New week

As we are getting closer to Zach's 5th birthday, I am starting to see how fast time flies by!  HE WILL BE 5!  What happened to those first days home from the hospital, the itty bitty 10 pound baby that I held until he stopped crying? 
I wouldn't change anything though.  He is so smart and makes us laugh each and every day. 
He hates homework though!  Every month we get a new book sent home, and a few project to do that coincide with the book.  He claims to love school, but HATES homework.  I am not looking forward to the days when he has homework that doesn't involve coloring or counting how many teeth he has. (This months book was about losing teeth)
It is probably time to let everyone know, that I have lost 90 pounds... Yup, an Olsen twin :)  I am pretty proud, but in now way done with my weight loss journey.  Vinnie has started to lose some weight as well and Zach has started to pick up on our healthy lifestyle cues:)  The other day we were eating breakfast.  I didn't think he had eaten enough so I said "Zach have a couple more bites please babe", he returns with this response "Mom, I said I was full, you don't want me to get a fat tummy do you?"  I am proud to say he is learning something, but embarrassed that I was trying to make him eat more that he needed.  I use myfitnesspal.com my user name is KatieMaye.
Not too much has happened this week, and I am VERY ok with that.  We as a family are still recouping from the year we had last year.  I welcome busy, but uneventful days!

This was from the first snow we got, definitely got way more after this

This was from out trip to Chicago.

At his first hockey game

The hussle and bussle

It seems that anymore a day at home with nothing to do is a thing of the past!  It sometimes doesn't feel like we are as busy as we are, but then I arrive home and remember how much I miss just sitting and doing nothing! 
Zach had his Valentine's party yesterday at school.  I got to help out with this one.  Let me tell you, I can't believe that preschool teachers don't go nuts!  There are 16 kiddo's in his class, and they do a WONDERFUL job of keeping to a schedule, and keeping the kids involved!  It definitely takes a special kind of person to teach!  It is so cute to see these little ones in action though, and the things that they learn are remarkable! 
WINTER, I know we are in Michigan, but really?  Yesterday it was close to 40, and this morning I wake up to a snow covered lawn.  I will say, it has been a fairly warm winter for us, so I am not going to complain too much.  I just keep a bag of clothes in the truck as to plan for the daily ever changing climate :) 
I haven't been doing much shooting... I don't know where to find the time!  I did get a chance to get my camera out the other day, and man do I miss it!  Vinnie and I have been talking about opening a studio in our home, but finally came to the conclusion that we don't have the room for it :(  It is sad, but we have learned not to force things and to wait on God's timing.  So, we will!  I am shooting my sister-in-law's wedding in June, and we are super excited about that.
Zach gets to be a ring bearer in the wedding, and seems to be pretty excited about it.  He keeps saying "Aunt Becky, you are pretty, but on your wedding day you will be beautiful"  gosh is he cute or what? 
He seems to have grown another foot in the last two weeks.  We need to start buying summer clothes, but I fear that buying them now will just be a waste of money because he will have grown out of them by the time summer comes.  He will be 5 next month, but in size 7 clothes.  Tall and skinny! 
Dannielle is getting close to having baby #3, the docs are saying probably in the next week or so!  I will have another beautiful niece and Zach keeps asking to go see the baby.  I think he is more excited that I am!

Vinnie, shoveling snow

Zach bowling

Grandma Oles, Zach, Grandma Hetz

Zach and Jaydan at the fair

Picture by the lake on a windy day

Update!

HOLY COW!  So, 2 years is a long time to go with out blogging...  Um a lot has changed, Zach started preschool this year.  He loves his teachers, and the girls in the class seem to love him.  It is so cute watching him go to school everyday :)  Even cuter watching the kiddos and there oversized backpacks walk into the building.
Unfortunately the reason for the time away is just that, lack of time.  Since I have last posted, I went back to school, I will be graduating in May.  Vinnie works in Bridgman, and I am at home with Zach.  We have a new addition... Jett, a sheltie that just turned 7 months old.  Jett and Zach seem to get along good.  Occasionally they play a little rough, but that's because Zach forgets that Jett's a dog, and not a punching bag.
We have learned a lot of lessons recently.  In October of 2011 Vinnie's dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer.  He went through chemo, and was given only 3 months to live.  In January of 2012 Vinnie's uncle passed away from complications of pneumonia.  Vince was still fighting the cancer, and his stubbornness seemed to finally be paying off.  In late March 2012 the bladder tumor itself had been defeated, but not before the cancer had spread to Vince's cells.  He had an exploratory operation in April, for a blockage,  and the doc found that the cancer had spread.  We were told that there was nothing more that we could do.  If you have never experienced that moment, I wish you never will.  It crushes you in an instant, but you still need to be stronger than you have ever had to be in your life.  We were sent home with Hospice.  There were a lot of ups and downs, but mostly we are thankful for the time we had with Vince.  In June the Lord called him home to join Him and his brother in Heaven.  The most amazing thing about this is before he passed, Vince had said that he heard Lorenz's voice, and he was gonna see him soon.
We are stronger because of it, we have re-learned how to appreciate the simple things in life. 
Zach seems to be cooler everyday!  He learns so fast.  Sometimes it's a good thing, like when he reads a book.  Yeah, he reads, who knew!  Sometimes it's a bad thing like when he hurts his foot and shouts "Son of a BITCH"  (I should add, he didn't learn it from me!)
Vinnie and I are still in love, which I am told is a BIG deal, I am just happy to still like and love him :) He is a pretty great man, and I am fortunate that he comes home to us every night!
Zach will be turning 5, and has informed me that he wants to do all of the sports.... UGH, I am gonna be busy!  I really don't mind though, I will just need some good book suggestions :)

Zach's First day of Preschool!

Our Christmas picture for 2012

This is Jett (the new addition)

Zach, Jaydan, and Vanleigh (his cousins)

Jaydan, Vanleigh, Zach (his cousins, Dannielle is having another girl in March!)

I will continue to try and keep this updated, not every day... I mean I have school, and a 4 year old, but I will shoot for once a week.  Good goal, now for some accountability I suppose :)  Have a great and blessed day!