Back to school time has a different meaning for me now. Not only are the kids heading back, but I am starting classes again.
I have completed my EMT-Basic classes over the summer and have passed my National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians(NREMT) EMT-B Exam. I am waiting for my State of Michigan License to come through so I can get a job as a Basic EMT. Here in Kalamazoo County the ambulance services hire a few EMT-B's, but all of the trucks in Kalamazoo, Portage and the immediate surrounding areas usually require a EMT-Paramedic to be on board. That is why I am starting my Paramedic classes on Tuesday. Of course the pay is better too. The EMT-P classes start Tues and go thru next fall. Then I will have to pass a NREMT EMT-P computer based exam and then a EMT-P practical skills exam.
Nate, Madi and Cort all started classes last week. Madi and Nate started classes at a new school. Kalamazoo Christian East Elementary closed last year due to declining enrollment. The district was forced to consolidate all the elementary students into one building. Since the West Elementary campus is much newer and had the most students they decided to put all of the students at that campus. They are adjusting well.
Cort is starting her Junior year at KCHS. She is probably the least thrilled of all to start school again. This year will be pivotal for her. Schools look at this years GPA to determine admissions and scholarships. They cannot wait for Sr year classes to end to finalize those decisions.
Niki is starting K at a new school also. We chose to send him to a new school because the teacher was recommended to us. Hopefully the new school, full days and a new teacher will be a painless adjustment for him.
Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
What's goin on?
The short answer is a lot.
Robin is working a lot. Her company is in the midst of a merger. She is going thru a bunch of change over stuff involved with that.
The kids are all good. Nate is going to Detroit for the week, starting on Sat with an Air Show at Willow Run. Then he has a week of Fish Camp. I know he will have a blast.
Madi is doing well. I feel kinda bad for her because we did not have anything specifically scheduled for her this summer. She has been doing a lot of activities with friends.
Niki is talking up a storm and is using much more complete sentences. We still struggle with behavior issues with him. He is a great kid, but the challenges can be overwhelming for him and us at times.
Cort is having an up and down summer. She went to Orlando for a week earlier this summer. She spent a week in Chicago on a mission trip with her friends church. That was interesting, because she was without a cell phone for that time period. Somehow, she survived. She is working a little here and there. She is also driving and enjoying all the things that go along with that. Things like, putting gas in a car with your own money, paying for insurance, having dead batteries, following directions while you are driving, and the most fun of all...hitting mom's car in the driveway (very minor damage, and no injuries). Now one of her best friends is not going to be in the same school next year.
Me? I am cycling as much as I can fit in and trying to be a stay at home, going to school dad. School is going well, but it seems like I am constantly studying for Anatomy. EMT class is going well. I seem to be picking things up well enough. I am also getting ready to apply to a number of ambulance services as soon as I can. Once I get done with EMT class then I have to take the NREMT exam. Then it is off to Paramedic school for another year.
Robin is working a lot. Her company is in the midst of a merger. She is going thru a bunch of change over stuff involved with that.
The kids are all good. Nate is going to Detroit for the week, starting on Sat with an Air Show at Willow Run. Then he has a week of Fish Camp. I know he will have a blast.
Madi is doing well. I feel kinda bad for her because we did not have anything specifically scheduled for her this summer. She has been doing a lot of activities with friends.
Niki is talking up a storm and is using much more complete sentences. We still struggle with behavior issues with him. He is a great kid, but the challenges can be overwhelming for him and us at times.
Cort is having an up and down summer. She went to Orlando for a week earlier this summer. She spent a week in Chicago on a mission trip with her friends church. That was interesting, because she was without a cell phone for that time period. Somehow, she survived. She is working a little here and there. She is also driving and enjoying all the things that go along with that. Things like, putting gas in a car with your own money, paying for insurance, having dead batteries, following directions while you are driving, and the most fun of all...hitting mom's car in the driveway (very minor damage, and no injuries). Now one of her best friends is not going to be in the same school next year.
Me? I am cycling as much as I can fit in and trying to be a stay at home, going to school dad. School is going well, but it seems like I am constantly studying for Anatomy. EMT class is going well. I seem to be picking things up well enough. I am also getting ready to apply to a number of ambulance services as soon as I can. Once I get done with EMT class then I have to take the NREMT exam. Then it is off to Paramedic school for another year.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Spring has sprung!
Just a few family items worthy of updating:
- Robin had her knee surgery last week. Praise God thinks went well. She is slowly recovering. Patience is not one of her gifts so that might be tough on her.
- I am getting a chance to bike more often since the weather has broken. I purchased a used Schwinn Crisscross. It is a much lighter bike and I am learning more about biking and have increased my average speed quite a bit. 2mph may not seem like much, but over 45min that really adds up. I want to work up to 17mph avg by June. I am also getting the bug for a real road bike next summer.
- School starts in a few weeks for me. It will be kinda weird getting back into that, but I am looking forward to attending.
- Cort is working a lot. She is getting ready to take her driving test. She also has a busy summer planned.
- Nate, Madi, and Niki are all doing very well in school. Niki is beginning to potty rain more and more.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Blessings and mourning Tommie
Tomorrow is Jesus' Birthday. This one I will remember for quite some time as my mother-in-law passed away last Wednesday night. She was only 60. Far too young to leave us, but we know God is taking care of her every need now. She has no more pain, suffering, guilt or worry. Today we are celebrating Tommie's life and remembering all that she meant to us. Tomorrow we will celebrate Christ's birth and remember all he means to us.
Tommie,
You always treated me like your own son. I feel so blessed that you and Dad were part of my life. I know one of the things you feared most was leaving your kids and grandkids behind. Please rest comfortably in the arms of The Lord and know that I will make sure Robin, Cort, Nate, Madi and Nick are safe, secure and happy. Niki may not seem like he will remember much of you, but I know he will carry the memories of you all of his life. He will remember Easter at Papa Nina's house and gathering Easter Eggs. He will remember watching the fireworks on your lawn sitting on Nina's lap.
Madi will remember playing dolls with Nina in the kid's bedroom. She will remember Nina always having something. She will remember Nina's candy dish. She won't remember Nina having to rush back up from the cafeteria when she was born, but we'll tell her that story.
Nate will remember Nina going to Grandparents Day at school. He will remember Nina's awesome gravy. He will remember Nina's false teeth and making him smile when she played with them.
Cort will remember Beanie Babies. She will remember spending weekends with Papa and Nina, something she still wants to do with Papa. She will remember Nina coming to school art shows, and music programs (even though Cort hated the clarinet).
Rest in Peace Nina/Mom/Tommie. We love you and miss you. We will meet you again in heaven. We will look after Dad too and make sure he knows that his family loves him and that he has great times ahead of him with his family and friends.
Christmas is a time of great joy and celebration. I am making it my goal to spread that Christmas joy over these next few days. I intend to surprise someone at random with a monetary gift. It will be small, but unexpected. I just want them to pass the feeling along to someone else. They will by telling the story to another. Try it sometime.
Tommie,
You always treated me like your own son. I feel so blessed that you and Dad were part of my life. I know one of the things you feared most was leaving your kids and grandkids behind. Please rest comfortably in the arms of The Lord and know that I will make sure Robin, Cort, Nate, Madi and Nick are safe, secure and happy. Niki may not seem like he will remember much of you, but I know he will carry the memories of you all of his life. He will remember Easter at Papa Nina's house and gathering Easter Eggs. He will remember watching the fireworks on your lawn sitting on Nina's lap.
Madi will remember playing dolls with Nina in the kid's bedroom. She will remember Nina always having something. She will remember Nina's candy dish. She won't remember Nina having to rush back up from the cafeteria when she was born, but we'll tell her that story.
Nate will remember Nina going to Grandparents Day at school. He will remember Nina's awesome gravy. He will remember Nina's false teeth and making him smile when she played with them.
Cort will remember Beanie Babies. She will remember spending weekends with Papa and Nina, something she still wants to do with Papa. She will remember Nina coming to school art shows, and music programs (even though Cort hated the clarinet).
Rest in Peace Nina/Mom/Tommie. We love you and miss you. We will meet you again in heaven. We will look after Dad too and make sure he knows that his family loves him and that he has great times ahead of him with his family and friends.
Christmas is a time of great joy and celebration. I am making it my goal to spread that Christmas joy over these next few days. I intend to surprise someone at random with a monetary gift. It will be small, but unexpected. I just want them to pass the feeling along to someone else. They will by telling the story to another. Try it sometime.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Back Home!
I am back from my work trip to the F&I Conference in Las Vegas. I was really not sure what to expect. I am not a gambler, not a drinker and I like to get up early and go to bed early. Three things that do not work well with Vegas. I guess I had fun. Came back with down $80. Not bad overall. I was astounded with the scale of the hotels. Here are some pics. Not very good quality with the BB.
I missed my kids and wife dearly also. Madi must have grown an inch. Nate surprised me on Saturday with his football play. Cort is doing awesome with VB and school. Niki was so happy to see me. I don't think he let go of me all weekend.
Niki is doing so well with his speech too. He stunned me yesterday when he approached me placed his elbows on the table and his head in his hands and said, "Daddy? You wanna play ball?" How could I say no! We played a little then we went to Lowe's to get the last of the wood I needed to finish off the porch.
I missed my kids and wife dearly also. Madi must have grown an inch. Nate surprised me on Saturday with his football play. Cort is doing awesome with VB and school. Niki was so happy to see me. I don't think he let go of me all weekend.
Niki is doing so well with his speech too. He stunned me yesterday when he approached me placed his elbows on the table and his head in his hands and said, "Daddy? You wanna play ball?" How could I say no! We played a little then we went to Lowe's to get the last of the wood I needed to finish off the porch.
Monday, August 25, 2008
1st Day of School 2008
The kids were really excited to go to school today.
Nick starts next Tuesday. I will post some pics for when he starts.
http://picasaweb.google.com/wsm233/1stDayOfSchool2008
Nick starts next Tuesday. I will post some pics for when he starts.
http://picasaweb.google.com/wsm233/1stDayOfSchool2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Portage Bicentennial Park visit.
The younger kids, Robin and I had fun. Here are some pics from the playground. If you look closely on the last pics there is a humming bird.
Friday, August 10, 2007
YouTube Missing Children Channel
YouTube has partnered with The International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) to help find missing children. This is an awesome use of one of today's most popular internet sites.
If have time, browse the videos that are posted there. Sometimes a picture does not convey all of the aspects of a person, but video footage can trigger memories like nothing else.
Check it out: Don't You Forget About Me
If you have a missing child and want to post something on YouTube then click here for instructions.
I believe that God has given us the knowledge and ability to make a difference in our world. This is an example of a technology that was used for entertainment and frivolous activities before that can do some real good in this world.
If have time, browse the videos that are posted there. Sometimes a picture does not convey all of the aspects of a person, but video footage can trigger memories like nothing else.
Check it out: Don't You Forget About Me
If you have a missing child and want to post something on YouTube then click here for instructions.
I believe that God has given us the knowledge and ability to make a difference in our world. This is an example of a technology that was used for entertainment and frivolous activities before that can do some real good in this world.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Canoing.
My family and I got a chance to go canoing today. What an adventure. It didn't quite turn out as we expected. In the end we all had fun though.
My wife suggested we try canoing at the local park. It looked fun and we actually had a day when all of my family was together. To start the day we got some much needed rain. We were kinda worried that we would not be able to go because of the rain. The rain cleared up just after church and I checked the NWS and told my wife that we would not get wet. Big mistake.
We arrived at the livery and rented two canoes. My wife, 14yr old and 4yr old daughters took one canoe and I took the other with my 6yr old and 3yr old sons. Things started out pretty hectic right away. The girls nosed their canoe right into the bank of the creek right away just a few feet downstream. My wife and 14yr old were not communicating very well and they were already getting frustrated. My 3yr old was pretty scared too. He is a special needs child and was really not cool with the boat rolling side to side. He kept close to me the whole trip. My 6yr old was great the whole trip. We had to wait quite a few times in the first 10 min of the trip for the girls so as not to run over them.
We eventually got a little sideways and the girls were getting a little distance ahead of us. We lost sight of their canoe as it rounded on of the curves. I still do not know exactly what happened, but just minutes later we turned around a corner of the creek and all of the girls were standing in the creek crying and screaming. Their canoe had capsized! They were all OK, but it looked like they went in head first. They were drenched from head to toe. I caught up with them and tried to get out and help get the water out of the canoe. I though I had gotten most of the water out of the other canoe so that my wife could get it to the landing by herself. I loaded up all of the kids into my canoe and we headed out. My wife said she would be OK.
The kids and I soon lost sight of the other boat and continued downstream. There were quite a few technical parts of the creek left ahead and was quietly glad I had the kids instead of my wife. We got stuck a couple of times because the river was very low from the lack of rain this year. My 14yr old was quite helpful though. The kids wanted to know if we should wait for mommy and see if she would catch up with us. I told them not to worry and that mommy would be OK. When we finally saw a sign showing the landing was just ahead, we got a call from my wife. She said she could not even use the canoe because it was too full of water. She just dragged it to shore and had a park ranger take her to the other end of the creek to meet us. Every one was safe in the end and we have quite a story to remember about our first family canoe trip. My wife want to try again without the kids this time. We will see. Maybe next year.
I think we accomplished what we wanted to though. Regardless of how crazy a trip it was. We had a family day. I would not have changed a thing.
EDIT: I almost forgot about the main tragedy of the day. My daughters new Kodak Digital camera got fried. I know she should not have brought it. I should have told her not to. Even though she is 14 she still needs her dad to tell her to do or not to do things.
My wife suggested we try canoing at the local park. It looked fun and we actually had a day when all of my family was together. To start the day we got some much needed rain. We were kinda worried that we would not be able to go because of the rain. The rain cleared up just after church and I checked the NWS and told my wife that we would not get wet. Big mistake.
We arrived at the livery and rented two canoes. My wife, 14yr old and 4yr old daughters took one canoe and I took the other with my 6yr old and 3yr old sons. Things started out pretty hectic right away. The girls nosed their canoe right into the bank of the creek right away just a few feet downstream. My wife and 14yr old were not communicating very well and they were already getting frustrated. My 3yr old was pretty scared too. He is a special needs child and was really not cool with the boat rolling side to side. He kept close to me the whole trip. My 6yr old was great the whole trip. We had to wait quite a few times in the first 10 min of the trip for the girls so as not to run over them.
We eventually got a little sideways and the girls were getting a little distance ahead of us. We lost sight of their canoe as it rounded on of the curves. I still do not know exactly what happened, but just minutes later we turned around a corner of the creek and all of the girls were standing in the creek crying and screaming. Their canoe had capsized! They were all OK, but it looked like they went in head first. They were drenched from head to toe. I caught up with them and tried to get out and help get the water out of the canoe. I though I had gotten most of the water out of the other canoe so that my wife could get it to the landing by herself. I loaded up all of the kids into my canoe and we headed out. My wife said she would be OK.
The kids and I soon lost sight of the other boat and continued downstream. There were quite a few technical parts of the creek left ahead and was quietly glad I had the kids instead of my wife. We got stuck a couple of times because the river was very low from the lack of rain this year. My 14yr old was quite helpful though. The kids wanted to know if we should wait for mommy and see if she would catch up with us. I told them not to worry and that mommy would be OK. When we finally saw a sign showing the landing was just ahead, we got a call from my wife. She said she could not even use the canoe because it was too full of water. She just dragged it to shore and had a park ranger take her to the other end of the creek to meet us. Every one was safe in the end and we have quite a story to remember about our first family canoe trip. My wife want to try again without the kids this time. We will see. Maybe next year.
I think we accomplished what we wanted to though. Regardless of how crazy a trip it was. We had a family day. I would not have changed a thing.
EDIT: I almost forgot about the main tragedy of the day. My daughters new Kodak Digital camera got fried. I know she should not have brought it. I should have told her not to. Even though she is 14 she still needs her dad to tell her to do or not to do things.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Split family
My family was kinda slip up over the weekend and the last few weeks. Nothing serious. My 14yr old has been traveling with church groups or over to friend's house. Then she traveled to Detroit to visit with her Aunt, Uncle and cousin for a few days. My wife then traveled on Sunday with my 6yr old son to spend the night and pick up my daughter. I was with my 4yr old and 3yr old. I tried to do things with them that they would remember and be special for just the three of us. I got a glimpse of what it would be like to be a single dad. I did not like it at all. It is not the extra work that comes with being a single parent. That I am sure I could eventually handle. It was the fact that I only had 2 out of the 5 other members of my family with me.
I know my wife and I work a lot. I know my kids have activities, school and sports. There are so many distractions too. Internet, TV, video games, etc. There is no substitute for good old fashion family time though. Too often many families try to schedule one on one time, but we get enough time away from our families nowadays. Make time for your family. Especially if you have kids of any age. These are the things they will carry forever onto their children and their grandchildren.
I know my wife and I work a lot. I know my kids have activities, school and sports. There are so many distractions too. Internet, TV, video games, etc. There is no substitute for good old fashion family time though. Too often many families try to schedule one on one time, but we get enough time away from our families nowadays. Make time for your family. Especially if you have kids of any age. These are the things they will carry forever onto their children and their grandchildren.
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