Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thankful
As the Thanksgiving weekend comes to a close I thought I'd share a few pictures from the past few days. Special thanks to Grandma & Grandpa for the pretty new Christmas Dresses...the girls were a hit at church this morning!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
"Betty" Helps Trim The Tree
Tonight we trimmed the tree and made treats for Thanksgiving. Aly is our very own Betty Crocker!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Making Nice and Movies
On Thursday morning before the whole chicken stealing incident the girls and I stopped by Gymboree to check my schedule and to check out clothes (every line is my favorite right now). It was pretty busy when I was in there and one of the customers was a former enemy of mine from high school. Nice huh.
She had come in with her new baby about 6-8 weeks ago. I helped her but pretended like I didn't know her and that she was just another customer. Since we just moved back here I've been enjoying using the "we just moved here" card and I look a lot different than I did in high school. While I was in on Thursday I went up to her and said "let me take a peek at your little one, I want to see how much she's grown since the last time I helped you". As we were talking she goes "We went to high school together". I said "my name is Jenn", to which of course she responded "me too". Then I said "yeah, we hated each other in high school" and she says "it was all because of so and so (this guy she dated that she thought I was trying to put the moves on but him and I were just friends)". One day during high school she even had me called to the guidance counselors office because she was so devestated that I had been out with him over the weekend (even though they were broken up and technically I was with several people during that outing...he just happened to be one of them).
We laughed about the past and then I said "so I guess you didn't end up marrying so and so". And she said "no, thank God". So after 12 years (has it really been that long) we made nice. I even told her she should get a part-time job at Gymbo just to get out of the house and because it's really fun!
Last night we surprised the girls and took them on a "date". They usually go to Grandma & Grandpa's when we go on a date so they were thrilled to be experiencing "date night" with us. We went to see the new Disney movie, BOLT. It was pretty cute, worth taking your kids to see. I am totally amazed at how expensive the movies have gotten lately. Corey and I went to the Valley last weekend to see 007 during rush hour and it was $9 each (they don't do rush hour on Fridays and Saturdays anymore). Ashley is still free for a couple of more months but they still charged me $20 for Corey, Aly and myself and that is before concessions. I saw this one family of 4 and between their snacks and their tickets they had spent $60 for and hour and a half of entertainment. I read online that during hard economic times the entertainment industry flourishes because people are looking for an escape from reality. With prices like these I believe it.
She had come in with her new baby about 6-8 weeks ago. I helped her but pretended like I didn't know her and that she was just another customer. Since we just moved back here I've been enjoying using the "we just moved here" card and I look a lot different than I did in high school. While I was in on Thursday I went up to her and said "let me take a peek at your little one, I want to see how much she's grown since the last time I helped you". As we were talking she goes "We went to high school together". I said "my name is Jenn", to which of course she responded "me too". Then I said "yeah, we hated each other in high school" and she says "it was all because of so and so (this guy she dated that she thought I was trying to put the moves on but him and I were just friends)". One day during high school she even had me called to the guidance counselors office because she was so devestated that I had been out with him over the weekend (even though they were broken up and technically I was with several people during that outing...he just happened to be one of them).
We laughed about the past and then I said "so I guess you didn't end up marrying so and so". And she said "no, thank God". So after 12 years (has it really been that long) we made nice. I even told her she should get a part-time job at Gymbo just to get out of the house and because it's really fun!
Last night we surprised the girls and took them on a "date". They usually go to Grandma & Grandpa's when we go on a date so they were thrilled to be experiencing "date night" with us. We went to see the new Disney movie, BOLT. It was pretty cute, worth taking your kids to see. I am totally amazed at how expensive the movies have gotten lately. Corey and I went to the Valley last weekend to see 007 during rush hour and it was $9 each (they don't do rush hour on Fridays and Saturdays anymore). Ashley is still free for a couple of more months but they still charged me $20 for Corey, Aly and myself and that is before concessions. I saw this one family of 4 and between their snacks and their tickets they had spent $60 for and hour and a half of entertainment. I read online that during hard economic times the entertainment industry flourishes because people are looking for an escape from reality. With prices like these I believe it.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Stealing Chicken
Yea, you're lucky, two posts in one day. I have this story I have to share. So I am totally peeved right now. The girls and I just got back from Wal-Mart and after spending $258 there the express lane checker pretty much accused me of stealing $1.64 worth of popcorn chicken. I am mad and embarrassed all at the same time.
When the girls and I do big shopping I usually get them a lunchable or something while we are shopping so I don't have to worry about lunch once we get home. It's a big enough job to unload all the crap let alone listen to two girls whining about how hungry they are (even though the eat goldfish all the way through the store).
Today I decide to get them some popcorn chicken and mac & cheese from the deli counter. As I'm in the checkout line this lady and her two preschool age girls were in front of us. Here kids are acting all crazy (of course mine never act crazy in Wal-Mart) and they knock over the popcorn chicken. Well the brilliant inventor who invented the container thought it would be better to create a lid with a hole in the top...I guess for steam to escape but on a day like today I think that's a stupid idea, who cares if it gets soggy, the kids will still eat it. Back to the story, a few pieces fall out so I tell the checker "just go ahead and ring this one up twice and I'll grab another container on my way out".
After I've completely checked out we go to the deli counter and I have my receipt in my hand as proof that I've paid for two. I told the lady working the deli counter what happened, we both laugh, I hand the chicken to Aly to put in the bag and all is merry, right? WRONG! The checker working the express lane yells out in a really snotty voice "Ma'am, did you pay for that". I turned around, looked at her and said "Yes, that's why I have my receipt in my hand, would you like to see it...would you like to see it".
It took everything in me not to go back in there and tell her off. The more I thought about it the more steaming mad I got. In front of a ton of people and my kids she basically accused me of stealing some "finger lickin' good" chicken. Give me a flippin break...like I said before I had just spent $258 if I was going to steal something it darn well better be something better than popcorn chicken.
This is probably not as big of a deal as I'm making it out to be so if any of you out there think I'm making too big of a deal about this we can just blame it on my hormones, I only get nine months to use the "pregnancy card". I guess I'll take my pregnant self downstairs and unload all of these groceries by myself...but not before I enjoy some of the "stolen" chicken.
When the girls and I do big shopping I usually get them a lunchable or something while we are shopping so I don't have to worry about lunch once we get home. It's a big enough job to unload all the crap let alone listen to two girls whining about how hungry they are (even though the eat goldfish all the way through the store).
Today I decide to get them some popcorn chicken and mac & cheese from the deli counter. As I'm in the checkout line this lady and her two preschool age girls were in front of us. Here kids are acting all crazy (of course mine never act crazy in Wal-Mart) and they knock over the popcorn chicken. Well the brilliant inventor who invented the container thought it would be better to create a lid with a hole in the top...I guess for steam to escape but on a day like today I think that's a stupid idea, who cares if it gets soggy, the kids will still eat it. Back to the story, a few pieces fall out so I tell the checker "just go ahead and ring this one up twice and I'll grab another container on my way out".
After I've completely checked out we go to the deli counter and I have my receipt in my hand as proof that I've paid for two. I told the lady working the deli counter what happened, we both laugh, I hand the chicken to Aly to put in the bag and all is merry, right? WRONG! The checker working the express lane yells out in a really snotty voice "Ma'am, did you pay for that". I turned around, looked at her and said "Yes, that's why I have my receipt in my hand, would you like to see it...would you like to see it".
It took everything in me not to go back in there and tell her off. The more I thought about it the more steaming mad I got. In front of a ton of people and my kids she basically accused me of stealing some "finger lickin' good" chicken. Give me a flippin break...like I said before I had just spent $258 if I was going to steal something it darn well better be something better than popcorn chicken.
This is probably not as big of a deal as I'm making it out to be so if any of you out there think I'm making too big of a deal about this we can just blame it on my hormones, I only get nine months to use the "pregnancy card". I guess I'll take my pregnant self downstairs and unload all of these groceries by myself...but not before I enjoy some of the "stolen" chicken.
Thursday's Randomness
One more day til Friday. When I worked I lived for the weekends now everything just seems to run together. The bright spot about the weekends is that we get Corey with us all weekend. It's not like we're staying up late doing anything super exciting though since I usually fall asleep on the couch by about 8pm every night. I've been so incredibly exhausted in the evenings that last night Corey jokingly said "The baby must be growing 'a pair' this week". Little did he realize that if we do have a boy cooking in here this is the week that testosterone and all of that good male stuff kicks in so maybe he's right.
My parents from Texas come in this weekend and will be here through the following weekend so we will be seeing them on and off throughout the next week. I have to work at Gymboree on Saturday evening so I am hoping Corey and the girls will get the tree out and put it up for me while I'm at work and then we can decorate it later in the week. We have some fun traditions while decorating the tree. The girls get 3 presents:
1. Christmas Jammies
2. A new ornament for the tree - my mom did this with us kids when we were living at home and then when we left the "nest" she gave us our box of ornaments for our own tree. I love this idea so I am doing it with my own kids although I think some of those ornaments will be hard to part with.
3. An advent calendar filled with chocolates to countdown the days of til Christmas.
The girls and I stopped by the mall last Friday for a few things and while we were there we saw that Santa had already arrived. We weren't dressed for pictures that day but we did stop by and say hi to Santa. Aly refused to tell him what she wanted because her reasoning was that Santa already knows what she wants. Santa gave them a coloring book and a sign for our Window that says "Santa Stop Here" with lines on the back so that they could write their Christmas wishes down. Aly thinks that if it's on the list she's getting it. Yeah, right. She has her heart set on this dog "Biscuit". It's about $150 and it barks at you, wags its tail, etc. Never mind the fact that we have two real dogs of our own. If any of you remember the big pony (Butterscotch) that was set up at Target last year in the Toy section, well , Biscuit is the same concept. They also have this huge dinosaur for $250 that Ashley thinks she's getting. Sorry but I don't have the space to waste or money to blow and things like this. If it were up to Corey the girls would be getting contributions to their 529's from us and that's it. Sometimes he forgets what it's like to be a kid...did he want a contribution to his college fund when he was 4 and 2? I doubt it.
In closing for today I want you guys to tell me about some of your Christmas traditions.
My parents from Texas come in this weekend and will be here through the following weekend so we will be seeing them on and off throughout the next week. I have to work at Gymboree on Saturday evening so I am hoping Corey and the girls will get the tree out and put it up for me while I'm at work and then we can decorate it later in the week. We have some fun traditions while decorating the tree. The girls get 3 presents:
1. Christmas Jammies
2. A new ornament for the tree - my mom did this with us kids when we were living at home and then when we left the "nest" she gave us our box of ornaments for our own tree. I love this idea so I am doing it with my own kids although I think some of those ornaments will be hard to part with.
3. An advent calendar filled with chocolates to countdown the days of til Christmas.
The girls and I stopped by the mall last Friday for a few things and while we were there we saw that Santa had already arrived. We weren't dressed for pictures that day but we did stop by and say hi to Santa. Aly refused to tell him what she wanted because her reasoning was that Santa already knows what she wants. Santa gave them a coloring book and a sign for our Window that says "Santa Stop Here" with lines on the back so that they could write their Christmas wishes down. Aly thinks that if it's on the list she's getting it. Yeah, right. She has her heart set on this dog "Biscuit". It's about $150 and it barks at you, wags its tail, etc. Never mind the fact that we have two real dogs of our own. If any of you remember the big pony (Butterscotch) that was set up at Target last year in the Toy section, well , Biscuit is the same concept. They also have this huge dinosaur for $250 that Ashley thinks she's getting. Sorry but I don't have the space to waste or money to blow and things like this. If it were up to Corey the girls would be getting contributions to their 529's from us and that's it. Sometimes he forgets what it's like to be a kid...did he want a contribution to his college fund when he was 4 and 2? I doubt it.
In closing for today I want you guys to tell me about some of your Christmas traditions.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Not Snot
In response to Mom's comment I switched the family pic from my sister's wedding. No, that wasn't snot on Aly's nose...Jess said there was something on her lens that she would have to photoshop out.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Fa-la-la-la-la
Tis the season...I'm starting to get in a real Christmas-sy spirit. While the girls were with Corey's Mom and Dad this past weekend we went and saw the new 007 movie. It was pretty good although I thought the last one was better. We came home after that so Corey could do his "hour" of work...well the hour turned into six hours and we didn't end up going to bed until 2am. While Corey was working I took advantage of the time and got caught up on Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Making the Team and wrapped the girls Christmas presents.
I'm still really struggling with wanting to go back to work full time. I thoroughly enjoy the girls but I am much more career oriented and goal focused than I once thought. I will definitely go back at some point I just have a lot of criteria for the job to meet once I do decide to go back. As Hannah Montana says I want the "Best of Both Worlds". Who knows...my tune may change once the new baby gets here...at least for a little bit.
I'm hoping my "blue funk" of a mood will turn around soon. Maybe it's just all of these extra hormones that are making me feel so up and down all of the time. All I know is I am ready to feel like myself again. On the other hand, we do have some circumstances going on right now that are a little bit out of our control and not being in control is definitely something that I do not like. Pretty much my standard answer when anyone asks if they can get me anything I say "June".
On the bright side, here is a great family picture that my sister took at "my other sister's" wedding (see Jess, now Lulu is "the other sister"). With an adoring husband, two beautiful girls and a new baby on the way I have much to be thankful for!
I'm still really struggling with wanting to go back to work full time. I thoroughly enjoy the girls but I am much more career oriented and goal focused than I once thought. I will definitely go back at some point I just have a lot of criteria for the job to meet once I do decide to go back. As Hannah Montana says I want the "Best of Both Worlds". Who knows...my tune may change once the new baby gets here...at least for a little bit.
I'm hoping my "blue funk" of a mood will turn around soon. Maybe it's just all of these extra hormones that are making me feel so up and down all of the time. All I know is I am ready to feel like myself again. On the other hand, we do have some circumstances going on right now that are a little bit out of our control and not being in control is definitely something that I do not like. Pretty much my standard answer when anyone asks if they can get me anything I say "June".
On the bright side, here is a great family picture that my sister took at "my other sister's" wedding (see Jess, now Lulu is "the other sister"). With an adoring husband, two beautiful girls and a new baby on the way I have much to be thankful for!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Week In Review
The wedding was great, the car ride to Texas and back was a little taxing but all in all it was great trip! We had so much fun spending time with everyone and celebrating Les & Lou's wedding.
It was over all too quick and by Monday it was back to reality. It's been a pretty busy week this week as we've been dealing with one of our investment properties and the drama that surrounds that. God is faithful...I just need to remember that...sometimes it's hard when you're going through it though.
Hopefully I'll have some fun and interesting things to post soon. I kind of feel as though I am in a holding pattern right now waiting for some things to come to fruition and to see how God is going to work all of this out.
We get to have a "date night" Saturday night, the girls are going to stay with Corey's parents for the night so that should be fun but Corey has to work. From home and not til 8pm but it still kind of puts a damper on it.
Am I a ball of sunshine today or what? It's time for me to put my IPOD on, listen to some praise and worship and clean the house...and pray for a renewed spirit and attitude...I'd gladly welcome any prayers from any of you!
It was over all too quick and by Monday it was back to reality. It's been a pretty busy week this week as we've been dealing with one of our investment properties and the drama that surrounds that. God is faithful...I just need to remember that...sometimes it's hard when you're going through it though.
Hopefully I'll have some fun and interesting things to post soon. I kind of feel as though I am in a holding pattern right now waiting for some things to come to fruition and to see how God is going to work all of this out.
We get to have a "date night" Saturday night, the girls are going to stay with Corey's parents for the night so that should be fun but Corey has to work. From home and not til 8pm but it still kind of puts a damper on it.
Am I a ball of sunshine today or what? It's time for me to put my IPOD on, listen to some praise and worship and clean the house...and pray for a renewed spirit and attitude...I'd gladly welcome any prayers from any of you!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Last One!!
We are headed to Dallas early tomorrow for our last wedding of the year! Yea! We have gone to so many weddings this year it's starting to get ridiculous. But...this one's the most special to me since it's my baby sister's.
I've got so much to do and what I am I doing...procrastinating and blogging. Actually, I'm waiting on laundry, fun, fun! The dresses have been cleaned and they are ready to go, all three of us girls are in the wedding. Thankfully my dress still fits. We wore these same dresses for my other sister's wedding (My Juicy Couture...she's not the like the sister in the movie "My Other Sister") and fortunately it was a size bigger than what I had been wearing before I got preggo so at least I'll have some breathing room.
Here's to you baby girl...and Les"ter"! Love you guys! Can't wait!
I've got so much to do and what I am I doing...procrastinating and blogging. Actually, I'm waiting on laundry, fun, fun! The dresses have been cleaned and they are ready to go, all three of us girls are in the wedding. Thankfully my dress still fits. We wore these same dresses for my other sister's wedding (My Juicy Couture...she's not the like the sister in the movie "My Other Sister") and fortunately it was a size bigger than what I had been wearing before I got preggo so at least I'll have some breathing room.
Here's to you baby girl...and Les"ter"! Love you guys! Can't wait!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Cute Comments
The girls have had a couple of cute comments for us these last few days so I thought I'd share.
I was talking with Ashley the other night about the baby:
Me: "Ashley, pretty soon you'll get to feel "baby Joel" kick me inside my belly!"
Ashley: "And he will be spanked."
Aly was watching Corey get ready for work today and the conversation went like this:
Aly: "Daddy, where are you going?"
Corey: "To work, where are you going?"
Aly: "Shopping...boys work and girls shop."
I was in the other room cracking up...I don't know where she came up with that one from, I promise, it wasn't me! Must be women's intuition.
I was talking with Ashley the other night about the baby:
Me: "Ashley, pretty soon you'll get to feel "baby Joel" kick me inside my belly!"
Ashley: "And he will be spanked."
Aly was watching Corey get ready for work today and the conversation went like this:
Aly: "Daddy, where are you going?"
Corey: "To work, where are you going?"
Aly: "Shopping...boys work and girls shop."
I was in the other room cracking up...I don't know where she came up with that one from, I promise, it wasn't me! Must be women's intuition.
Drama, Drama, Drama
Happy November and hurray for daylight savings time...even though I'm up way to early! Last week was kind of a ridiculous week with a lot of working at the beginning of the week for Corey and then we started our Halloween out with a little baby drama mixed with some duplex drama.
The baby drama cleared itself up almost immediately after it started. I met my new doctor, he did an ultrasound and everything is perfect and progressing along just fine. I had a small subchorionic bleed in my uterus which causes on and off spotting...no big deal, right, I spotted my whole first trimester with Aly and then had a textbook pregnancy with Ashley so just about everything is "normal" for me during pregnancy. But when I woke up Friday morning there was a little more spotting than I was comfortable with, but just as soon as I noticed it, it went away. When the doc did the ultrasound he said it appeared to be "bleeding out" which means going away. Usually these small bleeds correct themselves and that's exactly what mine is doing. Praise God...I never doubted Him, I just love that God gives me extra opportunity for reassurance.
The duplex drama on the other hand continues and I really don't care to discuss it! I will say if I never have to hear the word "tenant" again I would be so happy! All I can say is thank God that He supplies all of our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!
Beyond the drama, the weekend turned out to be a great one. We headed over to Dad & Jamie's on Friday night for "Pigs in a Blanket" and Mac & Cheese before we went around the neighborhood with the girls to collect all of their "booty". I didn't get as many good pics I would like, the girls were a bit uncooperative. This was their first year to "Trick or Treat" and I think they were way too excited about getting out there than to pose for a picture...or five. We then met up with Corey's parents at their church for their Fall Festival. It was really nice but by the time we got there I had a splitting headache and wasn't feeling well at all so it was a little difficult for me to muster through the rest of the nights' events but I made it. With two little kids at home this 3rd time around pregnancy thing feels like it can really whip your butt at times! I am anxiously awaiting the 2nd trimester.
We went to a "country" wedding on Saturday. It was extremely simple but nice. The bride and groom were so happy and that's all that mattered. The could have cared less about having an actual wedding, the were ready to go to the courthouse but I guess the bride's mom insisted on it.
Yesterday was a church filled day. Corey and I are finally starting to get plugged into our new church and meet people. We are both working in children's ministry, I am developing and teaching curriculum to the 3-4 year olds and he is working with the 5-11 year olds doing skits and just helping out wherever needed. The church seems like it gets bigger every week. Just a few years ago they were a church of about 300 and at our Super Sunday service last night I think someone said we had 4,000 come through the doors of both campuses that morning. On the first Sunday of the month the church brings both campuses together for a Super Sunday service in the evenings. It's amazing to see what God has done with this church in just a short amount of time. They had over 1200 kids sign up for the Faith Fest (Halloween celebration) Friday night. I think because of all the kids that showed up Friday night we really packed them out on Sunday. I had over 40 3-4 year olds in my class yesterday for the 10:15 service...that's only in one service, they have two other services at the Central campus on Sunday mornings. Corey said that there were 137 kids in the 5-11 year old class that he did yesterday morning. It's a bit overwhelming at times but we feel really excited and blessed to be a part of something bigger than us.
So what's on tap for this week? I have a "scheduled" doctors appointment today. Lots of errands between now and Wednesday. We leave super early Thursday morning for Texas. My baby sister gets married this Friday. Enjoy the few pics I was able to get of the girlies in their Halloween costumes!
The baby drama cleared itself up almost immediately after it started. I met my new doctor, he did an ultrasound and everything is perfect and progressing along just fine. I had a small subchorionic bleed in my uterus which causes on and off spotting...no big deal, right, I spotted my whole first trimester with Aly and then had a textbook pregnancy with Ashley so just about everything is "normal" for me during pregnancy. But when I woke up Friday morning there was a little more spotting than I was comfortable with, but just as soon as I noticed it, it went away. When the doc did the ultrasound he said it appeared to be "bleeding out" which means going away. Usually these small bleeds correct themselves and that's exactly what mine is doing. Praise God...I never doubted Him, I just love that God gives me extra opportunity for reassurance.
The duplex drama on the other hand continues and I really don't care to discuss it! I will say if I never have to hear the word "tenant" again I would be so happy! All I can say is thank God that He supplies all of our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!
Beyond the drama, the weekend turned out to be a great one. We headed over to Dad & Jamie's on Friday night for "Pigs in a Blanket" and Mac & Cheese before we went around the neighborhood with the girls to collect all of their "booty". I didn't get as many good pics I would like, the girls were a bit uncooperative. This was their first year to "Trick or Treat" and I think they were way too excited about getting out there than to pose for a picture...or five. We then met up with Corey's parents at their church for their Fall Festival. It was really nice but by the time we got there I had a splitting headache and wasn't feeling well at all so it was a little difficult for me to muster through the rest of the nights' events but I made it. With two little kids at home this 3rd time around pregnancy thing feels like it can really whip your butt at times! I am anxiously awaiting the 2nd trimester.
We went to a "country" wedding on Saturday. It was extremely simple but nice. The bride and groom were so happy and that's all that mattered. The could have cared less about having an actual wedding, the were ready to go to the courthouse but I guess the bride's mom insisted on it.
Yesterday was a church filled day. Corey and I are finally starting to get plugged into our new church and meet people. We are both working in children's ministry, I am developing and teaching curriculum to the 3-4 year olds and he is working with the 5-11 year olds doing skits and just helping out wherever needed. The church seems like it gets bigger every week. Just a few years ago they were a church of about 300 and at our Super Sunday service last night I think someone said we had 4,000 come through the doors of both campuses that morning. On the first Sunday of the month the church brings both campuses together for a Super Sunday service in the evenings. It's amazing to see what God has done with this church in just a short amount of time. They had over 1200 kids sign up for the Faith Fest (Halloween celebration) Friday night. I think because of all the kids that showed up Friday night we really packed them out on Sunday. I had over 40 3-4 year olds in my class yesterday for the 10:15 service...that's only in one service, they have two other services at the Central campus on Sunday mornings. Corey said that there were 137 kids in the 5-11 year old class that he did yesterday morning. It's a bit overwhelming at times but we feel really excited and blessed to be a part of something bigger than us.
So what's on tap for this week? I have a "scheduled" doctors appointment today. Lots of errands between now and Wednesday. We leave super early Thursday morning for Texas. My baby sister gets married this Friday. Enjoy the few pics I was able to get of the girlies in their Halloween costumes!
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