Last Monday With Mom

Since Jenna is off on Monday I decided to take our Mondays and really make them as special as I could (I did this with the boys too but did not keep a good "record" of it). Every Monday morning we head to gymnastics then on to something fun. Sometimes we went shopping, out to lunch, got our toes done. Sometimes Daddy was home so we would spend time with him. Today was our last opportunity to spend the day together alone since Jenna will enter 1st grade this year. The Lord really blessed us with a great day at the Georgia Aquarium. They had a special going that gave us free parking and a great price on admission. It was not crowded so we were able to really enjoy it. Our favorite was Grace the Otter. She was so funny and we stood there for a long time watching her show off. Jenna also loved the whale slide and has decided she wants to spend the night there sometime (they actually do that). Don't know about that one.

As most of you know, my life is about to really change and I am not liking the phase at all. All my kids will be in school all day, every day and I will have two middle schoolers. For 14 years I have had a preschooler in my home. Always someone to be with and take care of. What I am excited about is watching what my children are becoming. I am excited to watch the boys grow and change into young men. I am so overwhelmed with thankfulness for all the Lord has given me and will embrace this phase because I know another one will be around the corner!

Happy (belated) Birthday Jenna

On May 5th Jenna turned 6. Wow. No more preschooler. She's moving on to be such a "big girl". We had a pizza, pajama, and pedicure party with all her Kindergarten friends and boy did we have fun. We painted 70 little toes that night and the girls danced to Hannah Montana. Here's what's going on in Jenna's life these days:

1. Hannah Montana. We saw the movie opening night and I really liked it.

2. Her dog Angel.

3. Friends-she is very social and loves all her friends.

4. Taking showers and putting on PJ's.

5. Lost her first tooth a couple of weeks ago.

6. Loves church and her new Adventure Bible.

7. Likes to play her Nintendo DS.

8. Can read really good and does great in school.

9. Wants to ride a horse.

10. Enjoys watching movies and eating popcorn.

Jenna, we love you so very much and are so blessed by you every day!

Diva Day

Today Jenna and I had a great morning at a new Belk that opened near us (finally- something close to us)! They had "Diva Day" where you got your make up done and the girls could walk the red carpet and get their picture taken. It was fun and the new Belk is very nice. There is a Target in the shopping center too. I've already been there 3 times this week! I'm in serious trouble. We had a good morning even though it's cold outside!

Our Little Angel

Tuesday night Jenna's school had their Christmas performance. The title of the performance was Let's Dress Up For Christmas. She had the part of an angel. It was such a good performance and her part was precious. Her lines were:
"Wake up, I've got good news." and
"Glory in the highest cause peace has come to all."

It's amazing how God can speak through little children. Our pastor shared a message on reconciliation that was very powerful. He shared how Christmas can be a tough time of year for so many people especially when families get together. Sad, but true. We must remember that a baby was born long ago to bring peace and reconciliation to the world. It's also the perfect time to remember:

"GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST CAUSE PEACE HAS COME TO ALL!"

Friday was Jenna's Christmas party and, as usual, there was a lot of food and fun. Her class is so precious.

First Day of Kindergarten-BTS Part 3

Today was Jenna's first day of Kindergarten at our church preschool. I'm so glad she's going 4 days, 1/2 day. It was a very rainy day (thankful for that) but a great day for all the students. They went right in and got to work! We're going to have a great year. Jenna has lots of friends in her class and great teachers!

Now, finally, since July 31st I have all three kids settled in school! I'm ready for a nap!!!

I Cried, Jenna Didn't

Almost 2 months ago (wow!) we got Jenna's ears pierced for her 5th birthday. I could not believe how well she did. I got all teared up at my big girl in that seat smiling from ear to ear! She didn't even flinch. They gave you a sticker and a bag that said: "Just got my ears pierced." She loved carrying that bag around. She cleans them a couple times and day and I don't have to worry about a thing except making sure the back is on good. She has pretty little pink flower earrings and we're ready to put her new cross earrings in very soon.

It's Great To Be 5!!

Tea party with Alexis.


Pool party at Reece's.


Jenna and Carter at Jump Zone.


Jenna and Trinity.


It's been party month at our house. There were so many babies born at our church in may of 2003 that they need their own Sunday School class-Ha. We had a lot of fun going to all the different parties and celebrating all our friends turning 5!

Happy Birthday Jenna

It has been crazy around here for the past 11 days. So much to blog about...so little time. I'll start with Jenna's party Friday night. We had a BEAUTIFUL night. Jenna had a horse theme to go along with the "Kentucky theme" for our week. We had pony rides and bunnies to pet. It was so nice to have so many friends here
(16 kids to be exact). Noone was afraid of the ponies and rode several times!

What I Prayed (wished) For

Almost 17 years ago I married the man of my dreams. 12 years ago we were blessed with a son. 9 years ago we were blessed with another son. I thought that was it for us. I wanted a girl so bad but didn't think that was in God's plans for us. We decided after much prayer that we wanted a third child and would be so happy with whatever the Lord gave us. I still prayed for a girl. Then, I couldn't get pregnant. A couple of years later we got pregnant and after an ultrasound on December 23rd of 2002 we found out our gift was a girl.

To my Jenna:
Our third child
God's precious gift
Such a beautiful smile
and warm personality
You light up any room
You always make friends
You love Annabell
And your family
Your kind heart makes me cry
You brighten my day
You make me laugh
You complete our family
I love you

Happy Birthday Jenna!

I'm no poet but this is what I feel today.

Cinco The Tree

Since Jenna was born on May 5th the doctor commented she was a Cinco De Mayo baby. I had no idea what that was. Yesterday Jenna called me to say she had planted a tree (crepe myrtle) with her Daddy and named it Cinco. How cute! Our Cinco baby turns 5 this year on 5/5. What a cute idea! It will be fun each year to take her picture by Cinco.

My Dad

(Picture taken right before going to Dad's Desert Night at Jenna's preschool.)


Monday I took Jared to the dentist so Jenna was home with daddy. When we got back home I noticed her fingernails. I told her how pretty they looked and she said, "Daddy did it". I just laughed and wished I had been home to get a picture of that. Apparently they had quite a time. They played Poly Pockets, Cinderella match game, and other "girly stuff". One of the cutest things they do is a dance "routine" that they call Dancin' With the Stars featuring Dad and Jenna. Momday night she was in her Belle costume doing her routine. It was precious.

So, I knew it was going to happen. We were at Jacob's game last night and someone commented on Jenna's nails. She said, "Thanks, my Dad did 'em." I looked over at David and have never seen his face so red. How sweet that Jenna is so proud of her Dad. It's such a joy to watch David with all our kids. I'm so blessed.

Tea Party

Saturday we went to a 5th birthday party for Reece at a children's boutique in a local city. It was very cute. They had a room for dress up and a room with a table all set up for the tea. Of course, all the girls had a good time dressing and eating peanut butter sandwiches, cheetos, grapes, and having pink "tea" (lemonade). Jenna had fun also riding to the party with her friend Savannah (beside her at the table) while Jodi and I got some girl talk in!

Friday Fun Day

This is Jenna and Annabell. Annabell is her most favorite, sweet baby girl (as she says). She goes everywhere with Jenna. She even takes her to the church nursery where she puts her name on her back and gets a security card! One of our favorite things to do is take Annabell to different stores while I run some errands. I have to make sure I'm not in a big hurry, though. Friday we took Annabell to Academy Sports and the mall. We also had a very important trip to make to Party City to check out birthday themes! I hope I will always remember these trips and how Jenna pushes her baby around in her stroller. (By the way, Annabell has a twin now but we don't have a double stroller!)

Black, White, and a Bear

Today was black and white and "bring your favorite bear" to school day. We had to rummage through Jenna's closet to find something black and white but I think we came up with something pretty cute. Her bear won "fluffiest bear". They also went on a bear hunt (remember that song?). I have to say I just love the preschool years (hey, maybe that's why I am a Preschool Director). Everything is so simple. Don't get me wrong, it's challenging and we have our moments, but these years are just so precious.

We Have Everything We Need

Today I was fixing Jenna's lunch and she all of a sudden said, "We have everything we need at this house. We have a T.V., fruit, kitchen stuff, and popcorn." I paused for a minute and thought, "Yes, Lord. We have everything we need-even popcorn. Thank you so very much." Then I said, "We sure do, Jenna. Isn't God good to us?"

Thank you, Lord for reminders through our children.

Friday Fun Day

Last Friday (I'm out of order because I have so much to catch up on), Jenna and I had our first annual cookie bake. I have been trying to do this for years but I could never get the boys to get into it-Ha. We had such a great time-we baked and baked and baked. My sweet friend Penny gave me the adorable snowman mixing bowl stuffed with cookie cutters, kitchen towel, and sugar cookie mix the Sunday before for Christmas so we were good to go! Don't you love the apron? I picked it up on a major sale.

Someone's Having a Birthday

Every year I look forward to the Bright Beginnings Preschool Christmas musical. It is so fun to watch and there is nothing like preschoolers to bring the true meaning of Christmas. Jenna was totally into it again this year and sang her heart out. Especially when they sang :"Glory, hallelujah." Sticking her tongue out at the boys, however, was not so cute (but pretty funny). By the way, that is a REAL bow on her head! Thanks Melody Haynes, our music teacher and my dear friend, for all your hard work.

Thanksgiving Feast

I'm catching up a little on my blogging. The week before Thanksgiving Jenna had a Thanksgiving feast at her preschool. Preschool programs are so cute. It was a good reminder to: "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise." !!

Baby Girl

Jenna and I love a song by Martina McBride called "Daughter's Eyes". This morning we were listening to it and she said:
"I like it when you take me to school, Mommy"

"I like taking you to school too, baby girl. I just love being with you."

"I'm not a baby."

"No, you're not, but you will always be my baby girl."

"When I go to college will I still be your baby girl?"

(As the tears come to my face) "Yes, you will even be my baby girl when you go to college."

Then, we opened the door to go to school and she said; "You sure look beautiful today."

What a great moment to have this morning. Ladies, keep blogging! I did not have this 12 years ago and I did not write much down like I thought I would before children!

Also, last night she was cleaning the table and I said, "Jenna, can I just say what a big helper you are around the house? You have really been working hard lately."

She said, "Go ahead, speak it up!". Don't we all love praise?

Friday Fun Day/Our Little Cheerleader

Jenna has really gotten into cheerleading. I got her a uniform to match Jacob's school because, as you know, we have been going to quite a few football games lately. Last night we had so much fun at the fall festival, watching her cheer, and have fun with the "big" cheerleaders. Earlier in the day Jenna and I had fun running errands, eating lunch, and going to the mall to Claire's-her favorite place these days.