tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72679276798294521372024-03-19T05:15:26.496-05:00Full of Hopedespite the lingering fear and doubt of what is or is not to comeoliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-24537017266127383632010-02-23T19:49:00.001-06:002010-02-23T19:56:10.504-06:00Just doing a little catching up<p align="left"><strong>Pictures in this blog have nothing to do with the actual blog~just wanted to post some recent pictures. :)</strong></p> <p align="center">Hey, hey, hey! I cannot believe that I haven’t written in so long. I have been running around crazy the past week or so. Last week I helped my friend, Adrianne, out some with her 2 boys. They had a rough week to deal with. Adrianne’s cousin, Shane Northcutt, was murdered last week. His father is the Mayor of a small town here in Arkansas, Malvern. Shane’s parents have been divorced for over 10 years and this was the Mayor’s only son. Shane’s mother, had 2 kids from a previous relationship, a son and a daughter. The thing that makes this situation even worse is that her daughter died about 7 years ago as a result of a car accident. So Libby, Shane’s mom, has now lost 2 out of her 3 children. I cannot even begin to imagine how incredibly hard this has to be.   They have already made an arrest in this case, so that does help to know that the killer is not out running the streets.  Please keep this family in your prayers as they deal with this tragedy. I kept Adrianne’s boys when they got out of school while the family was getting together and during the visitation. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S4SG0RBFAAI/AAAAAAAABnI/ykwW1ncFqzo/s1600-h/IMG_3200%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_3200" border="0" alt="IMG_3200" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S4SFlIsWaoI/AAAAAAAABnM/xtqBCL-I9yc/IMG_3200_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="316" /></a> </p> <p align="center">This week, Olivia and I will be going to my Aunt and Uncle’s house and babysitting their 2 girls Wednesday-Friday. Abby and Mary Claire are AWESOME girls and Olivia loves spending time with them. I am excited to be getting to spend some time with them. They are in the 4th and 5th grade and that is such a fun age. The beginning of the pre-teen years. It will be alot of fun. We went over there yesterday to get all the information and the house keys and Olivia just cried and cried when we left. She didn’t understand that we would be coming back on Wednesday. She loves kids and sometimes I feel guilty that she is at home so much and not around alot of other children. Part of me thinks she would do amazing at preschool or mother’s day out. Then there is part of me that is scared that she would just cry all day.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S4SFlQc96FI/AAAAAAAABmI/RV5z1vrU_NI/s1600-h/IMG_3276%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_3276" border="0" alt="IMG_3276" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S4SFl_5o6RI/AAAAAAAABmM/hici1XdVjA0/IMG_3276_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="480" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Thursday morning a small group of women from my church are going to start getting together with an amazing, Godly woman, Debbie,  to begin a Bible study. There is only about 5 or 6 of us and I think this is something that we have all been wanting to do. I am so glad that Debbie has obeyed what the Lord is asking of her and taking a step in faith to do this. I think that God has alot that He wants to teach us and Debbie has alot to pour into us. I am a little bit biased though, Debbie is my mentor. I have learned so much from her already. She is very gently in her approach. I am excited to see what she is going to teach us as a group. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S4SFmjFcHxI/AAAAAAAABnY/cyLMryHoIeM/s1600-h/IMG_3624%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_3624" border="0" alt="IMG_3624" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S4SFnE1btqI/AAAAAAAABnc/RbsGQzxSOAs/IMG_3624_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="452" height="306" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Guess that is all I have to say for now. I am not very interesting lately. I just don’t have an exciting life! ha! I will try to update this week with pictures while we are with my cousins. Olivia is going to have a blast! She is so excited to go over there and play Barbies! Our Poppa made Abby and Mary Claire a big doll house when they were younger. They still have it up in their playroom and Olivia plays with it every time we are there. Aunt Lindsey told me today that the girls are giving it to Olivia!! I don’t know where we will put it, but we are sooo excited about getting it!! Olivia is excited to be able to play with it 24/7, but I am excited about getting it because my Poppa made it and that makes it sooo much more special. We want to keep it in the family so my kids will play with it, then when Abby and Mary Claire have their own children, we can pass it back to them. It is a very special thing. My grandfather is soo very talented! When I was Olivia’s age, he made me a rocking horse. We stored it in a storage building at my other grandmothers house once and she gave it to her daughter…my dad’s half sister. I was so sad that I didn’t have it anymore to pass it on to my children. So the fact that I am getting something else that he made is just really special. He has also made Olivia a stool with her name on it that is very special.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S4SFnnre44I/AAAAAAAABnk/UzN-kfEDGm4/s1600-h/IMG_3306%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_3306" border="0" alt="IMG_3306" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S4SFoKabeeI/AAAAAAAABno/M0568WWPOqY/IMG_3306_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="255" /></a></p> oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-78472753058760028912010-02-10T23:26:00.002-06:002010-02-10T23:34:35.053-06:00Letter to myself<p>I have seen a few people do this on their blogs so I thought I would give it a try. If I could write a letter from myself NOW to myself before I met Ben, it might go something like this:</p> <p>Dear Jenny,</p> <p>Take a deep breath! Relax! Enjoy the ride! Time goes entirely too fast. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU3Dz5UxI/AAAAAAAABhk/CsfuQWyPPd4/s1600-h/the%20family%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline;" title="the family" alt="the family" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU3pH4UwI/AAAAAAAABho/U7WGSaT7Cws/the%20family_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" width="377" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>First, CLEAN YOUR ROOM! You will be glad you did and you will enjoy the neatness. One day all too soon you will have your own place to keep clean so get in the habit NOW. The man you marry will NOT be messy and WILL like a neat house. </p> <p>Enjoy the time living in your parents house. Quit trying to come up with ways to get out. Again, one day really soon you will move out and very quickly start a family so enjoy where you are now. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU4NC7sPI/AAAAAAAABhs/rq86QDcJ7Q4/s1600-h/me%20and%20the%20parents%5B34%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline;" title="me and the parents" alt="me and the parents" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU4jUtbWI/AAAAAAAABhw/-W8xx2r4_hI/me%20and%20the%20parents_thumb%5B32%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" width="377" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>Spend more time downstairs with your mom and dad. Invest more in your brothers. There will come a time when they will need you and the relationship you could have with them. Do not judge any of them. Everyone deals with things differently so do not judge them if they deal with them differently than you would have. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU41r6ZyI/AAAAAAAABh0/jzoIZwXRHOU/s1600-h/brothers%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline;" title="brothers" alt="brothers" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU5diBogI/AAAAAAAABh4/pbNwl_1RDIo/brothers_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" width="377" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>Get over him! He will move off, come back, live with your family, and then break your heart. Do not try to remain friends~in the end it doesn’t matter. God has something in store for your life bigger than you can dream. Do not waste your time sick over him. He is a liar, he will not change for you, he only cares about himself. Harsh words, but you know they are true. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU5q-E5SI/AAAAAAAABh8/BJEORl3_s-s/s1600-h/close%20me%20and%20dad%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline;" title="close me and dad" alt="close me and dad" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU6aKrp5I/AAAAAAAABiA/qUaKWOYNduA/close%20me%20and%20dad_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" width="377" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>You will not marry every guy you date, even though you feel like you could. Don’t rush relationships. Don’t give so much of yourself so quickly. Don’t say yes just because you are lonely. God does have a plan for your life and you will figure it out. You do not have to be married now, you do not even have to have a boyfriend. Learn who YOU are first, because it will make it that much easier when you have to learn someone else. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU6itJwGI/AAAAAAAABiE/BYapRWd35WM/s1600-h/mom%20and%20me%20bw%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline;" title="mom and me bw" alt="mom and me bw" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU7MUv3DI/AAAAAAAABiI/loBeNjKCcRQ/mom%20and%20me%20bw_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" width="377" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>Cherish your relationship with Stephanie. She will remain your best friend. Anna will always be a part of your heart. Your children will play together one day. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU7WzRiBI/AAAAAAAABiM/xU9BJTnorCo/s1600-h/steph%20and%20me%5B13%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline;" title="steph and me" alt="steph and me" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU7w-U-XI/AAAAAAAABiQ/tQPFeW4f2UI/steph%20and%20me_thumb%5B11%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" width="409" height="568" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU8TG5e-I/AAAAAAAABiU/p7PnRlYVYhQ/s1600-h/anna%20and%20mee%5B12%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline;" title="anna and mee" alt="anna and mee" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU9DipT8I/AAAAAAAABiY/fdxUs77djXw/anna%20and%20mee_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" width="377" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>Spend more time with your grandparents. Go see them on your own. You do not always have to have a reason or someone to go with you. They would love to see you anytime. Time is not guaranteed and you will regret it if you don’t get to know them. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU9V500kI/AAAAAAAABic/wUGOMF9n9NY/s1600-h/grandparents%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline;" title="grandparents" alt="grandparents" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU9xv3DnI/AAAAAAAABig/UCXa13QceBI/grandparents_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" width="377" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>Don’t spend so much time dreading church. There will come a time in your life when you are hungry for what God has for you and will seek out “more” . Do not worry about your church situation. God has you where you are now for a reason and will take you some place “new” very soon. Keep in contact with old Victory friends, they will soon be your 2nd family. Do not keep God in a box. He is going to break down all paradigms and religious thoughts and build up HIS foundation in your life. Do not be so judgemental and closed minded~you will soon be one of “those” people. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU-crUn4I/AAAAAAAABjE/odF_RAjPmyg/s1600-h/the%20girls%5B18%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline; width: 475px; height: 368px;" title="the girls" alt="the girls" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU-8eS5oI/AAAAAAAABjI/13qULa35kLk/the%20girls_thumb%5B16%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Quit playing around with college. Take it seriously and get finished. It is an opportunity that you will not have again for a long time. Go to classes, do your homework, study!!! You end up with plenty of time to do it so go for it. Give it your all. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU_O93ITI/AAAAAAAABis/vnqfEbdinPE/s1600-h/MEE%5B18%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline;" title="MEE" alt="MEE" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OU_7d3ukI/AAAAAAAABiw/ElFjSsyotSQ/MEE_thumb%5B14%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" width="312" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>Enjoy healthy days. Very soon migraines and kidney stones will come along and throw you for a loop. Remember what it is like “before” . </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OVAMrETWI/AAAAAAAABi0/njzOA9ZM73A/s1600-h/husband%5B11%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline;" title="husband" alt="husband" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OVAs-L1wI/AAAAAAAABi4/eTXnzrgeVQ4/husband_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" width="377" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>Get rid of the fear, guilt, and any other emotional issues that you have. You ARE worthy. You are beautiful in God’s eyes. You CAN do this. There will be someone watching your move quicker than you realize and you will want to instill Godly emotions into her. Open up your heart. Be a hugger. Be touchy feely. Be romantic and hopeful. Soon your husband will need that. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OVBBPyTQI/AAAAAAAABi8/gHegRyeXbpM/s1600-h/poppa%20walking%20me%20in%5B11%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline;" title="poppa walking me in" alt="poppa walking me in" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3OVBvw-OnI/AAAAAAAABjA/IlwpbtgGgBs/poppa%20walking%20me%20in_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" width="339" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>Last of all, trust God with your heart. He is a gentleman and will never hurt you. Stand in faith for the things you want and believe in. Not all things will come easy. Depend on Him. Trust HIS timing even when you do not agree or think He has forgotten. He hasn’t and never will. His timing is always perfect. </p> <p>Love,</p>oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-82175052718451617712010-02-10T17:26:00.002-06:002010-02-10T17:26:56.929-06:00Just Another Day<p>Not much to blog about today. Ben went back to work. It looks like most things are back to normal. We do still have alot of snow/ice on the ground, but the roads are clear. The city of Little Rock has done a great job at getting out and making the roads safer for those that have to be out on them. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3NAhLt3jtI/AAAAAAAABhM/FgfKI7d09xU/s1600-h/IMG_3792%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline; width: 439px; height: 322px;" title="IMG_3792" alt="IMG_3792" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3NAhhoqXNI/AAAAAAAABhQ/_wbHEsJKGe0/IMG_3792_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We spent most of the day today out and about. About 9pm last night, Olivia and I loaded up and went to my parents house to spend the night. No particular reason really, just tired of the looking at our 4 walls. It was a nice change of scenery and of course, Pop and Meemaw LOVED having Olivia there. Pop even stayed up late to see Olivia. We had taken a late nap so Olivia was not tired and very hyper when we got there. She is always excited when we go over there ~or anywhere for that matter~because we usually take the blow up bed and “camp out” in the living room. She thinks that is the coolest thing. It was after midnight when she finally settled down and went to sleep. Then around 12:30 the snow plow truck came through the neighborhood one last time with their lights flashing and loud noises. I am very thankful for them and their hard work but 12:30!!! This morning my brothers girlfriend, Linsey, was leaving for work at 5:30am and couldn’t get over the big mounds of ice/snow that the truck had pushed to the side of the road so my brother and Dad had to go out and help her. I think I finally fell back asleep around 7:15 when my parents left for work. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3NAiEes1XI/AAAAAAAABhU/9OYXPcq88bg/s1600-h/IMG_3794%5B13%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline; width: 481px; height: 292px;" title="IMG_3794" alt="IMG_3794" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3NAiphMZzI/AAAAAAAABhY/Gt1bh-z_-SM/IMG_3794_thumb%5B11%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Olivia and I ate at Subway today. That is one of our favorite things to do together. We share a sandwich and coke and sit in a booth just the 2 of us. Fun times. Afterwards, we went next door so I could see the doctor for a couple of things. Olivia did great. They brought her colors and a coloring sheet to keep her occupied. She was so proud of it and gave it to Dr. Pickett to hang with the others on her bulletin board. Then she got stickers and a sucker. Made her day. What made my day is that I am down 6lbs! I know it’s not a ton but it is a start!! Just enough encouragement for me to keep going!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3NAi4gf21I/AAAAAAAABhc/ieq83Q61Hys/s1600-h/IMG_3800%5B12%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline; width: 439px; height: 277px;" title="IMG_3800" alt="IMG_3800" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3NAjZ6jEwI/AAAAAAAABhg/WswvLwY6UR0/IMG_3800_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Ben is home from work now so I am going to start dinner. Tacos tonight I think. Church is cancelled for tonight so we are going to enjoy relaxing together as a family. They are calling for more snow/sleet tomorrow evening into Friday. Saturday clear and snow again on Sunday. I will be SO very thankful when Spring is here. This has been a rough Winter! Fun, but rough!</p>oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-39756629404352364272010-02-09T16:22:00.001-06:002010-02-09T16:22:29.940-06:00Windows Live Writer<p>Well I am trying out something new. I am so tired of trying to move photos around on blogger. I read on a blog community about Windows Live Writer~turns out I had already installed it when we first got our laptop but have never used it. I am going to try to remember to use it from now on. I think it will be much easier and hassle free. :)</p> <p>We woke up Monday morning to snow. Not just a dusting either~like 3 inches! For central Arkansas that is unheard of! Olivia and I got out and played, but most of the day it was raining also. We have sun today so alot is melting but the temperatures aren’t getting any higher so we will probably have some refreezing tonight. Ben is home from work today and we have had a LAZY day. I am ready to get back to normal around here. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3HgI_CNMeI/AAAAAAAABhE/x7hehhMtgmc/s1600-h/IMG_3795%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_3795" border="0" alt="IMG_3795" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/S3HgJf_RtUI/AAAAAAAABhI/dRTs2AY_6ek/IMG_3795_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="441" height="319" /></a> </p> <p>I think I will like Live Writer~</p> <p>Olivia just shut herself in the bathroom so I must run~when potty training that is not always a good thing!!</p> oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-74881190846211766832010-02-01T14:53:00.003-06:002010-02-01T15:08:37.755-06:00Finally! Found something!<div style="text-align: center;">I have been wanting to read my Bible more lately. I had even talked to Ben about getting a yearly Bible and reading it together at night. There is so much that I do not know about God's word and so much that I do know that I have forgotten! I was posting my Family post this afternoon (scroll on down to read it~it's good!) and I saw that I had 2 comments on another blog post. That led me to <a href="http://blessingsamidchaos.blogspot.com/">Patrice's</a> blog. I was so excited to see the journey she is embarking on starting TODAY!! Read the Bible in 90 days!! This is exactly what I have been looking for. She has each weeks readings laid out for us and you can link up and have encouragement along the way. What a great way to do this! I am excited to be a part of it! Thanks <a href="http://blessingsamidchaos.blogspot.com/">Patrice</a>!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.blessingsamidchaos.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="blessing amid chaos" src="http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp4/jpdbj/90-days.png" /></a><br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Jenny/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" /><br />Here is this weeks readings:<br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>Monday:</strong> Genesis 1:1 through Genesis 16:16</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>Tuesday:</strong> Genesis 17:1 through Genesis 28:19</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>Wednesday:</strong> Genesis 28:20 through Genesis 40:11</span> </p><p align="center"><strong>Thursday:</strong> Genesis 40:12 through Genesis 50:26</p><p align="center"><strong>Friday:</strong> Exodus 1:1 through Exodus 15:18</p><p align="center"><strong>Saturday:</strong> Exodus 15:19 through Exodus 28:43</p><p align="center"><strong>Sunday:</strong> Exodus 29:1 through Exodus 40:39</p>oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-56060268979221742822010-02-01T08:08:00.001-06:002010-02-01T14:46:43.605-06:00Famiily<div style="text-align: center;">There is a family that we are very close to. I have known Jason and Nicole since I was in the 5th grade. I played basketball, volleyball, and was a cheerleader with Nicole in junior high and high school. Her and Jason dated almost all through high school and have now been married for over 10 years. Their very first child, Keaton, holds a very special place in my heart. I was his nanny for the first 10 months of his life.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKT5fINGOdVtvocoshDsLZxEhhc217aQn726Dp8unBh66zk1kJBCgJHB3z6AMN0zKqUaUS1q3FkiZU8F8YGRvIKun-pShAIHoieahhDf325l_miiGkG4DWmTgdxwvvfq8TXXMj3n213Q/s1600-h/IMG_3323.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKT5fINGOdVtvocoshDsLZxEhhc217aQn726Dp8unBh66zk1kJBCgJHB3z6AMN0zKqUaUS1q3FkiZU8F8YGRvIKun-pShAIHoieahhDf325l_miiGkG4DWmTgdxwvvfq8TXXMj3n213Q/s400/IMG_3323.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433096762117752786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Keaton Nicholas, 6 years old<br /><br /></span>While I was keeping Keaton, Nicole got pregnant with her 2nd child. I kept Keaton until September and in December she had Isaac and started staying at home with both boys.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrPfcmuks-Hl6OzpBUI2pOOWOruJMrS9_G7SReMiGMOsPi4rMoBMw9l8uZywFkYI6701PvMwaAZrTxPrH3pY3XMs8cpAV1wd7UC-YxJQL8CPkIb4xuoHukaB98aoNtrFFRBgHHQqoM10/s1600-h/IMG_2890.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrPfcmuks-Hl6OzpBUI2pOOWOruJMrS9_G7SReMiGMOsPi4rMoBMw9l8uZywFkYI6701PvMwaAZrTxPrH3pY3XMs8cpAV1wd7UC-YxJQL8CPkIb4xuoHukaB98aoNtrFFRBgHHQqoM10/s400/IMG_2890.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433098089805829826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Isaac Michael, 5 years old<br /></span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Not only did I "work" for their family, but was best friends with them. Jason is a great friend also. He has just been a great support through some very tough times in my life. I have so much respect for him. A couple years later they had their 3rd child, Carder. Olivia and Carder are only 6 months apart and have a true love/hate relationship. They are best buddies one minute and the next they are fighting like brother and sister.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDrYh6eEHzQ54WpbCJt27QFcoCXQ-Ht5X9AoBPXl26u1f3X6IBi7XmED1EWhyphenhyphenbDXTHzV5NhxsgrUlW40zQBp3AURbjUmax_uIvXukLcW6kyI0OyGWioBx2gNp3ysC4GH77DUMp0c-42s/s1600-h/best+buds.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 326px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDrYh6eEHzQ54WpbCJt27QFcoCXQ-Ht5X9AoBPXl26u1f3X6IBi7XmED1EWhyphenhyphenbDXTHzV5NhxsgrUlW40zQBp3AURbjUmax_uIvXukLcW6kyI0OyGWioBx2gNp3ysC4GH77DUMp0c-42s/s400/best+buds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433096754060992466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Carder Ellis, 4 yrs old</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When Carder was about 2 or so Nicole got pregnant 2 more times and they both ended in miscarriage. The first one was very early on in the pregnancy, but the 2nd time, she was 20 weeks along and had gone in to find out the sex of the baby when they found that she had lost it. That baby was a little girl. Jason and Nicole were heartbroken. They trusted God though and knew that He had a plan for their family. They made the decision that they were done having biological children. They wanted to foster/adopt. They went through <a href="http://thecallinarkansas.org/">The Call</a> and very quickly their home was open for placement. A couple weeks after their home being officially "open" they got a call about a brand new baby girl that needed a foster home. They weren't sure for how long or what the outcome would be. Nicole and Jason said yes. Nicole actually picked up the baby girl from the hospital and brought her home. She was 3 days old. She was a "crack" baby and they weren't sure who the father was or what, if anything, would be wrong with her. Her name was Rical. Everyone opened "baby rikki" into their home and hearts. We have a very close group of friends and we were all so excited to have a new baby around. Olivia is the only girl of the group. We all felt that God had placed this baby in their home and that she was here to stay. Jason and Nicole were hesitant to get their hopes up. After several "no shows" from the biological parents, the courts terminated their rights.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxv1AQEqFV-kU3FGxsqXK_1oNqZbN5culpnvF27EzkKkM8jvAWmhX2-JJuwJ-lGJ8Oe8hZo-u8k-FrUyB4G7DidMt0V0R3yX7feV0KF19Y3b5lWyGsCI8oYjJAnVKoku0jfyEiD76eX1c/s1600-h/Ella+Joy+Stone.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxv1AQEqFV-kU3FGxsqXK_1oNqZbN5culpnvF27EzkKkM8jvAWmhX2-JJuwJ-lGJ8Oe8hZo-u8k-FrUyB4G7DidMt0V0R3yX7feV0KF19Y3b5lWyGsCI8oYjJAnVKoku0jfyEiD76eX1c/s400/Ella+Joy+Stone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433096750426493298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ella Joy, 8 months</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Last week, on January 27, 2010, Jason and Nicole became the parents of this baby girl. A mere 8 months after bringing her home from the hospital. Ella Joy is now a part of this family with 3 older brothers! She is blossoming and is beautiful and we are all so very excited for our friends. I babysit for them alot and have really enjoyed getting to know this baby girl. Because Olivia and Ella Joy are the only girls out of all the kids my friends and I have, I am really trying to encourage a relationship between the 2 of them. I know they are 2 and 1/2 years apart but when they get older that won't matter. Nicole and I are 4 years apart and are very close. Nicole was Matron of Honor in my wedding and we have talked about are kids growing up together like we have. It is awesome for us both to have daughters now and we hope and pray that they grow up to be best friends and maybe one day be in each others weddings. I love Keaton, Isaac, Carder, and now Ella Joy as if they are my own children.<br />Congratulations!!!<br /></div>oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-20169423684211013882010-01-31T19:42:00.004-06:002010-01-31T20:08:46.904-06:00Snowdy daysWe have been home all weekend because of the snow/ice that we got on Friday. I have to say that I was shocked that we actually got something. The weather people always say that we will and we never do! So when it actually started snowing on Friday afternoon I was pretty excited. Olivia had never actually played in the snow so I wanted to make sure she got a chance this time. We have never had anything stick for her to go out in. She was so excited to see it falling. We have her wagon on the balcony and she kept going over to the door and seeing if the snow was still falling in her wagon. Today when everything was finally melting she was so disappointed to see the wagon with water in it and no snow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGXWseo0gXYZVca07vzRH-OHIvkYEtxvCLS4buXWzOdihyphenhypheneysfv9qNsk9L7LSgB0rbtnR8roqxsjIftdbCxI9EcHk8ZEcyjpN4PXvwppAR_V8xsHO9MTI7Lo4J5mCjPy4v3MXDi4N62E/s1600-h/great+of+daddy+and+olivia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGXWseo0gXYZVca07vzRH-OHIvkYEtxvCLS4buXWzOdihyphenhypheneysfv9qNsk9L7LSgB0rbtnR8roqxsjIftdbCxI9EcHk8ZEcyjpN4PXvwppAR_V8xsHO9MTI7Lo4J5mCjPy4v3MXDi4N62E/s400/great+of+daddy+and+olivia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433089445567337602" border="0" /></a><br />Ben was supposed to go to our church's men's retreat up North for the weekend. He had taken off of work on Friday and was planning on leaving at noon. He was so disappointed when they cancelled it Friday morning. It all changed so fast on Friday afternoon. One minute it was barely sleeting and the next it was snowing hard. They are probably going to go this coming weekend instead. So, Ben ended up with just a day off. I am glad that he had taken off for the retreat because if he hadn't of done that then he would have had to go to work on Friday. It was nice to have him at home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptPJhez6QiUyZWzBI8T1q5QEGpkokZDcFAH-c-TrYKvcMQsANsVqc07BMJYucCgRKdtTKl_zKUdUJpryJ20bMPh3Hgd7EZfjFG9Qa0H3-mSsb02QPXQtt_LmEn1f2a6xIDrqpe51uiCE/s1600-h/mommy+and+olivia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 369px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptPJhez6QiUyZWzBI8T1q5QEGpkokZDcFAH-c-TrYKvcMQsANsVqc07BMJYucCgRKdtTKl_zKUdUJpryJ20bMPh3Hgd7EZfjFG9Qa0H3-mSsb02QPXQtt_LmEn1f2a6xIDrqpe51uiCE/s400/mommy+and+olivia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433089435825630322" border="0" /></a><br />We stayed inside all day Friday and then later that evening I realized that we hadn't taken Olivia outside. We were just going to wait until Saturday, but I was a little afraid that we would wake up Saturday morning and it would all be melted. Sooo, we all bundled up at 9:30pm and headed outside. With the ground being covered in snow, it was really bright outside. I took my camera out and got some good pictures. Olivia LOVED it!! She made snow angels.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZn5sggT9ZGORaZkNHqxlDOSDVmUcdeS4fCBE32nF3tqHXCCQfgFr_7AcDt_QWvK3Qh0rxVpVRNzPK46cn2XR7M_kPKTfVplOXrLn-TswJcgUfjDqc7tEDoDHsvDemhgW1tJKS9AQMWzU/s1600-h/2nd+snow+angel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZn5sggT9ZGORaZkNHqxlDOSDVmUcdeS4fCBE32nF3tqHXCCQfgFr_7AcDt_QWvK3Qh0rxVpVRNzPK46cn2XR7M_kPKTfVplOXrLn-TswJcgUfjDqc7tEDoDHsvDemhgW1tJKS9AQMWzU/s400/2nd+snow+angel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433089453096772322" border="0" /></a><br />She tried to make snowballs to throw at me. The snow was very dry and most of it was ice so it didn't pack very good at all. The thing that she was fascinated with was seeing her footprints. Because the bottom layer was ice, everytime she would step the ice would crack. So she kept saying she wanted to see her footprint cracking. It was funny. we couldn't find both of her gloves before going out so I stuck socks on her hands. She laughed at me at first and thought I was so silly, but once we got out in the cold, she was glad to have them on! We stayed out for about 30 minutes and then had to drag her back in. She DID NOT want to come back in.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49L1Jd9lCF58ofoExSDNZPFoSq3F9OaY75tLZKrlHnYSVfmOtu5r0po_iOB_E0LDvKgi6Im6pLgAuzFbaCIPcUjx5d5IkiCm5x5YQP-YRancMoFe6Z9r_HGPBHJhau1pcgK4pPkd7MJs/s1600-h/beautiful+angel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 366px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49L1Jd9lCF58ofoExSDNZPFoSq3F9OaY75tLZKrlHnYSVfmOtu5r0po_iOB_E0LDvKgi6Im6pLgAuzFbaCIPcUjx5d5IkiCm5x5YQP-YRancMoFe6Z9r_HGPBHJhau1pcgK4pPkd7MJs/s400/beautiful+angel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433089419966603890" border="0" /></a><br />We had planned to get up Saturday and go out but we never did. It snowed alot of the day and we just stayed in the warm house.<br />Today our church still had church, but we didn't go. I had not been feeling too great all weekend. I had what I thought was a bladder or kidney infection. I had them the whole time I was pregnant with Olivia and was actually on antiobiotics for them the entire 9 months, so I knew what it felt like. I was needing to go to the grocery store this afternoon but just didn't feel good and was starting to have alot of discomfort. Well, ends up it wasn't an infection, I ended up passing a kidney stone!!! I have had major issues with kidney stones in the past~even have had lithotripsy~I knew that I still had alot of stones I needed to pass but it has been a while since I have had any problems. I kept the stone that I passed so that I can take it to my urologist to have it analyzed. I really want to know why my body is making them.<br />I went on to the store and cooked the rest of the afternoon. I had to make dinner to take to a friend in playgroup that has a new baby boy, Emory. Olivia went with me to take dinner to them and did not want to leave. They also have a 2 year old son, Paxton, that Olivia has been in playgroup with since she was 1. She wanted to stay and play with him!!<br />We are home now after making a run through Starbucks. Yummy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3A0VuwJrGjmKgcnMiUVecpGG4Mx4F0e5ianKDy3_gDRQQQEDwhitNBEOgrsseKJMWtvtskP175aF4zE84laUjQTzKvy4ROSdA7_0FdsbPFUhIuxbrG4EtIJRu4O2XVgk7MKyhF8wVCTI/s1600-h/Evans+Family+Snow+2010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3A0VuwJrGjmKgcnMiUVecpGG4Mx4F0e5ianKDy3_gDRQQQEDwhitNBEOgrsseKJMWtvtskP175aF4zE84laUjQTzKvy4ROSdA7_0FdsbPFUhIuxbrG4EtIJRu4O2XVgk7MKyhF8wVCTI/s400/Evans+Family+Snow+2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433089428051905026" border="0" /></a><br />I think this week I am going to try and get out more with Olivia. We used to go to playgroup alot and to storytime at the library. It has been a long time since we have done either one and I think although Olivia doesn't realize what she is missing, I know she is missing out by not going. One thing I always wanted to do when I wanted to stay home was be able to go do all these things~now that I can~I don't. So I am going to try and start making that change.<br />Hope everyone had a safe weekend. I am ready for life to get back to normal and move on to Spring!!! We had our snow/ice for the season and it is time to move on!oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-68165961042957267322010-01-29T02:31:00.005-06:002010-01-29T03:14:40.357-06:00Good...Morn...um...Night....Mornight!That's it! Good MornNight!!! It is 2:32 AM so although I should be saying Good Night to most people, technically it is Good Morning! I have been staying up ENTIRELY too late the past few nights. I have always been a night person but this week I have taken it even further. The main reason is because I have been staying up and playing the New Mario Brothers on the Wii~lame~I know. It is a great game though and it has elements of all the past Mario Brothers from older consoles added into this one game. I have really enjoyed it AND Ben and I have been enjoying doing something together. You see, most of the time, Ben is in the living room watching tv or playing xbox and I am in the bedroom on the computer, watching tv, or snuggling with Olivia. Olivia tends to go back and forth between the both of us. So this week Ben and I have joined forces and have been spending time in the same room! What?!?! I know~shocking!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />You see, in the beginning of our marriage, almost 4 years ago, I didn't think there was anything strange about the fact that we had this "set-up" I ended up pregnant after 6 weeks of marriage, so alot of the time I was napping or propping my feet up and wanted to do it in my own bed, watching what I wanted to be watching. I also went to bed earlier in those days so it just worked out better for us. After Olivia was born, I tended to stay back in the bedroom because she was very colicky and I didn't want her crying to bother Ben. He went to work all day everyday so I didn't want him to have to come home to a screaming baby. As Olivia got older, she would watch cartoons on our bedroom TV and I would stay back here with her. We never made it a priority to change our now formed habit. We didn't think anything of it anyway.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9SyhB6cKOROPZbzPIOmqkg99kAMSYK8NwAwq5WdX2zqN5LXdY_hQUIyv4Mcq560yaA4wNI7H3xQTDnRdi1BVO_bagMJh6AnVqB-MqZIMLBDFb4-bE4n8gGUoBJTtNIvxT4T2j-2L-UA/s1600-h/poppa+walking+me+in.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9SyhB6cKOROPZbzPIOmqkg99kAMSYK8NwAwq5WdX2zqN5LXdY_hQUIyv4Mcq560yaA4wNI7H3xQTDnRdi1BVO_bagMJh6AnVqB-MqZIMLBDFb4-bE4n8gGUoBJTtNIvxT4T2j-2L-UA/s400/poppa+walking+me+in.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432085652563099330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:78%;">the moment I was "given" to Ben by my family<br />March 18, 2006<br /></span></span></div><br />My mom was the one who pointed out that it was weird for us, as newlyweds, to spend so much time apart. I would laugh it off and just say that it worked for us. And it did. At first. Even now, it is not so much that it is not working for us but rather than we have developed separate lives. Sure we live in the same house, go to the same church, sleep in the same bed, but that is about it. We are cordial to one another and try to keep up with what is going on with each other, but we aren't really interacting with each other. I don't think I know anymore about what is going on with my husband than I do what is going on with my friends.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShT7gaOuQiqOuoNrN1PWeqTOn9ITOmHMHPYKO0FvX8Gdrpl5nyH75LDVqr9ceMbdl9K68LI1ElW30atUg4b_TVZWkg5hVP_OU-FcsBgqT4XktzX9Oj1i-WY0oQ0fKY9nm9RoKtAuhNk8/s1600-h/the+wife.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShT7gaOuQiqOuoNrN1PWeqTOn9ITOmHMHPYKO0FvX8Gdrpl5nyH75LDVqr9ceMbdl9K68LI1ElW30atUg4b_TVZWkg5hVP_OU-FcsBgqT4XktzX9Oj1i-WY0oQ0fKY9nm9RoKtAuhNk8/s400/the+wife.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432085660070106978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:78%;">The happiest day of my life<br />March 18, 2006<br /><br /></span></span></div>It could work for us~we could continue on this way and probably be just fine. But I do not want just a "fine" marriage and relationship with the man that God has put in my life to share it with. God intended for us to know each other intimately~in more ways just one. God designed marriage for 2 to become 1. I want that in my marriage. I want Olivia to grow up knowing what that looks like. I do not want seeing her mom and dad hug and kiss each other to be the exception instead of the rule. I want to change this now.<br /><br />I believe that God has started showing me this because He wants me to address it. God wants more for Ben and I's marriage than what it is currently. There is SO much more to marriage than what we are experiencing. There are levels of knowing one another that we aren't even close to understand just yet.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Neither Ben nor myself had the perfect picture of what marriage is supposed to look like shown to us by our parents. Ben's parents divorced when he was in junior high and although my parents are still together for over 35 years, they definately have had their share of ups and downs. I do not want to look back in 35 years and regret what we have taught to our children regarding marriage. I want to show my kids what a God-centered, love giving, affection showing marriage looks like. My marriage should come FIRST after God and before anything else. And let's just tell it like it is~right now it is not coming first.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41uIcxA1TEBKypLoHEqxQOJl3hunFcIXOxeTOI8LDYmozAY7AtMn6hfjUuMrtXHzmfDmojjBNm2Z9vA8OmiJKafLZdolruK9hbT2I54_xzEHpB6SKAZMG22J68KAIvT-VN3v20Mrvgdc/s1600-h/my+husband.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41uIcxA1TEBKypLoHEqxQOJl3hunFcIXOxeTOI8LDYmozAY7AtMn6hfjUuMrtXHzmfDmojjBNm2Z9vA8OmiJKafLZdolruK9hbT2I54_xzEHpB6SKAZMG22J68KAIvT-VN3v20Mrvgdc/s400/my+husband.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432086656053330690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Very proud to call him "husband"<br />March 18, 2006<br /></span></span></div><br />I write all this as a first step. I am committing right now to pursuing a more Godly marriage. I vow to begin to take steps in making my marriage a priority in my life. I want to show Olivia what it means to love unconditionally and wholeheartedly. I ask God that right now you begin to start a new work in Ben and I. I surrender my time, thoughts, and intentions to You and ask that You direct them as You see fit. Show me the choices to make in order to start this process. Stir me on, pour me out. I want Ben to know without a shadow of a doubt that his wife loves and adores him. I want his home to be a safe haven for him and not somewhere that he dreads coming home to. I want to be the kind of wife that he dreams of having. I want to be for Ben what he needs. I love Ben and I am so thankful for the gift I have been given in him. Lord, do not let me ever take him or our relationship for granted again.oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-89409276549378887022010-01-25T21:50:00.002-06:002010-01-25T22:03:49.909-06:00New LookFinally! Christmas is over here at Full of Hope!! I have been wanting to have a new look but wasn't sure if I should invest in it because I don't update very often. But after Christmas I hated the thought of going back to the ol blogger headers so I contacted <a href="http://adesignoffaith.blogspot.com/">Faith</a> about giving me a new look. She was awesome to work with and I am so pleased with how it all turned out. This is something I am proud of and I think it will make me want to write more. So thank you so much <a href="http://adesignoffaith.blogspot.com/">Faith</a>!! If you are looking for a new look you should definately head on over to <a href="http://adesignoffaith.blogspot.com/">A Design of Faith</a>! You will not be sorry!<br /><br />On to other news~I have been potty training for the last couple of weeks. Olivia is doing great. I started the week she was going to turn 3 and it seemed to just click with her. I had tried about 6 months ago and she would have NO part of it. I let it go and I think that was the key to her doing so good~waiting until SHE was ready. We have had very few accidents and she pooped in her panties 2x and now she has that down too. I was afraid that might take a while but it really didn't. I am sooo very proud of her!! There are times when she wears a pull-up when we have alot of errands to run, but other than that she wears panties. The pull-ups are really because of me~I am afraid that I won't get her to the potty in time if we are out. She probably would do just fine. She has done really good at telling me and then waiting until we get to a potty. I need to have confidence in her and just put them away. She still wears a diaper at night, but I know that very soon we will be done with those too. Most nights she wakes up dry in the mornings. I never thought she would be potty trained!! Next on our list is getting her to sleep in her own bed! We are taking it one thing at a time though!! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_XZUzlgj8bXiKoZbKP0B20OZaCKSZnzM0J2LbGaZ59zYkB7CaahukfW_u4yQs9E0liQZP2kXz8glWFTi-Q0Wu_z0nHK9hZ9VyXYddPI34x-zXcV75lyKPa-GekgKc6tPKczZeR4LxAY/s1600-h/potty+chair.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 367px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_XZUzlgj8bXiKoZbKP0B20OZaCKSZnzM0J2LbGaZ59zYkB7CaahukfW_u4yQs9E0liQZP2kXz8glWFTi-Q0Wu_z0nHK9hZ9VyXYddPI34x-zXcV75lyKPa-GekgKc6tPKczZeR4LxAY/s400/potty+chair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430894227494306066" border="0" /></a>oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-1313535249134808342010-01-23T04:38:00.004-06:002010-01-23T04:45:57.092-06:00Give Me Your Best ShotFirst...I promise the Christmas will be gone VERY soon!! :)<br /><br />I am attempting something I have never done before. I am trying to learn photography~on my own. I got a new Canon Rebel T1i for Christmas from my husband. I am IN LOVE with this camera. I don't know anything about taking pictures. I have found A TON of blogs with tutorials and that has helped tremendously and I am now attempting to get out of "full auto" mode. I know this camera has GREAT potential. So I am trying all sorts of new things.<br /><br />Sooo...today I am linking up to <a href="http://http//betterinbulk.net/?s=Give+me+your+best+shot">Better in Bulk</a> and her Give Me Your Best Shot. I took Olivia out to our playground behind our apartment this week and while she played I tried my hand at some "manual" photography. Trying out some of what I learned. I got a few good shots and I think this is one of them. I then played with it a little in Photoshop Elements. WOW there is a ton to learn with that too!!<br /><br />So it's not much but I am pleased and think it was my best shot this week. Let me know what you think and any tips would be SOOO appreciated!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSeEar7KJ4L2O1kji-nc9j0QJCPax8hE4UYZwWBzDOBGZgE5rwyoTr5Ei9G-7zLtVwKd7pURwVh28WXiqlCuuPWiC_gKdTMcErcvt1PhXTu9yZmJTiAZXCWP75A-wL5wPVtbqvn5diPc/s1600-h/swings+edited.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 393px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSeEar7KJ4L2O1kji-nc9j0QJCPax8hE4UYZwWBzDOBGZgE5rwyoTr5Ei9G-7zLtVwKd7pURwVh28WXiqlCuuPWiC_gKdTMcErcvt1PhXTu9yZmJTiAZXCWP75A-wL5wPVtbqvn5diPc/s400/swings+edited.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429884265313936802" border="0" /></a>oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-84711871517126180602010-01-17T00:05:00.004-06:002010-01-17T00:09:35.059-06:00Something new and 3rd birthdaySo I am sure you are wondering when I was going to decide to take Christmas down around here at the blog...well I am working with <a href="http://adesignoffaith.blogspot.com/">Faith</a> over at <a href="http://adesignoffaith.blogspot.com/">A Design of Faith </a>and I am sooo excited to see what she comes up with! So very soon is when Christmas will come down!<br />Olivia turned 3!! I cannot believe my baby girl is 3. Her birthday is January 15 and we celebrated today (16th) with friends and family at Chuck E Cheese. It was crazy, but fun. I am working on the pictures from the party and will get them posted soon and tell you all about the party. That just means you will have to come back!<br /><br />More to come...<br />Jenoliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-53421323682446107752009-12-28T01:13:00.006-06:002009-12-28T01:41:05.447-06:00Christmas and stuffI just wanted to write really quick to document this Christmas. I don't think many people actually read this and that is ok~I don't do to good at updating~but I wanted to post some pictures and some memories so that I can look back on them in the future.<br /><br />I was really excited about Christmas with Olivia this year. She is at such a fun age and really "got" the concept of Santa. We also talked alot about baby Jesus and read lots of books. Olivia asked for one specific thing this year~a purple thing with a pencil~AKA Leapster. This is ALL she has talked about since before Thanksgiving. We had told Santa about it, told EVERYONE about it. So I went Thanksgiving night at 10pm and stood in line at Toys R Us and got it 50% off! I was so excited about it and couldn't wait to see her face on Christmas morning.<br /><br />Well, I wrapped this gadget and had it under the tree. Of course, I had to tell Olivia several~a million~times to leave it alone. I even went as far to say it wasn't her present, it was someone else's. On Monday or Tuesday of last week, Olivia and I were sitting in the living room playing. I got up to get the phone and right as I turned back around she had ripped the paper off the top of this "purple thing with a pencil" !!! "OOOOH!" she exclaimed!! "just what I wanted" I was speechless~on one hand it was HILARIOUS but on the other i had told her over and over to leave it alone. So I sent her to her room, put the gift in the closet, and told her I was taking it back to the store so another little girl who obeyed their mommy could have it. This broke her little heart. She cried and cried. As the week went on she mentioned several times about this gift and I told her that I took it back, but that MAYBE if she was good then Santa Claus would bring her one.<br /><br />On Christmas morning, she ran to the living room to see if Santa had come and I captured this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYwFlv3_r6MpkvddnyagdV63GxiK7G6GGZMSyd-tNkkwrE_92erBNso3WFGk6-K0r0QSYInQ5ZURrIk64BsVWYApT_o1CJ-83tTDHsfKObg4HqzA8e_j0cPhR-Z9MPGQnVe7tcGsycn0/s1600-h/IMG_2963.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYwFlv3_r6MpkvddnyagdV63GxiK7G6GGZMSyd-tNkkwrE_92erBNso3WFGk6-K0r0QSYInQ5ZURrIk64BsVWYApT_o1CJ-83tTDHsfKObg4HqzA8e_j0cPhR-Z9MPGQnVe7tcGsycn0/s200/IMG_2963.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420184178767883378" border="0" /></a><br />I guess Santa thought she was a pretty good little girl after all.<br /><br />We spent lots of time with family. Olivia got tons of goodies. Her favorites are her baby doll, pink scooter, and her very first bicycle! We are having lots of fun enjoying all of it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHSW0szut9cucekdOpgybmJwD9zsgpFCQBlNAirjNX8eXAnaYU0Mq0R3E5q_0fpxLUE7WdkK1FBfOOCSUx0TbRdyOUj2i8MYoSHVx1xg1I9js6Qlluwh9ZwiQ5Q0Q2L97SNmCM6cTn5I/s1600-h/IMG_2957.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHSW0szut9cucekdOpgybmJwD9zsgpFCQBlNAirjNX8eXAnaYU0Mq0R3E5q_0fpxLUE7WdkK1FBfOOCSUx0TbRdyOUj2i8MYoSHVx1xg1I9js6Qlluwh9ZwiQ5Q0Q2L97SNmCM6cTn5I/s200/IMG_2957.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420186310672193890" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVQm00R95BpY-SOmsKEBdCAmJuK6qJRstQ3CK5MdLmNYTDVkQyJ-eYkOSdQN4Gp8NbUjt-Np_d7JAm7csac44zdh8CPYPa6-9IjQsXch1sofPeNVcOIyf5Mt2GVWVWbfzCPXi0sSaZGE/s1600-h/IMG_2973.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVQm00R95BpY-SOmsKEBdCAmJuK6qJRstQ3CK5MdLmNYTDVkQyJ-eYkOSdQN4Gp8NbUjt-Np_d7JAm7csac44zdh8CPYPa6-9IjQsXch1sofPeNVcOIyf5Mt2GVWVWbfzCPXi0sSaZGE/s200/IMG_2973.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420186320361986898" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eNO-3ya9s1Qn7UU1_Xb1fBhuGY4ehU_3R8XnCZTqR-x5PlxIs6wvVz_290TVZjF8f5RS3QKlGYMUN8saYu0H-cY2nGlGDvdNb7w6ljiPHkm9QvhIuphbr1HgwQDN0lULnZIuvlXQfgc/s1600-h/IMG_3002.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eNO-3ya9s1Qn7UU1_Xb1fBhuGY4ehU_3R8XnCZTqR-x5PlxIs6wvVz_290TVZjF8f5RS3QKlGYMUN8saYu0H-cY2nGlGDvdNb7w6ljiPHkm9QvhIuphbr1HgwQDN0lULnZIuvlXQfgc/s200/IMG_3002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420186321743126722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We will be spending lots of time outside this week I am sure~especially since Daddy is off this week and can help Olivia with her riding skills.<br />We did spend some time out this afternoon riding the scooter and she is getting the hang of it. I got some good pictures of it with my AWESOME Christmas gift from my hubby~the Canon Rebel T1i!!!! LOVE IT!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcSgcF5G-FxUhx5VdK_LH_Xm9LMdNaDqRA4Rtqdz1f5_bGBb8a0UtqaBnxS3KZdGsSd5XxvNwf-qe9Odx-MqMq1nAhwiTUNMz8SDiPxxtgeC86-4WttvAb1bASrWnhjmBAJEbwTE6c7U/s1600-h/IMG_3145.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcSgcF5G-FxUhx5VdK_LH_Xm9LMdNaDqRA4Rtqdz1f5_bGBb8a0UtqaBnxS3KZdGsSd5XxvNwf-qe9Odx-MqMq1nAhwiTUNMz8SDiPxxtgeC86-4WttvAb1bASrWnhjmBAJEbwTE6c7U/s200/IMG_3145.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420187620435155650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDaCtfjT4hdjd61nLA_lbrodbxgVmJa1zFoE3ZbePeLoJJwUTFWf2EBI5MwY2eLuT6y-r-Y1g-U_YH5iPZCBuMnTXN1ifK1XViOfA9qotpjip6XGRskdFt5iSNMMUD00OQWB2MBhvO5w/s1600-h/IMG_3169.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDaCtfjT4hdjd61nLA_lbrodbxgVmJa1zFoE3ZbePeLoJJwUTFWf2EBI5MwY2eLuT6y-r-Y1g-U_YH5iPZCBuMnTXN1ifK1XViOfA9qotpjip6XGRskdFt5iSNMMUD00OQWB2MBhvO5w/s200/IMG_3169.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420187628399510882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVjkCcw3NYJ0h-0kA7ldyNUXf8CkMwMcg-lXu6ZpAxYxIii7IM4Nfigbljr_mbyDdLym6sLmoN0A0wdvsUJwM9zBRFwvt1mFzv7T_o1HqmJQHvjuIY1tPscm_xTioDBSHJp0XxNokZXQ/s1600-h/IMG_3159.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVjkCcw3NYJ0h-0kA7ldyNUXf8CkMwMcg-lXu6ZpAxYxIii7IM4Nfigbljr_mbyDdLym6sLmoN0A0wdvsUJwM9zBRFwvt1mFzv7T_o1HqmJQHvjuIY1tPscm_xTioDBSHJp0XxNokZXQ/s200/IMG_3159.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420187625430232290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWjFcuJVIJSlrUIkcGi9lZifT7Dvqz9cSDXP2Fcaey0RleAiL63mAtuXLMFPVbFgfsfzCRmP_zlsvcw6NlFTBo77E86CDR7V_3ncaWXMnnxBP_cz-CsaodB0up6hd-3TkCYiCGUq0HGo/s1600-h/IMG_3135.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWjFcuJVIJSlrUIkcGi9lZifT7Dvqz9cSDXP2Fcaey0RleAiL63mAtuXLMFPVbFgfsfzCRmP_zlsvcw6NlFTBo77E86CDR7V_3ncaWXMnnxBP_cz-CsaodB0up6hd-3TkCYiCGUq0HGo/s200/IMG_3135.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420187617189080946" border="0" /></a><br />Happy New Year!!!!<br />Jenoliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-25344540910768040392009-12-14T09:00:00.002-06:002009-12-14T09:00:57.405-06:00Knock, KnockIS ANYONE THERE? DOES ANYONE READ MY BLOG????<br /><br />just curious! :)oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-18822464984102673322009-12-09T16:46:00.001-06:002009-12-09T16:47:48.447-06:00An AMAZING give-a-wayYou have GOT to go to <a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com">www.kellyskornerblog.com</a> and check out the awesome thing she is giving away!!!oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-9657677589929164832009-12-03T22:01:00.004-06:002009-12-03T22:02:36.175-06:00Check this out~but only until tomorrow!!If you want to see some super cute blog designs and look at some free ones (but only free until tomorrow) then click below!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://designsbyjamiek.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/jamiekubeczka/grabit.png" /></a></center>oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-1104224675679449452009-11-04T13:48:00.006-06:002009-11-04T14:24:50.298-06:00Pumpkin Patch 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKiWs0Bki0DJqAZ0jM_9Xk37sozvXhrkFZ_sxDZr6eA5Lteu1OJFnL0YOhukn2IzUqG3oztfbj6cJuP50VVU6qZozAxpsZNWnajXrW2Wg5-OHOEKyV6Q6-VBEFyxWbPyQ5KBi5otbDZI/s1600-h/100_2681.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKiWs0Bki0DJqAZ0jM_9Xk37sozvXhrkFZ_sxDZr6eA5Lteu1OJFnL0YOhukn2IzUqG3oztfbj6cJuP50VVU6qZozAxpsZNWnajXrW2Wg5-OHOEKyV6Q6-VBEFyxWbPyQ5KBi5otbDZI/s200/100_2681.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400343499765207042" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7z1KraT42QFvzFWzuc7SYtaEShwf1pJOgBe-T2JQrggudi_2wn2StJVif6NjOab1BM_2Ewdp-6FB9HWvC3lNwkn1bbmxeyBLzMm9v9ELD8fWsJzQMVq1Nj8zOXD2txJbnbm4_7gA7tw/s1600-h/100_2683.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7z1KraT42QFvzFWzuc7SYtaEShwf1pJOgBe-T2JQrggudi_2wn2StJVif6NjOab1BM_2Ewdp-6FB9HWvC3lNwkn1bbmxeyBLzMm9v9ELD8fWsJzQMVq1Nj8zOXD2txJbnbm4_7gA7tw/s200/100_2683.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400343504934889602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12Qxc1GNYG7BGBUl8kNyNM_XW5Gjt2zhvCTBE5jDdVGvQGMUits3oUUAuTJUeOGS3gjziphXGkFx55yzF5gG2sGmAaHtGJyEyzXuY1uhyfFzuJlLje0wzZ7jSTxt6AjdW1P2_TmMjidg/s1600-h/100_2684.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12Qxc1GNYG7BGBUl8kNyNM_XW5Gjt2zhvCTBE5jDdVGvQGMUits3oUUAuTJUeOGS3gjziphXGkFx55yzF5gG2sGmAaHtGJyEyzXuY1uhyfFzuJlLje0wzZ7jSTxt6AjdW1P2_TmMjidg/s200/100_2684.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400343516485612866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">This was at the wagon "picture set up" where we got a nice man to take our pictures for us. Thanks nice man!! I am so glad that we got these!! Even though meemaw and mommy didn't really come prepared for pictures! :)</span></span><br /><br />I wanted to write a quick post on our Pumpkin Patch trip. This was a VERY last minute trip. Olivia had not been feeling well, it had been raining all week, most patches this was the very last weekend to go before they close~so I was thinking that I just missed our chance. BUT on Saturday morning Olivia woke up feeling good and it was BEAUTIFUL outside. So I called Meemaw and asked if her and Pop wanted to go with us. Pop had some other stuff to do so Meemaw, Olivia, and I headed on over to Motley's Pumpkin Patch. It is about 15 minutes from my parents house.<br />It was the perfect number of people and the weather was awesome!!<br />We walked ~well Olivia rode since they had wagons to pull~ through their small "petting" zoo,<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-sLpJD8QcDFyzqzqc2wDFwzmQ89xNH3EzwCyrcTiD1DMR1dQKAt9eFckc_5ZFuEaAFu_u10eF_-t_EPf6qBGWF_b3M5ZmlRfyI4nf_O5De4XXUt7YK-tWGwa5Vg181qT11mFeUodnpo/s1600-h/100_2660.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-sLpJD8QcDFyzqzqc2wDFwzmQ89xNH3EzwCyrcTiD1DMR1dQKAt9eFckc_5ZFuEaAFu_u10eF_-t_EPf6qBGWF_b3M5ZmlRfyI4nf_O5De4XXUt7YK-tWGwa5Vg181qT11mFeUodnpo/s200/100_2660.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400341571160811762" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetrIfzq0kQ03cuBG0u-aEXKgxUEdQJUr3Rm7kXfnROfi_lZT_90yH1noT1U1bLnNNTBcAh8vlFW2ah5NGQv9TcjHqBKtR67Ar2CnqTSzietb7LEJT6BDCaA5iyeC9kGMnpv3gvCyNBKA/s1600-h/100_2663.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetrIfzq0kQ03cuBG0u-aEXKgxUEdQJUr3Rm7kXfnROfi_lZT_90yH1noT1U1bLnNNTBcAh8vlFW2ah5NGQv9TcjHqBKtR67Ar2CnqTSzietb7LEJT6BDCaA5iyeC9kGMnpv3gvCyNBKA/s200/100_2663.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400341572963356306" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nO6IqSQ4M3NflhTB9yRC4-Gmngti6X0BwpF3dl_X_Bg3yHW2E3xH2okDxrImzzE9SZ1TtmF01dEt_imK7vz_yCZ0f1MRa9XZVt5cGmlQlbjsRudOERlVMsWlNWB9JjmOHMVjoqL1jos/s1600-h/100_2666.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nO6IqSQ4M3NflhTB9yRC4-Gmngti6X0BwpF3dl_X_Bg3yHW2E3xH2okDxrImzzE9SZ1TtmF01dEt_imK7vz_yCZ0f1MRa9XZVt5cGmlQlbjsRudOERlVMsWlNWB9JjmOHMVjoqL1jos/s200/100_2666.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400341577889525010" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>walked/rode up to the pumpking patch~there wasn't many pumpkins left but Olivia didn't even care~she didn't like the big ones anyway. She picked out a little one and then headed for the big haystack that had a slide going down it. That was a hit.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxwm8362yGi9iiPrtnFbKsvCtl4C2X8SFRMunpP5hVUaGSKvx9hTipIqH2yzJ7kdTxEgvfl63pjm9Udsjw6mXkh5zt_uisk5qzNs5uOZL0TUfMnxoiBLJC6hIDbyvdgjmyiTwmmRRyRY/s1600-h/100_2678.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxwm8362yGi9iiPrtnFbKsvCtl4C2X8SFRMunpP5hVUaGSKvx9hTipIqH2yzJ7kdTxEgvfl63pjm9Udsjw6mXkh5zt_uisk5qzNs5uOZL0TUfMnxoiBLJC6hIDbyvdgjmyiTwmmRRyRY/s200/100_2678.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400343498223087394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimNQcFxZSlT83orEz33cy01ChYYcWt8IXzk4BDbcUFz2Sa8i_PJ2ZLGVzC9WMdFaTN566M36KElc8WsR7gtAv9kiCC1xXXLX4cI4-h_IahuhsgsegnceSKJ-8gQq9Ei1of0tJzli5-Lc/s1600-h/100_2672.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimNQcFxZSlT83orEz33cy01ChYYcWt8IXzk4BDbcUFz2Sa8i_PJ2ZLGVzC9WMdFaTN566M36KElc8WsR7gtAv9kiCC1xXXLX4cI4-h_IahuhsgsegnceSKJ-8gQq9Ei1of0tJzli5-Lc/s200/100_2672.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400341586686793138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVY_LY2YYxM6DKojztIhTE_HACaHxgjKAHlwQRZJ1b2mIWFgIVL6k6j8VSg7_hDsNR0KxojuL8-Y_W73KwDVhS3zWZ506R1pYRkxCJYGASPSJTYKF0y0QXIi4Ik-Ty8D1nsTJTDLwbfk/s1600-h/100_2675.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVY_LY2YYxM6DKojztIhTE_HACaHxgjKAHlwQRZJ1b2mIWFgIVL6k6j8VSg7_hDsNR0KxojuL8-Y_W73KwDVhS3zWZ506R1pYRkxCJYGASPSJTYKF0y0QXIi4Ik-Ty8D1nsTJTDLwbfk/s200/100_2675.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400341593192267426" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br />Then we walked back to the swings for a lil while where we had to PRY her off of them.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXhinyYE72lTmeMQFCPmWVE2tDVQG9sKe4DE-MSTzmwE635n-00tPOSzIngbTAoOIBpuxACMeAz8iVwfVQ-uWIR9AyQKv_PaRy-Gcju5eRr1uTsffb8QnhHpb25Yjdi3Ec8intkkUMGQ/s1600-h/100_2687.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXhinyYE72lTmeMQFCPmWVE2tDVQG9sKe4DE-MSTzmwE635n-00tPOSzIngbTAoOIBpuxACMeAz8iVwfVQ-uWIR9AyQKv_PaRy-Gcju5eRr1uTsffb8QnhHpb25Yjdi3Ec8intkkUMGQ/s200/100_2687.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400343518532923714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I said, "show me your mad face"<br /><br /></span></span></div>Next was the pig races. HILARIOUS!! I think this was our favorite thing from the entire time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALaID4T5_o02Dy4tvRXARg0OMqX6xnkcOgJlk7lSVgjqEQioqDt04utWRzJOgKmrYooKb4STWGiMCQI2_VOXMDi6tB8SG_Pu-CdCk7sPzdl3eEBUQrj719_57iP7S1tlRCZZyZ3i3r7A/s1600-h/100_2692.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALaID4T5_o02Dy4tvRXARg0OMqX6xnkcOgJlk7lSVgjqEQioqDt04utWRzJOgKmrYooKb4STWGiMCQI2_VOXMDi6tB8SG_Pu-CdCk7sPzdl3eEBUQrj719_57iP7S1tlRCZZyZ3i3r7A/s200/100_2692.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400345136273475730" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6emBUkWRTaL9YiBHvjGWS2sJ9GfJldQW7uKbtJowR8adXEuhML5PIScrBlquRehdEjRMsakafm5QSHX1NLhyphenhyphend05km65O0-6-qciwDdnc9Nljbz_tAuMJCVmKOP4Naw8ImAqcXwwrx3Aw/s1600-h/100_2693.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6emBUkWRTaL9YiBHvjGWS2sJ9GfJldQW7uKbtJowR8adXEuhML5PIScrBlquRehdEjRMsakafm5QSHX1NLhyphenhyphend05km65O0-6-qciwDdnc9Nljbz_tAuMJCVmKOP4Naw8ImAqcXwwrx3Aw/s200/100_2693.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400345140940350226" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XY_idMA8DPQRNFRDTGrXKrmHgi3dubInubW63f1El1UxD3swSG5TdUZHGIR02owxBPpxhUXnRxoqNiqvUCcMAJli6VxCIGXemp69TTEjvlH6xANgpIwIoJb_ZGXV5KYxYOoBYcPpmxk/s1600-h/100_2694.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XY_idMA8DPQRNFRDTGrXKrmHgi3dubInubW63f1El1UxD3swSG5TdUZHGIR02owxBPpxhUXnRxoqNiqvUCcMAJli6VxCIGXemp69TTEjvlH6xANgpIwIoJb_ZGXV5KYxYOoBYcPpmxk/s200/100_2694.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400345146460636898" border="0" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">self portrait B4 pigs race</span></span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">can't really get them racing but this was afterwards</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><br /></div>Meemaw and I wanted to do the hayride but at first Olivia was having NO part of it. Once we got on and sat down and she saw that other kids and mommys and daddys and Meemaws were on too then she calmed down and TRIED to enjoy herself~she is so my daughter!!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQiberi8-rd2gZR5bQI0X8kFbKcScyAvAbtgZM3ZChVnwB88C_BloV5SoScSBbNktQvDYorQ05waFW0FrCtMYwqEDNvq1WosyQwoqHCdEtAHubNc3iCuef2CD_lq4CU9cNuB1vnJnFZQ/s1600-h/100_2695.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQiberi8-rd2gZR5bQI0X8kFbKcScyAvAbtgZM3ZChVnwB88C_BloV5SoScSBbNktQvDYorQ05waFW0FrCtMYwqEDNvq1WosyQwoqHCdEtAHubNc3iCuef2CD_lq4CU9cNuB1vnJnFZQ/s200/100_2695.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400345154906329298" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">another try at a self portrait<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwmdmRjUUkePGTXhOlI_d27qQxQBUNos7Xyu72JMve8aNkohJWmcYZQ1PWK6W2NkMmqOJGJrP7fEbjOXRJNJg_ezDORJ4zETBPrSwX091KLkJCur5LNybbtE0NjiD8oSX-2v5Q9G8vro/s1600-h/100_2696.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwmdmRjUUkePGTXhOlI_d27qQxQBUNos7Xyu72JMve8aNkohJWmcYZQ1PWK6W2NkMmqOJGJrP7fEbjOXRJNJg_ezDORJ4zETBPrSwX091KLkJCur5LNybbtE0NjiD8oSX-2v5Q9G8vro/s200/100_2696.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400345161279286322" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Then a nice lady offered to take our picture for us!! Thanks nice lady!! :)<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>They also have a nice gift shop which already had Christmas stuff out. Lots of Ole' World ornaments which I love!!<br />She then got to pick out a free "mini" pumpkin and then we headed home. It was a nice trip and I got a few good pictures~I think. I am so glad that we got to go~I was afraid that we had missed our chance and that it would have been too muddy~it was not at all!!oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-9296126408031287952009-11-04T13:16:00.006-06:002009-11-04T13:45:08.033-06:00Halloween 2009 RecapThis was definately a totally different experience than last year!!<br /><br />Even down to finding her costume. Last year I knew what I wanted her to have and she really was to young to have an input. This year I had NO idea what to do and then we had decided to go camping at Devil's Den with some friends so we weren't even going to be here. Well on Monday before Halloween we decided that we were going to stay home after all. So the FRIDAY before Halloween I am scrambling to come up with a costume. Keep in mind that MOST if not ALL places are picked over. Usually I order her costume hand made from ebay~but didn't have time this year with all our plans that changed. So we headed over to Halloween Express by Best Buy. Olivia didn't care to much for the store because of all the "scary" stuff set up but we made it through. I was thinking maybe I could get her to be Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz or a Fairy Princess but the minute she saw the Shiny HOT PINK Super Girl costume it was all over! There was NO changing her mind. And of course, this was the most expensive one out of ALL of them I had shown her. So we got the costume and ran to Walmart and got some Hot Pink nail polish, eye shadow, body glitter, and mascara with glitter and headed home. WHew!! So thankful to have gotten that out of the way. Oh and did I mention that she had gotten her flu shot on Thursday afternoon and had been running a HIGH fever ever since~so we got all this not even knowing if she would be able to go out!!! The things we do for our kids!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxZ4Vx-5VSk0QNTWeFr0HfO5mwA-53OqwxJk2uqs9fb6xwKbwV6q7vQ9dg3w-am_cErve3zfL5U4lURxTsKCsCInkAdhanIh-l3rdlWQew84aan41WgfkSzXxrXyUIRWbvsyzRltHxBI/s1600-h/Halloween+2008+2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxZ4Vx-5VSk0QNTWeFr0HfO5mwA-53OqwxJk2uqs9fb6xwKbwV6q7vQ9dg3w-am_cErve3zfL5U4lURxTsKCsCInkAdhanIh-l3rdlWQew84aan41WgfkSzXxrXyUIRWbvsyzRltHxBI/s320/Halloween+2008+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400330949604999938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RJHFHi8v6jQ1k8zCfUxpMzJMRXMqVApRXkt0b1Y0440xZeDSlnDlCng0whVu4x55hl9Yf4PTMsgITXpi9GW6Ao7P3OKFkfhTeUtFax-hSYMB7fmF1vngUuCog_930gLyhyphenhyphene0k0hKP8E/s1600-h/Halloween+2008.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RJHFHi8v6jQ1k8zCfUxpMzJMRXMqVApRXkt0b1Y0440xZeDSlnDlCng0whVu4x55hl9Yf4PTMsgITXpi9GW6Ao7P3OKFkfhTeUtFax-hSYMB7fmF1vngUuCog_930gLyhyphenhyphene0k0hKP8E/s320/Halloween+2008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400330950267697154" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Halloween 2008 with cousin, Tyler<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Last year, we went t</span><span style="font-size:100%;">rick or treating with my brother and sister in law and her son, Tyler. Olivia was not shy at all and went up to the houses with Tyler all on her own. It was so much fun!!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">This year, not so much. Daddy stayed home this year to watch the Razorback game, so Meemaw came with us. Daddy and Olivia did </span><span style="font-size:100%;">pos</span><span style="font-size:100%;">e for a quick picture before we </span><span style="font-size:100%;">left though.<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOprbIRjqemE6H3UHClDgzF34L9WHNdYvrQ7BN9WWq4UJlz8EjUscjOz9Lc6vJIMb2LKIRYFriVKrQtem9Fgw8BEDJxVq7Z5RzyonQuAVoof0h2nlx1MgNcfXFHZXFKR1hVoDKiOdX7qo/s1600-h/Daddy+and+SuperGirl.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOprbIRjqemE6H3UHClDgzF34L9WHNdYvrQ7BN9WWq4UJlz8EjUscjOz9Lc6vJIMb2LKIRYFriVKrQtem9Fgw8BEDJxVq7Z5RzyonQuAVoof0h2nlx1MgNcfXFHZXFKR1hVoDKiOdX7qo/s320/Daddy+and+SuperGirl.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400332113077759010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Daddy and his SuperGirl</span><br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">First we went to Temple Baptist Church here in LR to their trunk or treat. It was VERY small and Olivia was having no part of it. I think we made it around to about 3 cars and then left. She has gotten very scared of costumes unless they are "fun" That makes th</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ings very difficult when stores have all their halloween d</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ecorations out. I am sooo ready for Christmas decorations ONLY to be out!! We love us some Santa Claus!</span><span style="font-size:100%;">!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Then we went to Otter Creek neighbor</span><span style="font-size:100%;">hood. It was packed. I drove to a cul-de-sac and left MeeMaw in the car and Olivia and I walked up to the first house. There were lots of cute kids running around in NOT SCARY costumes but Olivia was freakin out. I carried her to the first house and she hesistantly got through it. I star</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ted to the next house and she LOST IT. Blood curling scream in th</span><span style="font-size:100%;">e middle of the road. WTF?!?! You have got to be kidding me!! So I took her back to the car and was just going to head home. On our way out o</span><span style="font-size:100%;">f the neig</span><span style="font-size:100%;">hborhood we past this mini circular "neighborhood" called "Courtside" It is just one circle full of houses and it looked like about half of them had their lights on. So i asked meemaw to join us and we parked the car and took off~really talking it up~telling Olivia how much fun it is and how it is not scary at all. By the 2nd house she was running to the next ones and ha</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ving so much fun. I am so glad that we tried one more time. We did kind of bribe her that if she</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> was a big girl and did this then we would go and get her a new movie. S</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ooo afte</span><span style="font-size:100%;">r finishing up we went out to Best Buy and Target in Benton. We didn't find a movie but we did find </span><span style="font-size:100%;">an AB</span><span style="font-size:100%;">C's learning toy on sale that I had been wanting to get her for a</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> while.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFw-Kl1P9r-mdqaSj_IDr8sdGAodDP-ie-sBnYQcFHTCJQb5GmHJeorjk5kyT1HcdAySd31fNMP8PD0ZVRwutVCj3Zqpo1xfm1L21kklyYyNO0IlFK0esRGaqTxgGg3emoY_1OkJ7nD4/s1600-h/Reward.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFw-Kl1P9r-mdqaSj_IDr8sdGAodDP-ie-sBnYQcFHTCJQb5GmHJeorjk5kyT1HcdAySd31fNMP8PD0ZVRwutVCj3Zqpo1xfm1L21kklyYyNO0IlFK0esRGaqTxgGg3emoY_1OkJ7nD4/s320/Reward.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400334657127945586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Olivia finally at home playing with her new toy<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">All in all in turned out to be a good night. Started off a lil rocky but we stuck it out and had fun. I am so glad that my mom got to experience it with us. This was her first time. Here are some of the rest of the pictures from that night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt7oNBUXA2x2PTyFaZTZNr8gCHGsNb-dN0H3RLXeRLGMf6m2XU9gkIFpjdkmTO15ZZYVMEe5-cEZ-BymuKXH4bV6PcjdBKUY9TwEakQbpTMOGiUTGyR1nrFD7zfMvg7MqqWK_8-Jgk34/s1600-h/Posing.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt7oNBUXA2x2PTyFaZTZNr8gCHGsNb-dN0H3RLXeRLGMf6m2XU9gkIFpjdkmTO15ZZYVMEe5-cEZ-BymuKXH4bV6PcjdBKUY9TwEakQbpTMOGiUTGyR1nrFD7zfMvg7MqqWK_8-Jgk34/s200/Posing.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400335412161644690" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzhTVOsA31IW0hYYqIUwz5bSvo8eMSMY3VPoB3Npfl6UA-hugm6QkezIGEcMODhyaK55eJ2pFxy9L9sD2-kg9I7U7EGn29f2AHWs89uKoNGQZttQiCjSyA2dI03StKsehm3wLGVOfvsw/s1600-h/SuperGirl.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzhTVOsA31IW0hYYqIUwz5bSvo8eMSMY3VPoB3Npfl6UA-hugm6QkezIGEcMODhyaK55eJ2pFxy9L9sD2-kg9I7U7EGn29f2AHWs89uKoNGQZttQiCjSyA2dI03StKsehm3wLGVOfvsw/s200/SuperGirl.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400335408737302146" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCSF3ci_fqdfGH8Qg7an7yHQdpfmAGo8xg53_zMxuuW0giPsBuXoq4u99Yd2VHEEIuv2V6ZU0gogW0vr7kpcEjT0kt3viR8Q_Y-RxE9L5t9aEwT6SGbLEM-dx1GxBHSJZXf1Xco0_Wh8/s1600-h/Warmer.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 113px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCSF3ci_fqdfGH8Qg7an7yHQdpfmAGo8xg53_zMxuuW0giPsBuXoq4u99Yd2VHEEIuv2V6ZU0gogW0vr7kpcEjT0kt3viR8Q_Y-RxE9L5t9aEwT6SGbLEM-dx1GxBHSJZXf1Xco0_Wh8/s200/Warmer.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400335415082478514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL5Y1KnRkKnbCjCyFP9-Y40KS12MjvrcaiDqy1sfH9UUf-R04ssdlyWqQmC1sXzvpashz8LSdBHmpc74h5iAPu9FC1ylc-TOdheBkufN4tP72-q94QCRDSvTCcaWnnVAr9bJ7Q8zo4Ps/s1600-h/Mommy+and+SuperGirl.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL5Y1KnRkKnbCjCyFP9-Y40KS12MjvrcaiDqy1sfH9UUf-R04ssdlyWqQmC1sXzvpashz8LSdBHmpc74h5iAPu9FC1ylc-TOdheBkufN4tP72-q94QCRDSvTCcaWnnVAr9bJ7Q8zo4Ps/s200/Mommy+and+SuperGirl.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400335402886959378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatgt7ZUj494FJD82ComWRkgJolEVQ-MOdu8glf4qDcJS3D2CVHKl6m2vGJ_IaRSyWRBXo8g5syfyPxcyD5FQCGbjqrvXfqaT7QZKMoeOZEXJKOhcKYVG09a_0jhxSdKpCMzQe0m5fUAA/s1600-h/Pink+Eyes.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatgt7ZUj494FJD82ComWRkgJolEVQ-MOdu8glf4qDcJS3D2CVHKl6m2vGJ_IaRSyWRBXo8g5syfyPxcyD5FQCGbjqrvXfqaT7QZKMoeOZEXJKOhcKYVG09a_0jhxSdKpCMzQe0m5fUAA/s200/Pink+Eyes.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400335406426103698" border="0" /></a></div></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Thanks for sticking with this LONG post and checking out what our Halloween was like~we love to have visitors!!<br /><br />Jenny<br /></span></div></div>oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-30189808657446590942009-10-26T11:33:00.003-05:002009-10-26T11:59:42.034-05:00Forgotten blog? Not Really!Wow~the last post was in May! Seriously!?!?! Now it is almost November! Where has the time gone? I have thought about posting ALOT~but just wasn't ready to put the words out there.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbZyHaV1xdgeqIef2s5F2iMPcjIlEGuyAGPei7PWX0-5GeGngB3wOCJ4dd8KBC_Sdzbt2FB27as8ZbhfEQqeex1VSDKfijLm20wiCeO9bv0xpRZxwnKDKzpRwa-fjFAhqyGuPXu1lktA/s1600-h/074.NEF.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbZyHaV1xdgeqIef2s5F2iMPcjIlEGuyAGPei7PWX0-5GeGngB3wOCJ4dd8KBC_Sdzbt2FB27as8ZbhfEQqeex1VSDKfijLm20wiCeO9bv0xpRZxwnKDKzpRwa-fjFAhqyGuPXu1lktA/s320/074.NEF.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396953029325779858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Olivia and Mommy at the Old Mill</span><br /><br /></div>The beginning of summer was great. Lots of swimming, parks, walks, etc.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdieOVaZNIKoollpkVMKvThVhmnLt-X0iMoioJW-_kc9qdL4j-AuKaiXtQc-4aOLMOTuZsnfvgl2eDMMpeeH95dQFQEuXLDhudFBs5WktYSbXTDQn7DN5jnhKnx-DQExvuFv1vHShBgVI/s1600-h/100_2383.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdieOVaZNIKoollpkVMKvThVhmnLt-X0iMoioJW-_kc9qdL4j-AuKaiXtQc-4aOLMOTuZsnfvgl2eDMMpeeH95dQFQEuXLDhudFBs5WktYSbXTDQn7DN5jnhKnx-DQExvuFv1vHShBgVI/s320/100_2383.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396953042877418690" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIX7z4CZBR9JVpOKAxXB0nV2YTB0ZVC1O3MfWbvuaGCOrGnrPItPpRwz__umeE8f5cXNe3YkY6zs1PMqUwxH-ZMrVCn-iV7A8tUkLepoKwZREsLuj8dTbnjYbWBIHxd0jXAHB-kxZvROY/s1600-h/100_2385.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIX7z4CZBR9JVpOKAxXB0nV2YTB0ZVC1O3MfWbvuaGCOrGnrPItPpRwz__umeE8f5cXNe3YkY6zs1PMqUwxH-ZMrVCn-iV7A8tUkLepoKwZREsLuj8dTbnjYbWBIHxd0jXAHB-kxZvROY/s320/100_2385.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396953048709821890" border="0" /></a><br />We continued on the trying to conceive road and on August 15th I got a positive test!! YIPPEE!! We were ecstatic. Some family members were a lil concerned over the timing but warmed up to the idea of a new baby very quickly. Like always I took HPT's ALOT!! I just loved seeing the 2 lines. But on Wednesday, August 19th the 2 lines were not there anymore. Maybe it's the test I thought~although deep down I knew. I knew it was over. By that evening I was having cramping and by Thursday morning I was spotting and it was determined that I had miscarried. They called it a chemical pregnancy. Basically a very early miscarriage. They said it happens to ALOT more women than you realize. They say some women don't even realize that they have been pregnant because you end up starting your period and you just think that you are "late". Don't worry they said~it is very common and you can try again immediately. Right~don't worry.<br /><br />I don't care how early you are in a pregnancy when you lose a baby~you still LOST YOUR BABY! I consider a baby to be a baby the MINUTE the egg and sperm meet and do their thing. I was already sick, already having food aversions, already tired~no I wasn't showing, I couldn't feel the baby but I still had a baby growing inside of me. Although I only knew for 5 days that I was pregnant it didn't matter~this baby was still wanted and still grieved.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUHpKu_l-gOhTPdj3vfjaky738o1lnPEMefQmHWEw_v83pneWm_3FKya_5ax_7j5a4GACwu-9uesTUP66BGkRcpQirbhiG58nSoapzshMNULmC21AVyFsPyMmZNc4Sv5j0bhdsCcPNJo/s1600-h/100_2527.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUHpKu_l-gOhTPdj3vfjaky738o1lnPEMefQmHWEw_v83pneWm_3FKya_5ax_7j5a4GACwu-9uesTUP66BGkRcpQirbhiG58nSoapzshMNULmC21AVyFsPyMmZNc4Sv5j0bhdsCcPNJo/s320/100_2527.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396953024403268034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >My beautiful Olivia</span><br /><br /></div>I know that God has a plan. HIS ways are higher than our ways. I spent one day in bed~lights off~grieving~but then I had to move on. NO I will NEVER forget August 20, 2009. I will always always love the child I lost. I will always be confused and wonder why~ But I know that MY God is not a God of confusion. HE has a plan for our lives. HE knows when is the perfect time for me to carry a child to term. Yes it is sooo hard to know that in April 2010 I won't be 9 months pregnant, huge, swollen, miserable, etc but that is ok. I trust HIM.<br /><br />As it turns out I ended up having to have my gallbladder removed on September 22. How is that for God knowing best. I had been dealing with gallbladder pain for a LONG time and finally went and requested an ultrasound for it. The doc said it was impressive how many stones I had. God knew that on August 20. He knew that I NEEDED to have that surgery. HIS ways are higher than ours.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48-fUAttEC6jEVzYKzYglye66e9qDpDrA1sMiKN7fCjwdJ1bp454jk7TKKyi4lp-rhrYaGXL4nexEtKfZdnYceMvIFpqahd_R0K8dkDzS26SpTj-aPNP364_fZsOx_KOTO1ng8BzCRc4/s1600-h/029.NEF.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48-fUAttEC6jEVzYKzYglye66e9qDpDrA1sMiKN7fCjwdJ1bp454jk7TKKyi4lp-rhrYaGXL4nexEtKfZdnYceMvIFpqahd_R0K8dkDzS26SpTj-aPNP364_fZsOx_KOTO1ng8BzCRc4/s320/029.NEF.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396953031308709890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >My girl being just like her mommy!</span><br /><br /></div>It has now been 4 weeks since surgery. I am feeling great. They say that internal stitches can take up to 6 weeks to dissolve so although I wish I was already pregnant I know that it is better to wait a little while. I truly believe that if God's plan is for me to be pregnant then I will be pregnant. In HIS timing~not mine.<br /><br />On another note~Olivia is growing up sooo fast. She will be 3 in January!!! Does not seem possible. She is such a joy in my life. When I look at her I thank God for giving her to me to care for. What an honor that He chose ME to be her mom. There are days that I am SURE that there are much better qualified moms out there but nonetheless~HE chose me. Thank you GOD!!!<br /><br />Hope everyone is well~although I haven't written I have kept up with my blogroll~blog list~whatever DAILY. Each one of you is such an inspiration in a different way. I am so thankful that I found the blog world!!<br /><br />Jennyoliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-12327215986118470262009-05-22T00:33:00.009-05:002009-05-22T01:14:19.315-05:00Camping, bestest friends, and kidney stones~wow!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qsHwnezKGJqVpckSD7HnU31vwLNOC4qmoGwV3_qT_1gwLiMvcVToTVjwZaVFOhXFLjQEoUKJVI35gJZKOqQj_zdEl8gVj4P9xXJmkhIV3HUTDIr2GnMWjzlBu9B_2MrI2Y0E0Ci_Ei4/s1600-h/olivia3.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338523701532876098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qsHwnezKGJqVpckSD7HnU31vwLNOC4qmoGwV3_qT_1gwLiMvcVToTVjwZaVFOhXFLjQEoUKJVI35gJZKOqQj_zdEl8gVj4P9xXJmkhIV3HUTDIr2GnMWjzlBu9B_2MrI2Y0E0Ci_Ei4/s320/olivia3.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>Once again I am playing catch up on this blog thing. I say I am going to try to do better and then I just don't. I am very disappointed that I have not made this more of a priority. As I have said before, I have absolutely no problems reading blogs. I read <a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/">Kelly's</a> blog on a daily basis~so why I can't take a minute to write on mine~I have no idea. Maybe I just don't want to "face" the things I am writing about?<br /></div><div>I am getting very excited about this holiday weekend. Our family, along with 4 other families from our church, are headed to Lake Catherine in Hot Springs to spend the weekend camping. Now, I have been told that I camped with my parents when I was Olivia's age~age 2 or so~BUT I have no recollection of it so I am saying that this is my FIRST time to camp. I am sure Ben has camped before with friends, but I am not even sure about that. So this is our very first family camping trip. It has been a little tough trying to prepare for it. We had NOTHING!! We are borrowing a tent from my parents, borrowing a queen air mattress from my in-laws, and the rest we have had to buy the last couple of months. I didn't really purchase any big items for this trip~I did buy another queen air mattress because we are used to a California King for the 3 of us every night so I wasn't sure how the 3 of us would do on 1 queen. So more than likely Olivia and I will share one and then Ben will have his own. Where we are going doesn't have water or electricity so I did buy 2 battery operated fans for the tent at night. We are used to sleeping with an oscillating fan on us at night so I knew we would need one. We borrowed an ice chest to add to the one we already had. Then I just got the basic stuff for camping~matches, flashlights, rain ponchos, bungee cords, a tarp, first aid kit, etc. I went to the grocery store tonite and got the food. I have to admit that I was NOT looking forward to this AT ALL but had agreed to go because all my friends were going. My attitude has changed though~I really think we will have a great time and I am looking forward to getting away and spending some time relaxing, swimming, grilling, etc with great friends. I will definately have to update when we get back!!<br /><br />A couple of weeks ago my best friend Stephanie, and her 10 year old daughter, Anna, came and spent the week with us unexpectedly. Steph's mom was in the hospital for a procedure and they found out some not so good news so she came to town to be with her mom. Anna stayed with me during the day. Anna is my FIRST baby girl. Before they moved to Tennessee I would keep Anna almost every weekend while her momma worked. She was a young, single mom and worked hard to provide for her and Anna. She did a great job and they have both turned into amazing people. Steph is now married and expecting another little girl, Sara Elizabeth, in early August. Anna is going to be a great big sister although it will take some getting used to that she is not the only child anymore. I thoroughly enjoyed them being here since I don't get to see them as often as I would like. We stayed up late and had girl talk just like we did in junior high. You see, Steph and I have been best friends since the 8th grade. We have been through SO MUCH together and I could not imagine having a better best friend. We have had our share of ups and downs but we always came out on top even better friends. I am so thankful for her friendship and for her allowing me to be such<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQwPBrI2OkOtOo5GGRqAOjv8oMpd4_ooJnDMaD3coE5tQIZQMxUB171yfq2UcSAG8MVxtSddTpqmp5Ktr8YpWzPGCzgXOfoWnqSbkHSGtJ_63sjEhbT3xc5gMaRGe4JdhUjMoU7Ge3P0/s1600-h/214.NEF.jpg"></a> a big part of Anna's life. It has not been easy this past year for either of them because Steph's husband, Brian, is in Iraq. He won't be home until September AFTER the baby is born. :( It saddens me to think that he is going to miss out on the birth of his daughter. He has become such an amazing father to Anna and an amazing provider for Stephanie. While they were here we snuck over to the Old Mill to take some pics of each other. Neither one of us are great photographers so I think they turned out great!!! </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOMzfF12LCgjdZWkjZI1Vk91U1Ye9o_Ni0kbQW5m5FcZQdb5zMuIg-OZlDYRrDTsP16v-1wti8jt3ijtpw9YTezPy8rhzasSZlyp1r7eSOn_JIs08SQC_nF8X5uVbufWXgh14DTS0OVo/s1600-h/074.NEF.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 230px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338521295993254930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOMzfF12LCgjdZWkjZI1Vk91U1Ye9o_Ni0kbQW5m5FcZQdb5zMuIg-OZlDYRrDTsP16v-1wti8jt3ijtpw9YTezPy8rhzasSZlyp1r7eSOn_JIs08SQC_nF8X5uVbufWXgh14DTS0OVo/s320/074.NEF.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQwPBrI2OkOtOo5GGRqAOjv8oMpd4_ooJnDMaD3coE5tQIZQMxUB171yfq2UcSAG8MVxtSddTpqmp5Ktr8YpWzPGCzgXOfoWnqSbkHSGtJ_63sjEhbT3xc5gMaRGe4JdhUjMoU7Ge3P0/s1600-h/214.NEF.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338522690457490978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQwPBrI2OkOtOo5GGRqAOjv8oMpd4_ooJnDMaD3coE5tQIZQMxUB171yfq2UcSAG8MVxtSddTpqmp5Ktr8YpWzPGCzgXOfoWnqSbkHSGtJ_63sjEhbT3xc5gMaRGe4JdhUjMoU7Ge3P0/s320/214.NEF.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvVTXxFlkam1OdnEbKhSwkBrA3PZODtos40PoOO-kwKKLD2CJtAMW8A_L9tYQrLrZ8s9YNmHlRu5UuUVNuixbjxSyChz2W3UONojVdxGcqb5NywkqASrXnQ2jTIEX_Ps6EgdqyTOzcQU/s1600-h/188.NEF.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338522697820091378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvVTXxFlkam1OdnEbKhSwkBrA3PZODtos40PoOO-kwKKLD2CJtAMW8A_L9tYQrLrZ8s9YNmHlRu5UuUVNuixbjxSyChz2W3UONojVdxGcqb5NywkqASrXnQ2jTIEX_Ps6EgdqyTOzcQU/s320/188.NEF.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div>I have been dealing with kidney stones alot lately. I recently had a trip to the ER and they did a CAT scan and found that I have alot of stones in both kidneys and a few are as big as 6mm! I was sent to a urologist after that ER visit and they did x-rays and another CAT scan and found that I indeed had alot in both kidneys. Alot meaning probably 10-15 in each kidney!! I am currently on a watch and see right now and supposed to be straining my urine to see if I can catch any stones that I pass so that they can be anazlyzed. The ones that are as big as 6mm cannot be passed on my own so I will have to probably have lithotripsy to break them up. I had lithotripsy done about 4 or 5 years ago and it did seemed to help. If that doesn't help then I will have to have a stint put in to help them pass~which I DO NOT want to do!!! So if you will keep me in your prayers. I am also having migraines alot more again. I am currently not on any preventative medicine so that may be why. I was recently on topomax to prevent them and although I didn't think it was helping~i may have been wrong because since going off of it they have gotten worse. I take imitrex and am having to take it WAY too often so I need to go back to the doc and see what I can do next.<br /></div><div>I am still wanting another baby very badly but I know that I will know when it is God's timing. Up until recently I have wanted another baby but haven't felt peaceful about it. I think that is because so many of my relationships were out of wack. My marriage was on the back burner, my daughter was my very first priority, even after my relationship with God. I KNOW that is not how it is supposed to be and I KNOW that God has had me reevaluate alot lately. I had become very selfish and was focus more on ME and not on anything else. I didn't mean for it to be that way but unfortunately it had become my way of life. So I wanted a baby, and I wanted it in MY timing and I hadn't even stopped to consider if it was what the Lord wanted or even what Ben wanted. He said sure whatever but I knew that was just to keep the peace. I want a new baby to be OUR decision and for BEN to be just as thrilled as I would be. So the last couple of months I have really been trying to focus more on my relationship with my husband. He is a Godly man who wants the things of the Lord for our family so I want to encourage him in that. I should be thankful for him and for his heart for God and not irritated at the little things. I need to focus on what I can do for him instead of always focus on what he can do for me or what he ISN'T doing for me. He is a gift from God and I want him to know that I see him as such. I don't ever want to get to the place I was in again~taking my marriage for granted and taking his love for granted. My prayer is that God would continue to show me ways to improve our relationship and show me what I can do to make that happen. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccvVUdqNSCTuz9H_JQLSmzSumfLsD6ubn3iH0J8yx3EJcWSNtb8zcQKfBKNAQaIr9mp8tXffCcYZ2pIsMvmB9iDKyid3Lf30mzmtlSnb8DKlUHebugqlfmokj6mDTySSHgD_3ERfXNxA/s1600-h/pics+from+thumb+drive+005.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338525446523042242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccvVUdqNSCTuz9H_JQLSmzSumfLsD6ubn3iH0J8yx3EJcWSNtb8zcQKfBKNAQaIr9mp8tXffCcYZ2pIsMvmB9iDKyid3Lf30mzmtlSnb8DKlUHebugqlfmokj6mDTySSHgD_3ERfXNxA/s320/pics+from+thumb+drive+005.JPG" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccvVUdqNSCTuz9H_JQLSmzSumfLsD6ubn3iH0J8yx3EJcWSNtb8zcQKfBKNAQaIr9mp8tXffCcYZ2pIsMvmB9iDKyid3Lf30mzmtlSnb8DKlUHebugqlfmokj6mDTySSHgD_3ERfXNxA/s1600-h/pics+from+thumb+drive+005.JPG"></a><div>This was Ben and I on our honeymoon in the Sandals Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica only 3 short years ago.<br /><br />I suppose I have rambled on long enough~see if I didn't wait so long in between post then I wouldn't have so much to write all at once~I could just write it as it happens!!! :) </div><div></div><div>Jen<br /></div><div> </div>oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-40889189131553618672009-04-29T16:30:00.001-05:002009-04-29T16:30:35.292-05:00New Computer~Hooray!<p>So we have had 2 computers in the 3 years that we have been married. The first one was one that we inherited from my dad. It had been giving us a lot of problems and finally the hard drive just went out. :( So my good friend Adrianne was kind enough to let us borrow her old one. She had gotten a new one for Christmas so she let us borrow her old Dell. To put it nicely, it had problems. MAJOR problems. So Ben and I decided last week to bite the bullet and buy a new one. The way we had to do it through payroll deduction at where he works only sold Dells~which was just fine with me because I heart them! We just got it in today!!! It is a Dell Studio XPS. It has everything I could ever imagine. The thing I am most excited about its the webcam…I know so silly. But hey!! I have never had one. It has a great video card and we also got an extra battery to go on it. So needless to say we are both so excited!!! </p> <p>This is my very first post on it and it has this feature that just saves my blog in one place and I can get to it very quickly so hopefully I will do better at updating!! We shall see. </p> <p>Gotta run for now. We are having family night at church and making pizzas and I have a heath bar cake in the oven~hmm smells so yummy!!</p> <p>I’ll leave you with a picture of what I am doing right now from my new WEBCAM!!! :)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/SfjG-S4R94I/AAAAAAAAAC8/e3x7_Dt8BLI/s1600-h/1st%20pic%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="1st pic" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="1st pic" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_dqBP6mcs2ME/SfjG-mfy50I/AAAAAAAAADA/KGbVKkd_Q2Y/1st%20pic_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>This is the life!!!</p> <p>Jen</p> oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-70899331255623988192009-04-08T00:44:00.005-05:002009-04-08T01:21:37.887-05:00Easter~catching up and reflecting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkmkHR4oP1dR1_b2rX5N8tJmgM9AkaTXdD1ZtMguUCXfTOqFx1WVEP2YGdFPbWJVJsMzopFOu8vNBr2njhPAFzXx1wf-xFkEhO3fsIN05KIxNPJ7YzbiscgGMkvU-j1pSNJBpiInxEw4/s1600-h/close+up2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322201396880960978" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkmkHR4oP1dR1_b2rX5N8tJmgM9AkaTXdD1ZtMguUCXfTOqFx1WVEP2YGdFPbWJVJsMzopFOu8vNBr2njhPAFzXx1wf-xFkEhO3fsIN05KIxNPJ7YzbiscgGMkvU-j1pSNJBpiInxEw4/s320/close+up2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:180%;color:#6633ff;">HAPPY EASTER!! </span></strong><br /><br /><br /><div>It's obvious I haven't been doing good with blogging. I absolutely love reading other peoples blogs but as far as updating my own~not so good at it. I haven't made it a habit or priority yet. When I was younger I kept journals all the time~blogging is very similar~just public. I do so much better with writing how I am feeling rather than talking to someone about it. I can listen to you talk all day but when it comes to being open about "real" issues with me I clam up and get embarrassed or ashamed or something. I didn't think I was that way or didn't notice it until more recently. Or maybe I just haven't found someone I feel I can be completely myself with. How sad! </div><br /><br /><div>I have been doing The Love Dare for my husband lately. He has no clue I am doing it so that makes it interesting. On some days I know he noticing "something" he just isn't sure what that "something" is! If you haven't seen the movie Fireproof and haven't checked out the book~you should!! It is very well done and is an amazing resource that God can use to bring you and your spouse closer. Even if you aren't haven't "problems" Ben and I aren't having serious problems at all. Just life gets in the way of our relationship and this has made me stop and think.<br /></div><br /><div>After having Olivia I struggled with my priorities. I put everything into caring for Olivia and neglected my relationship with Ben and even my relationship with God. It was like I was watching myself do it and couldn't or didn't know how to stop it. I lost my passion for the Lord and lost my passion for my marriage. It has been 2 years and I am still working on this. God has done so much in me the last few months though and I can see changes in myself. I have my passion back!! It is a daily choice that I am having to make~GOD FIRST, then my husband and then my children. THat is how HE intended it. Olivia will only be with us for so long and then she will move on with her life and have her own family. If I don't nurture my relationship with Ben NOW then when the kids are gone we won't even know each other. If we make this a priority now then maybe we can save ourselves some of the heartache that we have seen even our own parents go through.<br /></div><br /><div>We are still trying for #2 but I am trying to not allow that to be my primary focus. I KNOW that when it is GOD'S timing for us to have another baby then it will happen. Whether it be on it's own or if I will have to seek DR. advice. Right now God is telling me to focus on HIM and Ben. I need to get those relationships back in line before bringing another child into it. If I thought juggling one baby with other relationships was difficult then how much more difficult will it be to juggle 2 babies IF I don't have my priorites straight. </div><br /><br /><div>I am so excited for Easter this year. God has restored so much back to me and I am so grateful to Him for that. He is an amazing God and a faithful God and a merciful God and without HIM I am useless. HE has given me my giftings and my heart's desires and only in HIM will I find true happiness. </div><br /><br /><div>Olivia is at such a fun age right now. She is repeating EVERYTHING. Sometimes that is okay and sometimes it's not such a good thing :( She is talking soo much and putting together sentences left and right. She knows her ABC's, she can count to 13 all by herself, she loves to sing and dance, and she loves her MeeMaw and Pop (my mom and dad)~I am excited because we have 2 easter egg hunts scheduled for this week. One is with her playgroup at the park and then we have one after church on Sunday. This will be the first time she has done a "real" egg hunt. We played around in our house with it last year but she didn't really understand. I got her the cutest Easter basket and she has an adorable Easter dress that I cannot wait to post pictures of!! Here are a couple of her Easter pictures we had done at a friend's studio.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322200376245696738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 297px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga57BqAbYvu2g05_lhUTR25hF2Uf4L6vleg5qfAQa0w2DM3CPjac900mj-kKzThGp0GYG2r-VKNotMbkwvn1lz-tXCtKoQN-gjrO1ndsmuuAH6fWOVty5a-3Hzxu2J6iapCyrzdZYCNbw/s320/easter3.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322200000574184354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMSXixvIgZ1SfFzILWNA7OSTOxz36p764d8B1tSc1xcsN5nKcRJhH6O-xBlx5rQGNjZbw3mlyQdwyiD6g8gkMyLkldH0XYdBSx0OLO8OM3NcifwkQdUC0JapXnXiD6bRu5v7FIjvP7bo/s320/pink+easter2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>I am on an expressive worship team at church and we are doing 2 dances for our Sunday morning service. One of them is "Sing, Sing, Sing!" by Chris Tomlin who I LOVE and the other is "Who Is This King?" by Pocket Full of Rocks. The 2nd one I had the priviledge of choreographing. Let me just say, that is NOT my favorite thing to do. I am not very confident in my ability to come up with dance moves and I stress out way too much. Thank God I had a great friend, Laura, that has been coming over every week for the past 3 or 4 weeks and helping me!!! She has been a lifesaver!! Thank you Laura!!! We have one more practice on Saturday and hopefully we will be ready. The amazing thing about it is that no matter how prepared or un-prepared we as a dance team feel we are~God always shows up!! His annointing always pulls us through each dance. So even though I am scared to death that someone will not like what I came up with it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter to me because I don't do it for anyone else~I do it for my GOD! I am on an expressive worship team because I love to dance before the Lord. I can't stand still during praise and worship. I have to move in some way. He has done so much for me~He pulled me out of some BAD situations~He saved me from myself~the least I can do is worship Him with all that I am. I have been given the priviledge of expressive worship. I didn't grow up doing it. I grew up as a preacher's kid in the Presbyterian church. I still love the Presbyterian church and the services. BUT I am in a place in my life now that I know there is more to God than what I thought there was growing up. I have experienced a BIG GOD!! For that reason~my feet have to dance. </div><br /><br /><div>So if you think about it~say a prayer for the Deborah Company from Victory Fellowship in Bryant, Arkansas this week. Ask God to protect our bodies and to move through us as we dance on Easter. That the congregation will not see some girls doing a pretty dance but that they will see our amazing heavenly Father IN us as we move.<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Jenny</div></div></div>oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-16147976065838559092009-02-19T21:00:00.004-06:002009-02-19T21:23:12.221-06:00MINE, MINE, MINE<div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center">I am so not good at blogging yet!! I think about needing to blog about a million times a day and just don't take the time~I guess when you know you have readers then that helps motivates you~so I am always reading other blogs and adding them to my list to keep up with so I went to do that today and to my surprise I had 2 comments!!! WOW!! I was so excited to see them! Mainly because I have told NOONE about this blog in my "real" life. Mainly because noone really knows what I am feeling about the whole pregnancy issue. They know I want another one~just don't know how long we have been trying. So thank you!! You made my day!! </div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center">Today hasn't been great~I woke up with a migraine~I deal with these on a fairly regular basis unfortunately. I panicked a lil because I knew that a friend of mine was bringing her 2 boys over at 12:30 for me to babysit. I quickly got my brother to run to the pharmacy for Imitrex and prayed it would kick in quickly. I might add that I am battling a cold again. It seems I get well for 2 weeks and then it comes back~this has been going on since Christmas!!! So I just didn't feel good at all. </div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center">The boys got here and I thought, "Yea~playmates for Olivia!!" WE go to church with this family so Olivia is fairly close to Isaac and Carder andyway so I didn't think too much about having them over. I usually babysit at their house but today it didn't work out that way. Let me just say~BAD IDEA!!! Olivia is not used to having other kiddos playing with her toys. She was not handling it very well. SHe was soo emotional. Cried most of the afternoon over my bed, my kitchen, my doll, my car!! I was sooo tired! She hauled off and hit Carder, who is also 2, in the face with a xylophone stick and I had had it!!! SHe immediately went to her room for "time out" and threw the biggest fit ever! After her 2 minutes in time out I brought her out to apologize to Carder and she said, "I wanna take a nap" So I laid her in our bed and she was out! </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">She really is a</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304713631194574130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 156px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 261px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Ul-RiYGE3_y65lGYF4PhPTh67g9vLys1tVSTbTXulXHE8W7-0qBIqAXDRfqOc08TlBNx45HSC7661_h8B4T2Vpd195gIWCNVNjt5VOp7re5v1XIb_2I-Mi5JBp3kzDJKatkOanOq6h4/s320/big+love+day+smile.jpg" border="0" /> sweet girl, but not used to sharing her toys. Definately something we will work on. We go to playgroup every week and she does good at other houses so I didn't think anything of it. It opened my eyes for sure~we need to work on it!!</div><br /><div align="center"><br /> </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center">In other news~I haven't done that good with my scripture reading this week. I have a mentor at church and one of the things she has encouraged me to work on is getting back into the Word. It's not that I don't want to do this~I just get busy and then lay down to go to bed and think, "oh no I forgot my reading/quiet time!" I guess I need to set my alarm or something until I get into the habit of it again. I noticed such a difference in my attitude when I am in His Word. God is faithful and merciful and THANK GOODNESS for that!!! He has patience with me even when I have none with myself! </div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">I took 4 hpt this past week~yes FOUR!!! It's not that I had any one reason to think I should I just keep hoping that one will end up positive since I have no dates or anything to go by. I wish I could have a cycle, ovulate, then test 14 days later! OH well~God has another plan~FAITH, FAITH, FAITH!!</div><br /><div align="center">Thank you all for your prayers! I appreciate them SOOOO much! More than you even know!!! Also, thank you for taking the time to check out this blog~I am not as eloquent as some or as interesting but this is my life!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">This is Olivia as a pig on a recent trip to The Wonder Place~we always have such fun when we go there!</div><div align="center"> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304714309105712066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJGcwrAsUjMv7Eq0RrQxLmIq4XlYmQU3liPrlAmUccE7SWbneFBAdKnB8KiA9SQgzzOs_DX3Wt9QfqmNKnKW8wsML0qf_H6dZPYARgRqYz_BPKkYXA_ztq0eWpUBTRoV4Yom2_-7Ya44/s320/wonderplacefromnicole.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div>oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7267927679829452137.post-22027366477544963222009-02-16T02:12:00.003-06:002009-02-16T02:25:19.581-06:00New stuff<div>So I have decided to start this blog for me. We have been off birth control for 7 months now and nothing. It took 6 weeks with Olivia!! What is going on? I know I am supposed to trust God and wait on His timing and I do. I can't help but wonder if something is wrong though. I know it can take healthy couples up to a year to get pregnant and what is going on is completely normal...or is it? Only 1 cycle since July? That one being in October and only had that one because I was put on Provera to MAKE it happen. Can't be normal can it? Anyway...I needed a place to vent. A safe place. There may be people who will read this...yea!! I hope some do. I know so many people have been through worse. And I have a beautiful girl to watch grow up so why I am not content with that? She is my world. She is hilariously funny right now at 2. She is soo very polite without even being asked. She makes me heart smile. My arms long to hold another one of my very own...</div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303308187037517250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFl7v4WvinsqP_kMs-YGXhb3WtFcKtVpfRXhc3jivc-5hfEW3IORmnSfu6T2s0-MuapSks5QmOej8iDWJ5mLfTHvkmJkIiSk1AauaVtImgruxwCN_kszZRBlE1Yuj_SHGoZnrXz9Z1u8/s320/wonderful+princess.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div>I have been reading Kelly's <a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/">blog </a>and she is an amazing woman of God. She has caused me to think about so much in my life lately. Just to reflect on where I was with my relationship with God and how I was living my life. Was I preparing my oil and my oil lamp like I should be? Like the parable in Matthew 25. I had to read that for worship practice and that got me thinking. Am I letting myself stay empty and not filling up with the Word and with the things of God so that I CAN be a light for Olivia? Is being at home with her instead of working doing either of us any good if I am not using that time like the Lord has showed me I should? She might as well be in daycare because if I am empty all the time I am doing her no favors. Just a few of the things that I have been pondering on lately...</div><br /><div>SO this blog is a place for myself to share...my heart, my hurts, my fears, my family, my life....with you if you want...</div>oliviasmommy07http://www.blogger.com/profile/13410804758180105988noreply@blogger.com2