The Coolman Band

The Coolman Band performs live for a very large

crowd at the Pavilion's Fall Festival.

After the mic readjustment and a little more confidence

It's been awhile:(

So it's been a little over a month since my last post, sorry about that...October was a very busy month. With 8 soccer/football games (not to mention all the practices), both the oldest and youngest boys' birthdays, and various other commitments, it's been crazy busy.

Anyway, I'll try to post more regularly now. Enjoy the pictures!

Matthew's first haircut. We made it until he turned 2!


Alex started the night out as a mummy, then became a zombie, and finally was nothing at all.

Our group of all boys on Halloween night.

Busy Saturday Games

Alex's first soccer game was Saturday and he scored the first goal!

I had a bit of a dilemma this week at Collin's football game because it was the Eagles vs. the Rams. I wasn't sure where my loyalty should be...but of course I had to side for Collin's team "GO Eagles!"


Collin played center a lot during this game.

A Heavy Heart

I have a heavy heart right now and I know a lot of you do too. There is so much suffering in the world right now.... even in our own backyards and I suppose this is nothing new. We are a broken people. This morning at coffee break many stories of pain and suffering were shared among our group. Sometimes it's really hard to see God's goodness and love amidst all our sadness but I know it is there.

On Sunday we went to a church where they are doing a sermon series on the Shack. This week's topic was "the Great Sadness" (which if you've read the book is what the main character struggles with in his life situation) and the text was from John 11 about Lazarus death and resurrection. Anyway the pastor did a great job showing the painful emotions that Martha and Mary were experiencing with the death of their brother and how Jesus also experienced great sorrow over the loss of his friend. Jesus invites us to give him our sorrows which will free us so that we can experience God's perfect love toward us.

In choir we are learning a song that we will be singing in a few weeks and I can't get it out of my head. It goes something like this:

We worship You, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
We worship You for who You are and You are good,
So good, so good,
You are good all the time,
All the time You are good.
Lord, You are good and Your mercy endureth forever
We worship You, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
We worship You for who You are.

This has been my theme song lately because I know He is Good all the time.

The Lively Center of Attention

So this was a personality test that Dr. Phil gave on Oprah and my result. So what do you think?

Your Result: The Lively Center of Attention -

Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not one to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

Big and Fat

A conversation I had with Will yesterday as we were shopping at Meijer:

"Mommy can we buy fruit snacks?"

"Sure Willy"

" When I eat fruit snacks and get big and fat, I will be like you, Mommy."

"That's great Willy"

Now I know what he really thinks of me.

I'm home safe

In case you received my dire email that I was stranded in Nigeria, please be assured that I have made it home safely. In fact, I never left in the first place. Sorry about the email...someone hijacked my email and got all my contacts.