As I mentioned earlier, shopping on the day after Thanksgiving has become a tradition for me and my mom. This year we didn't go to bed until about 1-ish am, so we didn't get on the road quite as early as we'd like. We got up around 4:30, showered, and off we went. Our first stop was Sear's, where mom and dad used some points he's earned at work to buy a 46" LCD TV that was on the Early Bird special for $500 off! It was a great deal and mom was SO PROUD of herself for making the purchase all by herself, since Dad was still home, sleeping at the time, I'm sure! LOL We had a very relaxing lunch at Carlos O'Kelly's that was FREE...thanks DAD! Then, it was off to shop some more!
I can't go into detail on my purchases because then Christmas wouldn't surprise anyone, but I will tell you I accomplished A LOT! I got the kids pretty much finished, along with a few others. It feels so good to have a head start on my shopping because I really don't want December to be any crazier than it has to be! There has to be plenty of time to make Christmas cookies, decorate the house and, of course, listen to some good ole Christmas music! Nothing like some good Christmas carols to put you in the holiday spirit! A few of my recommendations...Andrew Peterson, Shane & Shane (Thank you Heather) and Kenny and Dolly, which is a family favorite...right mom? :-)
Hopefully, tonight I will be able to get out the Christmas decorations, so we can decorate the tree tomorrow. Then, it will REALLY seem like Christmas! Have a great week everyone!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!
This year we celebrated Thanksgiving in Marion at my mom and dads. This year we were short a few. (To everyone that couldn't make it...WE MISSED YOU!!) Two of the ones missing were Damian and Garrett, since Garrett woke up in the middle of the night with the stomach flu. He didn't think eating turkey sounded like very much fun, but he did ask me to bring him home a plate for when he felt better!
We had a wonderful meal and shared a lot of laughs through the day. My cousin Jared had some very BIG news...He and Robin are ENGAGED!! They are thinking about setting the date for some time in June. We are SO HAPPY for them! It takes a special person to be willing to join our CRAZY family! LOL
We walked to the park and let the kids run off some energy, while hoping to burn off some of the mashed potatoes and pie we had all eaten. We also played the "family" game that my sister taught us last year. It was a BLAST! We also spent some time pouring over the sale ads and making our shopping list for Christmas.
My mom came home with us after the festivities to spend the night because we had to be up and on the road early for BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING! Yippee!! It's something that we both look forward to every year. A whole day of shopping...without kids! Can you imagine?!?!
I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving as well and took the time to thank God for all of your blessings through the past year. I know I am humbled by God's blessings to me, many of which came through the amazing friends and family I have in my life! Thanks!
We had a wonderful meal and shared a lot of laughs through the day. My cousin Jared had some very BIG news...He and Robin are ENGAGED!! They are thinking about setting the date for some time in June. We are SO HAPPY for them! It takes a special person to be willing to join our CRAZY family! LOL
We walked to the park and let the kids run off some energy, while hoping to burn off some of the mashed potatoes and pie we had all eaten. We also played the "family" game that my sister taught us last year. It was a BLAST! We also spent some time pouring over the sale ads and making our shopping list for Christmas.
My mom came home with us after the festivities to spend the night because we had to be up and on the road early for BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING! Yippee!! It's something that we both look forward to every year. A whole day of shopping...without kids! Can you imagine?!?!
I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving as well and took the time to thank God for all of your blessings through the past year. I know I am humbled by God's blessings to me, many of which came through the amazing friends and family I have in my life! Thanks!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
SURPRISE!!
I'm usually pretty good at telling when someone is hiding something. I just have an intuition that tells me something is up...not this time! It all started with Heather offering to come out and cook me dinner for my birthday...
Damian had to work late, so he could take off for Thanksgiving. He's trying so hard to get Fall Harvest wrapped up, but it's taking forever, so Heather decided to come out and spend the afternoon and grill steak. She got the steaks marinating in the fridge, then we went on a Ranger ride down to the creek, which was fun, but COLD! When we got back, she wouldn't let me do ANYTHING to help. She peeled the potatoes, which I HATE to do, grilled the steak, cleaned up the mess. It was AWESOME!! The steaks were SO GOOD! I didn't even know she could cook!
Then the surprises came! Two very special friends, Christy and Donna, showed up for an evening full of laughter and an edge-of-your-seat (literally) game of Nertz! Christy made a beautiful double layer cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate shavings on top and Donna brought chips and dip...add Diet Coke and its the perfect party! We had cake and when Damian came home I opened my gifts. Many of you know that I have been wanting an I-Pod, a bright green one, and that Damian had made it very clear that wasn't his plan. Little did I know, he had given the money to Heather and had her go to Wichita and get it for him. Is that love or what?! He is not into all that technological stuff, but he wanted me to have a special birthday, so he caved...so sweet!
As you can see, Elaina joined the party a little late, who'd have guessed? :-) We won't talk about the scores because it'd be too embarrassing for some of us. We'll just say Heather won and leave it at that!
I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard. We laughed until we cried, in fact! We learned a lot about one-another, probably more than we really need to know, but what fun we had! I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends! Thank you all for sharing in my special day and being part of my life! A special thanks to Heather for pulling it all together and not giving a single thing away! YOU ROCK SISTER!! Thanks to the girls who sent cards, but couldn't come. The day before Thanksgiving is a busy time to try and celebrate a birthday, but you all made it one I won't soon forget!
Another birthday note...
On Tuesday, Michelle, Diane and I spent the day shopping together in Newton. We all have birthdays in November, so we like to celebrate together, if we can. Last year didn't work out, but this year we visited High Street Company (Thanks for introducing us to it, Donna!), Main Street Company and few other shops. We ate lunch at a little deli that was really yummy! I even had avocado spread on my turkey club sandwich! Aren't you proud, mom?? I'm a terribly picky eater, so I have come a LONG way! It was so great to spend the day with two very dear friends and we hope to make it an annual adventure! Sorry there aren't any pics. I forgot my camera! I'm new at this blogging thing and didn't go prepared! I promise to do better in the future!
I've had such a great week so far and I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Thanksgiving dinner in Marion with the fam! Good food and good company...sounds like a perfect combination! Hopefully I won't forget my camera!
Damian had to work late, so he could take off for Thanksgiving. He's trying so hard to get Fall Harvest wrapped up, but it's taking forever, so Heather decided to come out and spend the afternoon and grill steak. She got the steaks marinating in the fridge, then we went on a Ranger ride down to the creek, which was fun, but COLD! When we got back, she wouldn't let me do ANYTHING to help. She peeled the potatoes, which I HATE to do, grilled the steak, cleaned up the mess. It was AWESOME!! The steaks were SO GOOD! I didn't even know she could cook!
Then the surprises came! Two very special friends, Christy and Donna, showed up for an evening full of laughter and an edge-of-your-seat (literally) game of Nertz! Christy made a beautiful double layer cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate shavings on top and Donna brought chips and dip...add Diet Coke and its the perfect party! We had cake and when Damian came home I opened my gifts. Many of you know that I have been wanting an I-Pod, a bright green one, and that Damian had made it very clear that wasn't his plan. Little did I know, he had given the money to Heather and had her go to Wichita and get it for him. Is that love or what?! He is not into all that technological stuff, but he wanted me to have a special birthday, so he caved...so sweet!
As you can see, Elaina joined the party a little late, who'd have guessed? :-) We won't talk about the scores because it'd be too embarrassing for some of us. We'll just say Heather won and leave it at that!I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard. We laughed until we cried, in fact! We learned a lot about one-another, probably more than we really need to know, but what fun we had! I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends! Thank you all for sharing in my special day and being part of my life! A special thanks to Heather for pulling it all together and not giving a single thing away! YOU ROCK SISTER!! Thanks to the girls who sent cards, but couldn't come. The day before Thanksgiving is a busy time to try and celebrate a birthday, but you all made it one I won't soon forget!
Another birthday note...
On Tuesday, Michelle, Diane and I spent the day shopping together in Newton. We all have birthdays in November, so we like to celebrate together, if we can. Last year didn't work out, but this year we visited High Street Company (Thanks for introducing us to it, Donna!), Main Street Company and few other shops. We ate lunch at a little deli that was really yummy! I even had avocado spread on my turkey club sandwich! Aren't you proud, mom?? I'm a terribly picky eater, so I have come a LONG way! It was so great to spend the day with two very dear friends and we hope to make it an annual adventure! Sorry there aren't any pics. I forgot my camera! I'm new at this blogging thing and didn't go prepared! I promise to do better in the future!
I've had such a great week so far and I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Thanksgiving dinner in Marion with the fam! Good food and good company...sounds like a perfect combination! Hopefully I won't forget my camera!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Calgon Take Me Away!!
Does anyone else remember that commercial?! Maybe I am showing my age here, but that is the kind of day I have had. The commercials were advertising bubble bath, Calgon, and always showed a woman saying that and sinking into a relaxing bath of foamy bubbles to take away the cares of the day. Well, I don't think there are enough bubbles in an entire bottle to ease my stress at the moment! LOL I thought my week was pretty open and I would be able to catch up on some things that have been neglected the past few weeks, but as I looked at my week...not likely.
Thank goodness we belong to a mighty God who has more power to heal, comfort and restore than all the bubble baths in the world! It's amazing how much peace comes when we turn things over to Him and let Him lead and guide us in all things from schedules to relationships. He is in control anyway and doing things in our own strength only leads to frustration and feeling overwhelmed. Surrendering control is not something I do easily and sometimes even with hesitation, but the peace that follows is its own reward.
As I look back on my day, I can see where I should have turned to God much sooner, but it is too late for that now. I must make amends where needed (I was a little grouchy with the fam today.) and pray for renewed strength to face the challenges that lie ahead. I already feel better because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.(2 Tim 1:12) I'll close with the verse that I'm clinging to today...
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7
Thank goodness we belong to a mighty God who has more power to heal, comfort and restore than all the bubble baths in the world! It's amazing how much peace comes when we turn things over to Him and let Him lead and guide us in all things from schedules to relationships. He is in control anyway and doing things in our own strength only leads to frustration and feeling overwhelmed. Surrendering control is not something I do easily and sometimes even with hesitation, but the peace that follows is its own reward.
As I look back on my day, I can see where I should have turned to God much sooner, but it is too late for that now. I must make amends where needed (I was a little grouchy with the fam today.) and pray for renewed strength to face the challenges that lie ahead. I already feel better because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.(2 Tim 1:12) I'll close with the verse that I'm clinging to today...
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!!
I'm supposed to be cleaning my house...but is decided I couldn't let another day go by without sharing what a fantastic time we had at our Women's Retreat last weekend! I intended to post sooner, but I'm just now catching up on my sleep. :-) It was last Friday night and the theme was "Unveiled". The goal was to learn how we can unveil our eyes, hearts, minds and the power of prayer, so that we can come face-to-face with our Almighty God. There were definately some veils lifted for many of us as we came together to worship, share, and study God's Word.
Some of the husbands came up and served us a fabulous, gourmet Mexican meal that was prepared by Joe Williams. He left the tortillas at home, which he will NEVER live down, but saved the day by running out and buying more at the last minute. Kristey, do you have plenty of tortillas at your house?! He even topped it off with specially ordered cupcakes arranged on a tiered tray...beautiful and delicious!
Everyone's hearts were opened to the working of the Holy Spirit during Praise and Worship led by our very own Vincent Pray. Singing and playing with him were Jason Lowry, Greg Forpahl and Heather Rinkenbaugh. Vincent composed a very special song, just for the retreat called "Closer Now". We are praying God blesses his music career as he seeks to pursue it full time. His excitement to be there sharing with us was evident. As he put it...even his hair was excited! (He's wearing it spiked up these days! LOL) Heather unveiled her singing gift by singing "I Am" by Jill Phillips. I'm not sure everyone realized what a beautiful voice she has, but the secret is out now, so expect to hear more from her! Tammy Cox also shared special music on Saturday, "The Real Me" by Natalie Grant. It was a PERFECT song to express what so many of us feel inside. I came home and downloaded it that afternoon! Not everyone can pull off a Natalie Grant song, but Tammy did a beautiful job!
We roasted smores over a campfire, decorated journals, and stayed up WAY too late! We even had an impromptu ZAP (Zumba and Praise) exercise class at 1am! The next morning moving testimonies were shared and everyone hated for the fun to end. I could tell story after story about our experiences, but unless you were there, well, I'm not sure you could appreciate the humor, bonding, and growth that we all experienced. GOD IS SO GOOD!
Some of the husbands came up and served us a fabulous, gourmet Mexican meal that was prepared by Joe Williams. He left the tortillas at home, which he will NEVER live down, but saved the day by running out and buying more at the last minute. Kristey, do you have plenty of tortillas at your house?! He even topped it off with specially ordered cupcakes arranged on a tiered tray...beautiful and delicious!
Everyone's hearts were opened to the working of the Holy Spirit during Praise and Worship led by our very own Vincent Pray. Singing and playing with him were Jason Lowry, Greg Forpahl and Heather Rinkenbaugh. Vincent composed a very special song, just for the retreat called "Closer Now". We are praying God blesses his music career as he seeks to pursue it full time. His excitement to be there sharing with us was evident. As he put it...even his hair was excited! (He's wearing it spiked up these days! LOL) Heather unveiled her singing gift by singing "I Am" by Jill Phillips. I'm not sure everyone realized what a beautiful voice she has, but the secret is out now, so expect to hear more from her! Tammy Cox also shared special music on Saturday, "The Real Me" by Natalie Grant. It was a PERFECT song to express what so many of us feel inside. I came home and downloaded it that afternoon! Not everyone can pull off a Natalie Grant song, but Tammy did a beautiful job!
We roasted smores over a campfire, decorated journals, and stayed up WAY too late! We even had an impromptu ZAP (Zumba and Praise) exercise class at 1am! The next morning moving testimonies were shared and everyone hated for the fun to end. I could tell story after story about our experiences, but unless you were there, well, I'm not sure you could appreciate the humor, bonding, and growth that we all experienced. GOD IS SO GOOD!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Halloween Fun!
Halloween was a very LONG day for Brooklyn! We had a meeting at church at 9:30, then a quick bite at Taco Bell before heading home to get the kids coats, in case it got cold Trick-or-Treating. Half an hour later we headed to the school for Halloween parade/parties. We watched the parade of costumes in the gym, then bounced between the girls' classroom and Garrett's, which are on opposite ends of the school, by-the-way. At 3:00 I persuaded the kids that we could skip recess and head straight to Nana and Papa's in Marion. Not without stopping at Sonic for a Diet Coke, however! :-)
Mom had Chili, cinnamon rolls and homemade sugar cookies, plus the goodie bags she always does for the kids. The best surprise of all, though, was getting to see Aunt NeeNee (my sister Whitney), who came home from K-State just to go trick-or-treating with the kids. Thanks Whit--you're the best!
My niece came up as well, Shye, and is the lil pumpkin you'll see in the slide show. Her and Brooklyn are best buds and had a great time going door-to-door. Brooklyn felt like one of the big kids this year because she walked the WHOLE way! This made for a great drive home because she sacked out BIG TIME!
Daddy didn't get to come this year. It's the first Halloween he's missed EVER! It couldn't be avoided because fall harvest is funning so far behind. I got some good pics on Saturday and will try to post them soon!
Take care,
Jenelle
Mom had Chili, cinnamon rolls and homemade sugar cookies, plus the goodie bags she always does for the kids. The best surprise of all, though, was getting to see Aunt NeeNee (my sister Whitney), who came home from K-State just to go trick-or-treating with the kids. Thanks Whit--you're the best!
My niece came up as well, Shye, and is the lil pumpkin you'll see in the slide show. Her and Brooklyn are best buds and had a great time going door-to-door. Brooklyn felt like one of the big kids this year because she walked the WHOLE way! This made for a great drive home because she sacked out BIG TIME!
Daddy didn't get to come this year. It's the first Halloween he's missed EVER! It couldn't be avoided because fall harvest is funning so far behind. I got some good pics on Saturday and will try to post them soon!
Take care,
Jenelle
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