Tanner is 4!!!

My little love Tanner is 4 years old today! And for some reason 4 sounds so much older to me than 3. But this was a big year for my little man. He grew in leaps and bounds and still makes me smile with his devilish little grin.


He's speech is so much clearer than before, I think pre-school really helped. Sometimes it is still a little hard to understand what he is saying but SO much better. He LOVES school and his teacher Miss Julie. She just thinks the world of him too. They are very cute together and he really listens and pays attention when she talks. They dance and sing and do tons of crafts and he really is learning so much.
Tanner is really sensitive and hates to be scared. He hates life sized cartoon characters and will hide behind me and grip on to me with every muscle in his body. This has resulted in even eating under the table at Coney one time as he was hiding on SpongeBob. Poor kid. But I do have to say he did really good with Santa this year. Usually Santa is a bad one too but I think because Cassidy was screaming so loud Tanner was over powered by his sisters Maria Carey high pitched scream. She does have a set of lungs on her!
He has a little friend that he wants to marry, Miss Lily. Lily is my girlfriend Mandy's little girl, and she is just adorable. Those two together are so cute, when they see each other they run up and give each other a big hug. I love it!! For a while when you would tell Tanner that you loved him, he would say No mom, I wuv wiwwy. I tried explaining to him that he can love me too but he didn't go for it. It took a few months but now he has opened up his big heart and tells me that he loves me too!



I have this special little place for Tanner, all of my kids do something different and special to me and I love that everyday I see something different in them. Tanner has this side to him that just makes me melt. He is very affectionate but only when he wants to. If you wanna cuddle and he wants to be left alone, just leave him alone. I have learned this the hard way. But then out of the blue he will walk you and snuggle up and play with my hair. Seriously I could cry every time he does it. He just makes me feel special and luck to be his mom!

Happy Birthday to the yummiest 4 year old out there!

Tanner started PreSchool and he really loves it. I was a little nervous for him, I didnt really know if he was ready but of course he proved me wrong. His teacher, Mrs. Julie who does have a last name but I cant even pronounce it so Mrs. Julie works allot better. We love her and Tanner just thinks she is the best. I worked in his class this week and its so awesome to watch your kids in a different environment. Tanner is so kind and a really sweet kid. He listens great, he pays attention and he always wants to help everyone. So I am going to ask Mrs. Julie to move in here so he will do the same thing at home. I will let ya know what she says, lol. But I am really proud of him he is turning into my little man. And look at this smile. The thing about Tanner is he does not hide a thing and he wont fake it either. If he doesnt want to smile for a picture, your better off just putting the camera away because you will just end up getting a picture of one pissed off little boy. But when he is happy and smiling, it is the truest most perfect smile in the world. I remember my Dad telling me that I wear my heart and emotions on my sleeve. I think this young man might be the same way.

Then my amazing lil football player. He IS amazing and I am at awe of how great he is. He is quick, smart, tough and such a great sport. As much as I love that he is so good at sports, I love even more that he is so encouraging on the field. Anytime anyone makes a good play or needs a pick me up, Tristen is right there cheering them on and telling them how awesome they did. I love, love, love that. You cant teach that to your kids, it has to come from them. And he is such a team player. He makes me smile every game and has grown up to be such an awesome kid. Last week he lost both of his front teeth and he was convinced that he could scare the other team with how mean and tough he looked, toothless. lol, I just love him.

Now is this one proud dad/coach or what?! I already raved about Thomas coaching but Im not the only one that thinks he is a great coach. So many parents have made comments about how great he is with the kids. He is also the LOUDEST and I dont know how he doesnt lose his voice every weekend. He has become a Clawson Maverick and we are both so happy with the choice we made to buy a house in Clawson. SUCH a great city to raise our monsters.

Tristen and a couple of his buddies, Carson and Gage after a tough battle against Troy.

Cassidy is getting so big I cant stand it. I know she is a year old but she is my BABY and shouldnt be growing so fast- it's freaking me out.

The other night I was laying her down to go to bed- I still rock her to sleep- as I did with the boys and I thought to myself-Self, she really is old enough to go to bed by herself. But then I had a vision of all my babies grown up and not wanting me to lay down with them anymore. I got that big lump in my throat and disregarded the thought I had 2 minutes before that. I dont care if you think I'm spoiling them and I dont care if you think she is too old to still be rocked to sleep. That is what I am gonna do untill she tells me to leave her alone. Even if she is 16. I already know I will miss that amazing feeling of my babies cradled in my arms and holding my finger as she drifts off to sleep.

HBD Bear

Dear Tristen, November 12, 2009
8 years ago today was the day that changed my life forever. You came into this world with your eyes wide open and instantly we all fell so in love with you. I held my baby for the first time and I can’t even put into words what you did to me. At that moment when they put you on that warmer I remember looking at your Dad and watching how proud he was to have a son. It was an amazing moment for both of us. We walked into the hospital as 2 kids and walked out as brand new family of 3. We grew up overnight and it was the scariest most life changing moment of my life.
Now about you, I could have never imagined that I would have such an incredible, kind and awesome kid. You amaze me every day. I love how caring you are and how you strive to make people smile. Watching you play sports is one of my favorite things to do. Not only are you a natural athlete, the way you are towards your team is something I will forever be proud of. You are so encouraging and such a great leader; you always make me so proud to be your mom. Your vocabulary is outstanding and I wonder how long it will be until I have to ask you what certain words mean. I have never met such a smart 8 year old in my life. You pick up on things so fast and you remember every detail on every conversation you have.
When I was pregnant with Tanner I remember being so nervous that I wouldn’t be able to spend as much time with you as I did the past 4 years. But when Dad brought you up to the hospital to meet your baby brother you walked right up to him and wanted to hold him and gave him the sweetest kiss on his cheek. At that moment you seemed so grown up and I was a little sad to see you turn into a little boy before my eyes. But no matter how old you are 8, 18 or 80 you will always be my baby.
I just love and adore you so much Tristen,
Thank you for all that you do for me,

Mom

summer 09

So summer is quickly leaving and school is will be starting soon. We enrolled Tanner in preschool 2 days a week and I cant wait to see how he does! He is pretty excited and is really happy about getting his very own backpack. I remember when Tristen started pre-school and I was a mess. I think it may be the same with Tanner, I just cant believe he is ready to start school. He will love it and I think it will be so good for him to play with kids his own age. Poor baby is stuck right in the middle of games he doesnt get yet when he hangs with Tristen and baby games like peek a boo when he hangs with Cassidy. So this will let Tanner act the age he is. He is at a funny stage right now. He loves to make people laugh and he does a great job at it. He is very daring and fearless but very cautious too. He is sensitive but not as sensitive as Tristen. Tristen gets his feelings hurt quick and hates to see other people sad too. He is a huge competitor and gets so mad himself if he is not #1 in everything he does. THIS is from Thomas. I mean I love to win as much as the next person, but these two have to be the best at everything they do. Which brings me to the next chapter of my life................FOOTBALL. Let me start from the beginning. All year at school they passed out flyer's on a weekly basis about signing your kid up for football. Everyday I would go through Tristens backpack before we got home and search for these flyer's and destroy them before my husband would see them . Let me add that I always knew Trist would play football but because of how much they practice (m-f 2 hours a day) I wanted to wait as long as possible. Anyone that knows this family realizes I am locked into football for a very, very long time. So prolonging this was my only option. Then one sunny day at the park, our friend Nancy, who has a son in football and 2 daughters that cheer, said to Thomas "ohh are you going to the football meeting on Saturday?!" I almost peed my pants. All my hard work gone with 10 words. So Thomas goes to the meeting to sign him up and comes home with the news that he is head coach. I knew it. Here it goes. This is my new life. So practices start and both Tristen and Thomas are so excited. I took Tanner and Cassidy up to the practice in the 90 degree heat, I sat down on the grass and watched a moment I wont ever forget. I was there to see one of Thomas's dreams come true. He was coaching his son at football practice. I remembered what it felt like to watch Thomas coach when he was at Anderson and I got that silly feeling in your belly like when we first met. So fricken awesome. He really really loves it and he is so good at it and ohh my god Tristen loves it too. It is a big commitment for a 7 year old but I think he needs it too. My life as a football mom has now begun.

And my sweet Cassidy with her curly hair is getting so big and changing everyday. She has a crooked smile and is talking up a storm. She is determine to get her way and will scream in the highest pitch voice until she gets her way. This is something we are working on. But OMG she is just the cutest little thing ever. I love that when you have your first baby you cant even comprehend loving another as much as you love the first. Then the 2nd comes around and I was dumbfounded at how much I fell for Tanner, then that baby girl came and I cant imagine my heart has any more room to grow. I am just at awe of these kids. I mean our lives are turned around and busier than I could of ever thought and some days I wonder how we do it all. But around 10:00 at night as I sit in a quiet house that is full of my sleeping babies, I cant imagine my life any other way.

My baby and her Birthday

She's one!

I wish I was more excited to write that and I feel awful for not even wanting to post this but I'm pretty emotional about her not being a baby anymore. I just cant believe that a whole year has gone by and I wont be cuddling with a newborn ever again, nor will I feel that baby in my belly giving me heartburn and punching my right rib cage. As hard as Cassidys pregnancy was for me (and anyone who had to deal with me) I just don't feel ready to close that chapter. So as she turns 1 I am reminded how quickly time slips away.

She is so amazing and beautiful and her personality gets more interesting everyday. She isn't completely walking yet and finds its easier and faster to crawl still. But within weeks I know this will change. She does that baby drunk walk right now and is still figuring out the whole balance thing. She is talking a bunch and has this crazy high pitch scream that makes Mariah Carey sound like a bass. She says mom, dad, pretty, tickle, bye-bye and waves. She will give you a kiss and I think she is close to blowing you a kiss too. She is scared of whoopee cushions and random weird things that I cant figure out yet. She is a total flirt and has already figured out how to charm people with that smile of hers. She doesn't eat much baby food anymore and pretty much eats whatever we do. Although she is still drinking that expensive formula but it has lots of good vitamins and is easier on her tummy so we will stay with that for awhile. She still wakes up at night but its not every night and sometimes I think she wakes up out of habit. She loves to dance, all 3 of my kids LOVE to dance and daily we watch them burn off energy by turning up the tunes and watch them run around shakin their booties. That is our form of entertainment and something I will remember forever! She has many nicknames, Cass, Cassie, CassieRoo, sissy, peanut, love, Thomas calls her tug boat too.

She has a smile that makes you melt instantly,

She has a laugh that brings me to tears,

When she lays her head on my shoulder I feel like I could hold her forever,

When she looks at me I memorize every detail of that incredible stare that only we share, together.

She is my dream that came true and I cant imagine my life without this perfect little girl.

Happy Birthday Love

Thomas + Carrie

8 years ago today, I married my best friend.
8 years.

Dear Best Friend,
Thank you for taking my hand and walking with me through this crazy world. Thank you for making me laugh and always putting a smile on my face. Thank you for 8 years of a life that I always wanted and almost 15 years of loving you since the moment I saw you playing volleyball at Wade-o's graduation party. You have made me feel like the most special woman in the world and I really think "I won" 8 years ago when you said "I do".




The amazing things you give me have nothing to do with money, possessions, houses, cars or diamonds. The things you have given me is your heart, your ability to make me melt when I watch you with our babies, the dreams you gave up for us and the time you dedicate to your family.
Its hard to even put into words when I think of what to say about the 3 amazing children we made. Everyday is a challenge and everyday I am thankful for what we have and what you do for them. When I see them look at you with every ounce in there body they just adore and love you like no other. You are such an amazing dad. You do things that not many men could do. everyday. And you do it awesome.
Although our life may not be perfect, and sometimes I'm sure I drive you crazy, I wouldn't want to walk with world with anyone else but you.

You're in my heart, you're in my soul
You'll be my breath should I grow old
You are my lover, you're my best friend
You're in my soul

Love your wife of 8 years,
Carrie Perry

lol

realize

To realize The value of a sister/brother
Ask someoneWho doesn't have one.
To realize The value of ten years:
Ask a newlyDivorced couple.
To realize The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.
To realize The value of one year:
Ask a student whoHas failed a final exam.
To realize The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
To realize The value of one month:
Ask a motherWho has given birth to A premature baby.
To realize The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize The value of one minute:
Ask a personWho has missed the train, bus or plane.
To realize The value of one-second:
Ask a personWho has survived an accident.

Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more whenYou can share it with someone special.
To realize the value of a friend or family member:LOSE ONE.

can you fit in a sink?!

I know I shouldn't post this but I cant help it~ just cracks me up every time I look at these pictures-

So here is the story.

My Aunt Judy had a picture of Megan when she was about a year old maybe younger, and she was in the sink taking a bath. I always loved that picture plus Meg was one of the cutest babies ever. So Tanner wanted to feed Cassidy and they both made a huge mess but it was adorable to watch. Tanner would get frustrated that Cass wouldn't open up on command so he pleaded with her "come ON sissy, open up" it was so funny I now wish I had it on film.

So Cassidy was covered in sweet potatoes and cereal and I tried to figure out the quickest and easiest way to transport her to the tub, which resulted in taking her to the sink. And she LOVED it. I was just her size so and she didnt have to worry about slippin around in a huge tub, she splashed laughed and had a blast.





Then Tanner saw this happening and also thought how cool it was so he had to try a bath in the sink too. I was a little nervous because he was ready to make a mess, he wanted cups and toys and he was trying to wash his hair which led to water everywhere but...... whatever right?! at least he was having fun and gettin clean.

I get Tanner out, clean up the water on the floor and the counter, I turn around and see Tristen just staring at me. He saw the other two taking a bath in the sink. Immediately he asks if he can get in the sink. I start laughing and tell him, Trist you are 7 years old, you wont fit in that sink. I will start a bath for you upstairs. Well the look on his face was devastating. How could I let his little sister and brother do it and not him?! He looked at me like I was taking his childhood and throwing it out the window. I felt horrible.

Soooo.....because I am a sucker..............and I dont want to take my babies childhood away.............

He proved me wrong and fit in the sink

Ugh when he gets older and see's this, I hope he remembers that even though he told me not to show anyone these pictures he will realize how awesome they are. I mean come on, you can only fit in the sink for so long.

baseball~the swings~lazy Saturdays and buddies

Tristen had his first baseball practice the other day and he is pretty obsessed. He is so good too- the first time he batted he nailed it and got a home run! I will spare you the details of the kids playing in the field that just didnt make the right plays, BUT that does not matter, to Tristen and us, it was a home run.
Then he put on the catchers gear on and did awesome at that too. My baby is a natural!
On his last time up to bat he hit it pretty hard and ran as fast as he could to first base and slide right into it!! It was so great, he just cracks me up. He's was so funny too, all night long he would drop little hints about sliding and say Hey mom, do you remember when I slide into first?! As if we hadn't talked about it 15 minutes before that. So what, I love all 420 times he wanted to brag about it.


Cassidy and Tanner and I went to the park and let Thomas be that parent that sits in the stands at practice and you know he wants to be out there coaching too. He is a great coach, I loved watching him coach middle school football in Berkley and those kids just looked up to him and thought the world of him. He busted there ass but was always the first one to encourage them and congratulate them when they did something good. They all wanted Thomas to be proud of them. You could tell. As does Tristen. He is at that age now where I can tell its so important to have Thomas approve and be proud of him. I can scream louder than anyone and be a stinkin cheerleader with my face painted holding signs saying YOUR AWESOME TRISTEN!! But as soon as Trist hits that home run, he is off into his daddy's arms. As I stand there dress up in those horrible cheerleading uniforms holding a water bottle that he doesn't want!
Im good with it though, I can relate to what he's going through.
I cant wait to watch his games, more pics to come!!


Here is Cassie-roo on a swing and this girl wanted to swing for as long as I would of let her!

this picture of Tanner made me laugh with his little devil grin. He is a little devil lately too- that is a fact. He is potty trained, talking awesome and still keepin us on our toes!

These two together is the cutest thing in the world. Tanner just adores her and when he talks to her his voice gets higher and he gets right in her face and usually kisses her after. It is so yummy.

My 3 babies on a lazy Saturday morning........

and a PEACE OUT picture of Tristen and some buddies!

can you say adorable!!!!!????!!!

So Aunt Joyce will smile...

Well it seems that 3 children have made it pretty impossible to keep a blog like I did before but my addiction with facebook is wearing down so this is going to be my priority. after the kids of course. Which brings me to bedtime becoming a better routine for us. Took a littlebit but Cassidy is finely getting the hang of sleeping all night. I am so knocking on every piece of wood I can find. I do realize that as I say or write things, these babies like to prove me wrong. I guess that's just a little insight to what I have to look forward to.

Update on the 3 little people that run my life.

But I love it, as busy as we are, as tired as I get and as much as I complain about being tired, I LOVE IT. This is my family that I have waited for. These little buggers have done so much to make me write about.

The other day Tristen was changing into his PJ's and he ran passed me in his under-roo's and I couldnt believe how tall and skinny he is! He is such a little man too. We have great talks and he asks a ton of awesome questions. He is very logical and sensitive. If he thinks your laughing at him and not with him, watch out. You could create some tears. But in the same note he is a little show off and loves to make you laugh. He makes up these dances and has these moves that make Thomas and I die laughin. Or a couple weeks ago he was walking by his Grandpa (Thomas Dad) and he patted him on the belly and said Keep up the good eating Grandpa!! I almost pee'd my pants. I mean yes he does have a large belly but Trist just called him out kept walking and turned around with a smirk on his face! He really is such a character.

Tanner. My little Tannerman. Tristen is his idol and Tanner mimics everything he does. He wants to be with Tristen 24-7. And he is the cutest thing ever. I always go back and forth about his hair. Its long and it looks like he belongs in the 70's but I love it and he looks so yummy. He is talking up a storm- some things are still questionable but we have been doing good at making him tell us what he wants and get him to say it right. This isn't always that easy. He's so stubborn and half the time Tristen shouts across the room what Tanner wants. They have there own language I swear. But yesterday I had to put him in a time out and he sat down, I walked away and he got up ran upstairs and yelled I'm outta here! I couldn't believe it. Little did he know he wasn't outta here and had to sit still for 3 whole minutes. easier written than done, that's for sure. He keeps us on our toes but he is so kind hearted and will just walk up to you and crawl on your lap and cuddle. I love it. He gets mad at himself eay for not being able to do the things Tristen can do but if you saw him play Wii or Webkinz you would wonder how a 3 year old can do all of that! It amazes me how fast these kids pick up on stuff. little sponges.

And then there is Cassidy. My little dream come true. This little baby has wrapped everyone around her little pinky. She is so happy (unless teething) and smiles all the time with her big rosy cheeks. They are the cutest thing ever. Then she has this tiny nose that she scrunches up when she laughs. I'm not kidding I am wrapped. I know that because she is my last baby I am gripping on to every last thread but I cant help it. I love my babies when they are babies. She wants to crawl and you can tell she's ready but I don't want her too yet. Then she'll start walking and then pretty soon she'll graduate from college. WHAT will I do then? She gets so excited to see me when I get home from work. Her legs start kicking everywhere and she makes this like grunting sound till I pick her up. I love love love it. And watching the boys with her is absolutely precious. They love her so much and are already protective over her. She is going to have trouble dating with her brothers and her daddy around. She has captured all of our hearts, that is for sure!

I will do my best to do this again very soon, there is so much more to say but I am so tired and I need to crash. And I want to get this posted so my Aunt Joyce has something to read tomorrow because I know she is secretly mad at me for not updating this like I should! lol

I bid you goodnight

Quote of the day:
'Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit. '

new home, artists, my 4 kids and an interview

Holy busy and I have neglected this blog for quite some time. I think about the many things I want to write about but when I sit down at the computer 1 out of the 3 monsters make it a little difficult to complete very much. But I am soaking up every minute of every moment right now. I know how time fly's.
We bought a house!! A great house that I really love. Its in Clawson and I used to actually come hang out at this house when I was growing up- A couple of friends I went to school with grew up here. And this house was the hang out house, Bill and Dan have a super cool Mom and there was always people here. Kinda cool too because Dan is now a famous artist in San Francisco and works for Pixar and actually drew for the movie "Cars" my boys love that movie! Both Bill and Dan are very cool guys and always cracked me up. Bill came out to the fundraiser we had for Julie and worked as long as we did- and I will attach a link to some of Dans work. crazy talented. I remember at the senior all night party he was drawing every ones character, I still have it somewhere but because of this move, I'm still looking and finding things. Damn we have allot of stuff.
this is Dan and his wife Michelle's blog- he has a movie coming out soon and I posted the YouTube link too - http://caveatproductions.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WelnlTOpuns

So Happy New Year!

2008 was a bitter sweet year for me. I lost my Grandpa but had the most beautiful gift given to me. And she still has Grandpa's baby blue eyes! We moved from the house that Tristen (and I) just loved, but bought a great home for us to make our own.

First grade rocks for Tristen and he keeps saying things that just freak me out daily. His vocabulary is huge and it seems so weird to have this 7 year old kid that has all these opinions and asks great logical questions. My Dad gives Tristen a quarter when he uses big words and Tristen just thinks its the greatest game ever. Well it might be a good thing that my Dad lives an hour and a half away because he might go broke if he hung out with Trist on a daily basis. He catches on SO quick. We have a Guitar Hero battle going on right now and I swear that kid is gonna pass me up soon- I am almost at the end of Medium and he is like 4 songs behind me. But the coolest thing that came out of Santa getting him guitar hero is that he wants to take lessons now! woo hoo- love that. But I wont push. But I love that!! Now I'm just looking for a good teacher. suggestions!?

Tanner is doing great and is talking nonstop. He's so funny and just the cutest kid ever. He has this way of charming anyone with that devilish adorable smile of his. And I am on a mission to tape his laugh because it is the sweetest laugh and all you can do is stand in your tracks and just laugh with him. Its so contagious. Everyday is is changing and becoming his own. He follows Tristen around everywhere and just worships him.
Then there is Cassidy. My sweet little love. She is getting so big and has the chubbiest cheeks ever! I eat em up everyday. She is sleepin a little better but not as well as she should. Her personality is making itself known more everyday and she is such a happy baby. She loves to cuddle and watch her brothers run like mad men throughout the house. This is our form of entertainment at the Perry/Chambers house.

As for my 4th child- Thomas is also doing great and looking for any "project" around the house to do. He painted most of the house (SO needed) (awful colors) and wants to soon make some shelf's and a desk for the lower level. That is the kids "game room" right now- which they just love having there own room for Wii and the massive amounts of toys they seem to accumulate. Football is almost over and you can imagine how happy I am. BUT Arizona is in the Superbowl so I will be watching it- GO ZONA!!

My best friend Julie and her Dad were interviewed on the news a few nights ago and I wanted to attach the link- Julie has MS and recently gotten permission to smoke or digest marijuana to help out with the pain and her nerves. I love Julie and it was hard to watch this but it's really a great interview to promote medical marijuana use. So sad that there is something to make her life a little easier and its still not legal for her.

You'll have to copy and paste this link cuz I cant figure out how to fix it-http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=8251952&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.5.1

Sometimes you must sacrifice who you are,
For who you would like to become.

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it."