Long overdue-summer update!

Hello -Hello!
As you can see summer is still going on-but for Me, it is over!
I went back to work on Aug. 8. I returned home from Calgary on Aug. 1~ and was still pretty tired when I went back to work. I would not have traded the time in Calgary. I was so glad that I got to go and see Sam!
I am now into my second week of 3rd graders.....but this is my 3rd week back! Hard to believe that I have been doing this now for 7 years. I am starting to feel older too,especially when they have new fresh out of college grads. I am getting tired quicker these days...then when I first began!
I have a whole new team of teachers! We all get along GREAT! We each have a different personality!
This year most of our Teacher In-services will be on personality assessment! You may have heard of the DISC personality testing! I am an "I" if you are familiar with it! (Meaning -Outgoing!) You would have never guessed that would you? LOL-
I am loving it-because I am starting to learn the personalities of all my kids~and how to better meet their learning style! I do have one challeging one in my room! I am learning so much already from this student and it is only the second week of school! Never a dull moment in 3rd grade!
If you have all this time to spare...our school website is changed daily! From time to time this year, there will be photos of my class and I on the website! My class schedule and all about 3rd grade at North Cobb is on there! http://www.ncchristian.org
So many things have gone on outside of work for Mike and I!
Last night we had dinner with Megan (Mike's college roommate's wife!) So nice to get together and have friends close by...only 4 hours away. We are headed to TN next weekend to see Joy and David. Only 6 weeks to go till the wedding!! I am excited to be in their wedding & I just got my plane ticket for the big event!
We are no longer working with the 2 year olds at our church and now we are working with 7th graders. Big jump...diapers to hormones!!! So far we are enjoying it! I am on a little bit of overload with work -and I am thankful that I have 2 other ladies that teach the girls with me! (We totate week to week on teaching! So appreciated!)
Mike has now moved into his 5th year at PWC...so I am excited for all the hard work he has done! (BUT the traveling is what is still hard!) He was taken off a client in TN and the start to "early Fall" season has been so relaxing for him! (He is home before 8:00 and playing X-BOX!) Once Jan. comes it will be busy for him...so I am use to that routine!
Mike's 2 "almost as good looking as him" brothers have fallen in deep "LIKE" with 2 lovely ladies! We have heard so much about them this summer and we are hoping to meet them soon! We might meet Brian's 'significant other' around Thanksgiving time! (Fingers crossed!) Phil, Mike's younger brother, departs for Egypt on Wed. and will be doing a study abroad program for SU. So we are praying for safety for him!

My family is doing good and the babies (all my neices and nephews are growing!) Grace was 2 on May 9 ! She loves to wear her Sundresses!

Josh is now 5 Months old!
Sam is now 2 months old

I will do my best to keep all more up to date ...
Blessings to all,
Jenn (and) Mike

Calgary,Alberta

SAM smiles for Aunt Jenny!

I am having a wonderful time here in Calgary, while I am visiting my sister Jolyn, my brother-in-law, Eric and my newest nephew, Samuel! He is precious and such a "mom dream" for a first born baby!
I miss Mike dearly, and he misses too. I think he has really come to appreciate my normal work hours, (since I am around and there to take care of Abbey!) He has had to make special arrangements for Abbey to be checked on, for all the LONG hours he worked this past week. (And Abbey is just a dog!!!)
There is so much to say about the week...But some of the highlights have been:

1. I would make the top of my list, meeting Sam, and of course finally getting to see Jolyn & Eric's condo. Since Sam's arrival, they feel that they have already outgrown their house.
2. And I would also say the mountainous sights are a plus too. We went up to see the famous "Banff, Alberta"- it looks alike like Breckenridge, CO or Vail,CO. It is a breathtaking view of the Rocky Mountains. We even got to see a couple of Moose along the side of the road on our way up to Lake Louise to see some Hot Springs. It was a fun,long, fulfilled day for Jolyn, Sam and I.
3. My not so exciting moment- my visit to the Walk-In center for a horrible rash I picked up while traveling here! I got on a good, strong steroid and it is almost gone now!
   
   
   Can't believe that tomorrow is Aug. 1. Where did the summer time go? I know that summer time is usually through Labor day, but for me it is nearly over.
   In the meantime this has been a great way to end the summer-seeing Jolyn, Eric and Sam.
   Blessings to all,
   Jenn

Congrats- John & Nicole!

I am down to my last 3 weeks until I return. :(

I will actually go back to work on Thursday, Aug. 3 (once I return from Calgary!) and start getting things done in my room, before orientation begins on Monday,Aug.7! My kids do not start class until Tuesday, Aug. 15th! Anyway-it is gerorgeous ,sunny and too HOT to go to the pool! I could use a little more sun..but I think I am still "pooled" out from all the family and friends.
Speaking of Friends...Mike's good friend from H.S.,John Shepard and his girlfriend Nicole got engaged, Saturday, July. 15th~! (So the photos are of John in our wedding and then he and Nicole are on the right at the Cheesecake Factory with us back in April!) We are SO happy for them and I am sure we will make every attempt to attend the wedding! They have not set a date yet for the wedding...but Mike has tried to clue them in on a great weekend in June to get married! (LOL)
Mike had a business meeting today at the GA aquarium~ so I am sure it is more then a meeting!

Off to get some school items for a great deal at Walgreens!
Summer Blessings to all,
Jenn

Here are some of the latest summer advenures with family and friends!

Happy July 4th !

We are back from Fl. and we had a great time with Mom Riese, Aunt Jackie & Brian! The resort we stayed at was georgeous! (THANK YOU MIKE for staying at Marriott all those nights in the winter so we could have a great time in FL.!
Here are some photos from our stay....!
1. the house I tutor at- (That is their pool and Hot tub attached to it!)
2. Resort we stayed at in FL
3. Dinner at "30 Degree Blue" Restaurant for our 4th anniversary.
4. Mike and Mom Riese are loading up Brian with Sunblock for beach!
We had Mike's cousins here too, to visit for the weekend-so we had a great time being entertained by them (to say the least!)
Today we are recovering from all our late nights being out ! We are headed to a Braves game tonight-(I got the tickets from a student for an end of the year gift....so we are looking forward to it tonight!)
Happy 4th of July to all,
Jenn & Mike

Summer Drought!

Mike and I finally got some flowers and rose bushes planted. Joy sent us some rose bushes to plant, so we planted one in the ground and one in a large pot. We will see which one does better. (No color to them-so pretty aren't they?) Now that we got flowers planted by the mailbox (and 1/2 are growing/the other 1/2 died) and the rose bushes planted-we have a drought! We can only water our lawns on odd days (we are an odd #) so Sunday/Tuesday's and Thursdays are the only days we can water!! LOL Planting is not our "cup of tea!"

I talked to my dad and Mom on Father's Day...and they were babysitting little Sam. He is a pacificer baby. He had sucked his hand most of Saturday night and had a little blister! So now he has sock mittens (to protect his hands) and a pacifier to keep him content till it is time to eat! Can't wait to see him!

Mike is on vacation with me till July 9th! It is crazy...it is like the summer we got married! ( He didn't start with the firm until Sept. in 2002) Hard to believe that it has been 4 years of marriage...but we go back to 7 years of being together! WOW! It is so awesome to see how far God has brought us and can't wait to see where we will be in another 4 years from now. June 29th will be our 4th anniversary...at this point we plan to celebrate this weekend. We will be with his family on the 29th!

Tomorrow I am headed to The Women of Faith conference with a mom from my class-her sister mailed her 4 tickets (front row) and she decided to invite me. I was honored and can not wait to go! The theme this year is "Contagious Joy!" She is waiting to hear from a friend if she can go or not-if her friend from church can't go then I get to take Joy!! I'm praying that Joy gets to go, but I do not want to get my hopes up!
Next week we will have with Mike's family here and then heading to Panama City, FL. We can not wait for the break!...My good friend, Yvette and her daughter are going to watch Abbey for us!! Thanks Yvette-

I am off to clean kitchen- it is a mess.

Blessings to all,
Jenn

Baby Sam-Finally arrived!

It was a long day and a half for my sister Jolyn, and my brother-in-law,Eric! After 18 hours of Labor- Sam finally decided to arrive! My parents are both there and got to see him right after he was born. We are all so happy that he is finally here!
Our second nephew (3rd Clark grandchild)was born at 2:11 AM -this morning!
All 3 of his aunts got a phone call and I think the only aunt that actually awakened to talk to Jolyn was biggest Aunt, Jodi!


Samuel John Robert
June 16th -12:11 AM (C.S.T)
8 lbs. 14oz
21 inches long
Lots of light hair ...keeping the Clark grandkids tradition going..."full head of hair!" Biggest Clark grandbaby yet!! Way to go Jolyn-we are so proud of you!

Blessings to Eric, Jolyn and Sam!!
Aunt "Nenny" and Uncle Mike (for the 3rd time!!!)

Happy Birthday-David and Sam!

Happy Birthday David Ashworth (my best friend, Joy's fiance')!
The last few days-we have had Joy and David in town visiting from TN and they went to Six Flags! Today, we went out to lunch for David's birthday at the famous-Sweet Tomatoes (the place they ate at on their first date-LOL!) I am so glad that Joy is finally 2 hours away. She is waiting for all of her furnirture and belongings to arrive from Phoenix (to her apt. in TN) and she just got called that they will be coming tonight! She is excited to get back and finally get moved in!
I am on the phone with My mom in Canada and my sister, Jolyn. Jolyn is in labor today and looks like little Sam will arrive soon. Eric and Mom are taking turns getting little breaks and making calls! My dad is in the air and due to arrive tonight! So amazing how we have an agenda, but the babies have an agenda of their own!!! I am excited to meet little Sam the end of the summer before my return to work in August. It has been a great vacation thus far and tutoring is an awesome summer job!
I will post more once Mike and I are Aunt Nenny and Uncle Mike for the 3rd time. I am sure that he is not the last Clark grandchild!
Photos are of lunch today with David and Joy.
Happy 30th Birthday,David
(I know you are older...but so young at heart, and look like 30-thanks to Joy!)
Blessings to all,
Jenn

Summer Vacation-Finally

I am in my first week of the Long awaited Summer "Teacher"Vacation!
I actually had to go back after (being off only 2 days) and re-do my report cards, along with 4 other teachers. We were all glad to be there together...but had agenda's already. Needless to say, we got the errors corrected in 2 hours.
Saturday, I was ambitious and used some money from my class (the Home Depot Card) and decorated the masterbathroom. It actually turned out fabulous. My good friend from work, Yvette came over to be 2 extra hands to help me paint the whole thing. Mike of course, was woking on the monthly bills, and budget. He even got her on a budget!!! Dave Ramsey is making a huge impact....!
As for the rest of the summer: I will be tutoring 2 students from my school,spending 10 days here with Mike's family (who comes in on the 26th of June),taking them to FL for 2 days, Celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary my favorite time of the summer is 3 weeks of vacation time with my precious, love of my life-Michael, waking up and both being here and thinking about what we will do for the day, and sitting at the pool...etc. We have been waiting for June 19th!!! He is off the 19th of June-July 10!!!!
We hope you are all well and for all of you in the North-Summer is coming soon!!!
Summer Blessings,
Jennifer

Farewell Class of 2015!

My class was very special this year! I am totally amazed at how much you get connected to a class after 2 years! I taught many of them for 2 years and really watched them grow. I will miss them and their parents. Here is a letter I wrote to them last Thursday...don't cry!!
Blessigs to all,
Jenn

Farewell Riese's Pieces

(Class of 20015)

My Dear Riese’s Pieces,
It has been my joy and pleasure to teach and mentor each one of you to be more Christ- like this year in 3rd grade at N.C.C. S!
I have been blessed beyond measure by: your smiles, hugs, ”ah-ha” moments (when you finally got those tough math lessons), treasured all the class parties with you, gifts from you, awesome grades you worked hard for, even the tough days you had- to see what God taught you, words of encouragement from you and your parents, seeing prayers answered, hearing about all the awards you received outside of school, seeing you get rewarded in many ways that you earned, and above all, teaching you to know the LOVE of GOD and what it means to be Jesus to others.
As you look back on this book one day and see the characteristic of the “Fruit of the Spirit” that the class chose for you, may you still be showing it and exemplifying all of the Fruit of the Spirit! Remember- “You might be the only Jesus some will ever see &meet!”
I feel blessed to have been your teacher,and now I must graduate you on to 4th grade and begin all over again with a new group of “Riese’s Pieces” in August. If I may, I must use your class # again next year for a “new Riese’s piece” student? Don’t be sad-you will always hold a special place in my heart! Rejoice in the good work you have done and pray for the future classes that follow.
When you have tough times- “Don’t give up-keep your chin up!” Remember that you are loved by your parents, friends at NCCS and Mrs. Riese! God has a special plan for you! I can not wait to hear about it as you grow in Him.
Blessings to you all “My Riese’s Pieces”~
(Class of 2015)
Love your 3rd grade teacher,
Mrs. Riese

Debt Free -Car!!!!

Hello all (who find time to read our blog~)
This is Mike,
I am very excited (yeah baby-yeah!)
Today, Jenn and I paid off our 2003 -Toyota Coralla!
It feels great to have paid it off 13 months early! Now onto the other things we must pay off (Jenn's Rav 4, 2 College loans and the house!) We will have a big party when all the others are paid off!
Just had to share some excitement-somehow-what better way then to tell you all!
Happy Mother's Day ,Mom, and all you other mommies out there~
Later,
Mike (and Jenn too!)

Life right now...May 10, 2006

Rainbow of Thoughts today because of HIM!



I Live: with my husband and love of my life (when he is in town) and our dog Abbey
I Work: at North Cobb Christian School
I Talk: a lot...part of my job-(unless I am on the computer thinking!)
I Wish: my husband were here

I Enjoy: Friday's at 2:30 and Mike coming home
I Look: tired right now~
I Find: ways to encourage my students
I Smell: Glade Plug In
I Listen: to my 3rd graders all day and listen to my friends hurting hearts! (*I love you Yvette!)

I Hide: some receipts (till budget time)
I pray: each morning with my students
I Walk: with God daily!
I See: people who deserve my compassion
I Sing: in Chapel and Church
I Laugh: often at my 3rd graders
I Watch: 24
I Learn: to love in all my students

I dream: about our future children
I Want: to Glorify God
I Cry: when I hear about another business trip
I Read: Bible and Children's books
I Love: my God, my husband, my job, my friends
I Sometimes: wish I lived closer to our families~
I Touch: 8 & 9 year old lives every day!
I Hurt: when Mike is away, friends are going through a divorce or loose a loved one

I Fear: about the PWC workload for Mike
I Hope: I am a good, wife, teacher, sister, aunt and Friend
I Break: you can't break whats already broken
I Eat: not much-on a great diet...going very well...lost 6 pounds
I Quit: being sad
I Drink: Water~Water~Water!
I Save: to many emails
I Hug: my dog every day (some students too)
I Play: jokes on my Vice Principal- Debbie-she is a blast!
I miss : my husband, sisters, Joy and my childhood friend (& friendship) Molly!
I Forgive: because I have no right not to and God forgives us all!
I rejoice in: MY SALVATION and the peace that passes all understanding!

There would be no I sentences tonight, were it not for God and all he has done!
I smile at all of these, some are sad...but help me reflect the road God has me on!

Blessings to you all,
Jennifer

Happy Birthday Princess -Grace!

Dear Grace E.,
Happy 2nd Birthday!
We are so glad that you got the opportunity to come to Atlanta and see Aunt Jenny and Uncle Mike. I know you had so much fun playing "Basettball" with Uncle Mike too! Yes-my favorites were the party, playing with the squirt gun in the big tub each night and of course the "Wyons" at the Circus too!!
May you enjoy the next 365 days! I know you will learn so much over the course of the year! We can't wait to see how much you grow over the year and what God has in store for you-you are special to us all!
We love you-
Aunt JENNY & Uncle MIKE (and Abbey too!)

Priceless Memories!

Monday night we (4 sisters) & Grace and Josh celebrated Grace's 2nd birthday!
We had a big party (we think for the 4 of us more so,to enjoy) but Grace was loving every minute! She dug her face into the cake and loved the frosting!
We got her in the tub before we took off at 6:30 and decided to be crazy and go to the circus from 7:00-9:30!!When we arrived at the circus she was totally in awe of it all! Her eyes were twice as big as she saw the big Tigers, clowns/(she was totally enamored with them) but I think she really loved the "Elphants" (as she calls them) the Pony and Big Goat! The best way to end the night was at 9:00 (late for her...but she slept from 1:30-4:00) was when we walked out of the Circus (there was a fair and they had Pony Rides- Grace saw the ponies and she said-"Me ride Pony!"
Jodi gave in and paid $9.00 for a ride and a picture...
(Just like the Discover commercial says-The whole day was well spent but it ended the best way with a great pricelesss look! )/
Birthday cake- $30.00
Gas to get to the Circus-$45.00 (to fill up van)
Parking for the circus-$2.00
Price of the admission for the 4 adults -$20.00
Water bottles, BBQ CK Sandwiches and Corn on Cob-$20.00
Look on Grace's face as she rode the Pony- PRICELESS!!!
Anyway as I was riding around the pin with her- she saw some brown goats off to the side in the next stall over and said "What that?" I said those are goats - they say "BAA" she repeated it! and About 5 minutes later we were walking down the side and there were 2 camels -giving rides! She saw them and said "Me ride BIG GOATS!") Hilarious!
They left last night and I was sad to see them go!
But truely loved every minute together!
Blessings to all,
Jenn
I will post photos once I locate my camera in the house~

Finally here!

My sisters, Niece and Nephew are all here-safe and sound!
What a huge suprise it was when Julie saw Jolyn!
She just sighed and said-"AHH-JOLYN IS HERE?!?!" Then she just sobbed!!!
We really got her good! It was fun to pull it off! Then we all stood there and admired baby Josh and then moved to admire Jolyn's pregnant belly- Little Sam!~
Mike just stood back in complete awe of 4 sisters and the connection going on!
(In the meantime Gracie was enamored with "Aunt Juey's" Chapstick!!)
Had a simple night of eating PaPa John's Pizza- they messed up the order so we got it for 1/2 off!! Grace was in her glory swimming tonight in Aunt Nenny's Garden tub and we all took turns cuddling baby Josh! He is on his 5th diaper since being here! Poor little guy has a sore bottom!! He is an absolutely precious baby!
I am very thankful to my coworker June who traded cars with me for the next 4 days...she loaned me their 7 passenger mini van and we all fit perfectly!!
Looking forward to much more adventure...Mike is on his way home from a softball game and I am headed to bed.
Long day today, but priceless being with my sisters!
Blessings to all~
Jenn

Sisters' Weekend!

I am so excited..
My sisters are coming to spend a long weekend with me!
(Friday-Tuesday) I took my last personal day for Monday, May 1st. I had hopes of spending the day with Mike, but he unfortunately was not able to get the day off.
So, I emailed my sisters and asked (jokingly) if they wanted to come and bond for the weekend. They are coming!!! They got great flights~(considering that it was only a 10 day in advance booking) and the best part yet....I get to meet my new nephew, Joshua (J.J) Jodi is bringing both kids-Thanks to some help from Julie- AKA- "Aunt Dewy"
I think most of the weekend will revolve around the life of my precious niece Grace and what she thinks seems appealing at the moment. We might just ger in to take her 2 year old pictures and visit the Atlanta Zoo! I know we will celebrate her 2 year old birthday, thanks to a special bakery that I won a gift certificate too, along with some other restaurants! (I won a basket of gift certificates at our Spring Fling!) There is a neighborhood Garage sale this weekend here in Chandler Ridge...We might find a few things to sell! But might have more fun shopping for Baby Josh. Lots of little kids in this neighborhood. We will see how it all unfolds. I do hope to get in a pedicure with my sisters, maybe Uncle Mike will enjoy Nap time (with the kids) on Sunday and let us all get away!! Mike babysit alone~??!! I had to take 5 extra hours off of work (to get all back to airport) but it is all worth it to be with my my sisters! Family First...over work!
Off to go get baby diapers for this weekend and go work out at gym.
Blessings to all,
I will post pictures when they arrive here from MI.
Jennifer

Time is ticking away!

As of today- there are only 26 days left till school is over! I must say that it has been a wonderful year...a few bumps in the road, but they were good growing pains! I will be going into my 7th year of teaching come August!
WOW time has flown! I remember the first day I started teaching 3rd grade...I was totally in awe of that control that I had.
Speaking of time flying, Joy and David are counting down the days till their Sept. 30th wedding. It will be an exciting weekend!
So, we plan to forfeit the NewYork Vacation in July, beacause I will be there in September, to stand up for Joy and David's wedding. I wish I could say "WE" will be in NY, in Sept. BUT somebody has a very important engagement to attend...."A Softball Tournament!" Mike is heading up the ATL -PWC. office League; he will do what he can to attend the ceremony...but at this point...( I can not plan on him being there!) It is a weekend for me to bond with Joy before she is MRS. David Ashworth and spend time with the lovely in-laws! (They really are too!) So we will both be off doing what we love!!!
Time has so many meanings to it...right now when I say time in 3rd grade, my class thinks I am talking about their "times tables" that they need to know, or the "time-minutes" they owe for disobeying. As we all know, God is the ultimate controller of time- how much time have you given him today? I hope that you can set aside time for him each day, because he has given us so much time in our day. (I am speaking to myself too!)
May you continue to praise God for the many things he done for you. Don't waste the time God has given you!!
Blessings,
Jenn :)

Congratulations, JOY & DAVID!!!

This is a very exciting weekend for my best friend,Joy! I found out 2 weeks ago that David, Joy's boyfriend was going to propose on Good Friday-and I could not say a word! It was killing me!! She said,YES! I am so happy for their upcoming wedding this September! (Put that Bridesmaid dress in the budget, MIKE!!)Anyway, We are here in Knoxville,TN visiting with David and his family and will be spending Easter tomorrow with them! We even had time to fit in dress shopping (Joy, David's mom, and me!) She found a dress!
Mike is still getting through this client....and it is still not DONE!!! But he was sweet enough to come for the weekend!!
I hope all is well s with you and that you rejoice in the celebration of our Savior's resurrection tomorrow!!!
So happy for you both, Joy and David!
Love ya-
Jenn & Mike

Back from D.C.

We had a wonderful time in DC with the family and even saw some good friends.
We are back to work tomorrow and then back on the road Easter Weekend~to Knoxville,TN to see Joy ,her boyfriend,David, and his family.
Enjoy all the photos.
(Photos are as follows:

• Mom and Dad Riese in the Bahamas,
  
• Washington Monument (looking through the Cherry Blossoms),
  
• Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory with John and Nicole (Mike's Friend from H.S)
  
• Mike and I at the F.D.Rosevelt Monument (posing by his dog ...that looks like our Abbey!!!)
  

Blessings to all,
Jenn

We WON!

March Madness is over and the results from the PWC Bracket tournament are in!
We won 2nd place out of 144 entries!! YEAH- I say "WE" because the entry that won had my name on it! However Mike chose them all so he really won...but he is being generous and allowing me to use a portion of money from the winnings to go to Canada this summer to see Jolyn! YEAH, Again!
Today is the 1 year anniversary of Uncle Moose's homegoing. We are praying today for all of you Parkers and want you to know you are in our thoughts and prayers especially today. Precious memories we will allways treasure of him!!
We saw some sites today of D.C. we will upload photos soon. We are waiting for Phil to return from class so we can download the photos.
Off to go make Turkey dinner for the guys. Mom and Dad Riese return tonight!! Can't wait to hear all about their cruise'n adventure!!
Blessings to all,
Jenn