Whitaker Family Blog 2009

Summer Fun and a full house... always

2009-06-12T20:08:00.002-04:00

Summer is finally here! The kids are having a blast already. Kara informed me today that our house is "the hang out house". I like it that way though and I am glad that the kids friends like to be here. I can keep an eye on them this way! :)
I am looking forward to all of the fun this summer. I am glad that we live in this area with all of the beautiful scenery and beaches to go to. We are blessed!

Goodbye 2008-2009 School Year!

2009-06-01T09:30:00.002-04:00

It is almost the end of the school year. It has flown by! Kara will be a Junior next year, Alex will be a Freshman, and Brittnie will be in 6th grade! Where has the time gone? Atleast I still have my little ones to make me feel young (atleast for now)! This week and next Monday and Tuesday will be filled with end of the year parties, end of the year field trips, and Brittnie's awards ceremony. I am so grateful that I have these six kids to have all of this fun with! :)

Way To Go Alex!

2009-05-28T13:27:00.002-04:00

I just have to say how proud I am of our son Alex. He has made all A's and B's this year in school (almost all A's). At his 8th Grade Honors Convocation Ceremony Tuesday night, he received an Academic Excellence Award, and special awards of Excellence in Math, History and PE. Way to go Alex! We are so proud of you and all that you have accomplished! Ron and I both sat there with great pride. As parents, we all want the best for our children and when we see them excel it is a wonderful feeling! :)

Memorial Day

2009-05-26T15:35:00.003-04:00

We had such a nice time this Memorial Day weekend camping on our property with friends. Our friends Pat, Tammy and their kids camped with us. Kara had her friend Katrina to camp with, Alex had his friend Hunter and Brittnie had Hannah. Sunday night the neighbor kids also camped with our little ones. We had a bonfire every night with yummy food- especially the smores! Some of the kids went snipe hunting (Kara, Katrina and Brittnie) to Alexs' amusement- LOL! The kids also rode four wheelers. Kara even enjoyed riding with Katrina-that was a first! :)
Memorial Day we went to the East Jordan Memorial Day Parade. Sharity and Ryerson marched with their Little League Team, and Brittnie, Christine and Hannah carried flowers in the parade. Sharity also got to carry flowers to the lake for the ceremony honoring those who lost their lives at sea. We then went to the beach to try out our new paddle boat and to cook out and play beach games. It was such a fun filled Memorial Day weekend! :)
Most importantly though, we took the time to remember those who have sacrificed both present day and in the past, to make this the free country that we all live in and enjoy the blessings of living in today. God Bless the USA!

Technology! What a Blessing!

2009-05-21T18:46:00.003-04:00

Well, I have discovered a new hobby- Facebook! What fun to find people you have lost touch with and see where they are at now and how their life is going! Technology is an amazing blessing! I know that just like with anything there is good and bad to it, but it is all in how we use it. My kids are so quick on the computer and know so much about technology, and I am following in their footsteps. They are so lucky to have all of this! When I was a teenager, we had to use a typewriter, and the one I had was a non electric one that every time you messed up (and I messed up alot), you had to start all over again! What a pain! And to make it worse, I was VERY slow at typing back then. It was miserable! So, yeah for the computer!! :) College would be miserable for me without it!

Inspired

2009-05-12T12:37:00.002-04:00

Has anyone seen the new lifetime show "Cook Yourself Thin"? I am so inspired by this show! You cook and eat REAL food, not just some frozen boxed meal, and you lose weight! They show you how to cut back on calories and fat by exchanging bad for you items with good for you items. Such as shredded zucchini in cupcakes in place of the oil! I joined their club and ordered the book, and I should be to my goal dress size by August! Check out this show! Even if you don't need to lose weight, the ideas are awesome for a healthy life style!
The weather is warm here finally so I can start my mile walks again too! YEAH! :)

Happy Mothers Day!

2009-05-11T20:57:00.004-04:00

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Mothers Day! I know I did. My kids and Ron made my day special. Kara made me dinner, Alex gave me a nice card with a sweet note in it, Brittnie gave me a note and a long stemmed peach rose, Sharity gave me breakfast in bed and a card, Ryerson made me a flower pot, and Christine gave me lots of hugs and kisses! Ron gave me a dozen roses and chocolate! I am so thankful for my children. They are the light of my life. I know that sometimes life gets in the way and I get grumpy, but they truely are the best part of my life! I am so thankful that Heavenly Father blessed me with each one of them.
I am also thankful for my Mom. She is a great example to me and I love her so much!
I have also been blessed to have two sweet Grandmothers who I love very much!
Thank you to each of the special women in my life. My girlfriends are all the best, and I love you all!

Life! Awards! Sports!

2009-05-08T13:55:00.005-04:00

Well, it is almost the end of the school year and is it ever a CRAZY time! We have award ceremonies for the kids, track meets, baseball games, fall soccer sign ups, end of the year field trips, Alex's 8th grade graduation and lock-in, Enterprise Day, and the list goes on and and on and on... But, with all of the CRAZINESS I have to say that I am SO PROUD of my kids for excelling in school and earning the awards and also for their desire to participate in sports. One of their coaches says "so goes the game, so goes life", and this is so true! There are so many valuable lessons for kids to learn through participation in sports. They learn that they cannot always win. They learn that you have to work hard to achieve your goals. They learn the importance of working well with others. The learn the benefits of staying in shape. I am proud that they choose to play and not just sit at home in front of the TV. Yes, it is alot of dedication and hard work for the parents too, but I believe the benefits and the life lessons learned are well worth it. Way to go Kara, Alex, Brit, Sharity, Ryerson, and Christine (even though she does not play a sport yet)! :) We are proud of you for all of your accomplishments and for being the WONDERFUL kids you are! :)

Happy 4th Birthday to Christine!

2009-04-17T12:28:00.003-04:00

I also have to post a picture of Christine, or should I say Princess Christine, from her 4th Birthday party. She was so cute and had so much fun. She loved opening her presents all by herself (probably for the first time) and she was thrilled that her friend Melissa got to come to her party!

Happy Spring!

2009-04-17T12:19:00.005-04:00

I have not blogged in awhile because we have been so BUSY! We had a nice spring break vacation to South Carolina to visit family and then to Williamsburg, VA. Fredericksburg, VA, Mt. Vernon, and Washington DC for a history trip with the kids. We all had a blast and got to see and do alot. We all came away from the experience with a greater appreciation for our country and for those who gave their lives so we can all be free.

Spring is officially here! YEAH!! We have had sunny days and the temps are warming up!

We also had a nice Easter. The Easter Bunny was good to all of the kids and they all looked so nice dressed in their new Easter clothes for Church. I am including a picture of all of my beautiful children on this post. I know I am bragging but, oh well! That is a Mom's right! :)

Flip Flops!

2009-03-10T11:24:00.004-04:00

Spring is in the air! Even though we got a foot of snow yesterday! :)
I am so ready for warm weather and being able to go outside without a coat or even a long sleeve shirt on. I love my capris and short sleeve shirts- and yes, my sandals! I like them just as much as Kara loves her flip flops. Which is a total irony that the kids love flip flops. I mean they are actual fashion statements! Some are even $50.00! CRAZY! When I was a teenager you may have worn flip flops to the beach, but then you took them off as quick as possible because they were NOT fashion statements! :) Now, Kara would (and has) worn them in the SNOW! Alex and Brit love them too! Things that make you go hummmmm! I pray that I survive (mentally) raising teenagers! LOL!
PS. Kara did inform me the other day that it was almost flip flop weather and they have been seen in the high school!

Pine Wood Derby Race

2009-02-28T16:51:00.003-05:00

Alex had his Pine Wood Derby Race today for Scouts. His car came in 2nd place over all. So, he was happy. :) I wish I had pics to post but our camera decided not to work and we are still trying to figure out what is wrong with it.
Today is a sunny but very cold day here. But, that does not stop the kids from wanting to be outside playing in the snow. Before we know it, it will be gone and I will be hearing "it is too hot out there". That is what I hear all summer unless we are at the beach. I hardly ever hear them say "it is too cold out there". It is usually Ron or I that have to tell them it is too cold to go out and then they still beg to go out. I am still trying to figure it out. :)

Kara's with her serious game face during time out-

2009-02-25T13:35:00.001-05:00

The Game of Life

2009-02-25T13:26:00.002-05:00

We are getting LOTS of snow again today. It is mixed emotions for me- I am thankful for the snow because it is money for us, but I hate to drive in this and I have school tonight of course! I have told Ron that he can count on Wednesdays being bad weather because it never seems to fail to appear when I have to drive in it! :)
We went to Kara's basketball game last night against Charlevoix. It was not good for EJ on either the JV or Varsity teams. EJ is very lucky though because they had several close calls for severe injuries. Kara is nursing her hurt ankle along and cannot play for long periods of time without being in pain. She keeps persevering though. And in the game of life that is what it is all about- hanging in there even when things are going wrong and there is pain in our lives.
I always remember a quote I read where Christ says:
"I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it."

The List Goes On...

2009-02-23T14:43:00.003-05:00

I have not blogged for awhile because we have been very busy. Basketball games, carnivals, parent teacher conferences, school for me and a lot of snow to plow for Ron! The list goes on. It never seems to end. We took the kids to the Elem. School Winter Carnival Friday night. They had a lot of fun. Christine won a Barbie cake at the cake walk. She was so proud. Sharity and Ryerson both won cupcakes- needless to say, they all had a sugar buzz by the end of the night. :) Kara and Alex were good about helping with the little ones. It is a lot of work to keep up with all of them in a hectic place like that. Kara then got to go to the valentine dance at the HS. Alex went to his the previous weekend. Anyway, Ron and I are the chauffers for all of this, but it is fun to see them all having a good time. That is what being a parent is all about! YEAH! :)

Yeah For Kara!

2009-02-12T10:32:00.002-05:00

Just thought I would let everyone know that it is back to typical Northern Michigan winter weather here. It is 33 degrees with a mixture of rain and snow. The temps dropped quickly last night. It was nice while it lasted! :)
Kara got bumped up to the Varsity Basketball Team for tonight's game and maybe longer. I think she is happy about it. She should be. She has worked so hard this year on her team. I just wish her friends on her basketball team were supporting her and were happy for her. Instead, they are guilting her and saying things behind her back. It is frustrating for me to watch her work so hard for something and then to have some of the fun taken out of it by jealous people.
I am proud of her. By the way the girls on the Varsity team were given a choice of 3 girls from the JV team to move up and they ALL chose Kara! You go girl!

A Warm,Sunshine Filled Day

2009-02-10T16:22:00.003-05:00

Believe it or not, it is almost 60 degrees here today and the sun is shining! What a blessing! I know it won't last, but I am loving today! :)
I think we are all finally well, and ALL of my kids will be back in school tomorrow for the first time in over a week. I am glad for two reasons- number one, I am glad they are all well, and number two, they are driving me CRAZY! :) I plan to spend the day tomorrow cleaning my house and reading to Christine,and I am sure we will play Candy Land (her favorite game).
I am looking forward to all of it!

The blessing of health...

2009-02-04T08:43:00.003-05:00

I have not blogged for awhile because we have all been sick with one thing after another. From stomach bugs to bad colds. I am still sick. I always realize when I am sick or one of my kids is sick, how lucky we are to have our health. There are alot of people who do not have that blessing. I am truely grateful! :)
Well, it is back to school for the winter semester for me. I am taking a filing and records management class. Hopefully it will help me with our business as well. I would like to be able to save us the money we pay our accountant- although there are some things I would never do alone- like our business taxes. She can have those! :)
It is still freezing cold here in Michigan and I am ready for spring. It can come any day now! Yeah, right! This is Northern Michigan. The white stuff will be around for awhile. Atleast the kids love it!

2009-01-24T16:11:00.003-05:00

Just want to share a picture of Brittnie from youth basketball. She really has her head in the game (as they say-sing in High School Musical)! And, she is aggressive and goes after that ball. Kara has had to learn to be aggressive, but Brit just naturally has that gift.

It isn't easy, but it is worth it...

2009-01-22T12:01:00.004-05:00

I have a dear friend here who is going through a horrible mess with her oldest daughter. She has not spoken to her parents in years, but every now and then will contact her siblings and try to stir thing up and say that she wants to get back together with her parents, but only on her terms, and then she changes her mind and does nothing. But what she leaves behind is heartbreak for her parents, and disappointment for her siblings that they cannot be one big happy family again. Every time this happens (and it has happened a few times since I have known my friend) I wonder which if any of my children will hold a grudge against me later in life? I hope that none of them will. I think as parents we all try to do our best. We make mistakes, but we try. I love my children more than life and would do anything for each one of them. I hope in the end what they remember about me is that I love them and that I tried to be the best Mom I could. I hope that will over ride any negative feelings towards me. And, I hope and pray that I will always be able to have a relationship with each of them. I tell my kids everyday, several times a day that I love them and I hope they know that I mean that with everything I have. I would not change a thing about any of them. They are each special, unique individuals that have their own gifts to share with me and all they come in contact with. As for my friend, I hope that all will work out with her and her children and that they will be able to find a way to work through their differences and each work together to make their family one again-which is what we should all be working towards.
Well, Kara's team lost their game again last night. :( She is frustrated!
I started back to school last night. It is nice to have some adult interaction and to see that their are people my age (and older) who are still working on their degree. I am grateful that I have the means and a husband and children that support me in my educational pursuit! Thanks!

God Bless The USA

2009-01-19T16:59:00.002-05:00

On the day commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King and his "I have a Dream" speech, and on the eve of the inauguration of President elect Barrack Obama, I am grateful to live in this country where I do believe all dreams are possible. While I disagree strongly on many issues with Barrack Obama, I hope and pray that he will be the President of The United States that we need right now. I will pray for him and his family daily, and I will trust that he will do what is best for our country. That is all I can do. I believe that God is in control, and so therefore, He will not leave us alone, either individually or as a nation.
As most of you know, I LOVE George and Laura Bush. I believe that President Bush has done what he believed was best for our country, and while we may not all agree with him politically, he has handled his role of President of this country, and Laura has as first lady, with grace and dignity. He is a good man who was faced with some difficult decisions that I do not think any of us would wish to make. I know I would not.
God Bless America!
By the way, Kara will be able to vote in the next Presidential election! I feel so OLD! :)

Snow Blast (For Those Who Dare)

2009-01-17T16:21:00.002-05:00

Well, Kara's BB team lost- again! I really hope they win a game soon.
Ron has Alex, Brit, Sharity, Ryerson and Christine at the Snow Blast here in town. Kara and I are here in the house. I don't know- something about freezing temps, and snow blowing in your face does not sound like fun to me. Maybe I am crazy, but I don't think so! :) I think those who are out there in it are.
While they have been gone I have been cleaning house and Kara has been studying for the rest of her finals next week. I can't believe the school year is half over! It has gone by so quickly. Summer will be here before we know it, and on a cold day like today, it cannot be here soon enough! :)

Too Cold!

2009-01-16T17:07:00.002-05:00

Another COLD day here in Northern Michigan. When I say cold, I mean the kind of cold that you do not want to be outside for any more than a minute or two. So, it has been too cold for the kids to be outside playing. They have been stuck inside and they are going nuts and so am I. :) Today was a half day of school for them and they have Monday off, so hopefully it warms up like it is supposed to this weekend. It is the Snow Blast here in town this weekend but I can guarantee you I will not be participating! LOL!
Kara has a basketball game tonight. I hope her team wins this game for their self esteem. They have all been trying hard and they deserve a win. I will keep everyone posted.

The Lost Wallet & My New Years Resolution

2009-01-14T13:51:00.002-05:00

Today has been kind of a frustrating day. But then leave it to a child to help get me back on track. Little Miss Christine had lost her wallet and I was helping her look for it (praying we would find it soon, so she would leave me alone about having my new one). We went upstairs, and after some cleaning we found it and I said, "look what happens when you clean", and she just smiled and said "Yeah! My wallet!" :) I can see why we are told to become as little children. They are so sweet and are so easily satisfied, most of the time. :)
In regards to my frustration, I made a new years resolution to be nicer to people and today has been one day I have been glad I made that resolution because otherwise I would not have been so kind to this guy regarding a business situation today. Oh well! No need for the boring details.

Snow Day!

2009-01-13T15:27:00.003-05:00

Today was a snow day for the kids. We got about 5 inches of snow. We have also had alot of blowing and drifting. The temps are in the teens- it is COLD! Much too cold for the kids to be outside, much to their dismay! So, instead we have been in the house cleaning and trying to stay warm. Atleast we can get some things accomplished inside.
Brittnie, Sharity, Ryerson and Christine are all into Webkinz and going on the site and caring for virtual pets- who thinks of these things? I wish I could thing of some idea like this! :) Anyway, between that and the Wii they are atleast having fun inside.
Kara is at basketball practice-no they did not cancel it! She did not want to go out in the cold either.
Alex is keeping busy trying to earn some spending money for his Washington DC trip in the spring.
This is the first relaxing thing I have done all day- so despite the fact that I am enjoying sitting here typing on my blog, I need to go and get some more things done around the house. :)

A Memorable Sunday...

2009-01-11T14:48:00.004-05:00

Today we had a nice day at church.We had testimony meeting since church was cancelled last week due to ice. Their were alot of spiritually uplifting testimonies shared. Ron, Alex and I all shared ours. The little ones were all good. It seems to get better every Sunday. Today was Christine's first day in Primary. She loved it and Brittnie and Sharity said she was good and listened to her teacher. Sister Hoover made a special doll for her as a gift. She has been so wonderful with Christine the last few months at church and Christine just adores her. She went out of her way to make Christine feel special when she wanted to go to primary so badly and could not. Also, today Alex was ordained to be a Teacher in the Priesthood in our church. Ron performed the ordination and it was very spiritual. I am grateful to have the gospel in my life and in the lives of my children.

Snow Fun!

2009-01-10T14:09:00.003-05:00

Yesterday we took the kids out back sledding on our big hill. They had so much fun! Alex and Ryerson were riding their snowmobiles. Ryerson is so happy to have a snowmobile to ride like his big brother! Brittnie is doing so well on the snowboard. We have been told she has natural athletic ability, so I guess that is going to include snowboarding. Sharity and Christine love sledding and they like trying to pull each other around on the sled too- it is so cute! :) Ron enjoyed playing out there with all of them- he is a big kid at heart! Me, I had fun being behind the camera taking the pictures and staying out of the snow! LOL!
Kara was the only one missing because she had a basketball game. Their team lost 13 to 29, but Kara made 6 of their teams points. Way to go Kara!!

Christine and the Wii

2009-01-08T15:03:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to share this picture of Christine showing everyone how much she loves the Wii!

Suggestions

2009-01-08T14:01:00.000-05:00

Today has been a fun day- Right! Ryerson and Christine have been whiny! Typical sibling stuff- one minute they are happy playing together, and the next minute they are fighting!

kara had a basketball game last night and she came home discouraged because her team has not won a single game so far this season. The good news is that kara has been averaging half of the points her team makes at each game. We told her to just try her very best and that is all that matters. I am proud of her for hanging in there. She is doing well in school considering all she has to handle. She is in the honors program and so she always has alot of homework plus basketball. She is definitely not a quitter and I am grateful for that!

Alex has a girlfriend and he is driving Ron and I nuts about going to the movies with her. We have told him no, that he can't date until he is sixteen, but that has gone over like a lead balloon.
Sometimes I wonder if I will make it through all of this teenage drama!
And, by the way, brittnie is heading full force into all of it. So, I am going to have three teenagers at once to deal with! Suggestions, anyone?

I just realized the only one of my kids I did not mention is Sharity- that is because she has been the easiest one lately, but I am sure that will change! lol!

(by the way, our keyboard is messed up which is why there are no caps sometimes)

fun, fun, fun

2009-01-06T15:29:00.000-05:00

Today has been a nice day. I spent time with Ryerson and Christine playing Candy Land and the Wii. They sure do love the Wii! Ryerson is so good at all of the games for his age. And Christine tries just as hard as she can. It is so fun to watch them and to play with them. Christine loves her Candy Land game she got from Santa but she always wants to be the gingerbread girl and does not like to lose!
The other kids just got home from school and they are getting ready to all go out sledding. They love to play outside in the winter! They come in with red cheeks and cold hands and faces, but they don't care- they love the winter! As for me, I prefer to stay inside and keep warm. And, when Dad is outside with them, I can get alot done in the house.I need to make one thing clear too, kara is all about staying inside with me. She informed me this Christmas that her ideal Christmas would be somewhere on the beach with a palm tree for her Christmas tree!

January 5, 2009

2009-01-05T10:31:00.000-05:00

Well, the kids are off to school, so I am home with just little Miss Christine. She is so quiet and entertains herself on her own so well. It is a real blessing. She is also sweet and cuddly and gives me hugs and kisses all day, which is a nice change from teenager eye rolls and foot stomping. :)

Speaking of teenagers, yesterday Alex turned 14. I am adding a picture of him so you can all see how big and handsome he is. I know, I am bragging, but oh well! :)

A cold but special day

2009-01-04T10:55:00.000-05:00

Well, it is another cold day in Northern Michigan. Church is cancelled due to icy roads, so I guess we will just stay inside and have a quiet family day before the kids go back to school tomorrow.

And, today is Alex's 14th Birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-04T10:38:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!
We hope that this year is one filled with happiness and success for everyone!