Friday, July 15, 2011

Happy Birthday, Tony!!

0 comments

Saturday, July 2, 2011

What are you waiting for?

To some music is just noise, but to others its a language that can speak...... You can feel the bass pound in your chest like a separate heart beat. To some the lyrics are just words, but to others.... pain, love, happiness and so much more. Music is in everything, even when you don't notice it. Music is the world. -Blare "Danger" Hulings
As my nephew wrote the words above...and published them on facebook
I was driving down the road....drinking my STARBUCKS
You know...any other day
A song came on the radio
& Tears immediately came to my eyes.

You see, MUSIC can be more powerful than just words
It takes you back to another time, another place
And sometimes reminds you of
Where you are NOW
And how you got THERE.

My realization that day became
Wow, Im not sure I would have had the COURAGE
To leave THIS, and move to THIS,
To take the first step into the UNKNOWN
To be used by God
Without listening to THIS SONG
Like 99 times a day for a whole year....



So what are you waiting for? What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities, they try to hold to you
But you know you're made for more, so don't be afraid to move
Your FAITH is all it takes, and you can walk on the water, too....
2 comments

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Top 10 reasons to start blogging again.....

1. I’m so much smarter when I write than when I talk.......


2. Soon, I’ll be sporting a new "blog makeover", which in turn means I need to use it.

3. If I start blogging again, I create the off chance that ALL CAPS will show up for a comment or two. (yes, this probably should have been ranked up in the #1 spot)


4. Lets face it, STARBUCKS gift cards don’t grow on trees. If I’m ever gonna make money, it will be from publishing a best-seller, taken straight from a collection of past blog posts.


5. How else will you know when Dan finally finishes his SLEEVE of tattoos?


6. There's always the slim chance that Grandma might get internet someday...


7. Now that my oldest is a SENIOR in High School, printing out blog posts would be much easier than going through stacks of pictures in the basement, when we start planning for the open house......darn, shoulda started blogging a little earlier.


8. I’m thinking Flashback Friday might be reason enough.


9. Common. You’ve all missed the stories about my sock basket.


10. Tyler starts high school soccer this year. Are you kidding me? Ive been waiting to blog about that my whole life! I may need to change the blog name to: theLIFEinaDAYofaSOCCERmom.

1 comments

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

FLASHBACK - Camping

(Today, Im feeling like I may miss my camper this summer.....I thought a FLASHBACK post may be appropriate. Originally posted July of 2009.)

Why do I never have my FLIP video camera when I need it?

My attempt to recreate…

Scene:
In campground.
Top of a very large hill.
Next to A VERY LARGE sign that reads:
YOU MUST walk your bike down the hill!!

Characters:
Miley –
7 to 8 year old little girl.
Pigtails.
Bathing Suit. Flip-Flops.
Sitting on her Pink Bike at top of hill.
Miley’s Dad –
OLD. [Much older than me.]
Chubby.
Miller Lite T-shirt.
Coors Lite in his hand.
Sitting on his bike at top of hill next to Miley.

Act 1:
Miley’s Dad – “It will be fine. Just go down slowly at first, then put on your brakes and continue down. I will be right behind you.”

Miley – “Are you sure? Is it safe?”

Miley’s Dad – “Of course – now go ahead. Don’t forget to put on your brakes.”

Miley begins to slowly ride down the very steep hill.
Dad stays at the top and takes a sip of his Coors Light.

Miley begins to pick up speed.

Miley’s Dad – “PUT ON YOUR BRAKES”

Miley continues going faster.

Miley’s Dad – “I SAID PUT ON YOUR BRAKES….. BRAKES!...... BRAKES!...... MILEY, BRAKES!!”
[While he continues to balance on his bike at the top of the hill]

Miley suddenly realizes she is going too fast and veers off the road onto the edge of the road – straight for the 15 foot drop off into the White River.

Miley’s Dad – “BRAKES!!! Put on your BRAKES!!!”

Miley continues on to the drop off - slowing slightly due to the sticks and weeds in her path.

Dudley and I stop in the middle of the road. Our jaws hit the cement. I almost begin screaming “BRAKES”!

Miley’s Dad begins rolling down the hill.

At the very last second, Miley turns the wheel of her bike and avoids certain death. (Or at least an ambulance ride/hospital stay)
Miley drags her feet on the ground to stop the bike.
Dad approaches.

Miley’s Dad – “Miley!! What are you thinking? I told you to PUT ON YOUR BRAKES!!”

Miley – “I was going too fast for brakes. I didn’t think I should.”

Dudley and I are thinking “What the??”

Miley’s Dad – “You looked a little like Fred Flinstone at the end there…....”

Dudley and I continue thinking “What the??”

Miley’s Dad takes a drink of the Coors Light - which successfully made it down the hill, without spilling a drop.

Dudley and I continue walking.
2 comments

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Chicago Photo Booth - I love the windy city.....





Yes, of course you can fit 4 people in a photo booth.
Especially if one of them is a very large Hockey player.
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Sunday, June 26, 2011

Facing our Fears....

We've spent many an hour sitting below the BIG Ferris Wheel.
We've spent many an hour talking each other OUT of riding on it.
This time, we faced our fears and actually got on!
Let's just say ONE of us was really scared........the whole time.
1 comments

Delaware Place

If someday you are searching,
'cause I'm lost without a trace
you'll find me where my heart is warmed,
hiding on delaware place....
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Monday, June 20, 2011

RIP Brian Briggs


I think what I will remember most about Brian is two things:

1: his uncanny ability to know when EVERYONE needed a break - right when you were about to cry out in anguish, he would say, "I think I need a break".....

2: his warm smile - it took me hours going back through old video footage, but I think you can catch a glimpse of it here.....



Rest in Peace, Brian Briggs....You will be dearly missed by so many people.

Thank you
for
leaving your mark
and
touching our lives......
1 comments

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

I forgot...


I forgot to take a picture from outside the window of the Young Fives classroom, as I patiently waited in the hallway, while you sat at the tiny table and silent tears fell down your cheeks.

I forgot to take a picture when you simply could not remember how the color was called BLUE, because you swore it was called GREEN, or YELLOW, or some other name.


I forgot to take a picture when you asked me to drive you to Meijers to buy building supplies, when you wanted to design a birthday present for your dad made mostly out of toilet paper rolls.


I forgot to take a picture when you watched your dad skydive for the first time, and looked at me with those “Im gonna do that some day” eyes.


I forgot to take a picture the first day of 4th grade, when after another long summer, you entered the classroom without a tear in your eye for the first time!


I forgot to take a picture when I first realized you were a clone of your father, only 20 years younger.


I forgot to take a picture the day you asked me to help put wax in your hair, so you could have the best “mohawk” in the school.


I forgot to take a picture when your teacher told me, “he’s got wit like an adult trapped in a child’s body”, as you were clearly the only student in the room who “got the joke” when the adults thought it would go right over your head.


I forgot to take a picture the day you ran out of the house wearing a collared shirt, simply because a girl asked you to wear it.


I forgot to take a picture the day you took apart the broken xbox, took a hair dryer to it, and fixed it.


I forgot to take a picture the night you asked to go to Meijers with me, and although I was in a hurry, we randomly walked the toy section for an hour, looking for the perfect gift for your favorite teacher, Mrs. DeBoer – so she would have something sitting on her desk forever, that reminds her of you.


I forgot to take a picture the day I walked into your room to wake you up at 5:15 am to prepare you for your 8th grade trip to Mackinaw, and you were sitting on your bed completely dressed with your back-pack on. In my astonishment you simply said, “I can set my own alarm” – as if I hadn’t just spent 10 years of my life waking you up every morning.


I forgot to take a picture that same morning as you were joining your friends at the big charter bus, smiling from ear to ear, ready for your 2-day adventure.


But, I didn’t forget to hug you as you walked away…..because typically I would just pat you on the back and say “have fun, bud”……but, this morning – I remembered.

2 comments

Friday, December 31, 2010

2010 Top 40 Status Updates...

1. Yes, I am one of those people who just sent myself an email – because I haven’t received an email yet today……just need to make sure it’s working…..

2. So many things to say….yet, can’t think of a facebook status…..

3. DEAR MUSKEGON BRANNS: So you got a make-over….great, looks nice….however, for heaven’s sake, could you please finish painting the siding behind your new sign – as my annoyance has grown to such extremes that I have contemplated hiring someone to paint it myself.

4. Once again, find myself listening to interviews of people who want to be my next boss…..again…..wondering why they never get asked the question “why in the world would you want this job – do you have any idea how HARD it will be???.....maybe I should give the finalists a call…….

5. The silver lining peeking through all the dark clouds surrounding my head – I think someone told me tomorrow is Pajama Day……

6. So happy my husband is finally home….wait….he’s already gone……

7. Simply wondering about the pay scale difference between the STARBUCKS Marketing Exec and the SUBWAY Marketing Exec…..Hopefully, it’s a huge difference……that “Egyptian-type $5 footlong” song has GOT TO GO!!!!

8. Love Love Love the WINDY CITY….wish my best friend and I could live here forever!

9. Monopoly with the fam….here’s hopin’ Tyler’s new strategy doesn’t work!

10. Hmmmmm…..I get to sleep in the same bed as my husband for 5 days….a girl could get used to this.

11. *ill-gotten gain has no lasting value*

12. As I woke up this morning, and prayed for a miracle, there is only ONE thing that keeps going through my mind…..TRUST Mr. Ross’ Grandma!

13. My dad’s always told me….power rises up.

14. Dear God, our prayer tonight…..please give us our school back.

15. And if our God is for us…..then who could ever STOP us?

16. While my dog spent the last 2 days over at Grandmas for his “mini vacation”, a very cute baby bunny moved in to my fenced in back yard…….Dudley wants to eat it, I refuse to let him out.

17. For the first time in over a decade, I will NOT be running the over-under game at Field Day – INSTEAD, I have the incredible honor of taking MY OWN TEAM around today!!! Mrs. Fetterley, you better watch out, I’m shooting for 1st place!!!

18. Oh yeah! My team took 1st place in the annual Field Day! Much credit goes to my co-coach, Mr. C, and our 8th grade helper, Josh N.

19. Still shaking my head…..as I was finishing up a large mailing at the post office, a woman “who stood in line for 10 minutes to buy one stamp” asked the Postmaster, “this letter was supposed to be postmarked by yesterday, is there anyway you could back-date the postmark for me?”…….it took everything in me not to give her the *Kristie Cook, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?”*

20. Spent the last 24 hours with my nephew Dominic. I heart him! My favorite quote of the day, “no, Aunt Kristie, I am not old yet! I am NEW!!.....”

21. Sitting outside the camper listening to the birds & the sound of my sweet 10 year old singing “How Great is Our God” inside the camper……

22. Out of pure curiosity …..how many white tank-tops would a person need to own before they would be required to attend “white tank-top anonymous” meetings??

23. In an effort to celebrate that the last load of “camping laundry” just got put in the dryer (after 2 days of non-stop laundry), I opened the double-stuff oreos…..to find there was only ONE left in the package……….can’t celebrate with just ONE oreo.

24. It was a complete mistake to tell my husband that the new security cameras outside of the school begin to “record” when they sense MOTION…….

25. The President just waved at us from his motorcade…..

26. Totally bummed that a 16GB flashdrive can really only hold 14.9GB’s……so, why isn’t it called a 14.9GB flashdrive?

27. Don’t know how I feel about the fact that my husband is building a “Man Room” in the garage…..so far – he has the 2x4’s up…….

28. Spending the evening wondering why I don’t drink alcohol……

29. Although I may type LOL to all of your status updates, I really only Laugh Out Loud at my 2 brothers updates……and in fact, sometimes I just keep right on laughing for hours after I read their updates…..they’re pretty much the only 2…….therefore, Im sorry for lying to all of you.

30. What has my life come to when I’m marinating my dinner in the van at the kid’s soccer practice…..

31. Got totally peer-pressured into joining my very first YOGA/PILATES class…..not sure if the instructor appreciated me offering my 2cents about everything she asked me to do…..oops.

32. Spending the day celebrating little Layna’s 1st birthday, watching my favorite boy play a kick-butt game of soccer, and writing the letter that I should’ve written two years ago……

33. Time to start taking apart the bridge…..now, only if it wasn’t made of pure cement.

34. Will spend my last day of work tomorrow wearing my favorite hat….don’t really care about the dress-code violation……

35. When a random person looks at you and says “Wow, you look happy!” – it seems to make you feel happier about the decision you made to make yourself happy…….

36. Lovin’ my new life and how much time I can spend within the warm, cozy walls of STARBUCKS!

37. Had the best birthday!! Complete with HUGS from Sunday School kids, the best present EVER from my Baby Sis, and a Hockey Game with my favorite Hockey Star!

38. While driving and daydreaming of Christmas Cookie decorations, I found myself in the STARBUCKS parking lot, as I had driven there out of habit….although I had a Venti CDL already in my hand…..oops.

39. Well, you know you’re addicted to STARBUCKS when your bummed that they are only closed on Christmas……sounds yummy tonight!!

40. Wow! Updating from my new macbook pro.....

2 comments

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Popular

Respect is honoring and humbling. Respect is something you can only EARN, you aren’t automatically given it….it takes a long time to earn it sometimes. Maybe even a decade. Or slightly longer. If you’ve properly earned it with some people, you most likely have earned it with ALMOST all people. Like 95% of people. But, sometimes, a decade – or slightly longer – is not long enough to earn it from the other 5%. Sometimes the other 5%, regardless of what your character demonstrates, are too afraid to respect you, too. As that would indicate that they think you have a GOOD character, and that would also indicate that they thought their character was similar to yours. But, in all actuality, their character isn’t like yours. In fact, although they can’t realize why, they have a hard time earning respect….

So, instead, the other 5% point out your faults to others, they laugh at you and say things like “…..well, you’re just popular….”


But, what really is “popular”?


  • Respect is *exiting a community of people* and receiving an outpouring of support that you are unable to describe in words.
  • Respect is receiving so many gifts that your kitchen table is over-flowing.
  • Respect is reading letter, after letter, after letter, after letter that points out all of your strengths.
  • Respect is little hugs from small children who miss you after a week of you being gone.
  • Respect is reading a poem from children where you are described as responsible, honest, caring, helpful, gracious and loving.
  • Respect is now having enough STARBUCKS gift-cards to last a lifetime.
  • Respect is when your former comrades still want to hang out with you daily, even though you no longer work next to them.
  • Respect is reading a letter from children where you are adored for your talents, and thanked for your service.
  • Respect is when the person you *respect* most says, “you did the RIGHT thing, Kristie….you were gracious until the end.”

Respect is so many more things……


So, you see, “POPULAR” just isn’t the right word.

You’re using the wrong word choice, my dear 5%.

The right word would actually be “RESPECTED”…..

2 comments

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Poem of the day.....

One of Us

Someday, the light will shine like a sun
through my skin and they will say
what have you done with your life?
& though there are many moments I think I will remember
in the end,
I will be proud to say,
I was one of us.....
0 comments

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Poem of the day.....

Mrs. Cook
by Mrs. Lankamp's 1st Grade Class


My favorite friend
Ready to help
Sweet as a rose

Coolest office person
Over worker
Outstanding mom to us
Keeps us safe
0 comments

Monday, November 1, 2010

Poem of the day......

Reflecting Back and Looking Forward......
Created by The 6th Grade Class of WMAAA
October 2010

As a new chapter in your life begins,
remember we'll always be your friends.
It will be rough when you go,
but we know you'll put on a great show.
All the performances, k-8,
you've never, ever, ever, been late.
Your desk was always squeaky clean,
we give you the award of "Ultimate Clean Queen"!
Mrs. Cook, you're always on the ball,
you make sure to help us if we fall.
If we needed to call home,
you always let us use the phone,
and hopefully we didn't break a bone.
You are kind of like the ring-leader of our circus.
What will we do without your service?
Remember our Kindergarten trip to Pizza Hut?
Well this year in Chi-town, the deep dish pizza will top that
kindergarten cut!
Amongst yourself you are very grand,
but even better with a Starbucks CDL in your hand.
A natural photographer is what you are,
with a camera in your hand, you're a superstar.
We all know you have mad tech skills,
but beware of the drink spills!
Keep your laptop close to your heart,
but never let it fall apart.
Your computer holds treasured memories,
whenever you miss us just press the keys,
and you will see where you used to be.
Your smile is as bright as the sun,
now it's time to have some new found fun!
1 comments

Saturday, October 16, 2010

My resignation

I wanted you all to know that I recently submitted my letter of resignation as Admin Assistant at WMAAA.

For over 10 years, I have served the WMAAA community with passion and dedication. It is my belief that the school empowers students to be better individuals within society, and I am proud to say that I have assisted in that process for so many years.

My husband and I will continue to speak highly of WMAAA, most importantly the staff, as they continue to touch the hearts of my children on a daily basis. It is my intent to continue to serve the community, through the many volunteer opportunities available to me as a parent. I believe that I still have many talents that I can offer the school community as a whole.

I will plan to stay on in my position until October 28th, which should allow for plenty of time to hire a new Admin Assistant.

Many thanks to all of you who have blessed my life, by letting me take care of your little ones for so many years!

0 comments

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Tyler's last days of summer



My boy who hates school, is about the most depressed kid ever - since he had to go back to school today. He spent his last days shooting TRAP at the range. He's actually really good at it, and Dan is looking into getting him into competition shooting.

Too bad the poor kid can't skip school and then fish & shoot guns all day....that'd be the life.
3 comments

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Happy 11th Birthday, Eyliana!!



Because Eyli just had her tonsils out 7 days ago, she wasn't feeling UP for a kayak trip this year - instead, we spent her 11th birthday baking!! Her favorite thing to do!! She made cupcakes, of course, and for the first time ever, we made chocolate heart lollipops! FUN!
Happy Birthday to my sweet girl!!!
1 comments

Sunday, August 29, 2010

End of Summer.....Beginning of Real Life


When did she stop needing me to change her clothes, or brush her hair? All of a sudden my little girl grew up. Kaitlyn has spent the end of her summer working to get money for her car. Logging miles to get her drivers license. And making good choices.

She is perfect for this job, as she is a social butterfly. She's building up the muscles in her hand, apparently it's very difficult to scoop hard ice-cream!!

Come visit Katie at the Hometown Creamery in North Muskegon, they will be getting a coffee machine, too - so, they'll be open year-round!! (This is important for Grandpas to know)
1 comments

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Introducing "Coat Boy"....

You would think that the "Story of the Day" would center around the two of us spending time together in Chicago, but with the Cooks, it is ALWAYS so much more......

On a very "ridiculously easy" bike tour of the Windy City, we saw some beautiful sites - like the Old Playboy Mansion, for example - which everyone must see ONCE in their lifetime, right? We also gathered some very valuable historic information about the city of Chicago. But, in addition, we also met some very fascinating people.

"Coat Boy" being one of them.


We are actually pretty smart people, so we should have known how the relationship would progress based on our first encounter with him. Upon arriving at the Bike Tour location, he approached Dan and informed us that this tour was the best in the city, and that he would be repeating the tour TWICE the following day.

At that point, our question to each other - VIA our eyes - was "Why in the world would you want to do this MORE THAN one time in a week??"...

As "Coat Boy" proceeded to do his WARM-UP exercises,
(YES, he was actually doing WARM-UP exercises),
we gathered our helmets and water bottles - and secretly checked our phones for any recent facebook updates.....as that was the *normal* thing to do.

As the tour began, it became apparent that "Coat Boy" was a very FAST rider, as he was constantly speeding up to ride DIRECTLY BEHIND Mary, our tour guide. At first I really just thought he was a Professional Bike Rider, as he insisted on being the *Right Hand Man* at all times.

He quickly became the Teacher's Pet, as he knew the answer to EVERY question Mary asked the group - most likely because he had BEEN ON THE TOUR a dozen times before, and could most likely RECITE Mary's entire speech from memory.

By complete accident, Dan and I started off from one stop in the "FIRST" position, simply because we were right next to Mary as she left the Catholic Church. We followed closely behind, not anticipating that "Coat Boy" would experience a weird form of jealousy....

As I avoided a large pot hole, from the corner of my eye I spotted "Coat Boy" veer around me and SPRINT-peddle to catch Dan - as Dan had begun a polite conversation with Mary about her residence in the city of Chicago.

Im assuming "Coat boy" had *planned* to ask Mary about where her residence was located, but was too busy doing WARM-UP EXERCISES to remember to ask her. Dan, however, had managed to gather alot of information in a very short amount of time.

It was at this point, I think, that something SNAPPED for "Coat Boy" and the Bike Tour officially became interesting.

By the last leg of our tour, the picture of Dan and "Coat Boy" next to each other was pretty much like-
let's just say -
TWO race cars
one yellow
one red
TWO drivers
one cool
one not cool
BOTH glaring at each other off the start
peddling as fast as humanly possible to catch Mary first

I'll let you decide which ONE
well,
WON....

And for the wondering mind - "No, (although it was a HOT 90 degrees here in the city) "Coat Boy" never removed his COAT.
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