Start Spreading the News?????

Start spreading the News...I'm leaving today...I want to be apart of it New York, New York...Ok, I know I don't have a great singing voice, but I couldn't help it. I talked to Jack tonight and found out he has two more trips coming up and of course, one of his trips is to New York in April. The second trip is to Atlanta and I am not sure when that one is, but I am thinking that could make a nice vacation for us and the kids. We could drive to Atlanta and the company would pay for everything but the kids meals. I WOULD LOVE TO GO TO NEW YORK with Jack. I am not really sure if it is New York City, but I would still love to go. I have been to New York once before, but it was a quick trip. So, please join me in praying that I could go.

Of course the BIGGEST obstacle will be child care, and it always is. This is one reason I can't go with all the women on Friday to Virgina (sniff sniff). God can make a way when there seems to be no way, even when right now it seems impossible. Would anyone like to be the first to volunteer to watch three adorable children with lots of energy for a couple of days?

Green Eggs and Ham

Today is Green Eggs and Ham day/Dr. Seuss week at school. The kids (and some of the teachers) get to wear their PJ's to school (makes it easy for me in the morning) and we ready Dr. Suess, and cook up some green eggs and ham. It's usually fun, although I hate the cleanup after!!! Joshua took these pictures, so this is why we are on the side!!!

I am still hoping for some more ideas for my blog title!!

Changes

We finally got rid of the curio cabinet. I love curio cabinets, and I hope to have one again some day. Our room was just not big enough for it, and also this one was given to us and the glass was broken. I put my dads table over in the corner, and moved the chair beside the door. Maybe I will re-arrange so more while Jack is gone. I am thinking about putting the love seat where the chair is. I’ll just play with it and see. I am having a hard time with Jack being gone so maybe doing this will help. It gets so lonely in this house. Even with the kids awake I long for adult conversation. Sometimes it feels like the kids act worse with Jack gone, but I think it is just the stress of handling everything by myself.

Ok...so back to changes....I'd like to make a change on my blog. I would like a catchy title. So many of the blogs I read have cute titles.....Kid's Kitchen, Ramblings of a Crazy Woman, Money Saving mom, random musings...and then there are some that I don't read, but love the titles too, Rocks in my dryer, Because I said so, In persuit of Proverbs 31 etc.....I would love to have a cute title. I don't really have any "hobbies" or things that I am good at (like crafts or painting) so that scratches that out. Please help me come up with a cute title. I would love to give the winner a prize, but I really don't have money to buy anything, and I can't make you a painting, but just know that you would have the Jennifer appreciation award.

A Long Week

It will be a long week. Jack leaves today for San Fran. He'll be back late Friday night. I feel like a single mom when he is gone. It's really hard, especially at night time. I wish I could go Friday too, but it wasn't meant for me to go. I wish I had a painting job to do while he was gone, but maybe a good house cleaning will pass the time away.

The Sleep Over

Last night was the first time Joshua had someone spend the night with him. He loves spending the night with his friends, but this is the first time someone came to our house. Was he was excited! Since Jack and Scott were gone to the conference, Traci and I went out to dinner. We brought Travis home with us. Now I see why my mom didn't like me having very many birthday/slumber parties!!!! The mom is the one who suffers! I worry so much about the child that isn't mine and then you don't sleep as well. The kids can handle getting up at 6 am (after staying up late) but it sure is hard for the mommy!! I have to say though, Travis was the perfect guest. He doesn't ask for anything, and Joshua and him didn't argue or fight the entire time.

A Typical Day

Another week is almost over! Jack is going to the men's conference tonight at BHBC and I didn't want to spend a Friday night by myself, so I called Traci. Scott is also going tonight so we are meeting in Cary for dinner. Joshua is so excited to see Travis again and I wanted to get out before Jack goes to SF. Travis may spend the night with Joshua too so if that happens, you know the boy's will be bouncing off the ceilings. Other than that, we won't have many other plans. I hope to get some errands done, like scheduling Jenna's birthday party for April. I thought I would post what my day is like. Some day I will look back on this and laugh.

A day in the life:

6:30 wake up
6:30-7:00_ get dressed, blog, send morning emails, shower, maybe treadmill (if it is a really good day!)
7 -8 finish getting ready, fix breakfast, fix lunches, motivate kids to get jobs done, and ready for school:
8-8:10- take Joshua to school and then head to preschool
8:30-12:15 work at preschool
12:15-2:35, run any errands, get groceries, clean house, fix lunch, work on treadmill, laundry, whatever I can finish in that time
2:35 – leave for carpool line
2:40-3:15, sit in line, TRY to read a magazine or look through mail or take a catnap
3:15- get Joshua from school
3:30-5:00, finish any jobs that need to get done around house
5:-5:30- work on homework with Joshua
5:30-6 fix dinner
6-6:30 eat dinner
6:30-7:00 clean up kitchen
7-8 pm finish reading homework, pj’s on, baths, bedtime
8-10 usually watch tv, talk to Jack and usually fall asleep on the couch

And then we start the entire day over again!!!!

Student Of the Month

Guess what happened to Joshua.....He got Student of the Month!! Wow, I can't believe it. I wish you could have been in the car when I picked him up last week and he told me. He was beaming from ear to ear. He said "mom, you'll never guess what happened to me today" "it's something that is going to make you very happy and proud". Guess what, Joshua....mommy is happy and proud and you should be proud too! I talked to his teacher, and she is the one the chooses every month based on his character, work habits, and all around attitude. Sometimes I think that they base things on their "favorites". I was hoping that his picture would be in the paper yesterday, but it wasn't so I'll check again next Wednesday and post it as soon as it is available. Congratulations, Joshua! We are proud of you!

You Might Be A Redneck If.......

Ok, we are certainly not red necks, but I couldn't resist. Some people might be a red neck if they have one of these on their front sidewalk.......

Or they might be one if their boy's jeans look like these.....

Am I the only one who can't keep a pair of jeans for my boys? I don't know why they are so hard of them. Thankfully, most of them came from yard sales, and I didn't spend $20 a pair!

And, a note about Joshua. He didn't feel well for a couple of hours yesterday, but then he snapped out of it and ate his mikshake. I don't know how the boy will eat for awhile, and he got $10 for 3 teeth plus bravery! I know I could never do what he did. There may be more pulled in the future, but we'll just have to see how things progress. It was hard to get the bottom ones, but he pulled 2 on bottom and one on top.

Have You Ever Wondered?

Have you every wondered why just when you think you can get ahead, you actually take a step backwards? Last night, my dryer totally burned out. I took a load of clothes out and it was like they were on fire!!!! I am so thankful I was home, although I NEVER leave the house with the dryer on! I had a small load of towels to dry, so I thought I could just let the dryer cool down and put them in later. No such luck. I totally fried the dryer. Now with a family of 5 and Jack leaving for San Fran next Monday, I could not go long without a dryer. I was surprised when Jack went up to Lowe's last night to get a new one. We prepare for things like this, by putting money aside, but it seems like everytime we get a little extra money something happens. We got a little extra money just recently, and poof....there it goes on the dryer. A few months ago, Jack got reareded in the Toyota. The Toyota is so old that it isn't worth repairing and it wasn't that bad. We were like wow....$600. Jack asked me "Do you ever wonder why God lets things like this happen?" and sure enough, in a couple of weeks, we had our answer, Jack needed a crown for his tooth....gone was the $600. I am thankful that God provides, please don't get me wrong, but now when we do get extra money, I think to myself "hmmm...what's going to break now?" Sometimes my human nature takes over and I just wonder....why can't we ever get ahead and take a step forward????? Anyway, I have a new dryer now. Thanks honey!! I'll try not to fry this one out!!! Oh, and please think of Joshua today at 11 am!!!

President's Day

I don't really know why they have Presiden'ts Day, but hey, it's a day off from school. Last night I heard the rain coming down and the thunder (does that mean snow in 10 days....it happened once before....) and then it hit me....of all days for it to rain, the day when the boys are off from school. Oh well! It could be a lot worse. I am runnng into the doctors office this morning to get blood work done. I have to fast for it (nothing but water after midnight). I think I can make it until about 9. I'll probably be dying for my diet coke though! After that, the day is free. Tomorrow I am off work too. Joshua has 3 teeth pulled so I took the day off of work. There is no sense of sending him to school for a couple of hours when he wouldn't get credit for the day and I know he won't feel like doing anything after that. I asked him what he wanted to eat that night. I thought it might help him if he got to choose. Well, tomorrow night we are having corn dogs!!!! It will be nice to have today off, and part of tomorrow, although I don't know what the afternoon will hold. It depends on how much pain Joshua is in. I also wanted to attach a picture of the beautiful flowers Jack got me! Thanks, honey!

He Went to Jared!.........

I am not sure if you have seen that commercial, but I guess it's great when your husband goes to Jared to get you a gift. Let me explain what happened. A couple of months ago, we bought my 10 year anniversary ring for my anniversary/Christmas. Well a few weeks ago, I noticed a stone had fallen out. I was so upset! To make a long story short, BJ's refunded our money 100 percent! I was so pleased. I met Jack last night to look for a new ring, and we found it at the first store.....Jared's! It is almost just like the other one and cost about $20 more than my other ring. They will guarantee for life that the stones will stay in....so we got a better deal all the way around.

We headed over to Outback last night, but they had a two hour wait. I should have known better. We did go to Lonestar and had a great meal together! I also got some beautiful flowers, and I will get a picture of that today.

I thought I would attach some pictures of our parties at preschool. We had a birthday Monday, party Wednesday, party Thursday and now Melody's party today....plus, look at all the chocolate gifts I got. (from preschool) Here are pictures of some gifts, minus two boxes of chocolate (and no I didn't eat them). Can we say tight jeans???? Happy Friday!

To My Valentines....

Our pastor and his wife are offering to watch the kids from our church so that parents can go out and spend Valentine's Day together. It's been awhile since we have spent Valentine's Day alone, so I am so looking forward to a nice dinner together! Thanks Pastor and Nancy.....and now...my Valentine's Day presentation.....

I can’t do a Valentine’s Day post without recognizing my special Valentine! Happy Valentine’s Day sweetheart! I love you! I can’t write him a poem and I can’t do a special slide presentation set to music like you did for me last year, but I can tell you how much you mean to me! I remember as a little girl I would play with my dolls and toys and dream of the day when I would be a wife and a mom. I remember heading off to college thinking I would get my M.R.S. degree, and the disappointment of not getting it!! I remember seeing all my friends getting married and thinking “God, you forgot about me”. But, then, it happened. I met you and I prayed for one date with you. Just one date is all I ever wanted. I knew back then you were something special. I got that one date with you and one thing led to another. Now, I have been married to you for almost 11 years! You were worth the wait! I love you very much! You have made all my dreams come true! I love you….Happy Valentine’s Day, Jack! I look forward to spending a nice dinner with you tonight!!!

To my three other little valentines, I love you too. Joshua, I love the way you work so hard at things and for all the questions you ask me! I love it when the other two fall asleep in the car and it's just you and me talking about things! I just love watchng you grow up! You are such a joy to us!

Jacob, I love the way you get so excited about things! Sometimes you can hardly get things all out because you just get so excited. I love your smile and your laugh! I love the way you cuddle with mommy. I love the way you love to help daddy outside! You are such a blessing to our family!

And to my little Jenna. You will forever be my little princess. I love the way that you keep up with your brothers! I love the way you don't let anything stop you. I love our shopping trips and you helping pick out clothes. I love painting your nails! You will always be our little girl....our angel!

Too Tired!!!

Jenna was crying about something last night and climbed into my lap. She was soon falling asleep. About 10 minutes later, Jacob came to the other side and the next thing I knew, he was gone too! No, I am not sleeping....I guess my eyes were just closed for the picture!!! I look really rough myself, but it was a rare moment when I had two kids asleep on me! This was about 7:30, so you know they were both tired!

Time Out

Last night I was able to meet Kim and Heather my friends from BHBC for dinner. Sunday was Heather's birthday so we let her choose what she wanted to do and where she wanted to go. I was very nervous when she said she wanted to go to Kanki and eat!! I thought I would be sitting there with my diet coke! There was no way I was going to try sushi! That is where I draw the limits! I was surprised that I ordered Hibachi Chicken, and it was SO GOOD! Heather would describe every item she would get. All I remember is one that was wrapped with sea weed!!!! UGH! We shopped the mall after that and had a great time! I am proud I tried a new place, although it isn't my favorite place and I am happy not to eat sushi and that I could eat something!

Vacation Help Needed

Well, we are better now. We are all going to work and school, so things are on the up and up. I need some advice on vacations. We would like to take a nice one this year. It may just be that we stay longer at the beach than we usually do, but I wanted to see what everyone else thought. We tried looking into Disney, but that is just a little too much for our budget, with other things we have planned for the year. Do you know of any good vacation spots? The key is that they should be family friendly....somewhere where the kids would like! I thought about they Grand Canyon, but I don't think they would enjoy that. It could be close to home, or in another state. I just need HELP!!!!! I need ideas!!!

A House Full of Sick People!

We have a house full of sick people. In the last post I told you Jacob was coughing. Well, Friday in carpool line he started to cry because his "cheek" hurt. I didn't pay much attention to it because I thought it was just one of those things. Well, he wouldn't stop crying and screaming and grabbing his face. I then thought it was his throat. I told him to hang on and we would get Joshua and get some medicine. It was a long 30 minutes in car pool line. Nothing would calm him down, and I was stuck. We ran home and I gave him some cloraseptic. He said, "wow, mom, that worked" whew!!! oops....two minutes later his was grabbing his "cheek" again. I had a feeling it was his ears! I asked him if he wanted to go to the doctor and she wouldn't give him a shot and he said yes! I KNEW he was sick! It was running late to call my pediatrician and try to get him in, so I ran to the minute clinic at CVS. They have a nurse practioner there. We got lucky and walked right in. He didn't have strep, but his glands were swollen. No fever, but he did have a double ear infection! So, he is on antibiotics now. Jenna is coughing and telling me she doesn't feel good. She ran a 102 temp yesterday. I gave her some Motrin and that took her fever away. I haven't felt her today yet (we are staying home from church). Joshua woke up and said his ears hurt, but I know that is probably from all the fluid in them (they are not infected and the surgery will take care of that). Then, I was so cold all day yesterday and achy all over. I don't know if I had some type of flu bug or not. I feel a little better today. I am just tired. Joshua and Jack went on to church today. They kids are going to watch videos from the video store, and I hope to rest and maybe get a little bit of stuff done. At least we are in the mend and there is light at the end of the tunnel!! (and I don't think it is on oncoming train)

Is It Really Friday?????

Is it really Friday???? It's been a crazy week! Here is my week:.....
Jacob: "cough, cough, cough"
Jenna: "Cough, cough, cough"

The kids have been struggling with major coughs this week (except for Joshua). I almost think it could have been more than a cold, but they are slowly getting better. Joshua went to the ENT specialist Tuesday, and found out that he has fluid in his ears and a slight hearing loss in both ears. He will have to get tubes put back in. This should correct the problem. We thought all our cleft palate problems were over and got hit with this and then him having to have teeth pulled. I am waiting to hear back from the ENT doctor to get his outpatient surgery scheduled.

So that was the kid's week. My week included finding out that I can't go to the women's retreat (although I am still working some almost impossible angles) but one good thing is that I beat my mom, brother, and husband in the football picks! Yeah! I didn't beat Lai. I wanted to, but he wasn't really in our group anyway! I am a little proud of myself. I told Jack way back that you should watch the Giants. I thought they looked like a good team. I told him I thought they had a good chance of going to the superbowl (I don't know if he remembers that conversation). He didn't believe me at all, and not only did they go, they won!

I am thankful it's Friday! I am looking forward to a nice weekend with the family. I hope to do fun things and also get some things off our "to do " list taken care of. Happy Friday everyone!!!!

Valentine Mouse and Stuff

Jenna made this mouse at preschool. I am thinking to myself....how easy and cute is that! Even I could do this (even though my heart wouldn't look as nice). I love Valentine's Day as there are so many crafts you can do!

I found out last night when Jack was going to San Fran. He leaves the last Tuesday in February and doesn't get home until Saturday morning, March 1st. That isn't bad, but I am a little sad because it means that I can go to the women's conference this year. I had so much fun last year. It was a great time of refreshing for me. I was looking forward to the little "lift" this year. It always does a mom good to get away from everyone for a night. They were even staying ocean side this time. It makes me feel a little left out and isolated, but I guess that is my pity party kicking in. I know this is more important, and we probably could use the $50 that was going toward it! Hey, my "night out" was last night getting groceries at Walmart!! (now I am having a big pity party!). At least it's almost Friday!!!

Teaching Baby

Too cute for any words!

A Clean House (for a little while at least)

I can't post pictures for some reason, but I hope to get them added later. Saturday, the kids all went to Wil's birthday party. It's rare that they all get to go to the same party, and it's rare that I don't have to stay. I was able to go to a yard sale and then clean the house. I have been DYING to clean my house without the kids being home. I was able to clean their bathroom, Jenna's room, the living room, and the kitchen. For some reason the kitchen always seems to catch papers and has misc dishes around all the time. I was also able to turn on a couple of my CD's and listen to music. Like I said, I really needed to catch up and wanted time in my house by myself! I had a lot more I could have done but an hour and a half goes by pretty quickly. So, same time next week, Sara? (ha ha)

My Heart Belongs to Daddy

Yesterday was Jenna's turn with Donuts for Daddy day. They did "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" for her. She really enjoyed her time with her daddy. I get to cheat and tag along since I teach, so I got to have breakfast with my family twice!