Mommy and Haylie
Haylie and Ethan giving kisses!
Come on guys...SMILE!
Ethan mopping...
good job buddy!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
MORE PICTURES!!!
Mommy and Haylie
Haylie and Ethan giving kisses!
Come on guys...SMILE!
Ethan mopping...
good job buddy!
Where did summer go?
I cannot believe it is September already! I think it just hit me that summer is almost officially over. Sad yes, but it happens every year, so it's ok, it comes back next year. A lot of stuff has happened this summer. The reason I haven't posted since June is probably because I have been so crazy with all that life has thrown at us.
Haylie and Ethan are getting so big. Ethan will be 18 months at the end of the month and Haylie will be 2 1/2 at the beginning of October. I am hoping to get Haylie into some dance classes by next year. I think she would do very well. Meanwhile she dances at home, sings too. She is very artistic and VERY active. Ethan's favorite things are to eat and sleep! I cannot believe how much this kid eats! He can eat the same amount as a grown man! If he is like this now, how is it going to be when he is 15? I am afraid of how much my grocery bill will be!
Michael's job has changed again for obvious reasons. Ford is not doing so well in the truck department, as everyone is aware. He has switched plants to Wayne Stamping in Wayne, MI. This is a very good change for him. He is now making the Ford Focus, working the midnight shift. Michael is so much happier and in such a better environment. Dearborn was such a mess and very political. The kind of stress he was under was so hard on him. I am so glad he is not working the weekends anymore! Finally we can all four of us go to church together again! Michael has finished the summer session of school and has decided not to go back this fall. We just think that concentrating on a few other things in life right now were important. I think he might go back at another time in the future.
At the beginning of the summer we started our search for our first home. WOW! This is a very frustrating process! All of the foreclosed/bank owned homes are great deals but they would require not only a lot of work but a lot of money to make them livable. Finally we found a home that we LOVED. It was a little smaller than we wanted and it only had a one car garage, but the basement was very nicely finished and it was all updated and newly painted etc. We put an offer in on it last week and waited all weekend for a response. Yesterday we found out that the owners owe more on the house that what it is worth in this market so they can't sell it and they will be taking the house off the market. What a huge disappointment! I know God has different plans for us and the house we will be living in, but I don't want to move in December! So the search for the perfect home for us continues!
Another reason we were hoping very much to move soon is because we are once again expecting. YES! You heard me right! Third times a charm I guess! We are very excited to be having another baby but under a little stress because we were not expecting to be expecting until we moved to a home. Now there is just a little, no, a lot of pressure. So if anyone knows of a great home in the metro area for sale PLEASE let me know!
Other than all that we have been having lots of fun this summer! We have been to the zoo a few times. Usually we are busy having play dates with our favorite friends, playing with cousins, and visiting grandparents and great grandparents. Having barbeque's and relaxing afternoons are one of our favorite things to do. Oh, and I FINALLY just got a new camera after dealing with my broken one for a while. I can post pictures now! YAY!
God Bless all of you! Life is so good! God is even better!
Haylie and Ethan are getting so big. Ethan will be 18 months at the end of the month and Haylie will be 2 1/2 at the beginning of October. I am hoping to get Haylie into some dance classes by next year. I think she would do very well. Meanwhile she dances at home, sings too. She is very artistic and VERY active. Ethan's favorite things are to eat and sleep! I cannot believe how much this kid eats! He can eat the same amount as a grown man! If he is like this now, how is it going to be when he is 15? I am afraid of how much my grocery bill will be!
Michael's job has changed again for obvious reasons. Ford is not doing so well in the truck department, as everyone is aware. He has switched plants to Wayne Stamping in Wayne, MI. This is a very good change for him. He is now making the Ford Focus, working the midnight shift. Michael is so much happier and in such a better environment. Dearborn was such a mess and very political. The kind of stress he was under was so hard on him. I am so glad he is not working the weekends anymore! Finally we can all four of us go to church together again! Michael has finished the summer session of school and has decided not to go back this fall. We just think that concentrating on a few other things in life right now were important. I think he might go back at another time in the future.
At the beginning of the summer we started our search for our first home. WOW! This is a very frustrating process! All of the foreclosed/bank owned homes are great deals but they would require not only a lot of work but a lot of money to make them livable. Finally we found a home that we LOVED. It was a little smaller than we wanted and it only had a one car garage, but the basement was very nicely finished and it was all updated and newly painted etc. We put an offer in on it last week and waited all weekend for a response. Yesterday we found out that the owners owe more on the house that what it is worth in this market so they can't sell it and they will be taking the house off the market. What a huge disappointment! I know God has different plans for us and the house we will be living in, but I don't want to move in December! So the search for the perfect home for us continues!
Another reason we were hoping very much to move soon is because we are once again expecting. YES! You heard me right! Third times a charm I guess! We are very excited to be having another baby but under a little stress because we were not expecting to be expecting until we moved to a home. Now there is just a little, no, a lot of pressure. So if anyone knows of a great home in the metro area for sale PLEASE let me know!
Other than all that we have been having lots of fun this summer! We have been to the zoo a few times. Usually we are busy having play dates with our favorite friends, playing with cousins, and visiting grandparents and great grandparents. Having barbeque's and relaxing afternoons are one of our favorite things to do. Oh, and I FINALLY just got a new camera after dealing with my broken one for a while. I can post pictures now! YAY!
God Bless all of you! Life is so good! God is even better!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
WOW! Spring flew by fast!
The springtime is a very busy time for the Perry Family. We had Easter really early this year for some reason, but I love Easter. We always pull out Passion of the Christ (which is a great movie to watch at Easter) but I don't think anyone would disagree that it's a very hard movie to watch. I always sob uncontrollably. After Easter there was Ethan's first birthday! That was fun! We had a party with close family and friends. We celebrated and had cake! It was a great time. April comes and we have Haylie's birthday, my birthday, then my niece Abby's birthday and my mom's birthday are on the same day, my niece Jaimie's birthday and then don't get me started on May! The springtime of each year always seems so busy but it also seems full of life, love and happiness. It's fun having all the birthdays. There is never a shortage of family time, oh, and cake! :) Charity and Demian added another celebration to April! They got married on the 18th in Nevada in the Valley of Fire. Congrats you guys! I will add pictures later!
Michael is FINALLY back in school. I think we are all getting sick of Ford Motor Company! I know it will be a few years but I am very ready for him to have a new job. He has started at Rochester College (a small Christian college in Rochester Hills) and is going for his counseling/psychology degree. I know he will most likely need his masters after this and that will take even longer, but I am encouraged. I know God is leading our family down this path and I also believe we will be blessed for being obedient. Crazy things are happening at Ford and that is why I want Michael out of there so badly. He is leaving Dearborn Truck. They cut his shift there. For a few days the company told us he was laid off indefinitely. WOW, that was scary! The hopeless feeling of your husband not having a job anymore is not something I want to relive. By the grace of God and in His infinite wisdom, the company was wrong and Michael can go back to Wayne Assembly plant, right next to Michigan Truck where he used to work before Dearborn. I know this is all so confusing. It's confusing to Michael and he works there! So we are not sure on all the details yet and nothing is 100% but it looks like things are going to be OK and our plan of getting our very own FIRST house will happens soon!
The kids are doing great! Haylie is two now and so smart! Her vocabulary just skyrocketed! I can understand and carry on an entire conversation with her. Ethan is 15 months old today! He is getting a lot of words and signs too. I started to sign with Haylie when she was a baby and it has worked great with both kids. It helps us to communicate with one another without words and without frustration which is an added bonus! They are getting so big! If you would like to see videos of them you can go to our YouTube page and watch all our videos!
The summer is a very busy time. We are never without something to do! We are always having play dates at the park and playing with friends. Life is so busy but it is so fun at the same time. I love being a mom and a wife! It is the most fulfilling job I have ever had.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
The Invisible Mom
I'm Invisible
By Nicole Johnson
It started to happen gradually. One day I was walking my son Jake to school. I was holding his hand and we were about to cross the street when the crossing guard said to him, "Who is that with you, young fella?" "Nobody," he shrugged."Nobody?" The crossing guard and I laughed. My son is only 5, but as we crossed the street I thought, "Oh my goodness, nobody?"I would walk into a room and no one would notice. I would say something to my family - like "Turn the TV down, please" - and nothing would happen. Nobody would get up, or even make a move for the remote. I would stand there for a minute, and then I would say again, a little louder, "Would someone turn the TV down?" Nothing. Just the other night my husband and I were out at a party. We'd been there for about three hours and I was ready to leave. I noticed he was talking to a friend from work. So I walked over, and when there was a break in the conversation, I whispered, "I'm ready to go when you are." He just kept right on talking.That's when I started to put all the pieces together. I don't think he can see me. I don't think anyone can see me. I'm invisible. It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.' I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a hair clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
By Nicole Johnson
It started to happen gradually. One day I was walking my son Jake to school. I was holding his hand and we were about to cross the street when the crossing guard said to him, "Who is that with you, young fella?" "Nobody," he shrugged."Nobody?" The crossing guard and I laughed. My son is only 5, but as we crossed the street I thought, "Oh my goodness, nobody?"I would walk into a room and no one would notice. I would say something to my family - like "Turn the TV down, please" - and nothing would happen. Nobody would get up, or even make a move for the remote. I would stand there for a minute, and then I would say again, a little louder, "Would someone turn the TV down?" Nothing. Just the other night my husband and I were out at a party. We'd been there for about three hours and I was ready to leave. I noticed he was talking to a friend from work. So I walked over, and when there was a break in the conversation, I whispered, "I'm ready to go when you are." He just kept right on talking.That's when I started to put all the pieces together. I don't think he can see me. I don't think anyone can see me. I'm invisible. It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.' I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a hair clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything. A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Ok, I know, and I'm sorry!
I feel so bad that it has been since October since I have updated the blog. I know that it looks totally silly that Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are all in January's posting. But I have updated things and now I will try to update more often. Life is so busy with two little ones. With Doctors appointments, MOPS, Bible Study, Small Group, and now I am contributing time and putting together a Wellness Program for LifeCare Christian Center, I am surprised I still have my sanity.
Michael and I recently finished the Crown Ministries Financial Small Group. We found it very helpful and it went into things a lot deeper, like dealing with money and how God wants you to use, save and give your money. Michael will be going into things a little deeper now. He will be apart of a Small Group at NorthRidge called Financial Freedom. Michael is still at the Dearborn Plant for Ford Motor Company. Things are going well and it is just work as always.
Ethan and Haylie are healthy and growing. I have never seen two kids eat so much food! They eat a lot! We are going to have to take out a loan just to feed them! We often have play dates with friends. Haylie has a friend named Hayley too. We love to have play dates with the Gerwings. Heather and I are great friends, we even have Bible Study together.
Haylie is talking and saying a lot these days. She is putting sentences together and making her mark in the world! She is quite the firecracker! She will be turning 2 at the beginning of April. WOW time flies!
Ethan is crawling, pulling up on everything and he just started cruising a few weeks ago. His personality is poking through a bit, but mostly he just always wants food! What can I say he is a growing boy! He will be turning 1 at the end of March. Soon he won't be a baby anymore!
I am doing my first Beth Moore Study and I am loving it! She is such and inspiring woman of God! I enjoy every moment I spend in my group and doing the homework for the study, and I usually don't do well with homework type things, but this is great! I also started MOPS for the first time in September last year. It is so great! I love all the woman at my table. We always have great conversation and we are really there for each other. Thanks MOPS moms!
My sister-in-law Val is always there to listen! Thanks Val for always being there for me! She is a great friend!
Life is good, God is even better!
Michael and I recently finished the Crown Ministries Financial Small Group. We found it very helpful and it went into things a lot deeper, like dealing with money and how God wants you to use, save and give your money. Michael will be going into things a little deeper now. He will be apart of a Small Group at NorthRidge called Financial Freedom. Michael is still at the Dearborn Plant for Ford Motor Company. Things are going well and it is just work as always.
Ethan and Haylie are healthy and growing. I have never seen two kids eat so much food! They eat a lot! We are going to have to take out a loan just to feed them! We often have play dates with friends. Haylie has a friend named Hayley too. We love to have play dates with the Gerwings. Heather and I are great friends, we even have Bible Study together.
Haylie is talking and saying a lot these days. She is putting sentences together and making her mark in the world! She is quite the firecracker! She will be turning 2 at the beginning of April. WOW time flies!
Ethan is crawling, pulling up on everything and he just started cruising a few weeks ago. His personality is poking through a bit, but mostly he just always wants food! What can I say he is a growing boy! He will be turning 1 at the end of March. Soon he won't be a baby anymore!
I am doing my first Beth Moore Study and I am loving it! She is such and inspiring woman of God! I enjoy every moment I spend in my group and doing the homework for the study, and I usually don't do well with homework type things, but this is great! I also started MOPS for the first time in September last year. It is so great! I love all the woman at my table. We always have great conversation and we are really there for each other. Thanks MOPS moms!
My sister-in-law Val is always there to listen! Thanks Val for always being there for me! She is a great friend!
Life is good, God is even better!
Awwww!!!
This was something Haylie did on her own. I thought it was so cute, I HAD to take a picture and post it! What a good sister!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Christmas 2007
Christmas was so fun and exciting! The kids loved opening all of their gifts and we got to CELEBRATE the TRUE reason for Christmas....Jesus and His birth!
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