Life in the Fourth Quarter

*******************************Thanks!!!!

2009-12-11T11:48:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all the football families that gave to the Jackson Family Christmas!!! It was a huge success and we can't wait to give it to them this weekend! Merry Christmas!

************************************Jackson Family Christmas

2009-11-24T07:51:00.001-08:00

If you are a football parent and would like to give to the Jackson Family Christmas giftcard, the button is on the right hand side. If you just came to see the cute kids, they are right below :)

***************************Post Football Day #1

2009-11-23T12:17:00.001-08:00

Life is taken one day at a time. This is our first day together after football 09. It was a tough one for daddy. We decided to take it to the beach, and spent a beautiful afternoon over at the cottage. The kids had so much fun in the sand and Marin had a #6 piquito from Butches :) I love my family!!! Rob is a football coach---but also the best husband and daddy around!

**************************************Semi-Finals

2009-11-23T12:06:00.000-08:00

I realized that this game was the 5th semi-final game that I have gone to since Rob and I met! It was also the most stressful to me. I couldn't bring myself to sit and watch the first half, so Marin and I walked around. It was not that I didn't want to be supportive, it was that I couldn't bear to watch the man that I love so much fail. It hurt to much. Rob and his boys worked so hard this season and came up against a team that they could not beat. I decided that a win is not always the best outcome, it is measured in other ways. I think this team has won in so many others ways--not just the ones on the scoreboard! Great Job Panthers!

**************************************Daddies Trophy

2009-11-10T19:39:00.001-08:00

"I want daddies trophy" Someone is a little competitive already!

---------- ----------BEAT MASON DADDY!!!-------------

2009-10-30T06:27:00.000-07:00

WE WANT DADDY TO BEAT THE MASON BULLDOGS !!! WE ARE WEARING OUR LUCKY T-SHIRTS TO HELP! GO BLUE!

Daughtry Girls

2009-10-29T17:42:00.001-07:00

Jess and I took Kaela to a concert last night--Daughtry. We had so much fun but alas we are now not able to hear and Jess and I are so old that we were sore today! Wish you could have been with us Les!

Fall Girls

2009-10-29T17:29:00.000-07:00

Ihave the cutest pumpkin and monkey around--don't you think! The pumpkin costume was Kaela's when she was a babe. Grandpa grew lots of pumpkins and gourds for the girls to pick!

Jacob #2 Dewitt Junior Panthers

2009-10-16T18:26:00.001-07:00

Look at #2. He has a big game vs rival Haslett tomorrow. Jake has had the best time playing football this year! I am soooo proud of him!

Two and a half!!!

2009-10-16T18:19:00.000-07:00

Marin turned 2 1/2 yesterday. Daddy surprised her with an ice cream cake with her name on it from Baskin Robins. It was sooooo good!

So many posts in one day!

2009-10-13T13:38:00.000-07:00

Here are some more fall pics--Marin just flooded the small bathroom playing the sink so I gotta go!!! Love her!

Mod Girl

2009-10-13T13:33:00.001-07:00

Laine is a mod girl. She just not about wearing pink and bows. She looks good in a little zebra or pink cheetah leg warmers! Brown is her color-Gotta love her!

Freshman Homecoming

2009-10-13T13:27:00.001-07:00

Kaela went to her first official high school dance-fall homecoming. She went with her good friends and had a great time--loved her dress. Great buy from Forever 21. I remember those fun times-can't believe it's her turn now!

Fun Football Saturday

2009-10-13T13:14:00.000-07:00

We went to CMU Homecoming Game on Saturday. It was a beautiful fall Michigan day--kind of chilly though! Laine has a new bear coat and was in the carrier so she was the only warm one out of the bunch! Rob is a CMU alumni, as is my sis Les--Took some pics for you sis. The cheerleader outfit Marin has on was Kaela's when Les was cheering at Central. Marin loves cheerleaders and was all about trying to watch them! We went to Uncle John's Cider Mill after for some fall fun! Had lots of great snacks and of course cider and donuts--they have the best!

Sweet Pics

2009-09-06T11:24:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics of my sweeties!

"Laine Ashlynn Zimmerman"

2009-08-15T13:46:00.000-07:00

Hello-I have not posted in so very long! We have gotten rid of the internet for the summer-trying to save a little money on bills! Laine was born on August 6th at 1103 am. She was 6 lbs 13 oz. I was induced because of low fluid and an old placenta. Everything went very well and she if doing fabulous-other than not sleeping anywhere but on top of me! Marin adores her and wants to be with her and touching her all the time! I am feeling very well and hope to post some pics of this beautiful babe soon!!!
Christina

8th Grade Farewell

2009-05-30T09:58:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that Kaela is saying goodbye to eighth grade! She will be in high school next year! Where has the time gone. Kaela, I am so proud of you and the young woman that you are becoming! You are so beautiful! Keep on believing in yourself and I am so looking forward to the years to come with you!

Love you!

MOM

Great baby carrier!

2009-05-28T06:05:00.000-07:00

My sis Jess has one of these great carriers from MeeUp. They are like a sling but have great support on the shoulder and super cute designs. Thinking about getting one for the new babe--but I'd rather win one for free! Check out there website!!! This is the one that I want!

My 7 month belly

2009-05-27T19:05:00.000-07:00

I was thinking that I had no pics of my belly, so while we were looking at beautiful Squaw Lake in Republic I asked Rob to take a couple pics.

Memorial Day Weekend in the UP

2009-05-27T18:48:00.000-07:00

We went to the Upper Penisula over Memorial Day weekend for a wedding in Rob's family. Grandma and Grandpa Z also went. It was soooooooooo much driving! Marin did quite well in the car due to her sister letting her borrow her DVD player. She watched Diego about 50 times! We were able to meet some of Rob's cousins and see many beautiful sites. On Saturday Marin and I went to Grand Marais and had lunch and went to the beach on Lake Superior. It was a fun time--except when we were almost carried away by mosquitoes in Seney!

Happy Big #2 Marin!!!

2009-05-06T16:32:00.000-07:00

This is a late post for little Marins 2nd birthday that was on April 15th. I had a great day with you little girl. We went to the zoo for lunch which is one of your favorite things to do. We put your swingset together and had dinner with your family! You blew out your own candles and loved your cake. You are such a sweet girl and I love spending my days with you! I love your smile and your crazy blonde hair! Happy Birthday!

Spring is officially here!

2009-05-06T16:26:00.000-07:00

Just a few pics of the kids and our beautiful tree in the backyard that is almost in full bloom!

Happy Easter!!! for Grandma Liz:)

2009-04-12T13:00:00.000-07:00

Just a few pics of a beautiful Easter day and family!

Frankenmuth Fun

2009-04-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

Marin, Rob and I visited Frankenmuth for our annual Easter time dinner and sights! We did a little bit of shopping at the candy and fudge stores. It was a beautiful afternoon-lots of sun. We ended of trip with the traditional chicken dinner at Bavarian Village--YUM!!!

Fab Dress

2009-04-10T18:52:00.000-07:00

I just bought Marin a fab little dress from etsy.com for a wedding that we have at the end of May. It is blue and brown to match my fab new maternity dress from Kiki's fashions on ebay. I can't wait to get it and see it on her! Check it out at hughesof4.etsy.com

PS-I'm not smart enough to drag the pic???

Marin Lion

2009-04-08T11:57:00.000-07:00

This posting is from Jake-they built a fort today and these pics are from a safari he had watching a creature called "Marin Lion." It is a very rare but cute creature with pigtails. Nice pics Jake!

Its a girl!!!

2009-04-03T12:02:00.000-07:00

It's official--the Zimmermans are having another girl! I had my ultrasound yesterday and everything looks great--We are very happy that the baby is healthy and growing as SHE should! The girls are very happy with the results while the boys are adjusting! They will now be outnumbered! I am very happy that Marin will have a little sis to grow with and be close too. Now for the hard part--anybody have any suggestions on names???

Day with a princess

2009-03-24T17:43:00.000-07:00

Marin and I spent a great day together traveling down by Detroit to pick up a present for the new baby. I found this lady on Craigs list selling Moses baskets from a company out of Chicago called Hoohobbers. They were listed for $140 and she was selling them for $40. I love it and love a good deal too! I also came across a Minnie Mouse crown and wand. Kaela and Marin were having a wand fight! AND............now introducing the newest member of the Dewitt High School Freshman Cheerleading Team KAELA!!! She had tryouts yesterday and made the team!!! Way to go sis!

Help this little guy hear!!!

2009-03-23T09:19:00.000-07:00

El at Profoundly Seth is giving away some great prizes!!! All for 3 great causes---check out the sidebar button and click it to find out all about the giveaway and her adorable son!

Here we go again...

2009-03-04T13:01:00.000-08:00

Well as you can see from the new widget on the sidebar, we are expecting a new baby this August! Rob doesn't sleep much that time of year due to football, so what the heck right! Everyone is very excited--even Kaela, well maybe just a very little bit for her! Jake really wants a brother-no more sisters please! I have been feeling great and am embracing this last journey of pregnancy. God has been good to me and I am very blessed! I am also very excited that it is 40 degrees out today, and supposed to be even warmer later this week! Spring can't come soon enough!

Daddies baby girl

2009-02-25T14:07:00.000-08:00

Look at my 2 sweeties smooching--how sweet is that!

MY DAYCARE SWEETIES

2009-02-25T14:03:00.000-08:00

Just a few pics of the only 2 kids I will allow in my "daycare." LOVE THEM!!!

The Conservatory Overcoat GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-02-16T12:27:00.000-08:00

The Conservatory Overcoat GIVEAWAY!!!!

Check out this great overcoat! I want it!!! I'm crossing my fingers to win! Check out this great blog!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

2009-02-14T08:04:00.001-08:00

We wish everyone a Happy Heart Day! Love you all!

Big Girl

2009-01-15T15:38:00.000-08:00

Today Marin officially graduated from her crib to a new "big girl"bed. I purchased it off of Craigs list and paid for it by selling a few things that we were no longer using! The original roof was bright blue so I painted it brown to match her room. She loves being able to get in and out herself. Now I just have to figure out how to keep her in at night!

Free Stuff and so Fun!

2009-01-10T10:35:00.000-08:00

So I just came across this blog called "A give away a day" that gives something away each day. I am wanting the bumbo cover that is up for grabs right now. So cute, it covers the bumbo with style! Check out her site with the button on my sidebar! Happy weekend!

The "UNENDING" bowl season

2009-01-03T16:27:00.000-08:00

I don't know about your house, but at ours it has been football, football and more football all the time. When one bowl game ends, another one begins. We did have fun watching the Capitol One Bowl on New Years day that featured our own Michigan State--who did not win :( Marin and Jake had a good time, and Marin enjoyed wearing his MSU hat. She is a true football coaches daughter and spends lots of time in the back room with dad where there is often a game on. As you can see, even Kaela made an appearance! Happy New year to all!

Pray for Tuesday

2008-12-31T17:39:00.000-08:00

I came across this precious little one on my sis Lesli's blog at half12.blogspot.com/ She is a little girl with I believe neuroblastoma with a new aggressive cancer that has recently reared it's head. Her story breaks my heart as she reminds me of how blessed we our that our children are healthy---Pray for her and her family!

Post Christmas Thoughts and Pics

2008-12-26T06:44:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas all! Now that the holiday is over, I have some time to post some thoughts and pics! First of all Christmas was perfect this year. We spent Christmas Eve at my Mom and Dad in laws. My MIL always has her house decorated so festive and this year was no exception. The above pics are of Marin at there house that night. She made one of our favorites-Chicken Cordon Bleu and had a wonderful pumpkin and cream desert. There was definitly no more room in our stomachs by the end. Kaela received a newly remodeled entertainment center and a TV for her room--pics to follow. She was very excited. We also go to spend time with Uncle Chuck which was nice! We spent Christmas morning together as a family and enjoyed watching everyone open there gifts. After that my sister and her family and my mom and dad came over for brunch--which today I have noticed that I have no pics of! We made omelets in a bag and had the famous monkey bread! My best present this year was being able to spend time with my family that I love. The other presents are great but family is the best present of all! The only thing missing was Lesli and her family and Grandma Helen! Wish they were here! Anyway Merry Christmas to all!

A hunting we will go...

2008-12-07T13:57:00.000-08:00

This afternoon we went on a hunt to cut down our Christmas tree. It's a tradition that we started doing last year. Love the smell of a real tree in the house. We found a great place that brought the tree back and shook, trimmed the stump, wrapped it, and tied it to your car for $35--Great Deal! It was very cold, but the crew had fun. We also braved the cold yesterday at the Christmas Farmers Market downtown Dewitt. Santa was there, although Marin wished he wasn't-she cried when I sat her on his lap. I told her not to worry, I was sure she was on the NICE list! They had cookies, caroling and horse drawn wagon rides. We appear to have enjoyed what the cold weather had to offer this weekend! We got a lot more winter to GO!!!

Winter is here...Really here

2008-12-04T17:46:00.000-08:00

Well I think that we can safely now say that winter is here. We have many inches of snow outside with supposedly more coming! It was so beautiful at first, but now it is just COLD! Marin really enjoyed going out in it, and I am dedicated to getting her outside daily weather permitting!

I came across a great recipe for white bean chicken chili tonight at fullbellies.blogspot.com I plan to try it out this weekend! The recipe is on 9/15 blog entry. Sounds perfect for the cold! There were lots of other great recipes from this cool cooking mom-check it out! Winter is here! Where is Kaela you ask? She is somewhere inside under a warm blanket--apparently teenagers do not go outside:)

Merry Tuesday

2008-12-02T11:42:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

"Dayton"

2008-12-02T10:37:00.000-08:00

I don't mean to sound like show off, but my nephew is the cutest little guy around! He is so handsome and has the best little smile. You can't help but want to snug him! Take a look for yourself---

Home for the EARLY holidays

2008-11-30T18:49:00.000-08:00

Every weekend after Thanksgiving, we have an EARLY Christmas with my Grandma Helen and Grandpa Richard, who are smarter than the rest of us and head south to Florida for the winter. Come on--look outside at all the snow and say you wouldn't like to do the same! Although the first winter snow is the most beautiful! Anyway, I have been hosting it for the last few times. I enjoyed getting the decorations out, and in the way of being frugal have reused many things from the past few years that I didn't like anymore. My colors are silver and red this year, so I spray painted everything silver and am now reusing it as new pieces! I will take some pics to follow in another post. What a simple can of paint can do! We had a lovely spaghetti dinner-who says it has to be ham. Everyone had a nice time of being together and celebrating and early Christmas. Marin especially had fun being the center of Rachel and Korie's attention, and has been asking for them tonight! I miss my Grandma when she leaves and am glad that we went up last weekend to spend time with her! Love you Gram! I also finally took pics of my 3 loves together, of which the youngest still never smiles!!! Merry Early Christmas!

With Thanks

2008-11-29T12:53:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for...

The big reveal

2008-11-26T14:48:00.000-08:00

Well after many hours and days of work, Marin's new room is officially finished! It turned out just how I pictured it in my head and just how I wanted. The colors are brown and different shades of pink. It matches her perfectly! The wall appliques are from Ellephannie on the Etsy website. The great find in the room is the $5 pink and brown dot rug on the floor. Long story but Babyiam.com had it listed at the wrong price and were so great to honor the order for me! I couldn't have done this without all the hard work from my mom in law. If it is made of fabric in the room- she is behind it. All the beautiful blankets, sheets, pillows and the awesome curtains were all sewn by her! Thanks mom!!! The cute bear lamp on the dresser was something that was Rob's when he was little from his grandparents--it is a lovely keepsake! There is also a toy chest in the closet that was Liz's-Rob's mom-chest from when she was a child. Marin loves it in her new room and we love it too!!!

Never alone

2008-11-17T10:29:00.000-08:00

I am just sitting here on my couch-- 2 precious babes are taking naps--and I am thinking about how blessed my life is. There have been so many times that I have felt alone in this journey, but I now know looking back on it, that I have never been alone. Yes, I have a wonderful family who have always supported and helped me, but it has been God that has been walking beside me every step of the way. It is he that should receive all the glory for everything that has happened in my life. The three beautiful children that have been given to me to care for, and the one that I long to meet one day in heaven. They are given to me by the grace of God! There have been so many days in my life that I may have felt so alone, but my God is and always has been with me and I am so grateful for that! At church last week, we had a moving time of singing--which is my favorite part. I keep Marin with me during the singing as I hope that someday she will enjoy praising God with her voice as much as I do. She had fallen asleep and I had sat down with her. We were singing a song about how God never lets go of you and I had such a sense of peace. I was holding one of the loves of my life and had my hand reaching to heaven with tears on my face. My God will never let go of me and he has held me this entire journey!

The next Mona Lisa

2008-11-10T18:13:00.000-08:00

Tonight I thought I would let Marin try her hand in painting. Crayons have not been going so well--unless you consider eating then as a snack as OK :) So we tried painting--she loved it! Marin and Kaela sat for over 30 minutes and painted. She was a mess at the end so she ended up in the tub! We may have an artist on our hands! Thanks Kaela for always being such a great helper with your sister!

"THE END"

2008-11-08T06:26:00.000-08:00

It is with sadness that I announce that Rob's football team is done for the year. They were beaten last night 28-0. Rob has never been shut out, nor beaten by the same team twice. A little hard for the pride, but he is handling it well. Now for the hard part--what do we do with him??? :)

The zoo with good friends

2008-11-07T05:04:00.000-08:00

This week I found out the that zoo is free as of Nov. 1! I have a little girl who LOVES to be outside--inherited from her grandpa who also loves the outdoors and has instilled that in her--so the zoo was the perfect place for her! We have had the great fortune of an unusually warm first week of October in Michigan--70's !!! On Monday we all went, along with Nanna and Dayton. Even the older kids enjoyed it! I of course had NO camera--loser! So because of that I had to go back to get some pics of Marin outside in the fall--also because I see so many blogs with these beautiful pics of their kids and I am determined to have pics like these--at least someday! SO on Wednesday we went back with my friend Denise and the 2 Brya girls, who are Marin's little friends--Gabby and Molly. They had a great time running around and feeding the ducks. It was so cute when they all held hands! I tried many times to get one of those great pics, but I ended up with lots of Marin looking at the ground! I'll get there!

AND...

GO PANTHERS---BEAT EAST LANSING TROJANS TONIGHT!!!

Last day of October

2008-11-01T09:41:00.001-07:00

Alright, I am not very computer saavy and have never blogged before, but I so enjoy my sister Lesli's blog that I thought I'd give it a go. My kids love to follow her blog online and I hope that this will help keep everyone closer together, although far apart! Now for the good stuff. I had a little ladybug with me yesterday, along with a little monster. My sister Jess and I took my mom out lunch---gluten free from PF Changs of course--and visited with Nana at work yesterday on Halloween. The kids were so cute--see pics--and Marin as usual ate nothing for lunch! After that we visited Daddy at work at the high school and went to Jake's Halloween parade. What a scary skeleton! He was very tired of people asking him what was on his face by the end of the day! Last but not least the Panthers played in the first playoff game of the season and came back from being down 20 points at half to an amazing victory of 27-26 over the Sexton Big Reds. Rob was excited to say the least and very proud of his players--GO BLUE! Jake of course did a great job as the waterboy! The ladybug lasted most of the game and as usual was the fan favorite. The sad thing was that for the first year I didn't get a pic of all 3 kids together! Anyway that was our last day of October--it was beautiful and full of excitement!