Driver's License

I thought this little tid bit deserved it's own post. Last Tuesday, December 22, Heidi received her official driver's license. :-O Yes.....I'm talkin' she can take the keys, get in the car behind the wheel all alone and drive out on the road all alone. Do you get that??!!!! It's exciting, scary, sad, unbelievable, etc. etc. etc. all wrapped into one. I guess the best word to describe it is just WOW!!!! I'll have to say it is nice when she can run down to the store for me though. ;) She's a responsible and good driver....but, it's still so SCARY  to have her out there. James turned 16 on Christmas Day...so, he will soon follow. And, then I'm sure he will expect for our daughter to get in a vehicle with him behind the wheel. Not that I don't trust him either.......it's just....just.....well WOW!!!


......sigh............

love, wendy

Happy Holidays!

A few photos of the past few weeks at our house. Hope you all are basking in the love of your families right now.
The kindergarten and 1st grade classes sang songs all about gingerbread men at the school Christmas program this year. One of the staff members made them all these cute aprons to wear for the program. :)

Isaac loves to wear his new apron while helping me in the kitchen. Helping with hot cocoa here.

Cookie time!

Isaac was injured while decorating cookies and James fixed him up....yup..that's an ice cube. It seemed to solve the problem...all better!

Candy canes to pass out at church.

Very pleased with his new bb gun..."you're gonna shoot your eye out" Ha! ;)

One more thing...James and Heidi have class rings now.

These holidays are rough! ;)

Happy New Year!!!!!!!

Love,

Wendy

Where does this kid get this stuff??

Conversation between Isaac and Daddy this afternoon.
I: How old were you when you met Mom?
D: Sixteen
I: And you are STILL  making out?  .... :-O  Ha Ha Ha!!!


He says he got it from The Bee Movie. lol!

Semi Formal

Last night Heidi and James went to the school Semi Formal. They really do have so much fun together. They looked really nice last night too!

They informed me when I dropped them off last night that this would likely be one of the last times I had to do that....drop them off....... because they both soon will be driving. I don't think I like that so much. YIKES...and sigh. No one said parenting was easy! ;) They are great kids and I am proud of them both!

Love, Wendy

Sweet Sixteen!

Miss Heidi Jo is SIXTEEN. Hard to believe I am typing that! Heidi is growing into a sweet, strong and confident young lady. I am so extremely proud to be her Mama. I enjoy doing "girl" things with her and having our long talks about anything and everything. Heidi is bright, hard working, thoughtful, compassionate and loyal. She is such a huge help to me, especially over the past several months with Tom away.

In this photo Heidi is tickled over Isaac's rendition of happy birthday. :) That boy is such a card! lol..

Her big gift from Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa Dick and Gramps and Neena.....her varsity jacket. :)

LOVE YOU HEIDI!!! Time is marching by MUCH too quickly! Savor the moments sweetheart. I hope that you will always be able to look back at this time of your life with LOTS of happy good memories. "I hope you dance" :)

Oh...and folks...you may want to stay off the roads for a bit!! Just kiddin' ;) Ha!

Love,

Wendy

GREAT NEWS!!!!!

A transfer for Tom has been approved!! A transfer to.....drumroll please......................................

JACKSON MICHIGAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

He will be working for the same agency that he does now....same job as he does now....only here at HOME!

Can you tell I'm a tad bit happy about this? :) :) :) :) :):) <-----six happy Cornett faces!

It's been a challenging 14 months!!...5 months of unemployment and 9 months of work in Maryland. God has seen us through and this time in our lives is coming to an end.

THANK YOU LORD!!!!

And, thank you to all of our wonderful friends and family who have supported us through this time.

Tom arrived home from Maryland last night with all of his possessions that he has been using to live there over the past nine months in the back of his pick up truck. He is home for good!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO US!! BEST Christmas present!

Please say a prayer of Thanksgiving for our family!

THANK YOU LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,
Wendy

TWELVE

Yup! Jacob is officially TWELVE. Wowzers! What do I say about that? ....I'm speechless...just WOW! It feels like just yesterday they were placing this big bundle of a baby in my arms...sigh....

Jacob continues to be...well...JACOB! He's full of ZIP, ZEST and ZEAL! I guess I'm feelin' the Z's today. Ha! Jacob is....energetic, hardworking, fun, happy, inquisitive, generous, compassionate, mischievous and strong willed. He's quite the BOY! 100% genuine...what you see is what you get...BOY! :) :)

As Jacob's energetic self remains the same, there are changes a brewin'. 
*He is now only 1 inch shorter than his Mama and his foot is bigger than mine.

*As we sat in the doctor's office waiting room the other day the boy would NOT stop flexing his muscles! "Look at this mom!" (I'm like what?? where?? I don't see what you are talking about?..LOL!) After 45 minutes of this I was thinking to myself and texting to my sister "For the love of Pete call us back to the room.....make this flexing like a peacock STOP!"  Ha!

*He received AXE spray and deodorant from James for his birthday. The house and car are now overwhelmingly all about AXE. "JACOB COOL IT WITH THE AXE" is a common phrase in our household now.

*He has a wallet now and is very into it!

*He is writing "Jake" on his school papers instead of "Jacob"

*The boy, who a few short months ago would be willing to go anywhere with bedhead and rooster tails....in fact, would be aggravated at the suggestion of a comb across his head, is now slicking down his hair and wearing hats on bad hair days.....asking Mom if it looks ok. WHAT? Who are you and what have you done with my son?? lol!

I'm tellin' ya people...CHANGES ARE A BREWIN'!!

Ready or not...here we go! Lord, PLEASE help us!! PLEASE be with Tom and I. SERIOUSLY!

Ok, let me share a few funny moments with my boy over the past few weeks. The tug for independence is very apparent with Jacob right now. He wants to do so many things that he is just not ready for yet! Folks, this is not about me being an overprotective Mom here. I mean, NO Jacob, you can't take the car for a spin...ya know? that type of thing!   So, I am trying to give him some added freedoms when I can. So, the other day I agree that he can go fishing alone in town...by HIMSELF. The by HIMSELF is a big thing for him! He is THRILLED when I agree to it. He is enthusiastically buzzing around here preparing for the fishing trip. LOL! We are ready to walk out the door.... Hoody, Dad's camouflage hat, fishin' pole in hand...you get the picture. I notice that he has his wallet in his pocket.

Mom: Jacob you are NOT going anywhere but the fishing hole! You are NOT to walk downtown to the gas station from the fishing hole! 

J: I know Mom. I'm not.

Mom: Then why are you taking your wallet? 

J: Because it makes me feel like a man!!! Just look at me Mom...I'm going fishing like a man and I'm carrying a wallet like a man.

:-) Hee Hee! He Da Man!!!  

Yesterday morning at the bus stop I was telling Jacob that we would probably do haircuts this weekend.

Jacob: Mom, I don't want to get my haircut!

Mom: Why not?

Jacob: Because the girls like my hair like this!

Mom: (thinking..OH MY) How do you know they like it.

Jacob: Cause they hit me over the head with their rulers.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! It MUST be love!! Whew! He still has a looooong way to go before he is totally grown up! :)

I must share one more thing about this boy of mine. The other day I pulled back my covers to go to bed and found a three page letter from Jacob. I will treasure it FOREVER!! I won't share it all here because it is private between my son and I, but I will tell you that it was filled with his gentle sweetness!! God has big plans for Jacob Robert, I just know it! Along with the letter were several little poem type snippets. I will share a few with you here.

As the wind blows
So does my soul
God is my savior
Now and forever more
~by Jacob

As the deer
Goes to the water
So my soul

For the Spirit goes

~by Jacob

From the hills

The beauty is

So my soul

Is filled with mold

~by Jacob

Hee Hee! :)

I'll love you here

I'll love you there

I'll love you everywhere

~by Jacob

Does that sound familiar? :)

Mr. Dean used to say:

 "That Jacob, he is a growing concern!"  (said with extreme love and affection)

 I AGREE!

Jacob's teacher said last week at parent teacher conferences:

"Jacob is SUCH a likable guy!!"

"He is an awesome big brother"

"He likes to have fun"

I AGREE!

Granny says

"Jacob I love you to the moon and back"

I AGREE!

I love you to the moon and back Jakiedoodle !!!!! ......Jakiedoodle, as mom will always say. xoxoxo

Show & Tell

On Friday Isaac was to bring something that he cared about for Show and Tell. He opted to take his brother. :) And what did he tell about his brother....well, he said that they play Star Wars and wrestle and that Jacob gives him bruises. That about sums up their relationship I guess. LOL! Then Jacob was dismissed to return to his class. Hee Hee!

Love,
Wendy

JOY!

FINALLY, Isaac has lost his first tooth. He has been so extremely distraught over not losing any teeth yet, while all those around him have and are. He was absolutely ecstatic when he FINALLY lost one and was able to put it under his pillow for the tooth fairy. You can't see the hole where the tooth used to be very well in this photo, but you can see the pure joy on his face. He is talking to Daddy on the phone telling him all about it. I have a good video of the extraction, but I can't get it to upload correctly..boo hoo! It won't be long and tooth number two will be coming out as well. It's a bit sad to be experiencing all of these things for the last time...sniff sniff. I'm savoring the moments!

Love,
Wendy

SWEET

I received this beautiful bouquet of flowers last week from my sweet Heidi Jo "just because". That does this Mama's heart so much good. I'm am SO blessed to have her as my daughter!

Love,

Wendy

Peace and Calm

When I said, "My foot is slipping" your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. ~ Psalm 94:18,19~

I haven't been blogging here nearly as much as I used to or nearly as much as I'd like to! Quite frankly life has been a bit overwhelming to me lately. My mind and heart have been full and spinning uncontrollably at times.....ugh! The above verse was just another reminder to me this morning that bad "stuff" happens in life to teach me the meaning of trust...TOTAL trust in Him. And that gloom and anxiety are necessary for me to appreciate the joy that Jesus brings to my days! Through Him I have peace.... perfect peace in the midst of the storms of life. THAT my folks is awesome! NO MATTER WHAT is going on around us we have joy and peace.

Happy Saturday everyone. May you bask in His overwhelming comfort,calm, joy and peace in the midst of the looming storms in life.

Love,
Wendy

Tators and Leaves

After the state meet on Saturday we got a surprise gift from James and his grandparents. They spent the morning in a potato field digging potatoes. They were able to come in after the picker and dig tators left behind. We were gifted with aproximately 80 pounds of beautiful russet potatoes. We've enjoyed lots of potatoes this week. Thank you James!

As many of you, we have also been busy raking, raking, raking! Whew! Some of us have the blisters to prove it. Ha!! I just love the smell of burning leaves!!! Happy Fall everyone!

Love, Wendy

Great Job Heidi!

Yesterday Heidi ran her final race of the 2009 Cross Country season. The picture above was taken following our final league meet when the girls were announced as the winners of our leauge.....thus the #1 finger raised ;) Heidi made all league, which means that she was one of the top ten runners in the league. Great job Heidi!

The girls team made it to the State meet, which is quite an accomplishment. The State meet took place at the Michigan Internatinal Speedway yesterday morning. Here are a few pictures from yesterday. Great job Heidi and all the C-ville girls. :)

The girls wore special headbands and socks yesterday in honor of Keriann, the sister of one of the girls, who was killed in an auto accident this week. :(

From the tram heading to the starting line.

The last stretch...the finish line is in sight. GO HEIDI!!! :) It was pretty neat because the girls had their names individually on the big huge bill board sign at the speedway. And, when they crossed the finish line the announcer announced theirs names. That was fun!

Love,

Wendy

Pumpkin Time!

Here are the kids' entries for the school pumpkin contest this year. :) Isaac's pumpkin pirateGracie's Miss M&MJacob's fisherman

Happy Fall!

Love,

Wendy

Butterfly Princess

Miss Gracie, butterfly princess, is fluttering around at a Halloween party right now. The party is at her friend, Rowan's house. Rowan greeted us at the door with a big red nose...yup...a clown. :) I'm sure they are partying it up right now and having a grand time!

Fall has arrived and the trees are gorgeous right now!! I really enjoy this bush we have in front of our house. Please excuse our family clown...lol! ;) James and his sis Colleen in the photo as well.

Love,

Wendy

Little Man

Tom surprised us all and came home a day early. He arrived home late last night. YAHOOOO! Daddy took the boys for a haircut this afternoon. Boy did they need it. Isaac came home with this new "spike". I didn't even know that he wanted a spike. According to Tom he was all about it today. LOL!! I'll have to say it looks pretty stinkin' cute on him. :)

Tom also told me that Isaac told him today "my grandpa is in the world records" Yes! you heard that right folks. "my grandpa is in the world records for going to the fair the longest of anybody EVER" :) :) Isaac also told this story to everyone at church last night. lol! I don't know about a world record, but Grandpa Dick did make the paper last week....with a very nice write up.....for attending the Hillsdale County Fair for the past 76 years!! Who knows?? Isaac may be right....that may be a world record. :) Isaac sure is excited about it. It isn't everyday you get to see your grandpa's picture in the paper.

I know I'm his Mama, but I just have to say...isn't that the cutest little face ever!!! :) :) He had a fun raiser recently and he is quite the little salesman. Folks were accusing me of being unfair because they said it was impossible to say no to that face. LOL!!!

Love you little man....little squirt face....little spikey boy!! Got the hair gel ready for the morning. :)

Love,

Wendy

Lavished with Love

Wow! My children have overwhelmed me today....truly, truly overwhelmed me! Tomorrow I turn 44 years old. Tom does a great job of spoiling me every year on my birthday and making me feel so very special...LOVE AND MISS YOU SWEETHEART! In his absence, today my four sweet children lavished me in love ALL ON THEIR OWN!!!! The celebration was spearheaded by my kind hearted Heidi Jo. What more could a Mom ask for than to watch the love of Christ ooze forth through her daughter.....and by her example her siblings fall in line and all four of them eagerly lavished me with so much love and sweetness that it brings tears to my eyes as I type this. I am SOOOOO blessed to be the Mama to these four precious souls! I just know that God has very big plans for all of them. He is molding them for greatness....awesome lives of service for Him! I LOVE YOU! Thank you for an AWESOME day today!!! My cup runneth over!

I've always been taught that there is good in all things. Sometimes it's hard to find the good. I mean what could possibly be good about Tom working so far away from home. :( I miss him like crazy! But, I'll have to say that perhaps we can consider this a positive. If Tom were here it would never be necessary for the kids to step up to the plate as they did today. It was an opportunity for them to show love and they did!!! An opportunity for us as parents to watch them shine. What a blessing!

Heidi treated us all to a Mexican dinner after church this morning. :)

Sweet gifts from the heart!
From Jacob

From Isaac

From Gracie

From Heidi

Heidi made a cake for tomorrow evening. It looks YUMMY! I am working at a JH volleyball game tomorrow night, which is why we did most of the celebrating today. Thank you my sweethearts for an amazing day. I am so very blessed to have you all in my life!!! LOVE YOU!

Love,

Mom