Party 2

Jenna's birthday was a week ago and I am still posting pictures. I hate going through photos and editing and resizing and all that. Takes so much time! I'm always happy when it's done!

So here's party two. Just a simple family get-together at my Sister-in-law, Tera, and her husband, Fred's place. Grandparents, Aunt and Uncle and us. Swimming, homemade pizza and lemon cake with white frosting and chocolate ice cream- all Jenna's requests. It was a very hot day so swimming was definitely a very nice activity for the afternoon. Too bad we didn't have any swim diapers for Alex. He sat outside for a bit and was turning red fast so I had to bring him back in. He would have loved to swim, he's a water baby.

Jenna got two movies and a video game from us and an Xbox Live card from Aunt Tera and Uncle Fred. She was so happy to get the XBox Live card! She has been wanting one so badly so that she can play games online. Grandma and Grandpa took her shopping at Old Navy for some new clothes that she desperately needed. It was a good birthday!

Party 1

We had two parties this year. I wanted to make sure to do something special on the actual birthday and then we had our family get together on Saturday. Everything was nice. Relaxed. Not stressful. loved it. I am just so much happier when I can plan a simple, easy-going party. No worries.

Our little family dinner consisted of burgers, pasta salad and chips. Then we had brownies and ice cream for dessert and Jenna got to open one of her presents from us and her gift from Nana and Papa. She loved everything she got and was very grateful. That made me happy. :) Alex was so cute just staring at the decorations.

Then she went to her best friends, Sydney and Jordan's, house for a sleepover that turned into a two night sleepover complete with a trip to the pool. They gave her a watercolor set with beautiful colors and a How to Draw Manga book. They are always so sweet and thoughtful to consider her artistic talent when they buy her gifts. I sure do miss having them as neighbors.

Anyway, we gave her a unicorn Webkinz and she got money and a necklace from Nana and Papa. And here are the pictures I took that day. I'll get the one's from Saturday up soon.

9 years ago

My heart melted as I heard the doctor announce that the baby I had carried for 9 months, my first baby, was a girl.










And my life was forever changed. :) Happy Birthday Jenna!

almost 9 months

I'm always editing photos of Alex just a tiny bit to enhance his blue eyes. However, I wanted to leave this one untouched to show you that his eyes really are blue! Aren't genetics strange? Who would've ever thought Eric and I would have a blue eyed child? Click the photo to see the larger image :)

My Giggly Boy

new post

On my weight loss blog: http://tobeanexample.blogspot.com

Been really busy the last few days. So that's all I have right now. Much love!

Getting Healthy

I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying the exercise I have been getting. I especially love the running program I started because it gets me out of the house and into the fresh air! Every time I finish my workouts I just feel so good about myself and I get excited about the weight that I'm losing. I can feel my body getting healthier and that is just one of the best feelings I've ever experienced. I still cannot believe that I have been doing what I've been doing! I never imagined I would start a program to train my body to run 3 miles. It's crazy.

Eric has been doing better, but he is still suffering the effects of a Crohn's flare-up. This has definitely made life difficult for us. It's stressful and has put a strain on our finances, but we are doing what we can to make it. He finally has filed for disability, which takes a little while to process, but hopefully he will be approved. We really want him to be able to get on disability payments and go to school in the fall while working part time. I will probably need to work part time as well, which I'm not thrilled about... in fact I'm pretty sad about it, but I will do what needs to be done. Meanwhile I'm looking for ways to earn some extra income from home.

The in-laws recommended a book called The Inflammation Syndrome: The Complete Nutritional Program to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, Arthritis, Diabetes, Allergies, and Asthma which is meant to show you ways to change your diet in order to improve your health and the symptoms of many diseases. So we're planning to look into that and see if it helps Eric's symptoms, but also to improve everyone's diet. There is a great health forum for those interested in all aspects of health and illness, there are lots of information about natural and alternative ways of dealing with health problems. A valuable resource for getting ideas and networking with other people who are looking to improve their health through natural medicine.

It just feels so good to be getting healthy!

My wrists hurt

I think I'm getting carpal tunnel syndrome. Too much time at the computer, I guess! Not that I'm surprised. Actually, I think it has more to do with the fact that I'm actually blogging on a regular basis lately!

I'm getting geared up for the summer! I've printed off daily morning and bedtime To Do lists for the kids in hopes that I will get everything done each day that needs to get done. The most important items on those lists are the prayers and Bible readings... plus the tooth brushing. We all need daily tooth brushing and Bible time!

I'm excited to start the summer reading with the kids. I really hope that reading every day will be a great vocabulary builder for the girls, but for Jenna especially. A larger vocabulary is always a positive thing!

Enjoy your weekend!