Merry Christmas

My Big Boy...

I can't believe how long it's been since I've blogged.

Jack's pappy was cut forever (it seems) ago and has not missed it since! I'm so proud.

The biggest accomplishment has been this week.

He started school!

I'm so proud of my little boy, this transition is probably going to be harder on me than him, but he seems to be doing wonderful at his academy!

Here are some pictures of his first day, yesterday!!

Be back later, my boys are in bed without me! :)

CUT!

We cut the pappy yesterday! Little man has done great so far!! He went to sleep so easy without it and today has been good too!

The tip is cut, but he can't suck on it and leave it in his mouth, so he isn't even worrying with it anymore!! Yippe!!

He is starting an academy the first of August and they wanted it gone, and so did I. I just didn't want it to start messing with his teeth...and he will be 2 in September.

I do feel so bittersweet about it though, it means my little baby is growing up fast into a little boy! He still has his lovey though, but doesn't even seem as interested in it either...
Let's see how the rest of the week goes!!

M.I.A.

I have been awful, again at the blogging!

I am in school with 15 hours for my last semester until Student Teaching this fall, and finishing up my Masters. My laptop when "caput" a few weeks ago, so my wonderful Sister has been letting me borrow hers to do school work. I just can't find the time this summer!

Little man and I have been enjoying our summer days at the "water" as he likes to say and playing outside when it's not a thousand degrees!

Anyway, it has been a great summer so far here, still trying to get my garage sale stuff in order...so besides all the school work that is due July 14th, I am trying to find time to get my garage sale going so I can make a little money and get this junk out of here!

This is such a random blog...I was also trying to think of a Sunday Song to do...and can't right now. So if I think of one, I will do another post.

Until then, here is a picture of my beautiful niece Saydie from her Kindergarten graduation a few weeks ago! Such a big girl, growing up too fast!

Oh Happy Day.

Our wonderful friends tied the knot!!

Congratulations Mandy & Drew!!

Here are some pics from the weekend, this was the 1st wedding the hubby and I had ever been in together...besides our own almost 5 years ago!!

Friday Night Festivities

The Bride took this one, I love it!

My hottie hubby, so handsome in those neon green glasses!

Seven Years Ago Today...

Our lives changed forever.

The first grandchild.

The first nephew.

Cooper was born.

My sweet Cooper was in the world!

When Cooper was born, it was so stressful and hard on us as a family because of his scary delivery, but after he was here and Sis was ok...there was nothing sweeter than his perfect little face. He is such a sweet spirited child, so talented and loving and we have all been blessed by having him in our lives for the past 7 years.

I don't know where the time has gone, but I am so happy to be apart of his life and love him more than he'll ever know.

Happy Birthday Cooper!!

Gigi LOVES YOU!

Bitter Sweet Success?

I am not sure if I should jump up and down with joy, or cry.
I just signed my baby boy up for daycare for the fall and got him in the school I wanted in the last spot for 2 year olds! (He'll be a month away from 2 when he starts in August.)
I have been dreading this day since I was pregnant, but I've been so blessed by being able to stay home with him the first two years of his life. I think he will do so good and grow so much as an independent person. I hate to think of the things I'm going to miss on a daily basis by not being with him, but I am excited to start my new career and also excited to start taking some of the financial burden off of my sweet husband.
So, now...we HAVE to get rid of the pappy by August...yikes. I don't want to have so many new transitions, but they don't like pappy's at his age for sanitary reasons, and I understand. The thought of him picking up someone else's pappy grosses me out! (Or someone picking up his! :P)
Anyway, this summer should be very interesting for his Aunt Cici who is helping me while I finish my last semester of classes before student teaching in the fall! She is not wanting him to get rid of his pappy yet, but "it's time Cici!" :O)
My computer is down, so my lovely Sis has loaned me her lap top until I get ours fixed so that's why no posts lately.
Just wanted to share my news...not sure if it's good or bad yet, but at least I have a few months to prepare myself for the tears and snot that is going to surely come the first of August. UGGGH.

I just put my dog in time out.

Holy Cow. What a week, my son loves playing with the dog but sometimes it's too much. Anyway, Tobie Girl wouldn't leave Jack alone, I warned her and she didn't listen. Dern dog. She was just in "time out" for 5 minutes, on minute for her age. Oh Lordy, I'm loosing it.

Anyway, I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day and is having a great week. Just wanted to share some pictures from my Mother's Day.
Everyday should be Mother's Day! :)

Also, just wanted to share that we went to church again with my Mom and Dad, they did a recognition of Mother's as I'm sure every church does...Oldest, Mom with most kids, Youngest...guess who won YOUNGEST at a lovely age of 29? ME!!
I know, crazy right? However, I must say it has to be because we were in early church! Don't get me wrong, it was packed, but I just about died when he started at age 25 and got all the way to 29...had to go from the balcony to the front of the church to get a rose. It was sweet and a nice gesture that the church did. The Oldest Mommy was 87 and the Mommy with the most children there was a Mommy of 4.

My pictures will not upload for some reason...I will edit to add later this afternoon.

Does everyone love them?

As much as me?
I love Zac Brown Band.
This song reminds me of my hubby...it's the ringtone for when he calls.
I just think these guys rock.
The sun is shinning. The elephant is off my shoulders. I'm done.
Enjoy.

Two-fer Tuesday..."One for One"

TOMS! I must admit, if I had unlimited income and could buy whatever I wanted...I would buy every pair of TOMS shoes...even every color of their Vegan Wrap Boots...go to their site and check them out! TOMS SHOES. If you have never heard of them, they are a great company, that for every pair of shoes they sale, they give a pair to a child in need. I saw something about them a few months ago and was reminded about their company with the new AT&T commercial!

I ordered little man and me a pair...

I am always trying to find new products and things that we can buy that will help others...do you know of any like TOMS shoes? If so, leave me a comment and let me know!

Great Give Away...

Mrs. Newlywed at Misadventures of a Newlywed is hosting a great give away! Pop on over to her site to enter to win personalized custom stationary that is so stinkin' cute!!

Monday's Sunday Song

Slacking again in the blog department...my life has been crazy it seems like emotionally, but we are chugging right a long. I saw Mandisa the other night on tv and had to post her singing this song. It's isn't a 'real' video, but you really only need to hear the words. It is so moving and she is such an inspiration and Godly woman. She was supposed to be at the Women of Faith weekend I went too last year, but wasn't...I do believe she is still traveling with them though!
Enjoy the song and I hope you have a great Monday and week!

Another Big Weekend...

This past weekend a bunch of girls and I traveled to Ohio for Mandy's Bachelorette Party weekend! It was soo much fun! I didn't have my own camera with me most of the time but here are some pictures I stole from the girls!

We got up there on Friday night and spent the night with Mandy's future-in-law's...then we got up and headed out to a Reds game! It was so nice and such a great ball stadium but soo hot, we all got burnt! Then that evening, we went out to a German bar...if you are ever around Cincinnati (but technically on the Kentucky side) you have to go to the Hofbrauhaus I have never in my life seen anything like this! Here, you are welcome to dance on the tables, write on the tables and drink from the biggest beer mugs I have ever seen! It was insane, but a "must see"!

Then it was on to "Bobby Mackey's"...whom I have never heard of...but he has his own bar in "Wilder, Kentucky" where he has a band, a mechanical bull, karaoke, and then dance music. It was super fun too and another "must see"...here is his web site Bobby Mackey's.

All in all, it was a successful weekend and I hope Mandy had fun...I know we all did!

Here are some pictures! Hope everyone had a great weekend and has a great week, sorry for being such a "blog slacker" again!

The girls getting ready to head to the Reds game!

Amanda and Me at the Reds Game

We did a scavenger hunt at the ball game and then on the walk back to the Newport Levee area...here was one of our "finds"! (The guy was just extra!)

Walking across the Ohio river back to Kentucky side...

My new friend, Raf...we had a blast together...and we both didn't like this German beer!

Big Weekend...

We had such a fun and busy weekend...I just can't believe it's over!

Friday night started out with Courtney's 30th Birthday celebration at Cancun's...and it was too much fun!

My hubby and I stayed in Downtown at a fabulous hotel that put some money is Paris Hilton's (hint hint) pocket...but it was so nice and had such soft beds!! It was hard to leave Saturday morning!

We had such a great time hanging out with our friends Lorie & Trey and so glad they are moving back down this way!
After that we went to Mom & Dad's to spend the night so we could get up and go to church with them...they are going back to the church we grew up in and it was surreal to go in and sit in the same exact seats from 25 years ago!! They have a new preacher and he was really great. Only problem is, they go to early church...and boy was it early! I had to get up at 7am to get ready and make sure my boys got ready...poor little guy went to sleep in his Uncle Trav's arms during church, but it was fine! :)

Then we had lunch at my aunt's house and had so much fun watching the kids hunt Easter eggs!!

Here are some pictures...

Oh and because of the Holiday and being gone most of the day, I didn't get to do a Sunday song...however, I already know which one I am going to do for Monday Song! :)

I hope everyone had a blessed weekend, just as we did!

Happy Easter

We are so excited around here that it is Easter time! We can't wait for Mr. Easter Bunny to come visit, but he better get to crafting before Sunday or I know one little boy that will be very disappointed! :) Mommy, ehh, I mean the Easter Bunny really isn't sure what to put in a year and a half old's Easter basket...any suggestions???

Happy Easter everyone!
My friend Mandi posted a super funny picture, I love it and found a cute one to put on my blog...enjoy!

What in the world is going on?

It's a "snow day" here for the county schools...and it's the week before Easter! Can we say G-L-O-B-A-L W-A-R-M-I-N-G???!!!!

I am getting ready to go check the weather for the rest of the week, it's a busy one. We are celebrating one of my besties 30th Birthday at a Mexican restaurant...and was wanting to celebrate it out on their porch, but that plan may have to change. Plus Easter, I have a sleeveless dress that I bought and now it needs a sweater over it!
Plus, I have to go get the Hubby something to wear one of these afternoons, you know...so he can "match" me and the little guy! We aren't "matching" per se, but we are wearing the same colors, and Daddy HAS to wear the same as we are. Just one of those little things I can control. The Hubby doesn't mind! :)

I have class tonight and dreading getting out in the cold! It was 77 degree's here Sunday afternoon and it STINKS having to bundle up again...maybe it will leave as fast as it came in!

Hope everyone has a great Tuesday!

P.S. I am trying to come up with a fun give-away on here...just still trying to figure out what and when to give it away! :)

Sunday Song

"It Is Well With My Soul"

Performed by: The Issac's

Just wanted to share...

We've had one heck of a week around here...thank goodness it's Wednesday and all the drama is officially OVER, I will spill those beans one day soon!

Anyway, while I should've been getting school work finished for the end of the semester, I was taking pictures of my adorable little son.

Here are some of my favorites...enjoy and have a great rest of your week!

**I started this post this afternoon and now it's almost 11pm and just now got around to finishing it...that HAS to tell you the kind of things that's been going on around here!**

Sunday Song

This song needs no introduction...however, it does have a new twist on an old version.

So please listen and enjoy!

Amazing Grace {My Chains are Broken} by Chris Tomlin

I'm sooo sick ~BUT~....

I had to share this wonderful give away that Monogram Chick is having!

Go check out her adorable blog and enter to win....

Better hurry, the contest ends soon!!

Cooper

Today, my "big" little man is having surgery at 9.30 on his teeth.

I'm scared to death, they are putting Cooper to sleep and they said the surgery should only take an hour, but that seems like a long time to his Gigi.

Jack and I are heading to Children's Hospital this morning to be with him (and his Mommy and Daddy of course!)

Say a little prayer for my "big" little man. I'm so proud of him and so proud to be his Gigi.

It's hard for me to believe my little boy will be 7 this year!

Wednesday Song...

I heard this song years ago and tried to find it on here...finally found it on YouTube and I do believe it's an old version, but it serves it's purpose! Jason Crabb is amazing, if you have never heard or watched him perform...watch the entire video. I have never in my life seen someone sing with as much conviction as he does each time he opens his mouth and belts out the first word!

Enjoy the video...

"Through the Fire" by The Crabb Family

So Behind...So Little Time!

What an awful last few days. We've been to the doctor's office 3 times in less than a week. But the good news is, little man is starting to feel better!

We had a good Saturday though, I had a shower to attend (which I showed up too an hour late...thinking I was going to be early!!) and it was so fun to see everyone again. It makes me sad how the older we get, the only time we see some of our girl friends/sorority sisters is at weddings or showers...but at least we have that time together, right? Here is a picture of the bride and bridesmaids at Mandy's shower...

The Bride-to-Be and me!

I didn't get to post on Sunday, my Sunday song because Jack was still yucky feeling and had to be on my lap most of the day. I am still trying to come up with one and will hopefully have a Wednesday Song tomorrow.

Playing "Model's"...

Tuesday, Jack and I had the opportunity to model some fabulous clothing for a photo shoot for my wonderful friend Jessica Leigh of Jessica Leigh Photography {If you are looking for a photographer...contact her, she is amazing!} Jack and I were super excited and had such a great time. He did pretty good too, for his first modeling (and certainly not last!) debut!

I'm not sure what all I could put on here, so I'm just going to put my favorite, in case Jessica hasn't sent the pictures to the maker of the clothes yet...which I'm sure she won't find "my" blog...but just in case...you'll have to wait to see the others!

Jack and I spent the better part of 2.5 hours at the doctor's office yesterday. He was scheduled for his 18 month appointment, but ended up getting sick so we had to have it all checked out. After me worrying to death, the poor little guy has an ear infection and bronchitis. Luckily "that's all" because they also checked my prince for RSV! It scared me to death and I prayed the entire 17 minutes it took to get the results back of negative. He did however get an antibiotic for 10 days for his ear infection and numbing drops. There isn't anything to do for bronchitis except a nebulizer (sp?) and he said that wasn't a guarantee fix...and also said to just wait and see how he does...so I'm waiting.

Jack does pretty good while sick, he's still playing and running around...just a little more whiny and clingy, but all Mommy's love snuggle time!

We hope everyone has a great rest of their week and stays healthy and away from germs and sick people!

New Look!

Just wanted to give a special THANK YOU to my girlfriend Mandi at Mandi Shandi's for helping me put my new header on my blog!

What do you all think?

I loved making it, and see already things I want to change for the next one...but thanks to Mandi for helping me get it on here!

Good News...and Sad News...

So, I will start out with the good news! Sis went to the doctor today and got a pretty positive reaction from this new doctor!! She will be going back in 2 weeks for her blood results, but he believed her problems are from her Lupus flare up that she is having...which is fantastic. {It's not fantastic that she is having a flare, but that she doesn't have anything worse!} The doctor is going to check all of her levels and things like thyroid and iron...so please keep her in your prayers!

For the sad news. My brother-in-law's Mamaw isn't doing well at all and they've only given her 6 to 12 more months. She just had leg surgery and has a spot on her liver and a mass in her breast. She is 86 years old and the sweetest lady out there. Her and Papaw have been married for 70 years, so my concern isn't for Mamaw, it's for Papaw. I can't even imagine what he will be going through. They are a God send for my brother-in-law and family. Please keep her and all of them in your prayers.

It's so hard growing up and getting older, because those around us grow older too. However, after loosing Nanny so suddenly two years ago, it makes you wonder which way is better to loose a loved one. There is no good way to ever have to say goodbye. Nanny didn't suffer, God decided it was her time to go and she went. But it was so hard on our family members that wasn't there to tell her goodbye. Mom and I were there (along with my wonderful Husband), but we still didn't get to say goodbye. We didn't know God would take her so fast. It wasn't easy for us either. But, then to have to think about watching your loved one's die while they are sick isn't easy either. I remember the pain Shannon had to go through with each phone call about his Mommy...the phone calls of "She's not going to make it to Christmas" and more. But she did, and I was so happy Shannon could be there when she went to heaven, but again...it didn't make it any easier on him to let her go.

The wonderful thing about it all, is we will see them all again one day. God promises us that and that is how we can go on.

Sorry to have such a good and bad update...but I just wanted to ask my prayer warriors for more prayers sent our way.

Love to you all.

Sunday Song...

I love this song. The first time I heard it, I cried so hard in the car, I could hardly see to drive.

I don't even have a little girl, I am blessed with a beautiful boy...but all I could think about is how our life has changed over the last 18 months and how it is going to change even more in our future with Jack in it.

I am blessed and so proud to be his Mommy, but sure did wish "it would be like this for long"...Enjoy my Sunday Song.

"It Won't Be Like This For Long" by Darius Rucker

Good deals & steals!

Ok ladies, I maybe the only one that has just found this wonderful website, but I've found it now!

Diapers.com is wonderful...I ordered little man diapers today, his first big boy potty and more sippy cups...but that's not the deal/steal...I got $10 off, NO TAX and NO SHIPPING~!!!!

Since it was such a great deal, I thought I'd share with you!

Enter the code: JENN3595 at checkout and if you've spent $49, you'll get $10 off your first order and free shipping!!


What's better than having diapers delivered to your door???

My, my how my life has changed!! :)

Have a great weekend!

My ♥

These two boys have my ♥. {Is this not the sweetest picture ever? Oh I just love it.}

I'm officially on "Spring Break" (Spring Break at almost 30 is NOT the same as it was 10 years ago if you're wondering~)

But while on break, I have to write a children's book and fully illustrate it, make/decorate a book self and do 7 classroom observations. So, as you can see...it is merely a break from class, not from the work.

Plus, Jack Jack and I have lots of plans...we are going to be getting out of the house as much as possible...weather permitting.

Today, my little boy is A YEAR and A HALF OLD!!

It's hard to believe it's been 18 months since God blessed me with the most amazing child. I'm so lucky and he is so much fun...and I have to add he LOVES his Mommy!! :)

Here are some pictures of the little man eating O-R-E-O's for the 1st time ever!

{Kind of like his 1.5 year old "birthday cake" in the form of 3 cookies!!}

This one is his "I'll stab you with my plastic fork if you take my cookies!" Picture~
I never knew Oreo's could be soo messy~
Showing off is hard work~

If I don't get to post again before the weekend...have a wonderful one!

I could get HER!

Ok, so we've been waiting all week last week and weekend for Sis's Dr's appointment today...well, my poor absent-minded Sister has her appointment NEXT Monday! Mom and her drove all the way to the hospital/Dr's office only to find out, she's a week early!

I told her it was a sign that NOTHING is wrong...she just stresses herself out so much over things, I told her not too, that she is fine.

But...this time next week, I'll be asking for prayers again...or if you can remember, just pray all week!

Thanks everyone for your comments and prayers~!
They mean the world to me and my family.

I hope the weather is as beautiful were you are it is here!

My car said 77 degree's when we just got out!!

I can get use to that~

I'll Say a Little Prayer for You...

If you read this, and you happen to believe in the power of prayer as I do...please say a little prayer for my Sister today.

She is having some health issues and having to go at 1.30p.m. (EST) to have some blood work done, so please send up as many prayers for her and our family as you can at this time...it means the world to me.

Thank You!

We Love You Cici...