Knowing you made the right decision

There are so many times in life that you second-guess the decisions you make as a parent. You always try to do what is best for your children and sometimes it works & sometimes it doesn't. I am so relieved that the decisions Frank & i have made in the last year have turned out to be spot on!!

When we moved here 4 years ago, I was sucked into a social group of "so-called friends" that wasn't the best thing for our family. These people were shallow, obsessed with climbing the social ladder, and not very family focused. It was all about getting sitters to go out all of the time.

Frank & I went along because we thought "what a welcoming group of people."

After we had a reality check a year later, and realized we didn't have the same values (or lack of) as these people, Frank & I started making decisions the way we used to WHAT WORKS FOR OUR FAMILY!!!

We pulled Allie out of the "clique" at dance and put her in a class where she knew no one. She quickly met new friends and these girls have been amazing!

We recently switched Peter's soccer league to what we felt was best for him. He had played soccer with the other boys since 1st grade but the league was horrible. He finally agreed to switch and couldn't be happier.

Last year we decided to switch the kids to public school only to find there was a waiting list. Yes a waiting list at a public school. Peter was able to get in last March but we just found out Allie got in. The kids are thrilled - and so are we.

Frank & I feel like now life is GREAT!!! We have finally gotten our kids out of things that other people told us we should be a part of and did what is best for them and our family as a whol. It has been a crazy couple of years. Through all of that, Frank & I have met some AWESOME people who we call our friends. Thanks you Jenny, Lance, Caroline, Chad, Traci, Jeff, Karen, Mark, etc.....for showing us what real friendship means.

Fun Family time

WOW - we are finally home from 2 1/2 weeks away! We had an absolute ball.

The kids went to stay with Grandma & Papa in Michigan while Frank & I headed off to Florida for a Jostens conference. To say the kids had fun is an understatement. Grandma & Papa took them to the art museum, the science center, Papa & Peter went golfing twice while Grandma & Allie went shopping and to a pottery studio. Papa & Peter then hit a Tigers game & Papa scored front row seats. Peter and Allie were in heaven! They played with Talia, Suzie & Alex next door everyday!! Frank & I were entertained by the fun daily emails from the kids along with pictures. Allie even emailed photos modeling her new outfits! Frank & I had a week together to relax, attend classes & celebrate the awards Frank won. We got to go to Disney World & The Jostens Center at ESPN's Wide World of Sports for different activities. We had a ton of Fun! Frank & I are best friends as well as husband & wife so it is a blast to hang out together!

After heading back to Michigan for a night to get the kiddos, we took off for a week with my side of the family to our favorite summer spot Beachwalk Resort. What an absolute BLAST!!! Nonni & Papa George, Ryan, Lettie & the kids and Katie all came down. Todd, Shelly & the kids decided to come at the last minute because Cassi's softball tournament (in North Dakota) was cancelled. They stayed in a hotel but Zack stayed with us at the house. The kids had such a wonderful time at the beach, pool, riding bikes, making smores, peddle boating, fishing, riding bikes, etc......The weather was absolutely PERFECT the whole time we were there. The only rain we got was when Lettie & I happened to be at the OUTDOOR outlet mall - we were drenched. Ryan & Frank had the kids at the putt-putt golf/batting cage place that day & were nearly struck by lightening!

All in all, it was a perfect vacation (minus Peter getting stitches in his foot the first day).

We are home now & school starts in 10 days - CRAZY!!!