Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Cousin News

Well, as I previously posted, my cousin Angela had baby Mylee on Easter while we were down there. I haven't been able to hold her yet, but I thoroughly enjoyed admiring her through the nursery window while we were at the hospital. She is tiny and beautiful! Now, finally my cousin Amanda had her big boy this past Saturday and I must admit that I am very disappointed that I haven't been able to visit him yet. Boo hoo for me!! But, I have seen pictures and I think he is absolutely precious. No, not tiny - manly, studly. Hee hee!

On the other side of the family, we are sad to say that T.J.'s cousin Dawn and her family just moved to Indiana. Not super far, but far enough! I was able to run over and see them before their move and enjoy some cake with them. Both Colby and Dalayna had a birthday on the weekend of their move. Happy Birthday to them! Miss ya and enjoy the new adventures God has ahead of you.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Having fun. . .

Here are some random pics of some every day fun . . .

Adley loves to wear Jaylyn's play dress up shoes

Always has a silly face - or is that she is always stuffing her face

Silly Girls

Jaylyn mixing up some cookie dough

Here she is pushing the cookies into her Easy Bake oven that Nana got her at the Laxton yard sale. Makenna, you can rest assured that you have passed on the oven to one who is truly enjoying it!

Nothing more fun than dressing up in big sister's princess dresses and sitting in her chair.

Add more fun with a book!



Saturday, April 5, 2008

100 Things About Me

Well, it is a challenge. Shannon was challenged to do it, then challenged me and others. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, but my procrastination kept me from finishing it earlier. But, I think you might enjoy these 100 Things about me. . . (Then you can try it yourself!)

1. I am married to T.J.

2. We have been married for almost 8 years.

3. We have 2 children.

4. My oldest is 4.

5. My youngest is 1.

6. They are both girls.

7, I met T.J. in college at the Baptist Collegiate Ministries.

8. We were just friends hanging out until the end of our Junior year-that is when we started dating.

9. We were married right after I graduated from college.

10. I grew up in a small town, but no, I don’t know anything about farming!

11. I loved playing sports growing up.

12. I played softball until highschool.

13. I played volleyball the last 3 years of high school (that was when they added it to our sport’s program.)

14. My favorite was basketball that I played from 5th grade through high school.

15. I began my journey with Jesus Christ when I was in grade school.

16. He has giving me lots of opportunities to grow and learn about Him – which I continue to do.

17. I majored in Elementary Education with a minor in music.

18. I started learning piano in the 3rd grade.

19. Now I teach piano at home.

20. I have about 8 students.

21. I taught 5th grade at a Christian school in St. Louis after I graduated until I became pregnant.

22. They also had me teach elementary music my last 2 years.

23. I sing and play piano/keyboard with our church praise team.

24. I coordinate our church MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) group at church.

25. I hate exercise, but make my husband keep me accountable to it.

26. My parents live about 1 ½ hours away.

27. I have one (older) brother who also lives by them.

28. I don’t really care for animals. (yes they can be cute and sweet, but no, I have no desire to have any!)

29. I have naturally curly hair.

30. It used to be more red instead of brown.

31. It was kind of upsetting when I wasn’t called a red head any more. J

32. I love sweets like chocolate, cheesecake, ice cream. . .(I can’t continue because I’m getting too hungry.)

33. I enjoy scrapbooking, but haven’t in a while and I am really far behind.

34. I am a procrastinator.

35. I am not as bad of a procrastinator as I used to be. Getting better!

36. I am pretty laid back.

37. Our Sunday School friends usually make jokes trying to imagine me and T.J. fighting.

38. I used to be really involved in Acteens growing up, even up to National level. (Mission program in Southern Baptist churches.)

39. I worked as a camp counselor and assistant program director at an Acteen and G.A. camp.

40. I have been on mission trips to St. Louis, Arkansas, US Virgin Islands, northern Illinois, Golconda (IL), and Kentucky.

41. I have worked at Super Summer.

42. I worked in the Student Center Administrative Office during college at SIUC where I made ID cards and lots of other stuff.)

43. I loved meeting international students in college.

44. I still love meeting people from other countries.

45. My husband proposed to me in a very creative way. Feel free to ask about the story.

46. My in-laws live close by.

47. I have one brother-in-law.

48. It usually takes a lot to offend me.

49. I enjoy sleep and can sleep in most conditions, including the computer chair.

50. I had a parakeet for a pet when I was in grade school/junior high.

51. My brother enjoys spreading the theory that I killed it with hair spray. (It WAS the 80’s!)

52. I like “trying” to be creative.

53. T.J. and I are 4 days apart

54. He is older. J

55. We honeymooned in the Poconos.

56. We had lots of fun even though the resort was very cheesy.

57. We had front row seats to see Howie Mandell at the resort.

58. I have not had the opportunity to travel outside of the U.S.

59. I don’t like that I have not been out of the country.

60. I have been on a mission trip to the Virgin Islands which was the closest I have been to going out of country.

61. My first time in an air-plane was when I was in high school.

62. My favorite season is fall.

63. My favorite holiday is Christmas.

64. I plan out my meals each week.

65. I grocery shop once a week.

66. I do not know how I did meals and such before without planning it out!

67. I live with too much clutter.

68. Someday I will find a way to get rid of the clutter.

69. One of my mission trips was a “Family Mission Trip” through our church.

70. I loved serving along side family and involving our oldest daughter (2 ½) at the time.

71. I am a stay-at-home mom.

72. I enjoy being a stay-at-home mom.

73. I have been on the Dragon’s Wing at Six Flags with my friend Mitzi. (Tie you in a body sling and drop you from a super high crane.)

74. I screamed like the cartoon characters on tv.

75. My high school graduating class had only about 30 people.

76. One of my good friends (Emily) and I were co-Valedictorians. (remember – only 30 of us J)

77. My other good friend (Mitzi) was Salutatorian and we all did our graduation speech together.

78. I did tumbling, tap, baton, and ballet when I was little.

79. My cousin Amber and I are a year apart and we always had matching clothes.

80. We would have rubber band wars with my brother.

81. We live in an old house that needs a lot of fixing up.

82. We usually need our dads to help us.

83. I love doing freezer meal exchanges with my friends!

84. I learned to play the spoons from a friend that worked at camp with me.

85. Another old camper friend taught me how to sing “inside” my mouth.

86. I was trained to lead “Rope’s Course” team building activities at camp.

87. I am conservative.

88. My house will not ever be featured in Good Housekeeping.

89. I learned how to sew in Junior High Home-Ec class. I made dresses, pillows and bags.

90. I have only attempted a few simple sewing projects since then.

91. I made pillow case dresses for the girls for our beach pictures last October.

92. My first time to Florida was after being married – vacation.

93. My first time to Disney World was after being married – vacation.

94. I helped lead Children’s Choir at church for a couple years.

95. I enjoyed having fun with those kids!

96. I like to watch movies while exercising on the treadmill.

97. I think I am coming to grips with the fact that T.J. has control of the remote.

98. I like to people watch.

99. I like sports, but have a hard time concentrating when it is on t.v. (I prefer live!)

100. I am pregnant with our third child!

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Sisters

These girls have an awful lot of fun being sisters!

Jaylyn made an "S" book for fun. I asked Adley if she wanted Jaylyn to read it to her and she began backing up to sit on "Jay Jay's" lap. Too cute.

Good book!

Jaylyn and Adley discovered the fun of big sister pushing little sister in the baby doll stroller!

They have been climbing up in the recliner or on the couch to "read" books together.

Here they are posing in front of the backdrop that "Poppy" painted for the Daughter of the King weekend at our church. 2 princesses in front of their castle.

Why walk down the hall alone, when you can hold your sister's hand!