A long time...

It's been quite a long time since I last posted on here...maybe sometime when I have extra time, I'll update this on what's been going on, but for now, I just wanted to write that the loss of baby Booker #4 that was due March 13, 2013, has me with so many mixed emotions. When I think about it too hard, my heart hurts and aches with something I've never experienced before..but sometimes I try to just stay busy and try not to think about everything.

(to catch you up, we found out we were pregnant around mid July...we were nervous- ok, I was nervous (4 kids, 3 dogs??? Whew!!!) but I was excited to be blessed enough to have the opportunity to give life again. We hadn't even contacted our midwife yet as we were busy getting ready for so many other things...my final program exam at school and Syd and Blake were getting ready tog back to school.  On Friday, August 31, 2012, I woke up with the plans to shampoo the carpets, but first I had to try to get the crayons out of the carpet that the dogs chewed up.

Just as I was deciding that wasn't working too well, Josh sent me a check telling me to checkout bank account. With a raise and a new promotion, our balance was very surprising, so my friend Joanie took me to Ionia and we got wood. Yep, we painted and ripped out the carpet and put laminate down.

That Friday night, after painting and doing flooring all day, I went to the bathroom and noticed I was spotting a bit. The spotting, then cramps, kept on over the weekend, till Monday when I used the bathroom and spotting had turned to bright red bleeding. I couldn't get a hold of my midwife soo called the ER line ofnournfamy doctor who advised us to go to ER.

With a regular ultrasound, vaginal ultrasound, blood work, and a catheter gathered urine sample, it was confirmed that I was miscarrying... They said the baby probably died a week to two weeks prior to that, but because of the physical labor of doing the floor and painting, my body was then working to expel it.


Ok, now fast forward 11 days to today... Honestly, I'm struggling.... I keep searching the toilet bowl for what I think s our baby. Last night there was a lot more bleeding than I've had and upon using the bathroom for the first time this AM, I passed what could be the baby.....or a super giant clot or smthng... Idnt know buti couldn't just flush it. If it is the baby, it needs to be buried...and I want to bury it near or anniversary tree at Josh's parents house.

I don't know how long it's gong to be before I'm not bleeding anymore...it's been 2 weeks exactly today from when I started spotting... So far, it doesn't show signs of letting up.  I promised Sue that I'll get ahold f the doctor. If it doesn't let up over the weekend, I'll call MaryAnn...

But, until my body is back to 'normal', I keep searching for our baby.  I've dreamt that it's a boy, but really don't know....we didn't even have a name picked out yet :(


arpets... But first

Some updates...

Gosh, so much has happened since the last time I posted in May- and I do apologize for the mega delay between posts. 

Without any special orders,  here's a brief run down of what's been going on.

• Blake started and finished his first season in tackle football- he did really well!  Josh and I were very proud of him.
• Sydney started Run Club and Art Club and did well in both of those as well- she's still doing Art Club once a week and will have a painting out in the Art in the Park sometime in the Spring.
• Mason's a YEAR OLD!!  YAY!  He started walking on Halloween night when we got home from trick or treating in Fruitport.  We had a lot of fun trick or treating and the kids got a TON of candy!  LOTS and LOTS of delicious goodness!
• My little sister McKenzie came to live with us in August and has been with us since.  It's been a bit of an adjustment for all of us, but I think we're all starting to get used to each other and she's been doing really well.  She tried out for a got a small part in the most recent drama club production, Romeo & Juliet.  We were very proud of her that she stuck with it and did so well.  It was definitely a learning experience for her.

Now, Christmas is almost here.  Yep, that's right- Thanksgiving is already passed and we're moving on.  I am almost finished with shopping, but have to wrap yet... argh.  I like wrapping, but only in small quantities.  I have a TON of wrapping ahead of me.

Oh, wait, I forgot- we also got a new puppy!  Her name is Pip and she's super cute and has a ton of energy!  She'll be excited when we get our next little puppy, Smalls, in a few weeks.  She and Smalls will be able to wear eachother out and Bella will finally get to rest.



But, you know me- here are pictures!

Whew- an update!

Wow, it's been quite a long time since I last blogged.... You can say I've been a bit busy.  Busy not only with a little bear named Mason who is sometimes a full time job, but also busy with the Challenge and trying to make a better life for my family (not to mention other people's families).

So, some catch up.... I cannot believe that Mason ins 26 weeks old already!  It sure does seem like time is flying by!  As I mentioned above, sometimes he's a full time job, but I have to admit, I like having the option of being home with him.  He's been rolling over for quite some time and he's been eating cereal and veggies for a few weeks now.  He's definitely a heathy eater! 

No teeth yet, but we are still waiting for them to pop through those poor swollen gums.  He gets quite irritable at times.

Blake and Sydney are doing well also.  Syd's back to doing Run Club at school twice a week and Blake is looking forward to tackle football this fall!  Syd has talked about playing football too--- I'm almost considering it.  She's a very fast runner and does a good job tackling Blake so far...  I don't know though, we'll have to see.

In the last minute family photo below, you'll notice a new addition.  Her name is Bella and she's a Boxer mix.  We adopted her from the Pet Expo in Grand Rapids the first weekend of April.  She's actually become the almost perfect addition to our family.... she mellows Gunner out which was needed for sure but she's a digger....Josh isn't so stoked about that.

Anyway- I have prom pictures to work on, so I'll end this for now.  Hope everyone's doing well!!



First Time Blog for Sydney;)

 Hi everyone!  This is my first time blogging on The Booker Family Blog.  It is really fun.  Happy Easter!!!!!

Just some pictures

I realize I haven't blogged in a bit- sorry about that.  I'd like to say I haven't blogged because not much as been going on, but that would not be so accurate.  We've been crazy busy the last few weeks--- it's normally a good thing, except I'm not quite used to it these days.  Oh well..

So, I wanted to tell you all- I finally broke down and bought a little point and shoot camera as my big cameras are just too much to mess with sometimes.  So I'm hoping we'll have lots more pictures on the way :)

Here are some of Mason with my phone, then a few more with the camera that we were playing with :)

love this little man

Syd's 10 Now!!!

It's been quite an interesting few weeks- I apologize for the delay in blogging.  I'm not even sure where to start, so I'm going to dive right in.  As I think I mentioned before, Christmas was so wonderful this year.  It was so great to spend some time with family without having to rush off an hour later for this or that. 

Next thing we knew it, after Christmas came more birthdays.  My brothers, mine, then Tricia's, then Sydney's 10th birthday.  As you know, when you turn double digits, it's a big deal, so we wanted to make this birthday a bit of a big deal.  Sydney was able to have 5 friends over (yes, WOW!) and they hung out for a bit, then painted their nails.  In the evening, I had a friend of mine and her friend come over to do their hair, then the girls got their own pretty awesome photo session if I do say so myself.  They had a blast with it!!  Then they watched a few movies and finally went to sleep around 2AM... Needless to say, it was a long night for us all!

   

Mason even hung out with the girls.

We also went to another hockey game on Sydney's birthday and they won again- so we get to go to another FREE hockey game in February!!  They had some pretty decent fights too- it was entertaining, but Sydney didn't think so.

I think that's about it for now :)

Whew, let's get caught up :)

YAY! We have our internet back thanks to a new modem!!!  I have a lot of catching up to do, so here goes a little bit for now :)

The other night, Josh and I had his work Christmas party and the kids got to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa (thanks again!).  That day I had decided to chop my hair back off and here’s a few quick snippets from my quick photo session--- it’s not every day that I get to get a little spiffed up, so we thought we’d photo document it.

Let’s see, Monday night (12-20-10), I attended a huge a Challenge Party in Grand Rapids.  I was bummed that some people who said they’d go didn’t, but I was happy that my friend Stephanie came with me.  We had a good time, learned some more, and met a few more people.

Since there will be so many people starting the Challenge now through the start of the new year, we will be doing a SPECIAL EDITION Transformation Vacation for the next round of Body by Vi Champions. In addition to the Hollywood trip, photo shoot, spa, cruise etc, can you say VEGAS BABY in a PRIVATE JET! I'm serious...... :) So, take the Challenge and be a Champion! And it’s all FREE!!  Now through Wednesday night at midnight, you can get your Challenge products with FREE shipping as well!!  So really what are you waiting for?  Don’t have a clue what I’m talking about?  Call this number:  507-726-3700 or watch the videos on my website: www.imlovinlife.bodybyvi.com  (just click on my website address) and let’s get you signed up and ready to go! 

The Wednesday before Christmas we went to GR to watch the Griffins hockey game.  It was Mason’s first time too!  We had a good time and were happy that the Griffins won- free tickets for Syd’s birthday on January 5^th!!!  Gotta love free!  (Probably will have more pictures coming soon from this game :)

Christmas was absolutely wonderful this year.  I’m so relaxed and content and just plain happy.  I have to say that my favorite part of this Christmas was getting to see family and to just relax.  I also really loved spending time with just Josh and the kids on Christmas day—we opened gifts bright and early, then spent the day together.  We played board games, sang, and just hung out.  It was really wonderful!

I am pretty sure the kids got everything they wanted (I think) and Josh and the kids had schemed and got me a really pretty necklace.  I cried.  I’m truly blessed to have such a wonderful and thoughtful husband—not to mention some pretty cool kids too!

Mason slept a lot of Christmas morning :)