Carrie and T plus 3

June 25th 2008 is a day that changed our lives forever. Our daughter Cassidy Winter was brought to us and ready to change this family without warning. Sure we had 37 weeks to digest that a little precious girl was coming but no one can be completely prepared until they are holding that miracle in their arms.

The birthing experience wasn't as cool as the boys because I had to get a Csection with Cassidy and yikes that was hard not having control and freaking out cuz your having surgery. She was breech and my water broke so they couldn't turn her, stubborn girl before she was even born. The recovery sucks and I had no idea how many muscles you have to use for random things like rolling over in bed. This may not sound hard but if you tried it after that surgery, you know what I'm talking about. However she was worth it and whatever works, as long as I have that beauty in my arms. None of this stuff matters Csection or natural, as long as she is here and healthy! What an amazing experience to go through three times, I'm so glad I'm a chick. Not that I think most men could go through the birth process but they got ripped off.

They did put up a mirror so I did watch them take her out. Unreal, amazing and weird. I will spare you the details but its almost like your not yourself and your watching a medical show on TV. Thomas didn't watch, he sat next to my head rubbing my hand and was white as a ghost. It all happen so fast but he did awesome and stole that white gown they made him wear. I can only imagine what that will be used for.

My daughter (I love writing that) is simply the cherry on top of this sundae. She has the most perfect little nose that I stare at all the time. She makes the best faces when she dreams. What do babies dream of?! I wish someone knew the answer to that. Anyway, back to my daughter, she has dark hair and blue eyes (so far) and she has the yummiest toes ever. We went to the Dr. today and she is 6 pounds 9 ounces and 20 inches. I have to admit when they tell me how much she gained I think OMG don't grow this fast! Knowing this one is the last baby is harder than I thought. I am really trying to soak every moment up, but with 3 kids it can get overwhelming. I mean we're not Jon and Kate plus 8 but 3 kids is enough for us.

Tristen just adores her and kisses her every time he walks by his new little sister. And he is already protective which makes me more nervous for Cassidy. Tanner is surprisingly very gentle with her, (knocking on wood) and when she cries he runs to me saying -AWE shes sad- and gets me diapers. And lets just say that she has Thomas wrapped around her pretty little finger at 2 weeks old!

So with great pleasure I would like for you to see my daughter, Cassidy Winter Perry!!!

I mean does it get any cuter than that?!?!
I just adore her, my Cassidy Winter.
exhale.

Robert Earl Chambers

On June 4th 2008 Grandpa passed away after 85 years of being on this earth. He died with his wife next to him and his kids surrounding him telling him how much they love and care about him. As I look back at his life and see all the people he affected I can only hope that my life will be as meaningful as his. He was a sweet and genuine man that taught me allot about life without words but by his actions. 60 years of marriage, 5 kids and a crazy amount of grandkids and even more great grandkids. He was opinionated and wasn't afraid to tell you what he thought. One of our last conversations he was trying to give me his paperwork to become a registered republican. And insisted that someday I would get smart and throw my liberal views away. I loved having that argument with him. Grandpa was always humming a tune and right up to the last days he was with us he was singing to the people he loves. There are a few of us Chambers that forever have a song in our heads and we got it from him. My Grandparents held hands all the time and finished each others sentences. They complimented each other just by being a couple.

I will miss him and think about him with every tune I hum in my head.






Uncle Rob's Eulogy
Sorry if I seem a bit nervous... I read once that according to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two fear is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? That means that if you go to a funeral, you would rather be in the casket than doing the eulogy… But there is no doubt in my mind that Dad is in a better place now. After the past several weeks I firmly believe that now, and so in knowing that, I am able carry on. When I was younger I was kinda trying to learn about life in a hurry, and so Dad and I did have our differences. He did well in keeping me from going to far. You may have heard the story of the 16 year old who thought that his Father didn’t know much of anything, and then when the son became 20, he couldn’t believe how much his Dad learned in four years. And then as Dad got older, and I got to know him more and more, and I really enjoyed our times together. Dad had his strong opinions on sports, on politics, on cars, on religion, well on most things, and both of us would love to argue about some of these issues – sometimes strongly, sometimes with Mom sitting by worrying about Dad’s blood pressure as he got heated. But I knew he loved these arguments and so did I. I think we would both walk away from these discussions with some new knowledge. I know that it got me more interested in these subjects. Those that knew him well would see that he was always humming, whistling or singing a tune. And his laugh! So infectious! But I always had a way of getting him to laugh even louder by imitating his laugh and it would sometimes become hysterical and crack us all up. Dad was a game player all of his life. A lot of my best memories are from these games – from family games early on like checkers, card games, charades, to the softball games with my brothers and friends, to playing pool and golf. Dad and I would play golf every week when he spent the winters in Florida. Right up until this past December he was still enjoying the game and still playing a pretty good game. I think that Dad lived in the best of times. A fairly simple man, a happy man, who loved his family and friends, and taught us about love and happiness.

Uncle Jeff's Eulogy:
My dad led a simple life - yet he was not necessarily a simple man: He had some strong opinions and loved to debate (especially about sports & politics). He had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. He had a great attitude about life, and loved to whistle and hum (even while he worked). Although the last 41 days of his life were tough, we need to keep in mind that he lived a full life: Born in Berkley in 1922, he lived through the Great Depression, WWII, the Korean & Vietnam wars, and he put up with the Hippies and Disco. And yes, he even put up with me (I was the worse of five). The 90’s were good to him and he continued to hit the ball straight down the fairway as he made his way into the 21st Century. He lived 31, 281 days and he was married to his sweetheart for 22,166 days. He was a great dad, who yelled from the bottom of the steps to wake us up every Sunday for church. In doing so, he provided a great foundation for us; Christian principles and belief in Jesus Christ. He never had a lot of money, but his life lesson was more about living in the moment and enjoying the people that surrounded him… His wife of 60 years, 5 children, 14 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and his friends & family will miss him dearly.

Jake’s Eulogy:
My Grandpa was a loving and caring grandfather, and he never gave up for what he believed in. He was the one who started this whole family, that’s why we love him dearly and very much. He was always a happy man – he was never mad. He always said “hi” to me. I will never forget those “hi’s”. Now he’s up in heaven where we love and miss him.


http://www.sawyerfuller.com/obituaries.htm

sucker for b&w

My father in law Tom came to Tristens soccer game and took some awesome pictures. I'm such a sucker for black and white and these pictures all say something about this family.


To me this one of Thomas and Tanner is my daily vision of them both. Tanner is glued to Thomas and hanging on him like the little monkey he is. He is trying to destroy Thomas sunglasses and he has that look like he is trying to figure out what to get into next without getting caught.

Thomas is watching Tristen, holding Tanner, trying not to let Tanner destroy his sunglasses but to let him play with them long enough to keep him busy so he can actually WATCH Tristen play. He wants to yell for Tristen and help coach but he has a monkey attached to him. And he is wondering if I will care if he goes golfing after this.

This is my sweaty boy that doesn't really have time to stop and take a picture so he is gonna give you that fake smile to get you off his back. Right now he is thinking I wonder who brought the snack and I hope we get a juice box instead of the water like Mom brought last week. ohh and can I go play at the playground when this is done?! and I wonder since I scored a goal if Dad will take me to Family Video so I can get a game for my wii.



Yup, its me. 9 months preggo, and glad Tanner isn't attached to my hip at this very moment. I'm biting the side of my lip watching how good Tristen is at playing soccer with my camera in hand waiting to snap a perfect moment. I'm thinking ohh my god my feet are SO swollen, I wish I had a that water I brought last week and I hope Thomas doesn't want to golf after this cuz I need a nap.

proud momma

Mom you are the proud owner of a first grader.
This is the first thing Tristen said to me when I picked him up on the last day of K-garden. He is very attached to his teacher and I think its bitter sweet for him to leave her. He still wants to name the baby Prout, after Miss. Prout and said her nick name can be Prouty. She really has done an amazing job and he respects her so much. What Miss Prout says, goes. She really took him by the hand and taught him so much.

Miss Gina was another favorite of ours, she is the assistant that calls Tristen shorty.
We are really gonna miss both of them next year.



This is his buddy Zach that he hangs with. so cute

He had his hip hop recital, so awesome and I think Thomas and I were the loudest in that auditorium. He did great and its the strangest thing to watch your baby on stage in front of 400 people. He didnt need us to tell him what to do or how to do it. He was this little man up there on his own making his mark without us. And when he met us after the show he was beaming and so proud of what he just did. And also had the two proudest parents adoring his every move.

Forever Holding Hands

GO WINGS!!

Memorial weekend came and went fast. Thomas took Tristen up north to his friends place and they both came home smelly and tired. They had a blast. Tristen actually made money by charging T's friends a quarter every time they swore. This is coming from a kid who thinks that shut up and stupid are bad words so I can only imagine what he heard up north. Lets hope his teacher doesn't call me and ask where he got his colorful vocabulary. I will completely blame Thomas, then find those potty mouth A-holes and kick some ass. kidding.

Tanner and I had a good time too. We went to the zoo on Saturday with Mandy, Lily and Taylor. And the Covatta's showed up for a while. It was packed and beautiful outside. My shoulders even got a little sun. And I guess after we had already left they were kicking people out because a Tiger took a bite out of one of the the trainers hand. Yikes.

Here is the classic and traditional picture next to the fountain. Throwing penny's was a highlight on this zoo trip. I thought the Zebra's doing it was funny but Tanner didn't care about that. We must have different sense of humors.

This one of him and Lily cracks me up. Even Lily thought Wow that's a big smile.

Then we went to my Dads on Sunday and watched as they put a Gazebo together. Tanner loved watching Papa drill bolts into the deck.

Then we went to Judy cottage and Aaron was making Polish horseshoes and Tanner again was all about watchin the guys making stuff. Such a boy.

Speaking/writing about Aaron, the biggest Wings fan I know. He hasn't shaved since the playoffs started and I barely recognized him. It looks good, but he doesn't look 22 anymore. I have the game on right now and the stupid Penguins have scored twice since I have gotten on the computer. Maybe that's a sign that I should go watch it. Damn. Ozzy was doin awesome too. And can I just say that I LOVE seeing Ozzy, Draper and McCarty all playing at the same time again. Just like the good ol' days. Only if Stevie was still out there, I might shed a tear. Or remember Probert- man he could fight. Actually the first game I ever went to I saw him kick someones ass. Then I decided that this was a sport I could love. Bob Probert, the guy who forgot it's against the law to take cocaine across the border to Canada. wonder what he's up to now.

OK so I just watched part of the game and the Wings scored so I feel that it is necessary to stop blogging and go cheer my team on. I mean if they lose, it could be completely MY fault for not paying attention. I couldn't live with that.

GO WINGS!!

How sweet it is to be loved by you

What a good Mothers Day I had. In fact I think it may the best one I have had yet. Started off with sleeping in, always a bonus. Then I had breakfast in bed, with a daisy on top of my food. Then I open the best present ever, a silver heart necklace that I will wear everyday. Lets see, then I took a nap, woke up, took a shower and my Mom picked me up and we went to Red Lobster. We thought since we went at 3:00 it wouldnt be that busy. Yeah right. It was packed with a 45 minute wait. And then, out of the blue 2 superhero's came to our rescue. My moms best friend Laurie and her husband Ken were there and they asked us to eat with them and we only had to wait like 10 to 15 minutes because they had already been there close to a half hour. It was great to catch up too. Laurie and my mom have been friends since we moved to Clawson 28 years ago. Holy crap that is crazy to think, 28 years ago. You can tell that they know each other so well too. I cant listen to Motown without thinking of Laurie and my mom dancing to it at our block parties. Laurie has a great sense of humor and always cracks me up with her one liners. I think it's also because you dont expect her to say the things she does and your shocked to hear it said from her. I love people like that.

Then I came home and Tristen made a present for me at school.......


If you cant read it, it says-
Tristen, why do you love your mom?
He said- Because she makes us good dinner and she helps me with my homework. She also protects me when Tanner hits me in the head.
I almost pee'd when I read the end. I can only imagine what his teacher thinks. I'm waiting for Social Services to make a visit. Actually his teacher is so great and is always pulling me aside and telling me the crazy things he says and does. He is pretty attached to her and he still wants to name the baby Prout Perry. This will be framed and kept forever. And later we will show Tanner how he tortured Tristen when he was only 2 years old. Thank Buddha that Tristen is old enough and smart enough not pounce on Tanner every time he throws a block at him or tackles him from behind. He is such a good big brother and Tanner also just adores Trist and mimics everything he does. He just also likes torture Tristen.

Then they do this...............



ohh my heart sank when I looked at them all cuddled up watching cartoons together on a Sunday morning. There is nothing that makes me melt faster then seeing how much they love each other how close they really are at the end of the day. or morning in this picture.

sooo yummy.

Thank you to the best husband ever for the best mothers day ever. You made up for the year that I got a 3 wick, dark green, pine scented candle that you bought at Gibraltar. Your my favorite. I dont know what I would do without you!

The newest member in 3D

This is by far 1 of the coolest things Ive ever done and seen.
I watched her move around and kick me and she stuck her tongue out and I even watched her blink, while in my belly. SO weird and very cool. I got a ton of still pictures and a CD that has all the video's on it. It was truly amazing and I want that job. The Ultrasound Tech is awesome and I told her I wanted her job, she didn't seem to be too threatened. She did say when she was preggo every time she was alone she would squirt that gel on her belly, turn some music on and watch her baby girl dance. I thought that was so sweet. Then she told me her daughters name and it's a name that I've been tossing around in my head. So now I think that was fate telling me what this baby wants her name to be.
we'll see.........

updates

So much has been going on, I cant keep up anymore. And as the saying goes, when it rains, it pours.

Bad news first, my Grandpa is very sick and had a triple bypass a week ago and is still in ICU recovering. It sucks and this poor family has been through a roller coaster of emotions in 2 weeks. I hate watching these people I love going through this heart wrenching time in our lives. Grandpa is someone who makes you feel like you have a special connection with him and he is always humming a tune. Thats a sign of a happy person. And watching him and my Grandma, you know this is true. They still laugh with each other, hold hands and split meals. They are each other's best friend and soul mate.
Keep Grandpa in your thoughts and prayers for me, he's a stubborn old guy and I know he can get through this.

Ohh that's right, I'm 30 weeks pregnant and we don't have anything else to do, what a good time to buy a house. Yup, we are and still in the process and still have allot to do but it is moving along so far so good. (knocking on every piece of wood I can find) I'm contemplating erasing that comment in fear that I just jinked myself. damn it. We put an offer in yesterday and now its the waiting game. My mind races at night thinking of all the things we have to do but I'm pretty stoked too. Change is good and we want to make sure to have it all settled before Trist starts 1st grade.

Tristen started soccer again and it's in full swing. He's so fun to watch and has become leader. He's also in a hip hop class that he takes with his buddy Zach. It's so great to watch your kid bust out moves to songs that I used to dance to at a club. Ohh and we cant forget football that his Dad has been waiting for his whole life to start. But we have to wait to see where we move to decide will Tristen be a Clawson Maverick or a Berkley Steeler?!

Lets see- I dropped my cell phone in a glass of Squirt and lost every phone # and pictures that I had for the last 2 years. That sucked. I did get a new phone that is cool but whatever, I want my pictures and #'s back. I urge you to get a copy once in a while or now you can sign up through Sprint and get all your contacts loaded on line as you add them to your phone. It's so annoying to go though this.

I've been pretty tired lately and as moody as one can get. (I'm sure Thomas can confirm that). I have heartburn daily- I still get sick in the morning, I pee allot and feel like I wattle already. And now I just stare at people when they make dumb ass comments, I am convinced that people are just not right in the head. But the baby is doing good- up to 3 pounds, and kicking a ton. I love that part and I'll miss it someday so I do try to soak it up now. I remind myself allot that this is the last time I will have this incredible miracle happen to me. Being pregnant is not easy, a man could never do it. Thomas gets weirded out just feeling my belly, he thinks an alien is gonna pop out. Tanner kisses my big Buddha belly and tries to but my belly button back in and Tristen is still wanting to name her Prout (after his favorite teacher).
These are the days to remember....