in the home stretch.
P.S. anyone want a two bedroom condo?? its still for sale..
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elaine's Second Christmas

Hello again.... Sorry this christmas post is so late. Life has been so busy... everyone was sick for what seemed like weeks on end. ear infections, colds, etc.... finally this week we have been healthy. Christmas was so much fun this year, we had laine with us and it was such a blessing. Christmas was a busy week, on Dec 23 we had christmas with Grandma Gladys, aunt lisa and Mr. Jon(lisas sig. other) Laine received many presents and had ham dinner and twiced baked potatoes. Christmas eve was spent with just mommy and daddy and norman. We took Grandma with us to church, what an event when there is no nursery. Needless to say we used the food to keep you quiet trick... sugar cookies last a while and keep them quiet. We came home and opned presents as a family. We had some special family moments. On Christmas Day we went to Grandpa Johns, laine had so much fun opening presents and spending time with friends and family!! At the end of the week Uncle Mark and Aunt Flora came from Arizona. We had christmas with the troast family and every one spent the night at home like one big family. I got up very early and made homemade cinnamon rolls, about three hours later everyone woke up to an ooy, gooy breakfast!! Laine had so much fun!!!!! I think the best part for me was sitting back and taking it all in... last year I had to sit and open her presents because she was not there, that was emotional... and then to sit with a cup of coffee and watch her crawling all over grandpa and grandma T's house and getting into Aunt Lindseys laundry, pulling on the tree ornaments and spending time with family. I know I speak for josh when I say that God is amazing!! He gave us an amazingly strong and determined little girl, and through everything this past year I realize he has also given our family the gift of true faith, and understanding of the power of prayer and paitence, along with learning to trust, and rely only on the power of God and nothing eles. It is a honor to be given children, and an honor to raise them. And as a family we are forever gratful for this experience.