Merry Christmas!!

Christmas morning was great! The kids woke us up and told us that Santa came and we needed to get up to see what he had brought them. The children all liked what they got, then Brian and I opened the presents we got for each other (that we said we weren't going to get). Then I fixed a big breakfast before we headed to my in-laws, and then to my parents house for our family dinners. All day I thought about how wonderful this day is for so many reasons, but mostly because we get to spend it together. I'm so grateful that Jesus's birth started it all and I am thankful beyond words for his unselfish gift of eternal life. As the day went on I had two very important people on my mind. Justin (my brother for those who don't know)not getting to come home, it was the first Christmas without him. I miss him so much and it was very sad at dinner without him. I guess now I should say "Thank You" to all our military families for the sacrafices they make every holiday. The other person on my mind that day was my other daughter who is many, many miles away from me in China. I am praying for her everyday, and I hope that we only have to go through one more Christmas here without her. Please continue to pray for her safety over there, and that God protects her everyday while we are separated.

"Twas The Night Before Christmas"

It's not your typical tradition to tell your children that Santa is coming on the day before Christmas Eve, but that's exactly what we do on the years we work on Christmas. The kids think they're extra special because Santa is willing to make 2 trips instead of one just for them. We just pretend that it is really Christmas Eve and continue on with our normal traditions. Making cookies and cocoa, reading "Twas the night before Christmas", and getting on our new PJ's. This year was a little harder for me because Brian ended up working that day and didn't get home until 10:00, which was way passed the little ones bedtime, but Hunter stepped up and helped me get everything ready. I hope everyone has a blessed and Merry Christmas!

Hunter's 13th

Happy Birthday to my handsome, talented, funny,and intelligent son Hunter. He is so many other things, things I can't even begin to describe. I am so blessed to have him for my son, and he brings so much joy and happiness into my life each and everyday. I can remember holding him in my arms for the first time just like it was yesterday. He was such a big boy weighing in at 9 lbs 1 oz, and he was 22in long. His hair was jet black and it stood up in the back just like it does now when it gets to long. He was the only baby in the nursery that didn't loose any weight, he slept all night when I brought him home and he was a very happy baby. I missed out on lots of things when he was little, while I was finishing nursing school, but it was only to make things better for us. I am so glad that he has become such a wonderful young man, and it has been an honor to witness his life journey thus far.

Celebration

There are so many things I could celebrate for in my life. So many I don't know where to start, but I just wanted to post this entry in celebration for all the great things I have in my life right now. Brian just finished up his 2nd semester for nurse practitioner school, and I will have to say that this was one of the hardest one's to date. I know he's been busy before and sometimes it seems like he has been in school forever, I'm just holding out for May 2011. I finished my first semester back in school this week too. I'm very proud of myself and my mother for going back to school to obtain our BSN's. Now that I look forward to the coming year I'll have to admit I'm scared. Brian is going to a part-time position, and he will be working night shift(which is something he hasn't done in 9 years). I guess I'm concerned about the financial burdens we will endure this next year, not that we are rich now, but after you live a certain way for a while you get comfortable, and things are going to be a little uncomfortable at times. I know God will provide for us and that we will survive. Brian did tell me that he is willing to take on our adoption process so we hopefully will fill out an application this coming fall. Please pray for us as we continue on with school and, God willing, getting started with our missing "H" filled blessing.

Christmas Cookies

Well it's that time of year again! Get out the wax paper, flour, rolling pins, and cookie dough and start making Christmas cookies, and a huge mess. This tradition started with my Mom, and I hope that our children pass it on to theirs.

Thanksgiving Dinner #2

Well I know I have already posted some photos of trimming the tree, but I finally got these pics of our Thanksgiving dinner off my camera. So here is the turnout we had for our Thanksgiving dinner #2. Now I'll attempt to name everyone from the left to the right. Jennifer, Kim (mom), Billy, Cliff(PA), Annette, Ethel(Granny), Greg, Brian, Kim(2), Clayton,Dalton, Alison, Eric, Brian(Dalton's BFF), Larry,Lynn. Next row L to R Eugene(Dad) with Roscoe, Jason, Ryan, Angelica, Taylor, Hunter, Jordan, Justin. Now the little ones sitting on the table L to R; Hagan, Keaton, Haven with her arm in front of Harrison's face, Mylan, and Skylan. This was one of the Best dinners we have ever had. Before we ate we all went around the room and said what we were thankful for. I am so blessed to have all of these people in my life.( The only thing missing was a baby sister Crystal, who had to work)

Adoption

I always felt like adopting a child was something I was lead to do. Even before I was a mother, I felt that adopting a child would some how complete this void I felt inside. A child given to me by God, and although my blood may not run through this child's veins, it's heart would be filled with my love. I'm praying for God to guide Brian and myself in our decision to bring another child into our home. It's such a busy time right now with Brian and myself both in school, we both work full time not to mention that the kids all have busy schedules too. The thought of this idea is a lot for Brian to handle right now, but I know this is something I must do. There isn't a doubt in my mind that God has another child out there for me to love, I told Brian we would wait to decide when he got closer to graduating. Lord I pray that if this is what your plan is for us you show us the way, and place the peace of our decision into our hearts. Jenn

Happy Birthday Haven!!!!!

Today our precious little daughter turned two. It's hard to believe that two years ago I meet her for the first time. I remember it just like it was yesterday, how could I ever forget such a precious memory. Haven I hope you always know just how much joy and happiness you have brought to our lives. Our family wasn't whole until you came in it. Love you-Mom

What Christmas means to me.....

Christmas to me means "love", for me it all started many, many years ago with the birth of our precious savior. The love God gave us that night is why Christmas is truly magical. When I was a child I thought Christmas was the best time of the year, a time when anything was possible including flying reindeer, little people called elves, and a happy chubby man named Santa.There was no better feeling than Christmas morning, when we would come running down the stairs to see what Santa had brought. Although I can remember opening presents, I can only recall what a few of them were. What I remember the most are the memories made by my parents like the smell of a real Christmas tree, singing Christmas carols in the car together, my mom teaching us how to make Christmas cookies, and my all time favorite was when mom would sit down and read "T'was the Night Before Christmas" surrounded by all eight of her children.( Who by the way were fighting over who was sitting where). So now that I'm older and have children of my own I realize that Christmas wasn't always magical for my parents. I know they must have spent many nights worrying about the financial burdens of buying all of us presents, and I know they went without because they "loved" us and wanted our Christmas' to be magical. I hope my parents know that the memories they gave me are more precious than they will ever know. Without love there wouldn't be Christmas. Because of the love given to me by God, my parents, my wonderful husband, our beautiful children, all seven of my siblings, and everyone I'm surrounded by my Christmas's are truly magical. Christmas happens everyday for me!

Trimming the Tree

This is our family ornament for 2009. I go to the Christmas Place every year to by our ornaments. I get one for us as a family and then we get one for all the kids. This year Hunter got a UK, Harrison got a baseball player, Hagan got a firetruck ornament, and the Haven got one that looks like a carriage for a princess. I hope that our children keep our tradition alive when they are grown up and have kids of their own.

Break Me

I had a sweet little lady at work today, she was in bed one and just got the devastating news that she has terminal cancer. She had seemed to become more withdrawn over the last few days while I had been caring for her, and I thought maybe some TV would help keep her mind from thinking about her illness. When I turned on the TV a Christain program was already on, so I thought to myself "this might cheer her up a little". After listening for a few minutes, the lady talking said " the problem with people today is that they always pray for God to bless them. What they need to pray for is for God to break them and make them what he wants them to be" that was very eye opening for me. I really need to ask God to help me be what it is he wants me to be.

Smile Momma Loves You!

I could be having the worst day and one smile from you makes it all better! Haven don"t ever let anyone take your sweet smile away. Love you lots-Mom

Family Turkey Project

Look at these two Turkeys!!!

Justin is Home

Wow! Justin is home and he looks great. I'm so glad we got to see him graduate the Marine Corp, we all we're so proud of him. It was a special Thanksgiving because he got to come home to spend time with us before he leaves for more training. I keep telling myself that everything will turn out just fine, and pray for his safety every day. Thank you Lord for giving us a safe trip down to South Carolina to celebrate in his success, and our safe return with such precious cargo.