Fat Cat, Fat Rat

I'm so exited! I have been working with Aly on her letters and phonics. She knows all of her letters, knows the letter sounds and today she read her first book; Fat Cat, Fat Rat. She read it all by herself!! Not bad for only turning 4 two days ago. I have only been working with her since I retired from work about a month and a half ago. Way to go Aly J, Mommy is so proud of you!

Road Trip

Yesterday the ladybugs and I got in the car and took a road trip...to St. Joe, MO. I am sure some of you are laughing hysterically already (Jess). You may be asking yourself "why on earth would they choose to road trip to St. Joe when Kansas City is before St. Joe and they could have went shopping at the Plaza"? Why? Beef...it's what's for dinner.

Seriously, I had to go pick up our 1/2 cow that we share with another family. Yes, this "city girl" actually went to the butcher and picked up 440 pounds of beef. I called my sister Jess when I hit the road and left her a message that went something like this "Hey Jess, it's Jenn. I am on my way to St. Joe to pick up our beef so I have some windshield time (about 6 hours). Give me a call back when you get a chance".

As I am coming up I-29 I realize I am going to need gas. I am watching the exit signs and do not see any signs of gas stations. Finally I see a sign for gas. I take the exit and as I am exiting there is a sign for the gas with an arrow pointing in the direction of the gas station and it says "4 miles". What the heck?? I have to drive 4 miles just to get gas from a little town called Smithville. I guess Smithville only has one gas station, I'm surprised it wasn't a Casey's.

Finally we got to St. Joe and as I am exiting I-29 (getting ready to go on all of the dirt roads) and my sister calls me back...laughing hysterically and singing the Beverly Hillbillies theme song to me. She said she was in the middle of class when she got my message and she couldn't stop laughing. She said it sounded so funny that I was going to get our beef. She's like "I can just see you in your Ugg boots and Tiffany's jewelry going to the butcher". We laughed for a few more minutes ( I have to admit I was really surprised I had cell service on all of these dirt roads) about what I would happen once I actually got there. We were hoping that the girls wouldn't be traumatized with cow's hanging from the ceiling with their insides coming out and cow heads all over the place. Thankfully we didn't see anything like that, Aly's only comment was "Mommy, it really stinks in here".

Once the beef was loaded we hoped in the car, stopped at Mickey D's in Platte County for a little lunch and then headed home. How did we occupy ourselves on the way home? Hannah Montana of course! Aly got a new Hannah Montana DVD for her birthday so we watched the entire DVD 3 times. By the third time I had had enough of the "Best of Both Worlds" so I introduced the girls to Def Leppards's "The Vault - Greatest Hits". We, no sorry, I rocked out to Pour Some Sugar On Me, Photograph, etc. I also found out that Def Leppard is great if you don't want to hear your kids crying, this cd will be a staple in my car from now on!

I told my sister that once you get this beef you will never go back to the yucky stuff you buy at the grocery store. So, here's to you Grant and Laura, thanks for putting a little bit of country into this city girl (and I actually like it).

The last thing I want to know is what is your favorite Def Leppard song?

Happy Birthday Angel Face

Today my Angel Face is four! After a very, very long labor, Alyson Jordan came into the world at 2:03pm on February 26th weighing in at 7lbs 3 oz. I have been in love with this girl from the moment I found out I was pregnant. Her safe arrival was extremely important to me after what we had been through in order to have a healthy pregnancy. I was absolutely thrilled when the ultrasound tech told me she was a girl. I didn't want to say it out loud but I was secretly hoping she was a girl. I remember calling my mom and telling her "Jacey (my niece) will have someone to play Barbies with".

Aly is the sweetest, most thoughtful girl I ever met (gee, sounds like someone I know). She not only looks like me but her and I share a lot of the same qualities and traits. My Opi refers to her as my "mini me". She is a natural born leader and you can usually find her coordinating "organized play" with her sister and her girlfriends.

Aly woke up this morning and said "I'm four now and since it's my birthday I can do whatever I want". She's already come to me while I've been working on this post and said "can I get on my coat and go outside and blow bubbles". It's 7:15 in the morning and freezing outside, I don't think so! Ashley's birthday was 11 days ago and we made a big deal on Ash's birthday about the presents being for Ash so Aly needed to let her have her birthday fun. Aly did not forget this so she has already reminded Corey and I (several times) that it is her birthday and we have to tell Ashley "no and get away while Sissy is opening her presents and if she tries to play with my presents she has to get in trouble". See she has the whole thing organized and planned out.

So today for Aly's birthday I am going to make her cream of wheat (her favorite) and donuts for breakfast. We are going to go pick up her Belle birthday cake and probably head over to Chuck E Cheese to play a few games. We will have our nap and wait for Daddy to come home. She has requested to have pepperoni pizza for dinner, then she wants to eat cake, open her presents and play with her new toys. And you were wondering where she gets the personality trait of having an agenda...it must be Corey, it couldn't be me...ha!

Happy Birthday Angel Face I hope you have a good, fun day!

Birthday Girl

Sigh of Relief

We made it through the wedding weekend. Sarah & David tied the knot yesterday (why do they call it tie the knot, what exactly are you tying in a knot?). The wedding was beautiful, absolutely perfect. It was an honor for Aly & I to be a part of it. Congrats to the happy couple! I can now breathe a sigh of relief...at least for the next few months before we start thinking about my sister Laura Lou's wedding (all three of us girls are in it). Below are some pictures from the last couple of days, I hope you enjoy!

Aly made a fantastic flower girl, she looked spectacular. Apparently I wasn't the only one who thought so because she came running over to me after the ceremony and says "Mom, some lady just took my picture" and it wasn't the photographer. She got to stand the entire ceremony with the rest of the bridesmaids (good thing it wasn't a Catholic wedding, I don't know if any of us girls would've lasted that long). During the ceremony she was standing behind Corlyn (maid of honor) picking up her petals and throwing them into the air all the while I am trying to give her the "Mom look" with 4 girls in front of me.

After all of the festivities our family went to the DeShon's for some good ole Imo's pizza and a movie. We ate, put the kiddos to bed by about 7:50 pm (you can do this when they have had NO NAPS) and watched "No Reservations". Laura and I didn't really care for the movie. After a long, exhausting, emotional day who wants to watch a movie about a little girl whose mom died. Needless to say our waterworks weren't reserved for the wedding only, we were still crying at 10:30 last night.

On the agenda for this week...Aly's birthday is on Tuesday. Clean out closets, pack. Fun stuff! My great aunt passed away over the summer and her house has been vacant and on the market for about 8 months. The offer has been made to us to stay there (temporarily) during our transition and while we are in the process of selling our house. We are SERIOUSLY considering it. It would be really nice to have us functioning as a family again during the week. We looked at some pictures and it's totally "Aunt Iris" with lace curtains, wallpaper/borders, flowers on the ceiling fan...you get the picture. It's situated in the heart of O'Fallon. We'll keep you posted.

Wedding Pictures

The DeShon Family

I couldn't resist posting a few pics of our good friends, the DeShon's. Their pictures turned out great, I love the one of Mary(Laura's Mom), Kalyn & Laura.

The Hively Family

Quick Update

Good Morning to all. This has been and continues to be an extremely busy week. Corey was off Monday for Presidents Day, we left for STL early Tuesday morning. The girls had their family b-day party Tuesday night and then we all came home from STL last night. Corey had to leave again this morning but he will be home tomorrow night.

Sarah B's wedding is this weekend so as of now we are in "wedding mode". I'll post some pictures and update soon.

Happy Birthday To My Littlest Lady Bug!

After two weeks of bedrest for high blood pressure Ashley Elizabeth was born on February 15, 2006 weighing in at 7lbs 1 oz. I cannot believe she is 2 years old already. I like to refer to Ashley as our "passion child". Those of you who know Ash know that she has a very strong personality and is very passionate. For those of you who can do "pregnancy math", Corey and I celebrate our anniversary every June 5th so I have "other reasons" for referring to her as our "passion child". In keeping up with the "passion" theme, Ashley was a pleasant surprise. I mentioned that she has a "strong" personality and she wasn't going to let something like say a little birth control pill stop her from making her mark on the world. Celebrating her birthday the day after Valentine's Day is perfect for my little passion child.

I praise God for Ashley's passion and independence. I am truly grateful that He trusted her to Corey and I. I am honored to have the opportunity to raise and mold this beautiful little girl into a woman who will be so passionate for the things of God and be able to lead others to Christ. I know that God gave Ashley passion in her heart and soul for an enternal reason (I just need to remember that when she is having a "passion moment"). I love you "ladybug" and I hope your day is as special as you are to me and your Daddy.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Happy Valentines Day!

I saw this Couples Meme on another blog that I read so I thought I would share it with all of you since it's Valentines Day!

1. How long have you been together? Corey and I have been together 13 years and 5 months. We've been married for 9 years and 8 months. We met at Dairy Queen at the beginning of our Junior year of High School. He worked at DQ and I was there picking up my best girlfriend so that we could go out with a group of people and teepee houses, real mature, I know! I saw Corey putting ice milk in the ice cream machine and I told my friend, "he's hot, hook me up". My friend Nicole said, "I give it a week...tops"...13 years, 5 months and 2 kids later, here we are.
   
2. How long did you date? 3 years and 8 months
3. How old is he? 29, I am currently a "cradle robber"...until May 9th. Corey really lives it up during the four months that I am older than him.
   
4. Who said ‘I love you’ first? Corey
   
5. Who is taller? Corey
   
6. Who is smarter? Definately Corey, he's a Computer Engineer with a minor in Mathematics...I have a degree in Fashion Merchandising and had my classes at the mall!
   
7. Who does the laundry? I do it all...now that I am a stay at home mom, Corey used to help.
   
8. Who does the dishes? I do the majority of them since, once again, I stay home. Corey does help on the weekends and before I stayed home I cooked and he did dishes.
   
9. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Corey
   
10. Who pays the bills? I do, Corey doesn't like to see the $ go out so he does all of the long term investing and I do all of the short term spending.
    
11. Who mows the lawn? Corey does but since our yard is huge I usually help him, plus it's a good workout. Although now that I stay home I wonder if I have to mow the lawn by myself too...hmmm
    
12. Who cooks dinner? Definately me unless you want fried egg sandwiches or cereal buffet.
    
13. Who is more stubborn? It's a tie, we are both stubborn in our own way.
    
14. Who kissed who first? Corey kissed me first
    
15. Who asked who out? I asked him to go to a party with a big group of us but he was really shy and had just broken up with a girl. Initially I called him in an effort to get to know him a little better and then he officially asked me out a few days later ...to a Football game at Francis Howell High School. He wasn't allowed to single date so we had to take his sister, we ditched her once we we got to the game.
    
16. Who proposed? Corey, over Subway Sandwiches and Lay's Potato Chips with French Onion dip. He proposed at the baseball fields where he grew up playing ball and I used to go cheer him on. Romantic, huh? Young love, we were only 19 when we got engaged and barely 20 when we were married.
17. Who is more sensitive? Me
18. Who has more friends? Probably me?
    
19. Who has more siblings? Definately me, I am the oldest of 3 sisters and 5 brothers but I am an only child. Have fun figuring that one out.
    
20. Who is the most athletic? Corey!!! I will watch sports with him all day long but I won't play, I don't like to be sweaty and dirty!

Blast From The Past - Senior Prom 1996

I thought all of you might enjoy seeing a picture of Corey an I in during our high school years. It's been so fun growing up together. We talked about marrying each other a month after we started dating. He gave me a card on our 1-month anniversary and told me he couldn't wait to grow old with me even if I had an "old lady haircut" (in H.S. I had very long, naturally curly hair, I vowed never to get an "old lady haircut"). I love this man! I am so glad that he is all mine and the father of our beautiful girls. He is the best!

This is why I love him (look at the email that was waiting for me): Happy Valentine's Day! Even though we are apart know that I am thinking of you and I love you very much!
Love,
Your hubby

If you'd like to see this picture better, click on it. I don't have time right now to figure out how to reformat it to fit better.

Another Shower

Laura and I hosted another bridal shower this past Friday and I thought some of you might enjoy seeing a few pictures. I think it's about time we went into business, we are becoming quite good at all of this handy work. Laura is especially good at cutting her favorite...tulle! Special thanks to my sis, Jess, for her lovely custom created invitation (you can see her work in one of the pics below).

Shower Pictures

Aly loves Rocky

It is freezing outside, literally, the streets are beginning to be covered with ice. These pictures are of Aly & Rocky. I'm a big softie when it comes to the dogs, especially when it's so cold outside. With Corey gone during the week the dogs get a few more "inside privileges". Aly is pretty jazzed that the dogs actually want to get up on her bed and sleep with her. Enjoy!

Going to the Chapel and We're Gonna Get Married!

My baby girl is getting married (not "my" baby but my Mom's baby). I've always referred to my Lulu as "my baby girl" because I was 10 when she was born and like a little mom to her. When I was a teenager (all 13 years of me) people would actually ask me if she was my baby, yeah right. Anyway, Congrats "baby girl" and Les (we can't wait to meet our new bro-in-law and uncle - get ready to be overwhelmed by girls)! (Photos courtesy of Bella Design Studios - aka "my Juicy").

SuperModels

Check out theses SuperModels (is Aly's hair crazy or what) Thanks Mom for doing all the work and letting me take credit!! Love you!

To Get You Through Your Day

Here are a few pictures to get you through your day. Aly looks so grown up and I would have to say that the swimsuit is probably not "Daddy approved". Enjoy!

It's Friday!!

We all know what that means...Daddy comes home tonight, yea! Aly has learned and recognizes the entire alphabet. These last two days have been a breeze for her and tonight we are taking her out to get her special prize. I'll post an update so that you all can see what she picked out. I already know what she's getting but it will be a surprise to all of you. I've been able to use this prize as a motivator in order to get her to stop fighting with her sister. You'd be surprised how much these two argue, fight and scream, already, at 1 and 3 (although they will be 2 & 4 later this month).

This week went by pretty fast, I still didn't get the bathroom painted, the closets packed, etc. Maybe I'll get to some of it today, I doubt it though, today is cleaning day. Oh well, there's always next week.

We had a fun time in STL this week. I took Aly to dance class at the studio where I used to work and take dance. She loved it! They did tumbling, tap and ballet. She did an awesome job and I'm not just saying that because I'm her Mom. Her recital dance is to Cruella De Ville and her costume is so cute! We have the Disney cd's and she listens to Cruella all the time so when she found out she was dancing to it she was pumped! The other best part is that we get free tuition! That's what I'm jazzed about! Ms. Kathy said we were not paying and told the office mom "do not take any money from her". Ah, the favor of God!!! We looked at houses and have an appointment next Tuesday to talk more in depth about a spec home that we may put a contract on. After we ate we went back to Grandma & Grandpa's to hang out and spend the night.

So now it's Friday and it's Superbowl weekend. We are looking forward to a nice, relaxing weekend.