Okay...we need to play catch-up! It's been so long since I've really written on here...you might need to prepare yourself for a book! ha ha Let me see..last time I talked to you all was January 11th. I can't believe I posted on that day without saying Happy Birthday to my sweet little Brooklyn! She turned 5 on January 11th! It's baffling to me how the time has flown by! I see her every day and she just seems like my baby girl...but then occasionally I really look at her, and I see she has blossomed into this mature little girl who is no longer teeny, tiny and who has become very independent. She is capable of way more than I give her credit for. Anyone who knows her knows she has an amazing mind and vocabulary and will likely become some kind of singer/dancer as that seems to be her passion.
So, anyway, we celebrated her birthday by taking her out to dinner (since her b-day fell on a Wednesday) but we had her party this past Saturday (yesterday). We invited 7 of her friends from school and they all came dressed in their favorite princess clothes. Rather than giving them goodie bags already made up, I gave them empty bags and they had to use clues to hunt for their prizes. There were 8 different prizes which included such things as lip gloss, hair bows, Disney Princess fruit chews, gum balls, a Kit Kat and Disney Princess crayons). I took a few pictures with my new camera but couldn't get very many since I don't have a memory card yet and my internal memory was almost full already.
As for everything else that has been going on since I posted on Christmas day...well, mostly a lot of unpacking, organizing and cleaning. Every few days or so I try to unpack a couple of boxes and find places for all the many things we have aquired over the almost 8 years we have been married. What's crazy is, I can't think of a thing I am missing, yet there are still probably 10-15 boxes that haven't been unpacked. Well, I take that back...I still haven't found my black pepper or Lawry's season salt. It's the weirdest thing. Those are probably my 2 most used spices and they have mysteriously disappeared. I finally gave up on ever finding them yesterday and went and bought new.
I am beginning yet another weight-loss goal this week. Like most people do, I took the holiday's "off" from dieting and though I haven't braved the scale yet...I am certain I put on at least a pound or two (either that or my pants are shrinking! ha ha) Anyway, I am thinking that if I start now, maybe by summer, I can be down another size or two and make my husband do a double take when I put on my swimsuit. I'll keep you updated on my progress.
As for the boys around here....Well, Matt has been keeping busy building us a backyard fence. We'd hoped to be able to let the kids "run free" now that we are in the country..but we've come to realize that it's just too dangerous to not have them confined. Twice now, we have found Grant in our front yard, which is very near a 50 mph road, by himself. Apparently he has learned how to open doors since we've moved. Just thinking about how easy it would have been for him to walk right into the street makes my stomach turn. Thus the reason we are putting up a fence. Plus, Sam, our dog, who is morbidly obese, likes to risk death by moseying right up next to the road. I joke about it, but seriously, I don't know if he could move out of the way fast enough if a car were to come speeding by. So, the fence will benefit us all. Next up on the To-Do list for Matt is building his workshop. We were blessed to be given a lot of left-over lumber from the construction of our home, so we have a good jump-start on the materials we will need for the workshop. Once he frames it out, we will have the concrete poured and we can get started.
Grant is growing up so much! He is talking a lot more and keeps us all entertained. He has trouble with his "R's" so he says things like "Awk" which means "rock" (when he wants us to rock him to sleep) and "caw" instead of car. Hopefully he will outgrow this with time, but for now, it's adorable!
I am taking both of the kids for well child checks this Wednesday so it will be interesting to see how they rank on the percentile charts. Grant is usually high on his height percentile and low on his weight percentile. He still seems pretty tiny to me, but we'll see. I know he can fit an 18-months pants in the length but they fall right off of his waist. (If only I could have been given a figure like that! hee hee) By the way, he turned 20 months old on Friday!!!
Well, that's about all I can think of for now. I hope you are all doing well and making the most of the new year! Leave me a comment and let me know you are still reading this! Love and miss each and every one of you! (especially our friends and family in Duncan!) Jen
Hi everyone! I have internet again....HOORAY! Well, I know you are all just SO thrilled to get to read about my exciting life again (hee hee) but I am making this short and sweet. I have about 72 e-mails to catch up on...so I will save the really good, juicy stuff for later when I have more time. For now I will admit one tiny secret to you all....Having not had internet for more than 2 weeks, I can positively say I have come to realize I am addicted to it. Yes, it's sad but true. I didn't even care about getting my phone turned on all that much...just give me my DSL!!!!!! For those of you who don't know this...I've only been aquainted with the world wide web for about a year now. I didn't think I really needed the internet...but I also had a suspicion that I would "fall in love" if I ever did have it. I guess I know myself pretty well. I feel like I have literally been disconnected from earth for the past 2 weeks. I couldn't chat with my friends, I couldn't check the weather with a simple click, I couldn't find out what movies were playing in an instant. Worst of all (for me) I couldn't ramble aimlessly to you all about my oh-so-interesting life! Ha Ha! well, anyway....that's it for now...Grant is waking from his nap and he must have woken up on the wrong side of the crib because he is SCREAMING! Later alligator!
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!!!)
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
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
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!
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!
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! 
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
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
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!
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!!!
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!
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