Sweet Emses

Emily a few moments old

Yesterday was Emily's 12th birthday. This was such a milestone day for both of us. I loved that she had a snowday and was able to spend the day at home. Her new Young Women leader and two of the Beehives visited her today. They brought her balloons in the value colors and all the YW books and pamphlets. I was delighted to see how they welcomed her so openly and helped her feel comfortable with this transition. She is very nervous about attending YW this Sunday. Seeing her being unsure of this new situation reminded me of how scared I was when I started YW. I remember how grown up and sophisticated the Laurels were and how tiny and young I felt. Emily is blessed to have associations with great leaders and also older girls that are setting such a good example for her. I am so excited for her! They gave her the torch necklace, which she secretly calls the "fire lady necklace." She put it right on and wore it to school today. Entering YW is such a landmark in the life of an LDS girl. She is not a child anymore and will only get more mature and competent from here on.

Emily 1 year old

Emily age 4

Another milestone completed was getting her ears pierced. My mom had a rule that I had to be 12 to get my ears pierced and I held to the same rule for Emily. After dinner of homemade pizza, (her dinner choice) we took a family trip to the Westland Mall. We stopped at the Piercing Pagoda where she looked at the spinning display of earrings and said she was so nervous. Anna and I reassured her that it doesn't hurt and that she could do it. (Anna, you should blog about your piercing experience.) I could tell by the look on her face that she was sooo scared! She chose a very cute pair of posts and then a few minutes later, she was pierced! She looks very beautiful and grown up.

Another landmark event today was her opening a letter written to her by my mother. My mother wrote it to her in 1987 and it was addressed on the envelop to "Jennifer's Future Daughter to be Opened on Her 12th Birthday." This letter has been sitting in my jewelry box for years waiting for Emily to turn 12. I have seen her come into my room and look at the envelop, turning it in her fingers, probably wondering what her Grandma Gloria is going to tell her. I am confident that Emily grasps that this is a most precious item. I feel so fortunate that my mom was so close to the Spirit to feel the need to pen such a note. The letter was the first thing Emily asked about in the morning. She opened it and read it and let me read it. It was one of the best things I have ever read. It was lovingly addressed and told of my mom's and my relationship at the time (I was 13 when it was written). My mother implored Emily to see me as her friend and develop our relationship as mother and daughter. She said some beautiful things that I will hold dear to my heart always. Emily was visibly touched by the moment.

Emily age 8

My daughter, Emily, has been so precious to me even before she was born. When I was expecting, I knew she was a girl and I knew her name would be Emily. I would talk to her and felt so close to her. When she was placed in my arms for the first time, I knew her! She was familiar to me already. She was the sweetest baby, a delightful toddler and so enjoyable as a child. That is not to say that she was perfect. She had her moments. I recall one of them being in the Lansing Ward building when I was on assignment to visit a ward there. I often traveled to various wards for my calling and because Chris' calling was such that he couldn't take a toddler with him, she would travel with me. For the most part, she would quietly play with toys or books. One day she was just out of sorts and was screaming and carrying on. I was at my wits end with her. I took her into a classroom and was going to punish her but was overcome with a feeling that I should sing a Primary song to her at that moment. I did so and she calmed down. I remember feeling thankful for parenting help from the Master Parent. At 12, she still has her moments, but in spite of them, she is just the most wonderful daughter that there ever was. I used to get upset at the thought of her growing up and leaving home. I don't so much anymore because I know that we will be great friends forever. She and I have a bond that time, age and distance cannot overcome.

Emily, you are so dear to me and I am a better mother because I have you for a daughter.

A bundle of nerves

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

This week has been mid-winter break for my kids and they have been home all week from school. I love it so much when they are home. I love being with them and talking with them and doing stuff with them. I love eating lunch together and watching movies and playing Webkinz. This week we had a fun time doing lots of various things together and apart. On Monday, we did some house cleaning that they weren't very excited about but needed to be done. On Tuesday, we did some more house cleaning that they weren't very excited about again. On Tuesday night we got to babysit for baby Lucy and that was really fun. We also watched the DVD, "North Avenue Irregulars," that Grammy gave us. This is one of my very favorite movies from my childhood and I was thrilled that she found it on DVD and gave it to us. To my delight, the children loved it too! Our favorite parts are when the ladies have to sing, "Roll out the Barrel" at the hot dog stand and when Cloris Leachman comes out of the hair salon in her frosting cap and wet fingernails. It is a riot! On Wednesday, Emily, Christopher and Calvin slept over at the Heiners. They had a maximum of fun on a minimum of sleep. Spencer slept over at Grammy and Grandpas, so Cameron got to be an only child for a night. On Thursday, we went with Heiners again to see the Bee Movie for $1 at the Briarwood Theater. I didn't really like the movie, but it was fun to be with Jodi and to watch Cameron eat all of her Junior Mints. Jodi has been making me the greatest desserts lately. I guess she doesn't care how fat I get. :) Today she gave me a pan of what my aunts call: Waist Expander Bars. They are peanut butter rice crispy treats topped in chocolate. Yummy!! Grammy and Grandpa took us out for a late lunch to Dos Pesos and in all our fun, I forgot Emily's piano lesson. (Sorry Melissa! :( We'll be there next week, I promise!!) Today, thanks to Angel Tedesco at WNIC, I got my hair colored and my eyebrows waxed at Visions Salon in Novi. It was a very fancy salon and I felt sloppy there but my hair looks great and my eyebrows no longer look like the eyebrows of Shannon O'Neill's stepdad from highschool. I always thought his might take flight at any moment. We are going to have a quiet rest of the afternoon playing DS or watching a movie. I might even take a nap if I can con the kids into washing the lunch dishes for me. It might sound like we live a very unexciting life here, but I am so happy and content with my family. I couldn't want for anything more. I can't wait for summer vacation!

So kiss me and smile for me

On the way home from church today, Emily pointed out to me that the date for Summer Girls Camp was on the church bulletin for future planning. She is very excited about the fact that she gets to go to camp this next summer. We were discussing it as a family and talking about how we don't know what we will do without her for an entire week. After a few minutes, Spencer burst into tears. It took several minutes of him sobbing uncontrollably before we could get out of him what was the matter. He looked at me with eyes full of tears and weeped, "I don't want Emily to go for a whole week. I'll miss her." I had seen similar eyes once before almost 15 years ago in the wee hours of the morning of August 1, 1993. This was the morning that I loaded up my little grey Chevette and headed to Utah to attend college. The eyes that were full of tears were Anna's. It was heartbreaking to leave her that day and I remember crying my way through several states.

I don't know if my father was really wise or really stupid for letting me drive myself to Utah from Ohio at age 18. I know that I wouldn't let my daughter do it in a million years. However, he let me exert some independence and because of that experience, I learned a great deal. I learned that I am not a follower of the crowd. I learned that I love my home and my family more than anything in the whole world. I learned that BYU isn't the only place on the earth for strong, happy, faithful LDS people to be after high school. I don't think I would have learned these lessons in any other way than doing what I did that August morning.

For some reason, I have been thinking a lot lately about leaving home and having children leave home. This experience that Emily will have this summer of going to Girls Camp and being independent of her family is the first of many that will come to her over the next few years. Before we know it, she will be 18 and heading out to the college of her choice (as long as it is MSU). I know it is 6 years away, but it is going to fly by. When she was born, my dad said something very wise. He was holding her in his arms, his first grandchild, and he looked at me and said, "In what will feel like 2 weeks, she will be driving." I laughed then and thought there was no way that that was true. However, I sit here almost 12 years after he said it and I know it is true. It feels like yesterday that she was born and tomorrow she will leave.

As I think about all these things, I wonder if I am feeling a small part of what Heavenly Father feels when He sends us to this earth and we leave Him for a little season. We come to this earth to exert our independence and try out new things. He hopes we will choose the right path and return home again one day. I picture Him releasing us to our new experience knowing that mortality is such a short time and knowing that we are going to make mistakes but that we are going to return to Him having learned so many things that we could only learn from our turn on earth. I am thankful to Him for giving us this opportunity.

I remember the teary eyes that greeted me home on December 19, 1993. The joy that I had when I ran into my home in Toledo and embraced my father and my sister after being separated from them for those 4 months is indescribable. There were tears shed on this morning, but they were tears of happiness and joy. This reunion could only possibly be eclipsed by the reunion that we will have one day with our Father and our Savior after mortality. As our family begins to navigate new waters of children experiencing life in new ways independent from our family, I pray that we will adapt to this change. Though the parting might hurt for a moment and we will miss each other, we are sealed together forever. Thankfully, this eternal bridge connects us no matter where mortality may take us.

Best of Both Worlds

Last night I got to be 15 again! We got free tickets to the Hannah Montana at the Joe Louis Arena. Chris' radio rep from Radio Disney let him know early this week that she had 4 tickets for us. We told Emily and she was soooooooooo excited! She loves Hannah Montana, loves her music, watches the show, was even Hannah Montana for Halloween! I thought the seats would be ok...but probably towards the back since they were free. When I picked them up from Will Call and saw that they were 3rd row, I couldn't believe my eyes! Once we entered our section, we started the stairway down towards the center of the arena and just kept going almost to the floor to our seats. They were so awesome! Thank you, Susan!

The show opened with Aly and AJ performing. I was surprised how much I enjoyed their music. It was actually pretty good. Then we had Hannah and after Hannah it was Miley's turn. I loved so many things about the evening.
1. Being with Emily, Anna and Jodi. Awesome GNO! Love that Em thought we were cool enough to go with her.
2. That even though all the costumes weren't 100% modest, none were sleazy or sexy. There was nothing at all sexual in any of the numbers. I heard no swearing. It was absolutely family friendly.
3. Watching Emily and Anna dance together.
4. Watching Jodi laugh at all the crazy little girl fans.
5. Watching dad's dance along.
6. Hearing such loud screaming and enthusiasm. Must have been what it was like when the Beatles came to America.

It was really fun and I am so thankful for Susan Woolner being so generous and giving us this opportunity. Thanks!

Emily bought herself this Hannah Montana tote.

Emily and Anna

Me and Emily before the show

We were incredibly close to the stage!

Aly and AJ rockin' out!!

Best Day Ever!!

Jodi and I

Hannah

Miley




The screaming was soooooo loud!!

Oh, woo. Look at the time. I gotta get to bed. I still gotta brush my teeth, feed the hog, still got some homework to do, still got those bills to pay

Our home has been enduring the worst appliance failure I can imagine. Our dishwasher is broken. This broken dishwasher is causing much angst among our residents here. Everyone hates doing dishes by hand! Hand dish washing has so many drawbacks. It takes a long time, they are never cleaned as well as in the automatic washer, our sink is not the proper kind for hand dish washing (you need a double sink to properly hand wash dishes, we have a single sink), it brings out the worst in my children, etc...

I am no stranger to washing dishes. I grew up in a home that didn't have an automatic dishwasher. One of my dad's favorite sayings when asked why we didn't have a dishwasher was to point to Anna and I and say, "I've got two. Jennifer and Anna." Annoying! I hated washing dishes as a child. Anna and I would devise all kinds of ways to make it endurable. My first tactic was to distract my dad. If dish washing time was at the same time as Mr. Wizard was on Nickelodeon, I could put off the dishes til after Mr. Wizard was over. This also worked with Jeopardy!. I guess my dad considered educational television more important than housework. One of Anna's tactics was to lay on the floor and whine and complain. This didn't get very good results. We would sometimes sing while we would wash. That made time go faster. I have fond memories of rousing renditions of "There's a hole in the bucket." Another game we played was called "10 and 10." This was simple. She washed 10 items and then I washed 10 items. You got a break while the other person was washing. We were child geniuses.

My children are hating washing dishes as much as we did. They are employing a few tactics of their own. The first involved piling as many dirty dishes inside the broken dishwasher as possible, closing the door and hoping no one would notice. I started to notice that some of the plates were missing and my silverware drawer looked empty. I opened the dishwasher and could not believe my eyes. Or nose. I got very angry and that's all I'm going to say about that. They are also taking tips from Anna's playbook and employing the whining and complaining tactics. This is working about as well for them as it did for her 18 years ago.

I don't know what is wrong with the dishwasher. I tried to take it apart. I know...bad idea. I couldn't tell what was wrong and now it is not completely back together because I can't remember how to do it. If anyone knows a mechanically inclined person who might be able to fix it, send them my way. Until then, stay away from the Vos house after meal time. It's a dangerous place.

"Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city." --George Burns

Today was the Platte Family Christmas Party. This event happens every year after Christmas and is part Christmas party, part family reunion. The Platte Family is comprised of my grandmother, her children, her children's children, and her children's children's children. Someday in the near future, i bet we'll have her children's children's children's children. My grandmother is 90. You can read about her here. She has 10 daughters living. They are Aunts Judy, Pat, Katie, Bernie, Mary, Linda, Annie, Jackie, Susie and Tina (born when my grandma was 50). My mother fits between Mary and Linda. There was one son, Tom, who died before I was born, in an accident. His wife remarried and they and their children come to the party too.

A photo of them as children. My mom is peeking out just to the left of my grandma. Anna looks just like her.

The Plattes 2008

My aunts are amazing women. I look up to each one in a different way but mostly I look up to them because they are all such outstanding mothers. Six of them have over five children, several over 10. I have 61 first cousins. My cousins range in age from 18 months to (I'm guessing) 45. Sorry to my oldest cousins if you are younger than this. Many of my cousins are married with children. These children range in age from 22 to newborns. I don't know how many children there are. I would guess somewhere around 90. This brings the total number of people including spouses and significant others attending the party to somewhere around 170. 170 people all attending because of two people who married over 70 years ago and built a strong family with a determination to weather any storm and stand steadfast and immovable.

As long as I can remember, we have held the party at a hall because we are too large a group to fit in anyone's home. When I was little it was at the Westphalia Fire Hall and also at the Westphalia old hall that featured a rather scary basement. The party has been held at the new Westphalia Hall and finally has settled at the Pewamo Hall. As a child, the party involved seeing cousins and playing with toys. My sister and I were almost the only cousins that didn't live right in the same community as everyone else. There were times that I felt like an outsider because these people all knew each other so well and I was felt so different from them. Not only was I a city girl but I was also a different religion from everyone. It would always take me a few minutes to warm up but pretty soon I was running right along with the others. Sometimes we had Santa at the party and sometimes there were movies and pinatas. The party was always a highlight of the year. The current party involves eating the most incredible food on the planet, dodging basketballs, opening gifts and having to thank someone you might have never met for them, singing Christmas carols, keeping your 18 month old from drinking from random cups in the room that may or may not contain beer, talking, laughing and having fun. In addition, many people play cards and this year we took a group photo. The party lived up to all expectations.

I got to spend time laughing at my Uncle Dave's dry wit, marveling at the beauty and slenderness of cousins and aunts and wondering why my dad's genes are so dominate in my genetic makeup, singing favorite Christmas songs that I only get to hear at the party, eating glorified rice, talking with my grandma even though I don't think she knows me anymore, listening to all the complements on my beautiful children, proudly standing by Anna as everyone oohed and aahed over Lucy and just loving being with these people who represent the one person I miss more than anything.

As I listened to my aunts sing, (they are amazing) I could hear my mother's voice and see her standing there clapping and laughing. I was once again reminded that I am never going to stop missing her. She was there with us today and I will always cherish the Platte Party because at it I can feel that much closer to her.

Anna and Lucy, Me and Grandma Platte

Cameron having fun on a riding toy.

Uncle Sam with Anna and Lucy

Spencer or Michael Jordan?

Anna looks a little too excited about Lucy's first Platte Party toy.

Spencer gives a hearty thumbs up to his Assault Machine Gun. Maybe they figured since we live near Detroit...?

Cameron was fascinated by the guitars and music.

He also got in on a poker game.

This is an interesting crucifix sculpture outside the hall. Calvin and Spencer got into a big argument over whether or not it is Jesus. I think I might have to agree with Spencer. That's not the Jesus that I know.

This is no longer a vacation. It's a quest. It's a quest for fun. I'm gonna have fun and you're gonna have fun.

On Tuesday, our family was treated to the most fun thing we have done in a really long time. Looking back, I can't remember having so much fun almost ever. We haven't had a vacation in years, we've been so stressed about finances and jobs lately and we just haven't taken the time to have fun. Growing up, I went on several vacations. They were few and far between due to my parent's health and finances. One year we went to Mackinaw Island. That was fun but I really wanted to see Skull Cave. (Or is it rock?) We couldn't afford the money to take the little carriage ride up to it and no one was healthy enough to walk me up there. Oh, the disappointment! One year we went to Florida. We spent two weeks in my grandmother's trailer. We actually did some fun things like go putt-putting and swimming in the ocean. I really wanted to go to Disney World but, again, no money. My second choice was to go to Miami. We didn't go there because my grandma said there were too many Mexicans. Or maybe Cubans. Too many of some ethnic group that she didn't like. As a consolation, we got to go to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers. It didn't quite measure up.

My friends growing up went to exotic places like Cancun, on cruises, to Germany, Disney World, etc... I don't feel deprived or ungrateful. I just know that there is a whole world out there having fun vacations and I haven't really tasted of it yet. I've had a few bites but I want to eat the whole apple. I'm waiting my turn...I know it will happen someday.

Anyway, on Tuesday, we were treated to an afternoon at an indoor water park called Splash Universe in Dundee, Michigan. I had never been to a water park before and this was exactly the kind of fun I needed. The only drawback was that I had to be in public in a swimsuit, but oh well. I endured for the fun. There were super tall water slides that were completely dark and took my breath away when I went down. There were medium water slides that were twisty and turny and so completely exhilarating. There was a lazy river and a wave pool. There was a complete pirate ship-like climbing structure that dumped water on you constantly. It was so fun. I really have overused the word "fun" but that's exactly what it was. We got to eat pizza and play in the arcade too. All compliments of Chris' uncle, whom I just can't thank enough. It was such a wonderful day. I highly recommend it to any family looking for a day of uninhibited fun.

The kids with the Splash Universe beaver mascot

Pretending they are Zac and Cody and having a "Suite" life!

The whole gang, sans me: Back row: Jay, Brette, John, Keili, Kristie, Uncle John, Aunt Barbara Front Row: Aiden, Maya, Conner, Spencer, Calvin, Christopher and Emily

Spencer in some goofy glasses he won at the arcade.

Gee, SquidWard, maybe Santa will bring me a dictionary so I can understand what you just said.

Christmas has come and gone already. I feel like I spend so much time gearing up for it and preparing and then, Whoosh!, it's over. We had a very happy, fun and wonderful few days. It started on Saturday with a nice visit from Chris' cousin and his family. They live in Kansas and we don't see them very often. We all met at Buca di Beppo for a fun meal and time to get reacquainted. Chris' aunt and uncle from St. Ignace and his cousin and family from Livonia were there also, in addition to Chris' dad, grandpa and brother and family. Chris' grandpa turned 90 on December 13 so we were celebrating his birthday as well. It was fun times! PS: The food at Buca di Beppo is great but the ambiance is a little risque. I don't think we will be returning anytime soon. Christopher refused to go into the bathroom because of some "Inappropriate" pictures.

Jeff, Jay, Lynn and Chris

Morgan and Emily

Stephenson and Vos boys

On Sunday, we went to Church and enjoyed our ward's Christmas program. It was nice listening to the children sing. Poor Calvin hates getting up in front of a group and he hid the best he could behind taller children. They did a great job.

On Monday, we made our usual trek to Mecca...I mean Toledo...for our annual Ideal Hot Dog meal. In attendance were our family and the Onofrios. We headed out comfortably (for the first time ever!) in our 12 passenger van and had great weather conditions for our drive. We arrived in Toledo and made our way to Heatherdowns and Eastgate where lies the best dive restaurant ever. We ordered tons of chili mac and garlic bread and left with full bellies. This tradition started many years ago when my Dad still lived in Toledo and we have been keeping it alive ever since. I think Lucy must have loved it because she gave some beautiful smiles while we were there. The best thing about chili mac is that you get to burp it up and retaste it all night long!

What should I order, chili mac or chili mac?

This is the best thing I've ever eaten!!

After Ideal Hot Dog, we opened presents together. Anna, Tony and Lucy loved their blankets I made them. Lucy cuddled up in hers and went right to sleep. The kids loved the presents they received. It was fun. After presents we prepared the Christmas Snacks. Anna and I decided that we would rather eat appetizers from now on that regular meals. They are much more fun! We awarded our treats with fun names.

Best Newcomer: Pizza Dip
Returning Favorite: Seven Layer Taco Dip
Fan Favorite: Mini Egg Rolls
Best Use of Seafood: Crab Dip
Best Use of Pickled Bologna: Pickled Bologna

Emily with her blanket

Lucy nestled all snug in her blanket.

The piece de resistance

Anna and Tony left and we packed the kids off to bed. In the morning, we ran down to see what Santa left. Everyone was thrilled and excited! Spencer gets the award for most enthusiasm. He proclaimed everything "awesome!" It was fun watching them be so excited.

Awesome! I got Spongebob Legos!

Chi-chi-chi Chia!

Christmas morning we went to Grammy and Grandpa's house for traditional egg bake and presents. We had fun eating, opening gifts and playing with cousins.

Christopher and Grammy playing Speed Stack.

Tyler with his Jeff Gordon blanket

Yesterday, we treated the kids to an exciting surprise and took them to Chuck E. Cheese with the Heiners. We had been promising them a trip to Chuck E. Cheese for over a year but never wanted to spend the money on it. We pooled our Christmas money and treated them to a fun evening. They really enjoyed it!


Now the celebrating is over but we are still having fun. The kids have enjoyed putting together Spongebob Legos with dad, playing on their Nintendo DSs, playing Uno Attack and having fun. I will be sad when they go back to school in two weeks.