Merry CHRISTmas!!!

Hi guys! Just thought I'd drop ya a line and see how your Christmas is going...!? Ours has been busy already. Last night the kids stayed at my parent's house and Matt and I got to spend our first night together in our new home all alone. We unpacked a little more stuff and then enjoyed a quiet, relaxing evening in our OWN bed!! Wow--it's amazing how big a king-size bed feels after sleeping in a smaller one. This morning we woke up and got ready at our leisure and then came over to mom and dad's to open presents with the kids. And by the way...guess what I got??? A new digital camera!!!!!! Hooray! I was just thanking God (in advance) this morning for one....and already...He answered my prayers! As soon as I get a chance to read the manual, I will upload lots of new pictures for you all to see--from Christmas and of our new house! Well, I hope that in the midst of all the excitement and chaos of presents and food, you will all take a moment to thank God for the greatest Christmas gift ever...His son! Love you! (ps. 2006 is just 7 days away!!!)

We're Moving!!!....Does anyone want to donate a digital camera?

The day has finally arrived! We will be closing on our house tomorrow morning and then we'll start moving in! HOORAY! This has been a long time coming...and it's finally here. I am so anxious that I've already started getting stuff packed up and ready by the front door of my parents house to load into the car first thing in the morning! ha ha I actually have stayed away from the new house for the past few days because I wanted to be surprised when I see it again at how much has changed now that all the final touches are finished. By the way...here's a piece of BAD NEWS: My digital camera is dead and gone. We actually took it in today to be looked at and they told us that there is no hope for it. My only option is to buy a new one or go back to old timey film (No Thank You!!!) Of course...this would have to happen just days before Christmas...right as my house is finished....3 weeks before Brooklyn's birthday! All times when I REALLY need a camera. So...I am going to believe God for a new camera. Nothing is impossible for Him, right?
Well, I hope you are all celebrating Jesus and standing firm to keep Christ in Christ-mas! I will probably be gone for a while during the move but as soon as we get on the internet at our new house, I will post an update! Love you all! Jen

Celebrate Good Times...Come On!

Happy Saturday to you all! It is Christmas Eve at my house! Yes, I know, it's only December 17th, but this is the only day my family could get together so we are pretending. Christmas Eve at our house means LOTS of games and food! We started out the day with a big biscuits-n-gravy breakfast. Now, we are taking turns getting showered and cleaned up. In a little while we will go to The Incredible Pizza Company to celebrate Rachael's, birthday and Chantel's boyfriend, Nick's, birthday. Then we'll come home, the guys will probably gather around the TV and watch National Treasure (thanks to Kendra's dad for letting us borrow it) and the girls will probably gather around the table to play games. We'll all still be stuffed from the pizza but we'll sit around and eat carmel popcorn (that I made all myself!), chips and queso, cookies, chocolate covered pretzels...and so on and so on. Sound like fun? Anyway, I hope you are all having a fun Saturday as well and I hope none of you are at the mall on probably one of the craziest shopping days of the year trying to finish up your Christmas shopping! No gift is worth that stress! (unless it's for me...ha ha) Well, love and miss you all! -Jen

It won't be long now!

Okay...so here it is the 14th....2 days before we are supposed to do our final walk through on our house...and there are still at least 20 or more things that haven't been done yet! They are still saying that it should be ready...but that is hard to believe. We are definintely getting exited and anxious. It is starting to look like a real home. They put in our light fixtures the other day but that is about all that has been done recently. I can't wait to go out there today and see what has been done. I am most excited to see our quartz countertops and our custom black sink. I wish I could take pictures...but at this point, pictures just don't do it justice. Still, if there is anything exciting done, I will try to get a picture.
I am really looking forward to this weekend too. My brother and his family are coming to celebrate Christmas. We always have so much fun with them. Lots of game playing and eating and laughter! I am already feeling the need to double my exercise routine to keep up with my holiday eating habits! Ugh! So much for losing weight this month! Anyway, I had a few extra minutes and thought I'd spend it writing to you all! Luv and miss ya!

What's a Savior?

Wow! Only 13 days till Christmas! How time flies! Before we know it, we'll be celebrating the new year 2006. My heart is a little heavy as I write this tonight...because of all the unhappiness that I see around me. It is more common these days to hear people complain about Christmas than it is to hear them give thanks or be excited. Now, I'll admit, celebrating and excitement come natural to me. I can get excited about just about anything....but this is one of those times (Christmas) that every living soul should be EXCITED and full of cheer. I realize we all have our "situations and circumstances" whatever they may be...too little money, the loss of a loved one, too little time, and on and on. But, what is all of that compared to the birth of our Savior? Savior is a term used so common-placely...but do you know what it really means that Jesus is our Savior? Well, here is Webster's definition of Savior: "One who saves from destruction and danger. Specifically: Jesus!" Wow! This tiny child was born into this earth with one mission---to die for us...To be our Savior from all the destruction and danger that this world holds. I hope that you will recognize that this is your reason to celebrate this "Christ"mas! It's the only reason you need to have a smile on your face this season! I love you all and hope that this made you stop for a second and remember what this is really all about!

Baby...I'm the lucky one! 

We took Brooklyn on a date tonight. We had lots of fun and ate Yummy food! 

Me-n-my hubby goofin' around. (Don't I look cute wearing Brooklyn's hairbow? ha ha) 

This is what it looks like right now...but it won't be long until they sod and the garage door is painted. Then they will put on our beautiful front door and we'll be moving in! YEAH! 

They stained our hardwood floor and put in our light fixtures!  

Thoughts from the Dog

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout..run right back and make friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
Love, Sam

Christmas Word Scramble

Put these words in order to form a winter/Christmas word. If you can't figure one out, leave me a comment and I'll give you the answer!
1. zeingerf
2. deguf
3. skeocoi
4. nesskaflow
5. yolhiad
6. reewtha
7. zraildbz
8. ogotnbag
9. ynarcbda
10. clieci
11. areonctoids
12. gepnniu
13. selovnigh
14. ersweat
15.leacchoot
16. oilgo
17. rapak
18. bonslawl
19. orfyst
20. ehvirs
21. bentsalk
22. neladcs
23. dregigce nrat
24. stefa
25. prempeptin
26. stinmet

19 Days till Christmas!!!

Hey...thought I'd share a few cute quotes with ya'll! Hope you had a good Tuesday!

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

"Keep smiling, it makes people wonder what you're up to."

"Procrastinate now, don't put it off."

"Drive carefully, 90% of people are accidents."

"Those who think they know everything, annoy those of us that do."

Brooklyn went to her first school-skate night. She had a lot of fun despite her facial expression in this picture! 

It's a website makeover!!!

Hi guys! I decided it was time for a new look. You know me...can't keep things the same for too long...don't wanna get bored!

They finally got our house painted! It looks so much better now. Well, if things stay on schedule...it should be completely finished in 10 days!!! Woo-hoo!!! 

The side of the house...you can really see the upstairs and the color of the paint from this one. 

You da' man...hunny! 

Is this shirt "Me" or what? ha ha...thanks Kendra! 

Look what the crazy wind in this state did to my garage door!!! 

I see a move in our future...

Good news/Bad news...
Okay...the bad news is that we won't be in our house as soon as we thought (first week of December).
But...the good news is that we will be in before Christmas! yeah! We found out today that we will be closing on our house the week of December 19th. They poured the driveway and front and back patios yesterday and the tile is completely finished. Hopefully I will get out there tomorrow and get some pictures so you can all see how it looks now (I know you are all just "dying" to see my new driveway! ha ha). Anyway, hope you guys had a good November! Say Hello to December...it's less than 5 hours away!

The brick is completely finished now! (and the tile is being layed as we speak...or type..whatever). 

My handsome boys...Matt & Grant. 

The Jones Boys...G.P., Cale, Matt, Grant, Tim & Ryan 

Sleepy Head! Grant fell asleep on the way home from Tim & Julie's house. 

Messy little man! (playing in the dirt---too bad it's not chocolate, huh Grant?) 

Giving Thanks Giving Thanks Giving Thanks!!!

It's Wednesday night...Thanksgiving eve...if there is such a thing. I'd say I'm bored, but I don't think that is accurate since I have a good 4-5 hours of work sitting here on my desk that needs to be done...maybe unmotivated is more like it. Actually, if there was something fun to do...I could probably get motivated. I wish there was an aerobics class at my gym tonight. By the way(referring back to my last post)if you do that exercise video in your undies in front of the mirror...that will be all the motivation you will need to get your butt in shape. Believe me, I tried it. It's amazing how much you can hide with a shirt and jeans! Take it all off and jump around and you'll see just what is hiding beneath all those clothes! Anyway...I hope you all have a good Thanksgiving tomorrow. I'd say, "Don't eat too much" but then I'd make a hypocrite of myself because I already know I'm gonna. At least I can come home tomorrow night and do my new hip-hop aerobics video and burn some of it off. Gosh, as much as I talk about exercising...you'd think I'd be buff. hmmmm...maybe someday! Okay, well, if you are still reading this..you must either be a really devoted reader...or be pretty bored yourself. Either way, I am gonna get up off my booty and go do something more productive than this. I luv u all and I'll write more soon! Oh wait...one last thing...what I am thankful for...
1. My heavenly Father, His precious son and the Holy Spirit---without them, I am nothing.
2. My sweetheart, my best friend...my husband. The man who I grow to love more and more every day that we spend together...and who makes me look forward to the years ahead...even though that means we will be getting older.
3. My dear children...Brooklyn and Grant. Little walking, talking pieces of my heart. Words don't even touch the depth of my love for them.
4. My parents and all the rest of my awesome family. Sure...we have our share of nuts...but all in all...we're a pretty sweet bunch.
5. My friends, yes you...the ones of you who have stuck with me through this entire post even though I am rambling on and on...I am so thankful for you! God has given me some of the best people in this world to be friends with. You've listened to me gripe, laugh, cry, whine and fret about the silliest things. You've been the encouragement I've needed to keep on going...and you've reminded me that I can't be SuperMom, no matter how BAD I want to. You've reminded me that all mom's make mistakes sometimes (and yell at their kids) and that stretchmarks are just souvenirs from one of the greatest journeys a woman ever gets to take---the pathway to motherhood. I only hope that I will be and have been as good a friend as you all have been to me!

Jen's Tip of the Day (for married or about to be married women only!)

Hi girls! I know this is kind of a weird thing to talk about where the whole world can read...but I just wanted to tell you all about a new work-out video I have discovered. I borrowed it from a friend (I won't tell which one since she made me swear not to tell anyone that it's hers!) It's called Carmen Electra's Striptease Aerobics. There are 5 videos in the set and the last one is Hip-Hop Aerobics...which I am really looking forward to. Anyway...besides this being a GREAT abs, butt and legs workout...it is also VERY helpful for enticing those couch potatoes off the couch (or recliner) and into the bedroom. Okay, I know you're probably thinking to yourself..."Oh ya! Just what I want to do...encourage him!" But really, when you have the "control" (they become hypnotized by these moves)it's a lot more fun. Plus, you're getting a work out too...which I know all of us need and want...especially as the holiday season is fast approaching. So, get yourself up out of your computer chair and run to Wal-Mart and get this video. Your body and your husband will thank you!

Brooklyn...little miss model. 

Lots and lotsa pictures!!!

Hi Guys! Well, once again..our babysitter and friend and now photographer, Tori, took our family pictures for us a couple of weeks ago. I am sharing with you just a select few (she took nearly 600 shots!!) There are probably at least a hundred that I LOVE...but that would take up a LOT of space...so..here are some. Leave me a comment and let me know which ones are your favorites!

Our handsome little man! 

Here we are... 

There we go... 

Our little princess. 

Love birds. 

Mr. GQ 

Grant and mommy! 

Our happy little family!