The Carnell Clan

Just another day!!

2010-11-08T08:44:00.000-08:00

Well hello all! I hope that all is well. I have been running ragged with my kiddos, elections, physical therapy and just plain life! We are all doing good but, Keith and Michael are doing new sports and I am not sure what is required of me, and even if I will be able to make it to all of their games/matches.

Well, now that I remembered to breathe, let me fill you in on Halloween this year with the Carnell's.

We were able to get done in record time this year...only 2 hours!! However, that was due to Michael and Keith being able to do their own stuff, and not need me for make-up (all the fake injury's, like Michael's missing eyes last year!)

We waited for James to come home before we took off so that some one was there to had out candy to all the boys and ghouls! Michael decided that he was going to go one his own so that he could get "MORE" candy (like any of them really needed that) and Keith decided to wait for a friend to get home so he could go around with him. So when James got home me and the 3 little ones headed off around the block. We started off really good, going from house to house. and we rounded the block and headed down another street. That is when it got interesting. Many of you moms that have at least 2 kids understand that they are all individuals and have their own minds! My beautiful daughter decided that she was "DONE" and wanted to go home, and the little one was getting cold and was not having fun anymore. Now I was in a spot, I had 2 that were done and wanting to go home while I had one that was still so excited that it was hard to keep up with him. What was a mom to do?

Well this mom decided that it would work out best if I kept telling the 2 we were on our way home, but Kenneth was going to all the houses along the way. This ended up working out beautifully! Alicia and Matt would sit on the curb (refusing to go to the door) while Kenneth ran up and got his candy. Well when he would score "CHOCOLATE" he would holler down to the other two and they would jump up and take off running for theirs! I decided not to tell them that they were making it take twice as long to get home because we had to wait for them to go up after Kenneth. All in all they had a good time, and Michael ended up finding us and helping me by walking with Kenneth up to the houses.

After the evening of getting candy, I came home to find that Keith had lost his phone and had NO idea were he had it last! Are you kidding me!! I just replaced Michael's phone and now I have to find another? Well we called and called hoping that someone honest would hear it pick it up and get it back to us some how! We never got an answer, I watched for minutes used to see if some one was using it, and who they were calling. But nothing was coming up. Then I got the phone call, "Mame, I found this phone in my yard". I thanked her about a 100 times, and felt like I should have thanked her 100 more.

All in all we had a good Halloween. And I am glad and thank god that someone that was honest found his phone and returned it to us.

Miracles can happen at any time! Even on Halloween!!

WOW WHAT A SATURDAY!!

2010-10-27T09:33:00.000-07:00

So, this past Saturday was Keith's last football game. This is a bitter sweet time for football moms as I will be happy not to spend three nights a week plus a whole Saturday at a football field or driving to one. But I so enjoy watching him play.

Well let me fill you into what happened on this wonderful rainy Saturday! It started by waking up with my poor little guy Kenneth throwing up every time something touched his mouth. Of course this would have been ok (other than him being sick) but I had to go to work, and then his daddy got called in too! So all of the kids had to go to grandmas house.

Now, I went into work at the Farmers Market, and took my oldest son with me because I had to get done and out of there by 3:30 to get Keith to his last game on time. Things went well there, we set up the tables, chairs and foods, and then cooked hamburgers and hot dogs for all of the vendors as a thank you for coming all season long. We ate and I thanked, and talked to everyone. Then the clean up and lock up started. This went well as everyone helped, but then my son was no where to be found. Now this is nothing new, he always goes and does his own thing if he gets bored (and what 13 year old wouldn't be bored with cleaning). But after 10 minutes I found him down by the creek watching for fish.

I finally got home to meet my husband with the other kids (including Keith who now only has 30 minutes to make it across town to his game) and of course he hasn't made it yet!! AHHHH!! I am starting to get frustrated because I HATE BEING LATE!! But he made it just a few minutes after me and when Keith got out of the car I noticed that he was not in his football gear! He tells me in his most sarcastic voice "SORRY!" and ran into the house to get his stuff. Now when he got back out to the car (with his gear in hand and NOT on hos body) I found that he had not even switched over his pads from his practice gear! Now with only 15 minutes to get there, he is switching everything over and dressing in the car!!

When we got there he goes to be with his team then suddenly runs back to me, "Mom I forgot my moth guard! It is on my dresser or the table! You need to go home and get it!" So as I am walking out to the car I tell one of the coaches that I have to leave to get his mouth guard, thankfully they had an extra and I did not have to go back to the house to get it.

As I told you it was the last game of the season, Lakeveiw vs. Battle Creek the all time cross town rivals! The first play, one of our best runners got nailed in the head and had a concussion. Way to start the game right? Well I wish I could say that was the only injury or incident, but no it was just the first of many.

During the second half, the other team got 3 unsportsman like conduct equaling 45 yards! Now, this is bad enough, but one of the coaches caused one (bad) and a parent caused one (really bad). Now what are they teaching these poor children! Well the very last play of the game one of the players on the other team punched Keith in the throat! WHAT THE HECK!! And there where 3 cop cars there when we left......Now come on people this is a little league game not the NFL!!!

I took Keith to get the shake that I promised him and off to the home front!!! I was just ready to be home. As I pulled up to a 4 way stop that I have came up to 500 times if I have once, and turned, I see flashing red and blue lights!!

I pull over and the officer comes up and asks if I know why she pulled me over, being polite I told her that I did not know. She proceeded to tell me that I did not come to a complete stop before turning! Did I? I thought so, but she said no. So I hand over the license, insurance and registration and waited. I honestly thought that she would go run my information and see that I have not been in any trouble and tell me to be more careful and make sure I stop at stop signs. NOPE!!! I get a ticket for impeding a traffic signal, $115 and 3 points on my license!!

Wow WHAT A DAY!!!

What a day

2010-10-18T14:23:00.000-07:00

Well we have made it to the last week of football, however I can say that we did not make thru season 5 without injury! About a month ago Keith injured his elbow and we thought that everything was healed and back to normal...boy were we wrong! He turned around and did it again!

After watching it over night James and I thought that it would be best to take him to the doctor "just in case". So I call and we take the boy to the doctor who decided that we needed to have and x-ray because it just looks major! So after going to the doctor and waiting as you always have to do, I took him to the hospital for the x-rays where we again waited for him to be called in. Once he finally was called in it took longer than usual for a few x-rays. This was due to the fact that he was not able to straighten his arm and they were having issues getting the shots they needed.

The technition brought him out and asked, "Is it possible for you to wait until the doctor looks at the x-rays? I think it looks funny." So I waited and waited for the doctor to look. Finally, she came back out and said, "Ok, he said no fractures you can go."

Now this would have been enough for me for one day but of course when one thing goes wrong EVERYTHING goes wrong!!

So like a movie, let me take you back to the beginng of the day!

As I said I had decided that I was going to call and make an appointment for Keith to see the doctor so I did just as soon as the office opened. Now the appointment was made for 4 pm so I decided that I would work thru lunch so that I didn't have to take any extra time off. As my "normal" lunch hour rolled around I received a call from the school that my 7 yr old daughter had been complaining about a stomach ache, so I talked to her to see what was going on, she says "Momma, my tummy hurts and I tryed to tough it out but I think I have a stomach ache." Now who could let that poor little girl stay at school! So I called my mom (who by the way was sick also) and asked if she felt up to going and getting Alicia from school. She said she would so off she went.

Now about 15 minutes later I received a call from my 5 yr old's teacher saying, "Matthew is fine but he has been sleeping all morning. I woke him up and he went to lunch and to recess then came back in and layed down on the floor and fell asleep again." We spoke for a few minutes and I told her my mom was on the way to pick up his sister so I would just have her get him too. When I called my mom, she had made it to the school and was back home with Alicia, so she had to load her BACK UP and go pick up Matt. When she got there half joking she asked the office attendent, "Now there is one more kid at this school, should I go ahead and pick him up too?" They laughed and my mom took them back home.

Well then James called and asked me to set up an appointment because of an unsual bump on his back that was causeing his arm to go numb. I called the doctor and set up his appointment and called him back, so that I did not have to remember the day and time (there is enough stuff going on up there lol).

Well then I rececive another call, up that's right, Kenneth needed to come home. So My mom loaded up two sick kids and herself to go BACK to the school and pick up the last child!

So I can honestly say "WHAT A DAY"!

Friends Forever!

2010-10-07T05:43:00.000-07:00

So, day two!! Can you believe that I have managed to post two days in a row! This is a small miracle! One of the Best Friends that I have and that has been there for me when I have made DUMB mistakes and happy times will be moving to Tennessee within the month. I am happy for her but sad for me!

She is the only friend that I have that has CRAZY kids like mine! And to top that off we have been friends for 18 years and NEVER fought!! Now I have friends that I have been friends with longer, but there were always little (or big) fights or tiffs. I treasure all of my friendship very much, but when there is a bond with one person and you feel like blood could not make you any closer you have to grab that and not let go!!

Before she moves down to be with her husband we have tried to have a sleep over (yes we are 30 and still doing the slumber party thing) but the first weekend I was sick, now she is sick along with her babies! It is hard to get two mommas and eight, yes eight, kids healthy at the same time. Especially in the fall when the weather can’t make up its mind! Is it going to be freezing today or HOT!!

Well, hopefully her and her kids get better soon so that we can have our slumber weekend before she leaves!

I am Back!!

2010-10-06T14:41:00.000-07:00

Well it seems as if I get to post about once a year! But all is good with the Carnell Clan! As the Boys hit the dreaded teenage years, and the twins and the baby have slid into the everything has to be my way stage I have found that I have less time for MOM!! How is this possible?

However, while kids are at school, and I am home alone....and I get to clean up the weeks mess....I get my own time! What will I do with this time you ask? I will read, take a nap, watch what I want on TV or go window shopping!

I guess it really doesn't matter what I do, as long as I enjoy my little bit of time so that I can fully enjoy my kids. Be looking for new post as I am going to try to post more than once a year!!!

Happy Hump day!!

FOOTBALL FOOTBALL FOOTBALL

2009-08-13T05:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, for all those who know me, know that I have 5 children. Well for the last four years we have been a football family as that is when Mike started playing on the youth league, and Keith followed the year after!

I love them playing this sport which they love and look forward to each year, however I do not love spending 4 evenings a week sitting in a lawn chair watching practice. Now don't get me wrong, I love watching them play I just can think of many other things that need to get done on those evenings. I feel like for the next 3 months I will get no house work done, and no rest! But the end result.....my boys smiling because they have done sooo well that season, or they made an awesome play, block or tackle! It is all worth it in the end!

This will be Mikes final year before he moves on to Jr. High Football. He is stoked because he gets his 4th trophy and his purple LYA helmet for completing all 4 years! I am very proud of him for sticking with it, working hard and practicing hard, and mostly for having fun through all the hard work! And to Keith for 3 years of hard work and having fun with it too!

Go LYA! Go Mike Go Keith!

2009-08-10T07:50:00.000-07:00

Well this weekend was an absolute blast! I had a Lia Sophia party at my home and it turned out fairly well, I would have liked more people to have been there to enjoy the evening but all in all it was fun!

We had a very full weekend planned but the weather put a slight damper on things! But do not fret things worked out as they always do!

Saturdays plan was to take the kids to a family reunion and let them swim.....Well this did not work out at all as it rained ALL day long, however it gave us the opportunity to relax and spend the day hanging out at the house. So those plans got pushed back until Sunday afternoon which in turn was a great day to be out side and in a pool!

Sundays plan was for me to go to practice but that was canceled due to the director having an injury to his knee. So as you can see the plan for the weekend was busy but it turned out to be a very relaxing yet fun filled weekend!

The Momma

I'm BACK!!!

2009-07-30T12:03:00.000-07:00

Well what can I say.... Time just has flown by lately! I am very excited for my oldest son Michael who will officially be a preteen tomorrow! Yes happy for him but sad for me I remember when I was 12 and hanging out with my bff Mrs. Bushey!

Now I have to let my baby grow up and learn to handle himself (with guidance from momma!!). I wish that I could give advice to all the parents out there in blog land about the dos ans don'ts of raising kids, but lets face it no two children are alike!

As a mother of 5 beautiful children the one thing I have learned is that you have to take everything one day at a time....Don't dwell on the little things and get excited over everything! Remember that those dishes will be there tomorrow, the dusting and vacuuming can wait. Spend every second that you can teaching and encouraging your children because before you know it they will know more than you and not listen to a word that comes out of your mouth!

So always remember this...Yesterday is History, tomorrow is the future but Today.....That is a present! Enjoy your today's while they are here and never let them slip away and become history before you have time to savor it!

Happy Thursday and upcoming weekend....Make this a great weekend spend it with your family....Live, Laugh, and Love!!!!!!

Momma C

Lia Sophia!

2009-07-16T10:26:00.000-07:00

Ladies! This is for you!

I have recently joined the Lia Sophia Train! I am now an advisor for the Lia Sophia Jewelry company!

Being an advisor allows me to give things away to hostesses! These deals are on top of what you get from this fabulous company!

I am so excited to get to share these wonderful pieces with awesome prices and for hostesses HUGH discounts and FREE jewelry!

Being a wife and a mother of five wonderful children I know how hard it can be to get those EXTRAS that mom's want to help them feel like a woman again not just mommy! I love being a mommy and have a blast with my kids but I have been told that "You time is not a luxury, it is a necessity!"

So take this opportunity to have a little you time with the other women in your life, try on jewelry, talk and RELAX!!! This is your time!

Please let me help you get the well deserved relaxation you need to refresh you for your family!

Contact me to find out how to become a hostess and get FREE FREE FREE jewelry! Or if you would like to make a little extra or become a stay at home mommy.....I can help you with that too!!

Leave me a comment or shoot me a email at lynn4783@yahoo.com!

TGIT!!!!

2009-07-16T10:11:00.000-07:00

So, here it is Thursday finally! I am ready for my long weekend that will be filled with more activity! I am hoping that I will be able to take my children to the beach tomorrow so that we can have fun in the sun! Of course this depends on the weather, and I know how my luck goes when I really wanna do something with the kids!

Saturday I will be attending a potluck with my family and hoping the turn out is worth going for. Last years was great but we were not able to advertise as much this year. My kids will have a ton of fun as it is going to be held at the Farmers Market which conveniently has a park!

Sunday is back to the same o same o! Competition practice for the Rhythm Sensation Dance Force. I love my team but lord knows I haven't practiced once since our last competition and I am sure it will show.

Here's to a fun filled weekend! I hope all of you out in blog land have a good one too!

Busy Busy Busy!!!!

2009-07-15T05:56:00.000-07:00

Wow! We have been going all week long! We were able to get Mike his medicine in time, and that is always a good thing! I spoke with my mom last night and they were half way home. They should be pulling in between 5 and 6 tonight.

This weekend was great we did lots of family activities that were not nessasarliy fun but needed. James and I spent a few hours in the garden pulling weeds, some of them bigger than the veggies and peppers we are growing! Of course Mushu and Kenneth has to help so tring to make them understand which were weeds and which were plants was interesting!

But we spent time together that is what is important! Between weeding the garden and making a trip to the paper store in K-zoo and James and I both working it seemed as though the weekend was gone before it started.

On the up side of being busy it made today come faster! For those who did not know two of my children have been gone for 3 weeks, though I have enjoyed the quickness of only having three children it has been agony for both James and I. We have not been awy from any of our children for longer than a week.

So tonight we will be back to the norm! Kids coming out of our ears and a house so loud that you can not think and bath time that takes a minimum of 1 1/2 hours! Then waiting an hour to take a shower because the hot water is gone!

Kenneth decided yesterday that he finally missed his twin sister, and decided that we needed to go get her yesterday! He was not overly happy that he had to wait one more day.

Now that we have slowed down and evaluated ourselves, we are alive, happy and healthy and we have a wonderful family!

Happy Wednesday!

UGH!!!

2009-07-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

Perscription are a pain!!! For those of you who do not know our family very well our oldest son has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Now he is a great kid with a big heart but without his medication watch out!

Well as those who read this blog know My oldest son and daughter are on vacation with their grandmother and were going to be home the first time on July 4th, the second time was going to be on July 11th. Now had this happened there would have been no problems because Mike would have had his last pill on Saturday when they woke up and I had the prescription filled today so he would have it on Sunday.

Well now the plan is for them to be home on Wednesday, so I had to figure out a way to get Mike his medication because 18 to 20 hours in a car with a child with ADHD would not be good, and my mother would have been crazy by the time they got home...IF Mike made it back..lol

The first thing I tried was to get the prescription filled at a Wal-Mart close to them, but this did not work because the prescription is considered a class 2 narcotic. This means that it would be illegal for them to do this because the actual prescription has to be turned in to the pharmacy before they can fill it. That's right, this means the doctor can not call it in or fax it.

This left on solution, ship them. As we all know the "snail Mail" system has its faults. So off to Pack Mail we go to over night the package because we can not risk the medicine being there on time. Well to over night the package it cost $53. Now add to that the co-pay of $40. This months prescription cost me a whopping $94.

So needless to say I am frustrated with the situation. But, on the lighter side, my children will be home in a few days!

Happy Blog Hopping!!

2009-07-07T10:20:00.000-07:00

I am new to this but I am going to atempt to link with everyone today!

This is one of my favorite pictures of my kids, the only one mising is Mike, and he was too busy plaing on the computer, basicly beeing a pre-teen.

The younger 4 thought they would all try to squeeze into a swing that was meant for two toddlers! This was on Mothers day 2009 we had a great day! And My kids were great! I hope that you like this one as much as I do!

Enjoy the many other blogs today too!!

This week, on TUESDAY, 7/7/09, the theme is A FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPH. Post up one of your favorite photographs and a caption that tells the audience about it.

Thankful Tuesday!

2009-07-07T07:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a typical Monday. But I still enjoyed it, Daddy took the boys to the park and I stopped to see them before going to dance class, then they came to dance class when they were done playing.

Of course my 5 yr old son came with me to class (don't be fooled he wanted to play with his daddy's Nintendo DS). It wasn't that he really wanted mommy time, but that is okay because I still enjoyed him being there with me.

When class was over we all went out to eat, now that was a trip! My children we tired and hungry by that point and my 4 yr old (Mushu) was reduced to tears when the waitress brought his Uncles food before his, he said "Waugh, I want my food....I am Hungry!" Now for those of you who now Mushu this is nothing new, when he wants something he wanted it ten minutes ago and is mad because you didn't know what he was gonna want in the future!

This was resolved rather quickly as the waitress hurried to the back and got his BBQ Cheese Burger and Fries with dipping sauces, once this came we were able to settle in and have adult conversation.

I also got the good news that the kids will be home on Saturday and I am past ready, I read a earlier post, "You don't know what you have until it is gone." This is true, I have missed my oldest son and my only daughter since about two minutes after they left with their Granny. I am glad they got to go, and I am glad they had fun but after three weeks with out my offspring, it is time for them to come home!

So, here I am thankful that Monday is done and that I woke up today, and I am thankful for my kids and mother to be home on Saturday, and I am thankful to God for giving me an awesome family and helping me live each day, and watching over my family friends and yes even enemies (if I have any).

Please do not hesitate to post a comment or tell me what you are thankful for!

2009-07-06T06:19:00.000-07:00

I hope that everyone had an awesome 4th! We did the kids were amazed as they are every year with the planes and balloons. However, my poor little red headed boy was horrified by the jets. To say the least he does not like loud noises.

After he calmed down we slipped over to the VIP tent and had some food, this was a short lived dinner. My dad and I stood in line with the boys for what seemed to be an eternity to get our food (which was good) and sat down just as the balloons started to inflate. This was a beautiful scene to watch as we ate our dinner, however the little boys were no longer interested in eating they wanted to watch the balloons. So I ate at my dinner, tried to enjoy the site and keep an eye on the boys. They were good and sat down to watch, but a mommy just can not relax when out in a large crowd and they are not sitting right next to you.

We made it threw the entire day without incident, and watched the fireworks that were released from the planes and helicopters as we walked back to the car to beat traffic. We got out of there quickly and dropped my dad off at his house on the was home.

Of course what would the 4th of July be without all of the illegal fireworks that my neighbors enjoy setting off. Oh, don't get me wrong, they are a lot of fun to watch when the directions are followed and they are set off safely! As my husband, myself and three of my children were getting out of the car a large glow of light flew over our heads hit the tree directly over our garage. Thankfully it did not catch the tree, my garage or us on fire! And that none of the hot ashes that hit the ground went into the gas can that was sitting in our boat!

We survived another holiday that includes fire, drinking and stupidity!

We took the boys and one of their friends to the beach on Sunday and let them play for a few hours in the water. With James working every weekend it was nice to have a summer weekend that we could go and do things as a family. I just wish that our other two children were home to enjoy this very rare occurrence.

That is all for our weekend. I hope that you all enjoyed reading about our weekend and I hope that yours was just as fun and safe!

2009-07-06T05:51:00.000-07:00

I was turned on to blogging by my best friend and business partner Mrs. Bushey. She is now doing a great thing on her blog called Marvlous Mondays. This is where she gives things away...That right GIVES things away every Monday. I have added a link for you to check out her blog, I hope that you enjoy her stories as much as I do, as she fills us in on the happenings of her life.

2009-07-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

So this is the first post of the Carnell Clan. As we are heading to the Forth of July I am sad because this will be the first holiday I have ever spent with out my entire family. Mike and Alicia have gone with their Grandma on a mini vacation and they are terribly missed.

However, we are going to do every thing that we can to pass the time. We are going to have a yard sale on Friday and hopefully make some extra money for the festival on Saturday. We are going to take my dad and spend the day at the Balloon Festival to watch the air show, ride rides and eat carnival food until we PUKE!!!

So if you wanna stop by the house on Friday and take a look at all the treasures that we have you are welcome. And if you or someone you know is looking for a companion I have 3 beautiful Pomeranian Puppies that need a good loving home.

Please let me know if there is anything that you would like to be filled in on with are family, we hope to see you all soon!