A Makeover? Sure, why not!

Don't get too excited! It's not for me personally, although that is also needed, but I'm sure it would be MUCH more expensive that the makeover I'm talking about.

Don't you love my new and improved blog?!
A HUGE thanks to Ashley ! She was great to work with, fast, and well priced!

Yes, it's about time I got Grant's picture up there, he's only 15 months! What's important now is it's done and I LOVE it!

Wow, it's been a while...

Time flies when you're having fun...or at least when you're really busy! I've had a nagging thought in the back of my mind for months now...I MUST update my blog. Not only to keep friends and family in the know of what's going on with the kids, but this also houses my documentation of stories, pictures, changes, and more, of the kids.

Every night we get the kids down, wash bottles, prep for the next morning, and then finally get a breather, which sometimes includes eating dinner at 8:00pm. At 9:00 the thoughts start going through my head, I should work out, I should blog, I should clean, do laundry, pay bills, etc... All I want to do is sit down, relax, and breath for a minute before crashing in bed.

I will do individual kid posts soon, complete with pictures. We are all doing well busy, had a great Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (yes, it's been that long since I've wrote). I'm getting ready to start grad classes again in January, so add one more thing to the list, and as of right now we're all healthy (knocking on wood.)

Stay tuned...

Unfortunate Reminders and a Renewed Perspective

I recently found Layla's blog and I was in tears almost immediately reading it. Poor little Layla and her family are fighting an awful cancer that invaded Layla's two-year old body. They now have Hospice with them and are praying and hoping for a miracle, but realize her fight may soon be over.

I can't find the words to describe how I think I would feel if this were me and my family, but the tears streaming down my face while I was reading her posts gave me only a hint of an idea. While I pray for Layla and her family, I can't help but be reminded of all the harder parts of being a parent and how I wouldn't change those for anything in the whole wide world.

Last week Jenna got an awful stomach virus and was in ER getting an IV and fluids, along with blood work and an x-ray. That was so hard for Erik and I to watch, and I sit here now thinking that type of day for Layla and her family would probably feel like a vacation!

This is a great reminder for me, with all the stress and busy days of our life; take every nagging toddler, screaming baby, tantrums, and annoyances that keep us from getting things done everyday and cherish those moments. Unloading the dishwasher can wait if Jenna is asking me to read her a book, the laundry will still be there tonight. If she wants to help make dinner, which really means it will take double the time, let her. Play, read, cuddle, and don't take any moment for granted!

Jenna - I love you more than words can say. In your three years, you've brought your Dad and I so much joy, laughter, hope, and happiness. We can't imagine life without you and realize how lucky we are. I LOVE YOU!

Dear Blog...

Dear Blog,
I know I have been neglecting you lately! How dare life get in the way of my online journal!
Soon to follow this post, are the posts I owe you, such as Jenna's 34 month letter, a recap of my vacation with my husband for our 5 year anniversary, some odds and ends, and of course some pics to go with it all!

See you soon!

Two Great Awards...the winners are...

Thanks to two great blogging friends, I am the recipient on two blogging awards.

That Girl gave me this Mom of the Year award! I am honored to get such a wonderful award. Being a great mom is top on my list of priorities. Even though I don't always feel like I balance everything right, I try! THANKS!


Rules for Mom of the Year Award:
Admit one thing you feel awful about involving being a mom.
Get it off your shoulders. Once you've written it down, you are No Longer allowed to feel bad. It's over with, it's in the past. Remember, you're a good mom!

I feel bad that I work full time. I am doing it for Jenna's benefit and for our family. But, there are days and weeks when I really feel like I don't spend enough time with her. I do value our evenings and weekends though!

Remind yourself you are a good mom, list seven things you love about your kids, you love doing with your kids, or that your kids love about you.
These are the things to remind yourself everyday that you Rock!

1. I LOVE that Jenna gives me unsoliciated hugs all the time and says, "Mommy!"
2. I LOVE her laugh and the funny things that come out of her mouth.
3. I LOVE playing outside with Jenna.
4. I DON'T LOVE when she sometimes wakes up at night, but I DO LOVE cuddling with her
when she is tired like that.
5. I LOVE Saturday and Sunday morning, relaxing together on the couch watching cartoons.
6. I LOVE how Jenna makes me feel.
7. I LOVE being a mom!

Send this to five other Mom's of the year that deserve credit for being great moms and remind them that they are the best moms they can be!! Remember to send them a note to let them know you've selected them, and add a link to the person who nominated you.

I nominate:
Lynsday at I Used to Be Witty
Rachel at Sippy Cup Chardonay
Jaime at Jamee and Jaime
The Rambler at My Rambling Thoughts
Tara at Too Much Information

All of these Mom's are great at wearing a lot of different hats and I love the humor they share of their everyday lives on their blogs. That is why I am also giving them this next award too! Okay, fine, you got me, it's also because I'm a little lazy and should be writing my paper for my grad class right now. Thanks so much to Jenny at The Tale of Two Coins for this award! I am supposed to award this one to five great super blogs, and so the same great ladies above also are getting this award.




Okay, if you got through all of that, Thanks!

Hurry up and wait...

I am sitting in the airport to catch my flight to go to a conference for work. I am sad, as this it the longest and furthest away I've ever been from Jenna! I miss her and Erik already.

It seems I was in a rush to get ready for this trip and in a rush to drive here, and of course, it's a rush to go through security. I am traveling with all carry-on so I had a bin for the laptop, a bin for shoes, a bin for liquids, my suitcase, my purse, my laptop bag. Gesh! It seems like a lot for a few days away. So, now of course, I sit and wait for my flight to leave.

I just hope my time there goes as fast as my time getting ready to go did. I'm on a countdown to see my family again on Wednesday evening!

Wish me luck and wish them luck! Love you Jenna! Love you Honey!

The 11th Commandment

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Please take a moment to watch the video below. It's something no one wants to think about, but I bet if you were to find out your local statistics you would be surprised at how close to home this is happening. Please give the children in your life an extra hug!

Baby Stellan

I've started reading this blog and right now it's breaking my heart! I have been praying for baby Stellan and his family. Stellan has a heart problem and has been in the hospital for a while now with nothing really improving. He was diagnosed with it while his mom was still pregnant with him and they were told her would not make it. He is a miracle!

I look at this sweet little boy and wonder how is this fair, how can it be happening? While sometimes I complain or get frusterated when Jenna is being less than an angel, I also love her with all my heart and could not IMAGINE what I would do if she/we were faced with a challenge like this. Just thinking of it makes me want to leave work right now and go get her and hug her all day (which she would NEVER let me do anyway). He is hooked up to IV's, tubes, trying all sorts of medicine, and going through things I don't even want to imagine.

It makes me extremely grateful for the health of my family. Please say a few extra prayers for Stellan and his family!

Award Time - Way Behind

I am way behind in acknowledging this Lemonade Award I got from Jen, and it's not because it's not appreciated! Thanks Jen! This award is nice because all I have to do is pass it along to blogs that make me happy and I enjoy reading...




Well, that would be pretty much everyone I follow and anyone who comments and follows me! So, I pass this Lemonade Award on to anyone who wants it! You all deserve it!

Please post a comment and let me know you are receiving the Lemonade Award.

Picture Tag

I was tagged by That Girl to do this picture blog. Here are the rules:

1. Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures.

2. Go to the 6th Folder and then pick the 6th Picture.

3. Post it on your bloggy and tell the story that goes with the picture.

4. Tag 5 other glorious peoples to do the same thing and leave a comment on their bloggy tellin’ them ’bout it.

This is a picture from July 2007 at a park by our house. Jenna was enjoying the sunshine and trying to eat to woodchips! She was 7 months old. It was such a fun age and I loved her hair!


Now, I tag:

Lyndsay

Jen

Holly

Rachel

Lauren

Have fun girls!

And the awards go to...

Thanks so much to Jen over at Following the Footsteps for my first blogging award! She gave me this award to support and encourage me in the blogging world! She truly is a support to me since she designed my new layout!

Now for the rules. Which are kinda confusing and long, so that is why it has taken me a while, not because I'm not appreciative! Also, this will be a little challenging,normally I would have given it to Jen, but she already has it and then I would have given it to The Tale of Two Coins but Jen already gave it to her too!

1. Select 10 bloggers: 5 you consider your blogging Helping Hand then "Pay it Forward" by extending your "Helping Hand" to 5 additional bloggers in support and encouragement for their efforts.

2, In passing on the Emblem, each recipient must provide the name of blog or blog author with a link for others to visit.Each recipient must show the Emblem and put the name and link to the blog that has given it to her or him.

3. Link the Emblem to this post: Helping Hand: Much Obliged and Paying it Forward so that others will know it origin and impetus.

4. If you have not already done so, show your recipients some love by adding them to your blog roll, Technorati Favorite list, or in any other way to further let them know that their blog voice is important to you and being heard.

5. Add your name to The Helping Hand meme and don't forget to leave a comment as a permanent record of all Helping Hand recipients.


I am happy to pass this award along to:


1. I used to be Witty! Lyndsay is one of my best real life friends and she is the one who got me started on blogging! She is a great writer and her posts make me laugh every day!

2. Another Online Mom. This is a great blog and her 30 days to a more beautiful you is great! She has two beautiful kids too!

3. Kiss My Cheek - Amber is so funny and always has great stories and posts! She is an awesome single mom!

4. INfertile Myrtle - I recently started reading this blog and she is so honest about her infertility and funny in her day to day posts! She is approaching her 100th post!

5. Too Much Information - This blogger writes often about her beautiful daughter who has special needs. Her story is touching and honest. She is so sharing her story to help others!



Blogs I'm giving the Helping Hand award with support and encouragement ( and really because I enjoy reading them) are below.

1. Jamee and Jaime - This is my cousin's blog, she just started it and I can't wait to read more about her CUTE kids! Jamie - welcome to the blogging world.

2. Sadiebug and her Mom - Sadie is a sassy little girl with lots to say, thanks to her mom!

3. My Rambling Thoughts - The Rambler has a great sense of humor and LOVES American Idol. She does a great recap after every episode too!

4. The King and I - she is so funny and has some great posts. She is crafty too.

5. Sunshine and Rainbows - This is a funny blog about life with lots of girls involved, and sometimes a husband! I love her blog design too!

Okay, I think I am done...Enjoy!

Notice Anything Different?....Extreme Makeover!

My blog just received an extreme makeover! I'm so excited, I have been wanting to get a cute updated look and now I have it!

Doesn't it look great!? I love it, and it is all thanks to Jen! She is so talented and generous with her time. Thanks Jen, it's great!


I look forward to my new blog look and I hope you all like it too! Okay, now back to my first assignment and homework for my online class for my Masters! Happy Sunday everyone!

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year! I hope everyone celebrated with friends and family as 2009 approached us. Time flies and it's hard to believe it is January again.

January marks my four month anniversary of blogging! I started it to document stories and thoughts for Jenna, but it has turned into more. I really enjoy it. It will be a great memory for our family as Jenna gets older, as I often write about her.

I have come to find I really enjoy blogging and reading other blogs. I also would like to get more savvy, techie and creative with my blog. Some of the layouts and headings I have seen are so cute, I need a blog makeover. If anyone knows of any good sites or easy ways to improve my blog...please share!