OH, now what have I stepped in to? Looks like Lindsey's coach will be me for soccer! I told them not to expect much, because all I no about soccer is that when you throw the ball in, both feet have to be on the ground ... so they gave me a book about how to learn soccer quickly. But, I have a secret weapon! My niece is a third year varsity this year and she will be with me every step of the way.

On other news, my kids received their letters about school starting soon. Yes, we have started to put them to bed earlier this week. Next week will be even earlier. Back to school, back to schedule.

Another year of VBS is done. Wow, what a week. We had a peak of 88 kids and raised enough money to purchase 26 back packs with supplies for underprivileged kids in our county.

Started another project that I have wanted to try the past couple of years, canning. Yep, we canned stewed tomatoes yesterday! My next project, salsa. What with gas prices and food prices, we will need to start our pantry and stay home to eat more this winter. Electric is out of sight with last months bill!

All is quiet on the home front!

God is so Good!

Nikki

Oh yeah, Alyssa now has braces! I told her I am going to own that mouth after this process is all said and done!

Wow, I haven't posted in quite some time and thought that it would be a good time to update on everything that we have been doing. Alyssa & Lindsey both finished 5th and 1st, respectively. Now, Alyssa is on to middle school, leaving behind the days of recess and playground fun. We just picked up today some locker items that she thought would be neat & needed. She also finished softball.

Lindsey will be moving on to 2nd grade and it will be pretty busy at her school. They are remodelling the elementary, adding on a gym, and several classrooms, along with a new library. Pretty exciting, since she will be able to use everything for a few more years before she moves on.

We also just finished up a week of a home vacation, where we went to Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, went tubing on Dumont Lake and camped out in our back yard. Don't think that I'll do the camping thing again unless it is in a trailer with a nice big bed! Yes, quite the experience.

We also were able to visit with our Aunt Sandy & Uncle Bill from Ohio for a couple of days, and about a week or two later, our Aunt Kathy & Uncle Larry came up from Texas. Yes, good times, good times.

We also travelled up (the girls & I) to Grandpa & Grandma Lowman's house for a quick visit. It was good to see them. Yep, we did the picture thing. Though, when we do, I am the one most likely behind the camera. It's my new hobby that I took up last year. I even did my oldest niece senior pics and will be doing my youngest niece this year. Looking forward to that. I love to take pics.

Speaking of nieces, my oldest set off for an adventure this last Saturday to Florida. Have to hand it to her, it takes a lot of courage and guts to head off at 18 to look for a job in an unknown town, out of state, away from family. But she has a lot of people that love her and are praying for her safety and success. I know that she will be coming back sometime and that she will be attending college in the near future! Right, Britt?

All I can say is that life is quite the ride. My youngest niece, Brianna has been our "live in nanny" for the past month and a half and is doing quite a good job looking after her cousins while Aunt Nikki & Uncle Brian are off to work. My oldest nephew is doing a great job in Kazoo, as a leasing agent for an apartment complex. Have to hand it to him, managing on his own and doing good at it.

My youngest nephew is such a smart little guy. He was getting a bed from his Grandpa & Grandma's next door and I noticed them, went over to help Staci load the bed and as I am walking up their driveway, he is shouting at me that "the bed is too heavy, Nikki, I need help." Now, what two year old can string sentences together and sound like a little man better than he can. He is getting so grown up!

We are doing great here in the McLaughlin household. Time flies, but we are having fun.

Until next time,

Nikki

Yes, this is the white stuff that we have and have had since New Year's Day. Snowing again here in Michigan today, Leap Day. We have officially broken a record for the month of February as being the snowiest month since I think they started keeping track (1930's). I took this picture on New Year's Day looking down our road. It's pretty for a while, but I think that we are all getting sick of it.

On a lighter note, all of us are travelling down to Florida! Going to go sun ourselves! We cannot wait for this trip. My kids are looking forward to spending days on the beach and maybe going to Disney for a day. You never know where the winds will blow while we are down there.

Both the girls are doing well. Alyssa is finishing up basketball on Saturdays and Lindsey has completed soccer, which she absolutely loved doing once she got the hang of it. Who knows, I might become the proverbial soccer mom!

Both are doing well in school. We just went to conferences and had glowing reports. Brian is now working a regular work week instead of his screwy 12 hr days with two days on, two days off. Getting back to normal is taking a while to adjust to.

My nephew just turned two and he is quite the smart little (tall) guy. I cannot believe how many words he is stringing together. Does my heart good when he starts yelling Nikki when he sees my house. Love him to pieces!

My oldest nephew just turned 21 and is now living in his own apartment (again). Couldn't be prouder of him. He seems to be adjusting to single life alone quite well. Couldn't hurt to see him a little more though! Love him to pieces!

My youngest niece just turned 17 and finished her junior year in basketball. Oh yeah, she now has her drivers license, so watch out world, here comes Bri. Love her to pieces!

My oldest niece will turn the big 18 this March and is making plans for her future. Can't believe that she is going to graduate this spring. Way to go Brit! Love her to pieces, too!

Over all, we are just chugging along. My dad is leaving on another mission trip to Pass Christian tonight, so pray for his safe travel with all the "guys". They are attempting to build a house in a month with a different crew every week. Some are there for the whole month. Way to go Haven Reformed and outlying churches!

Take care all!

Nikki