Attitude really is everything....

Daylight savings time started out pretty stinky, and I mean that in a very literal sense. After waking several times during the night to soothe a spoiled Riston back to sleep, I begged Kirk to get him at 5:45 on Sunday morning...the day we were all going to "enjoy" an extra hour of sleep and yadda, yadda, yadda. In the baby monitor I hear Kirk say, "oh sh*t, Bro, really, gross, oh this is wrong, seriously, really, uh, oooh, you have got to be kidding me, REALLY?" Riston is equally as displeased by the situation and I-having no real idea what is going on am steamed as well. I head downstairs ready to stomp and yell....but am overcome by the stink I get walking into Riston's room. So it's 6:00 am and now the crib is stripped, the changing pad is stripped, Bro is in the bathtub and the washing machine is filling. I hear Maya and and Adalae in their room. "Daddy, Mama, eggies, pleasy, pleasy, you make me eggies for bweakfast?" Sure thing Adalae, eggs it is. What? No eggs in the fridge, ummmmm, there goes plans for just about every other hot meal that she would go for.....Kirk heads to D&W....it is now 6:20 (are they open yet?). Must have been, he returns with Starbucks (yeah:)) and eggs. Well at this point, Riston is fresh, the bathroom is soaked, thanks to the Riston Tsunami and breakfast is underway, my head is pounding and my eyes are stinging from being tired. Carrying on...eat, clean up, switch laundry, play, naptime is almost here.....just keep going, just keep going. 8:45 naptime, yahoo! Riston goes down, the girls settle into a movie that I couldn't keep my eyes open to watch if I tried and Kirk and I zonk out for a good hour.....kinda, in between reffing the usual petty arguments. Well, this could only last so long, and the unusual run of quiet has me wondering why.....and the few winks of shut eye give me just enough energy to care why....ahhh, the girls found the trail mix bag and are raiding the chocolate. (Smart girls)- Too bad they managed to leave several on the couch, which left a huge chocolate stain.....Riston wakes up, all h*ll breaks loose....again. Kirk is off to the grocery store again....for the usual weekend trip and I am left with a stain, a stage V clinger baby, a mountain of laundry and a house that looks like a tornado went through it, It all came down to this moment. I'm not gonna lie, I wondered if flipping the cushion would work....I abandoned this idea fairly soon, and then thought about being mad and emotional, but this was still the weekend darnit and I was going to turn this around.....So I called mom. My conversation went like this, "Today is really hard, really, really hard. Do you think you could help?"....or something like that, that resulted in her showing up with her steam cleaner, a present for me and an attitude adjustment for me. This was big for 2 reasons.....I am bad, and I mean really bad at asking for help and in the face of a really crummy situation- going on maybe 5 hours of sleep, I pulled it together. End result, I made friends with my Soft Scrub with Bleach and went on a major cleaning binge, all the really nitty gritty areas, mom got rid of the stain and a few other carpet, upholstery blemishes, laundry got finished, and partly folded, and grocery shopping was finished. On top of all that I finished my 2010 family picture order, that I havn't been able to finish in a month and got a step closer to those Christmas cards. Overall, I don't really need, nor want a pat on the back, I know woman have been doing this for ages, (overcoming major sleep deprivation, working, maintaining a household, raising children, etc), but on this particular Sunday, I proved to myself that it is much easier and so much more productive to not give into the, "Oh woe is me's," instead, rolling up your sleeves, taking a deep breath and maintaining perspective was what counted. Oh and a little help from Mama:) Thanks to all the mama's out there who understand this post. Attitude really is everything.

goodnight summer...

I love summer, sultry, steamy days- bring em on. You will not hear me complain about it being "too hot" or "too humid" I love it and this was a fantastic summer. Alas, someone new has caught my eye, beckoned me over and cloaked my sunkissed shoulders with a fuzzy, hoodie and worn jeans. Summer days lay behind us and the promise of fall football, apple orchards, pumpkins, and harvest are on the horizon. I welcome you fall. Kirk and I are back in school. Maya started Young Fives and LOVES it and the babies began their new daycare and have transitioned very well. Life is full and busy and despite my love affair with summer, things are really good for my family right now and finding the enjoyment in each and every new day and experience is a pleasure.

Summer Time and The Livin's Easy....

My Pretties. 6 years ago all I wanted were hydrangea's...

I'm at peace. I wake up each day and make my babies breakfast...like a real breakfast, pancakes from batter...not a box. We walk in the early morning when it is crisp and cool to the Farmer's Market to pick up fresh produce to use for our lunches, dinners and snacks.

Fresh red, yellow, orange peppers, cuc's, and diced cheddar cheese with herb chicken tortellini's

Orange Creamsicle Bar


I garden. (holy crap- who am I?) We all rest in the afternoon, the phone get's un-plugged and the AC goes on, the whole house is still. We play at the park, visit the pool, enjoy dinner with friends, take a trip to another town, visit family or walk for ice cream. The kids go to bed a little later and sleep in a little longer. Kirk and I watch movies, talk, read, or blog:) I am fortunate to be so busy, because it makes me appreciate this precious time so much more.


Sweet Summer. Time stands still. Life is Good.

Happy Anniversary!

We were married on May 29, 2004 and had ...oh this is cheesy "The time of our life" in a beautiful, "Dirty Dancing"esque wedding and reception overlooking White Lake. In the 6 years that followed, our lives have been blessed. I love you dearly. Thank-you so much for our beautiful babies and life together:)

Me and my babes: Maya, 4- Beanie, 2- Bro...new


Daddy and the girls.
I love you honey, Happy Anniversary! Jen

Higher Education

Spartan Alum and Two Future Spartans- Bro- stop with the judging. One day you will sit in the student section and act stupid too. Maya, make mama proud and become a Spartan cheerleader one day:)

One day, Beans, you too will walk these sidewalks in East Lansing.

Maya and Adalae: Future Pioneers, Go East!

ten really great sounds...or words or phrases

In no real, particular order...
1. The sound of a baby belly laughing.
2. The very first time you hear your baby crying.
3. "I'm Sorry."
4. you've been accepted.
5. "I love you."- or any kid derivative of this phrase
6. stillness- nothingness
7. chaos and laughter
8. a baby or child deep breathing as they slip into sleep in your arms.
9. your favorite music playing, in your favorite establishment, with your favorite drink and your favorite person.
10. "thank-you."

Owwie Potion and some random thoughts...

Owwie Potion...
Spring has sprung and with it so have the number of "owwies" in my classroom and at home. I developed a secret potion that my students and lil sweeties and I concoct that makes them go away. Amazing, truly amazing and a reason why I love young children so much that a make believe potion with ingredients that include just time, love and attention can solve any ailment. It also makes me wish that I had an "Owwie Potion" for the school budget cuts as well as pretty much the entire economical crisis that is putting our families and friends in a very difficult position. It is very hard to watch family and friends struggle and worry about continuing to provide for their families. I prefer to stay out of work discussion and constant rumors, but it is getting more and more contentious my the day.

Speaking of contention...a few random thoughts
Most people have their own way of dealing with negativity. I prefer to ignore it, well after I have progressed through my stages of anger. Stage One: Power walks with a poor sap who is forced to listen to my ranting. Thank-you to those who do this for me, you are special. Stage Two: Clean the house...really thoroughly, so thank-you also to those who piss me off, you are also special and actually serve a good purpose. (Perhaps someone should call me and tell me how to raise my strong willed child, that could elicit some strong, needed cleaning) Stage Three: Lament to those in my inner core, and yes, at this point solicit the needed kudo's, pat's on the back and "it could be so much worse and you are completely right, and perhaps...just perhaps you could see this perspective...." speeches from some of the best friends ever. Ahhh, woosah, now I am able to ignore the drama. And you know, mostly, with the exception of the BIG owwies, it is ALL just drama. So many better and productive things to focus on in life than drama....and if it does happen, because it does....thank-you wise person who told me that it is only a problem if you can't think of one conceivable, livable solution...even if it involves hard work. How often will that happen?

Turning 30...a Decade in Review

Happy Birthday to K.P and ME!! I feel empowered to be turning 30 and while Kirk doesn't quite share in my excitement to close a chapter on the 20's he is warming up to the idea. This isn't Facebook, and I'm not soliciting any kuddo's here so if you aren't in the mood to hear me brag, then stop reading.
I am proud of what Kirk and I have accomplished in the past 10 years and as a I reminisce I am reminded that the best of the 20's were with him and they have only gotten better since we have been together. So I'm lucky, I found my soul mate and that makes my 20's rock in and of itself.
1o years ago I was a sophomore at MSU and trying to love the carefree college existence, I actually craved the stability of home, struggled with the major I wanted versus the major my dad wanted and pretty much felt that Mr. Right had come and gone. Jeez, the drama. Like most things in life....when you stop complaining and wondering why things are crappy and start doing something about them- life started getting better and gaining momentum. I made the decision to re-declare my major to early childhood development and started taking classes that were actually fun...with people who ended up being my best college friends- oh and one became my husband.
Spending a semester in Australia was another turning point and an unforgettable experience. My last year in college was a blur and then I "met" Kirk...I actually blew him off several times my senior year and...little could I have known then that he is not the best with second, or third chances....must not have been able to resist destiny or ME:)) We dated for 8 months, gasp...moved in and were engaged 5 minutes later. I LOVED our wedding and reception, outside, overlooking White Lake. So Dirty Dancing esque. We spent a great year in a one bedroom apartment, before buying the cozy house that became what is now our sweet, cozy home. Maya Helene was born in the Fall of 2005. It was the most amazing day of Kirk and my life together. Completely indescribable, but like the other most amazing days of our lives...one that was so perfect, you would almost not want to relive it, because the memory of it was everything you would every have wanted and more. Adalae Jean was born next in the Fall of 2007 and brought a sissy for Maya and more Joy for Kirk and I. Beans is JOY. She can light up a room with her cheesy smile and crack you up with her daily antics. Riston Cooper-Kenneth, our SON was born in September of 2009. His personality is still evolving, but he has an easy smile and the girls love there lil 'bro.
So, wow, finished undergrad, met Mr. Right, started my career, got married, bought a house, got pregnant... 3 times and brought 3 beautiful babies into the world, finished my graduate degree and have worked full time for the last 7 years. The best thing about the 20's is knowing that I left no stone un-turned, no regrets, only complete and utter fulfillment. It is the best possible birthday gift in the world. So, am I sad to be turning 30? No way. I feel for the first time like I can breathe, stop and smell the flowers with my babies and enjoy the fruits of some serious labor. I can and will coast....well as much as anyone who really knows me- knows that I am capable of doing. Look out 30's here I come:) My next installment...thinking of the 30's Bucket List

Crazy Love

Crazy Love was our wedding song and I love it as much today as I did almost 6 years ago. I love it because it is the perfect metaphor to our life. I am someone who loves a plan. I always have and prolly always will. I don't apologize for it, it's just me. When I told people after Kirk and I got married that I truly wanted to have 3 kids by 30- I was serious. I didn't just have babies, because it was the cool thing to do....those people are freaking insane. If you ask anyone who knows me, they will tell you....Jenny loves babies! I'm not painting a purely perfect picture here...my babies do make me crazy on a daily basis and it's a good thing that I love them dearly.

Kirk and I just finished our graduate degree's. I am so glad. I was losing my mind. Although I have a love/hate relationship with working full time, now that we have accumulated more educational debt...there is no sense in complaining, since I will be working to pay that $$ of for a good many years and might as well enjoy the ride.

I love that Kirk is my best friend. We don't have as much time for "just us" as we used to, but that is why we are Jen and K.P+3

Well, nothing earth shattering in this first post, but it's a start. I am looking forward to growing with this blog...