not too shabby

...for my first time of couponing.

I am trying to figure this thing out and while i have a ways to go- this ain't bad... ;)

Embrace the Camera- June 23

it's been a while...

but fear not: i still have the cutest family.

I haven't done Embrace the Camera in a while, but here i am...It's hard to get a good picture of us lately b/c D is always reaching for the phone and my big nice super awesome camera has been stolen.

WOMP.

so, are you ready to embrace the camera?

here's the nitty gritty:

1. take a picture with you and your kids/spouse/family member/friend/whatever.

2. blog about that picture and include a link to this blog, or grab this button.

3. link your blog post up on the link tool here.

4. visit the other embracers...give each other lots of compliments about how good we look

5. have fun!

Winter

it seems appropriate that i am JUST NOW posting these pictures from Christmas. it is ONLY a

**tribillion**
degrees outside and it is only the beginning of JUNE.

But after my wonderful sister in law sent these to me over the weekend, it made me miss the mountains and the fun time we spent there over Christmas.

GREAT family time where playing cousins

turned into kissin' cousins:

fun times with the Cox's:

SO-until that crisp air rolls back around, you can find us here:

doing this:



with a little bit of this action:

and LOTS of this:

Happy Summer y'all!

i told you...

...that he was the cutest.

...that he was super silly.

...that he loved any sport.

...and that he is ALL BOY.

kids are silly

new fascination:

eating things off the table or off the ground directly.

will he take what you are giving him in his hand?

yes.

But 'PLEASE MOM', (he speaks so clear for a 20 month old!) 'let me just do my thang...'

No hands.

No fork.

Nothing.

just a new little nuance he is in love with.

Goldfish? he'd rather put the mouth the ground.

chicken? PU-LEASE! So much better off the table directly.

less work?

maybe... YOU be the judge.

kids *are* silly...

buddies

Even at a young age, i am grateful for good buddies for my little man. These two are so goofy together and intentionally try to make each other laugh. She calls him "Davy" and he calls her "Ick" for Mik... They chase each other, shake their heads at each other, constantly say "No" and cant get enough hugs & kisses from each other. Literally, she pins him in the corner to kiss him...he IS cute, but come on! ;) kidding...

They take toys from each other, bonk heads, and just laugh all the time.

I pray these two stay close forever and always enjoy each others ' company, like we do with her parents. They TRULY are the best friends anyone could ask for.

Darlin' little punkin pies... (there is my southern coming out)

new sports

my kiddo is so smart, he is coming up with new sports. i present to you:

water golf...

Happy summer!

Separation Anxiety

...it the new black. (is it? false...)

What is with that? i thought just babies got this but i have had a *serious* case of separation anxiety from my little one lately. This full time working mom thing is hard. You feel *guilty* for working, *guilty* for not doing enough, *guilty* for leaving, *guilty* for having others watch him. You just feel like poop of a mom. though in reality, you aren't. (remind yourself that when you feel like you are losing your nerve...)When you aren't with them, you wish you were and you wonder what you are missing or what other people are teaching them or what THEY get to see and play and experience with them. OH THE TWISTED WEB WE WEAVE...

BLEEEEH...

I keep telling myself that this WILL get easier one day. I love my job. I love what i do. i love the people that i work with, but i feel like even on my kid's worst day, i want to be the one to take care of him. Not someone else. And i don't want to have to take PTO to do it. TRUST me. when you have a sick kid, that is NO PTO day...

This little dude is a treasure. I love every minute with him. I've just been feeling the pinch and pull lately.

my little hambone...

these are a few of my favorite things...

somebody cue Julie Andrews and the Von Trapp family.

I just realized that i have lived at my new hizzle for rizzle for 6 months and have posted hardly anything about it. So here are a few of the things i am starting to do to make it my own.

Cue the turquoise room with the crazy glass table and centerpiece.

What is that holding the centerpiece of flowers together you ask? bird seed.

l-o-v-e it.

Another fav? yard word with these two:

such a good helper.

favorite place to sit is the garden. It is peaceful huh?

i am diggin my garden:

wall of crosses: typical? Maybe. But i like mine...

i like my mantel, although i think it still needs something:

i like this part of my kitchen:

this picture is also in my kitchen.

old bench in my breakfast room. This might be my favorite room in the whole house:

and the view from said bench:

some of my favorite pictures:

and what current house is complete with out a windowless window on the wall?

antique find:

I am really wanting to do a chalkboard wall, but not sure where yet. And if i get really antsy for a project, i might pull my sewing machine back out and try to make something. That would mean i would have to remember how to sew, but you never know. it could happen.

silly little article

"Regrets, I have few"

Since I had my first child three months ago I've dealt with an endless string of sleepless nights, the relentless cycle of feeding and pumping and changing and comforting, and the slow realization that my life will never be the same again. Now that I've emerged from the fog of being a new mommy, I have a few things I need to say.
I want to start by apologizing to my vagina. I just... I just didn't know what was going to happen. I thought it would be easy. All my life I'd been told I have "child-birthing hips." That turned out to be a dirty lie. I pushed for three hours, and I put you, dear vagina, through hell. I did my best to protect you, and I apologize. I can only hope that the bad feelings between us can be healed. This relationship has gotten really painful, and it's been weeks now. Please let the healing begin.
I'd also like to say I'm sorry to my husband for all my inappropriate name-calling in the delivery room and the resentment I felt because I had to carry our child for nine months and you didn't.I will have sex with you again someday, don't hold your breath or anything, but we'll get there. I'll wear attractive lingerie again as well. These grandma underpants aren't forever!
And honey... about my boobs. While I appreciate your attempts to touch them, try to understand that they are not for you at this time. These are working breasts, they are under construction at the moment, and we appreciate your patience. It's funny: I can see a mixture of fear and delight in your eyes at the size of them. And trust me, they are something to fear. I never thought a boob could dwarf the size of my baby's head, but it is true. Little Emma's bravery in attacking them day after day is impressive. I must apologize to her as well. I had no idea they would operate in a sprinkler fashion, and I have sprayed her in the face many, many times. But the way she fights through it is quite something.
I apologize to every woman whose baby shower I attended before I became a mom. All those useless stuffed animals and baby booties I bought... well, I'm sure they might have come in handy at some point, but I should have stuck to the registry and gotten things you truly needed.
I apologize once again to my husband, this time for criticizing you about the way you dress our daughter. I know she's my very own personal doll come to life, and I like to play dress-up. But you make such weird choices. Why would you put her in a sweater when it is 85 degrees outside? It's the middle of the day-a night-gown really? It's bedtime, sweetheart, why is she wearing a hat? I recognize this is not America's Next Top Model, but I do ask you to think about what makes sense sometimes. That's all.
I must apologize to every new mom ever bumped into before I had a baby for judging your appearance. I mentally criticized your old sweatpants, your over sized T-shirts, and your haphazard ponytails. I figured you just hadn't taken the time to get ready before you went out or were in dire need of a makeover. Now I understand those precious minutes you savor when the baby goes down for a nap- the desperation to make the most of them. I could shower! I could eat! I could sleep! Check my e-mail! Work-out! Do laundry! Have sex! (Well, maybe not just yet, but...) I could do so much if she would just sleep a little longer. Then, inevitably, there's that sound through the baby monitor. (Stop.Wait.Listen.) Was it for real?... That was just a sneeze, right? ... She's not up,right?... Oh, please, I'm almost done eating, the coffee's finally ready, I thought I could shower. Just five more minutes please. Just... nope. She's up. She's hungry. She's wet. She's something. And once you've got her fed and changed and played with her, you're on the clock to get that errand done before it all unravels again. I get it now: There is absolutely no time for a blowout or blusher, I was a complete jerk, and I am sorry.
I see how people look at me- with that mixture of pity and disgust- in my old nursing tank covered in spit-up and the same maternity shorts I wear every day. I'm like the Elephant Man. I put my daughter in fancy clothes to compensate for the monster pushing her around. I see the stares. I know what you're saying. Well to heck with you, you small-pants wearing Miley Cyrus fan. I just had a baby. I am not always this fat!
I guess I should apologize for my anger but in solidarity with new moms everywhere, I'm not going to.
But I would definitely like to apologize to my former self, I always thought I had a few pounds to lose and could look better. I never knew how great I had it. What I wouldn't give to fit into my old clothes again! I look at them longingly day after day. Hi, jeans. Hello, Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress. You were all so good to me. (sniff)
I should have slowed down and enjoyed my freedom more when I had the chance. I used to beat myself up if I slept past eight or stayed out too late. I was a fool. A fool. What did I know? Oh, to do anything at all at a leisurely pace- shop, eat, read a newspaper- and anything without having to wear a monitor. Waiting. Listening. For her.
While I'm sending regrets I should apologize to my pre-baby boobs for not appreciating them enough. They were a great pair of boobs- not to big, just enough decolletage. And now... sigh... who knows what will be left of them once I stop nursing? I'm sorry, former boobs. I truly am.
I'll never be sorry about deciding to become a mother, though. There may be no going back to my old body or my old lifestyle, but having Emma is worth everything I've had to give up and then some. But you already know that.

Mom-ent

Story: I got up early to go work out! (yay me!)

I forgot my bra and underwear and had to go back home. (WOMP)

Didn’t realize that until I was in the shower at the YMCA AFTER my work out. (BOOOOO.)

Got home changed clothes and Davis was awake (yay!)

I got him up and fixed him breakfast. (fun!)

I said “Davis, mommy has to go to work. I LOVE you!” (aww)

He got up and hugged me, NO KIDDING, for 5 minutes. It made me cry. It was sweet.

Honestly, it was like he knew exactly what I needed. Last week I was having a lot of guilt for feeling like I was gone a lot and was missing so much of the little things of him growing up and the day to day, and this being my busy season at work i am working longer hours, etc. I hate not seeing and teaching the little things to him thru-out the day. Who gets me?

Guilt-o-rama...

I know that is silly and that is probably what most ALL full time working moms deal with, but when I said “Davis, Mommy has to go to work!” He got up (we were just sitting in the kitchen floor eating breakfast), and this sweet lil punkin pie got up, walked over to my lap, hugged me and didn’t let go with his head on my shoulder for 5 minutes. Matt was smiling and I was crying. Like a newborn. I could cry again just thinking about it.

SO sweet.

Veggie Tales

This kid for real loves Veggie Tales...and dancing...

He is so cute...

i call this my 'ketchup' post

...b/c i am about to blow ya mind with all of my posts...uh, huh...

Nothing much has happened in the last couple of months MINUS:

me starting a new job,

Davis getting 7 new teeth all at once Lord help us,

doing crazy amounts of yard work,

having lots of snow in January and February,

doing some reorganizing,

me turning 28,

Matt turning 34,

Davis in swim lessons,

me deciding to run another half marathon and then not training for it

(will it happen? stay tuned...i don't even know the answer to that),

buying a new lawn mower,

planning a golf tournament,

me painting a mural-esque thingy on Davis' wall (pictures to come),

losing an amazing babysitter to college (WOMP),

buying a new dresser for our room and a new TV for our bonus room,

working from home more, among other things.

Life is just SLOW these days.

BUT, it is sunshiney and we get to wear short sleeved shirts,

take walks,

throw rocks,

take picnics,

deck time,

go to the zoo

and work our little buns off.

This reminds me of CAMP:

I love this:

My Child,

You may not know me,

but I know everything about you.

Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.

Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.

Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.

Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.

Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.

Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.

Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.

Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.

Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,

for all your days are written in my book.

Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth

and where you would live.

Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.

Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.

Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented

by those who don't know me.

John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,

but am the complete expression of love.

1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.

1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child

and I am your Father.

1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.

Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.

Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.

James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.

Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.

Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless

as the sand on the seashore.

Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.

Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.

Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you

with all my heart and all my soul.

Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.

Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,

you will find me.

Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you

the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.

Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you

than you could possibly imagine.

Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you

in all your troubles.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,

I am close to you.

Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,

I have carried you close to my heart.

Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away

every tear from your eyes.

Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain

you have suffered on this earth.

Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you

even as I love my son, Jesus.

John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.

John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.

Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,

not against you.

Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression

of my love for you.

1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved

that I might gain your love.

Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,

you receive me.

1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you

from my love again.

Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party

heaven has ever seen.

Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,

and will always be Father.

Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…

Will you be my child?

John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.

Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad

Almighty God

Promises Promises

i AM going to blog again.

You ALL were WAITING by your computer mad at me...right?!

I have so many things to update on that i

don't

know

where

to start

...maybe i will wait a little longer....

Until my return, I will launch a site called wherethecrapisJenna.com

Don't forget...

...about this post:

Calling All Moms

If you have EVER been pregnant or SUSPECTED of being pregnant or been told how to parent your children or had terrible things said to you b/c people

verbally threw up

on you, i need to know.

I am working on a FABULOUS project.

But i cant do it without you and your stories.

Click that little link above and let me hear your story.

ASAP. :)

Tell all of your friends.

Tell your friends' friends.

Recruit your followers.

i promise you wont be disappointed.

Or just tell all of your friends' stories.

Grab that lil button to the side.

Grassy.

So much to talk about

Just when you think the cuteness has stopped, keep watching.

i love this kid.