This is ME with the birthday hat on. I did not want my picture taken!1.29.2007
1.28.2007
Hannah's tea party was so much fun yesterday. I've got some great pictures, if I can ever get my computer working. 4 of her 5 friends were here, the other one was in Tx for the national competition for that wool contest they were in back in November. We went with a butterfly theme which turned out really nice. We made butterflies out of coffee filters and curling ribbon to hang on the windows by the dining table. At each place setting we used votive candle w/holders to attach their names for placecards. Each girl had their own little teapot since I had ordered that set with my birthday money. They did three crafts, a foam visor, a foam photo album, and a bracelet with a teapot charm. Our Bible lesson was about how God takes us ugly sinners and transforms us into something beautiful....just like a caterpillar changes into a butterfly. Well, I guess I won't bore you with all the details. Just trying to paint the picture somewhat, since I can't post pics.
As for SD, we *should* find out for sure tomorrow (Monday). The VP is going to be talking with the owner to see if he can pay hubby what we asked for and exactly WHAT they are going to do with this office. Right now Michael is the only one working there and they need this office up asap so they're desperate:) We weren't asking for very much more than they offered so I think things will work out. He actually apologized to Michael for getting so upset at him over it and that he now realizes just what the cost of living is out there. Michael has been able to get some meetings setup for this next week with clients and has gotten excited about this possibility, so I'm hoping he gets it. He's already had 3 people congratulate him as the VP had already told everyone that he was hiring Michael for it, he just needs to get the pay approved. So, here I am trying not to be too impatient as I know everything that will need to be done to move in the next month. They would want to move us right away to get him out there so we'd be moving the end of February or first of March. Thank goodness it's *only* 6 hours from here, and not that 3 day drive like from Washington. Ok, will post tomorrow night what I find out!
Jen
As for SD, we *should* find out for sure tomorrow (Monday). The VP is going to be talking with the owner to see if he can pay hubby what we asked for and exactly WHAT they are going to do with this office. Right now Michael is the only one working there and they need this office up asap so they're desperate:) We weren't asking for very much more than they offered so I think things will work out. He actually apologized to Michael for getting so upset at him over it and that he now realizes just what the cost of living is out there. Michael has been able to get some meetings setup for this next week with clients and has gotten excited about this possibility, so I'm hoping he gets it. He's already had 3 people congratulate him as the VP had already told everyone that he was hiring Michael for it, he just needs to get the pay approved. So, here I am trying not to be too impatient as I know everything that will need to be done to move in the next month. They would want to move us right away to get him out there so we'd be moving the end of February or first of March. Thank goodness it's *only* 6 hours from here, and not that 3 day drive like from Washington. Ok, will post tomorrow night what I find out!
Jen
1.25.2007
ok, just a quick update. I've been too busy to wrestle with my computer. Hopefully this will post with no hassle:)
We decided an official name for the baby, Emilie Rose Lennox. All the kids have even been calling her Emilie, really cute but I'm really REALLY hoping that they weren't wrong about that u/s. I compared "shots" with Hannah's and Brandon's u/s pics and I'm almost completely positive...
I've started buying some girl stuff. I splurged and bought a dress at the Carter's store and then I've been picking up stuff from Goodwill. I have found the cutest girl stuff for $1-$2 that look brand new. Ok, I'll just come out and admit it, I have a fetish (if you can call it that) with thrift stores, I just can't help myself! I told hubby that at least I'm not out spending tons of money at the mall. You really can't get yourself into TOO much trouble at a thrift store....besides there are things that I find there that I would never be able to buy otherwise at full price. I picked up a $20 Boppy pillow for $1.99, a $20 Taggie blanket for $.99, a $30 Hip Hammock baby carrier for $2.99, and a $30 sling for $1.99. I *AM* sort of a thrift store snob though, I only buy if it looks brand new or very nearly there. Anyways, enough of that boring stuff:)
We still don't have a definitave answer about San Diego. I'm trying very hard to be patient and not anxious:) The VP made an offer to hubby on Tuesday, we went over our budget and such that night, hubby made a counter offer on Wednesday. The VP sortof "flipped out" on my hubby, then he started asking around to other office staff about the cost of living and such and he cooled off. The VP is supposed to talk with the owner of the company tomorrow and "figure something out". So, now as it stands, hubby will be flying to San Diego to run things and get the ball rolling. They are in a time crunch to get this office moving so we're anticipating that this will happen, they just need to get some details ironed out. The office and manager here in Az are already not expecting him to come back meaning that the VP has already told the manager here that Michael will be running SD. Anyways, I will keep you updated. Thanks for praying about this whole thing, I can see God working things out.
Hannah's Tea Party is on Saturday. Sooooo, that means I've been cleaning house all week. Things like shampooing the carpets, yardwork, etc. All the stuff that I didn't worry about when my family came for Christmas, but stuff that I want done if we're having "real" company coming.
Ok, better go. Wanna get some cleaning done while the kids are in bed!
Jen
We decided an official name for the baby, Emilie Rose Lennox. All the kids have even been calling her Emilie, really cute but I'm really REALLY hoping that they weren't wrong about that u/s. I compared "shots" with Hannah's and Brandon's u/s pics and I'm almost completely positive...
I've started buying some girl stuff. I splurged and bought a dress at the Carter's store and then I've been picking up stuff from Goodwill. I have found the cutest girl stuff for $1-$2 that look brand new. Ok, I'll just come out and admit it, I have a fetish (if you can call it that) with thrift stores, I just can't help myself! I told hubby that at least I'm not out spending tons of money at the mall. You really can't get yourself into TOO much trouble at a thrift store....besides there are things that I find there that I would never be able to buy otherwise at full price. I picked up a $20 Boppy pillow for $1.99, a $20 Taggie blanket for $.99, a $30 Hip Hammock baby carrier for $2.99, and a $30 sling for $1.99. I *AM* sort of a thrift store snob though, I only buy if it looks brand new or very nearly there. Anyways, enough of that boring stuff:)
We still don't have a definitave answer about San Diego. I'm trying very hard to be patient and not anxious:) The VP made an offer to hubby on Tuesday, we went over our budget and such that night, hubby made a counter offer on Wednesday. The VP sortof "flipped out" on my hubby, then he started asking around to other office staff about the cost of living and such and he cooled off. The VP is supposed to talk with the owner of the company tomorrow and "figure something out". So, now as it stands, hubby will be flying to San Diego to run things and get the ball rolling. They are in a time crunch to get this office moving so we're anticipating that this will happen, they just need to get some details ironed out. The office and manager here in Az are already not expecting him to come back meaning that the VP has already told the manager here that Michael will be running SD. Anyways, I will keep you updated. Thanks for praying about this whole thing, I can see God working things out.
Hannah's Tea Party is on Saturday. Sooooo, that means I've been cleaning house all week. Things like shampooing the carpets, yardwork, etc. All the stuff that I didn't worry about when my family came for Christmas, but stuff that I want done if we're having "real" company coming.
Ok, better go. Wanna get some cleaning done while the kids are in bed!
Jen
1.17.2007
Nothing exciting today. I was really tired today. We got school done and I got a decent dinner made (roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, corn) which we actually ate together as a family. We then all watched American Idol tonight. I'm heading to bed early as I have a headache and I'm sortof sick to my stomach, probably due to the headache.
Tomorrow Hannah's got her piano lesson and then I'm planning on hitting the thrift stores until I need to pick mom up from work.
Jen
Tomorrow Hannah's got her piano lesson and then I'm planning on hitting the thrift stores until I need to pick mom up from work.
Jen
Crazy, crazy Tuesday.
We got the bare minimum done in school today. Got the house picked up. Went to my Dr's apt and waited FOREVER to be seen. Went to pick Mom up from work 2o mins away.....20 mins of driving the area, I finally called her from a window tinting shop to find out where exactly she was at. Zoomed her home, picking up Burger King on the way. Then, headed to AWANA 20 miles away and showed up 5 mins late. Helped 8 energetic 5-7 year olds memorize Scripture. Stopped to pick Mom up on the way home so she could drop US off at home and borrow the van tomorrow to go to work. Got 4 littles ready for bed and tucked in. Whew.....day's done!
Jen
We got the bare minimum done in school today. Got the house picked up. Went to my Dr's apt and waited FOREVER to be seen. Went to pick Mom up from work 2o mins away.....20 mins of driving the area, I finally called her from a window tinting shop to find out where exactly she was at. Zoomed her home, picking up Burger King on the way. Then, headed to AWANA 20 miles away and showed up 5 mins late. Helped 8 energetic 5-7 year olds memorize Scripture. Stopped to pick Mom up on the way home so she could drop US off at home and borrow the van tomorrow to go to work. Got 4 littles ready for bed and tucked in. Whew.....day's done!
Jen
1.15.2007
Ok I know everyone is waiting for the big news.....
It's a G-I-R-L!!!!
The ultrasound tech was 99% sure that it was a girl. There were no boy things sticking out and she said that the baby had the "hamburger bun" typical of females. As she was looking more just to make sure, I also saw the standard "3 lines" sign so it looks like we indeed have another one for the pink team. The kids are ecstatic and it was all I could do not to cry. I had really thought for sure it was a boy and had prepared myself before hand so that I would not be disappointed if it was, boy was I surprised:) Anyways, the only thing that keeps running through my head is "God will give you the desires of your heart". We finally got our second girl, but only after He gave us a couple of more boys who have ended up "desires of our heart", but might have never come into existence if He had given us this girl sooner. God's timing is so perfect:)
Ok signing off for the night. Nothing else that happened today is near as interesting as this one tidbit was.
Jen
It's a G-I-R-L!!!!
The ultrasound tech was 99% sure that it was a girl. There were no boy things sticking out and she said that the baby had the "hamburger bun" typical of females. As she was looking more just to make sure, I also saw the standard "3 lines" sign so it looks like we indeed have another one for the pink team. The kids are ecstatic and it was all I could do not to cry. I had really thought for sure it was a boy and had prepared myself before hand so that I would not be disappointed if it was, boy was I surprised:) Anyways, the only thing that keeps running through my head is "God will give you the desires of your heart". We finally got our second girl, but only after He gave us a couple of more boys who have ended up "desires of our heart", but might have never come into existence if He had given us this girl sooner. God's timing is so perfect:)
Ok signing off for the night. Nothing else that happened today is near as interesting as this one tidbit was.
Jen
1.14.2007
This is a big week for us. Tomorrow is the ultrasound, the kids can hardly contain themselves. Tuesday I have my reg OB appt. Hubby is supposed to find out about San Diego this week. Well, at least the VP is supposed to "convince" the owner of the company that Michael is ready to run his own office and how great he'll be for them in San Diego. Please pray for us that we can/will make wise decisions regarding this move and that his compensation package offer will be enough for us so that we can feel comfortable accepting this position if it be God's will:)
Today was so, so, so COLD! It was 28 degrees at 8:30 am on our ride to church. The kids found it such a novelty to be able to see their breath in the air. Something I guess they don't remember from our Washington days. When we got to church we found out that the power wasn't working properly and we had to move everyone around for Sunday school and ended up having worship service in the "dark" (only light from the small windows) and no heat or sound. Not a big deal for me really as our church in Washington met for years in "subpar" *snort* conditions, no biggie. I guess something is wrong with the main line from the road and the utility company was working on it as we left church. The evening service was cancelled though.
Well, that's all I can think of to write about. Sundays are really boring around here LOL. Off to catch up with YOU all:)
Jen
Today was so, so, so COLD! It was 28 degrees at 8:30 am on our ride to church. The kids found it such a novelty to be able to see their breath in the air. Something I guess they don't remember from our Washington days. When we got to church we found out that the power wasn't working properly and we had to move everyone around for Sunday school and ended up having worship service in the "dark" (only light from the small windows) and no heat or sound. Not a big deal for me really as our church in Washington met for years in "subpar" *snort* conditions, no biggie. I guess something is wrong with the main line from the road and the utility company was working on it as we left church. The evening service was cancelled though.
Well, that's all I can think of to write about. Sundays are really boring around here LOL. Off to catch up with YOU all:)
Jen
1.13.2007
We had a really good day today. The kids got along together really well which always makes a mommy happy. Hubby surprised us by coming home early from work. We then headed to Joann's to pick up some "southwest" themed fabric for a school project we are working on.
Our homeschool group is having an Arizona "Statehood" day in February. Each child will present a topic to the rest of the group. Hannah has the state flag, Brandon has the state bird, and Jacob has the state mineral. Instead of doing them on posterboard, which we originally planned, we're going to make a family "Arizona" quilt. It will be 9 squares, each containing different state symbols, the flag being in the middle. I'm going to print out some black and white outlines of the different things, trace them onto the squares, then me and Hannah will embroider them. The fabric we ended up getting will work for what we need and will probably end up looking nice, but I was hoping to find a "Route 66" fabric that I had seen there before. We got two chilipepper fabrics. One has large chilis, bell peppers, tomatillos, etc on a black background and the second are smaller sized red and green chilipeppers on black background. The larger print will be the border to the quilt and the smaller print will be the backing which folds around to the front to make the binding. I'd post pics but my computer is still not cooperating:)
One thing I have to share about my sweet daughter that made me tear up tonight. The boys each brought their money with them to spend tonight. At the checkout at Joann's they each sat there debating what kindof candy to get themselves and they each took turns checking out. We were heading to the car and I noticed that Hannah had not asked if we could get her a treat since the boys were getting one, and that she was not even pouting as they were digging into their goodies. I teared up thinking what a "big girl" she was becoming. Then as we were getting into the car, Jacob asked her why she hadn't gotten anything. I piped up and told him that she didn't HAVE any money to spend like they did. She then blew me away with this reply, "I have money at home mom. I'm saving it to buy something for the new baby when it's born." I spent the whole ride home in tears. How did she get so grown up??? I "rewarded" her unselfishness when we got home with a lollipop that we had hanging around and told her how proud I was of her putting other's in front of herself. Anyway, it was just a good "mommy" day for me today.
Tonight was movie night. We watched "How to Eat Fried Worms" and then "Secondhand Lions".
The kids actually sat still and were quiet all the way through them both! That's always a treat for us adults:)
I implemented one of De'Etta's ideas with my kids this week. I've been handing out "stars" to the kids for good behavior/choices, obedience, kindness, etc this week. They are then able to redeem their stars for time with Daddy on Saturday with the XBox. I've noticed a definite improvement in my kids. They are arguing less, sharing more, and willing to help me more readily. They started out asking me things that they could do to "earn stars" and I told them right away that they won't receive one for something done just to receive a star. I will be rewarding for behavior done just because it's the "right" thing to do, and without the expectation of anything in return. So far it's working. It's taken Jacob a couple of days to get the "hang of it" but today was a really good day for him. Usually he spends a good part of the day causing trouble with the others and being very disobedient, he's very strong-willed, but today he was very pleasant. That in itself is worth it! I've been praying very hard for God to help me learn how to "train" more and punish less. Not something that comes naturally for me but I'm working on it.
The kids got ALL of their schoolwork done this week. I "graded" all of Hannah's math tests and then averaged them out and she's currently pulling a 95.8% in math. I don't push "grades" with the kids, and she actually just realized *what* it was that I was doing today, but I need to do it for ME, so that I know how things are going. Plus, my hubby likes to know their progress in "real school" terms. Brandon only has 2 or 3 more weeks of math to go, and then he's done with his for the year. I'm not sure if I should order the next level and keep him going, or just buy some grade-level "fun" workbooks for him to work on??? I hate to break the momentum I have going with him, but don't want to work him to death either. He's still doing good with his phonics lessons. I just needed to wait until he was ready to learn to read. I'm still feeling self-conscious that he's *behind* in that area, it gives my grandma fuel for her anti-homeschool conversations with me, but keep telling myself that "IT'S OK!". It won't ruin him for life, and he'll be caught up in no time. I'm already pondering what we'll be doing next year. I was gonna go the ACE route, but chickened out. I do think we need something more structured for next year, but just haven't cemented anything in my mind yet.
Jen
Our homeschool group is having an Arizona "Statehood" day in February. Each child will present a topic to the rest of the group. Hannah has the state flag, Brandon has the state bird, and Jacob has the state mineral. Instead of doing them on posterboard, which we originally planned, we're going to make a family "Arizona" quilt. It will be 9 squares, each containing different state symbols, the flag being in the middle. I'm going to print out some black and white outlines of the different things, trace them onto the squares, then me and Hannah will embroider them. The fabric we ended up getting will work for what we need and will probably end up looking nice, but I was hoping to find a "Route 66" fabric that I had seen there before. We got two chilipepper fabrics. One has large chilis, bell peppers, tomatillos, etc on a black background and the second are smaller sized red and green chilipeppers on black background. The larger print will be the border to the quilt and the smaller print will be the backing which folds around to the front to make the binding. I'd post pics but my computer is still not cooperating:)
One thing I have to share about my sweet daughter that made me tear up tonight. The boys each brought their money with them to spend tonight. At the checkout at Joann's they each sat there debating what kindof candy to get themselves and they each took turns checking out. We were heading to the car and I noticed that Hannah had not asked if we could get her a treat since the boys were getting one, and that she was not even pouting as they were digging into their goodies. I teared up thinking what a "big girl" she was becoming. Then as we were getting into the car, Jacob asked her why she hadn't gotten anything. I piped up and told him that she didn't HAVE any money to spend like they did. She then blew me away with this reply, "I have money at home mom. I'm saving it to buy something for the new baby when it's born." I spent the whole ride home in tears. How did she get so grown up??? I "rewarded" her unselfishness when we got home with a lollipop that we had hanging around and told her how proud I was of her putting other's in front of herself. Anyway, it was just a good "mommy" day for me today.
Tonight was movie night. We watched "How to Eat Fried Worms" and then "Secondhand Lions".
The kids actually sat still and were quiet all the way through them both! That's always a treat for us adults:)
I implemented one of De'Etta's ideas with my kids this week. I've been handing out "stars" to the kids for good behavior/choices, obedience, kindness, etc this week. They are then able to redeem their stars for time with Daddy on Saturday with the XBox. I've noticed a definite improvement in my kids. They are arguing less, sharing more, and willing to help me more readily. They started out asking me things that they could do to "earn stars" and I told them right away that they won't receive one for something done just to receive a star. I will be rewarding for behavior done just because it's the "right" thing to do, and without the expectation of anything in return. So far it's working. It's taken Jacob a couple of days to get the "hang of it" but today was a really good day for him. Usually he spends a good part of the day causing trouble with the others and being very disobedient, he's very strong-willed, but today he was very pleasant. That in itself is worth it! I've been praying very hard for God to help me learn how to "train" more and punish less. Not something that comes naturally for me but I'm working on it.
The kids got ALL of their schoolwork done this week. I "graded" all of Hannah's math tests and then averaged them out and she's currently pulling a 95.8% in math. I don't push "grades" with the kids, and she actually just realized *what* it was that I was doing today, but I need to do it for ME, so that I know how things are going. Plus, my hubby likes to know their progress in "real school" terms. Brandon only has 2 or 3 more weeks of math to go, and then he's done with his for the year. I'm not sure if I should order the next level and keep him going, or just buy some grade-level "fun" workbooks for him to work on??? I hate to break the momentum I have going with him, but don't want to work him to death either. He's still doing good with his phonics lessons. I just needed to wait until he was ready to learn to read. I'm still feeling self-conscious that he's *behind* in that area, it gives my grandma fuel for her anti-homeschool conversations with me, but keep telling myself that "IT'S OK!". It won't ruin him for life, and he'll be caught up in no time. I'm already pondering what we'll be doing next year. I was gonna go the ACE route, but chickened out. I do think we need something more structured for next year, but just haven't cemented anything in my mind yet.
Jen
1.11.2007
We started back to school yesterday. We're on a good roll I think. It looks like the kids will be able to wrap things up before the baby comes.
Hubby did throw me a curve ball tonight though. It's not "official" as of yet, but it looks like we are indeed going to be moving to San Diego. I'm not sure of a time frame, but I'm thinking like in the next 2-3 months. Ahhh! I'm a little terrified right now. This move is a GOOD thing, and one that we've been wanting to happen for quite a long time and now that it's here I'm ruffled. This has just kindof fallen into our lap also, hubby didn't pursue this position in any way. We knew his "big promotion" would be sometime this year, but we weren't expecting it until the end of the year. I'm a little shy as I know the cost of living is so much higher over there and I AM having a baby in May. Ahhh, too much to think about right now! I'll just have to try and relax, trust God, and take things one step at a time.
It would be nice if we could at least stay here until June, but I don't see that happening realistically. The kids are so involved in AWANA! Well, we are leaders as well and it's not ending until May. The kids have worked so hard in memorizing and getting their verses said, that it would be sad if they weren't able to attend the awards night and get their certificates/awards. Hannah's done all 3 Spark's books in 2 years which is a HARD thing to do, and she's going to be getting a plaque for completing all 3 books. Ahhh, relax...BREATHE! TRUST GOD! God's in the details.....
Today I got my ultrasound scheduled for Monday. Hopefully we can FINALLY find out who's joining us! I wanna start buying things! Oh, that reminds me, my cousin and his wife had a baby girl on January 3rd. When we heard the news they had not yet named her but I had fun getting a few fun "pink" things for them:) I was shopping for them and saying to Hannah, "I wanna but something for OUR baby!". I'm really trying not to be too impatient. Actually I'm doing pretty good. With the other kids I would constantly be preoccupied with daydreaming about the new baby. This time around, not so much. In fact, time seems to be flying by. I'm thinking "Wow, I'm already almost 23 weeks." Next appt I'll be 27 which is so close to that big 28 week mark where I get all those final labs done. Then it's 32 weeks, then 36 weeks, then the home stretch....it'll be here before I know it! It'll go by especially fast if we throw in a big move!!! Anyways, hopefully I've got big news to report on Monday.
Well, I think that wraps up our life for the last month or so. If you stick/stuck with me....Bless you! I hope you all had a good Christmas and New Year. My catching up has been sporadic due to my computer problems. I'll try and update when hubby brings home his laptop:)
Jen
Hubby did throw me a curve ball tonight though. It's not "official" as of yet, but it looks like we are indeed going to be moving to San Diego. I'm not sure of a time frame, but I'm thinking like in the next 2-3 months. Ahhh! I'm a little terrified right now. This move is a GOOD thing, and one that we've been wanting to happen for quite a long time and now that it's here I'm ruffled. This has just kindof fallen into our lap also, hubby didn't pursue this position in any way. We knew his "big promotion" would be sometime this year, but we weren't expecting it until the end of the year. I'm a little shy as I know the cost of living is so much higher over there and I AM having a baby in May. Ahhh, too much to think about right now! I'll just have to try and relax, trust God, and take things one step at a time.
It would be nice if we could at least stay here until June, but I don't see that happening realistically. The kids are so involved in AWANA! Well, we are leaders as well and it's not ending until May. The kids have worked so hard in memorizing and getting their verses said, that it would be sad if they weren't able to attend the awards night and get their certificates/awards. Hannah's done all 3 Spark's books in 2 years which is a HARD thing to do, and she's going to be getting a plaque for completing all 3 books. Ahhh, relax...BREATHE! TRUST GOD! God's in the details.....
Today I got my ultrasound scheduled for Monday. Hopefully we can FINALLY find out who's joining us! I wanna start buying things! Oh, that reminds me, my cousin and his wife had a baby girl on January 3rd. When we heard the news they had not yet named her but I had fun getting a few fun "pink" things for them:) I was shopping for them and saying to Hannah, "I wanna but something for OUR baby!". I'm really trying not to be too impatient. Actually I'm doing pretty good. With the other kids I would constantly be preoccupied with daydreaming about the new baby. This time around, not so much. In fact, time seems to be flying by. I'm thinking "Wow, I'm already almost 23 weeks." Next appt I'll be 27 which is so close to that big 28 week mark where I get all those final labs done. Then it's 32 weeks, then 36 weeks, then the home stretch....it'll be here before I know it! It'll go by especially fast if we throw in a big move!!! Anyways, hopefully I've got big news to report on Monday.
Well, I think that wraps up our life for the last month or so. If you stick/stuck with me....Bless you! I hope you all had a good Christmas and New Year. My catching up has been sporadic due to my computer problems. I'll try and update when hubby brings home his laptop:)
Jen
1.10.2007
New Year's eve me and hubby went out to dinner with a gift certificate that my mom got us for Christmas to a local restaurant that we've never tried. The food was good, but different. After that, we found a 24-hour Walmart open, so we got Matty's birthday gifts for the next day. How's that for procrastinating??
New Year's Day is my birthday. I'm 28 years old now. Funny, I don't feel THAT old, I only feel around 16-18 still....hmmm
Matthew's birthday is the 8th but we decided to celebrate it on the 1st with mine as hubby was still off work and we still had family in town and weren't sure when gramps was coming to pick them up. Before we left for Disneyland we ordered his very much requested "race car" cake. He's very much into Hotwheels right now.
Anyways, we picked up his cake and decided to celebrate at the Peter Piper's Pizza right by our house. We don't go there often so the kids were ecstatic. We all had such a good time and I've got the greatest pics....but I can't get them to upload! Matty's so cute, he keeps going around telling people "Me fwee!" (Me three!) and holding up his 3 little fingers. He got tons of Hotwheels, a racetrack, and a much requested Rescue Hero for his birthday. Oh, my auntie also gave him 10, $1 bills, which he thinks is just the greatest thing ever:) I can't believe my "baby Matt" is 3 years old. Where does the time go???
I got a beautiful tanzanite cross necklace from my Dad and his wife, a nightgown, a purse from hubby from Disneyland, and some money. I ordered some personal-sized teapots to use for Hannah's upcoming tea party with my money. Well, I've been wanting to buy some for me, but Hannah's tea party was a good excuse to go ahead and get them.
Well, that wraps up our holidays!
Jen
New Year's Day is my birthday. I'm 28 years old now. Funny, I don't feel THAT old, I only feel around 16-18 still....hmmm
Matthew's birthday is the 8th but we decided to celebrate it on the 1st with mine as hubby was still off work and we still had family in town and weren't sure when gramps was coming to pick them up. Before we left for Disneyland we ordered his very much requested "race car" cake. He's very much into Hotwheels right now.
Anyways, we picked up his cake and decided to celebrate at the Peter Piper's Pizza right by our house. We don't go there often so the kids were ecstatic. We all had such a good time and I've got the greatest pics....but I can't get them to upload! Matty's so cute, he keeps going around telling people "Me fwee!" (Me three!) and holding up his 3 little fingers. He got tons of Hotwheels, a racetrack, and a much requested Rescue Hero for his birthday. Oh, my auntie also gave him 10, $1 bills, which he thinks is just the greatest thing ever:) I can't believe my "baby Matt" is 3 years old. Where does the time go???
I got a beautiful tanzanite cross necklace from my Dad and his wife, a nightgown, a purse from hubby from Disneyland, and some money. I ordered some personal-sized teapots to use for Hannah's upcoming tea party with my money. Well, I've been wanting to buy some for me, but Hannah's tea party was a good excuse to go ahead and get them.
Well, that wraps up our holidays!
Jen
The 26th we headed out to California for our BIG Disneyland trip. This trip was about 3-4 years in the making/coming. We got to the hotel at around 10 pm. A little later than we had planned but it was an uneventful trip there.
The 27th we got up bright and early. Headed downstairs for breakfast and learned that Hannah had a rip roaring fever. I didn't have a thermometer but it was at least 102-103. Poor baby didn't want to eat any breakfast or anything. We bought some motrin at the giftshop. She took her first dose and was "cured". She's so silly, she said she "feels better already!"....right after she downed it. I would have thought she was faking if I'd not felt her fever for myself.
We got to Disneyland and rented two strollers and a wheelchair. I figured the wheelchair would come in handy so I'd have a place to sit no matter where we were. It was a wise decision, it came in handy more than once. We ended up wheeling Hannah around that night as she was starting to feel bad again. She was a real trooper though, she didn't want to go back to the hotel and ruin everyone's trip. She was having fun too:)
We got to do most everything we wanted to do the first day except we didn't get to ride the "big" adult rides like Pirates of the Carribean, Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Indiana Jones. I was able to ride quite a bit which I was surprised at.
We decided to do Disneyland again the second day instead of going to California Adventure. We had those big rides to hit and the kids wanted to get autographs the second day. We bought them all autograph books but we never saw any of the characters walking around the second day. Michael, Gram, Hannah, and Brandon were able to hit the "big rides" while I headed to kiddieland with Jake and Matthew. We were able to ride quite a few things in kiddieland because the lines weren't very long. While we were riding the Teacups, the parade came by right by the fence. Jake was able to see Buzz Lightyear up close. He asked me, "Mom, is that the REAL Buzz Lightyear?". I looked at him and said, "Yes, the REAL one!". Right after that he said, "Mom, is that the REAL Santa Claus?". I looked at him and laughed and said, "No Jake, Santa's not REAL." I've still got to sit down with him and explain all of that, LOL.
We decided to stay another night and do Knott's Berry Farm. When we went about 7 years ago we remembered being able to ride alot of rides because the lines were so small. We had actually had more fun there than at Disneyland 7 years ago. It was a TOTAL bust this time around. The lines were soooo long. The rides were totally different, either they were small kiddie rides or extreme rollercoaster type, nothing in between. I was only able to ride two things in the park the train that rode around the park which I took Matty on while everyone else went on the logride and then I was able to ride this really silly mining car ride. The rest of the day I was waiting around for everyone else, which wouldn't have been too terrible had I had a place to sit. I was on my feet for like 8 hours straight and was pretty cranky by the time we left. My feet were so swollen and hurt so, so bad.
After Knott's Gram had paid for us all to go to a Medieval dinner nearby. We headed over there and waited in line for another 45 mins, we had reservations and had paid and everything, but we had to wait in line for them to print out and give us our tickets. By the time we got in there everyone was tired, hungry, and cranky. We ended up having such a great time there though! I think that was the highlight of our entire trip. We ate an "authentic" medieval dinner, well as authentic as they can get probably, we even ate with our hands. We were in the blue sections which meant we got to cheer for the Blue Knight to win. He was the handsomest knight there and Hannah was totally smitten with him by night's end. She was so giggly when she got her picture taken with him afterwards. It was so cute, but she's too young for that kindof stuff!!!
Our trip home was a little eventful. I convinced hubby to try and make it to the Az border before we filled up on gas as it's a whole $.50 cheaper at least a gallon. BIG MISTAKE:) We ended up pulling over and calling roadside assistance. Our gas light came on and the next "big" exit was 17 miles away. We made it about 15 miles and we couldn't see anything up ahead, no lights or anything pertaining to a rest stop type of exit so we pulled over at a small exit. I figured it'd be better to be pulled off at an exit rather than stopped on the side of the freeway. God was watching over us because there was a weird guy who pulled over and talked to hubby and we truly think was going to "mug" us or something else bad. He claimed he was out of gas and wanted us to drive him to get gas. He found out that we were out of gas and that our tow truck guy was "on his way" from 2 miles away, then he mysteriously had gas in his car and drove off. Whew, scary. Our tow truck guy ended up taking almost 2 hours to get to us even though he was only 2 miles away. Somehow he kept missing where we were and drove around for an hour and a half. Good thing we had hubby's laptop charged so that the kids could watch a movie while we waited. Anyways, we learned our lesson with that one! I was trying to save about $6 on gas and ended up spending $41 on a towtruck driver......and STILL had to fill up in California! By the way, that gas station was 2 miles up the freeway and we probably could have rolled in there on fumes.....
So, that's our trip! Fun, heh? Not quite like we had imagined but we had fun nonetheless.
Now, onto our New Year's...
The 27th we got up bright and early. Headed downstairs for breakfast and learned that Hannah had a rip roaring fever. I didn't have a thermometer but it was at least 102-103. Poor baby didn't want to eat any breakfast or anything. We bought some motrin at the giftshop. She took her first dose and was "cured". She's so silly, she said she "feels better already!"....right after she downed it. I would have thought she was faking if I'd not felt her fever for myself.
We got to Disneyland and rented two strollers and a wheelchair. I figured the wheelchair would come in handy so I'd have a place to sit no matter where we were. It was a wise decision, it came in handy more than once. We ended up wheeling Hannah around that night as she was starting to feel bad again. She was a real trooper though, she didn't want to go back to the hotel and ruin everyone's trip. She was having fun too:)
We got to do most everything we wanted to do the first day except we didn't get to ride the "big" adult rides like Pirates of the Carribean, Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Indiana Jones. I was able to ride quite a bit which I was surprised at.
We decided to do Disneyland again the second day instead of going to California Adventure. We had those big rides to hit and the kids wanted to get autographs the second day. We bought them all autograph books but we never saw any of the characters walking around the second day. Michael, Gram, Hannah, and Brandon were able to hit the "big rides" while I headed to kiddieland with Jake and Matthew. We were able to ride quite a few things in kiddieland because the lines weren't very long. While we were riding the Teacups, the parade came by right by the fence. Jake was able to see Buzz Lightyear up close. He asked me, "Mom, is that the REAL Buzz Lightyear?". I looked at him and said, "Yes, the REAL one!". Right after that he said, "Mom, is that the REAL Santa Claus?". I looked at him and laughed and said, "No Jake, Santa's not REAL." I've still got to sit down with him and explain all of that, LOL.
We decided to stay another night and do Knott's Berry Farm. When we went about 7 years ago we remembered being able to ride alot of rides because the lines were so small. We had actually had more fun there than at Disneyland 7 years ago. It was a TOTAL bust this time around. The lines were soooo long. The rides were totally different, either they were small kiddie rides or extreme rollercoaster type, nothing in between. I was only able to ride two things in the park the train that rode around the park which I took Matty on while everyone else went on the logride and then I was able to ride this really silly mining car ride. The rest of the day I was waiting around for everyone else, which wouldn't have been too terrible had I had a place to sit. I was on my feet for like 8 hours straight and was pretty cranky by the time we left. My feet were so swollen and hurt so, so bad.
After Knott's Gram had paid for us all to go to a Medieval dinner nearby. We headed over there and waited in line for another 45 mins, we had reservations and had paid and everything, but we had to wait in line for them to print out and give us our tickets. By the time we got in there everyone was tired, hungry, and cranky. We ended up having such a great time there though! I think that was the highlight of our entire trip. We ate an "authentic" medieval dinner, well as authentic as they can get probably, we even ate with our hands. We were in the blue sections which meant we got to cheer for the Blue Knight to win. He was the handsomest knight there and Hannah was totally smitten with him by night's end. She was so giggly when she got her picture taken with him afterwards. It was so cute, but she's too young for that kindof stuff!!!
Our trip home was a little eventful. I convinced hubby to try and make it to the Az border before we filled up on gas as it's a whole $.50 cheaper at least a gallon. BIG MISTAKE:) We ended up pulling over and calling roadside assistance. Our gas light came on and the next "big" exit was 17 miles away. We made it about 15 miles and we couldn't see anything up ahead, no lights or anything pertaining to a rest stop type of exit so we pulled over at a small exit. I figured it'd be better to be pulled off at an exit rather than stopped on the side of the freeway. God was watching over us because there was a weird guy who pulled over and talked to hubby and we truly think was going to "mug" us or something else bad. He claimed he was out of gas and wanted us to drive him to get gas. He found out that we were out of gas and that our tow truck guy was "on his way" from 2 miles away, then he mysteriously had gas in his car and drove off. Whew, scary. Our tow truck guy ended up taking almost 2 hours to get to us even though he was only 2 miles away. Somehow he kept missing where we were and drove around for an hour and a half. Good thing we had hubby's laptop charged so that the kids could watch a movie while we waited. Anyways, we learned our lesson with that one! I was trying to save about $6 on gas and ended up spending $41 on a towtruck driver......and STILL had to fill up in California! By the way, that gas station was 2 miles up the freeway and we probably could have rolled in there on fumes.....
So, that's our trip! Fun, heh? Not quite like we had imagined but we had fun nonetheless.
Now, onto our New Year's...
My grandparents and auntie got here on the 23rd. We moved beds around so that we had a bedroom with two beds in it and we had our extra couch for them to sleep on. My Grandfather sleeps on a couch at home and he also falls alseep watching the tv so we even offered to set up the tv from our room in the upstairs bedroom so he could have his own tv to watch. Well, he got here and expected to be able to sleep right in the middle of the living room on THAT couch like he did last year. We explained that is was hard on the rest of us that wanted a place to sit, etc. and that we had setup other accomodations. Well, he threw a little temper tantrum and basically told us that we didn't love him because we wouldn't let him sleep wherever he wanted. That started off their visit...
Sunday the 24th was a pleasant day. Mom and Grandma both came to church with us which was a treat. We attended the candlelight service that night as well. After that we drove around looking at Christmas lights on the way home from church. Oh, we stopped at Mc D's sometime in there too. Came home and we let the kids open their "Incredibles" pajamas. We sent the kids to bed, then we stuffed their stockings.
Christmas Day. We opened presents around 9am. Hubby got all the batteries installed into everything while I started Christmas dinner. Around 1pm the kids were still playing with all their goodies in the front room. My mom decided to move my grandfather's coat so the kids would stay out of it---out fell a GUN. She brought it into the kitchen where I was still cooking and showed it to me. We both spent a good 5 mins checking to see if the thing was loaded. Praise the Lord it wasn't! I went outside and told my grandfather that he needed to take it to his truck right away and that I couldn't have guns in my house at ALL. He didn't the big deal since it wasn't loaded, but I insisted that he not bring it back into the house.
Well, he threw another temper tantrum and ordered my grandmother and aunt to get their stuff together and that they were going back home because he was obviously "unwelcome" at our house. My mom got angry and put a stop to my grandma and aunt leaving. She told him that if he was leaving, that he was leaving alone and not ruining Christmas for everyone else. Mom had his truck blocked with her car but somehow he got his truck out by way of the neighbor's driveway. Grandma got upset because my grandfather is a very unstable diabetic and not able to care for himself so we ended up calling the State Patrol after he'd been gone for 2 hours. He made it home fine and stayed there till this last weekend. He drove himself back out to pick up grandma and auntie but ended up here, stranded at a store, with his blood sugar so high that his monitor would not even register it, at LEAST 600! Me and Gram had to go pick him up.
They ended up staying the night, after much persuasion, and left on Saturday. I don't understand how they can feel so unwelcome here. We went out of our way to make them welcome and comfortable. Mom said that grandpa just wants to be able to do and say whatever he wants, if you don't let him, you don't love him. That's sad, isn't it? Well, I do love grandpa but this is my house and I just can't let him come in here and be rude to me and my family and "do whatever he wants". It's just not right. My gram and aunt live with it everyday so it doesn't bother them as much and they don't understand why we can't just "overlook" it to keep the peace. I'm not one to just cause trouble but the things he says are just incredible rude and I spend his whole visit wondering what mean thing he's going to say next. And I could just not get over the gun thing. It bothered me because he's brought one before, and I told him last time that guns aren't allowed in my house. When we lived in Washington, he would smoke in my house at night when he thought we were all sleeping and didn't know. This after I told him "no", my baby had CONSTANT asthma and he couldn't be anywhere NEAR smoke! I threw a fit then because I had just gotten his asthma under control and here in the middle of the night smoke comes wafting upstairs through the heating vent. Bottom line is that he doesn't CARE what I want, he just wants to be able to do whatever he wants. And I'm not standing for it in my own house anymore!
Ok, done venting:)
After that whole deal, we had dinner which consisted of Ham, mashed potatoes/gravy, scalloped corn, fancy green salad, rolls, and pie. Dinner was a little strained but was pleasant enough. Like I said before, I'm thankful that Christmas is MORE than family togetherness, gifts, etc. We have a Holy God, who humbled himself and came down to dwell amongst us sinnners, so that He could pay our debt forever, a debt we could never come close to paying so that we could live forever with Him in paradise. Wow, what a reason to celebrate!
Ok, on to our Disneyland trip....next post.
Sunday the 24th was a pleasant day. Mom and Grandma both came to church with us which was a treat. We attended the candlelight service that night as well. After that we drove around looking at Christmas lights on the way home from church. Oh, we stopped at Mc D's sometime in there too. Came home and we let the kids open their "Incredibles" pajamas. We sent the kids to bed, then we stuffed their stockings.
Christmas Day. We opened presents around 9am. Hubby got all the batteries installed into everything while I started Christmas dinner. Around 1pm the kids were still playing with all their goodies in the front room. My mom decided to move my grandfather's coat so the kids would stay out of it---out fell a GUN. She brought it into the kitchen where I was still cooking and showed it to me. We both spent a good 5 mins checking to see if the thing was loaded. Praise the Lord it wasn't! I went outside and told my grandfather that he needed to take it to his truck right away and that I couldn't have guns in my house at ALL. He didn't the big deal since it wasn't loaded, but I insisted that he not bring it back into the house.
Well, he threw another temper tantrum and ordered my grandmother and aunt to get their stuff together and that they were going back home because he was obviously "unwelcome" at our house. My mom got angry and put a stop to my grandma and aunt leaving. She told him that if he was leaving, that he was leaving alone and not ruining Christmas for everyone else. Mom had his truck blocked with her car but somehow he got his truck out by way of the neighbor's driveway. Grandma got upset because my grandfather is a very unstable diabetic and not able to care for himself so we ended up calling the State Patrol after he'd been gone for 2 hours. He made it home fine and stayed there till this last weekend. He drove himself back out to pick up grandma and auntie but ended up here, stranded at a store, with his blood sugar so high that his monitor would not even register it, at LEAST 600! Me and Gram had to go pick him up.
They ended up staying the night, after much persuasion, and left on Saturday. I don't understand how they can feel so unwelcome here. We went out of our way to make them welcome and comfortable. Mom said that grandpa just wants to be able to do and say whatever he wants, if you don't let him, you don't love him. That's sad, isn't it? Well, I do love grandpa but this is my house and I just can't let him come in here and be rude to me and my family and "do whatever he wants". It's just not right. My gram and aunt live with it everyday so it doesn't bother them as much and they don't understand why we can't just "overlook" it to keep the peace. I'm not one to just cause trouble but the things he says are just incredible rude and I spend his whole visit wondering what mean thing he's going to say next. And I could just not get over the gun thing. It bothered me because he's brought one before, and I told him last time that guns aren't allowed in my house. When we lived in Washington, he would smoke in my house at night when he thought we were all sleeping and didn't know. This after I told him "no", my baby had CONSTANT asthma and he couldn't be anywhere NEAR smoke! I threw a fit then because I had just gotten his asthma under control and here in the middle of the night smoke comes wafting upstairs through the heating vent. Bottom line is that he doesn't CARE what I want, he just wants to be able to do whatever he wants. And I'm not standing for it in my own house anymore!
Ok, done venting:)
After that whole deal, we had dinner which consisted of Ham, mashed potatoes/gravy, scalloped corn, fancy green salad, rolls, and pie. Dinner was a little strained but was pleasant enough. Like I said before, I'm thankful that Christmas is MORE than family togetherness, gifts, etc. We have a Holy God, who humbled himself and came down to dwell amongst us sinnners, so that He could pay our debt forever, a debt we could never come close to paying so that we could live forever with Him in paradise. Wow, what a reason to celebrate!
Ok, on to our Disneyland trip....next post.
Ok, Ok Becky. My computer's not working correctly and it's just been such a pain to try and post, surf, etc and it won't even let me upload any pics. Something wrong with the MS programs since I did an "update" on messenger.
I'll try and remember things of interest from the last 3 weeks or so....hmmm.
I think I left off with my last Dr's apt. The Dr. didn't even mention my weight at all and I was right, I only gained 3 lbs. I'm back up to the dreaded 2*0 though, which I am *SO* not happy about, but what can I do t this point? I started riding my stationary bike this week, we'll see if that helps curb any more excessive weight gain.
Next thing is Christmas and I'm going to do a new post about that one.
I'll try and remember things of interest from the last 3 weeks or so....hmmm.
I think I left off with my last Dr's apt. The Dr. didn't even mention my weight at all and I was right, I only gained 3 lbs. I'm back up to the dreaded 2*0 though, which I am *SO* not happy about, but what can I do t this point? I started riding my stationary bike this week, we'll see if that helps curb any more excessive weight gain.
Next thing is Christmas and I'm going to do a new post about that one.
1.02.2007
Hey, I'm alive. We had an eventful Christmas to say the least. Will post more about that another time as we still have company here. Let's just say, I'm glad that Christmas is about the Lord's birth....not family togetherness as the world celebrates it or it would have been completely depressing. Disneyland was very busy and tiring. Not a trip we'll take again at Christmas time but we had fun despite it all. I'll post more later and I can't wait to get caught up on everyone else's happenings. Hope you all had a good Christmas and New Year's Day.
Jen
Jen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)