2011 - is coming

happy New Year!

It is time to begin the New Year's resolutions and if you are like me they last about as long as it takes me to say them. I wish that I had the determination to not let things get in my way, however it always seems something more important comes up.

So as I begin 2011, I am vowing to just live life that God created me for me and my family to live. I am going to take the ups and cherish them and the downs and learn from them. I pray that 2011 is not near as eventful health wise for our family as 2010 was. I pray that 2011 brings each of you a year of blessings and wonderful memories.

christmas pics

Jenna and her new doll Keri

jared and his snugglie that looks like a frog

star wars legos it can't get any better

Jenna is amazement of everything

Craig opening a gift

jenna trying on her snugglie

jared in his snugglie

hanging out by the tree in our matching pjs

Christmas

"Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly"
"Its beginning to look alot like Christmas"
"Silver Bells, Silver Bells its Christmas time in the City"
"Joy to the World, the Saviors come"
"Away in the Manger no crib for a bed"

I could go on and on with Christmas lyrics. Christmas songs are my some of my very favorite ones. I love to hear them because it helps me remember the real reason we are celebrating, not just the commercial side of things.

To talk the commercial side I am just a few gifts short of being done. But the ones I am short are important ones like my mom and dad and my grandma. We haven't been to see Santa as I am trying to limit Jenna's exposure to all the sick people since she can't seem to get well.

I am having all the Chastains for Christmas day so my mom and I spent most of the day cleaning on Saturday. We are trying to have a simple Christmas meal so we won't have as much cleanup.

Kim and I are trying to get a cake done for Christmas Eve to celebrate Jesus' birthday. I am going to get party plates. We want our kids to realize that without Jesus' birthday we would have no real reason to live let alone celebrate.

Wishing each of you a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

I am going back to cleaning while the family is still asleep and singing (for those of you know me I have to do that when no one else is around) Christmas Carols.

Catching Up

Well October is gone and and for that matter half of November. Where has time gone?

We went trick or treating to end October. Not once, not twice, but three times. Jared who hates candy has enough candy to last a few years. Jared was Luigi and Jenna was Alice in Wonderland.

We started laying the tile in the basement. We are working hard to get it done by Christmas so we will have more room for the family.

Basketball season is upon us. Jared will start practicing soon.

As of yesterday I am now 36 years old. I am on the downhill slide to the big 40. I am just trying to think that 40 is the new 30 as they say on the street.

Thanksgiving is next week and our family traveling starts. We need desperately to go to Chilicothe to see Craig's parents, but sickness keeps getting in the way. I need to get some Christmas shopping done. I am normally almost done by now and finish up on the day after Thanksgiving, but this time I will be starting. Anyone have any ideas of good gifts?

We had family pics taken this past weekend. When I say family I mean the whole crew. Mom, Dad, Kevin and his family, Kim and her family and Jenna, Jared, Craig and I. I am not sure a photographer can ever get all of us to look and smile at the same time. I am taking Jared and Jenna again this weekend to get pics taken in their Christmas outfit. You can bet that you will get a picture for your Christmas card or at least in a pic in it.

Enough rambling and I better go check on my sick baby girl.

birthday party pics

Jared on the line

in the huddle

team shot

jenna hanging out at the game

Jared's birthday

Jared was 6 on Thursday. We celebrated a birthday taco with Nana and Papa before heading off to football practice. he was such a happy kid to have his birthday. It is quite a big deal to turn 6. He took snacks for this classmates and is having a party tomorrow. I am not sure I am ready for the party or for him to be six, but the time has come.

He is such a thankful little boy. After opening his gifts he told us that no matter what we got him he would love. Even if it was a book.

On another note, kindergarten is going great. He is doing super with his work and loves art and music class. Gym is ok, but he would like to play a few more games. We have started the book-it program so he is thrilled. He loves pizza and he loves to read. That makes it easy.

Well off to take care of the kiddos and to watch the tigers play football.

Until next time.

halfway through the first quarter and a big day this week

Jared has made it through the first half of the first quarter. It is hard to believe. The progress report was a great one. I didn't expect anything less, but you never know since he had no experience with school. Jenna has adjusted quite well to dropping Jared off at Nana and Papas and riding alone with Mom. She gets her attention that way.



This week is an exciting week for Jared. He has his birthday on Thursday and his first birthday party with his friends on Sunday. I am not sure I am ready for all of it, but it will come whether I am ready or not. Hopefully I will be able to get some good pics of the party.

September 11th

Wow! It seems just like yesterday that 9/11/2001 happened. As all Americans, I am sure you can remember where you were at the moment that you heard the news. It was quite a shock to our system. I remember going home from work and our house at the time was on a cul-de-sac with a convenience store at the end of the street. I could not get into my house for the cars backed up to get into the station. The fear that was running through our country. May we never forget what happened to us that day. May we never forget the lives that were lost in the buildings and on the planes. May we never forget those who went before this day and those that have went since 9/11 to protect our freedoms (may we always remember to say thank you to those who fight for our freedom). May we remember to have resolve and stand up for what is right and for the lives that we enjoy.

So as the day quickly approaches, please don't let it be just another day. Take time to thank God that we live in a country with freedoms. Take time to remember the lives lost and pray for our country and leadership but more importantly pray for those individuals who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus (no matter the nationality).

Fly your flag and be proud to be an American.

pics of first day of school

Walking down the hall

mom I have posed enough

excited to get in the school

Jenna posing with him

getting ready to go

lasts and firsts

Jared and Jenna have experienced lots of firsts and lasts this month. Jared for the last time (full time) went to the sitters house. He had been counting down the days until school started. On the first day of school you would have thought he had been going to school for years. He waved me to me and headed off down the long hallway. I stood there watching (a little teary eyed) as he got about half way down the hall he turned and waved and gave the hand signal to go on. With school came the joy of getting to go to Nana and Papa's every day. Papa takes him to school and then one of them picks him up each day. He is really enjoying that. (Today he told papa he was the most awesomest papa ever). He was very thankful for Nana who took him to the dollar store (thank goodness mom and dad are paying nana and papa for the trips to the dollar store).

Well with the first day of school for Jared, came the first day at the sitters all by Jenna's self. She had a harder time adjusting to the kindergarten routine then Jared did. She missed him as she had never stayed anywhere besides nana's by herself. But just like with anything it only took here a few days and she was used to it and enjoying the things like knocking on the door that Jared never let her do. She does not like dropping Jared off of the morning as she wants to stay with Papa too, but she really enjoys coming home to find Jared. You would think it had been months between the visits.

As with any change each of us have had to adjust our routine (bed time comes a lot earlier now) and we are getting used to it. We are so thankful that God allows each of us to go through each age in life to teach us and to help us grow in ways that he needs us to grow.

Well it is off to bed (I will post pics when I get them downloaded) as the morning comes quickly.

graduation

Graduation

1st birthday pig cake

Jared with Spoon and Alexander

Jenna getting a birthday gift early

Easter Sunday

volleyball team

easter morning

Jared scrimmaging

he looks so little but had a great time

Jared with the other campers and JMAC

getting instructions

opening up her twin baby dolls

trying to keep candle lit on pig cake

all of this for me

Jenna's 1st b-day party, who is more interested?

Jenna overwhelmed with what is happening

Jared waiting in line to do the next drill

jenna on slip and slide

haley and destany at grad party

haley and prom date

Boy am I behind

I can't believe it has been almost a month since Haley graduated and I still haven't put the pictures of my beautiful niece out here and the wonderful party her parents threw for her.

Well on another note, summer fun has begun. Jared is playing t-ball. We are having so much fun. He and his teammates have improved a lot since last year and each game they get just a tad bit better and understand the game just a little more. We don't keep score in our games, so it is not about winning and losing but about learning and having fun.

Last weekend on Memorial day we attempted a trip to Silver Dollar City. We had a great time until the crowds got there. Then it was not so much fun.

This week is Jenna's 1st birthday week. 12 months ago I was completely miserable and big and fat. Today I am so blessed to have a healthy happy almost 1 year old little girl. We are going to have a party at the park on her birthday. Should be lots of fun.

Hopefully I will get the pictures loaded of all the fun events so far and get them out here and on Facebook so all of you can share in our fun times.

boy do I feel old!

Do I feel old this week???!!!

Seventeen years ago I graduated from High School. My niece Haley was almost two and my niece Logan was about to be born. Well this week Haley graduated from high school this week. That really puts life into perspective. I would like to think of myself as a young pup, but I am beginning to realize that young in age has past me by. I guess it is all in the eyes of the beholder about what you think is old.

So for now I am going to quit feeling old and think about being young (again).

Jenna is taking steps

Jenna is 10 months and trying to run away. She has been taking a few steps here and there. All she needs is just a little confidence and she is gone. She is still timid about it but by May she will be running.

We are in for it then.

pics

Easter Sunday

I wish I had the pictures ready. All of the kids looked so good. We enjoyed being able to celebrate my parents 41st wedding anniversary. Kevin, Kim and their families along with mom and dad were all at our church. Not too often can you say we were able to worship together. It was such a pleasure. After church we went back to my parents where we hid (if that is what you call throwing on the ground) 500 easter eggs for 4 kids. Can you say we are nuts.

the nicest day of the year

We are experiencing the nicest days of the year thus far and I have been to sick to be outside. I caught a strep virus somewhere and struggled through work on Monday and was too sick to go coach my volleyball team and then went to work for a meeting yesterday and then came home and slept. Today I am at home for the time being. I am going to try to go to work this afternoon.

Strep at 35 kicks you in the butt. I hate being sick but to be practically bedridden is the pits. It was worse than the c-sections I have.

busy, but with what

It seems if we are busy all the time and not at home at any time, but I am not sure what we are doing that keeps us so busy. We haven't taken a vacation, we haven't had Tigers games to go to, we have only been to see Craig's parents twice this year, so on and so on.

The busy of things of life have been:

I have been coaching my niece, Addie in volleyball. They have played on Mondays and we have had practices on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tomorrow is our last game. They have made great strides with volleyball, but I know why I don't teach third grade.

We have been working on the house some, in the basement. That is exciting but expensive.

Jared has went to Saturday school a couple of times in preparation for Kindergarten this fall.

We have spent a lot of time with my mom and dad entertaining them. Mom is doing good with her treatments. The Tuesday after Easter she will have another treatment and she will be half way done, yippee!

Kim and I are trying to prepare for Easter dinner and activities for kids. Kim, Missy, and I are trying to prepare for Haley's graduation party and graduation. A lot of these things mom would have been taking care of but we are trying to let her rest so she will be able to go to all of them.

Jenna has become a handful. Since she is crawling I can't leave her because she gets into something.

My dad retired from work a couple of weeks ago so that is hard to get my tiny brain wrapped around. He isn't old enough to retire in my brain, but I guess in his he was. He is enjoying his time off with mom and playing golf with the granddaugher while she was off on Spring break.

Well all these things have kept us extremely busy. Boy am I glad that Spring and Summer days are just around the corner to give me some light when I get home to enjoy the outdoors.

Talk later....

First, second and now what?

First Jenna got the bottom two teeth, then she became just a little mobile. Before I knew she was up crawling everywhere. Now the top two teeth are in. She is crawling like she is going for gold and trying to stand up in the middle of the floor. just this week she started waving and blowing kisses.

Oh my goodness where has the nine months gone. My baby girl is growing up fast. Speaking of baby girls she is ready for her bottle and bed. off to take care of her.

pics of Jenna at her dedication and Jared helping dad