It's been a while

So, it's been a LONG while since I updated my blog...so sorry if there is anyone out there still actually reading/checking for updates... We are still HERE...trying to get into a school routine, with a full time working Mom, a baby and 3 school aged girls, life is DEFINETLY never dull or boring!

School started before Labor Day this year, which was odd, but come June, I will be so glad that we are done on June 4! I'm working full time as the 4 year old Kindergarten classroom aide, which is always a fun challenge, to get to learn all these new little personalities but also to see them flourish throughout the year!

Charlie-bug splits his time between my friend Jackie who runs an in-home daycare, 3 days a week to Aunt Becky's/Aunt Jenni/sometimes Daddy on Monday's & Friday's... he's adapted just well, but seems to be generally happy to see Mama's face at the end of his day! Other than some sleeping issues, he's a great kid, usually has a smile for you, rarely cries, I can't complain, he's a true blessing.

6th grade has been...fun, should we say? A whole new ball of wax for Taylor changing classroom's and teachers throughout the day, but her first progress report was really good, 6 a's, 1 b & 1 b-, we are very proud. She's playing the flute in band, and is currently playing volleyball and will play basketball later this winter.

Kenzie is in 4th grade, continues to do well in her acedemics and is just an overall great kid. She just completed her "reading around the world assignment" for her g/t reading class, 1500 pages!!! That's more reading than I will probably do all year and she finished in the first 6 weeks of school! She also is the manager for Tay's volleyball team as well as take dance class on Monday nights in Shawano.

Brookie is well, Brookie..She continues to be a ray of sunshine in our lives (99% of the time!) She's in the 2/3 Split class this year, but having only 8, 2nd graders seems to have helped her a little bit acedemically, she only got 1 wrong on her first math test!! She too remains in Dance class and loves her teacher, Miss Katie.

Jerod is still working at JBS (in this day and age, thank goodness for the blessings of having jobs!) he's busy, busy but manages to bow hunt a few days a week...

The best part of fall for the Hoffman's will happen in 10 days when we board a plane for DISNEYWORLD!! To me it is a little slice of heaven on earth, we love it there...and THANKS to Papa & Gramma we can to spend 5 nights/6 days in the Florida sun, again!!

I've included a picture from earlier this month, of bug, smilin' buy his big sisters tractor that she won at the Gresham Farm Heritage Days, oh boy I have another tractor lover in my family!

TTFN!

Summer Happenings...

So, summer is unfortunately coming to a close (4 more weeks to school..YUCK!) but we've had a great time together this summer, lots of fun things and lots of relaxing, a nice mix of both! The girls and I have gone to St. Bay a few times this summer just to visit Papa & Grama, and also we had a rummage sale in July... We enjoyed working on a float for this years Family Fun Fest in Gresham, we made up a float that said "This float stinks" and it contained all the grandkids old enough and Jasmine dressed as skunks.. Then Brandon *brother in law* rode behind on the 4 wheeler dressed as Mr. Clean with a big can of "Stink B Gone* we didn't win any of the prizes, but had fun all the same!

Our family along with my mom, dad and Jerod's sister Jill, went up to Drummond, Wis. (aka "bear country") in late July for a 4 day mini-vacation. We had a great time relaxing, eating yummy food, having nightly campfires and smores, watching movies, renting a Pontoon boat and fishing.

Back to reality it is, Jerod & I are finishing up the 2009 race season at Shawano Speedway, Charlie-bug is getting so big, and when I look back now, I realize our family wasn't quite complete, until he came along :)

The girls are enjoying having a baby brother to love and spoil, Taylor is starting band lessons, playing the flute, along with Middle School. (I can't belive we have a 6th grader this year!) Mackenzie is busy helping us out with our cows (we have 12 now, and she' s a great help) and Brookie has spent the latter part of the summer learning to ride a 2-wheeler, she's doing pretty good! They all have helped their fair share with our garden this summer too, weeding, harvesting and snipping beans for the most part, Daddy did the beets on his own, and the rest is still growing... Last week we went to Bay Beach with most of the Hoffman Clan minus a few who couldn't be there with us...

I'm not looking forward to another birthday in a few weeks, once you hit your mid-late 20's, birthday's are over rated and just another day...

At the top are a few pictures of all the fun memories we have of the summer, we hope you are enjoying yours too!

SUMMERTIME!

Yeah, it's summer! I couldn't be more excited to be off of work, home with the kids and just relaxing! Yesterday was the first official *WARM* day (it has to be over 75 for me to consider it warm out) I think the high reached almost 78, the pool was heated and after morning chores, the kids were chompin' at the bit to dive in!

THANKS GRANDMA & GRANDPA for keeping the pool up after all these years so your grandkids can also enjoy it! They swam from 1:30-5:00 for Taylor, she never got out, and finally at 5, I told her we had to go home and make supper.. Brookie quickly changed into jammies, and said I need a nap...about 2 seconds later she was out on the couch! My girls absolutely love the water, and I'm so proud of Brookie Boo, thanks to the help of Kenzie and Auntie Jasmine, she swam the width of the pool on the deep end yesterday!!

Charlie enjoys the fresh air outside, but it still doesn't help him sleep through the night... I can't complain, he goes down between 8:30-9:30, gets up anywhere between 2-3 a.m., then back to sleep till anywhere from 6-7:30 a.m. Not all that bad but really if he would just sleep straight through until about 5 a.m., I think it would help me a bit!! Oh well, such is life!

Jerod & I are staying busy being parents to our 4 beautiful kids, he's working hard as ever trucking, I'm busy holding down the fort at home. I LOVE MY JOB because I get the summers off!!! We are working at Shawano Speedway on Saturday nights this year, so it's a nice little break from the kids, we get to ride in the car to and from together in peace and quiet, and it's never too late before we are back home again, perfect summer job for me!

2 weeks ago in Relief Society we had a lesson that involved the importance of journal writing..An area I fail miserably at, so I hope my kids know that this was the main reason I started this blog. So they have memories saved in print from when they were younger... I love you Tay, Kenz, Brook & Charlie!

Photo's from our fun day in the sun yesterday and Charlie from last week!

Mothers Day, Return to work, receital, yada yada

So...not too much is new in our house, except Charlie's already growing up way to fast..I think the older they get (i.e. the girls) while it's noticeable that they are growing up, when it's a baby, it's right there in your face, they change every day and seem to get bigger every day...

Charlie weighs over 13 lbs now (well according to when I step on the scale with him, but judging from his upper thighs I would say that's accurate) he's smiling and talking more and more everyday..Much better at his head control, which is a good thing, given that he has a huge head..he's starting to like tummy time more and he has graduated from the bassinette to his big-boy bed! He's doing a little better at night, he usually goes down around 8:30 -9 p.m., makes it till 1 a.m., eats for about 20 minutes and then sleeping till 6 - 6:30 a.m., I can deal with this schedule and hope he sticks with it, when I go back to work on Wednesday am., because I'm not quite sure how I'm going to function if he gets up anymore than that! He's still an awesome kid during the day too, sleeps for 1-2 hours, gets up, plays, eats every 3-4 hours, and then back to sleep, pretty easy going personality... We love him, and can honestly say now we don't know what we did without him, and are just so grateful to Heavenly Father for blessing us with the opportunity to raise Charlie.

The girls are great, had their dance receital May 2nd, and they all did a fabulous job!!! We are anxiously awaiting the end of the school year, 18 more days and then we are free till Sept. 1st, yippee! The girls are hopeful for a warm summer, so they can spend lots of time swimming in Grandma & Grandpa's pool, thanks to Daddy we have a HUGE garden to weed (actually 2, if you count the 1 by Grandma's) we plan to have lots of fun but work comes first!

I had a wonderful mothers day & hope you all did too! I started breakfast but Jerod soon got up & finished it for me, we played Uno Attack with the girls in the afternoon, Charlie gave me lots of kisses & smiles, the girls got me some potted flowers from school and made me beautiful cards, and last...I got to take a 2 hour NAP!!

Work starts on Wednesday for me, I'm sad but excited..I do miss the pre-k kids and the staff that I work with... The great news is that school is done on June 5th and my last day is actually the 4th because the classroom I work in is done on June 4th, so it won't be soo bad and then I have all summer to snuggle Charlie!

Wishing you all a warm, fun & Happy Spring!
Love, Michelle & Crew

It's been a while

It's been almost a month since I've updated..we keep pluggin' along.. Charlie is doing well, he's already 9 weeks old, the time just keeps ticking away on the clock! I've done my best to savor every moment since Charlie's been born, I can definately say I have more patience for him then I did for the girls..maybe it's because I'm older and he's the only one in diapers, maybe it's because I know he's my last, I don't know but I hope my patience continues. His weight is no longer a concern, he weighed 11 lbs 12.5 oz at his 2 mo check-up last week and was 23 in. long. My only concern for him is that he doesn't want to take a bottle, which could pose a problem when I go back to work, we'll keep trying!





The girls are doing well, plugging along in school, they got really good report cards for 3rd quarter. Brookie continues to have some struggles with reading, she's almost to the level she should be for the end of 1st grade, but it's hard for her, so we keep trying! Taylor lacks confidence in math, but her teacher has said all year long she gives it her all, and she's gotten a b+'s each quarter, I'm so proud of her! Mackenzie's report cards have been good too, she loves to read, always has, always will, and I catch her writing stories and song lyrics all the time too.

As I think about my kids, their personalities, I wonder what the future holds, what will they be when they grow up? Mackenzie told me she was talking to her teacher (who happens to be Mrs. Hoffman too!) and she said I don't know what I want to be when I grow up, her teacher gave her the best advice, she said just enjoy it now, because your not even half way there, on that note, I think that's what I'll do, enjoy every moment I have with them now, because all to soon they are growing up and I'll miss these times. This weekend is Dance Receital, it will be Taylor's last as she starts middle school next year, and I gave her the choice; sports or dance, she's choosing to try sports. I hope financially we can figure out a way to keep Mackenzie & Brookie in it, I feel like that's the only fair thing to do, as Taylor started out when she was 3 yrs old, they did too, so they deserve to dance until 5th grade if they so choose.

Until next time, hope we get some *WARMER* spring weather so I can take charlie outside and show him the sights and sounds of the country.

Blessing day...

So for those of you that don't know Jerod & I too close, we are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In our church, we bless infants, which basically is a prayer that Jerod (the baby's father/or another family member) gives. I always love this blessing, in doesn't matter if it's my own children, nieces/nephews or just a church members baby, such beautiful words spoken to these children of God. A few things mentioned in Charlie's as he was blessed... that he will grow strong, he will always love and honor his parents, that he will someday serve a mission, and marry a righteous girl; I'm so grateful that my husband holds the priesthood and he can bestow blessings like this one for his family. We felt so loved as all but a few in our family were able to attend, and it was a beatiful day (even if not outside!) The whole crew came to our house after for lunch (Grandpa Jeff counted, and if Auntie Jen & Uncle Mark would've been present, that made 35!) It was also my parents 40th wedding anniversary,wow!! I love them both so much and am grateful for their examples!! I hope all of our family members know how much we love them!

The ups and downs of motherhood.

So, I truly love motherhood, it's the greatest joy and blessing that we can have here on earth. However, when you have sick kids it can be a real downer, and I mean in the sense of you worry so much about your kids, just want them to be better, enough to make yourself get sick! So, after the worry about Charlie's weight gain was over, Brooklyn & Kenzie got sick. Fevers, headaches, stomach aches.. so we went in & the dr. said just a virus. They felt better for a day, than Brook's fever was back in full force, Taylor ended up with the rotovirus on Sunday.. So for the past 2 days I've had Tay & Brook home sick, hoping they get better soon, because it's hard to miss school & catch up on school work, and I know they miss their friends. Brookie went back to the dr. yesterday and an ear infection showed up, so at least we have a cause and meds now, yeah!!

Enough grumbling, I'm not the only Mom who's been there and this too shall pass! Onto the joys, pictures like the one with Brook & Charlie, just fills my heart with so much love and joy!

Hope you are all having a better week than me!

Week 2

Well, Charlie turned 1 week on Sunday night, just shy of midnight, and we are settling nicely into a routine (or as much of a routine as you can have with a baby.) I was fortunate enough to have Jerod home until Sunday and my mom to come up for the week on Sunday, so I haven't been alone.
What am I going to do come Monday???

Charlie is doing much better than the 1st night we brought him home, Jerod and I thought we were in trouble, he fussed and cried pretty much all night, but by night 2 we figured out that he just likes it warm, so as long as he's bundled in a nice warm blanket he's good to go...

Our only concern is his weight gain, on Friday he was 7.5 and Saturday 7.6, Monday he had only gone up to 7.65, so I'm taking him tomorrow for another weight check, if anyone reading this wouldn't mind, can you keep him in your prayers that he has gained more weight, thanks!

So that's all I have time for, above are some more random pix of Charlie, some Uncles (Brandon and Mark) and his new cousin Livi, who was born on Feb. 5th...

He's here!

While Jerod is still my number one love, there is a new man in my life who is not far behind, Charles Jeffrey Hoffman entered our world on Sunday, Feb. 22nd, 2009 at 11:43 p.m., 8 lbs, 4 oz, 20 1/4 inches, born via C-Section after 11 hours of labor, he was just too stubborn to be born natural.

After pushing for about 50 minutes, my Dr. looked at me and broke the news that she thought he was face up and just wasn't going to come down naturally. I asked her to wait and let me try a little more and than decided to throw in the white towel because I was exhausted. I'm so grateful for all of my sweet support team that was there; Jer, my Mom, my sister, my mother in law and sister in law Jill. My dad and Grandma Verna waited in the hallway, making little appearances here and there. My sister did leave at 9, to get my girls settled in to bed, and thanks to my brother in law Mark who babysat them all day long with some relief from my Dad & Grandma for a few hours of help. I'm proud of my Mom, she was brave and it couldn't have been easy on her, because when we decided on the C-Section, I had a meltdown and just couldn't stop crying, I felt like I hadn't done all I could, but all of my lovies encouraged me that I did all I could and it was ok.

Dr. Pardini was fabulous and got the ball rolling, and I believe it must've only been about a 1/2 hour from the time they wheeled me in to the time he was born. The Dr. announced, it's ok Michelle, I'm looking at a face, the most probable cause of his stubborness to be born. When they pulled him from me, I heard he's so cute and he's so big! All I asked was, It's a boy than? Jerod said yes, and he's fine. The Dr/Nursing staff were guessing at his weight, thinking he had to be at 9 lbs or maybe a little more, but when they put him on it read, 8 lbs, 4 oz (my biggest one.) My Dr. even said the scale had to be wrong :) He had a pretty big head, and some chubby little cheeks, but he was absolutely perfect. Daddy went with him, and he was greeted by all the family who was there, the nurses let them all come into the room while he was checked out, cleaned up, etc... I was greatful they all had the chance to hold him and love him, a small reward for not being able to see him actually be born.

I had a rough time those first few hours, but everyone was wonderful, especially Jerod and I was well taken care of the entire time of my stay. I never knew what a C-Section felt like and to every woman who's had one before me, I commend you, it's a whole different experience. We got to come home on Wednesday morning, and I was relieved, but tired. Our first night was less than ideal, lots of fussing, crying, but he's so perfect we got past it, and pray our 2nd night goes a little smoother. Jerod looked at me yesterday and smiled and said can you believe we have a son? No, it's still sinking in.

Thanks for all of you who've expressed your congratulations and kind words, they mean the world to us. I'm so excited for my 3 girls, they are in love with their brother and are sure to spoil him for the next 18 years or so! I'll keep updated pictures every few weeks, as he's changed so much even since his birth.

Love you all! Michelle

I'll miss this...

So, with only 8 days till my due date, and me being awake at 3 a.m., I figured I would leave this note to my unborn child, but you can all read too if you like, but it might be a snooze fest for you..

I will miss being pregnant (except that last 2 nights when sleep as eluded me!) This is my 4th child in 11 years. The first 3 are 11, 9, and will be 7 in April, it's been a while...

I so enjoyed the first time I was pregnant, 11 years ago! The 2nd came so soon after (10 months) and the 3rd, was a blur, because I was taking care of two young children at the time. About a year ago I was diagnosed with some female problems that left me with the knowledge I would very soon (within a year) need to take care of those problems, and leave me all done having children. I was ok with this, I had resigned myself to the fact that Jerod & I had a complete family with our 3 beautiful little girls.. We had prayed about having 1 more, and after 2 years of nothing, I was ok with this.

So last May I prayed 1 last time, knowing that I would need to have surgery by the end of summer, I took it to my Heavenly Father and basically asked that this was it, if I was meant to have one more than the time has to be know. Lo and behold to my SHOCK and 3 tests later in June I found out I was pregnant. I still denied it until I went to my first Dr's appt. on 8-1-08 and she got out the Ultrasound machine to prove it to me! All I could do was cry, I was overwhelmed (literally, with both scared and excited emotions.) I was just 2 weeks shy of turning 35 years old, was going to start working full time in the fall! How in the world was I going to do this??

The firsrt 12 weeks were uh, ok.. I had morning sickness feelings all day long, which made life miserable in the hottest part of the summer, but once I hit 12 weeks, that feeling went gone as did all of the tiredness. I actually felt really good, and with working 8 hours a day, working on homework, driving the girls to dance, I've managed to stay busy and enjoy it this time! When we told the girls, they screamed and Taylor cried, my growing belly, the first time I felt a flutter, the ultrasound in October, the babies first "unofficial" Christmas where the people who love us the most spoiled him already, the girls kissing my belly and talking to the baby, some very sweet people in my life telling me I look great, even though I feel huge, my surprise baby shower at school, my sweet husband talking to my belly a week ago and telling the baby to hang in there but it's ok to come out now, me talking with the baby telling him PLEASE come out now, hearing the heartbeat every time I go to the Dr (it never gets old), getting the room ready, agreeing to Mossy Oak Camo bedding, realizing that if the U/S was wrong, this poor girl is wearing blue, green or brown for the first 3 months of her life!!! I really have tried to cherish every moment, because I know this will be my last time.

I can't wait to meet the baby, but a part of me is sad, because for right now he's all mine, tucked away sweetly in my belly, just waiting to make his entrance into this big, bright world!

I love you already Charles Jeffrey Hoffman, and I can't wait to look into your eyes to tell you so!

XXOO Mommy

Picture frame & my baby is growing up!

Here's the picture frame that Mrs. Klotz & the am/pm 4k Class made for me, isn't it adorable??


Here's a picture of Brooklyn, my little girl is growing up! She so wanted to learn to ride the mini-snowmobile so that she can compete in the Radar Runs next year (she'll also have to teach her baby brother how to ride it in a few years!) She was so proud that she made a pass up and down the sledding hill!!

I feel so blessed!

So, I'm getting ready for work yesterday and Brooklyn says to me, Mom there's a surprise in your room today, and it's not for you but it's for someone you know. I being tired & 9 mo's pregnant smiled at her and said ok, Brookie.

I proceed to walk into the classroom that I work and there are streamers and balloons and I look at the teacher I work for and ask her, "Did I miss something?" She says yeah we're having a party today. I asked her for what? She says you, it's a baby shower. I was completely shocked. She asked if I had really had no clue and I told her no I didn't except that Brookie said something to me about a surprise.

We had a fun time in both the morning and afternoon classes, played a few games, the kids made me cards with pictures of everything I will need for Charlie when he's born from diapers to bottles to a crib to toys! We than used yarn and candy to measure how big Mrs. Hoffman's belly was around, I'm officially 32 chocolate hearts around (don't laugh, they are small hearts!!) :)

I than was given several gifts from my teacher, the little ones and a few of the parents even came, and also gave me some wonderful gifts. My favorite was a picture frame from Mrs. Klotz & the kiddo's, on it is a spot for Charlie's picture, than it has 2 pictures of my belly with all the am students and than one with all the pm students hands on my belly, on the bottom are little flowers, and the petals and stems are their thumbprints, and it says "Thumbody Loves Me" it brought me to tears (I'll post a seperate picture of it)

I felt so very loved yesterday, by some very special people.. I'll miss my little 4 and 5 year olds when I have the baby, but am happy I'll get to come back for a few weeks at the end of the year before they go off to kindergarten. So to Mrs. Klotz, Mrs. Brady, Mrs. Hohensee, my little friends and their parents, thank you so much for making my upcoming arrival even more special!!

1st Radar Runs

So being that we live in Wisconsin, and winters are basically brutal, you have unusual happenings such as today, the annual Radar Runs on a small lake right here in our metropolis of a hometown ;)

Jerod decided at the end of last winter to buy the girls a mini snowmobile that they can buzz around the yard with and they've enjoyed doing so. Well, this year he convinced them to "race" in the radar runs (it's not really a race, everyone gets a trophy!) So they did so after with some reluctance.

The big event was today, and the girls did pretty good! Taylor was a little slow of the start, not realizing the flag man was waiving the flag for all in her group to go, so Daddy had to tell her to "GO!" Kenz was next and took off as soon as the flag dropped, winning her race!

We were proud of the girls, and Brookie says she's going to do it next year, as Taylor will be too big, her knees are already coming close to the handle bars...

Speaking of Brookie, she was a trooper after being sick 2 days and last night, she went to support her sisters, telling us she felt better, but this afternoon she woke me up from a nap to tell me she felt sick again, and yes got sick again..I really DESPISE the rotovirus!!!!!! So she's been sleeping for the last hour on the bathroom floor with blankets and towels, I hope she overcomes this bought quickly, she's far to tiny to be that sick!

We are looking forward to Feb. for obvious reasons, 4 more weeks till Charlie's due to arrive! I feel like a mini version of the good year blimp, but after my Dr's appt yesterday, he's still a little to comfortable right where he's at!

We'll keep you posted when the happy event arrives (soon I hope!) in the meantime, here's some pictures from today's event!

Here, here!

It's been a while (almost a month) since I've made a post, with work, the kids, extra curricular activities, homework, time seems to be flying by! We are getting into the final month of this pregnancy, and I'm probably the most excited, as these past 2/3 weeks have been tough, I can't really complain, from about week 12 on it was great, I felt pretty good, just a little tired, but now that this kid has pretty much staked claim on my entire mid section, I'm getting a little miserable.. Jerod asked me the other day if I complain at work as much as I do at home, I told him yes, I work with women, they sympathize ALOT (I tried to tell him we take it out the most on the ones we love the most!) He's been a real trooper though, he always feels sorry for me, and he's been helping out extra and as much as he can around the house. I also feel blessed because the girls are old enough to appreciate that they need to help me out around the house and also be a little self sufficient, Kenzie even made grilled cheese sandwiches for supper tonight, followed by cut out cookies (premade dough, but all the same, she got them on the pan & in the oven)

The girls and I have started drama club practices, I'm directing a play called the Gingerbread Girl (it's sort of an updated, softer version of Frankenstein) with 10, 1st & 2nd graders in it (crazy thing to do in the middle of having a baby) but our performance isn't until March 12th, so I'm confident in my students that they will memorize their lines. Kenzie & Taylor are participating in the Drama Club for 3rd - 5th grade students, their play is "Snew White" and Kenzie got the part of the Magic Mirror, while Taylor got the part of "Rose Red" who is the sister of "Snew White". So the past few weeks have been spent practicing lines in our house whenever their is free time.

Next weekend, Jerod has convinced the two older girls to race their mini snowmobile on a small Lake in Gresham at the annual Radar Run, I'll be a nervous wreck if I even go watch them, but they can only go 15 mph, so I know they'll do just fine.

We're gearing up for Taylor's birthday weekend (Valentine's Day) as we'll head to Green Bay for Disney on Ice, 100 years of Disney Magic..If we can't afford to go to Disneyworld every year, this is at least a slice of Disney that works!

Hope everyone in cyberworld is well, we officially have 4 weeks and 5 days left, I'm wishful thinking this child to come early, but in my case...that never happens so I won't hold my breath!