tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1625271689413354462024-02-20T15:28:24.730-08:00Mom 2 My Cute KidsJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-23337696978282870682011-01-31T05:15:00.000-08:002011-01-31T05:33:21.325-08:00GuestsIce and snow are on the way to our house. These are 2 very rude guests, coming when uninvited. As a matter of fact, they are coming to a very non welcoming home. They don't seem to know when to leave, they make my house very messy, especially the floor. They disrupt our schedule, causing the kids to miss school. I really HOPE they don't stay long this time, they are exhausting! Didn't their mom's teach them any better manners?!?!?!?!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-91824343127306362832011-01-23T04:56:00.000-08:002011-01-23T05:12:21.070-08:00MelindaDon't even know how to start this off. My heart is burdened. There are a lot of people in the world, in this country and all around me that are suffering. I see my fair share of it now. I used to live in my little bubble, I knew that there were people who were suffering somewhere, and that I should really pray for them or something, I was happily ignorant. Praise the Lord, He didn't leave me ignorant. I have many opportunities now to share Jesus with hurting people around me, not because all of a sudden God opened some doors for me, but because those opportunities are always there and I have just finally opened my eyes and seen them!<br /><br />This week was a difficult one, gonna share a little bit of one girls story with you. She has just recently gotten out of rehab, her mom has custody of her 3 little girls. She really wants to do better. She told her boyfriend, who abuses alcohol and drugs, and who she also lived with, that she couldn't be around him anymore, so now she has no place to live. She is staying with anyone she can, trying to stay away from the stuff that got her in trouble to begin with. The day I met her, and this part is kind of personal and gross, just a warning. She was on her period and she owned no tampons/pads and no panties. She had wadded toilet paper up and put it in her pants. Ok ladies, have you ever not owned panties? Or not been able to buy just the basic hygiene care items? Almost takes away your humanity, doesn't it.<br /><br />Yes, I and others were able to help her with those basic needs. But she needs sooooo much more, and lots of love and prayer. Will you please pray for her that she will be able to stay strong and stay away from drugs and alcohol? And more important, please pray for me for wisdom and courage to be able to help her with not only her physical needs but that I can share with her the One who can fill that hole that she used to fill with drugs and alcohol. There wasn't much of an opportunity for me to do that this week, but I want to be ready when the Holy Spirit says go:) She said she will be at church this morning, I can't wait to see her!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-34758387445394919212011-01-20T15:16:00.000-08:002011-01-20T15:27:27.290-08:00TattoosI kind of want one! I was reared in the no-tattoos-they-are-bad kind of belief, and have pretty much held firm to that, until recently. For some reason in the last year or so I have taken an interest in tattoos. AND most recently I have thought about getting one. I am not a fan of so many tattoos that you can't see your skin, just my personal preference, but one or two tattoos are kind of cool. <br /><br />More specifically I like tattoos that have a meaning, not just getting one "to get one". I have a few ideas in mind in case I decide to take the plunge. It would have something to do with my faith. I like the idea that one would be a conversation starter, and could lead me into talking to people about Jesus, and not make them feel like I am "imposing" on them, if that makes sense. That is pretty much the main reason I want to get one. There are other reasons as well, and maybe I will write about them in another post.<br /><br />Anyway, I know tattoos can be quite a sensitive issue in some Christian circles, and it does not offend me if anyone does not agree with my choice:) I have no intention of telling my loving, wonderful parents that I want one, at 37 years old that's about the only thing I can think of that I am scared to tell them, ha! I realize I would have to tell them when they saw it, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it. <br /><br />Anyway, there ya go, this mostly conservative, 37 year old mom of 3 wants a tattoo!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-57885532077336363292011-01-16T19:37:00.000-08:002011-01-17T06:44:15.053-08:00SundaysLove them. I have the amazing privilege of heading up the bus ministry at our church. I can't wait to get to see the faces of all the precious people we get to pick up every Sunday morning. The pure innocence and sweetness of these kids mixed with some of the details of their lives makes me want to take them home with me to live forever! I love these kids!!!! Sometimes my heart bursts with love and pain for them, and other times they fill me with amazing joy and laughter! Go and talk to kids riding their bikes on your street or some "hooligan" you see misbehaving in a parking lot, chances are they just need someone to love them, and trust me, you will never regret it. I know it would make Jesus happy too:)Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-8467713755784750692011-01-15T07:45:00.000-08:002011-01-15T07:50:40.012-08:00Back again!So, here I am once again, with a resolution to write on this more, mostly for my own benefit, so I can come back and read someday about what was going on in my life. I just can't seem to stay consistent with it though, but here goes!<br /><br />I AM A RUNNER! Yes, you read correctly, I who never could run more than 30 seconds without feeling like I was taking my last breath have become a runner! I run as often as possible on my treadmill every week, at least 3 times a week. I am consistently running 2 miles a stretch and have done as much as 3 a couple of times. My goal is a 10k, which is 6.2 miles, by April. I think I can do it!<br /><br />Other than that, God is great, kids are great, family is great, life is great! I cannot complain. Well, I guess I could, but considering 25,000 people a day die from starvation, I won't! Not today anyway:)Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-22101416617789809262010-08-12T09:48:00.000-07:002010-08-12T10:04:07.956-07:00DisappointmentIs a part of life, and I know it is good for children to have disappointments. I know if they are never disappointed growing up they won't be able to handle life as an adult, because I think we all know that life is FULL of disappointment. But it just hurts so bad to see your child's heart broken. Not life altering disappointment, just being sick and missing a much anticipated sleepover, but heart breaking disappointment just the same when you are a 10 year old girl! I cried, she cried, we cried some more. ~sigh~ The first of many heart aches, Lord help me through the next 8 years!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-24188795653411478352010-02-28T05:24:00.000-08:002010-02-28T05:33:00.158-08:00I'm Slacking!Yikes, I'm already dropping the ball, geesh. Probably because, as usual, there is nothing exciting going on here, lol.<br /><br />I did walk into the kitchen a few days ago and got hit in the face by the smell of fingernail polish! NEVER a good thing. This happened once before, about a year ago, in the bathroom. Only I was having a total brain "fart" <em>that</em> day. I kept smelling, what I thought, was nail polish remover as I would go upstairs to the bedrooms and was like, what is that smell? Not thinking, HELLO!, you have an ornery 2 year old you might wanna check it out!!!! Finally it hit me like a ton of bricks that I had left my nail polish on the counter in the bathroom. Walked in and, yep, there sat the little culprit, with a nice paint job on herself, the floor and my best blouse! It did come off the floor and herself, the shirt is now a very expensive dust cloth:( Sooooooooooo I instantly start to panic, luckily she hadn't gotten it on anything, YET! I usually keep that stuff put waaaay up high, but got it down so I wouldn't forget to take it with me, and yep, I'm a moron, I left it in her sight.<br /><br />Prayer request for all my praying friends. I have a friend who had to deliver her 4-5 months along in her pregnancy, baby yesterday :( They had a miscarriage last year and were super excited for this baby. Just very sad. Thanks.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-55971104414059092412010-02-21T14:00:00.000-08:002010-02-21T14:11:23.480-08:00LoveThat's what we talked about in Bible study today. I Corinthians 13 is a really tough chapter to live by!!! Especially the part that says....."love does not take into account a wrong suffered"....wow! So no holding grudges, no getting even, no telling everyone!! Hard to swallow. <br /><br />Then we read Matthew 5:48, "Be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect", hmmmm, I've got a lot of work to do, lol!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-92134843095284338162010-02-16T13:42:00.000-08:002010-02-16T13:50:42.483-08:00HmmmmmI don't really have anything exciting, cute or thought provoking to share. So here are some VERY random things. <br /><br />I got every single piece of clothing in our house washed yesterday, towels too, can I get a witness!!!! <br /><br />I'm tired of Gabes pullup leaking pee every night. <br /><br />I LOVE my new flat iron, and will try to post some pics soon, I have a few, but they aren't very flattering ones of me, so I'm gonna do a "photshoot" again soon.<br /><br />I am loving the Olympics, even the obscure evenst like Curling.<br /><br />I am sick of the snow!!!! We have a lot and it's not going anywhere anytime soon.<br /><br />We paid off a bill this week, can I get another witness!!!!<br /><br />We plan to have all bills but our mortgage paid off by January of next year, woo to the hoo!!!<br /><br />Every single person in our house got a hair cut last week. Gwen's little bob is so cute, I'll try to post some pics of that too.<br /><br />I don't want to cook.<br /><br />I have become addicted to getting my nails done. Keeps me from picking at my cuticles, a very bad habit of mine, but it is kind of pricey, so I really need to give it up.<br /><br />I wish I could do something that would make me useful in Haiti, I would love to go there right now.<br /><br />Have a great week, and God bless us everyone!!!!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-37628102972222066072010-02-11T10:06:00.001-08:002010-02-11T10:15:38.508-08:00Jillian Michaelsis mean! I started her 30 day shred video today, and boy do I feel shredded! It's a 20 minute a day workout, and every minute is packed with intense stuff! My thinking is, instead of leaving the house, which entails getting dressed, getting my 2 year old dressed, making sure I have my pedometer, mp3 player, etc., having a snack and drink for her, a bag with stuff for her to do, then driving to my walking track, an inside one, then walking for at least 30 minutes then finally getting home, which by then the 30 minutes has turned into an hour or more, that I would do a simple 20 minutes a day at home. <br /><br />Pffftttt. It <em>is </em>only 20 minutes, but it ain't simple! My legs were shaking so bad not even halfway through it I didn't think I could walk, and this is level 1!! There are 2 more levels above it! Well if you're only gonna do 20 minutes and see results you gotta hit it hard. I'm gonna stick with it, even though I know by tomorrow I won't be able to squat to pee without groaning in pain! I only want to lose about 6 more lbs, 6 more!!! And with Jillian barking at me I think I can do it!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-80911083021652560432010-02-08T10:48:00.001-08:002010-02-08T10:48:50.028-08:00Tim Tebow.....is so refreshing! And too darn good looking!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-82200151901880439452010-02-06T06:18:00.000-08:002010-02-06T06:21:27.096-08:00Cleanup, cleanupeverybody, everywhere! That is what I am doing today! But I'm not dreading it, and that's weird! Havin' our super bowl party tomorrow night, and need clean floors and bathrooms. Dusted earlier this week, so I don't have to worry about that, yay! Then I need to make a few of the foodies, luckily I told everyone to bring a dessert/appetizer, so that I don't have to do ALL the work, and it does take a lot of stress off a body! Everyone have a great day, I know I will!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-1238745050125272352010-02-05T06:08:00.000-08:002010-02-05T06:19:14.566-08:00Well....not much going on in my life right at this moment, but I'm working on consistency! Trying to shake this stinking allergy/sinus stuff that is hanging on for it's life, ugh. But I'll be ok, it won't last forever!<br /><br />Anyone else out there ever have a problem with judging besides me? Funny thing is, I have a lot of grace for people I don't know, haha. Like a drug addict, prostitute or teen mom, because but by the grace of God I could be them, and still could! Ok, maybe not the teen mom, but you know what I mean :) But I just wanna love on them and tell them about Jesus and help them turn their life around. <br /><br />But there are a few people that I am very close to, who don't have any outward serious issues, such as drugs, alcohol, etc., but my goodness they irritate me so much with their issues that sometimes I wanna give them a good thrashing! I can pick out every single thing that is wrong in their life and I want to tell them exactly what they need to do! Hmmm, I think there is a verse in the Bible 'bout that, something about a beam in my eye and a tiny speck in my brothers, ha! <br /><br />So why is it that the people closest to me I have no grace for and the people I don't know, I can give them all kinds of grace. I guess because I have no expectations for someone I don't know and those closest to us we can place a lot of expectations on? Or could it be that I'm simply a sinful human being? I'd wager it's both!! ~sigh~ I just need to get my eyes off people, who will always let us down, and on Jesus, who will NEVER disappoint me!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-4321373367909653422010-02-04T08:27:00.000-08:002010-02-04T08:33:27.089-08:00Tax refund time!LOVE IT! Ours comes in next week. And while the bulk of it goes to practical things like paying off bills and savings, we do get to have a tiny bit of fun with it. I am buying the kids matching Easter outfits, myself a very expensive flat iron, and a few spring/summer items for myself, since, thankfully I am too skinny for my old ones, yipeeeeee! <br /><br />Why would I waste money on an expensive flat iron you might ask? When you can get pretty decent ones for under $50. Because I have tried all kinds of products/flat irons and they just do not work on my hair! I don't have really curly hair, but it is one step below that level, and all I end up with is mostly straight, but puffy (frizzy) hair. I wear it natural, but dream of stick straight beautiful shiny hair! And I had given up that dream, until my hair dresser said she got a new flat iron that made her hair look like Jesus had styled it!! Now who can pass up Jesus styling your hair, lol?<br /><br />Oh, and Donny will get to splurge a little bit too. He is waffling between a new gun or tv? I'm rooting for the tv!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-81328995240790430342010-02-03T06:03:00.001-08:002010-02-03T06:16:06.091-08:00ConsistencySo I'm gonna give this consistency thing a try. I have said this many times and never followed through, so we'll see! This is just another day for me! <br /><br />Send kids to school, pick them up, laundry, dishes meals, baths, bed. Somedays I LOVE the routine, but occasionally I'll feel mom burnout. Today I'm good, lol.<br /><br />I <em>am</em> feeling overwhelmed with the amount of commitments I've made. I was just thinking I need to sit down and write out everything I need to be doing, but I don't wanna!<br /><br />I am in charge of my high school reunion, which is this September, but that, thankfully, is running smoothly, I have delegated alot!<br /><br />I am heading up the candy bar sales for my daughter's school, there are only 40 students in the school, phew. But I'm feeling the pressure!<br /><br />We all need dental checkups. I need to make sure Gabe has all the physicals/shots that he needs to start kindergarten and that Gwen has all that so she can start preschool.<br /><br />We are having a super bowl party at our house on Sunday night, yay! But I'll be glad when all the preparing is done and the fun has begun!<br /><br />I teach a Bible study class at church, which I LOVE, but really do feel the weight of the responsibility sometimes.<br /><br />I am in charge of scheduling childcare workers during church on Sunday mornings, and surely everyone knows how easy it is to get volunteers for things, AND keep them, insert sarcasm.<br /><br />Now I have somehow gotten to head one of our outreach activities at church, it's not a time consumming hard one, but I'm kinda freaking out!<br /><br />Once candy bar sales and reunion is over, I will not be so overwhelmed and I am making NO MORE commitments right now, lol. Only if God lays them on my heart!! Most of those things don't take alot of time, but right some of the "work" has kind of fallen at the same time and I'm panicking! I guess I probably need to get off here and do something, huh!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-61920431005450247822010-02-02T09:31:00.000-08:002010-02-02T14:27:29.163-08:00Jack of all trades....and master of none. Yep, that's me. Do you ever feel that way? There are so many moms, and other types of humans, lol, out there that have some amazing abilities and sometimes it makes me feel very mediocre. Here are some examples:<br /><br />There are some amazing, inspiring, witty, intelligent, consistent bloggers here in bloggy land. I am none of the above, not even <em>consistent</em> which just takes some time!<br /><br />I am not creative, not.one.little.bit! Not a creative cell in my body, and I'm talkin' all forms of creativity. I can't draw, seriously, still drawing stick people at the age of 36! I can't do interior decorating. I mean I have my likes and dislikes, and can TRY to duplicate anything I see, as long as it doesn't involve painting or some such creativeness, but to just look at something and say this would look great with such and such, no way! I can't take a piece of junk at a flea market and turn into a beautiful antique! I have several wall hangings that have been in my room for about a year, I'm waiting for one of my not so creatively challenged friends to come hang them for me. I can barely scrapbook, and I only do the most basics!<br /><br />I'm not good with just coming up with cool, educational, crafty things for my kids to do. Coloring pages and flash cards have been my only tools, lol!<br /><br />I <em>can </em>sew, but just barely. But I really don't like to, lol! I can't make hair bows. I can't take glitter glue and make t shirts to die for. I can't whip up a wreath for my door or a flower arrangement, unless you like things that look like they were made by your 3rd grader.<br /><br />I have become a much more accomplished cook, but no better than any of my other friends. And who can't follow a recipe? But I have a lot of trouble feeding my kids variety and am not always creative with my meal choices.<br /><br />I can clean really good, but don't keep a sparkling house, I mean I do keep the bugs away, but wouldn't want to run a white glove over the furniture:)<br /><br />I can't sing, and this is one thing I just dream about! I would love to be able to get up in front of everyone at church and just let it fly and belt out "In Christ Alone"! I can't imagine how much fun that would be! That's one thing I'm gonna do in Heaven, sing LOUD!!!<br /><br />I took 2 years of piano as a kid, but that just means I can read music and peck out Step 2 songs from Kayleigh's lesson books.<br /><br />I'm no photographer, I mean I can take a picture at a recital, but it certainly isn't going to look professional!<br /><br />I <em>am </em>good at sports, especially volleyball, but after high school there really isn't much use for that!<br /><br />This isn't a pity party! I could do most of the things I listed, except sing, haha, at least halfway decent if I put my mind to it, but none of it comes naturally, like it seems to for some, thus the "jack of all trades and master of none".<br /><br />I do have other qualities, I can organize like nobodies business, I can whip a closet or garage into shape in no time flat and am really good at throwing stuff out, ha! I'm competetive, which can be a detriment, but most of the time is good because it keeps me on my toes and keeps me motivated! And I have a lot of energy. I'm very easy going. Oh, and I can find a bargain like a fly can find a dead body, haha! I DO know how to save money.<br /><br />But these things aren't very, how would you say it, glamorous!!! That's it isn't it? These things don't get the respect and awe of the creative, talented gifts! So those of us who suffer from mediocrity aren't really mediocre, our gifts are just in the more practical realm! After all I am made in the image of God, and we all know he doesn't make mediocrity, He only makes things that have the potential for greatness! And the Bible says we are all given gifts and talents! So I can't embroider my kids names on shirts or make cute wooden plaques for their doors, I can play baseball with them or help my girls learn how to stretch their dollar and still look great, and that is just as important!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-920929705078943662009-11-16T10:36:00.000-08:002009-11-16T10:57:34.809-08:00My Favorite SongWe had one of those church services yesterday morning where you never want to leave!! Our pastor preached for an hour and it seemed like 10 minutes. And at altar call, I would say 95% of the people there were at the altar!! God was all over that place, it was all about HIM, and it was amazing! We sang my most fave song too and there were hands everywhere raised in worship, it was a little tiny slice of what Heaven will be like, I can't wait!<br /><br />My fave song is "In Christ Alone", so I thought I would share the lyrics. Reading them doesn't even begin to do them justice, although there are some mighty powerful statements in them. But I urge you to download the song, if your tech savvy, or buy a cd, just somehow get your hands on this song, it is anointed!!!!<br /><br />My favorite part of the song is in the second verse where it says, "Till on that cross where Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied, For every sin on Him was laid, Here in the death of Christ I live". WOW, gives me goose bumps just reading it. Hallelujah!<br /><br /><br />In Christ Alone<br /><br />In Christ alone my hope is found,<br />He is my light, my strength, my song<br />This Cornerstone, this solid ground,<br />Firm through the fiercest drought and storm<br />What heights of love, what depths of peace<br />When fears are stilled, when strivings cease<br />My Comforter, my All in All<br />Here in the love of Christ I stand<br /><br />In Christ alone, who took on flesh,<br />Fullness of God in helpless babe<br />This gift of love and righteousness,<br />Scorned by the ones He came to save<br />Till on that cross as Jesus died,<br />The wrath of God was satisfied<br />For every sin on Him was laid<br />Here in the death of Christ I live<br /><br />There in the ground His body lay.<br />Light of the world by darkness slain,<br />Then bursting forth in glorious Day,<br />Up from the grave He rose again,<br />And as He stands in victory,<br />Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me,<br />For I am His and He is mine,<br />Brought with the precious blood of Christ<br /><br /><br />No guilt in life, no fear in death,<br />This is the power of Christ in me,<br />From life's first cry to final breath,<br />Jesus commands my destiny<br />No power of hell, no scheme of man,<br />Can ever pluck me from His hand'<br />Till He returns or calls me home<br />Here in the power of Christ I'll standJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-59837481173916231862009-10-27T04:13:00.000-07:002009-10-27T04:28:24.058-07:00It's too early.I am watching a little girl for a co worker of my husband's this morning. Her daycare providers had a funeral and were closed today. Her dad dropped her off at 5:55 this morning! I think I might have gotten up that early twice in the last year and one of those times was to go "Black Friday" shopping, I'll do anything for a bargain. Anyway, this sweet 2 year old girl had to get up before 5:30 this morning to get to my house, that's early! She took up with me right away, didn't cry or anything, and is sitting in the recliner watching Blue's Clue's. <br /><br />The point to all of this is, I am so thankful to God and grateful to my husband that I and my children get to sleep in to the last possible minute! And during the summer we can sleep in til we're up! And I am here when the kids get home. There are so many wonderful sets of parents where both of them work and have to get themselves and their kids up at the crack of dawn every morning and God bless them! Those working mom's are nothing short of miraculous! And their children will learn a whole different set of life skills that mine have! We haven't had to do that, yet! I may some day and then I will learn what it is like. For now I am so blessed to be a stay at home mom and I don't take want to take that for granted. <br /><br />Kuddos to all you working moms, and dads, out there, hang in there! Kuddos to all you stay at home moms, and dads, out there, it's not like we are eating bon bons and taking bubble baths, huh?! Neither job is easy, but both are rewarding!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-77842539419618343642009-10-22T09:51:00.001-07:002009-10-22T09:59:03.064-07:00Pleasantly SurprisedTo find out that I had lost another few pounds! I mentioned that I have been working out again, well I kicked it up a notch this week, just trying to build up my endurance and strength, and whadya know I've lost another 3 lbs, just in the past week! So excited. Who would've thought it, the old fashioned way of losing weight really does work! If I can lose another 8 lbs. I will be the smallest I have been since before getting married! I'm working fast and furious toward my "Hot Mom" status, HA!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-90158310234993700332009-10-20T08:19:00.000-07:002009-10-20T08:21:58.303-07:00I'm addicted.....to Nutella! This choclatey hazelnut goodness is so yummy, if you haven't had any you MUST try some. I like it on toast and biscuits, but my fave way to eat it is on croissants, mmmmmmmm! Just thought I would share. And if anyone has any other yummy ways to eat it please let me know!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-61191530983133545852009-10-19T06:28:00.000-07:002009-10-19T06:39:40.220-07:00Happy Fall Ya'll.I cannot believe it is fall already! And Christmas is a mere 2 months away! I'm freaking out right now!! I have bought nothing and money will be in somewhat of a short supply this season. However, kids are easy to please, even with little money! Note to self, start shopping in MAY next year! We try to focus on the "Christ" in Christmas, not the commercial part anyway, so not much money probably isn't a bad thing!<br /><br />My life is a monotonous flow of identical days that seem that they will never end!!! Wake up, get breakfast, take 2 kids to school, work out, shower, pick up 4 year old from preschool, make beds, do laundry, clean up kitchen, make lunch, clean up kitchen again, break up fights, put 4 year old in "time out" 5 million times for being mean to his sister, vacuum, laundry, laundry, laundry, pick up 3rd grader from school, break up 10,000 fights, start preparing supper, eat supper, clean up kitchen, over see homework, bathe 3 children, break up 15,000 fights between the 9 and 4 year old, finally put fighting children to bed, read for a bit (maybe), then fall into an exhausted, like the dead sleep! Sometimes throwing errands into the day. I KNOW I need to be enjoying these days, but sometimes I feel like I am barely making it through the days without turning into the "Joan Crawford" mother. The bickering is sucking the life out of me!!!!!!!! <br /><br />I really do love my children and my life, just feeling very overwhelmed right now. Trust me, I know I only have three, and lots of moms do it with many more than that, and God Bless 'em, they are saints! But right now my 3 feel like 6!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-28047066264577267202009-10-17T08:16:00.000-07:002009-10-17T08:28:46.584-07:00Weighing In and a GiveawayI was reading back through some of my old posts and realized I never did post my weight loss to date. If anyone remembers I started a weight loss regime waaaaaay back in March, my starting weight was 181. By May I had lost.....drum roll please........30lbs!!!!!!! I reached my first goal! I am very excited about it. I took the summer off, didn't work out or do any special eating, BUT monitored my weight closely to make sure I didn't start creeping back up. There is NO WAY I am putting that weight back on, losing weight bites and I am not letting myself, barring anything out of my control, get back in that position again. <br /><br />So now I have 10 more to go to reach my ultimate goal. So two weeks ago, now that school has started again and we have a routine going, I started walking/running on the treadmill again. Even if I don't lose any more weight, as long as I can keep the weight off I just lost and get in great shape I will be happy. <br /><br />I have never been a runner. Even in high school when I weighed 120 lbs soaking wet and could play intense volleyball for 8 hours straight, I never was a runner. I have always admired runners, envied them really, they always seem to be such athletes! So I have decided at the ripe old age of 35, almost 36, to give running a go. My goal is to be able to run a 5 or 10k in the spring. Hopefully it will be a 10k, but I also want to set a realistic goal, so we'll see. Are there 7k's out there? Anyway I'm giving it a go. <br /><br />If anyone remembers waaaaay back in the spring I promised a giveaway when I reached my goal of 160 lbs, well I reached it! So I am going to do a giveaway sometime real soon. So my one reader should have a pretty good chance of winning, ha! So stay tuned!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-91943318235609192102009-09-04T09:41:00.000-07:002009-09-04T19:46:02.809-07:00Puberty, yuck.So my oldest just turned 9 on Tuesday and she has started puberty! Yes I am talking about a sensitive subject, so read with caution. I realize this might mortify her if she knew I was posting this, but she will never know. I just feel the need to share, and since I am pretty sure only women read this blog, and we've all been through this, I think we will all understand. About a year ago she started getting breasts, not much, but alot for an 8 year old. We had her checked out and they do an xray to check for what is called "bone age" in children and if that is the same as their biological age they are fine, and she was. Well in a year she has gotten quite larger breasts and started showing other signs as well. Took her back to the dr. and her bone age is now 11, which means she has entered puberty, and it looks like she is running toward it full boar. ~sigh~<br /><br />She is only 9! Now granted she may not actually start menstreuating (sp?), for a few years, but then again it could be not that long either. Regardless, kids that young shouldn't have to deal with this. She is getting an MRI done in October to make sure there is nothing abnormal there causing her to start puberty at this age, just as a precaution. But that is going to be a real fun day. She probably is just an early bloomer, so we aren't real concerned right now. I know there are lots of women who started their periods at 11, even some 10, but I have always thought that was soooo young. I was 14, quite the late bloomer, and I loved it.<br /><br />I was really hoping she would be a late bloomer too. But Kayleigh never does anything like a "normal" child, lol. She has had her share of struggles in her life and it just seems that when it rains it pours. I know she will be fine and that this is a part of life and cannot be avoided, and it's natural, blah, blah, blah. But she's 9 and she's my baby and I don't want her to have to deal with this until the last possible moment, I'm asking alot, I know.<br /><br />I am not going to tell anyone about this right now, I don't even want to tell my mom or mil. I just really don't feel like having to tell people something else our daughter is having "issues" with. I also don't want to hear anyone tell me this is just a fact of life and I need to deal with it, as one of my friends, actually a good one, said in so many words. Because I might punch them, seriously. I needed to share though, and thought this would be a safe place. My family does not visit this blog so I'm good, lol. And you guys are not in physical reach of a "punch" at the moment, haha.<br /><br />I know there are so many worse things out there that could be wrong with my daughter, trust me. And my heart goes out to those parents whose kids face things much tougher than this, and I apologize to any of them if this seems trivial. I count my blessings daily! But it doesn't make the struggles she has faced hurt any less.<br /><br />Thanks for "listening".Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-64576921636710255642009-09-04T07:19:00.000-07:002009-09-04T07:28:27.420-07:00Old Spice lip glossSo I found Gwen yesterday coating her lips with Donny's deodorant. ~sigh~ She is such a plunderer! My other two weren't at all. Not that Gabe doesn't misbehave in other ways, just getting into everything wasn't one of them, lol. She wasn't poisoned, I know this because the one time Gabe did plunder he also ate some deodorant, and wasn't using it as lip gloss, it was a snack. I called poison control then, and they told me that you have to consume alot of it for it to hurt you, so all was well. <br /><br />We have decided we must put locks up high on the bathroom door and the front door to keep our explorer safe. Her name is now "Hurricane Gwen", and that sums it all up. If she lives to be 10, it'll be a miracle. If I live to her 10th birthday without every single hair on my head turning gray that will be a miracle. Although no one will ever know if it all turns gray because my hair is a beautiful shade of mahogany brown with some red tones, Medium Spice, to be exact, and will stay that color for a loooooooong time, lol. No growing old gracefully here, fighting it tooth and nail!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162527168941335446.post-2391416274025512352009-08-30T06:50:00.000-07:002009-08-30T07:05:16.924-07:00This n ThatDon't get to go to church this morning, ugh, I HATE missing. I enjoy being with my Christian family so much! Gabe has a slight fever this morning, and the stomach flu has been going around, but no puking yet! Usually Donny stays home since I teach a class, but he is working today, so I'm home :( <br /><br />Been reading some really, really great books lately. <em>Under the Overpass</em> by is an eye opening account of two mens journey to choose to live homeless for 6 months, to better be able to understand and minister to people's needs. And WOW, you really get a look at people's misconceptions and attitudes toward homeless people that are absolutely sickening and frightening. <br /><br />The other book I'm reading is <em>Interrupted</em> by Jen Hatmaker. This book gets at the very heart of our Christianity. Of how so many of us have been "playing" church, living passionless and selfishly. It has really hit my heart in a serious way. God has been burdening my heart for a long time now, and this book just kind of put into words what I have been feeling. It's as if she wrote down my very thoughts! Both of these are some serious reading, and once read we have a responsibility to act, so read with caution, lol.<br /><br />On a lighter note, my kids have made my life so much more fulfilled, but I swear sometimes it feels like they will be the death of me, lol. The past few weeks have just been FULL of mommy moments. Gwen disasters, like pulling dressers down, twice. 2 of the kids being sick, all of us having a dr. appointment on Friday, with the youngest 2 getting shots. And just regular everyday bickering and whining. Some days my goal is just to stay sane, sometimes I do, sometimes I feel I'm on the brink, lol.<br /><br />Gabe started preschool on Thursday and Kayleigh starts 3rd grade in a week. Hoping a routine will help with the craziness. <br /><br />Oh and it was 54 degrees last night, in August in the Midwest, crazy! Kayleigh's birthday is Tuesday, and the day she was born I think the temperature was 105, go figure.<br /><br />Have a great Sunday ya'll!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04015173576542442409noreply@blogger.com1