My new Job... beginning in August!

Joy emailed this to me...and we have seen this forward many times!
But now we are about to take this new career on in our lives!
All you moms out there will agree I know with the many responsibilites it requires.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Being a MOM-
Long term team players needed for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing work variable hours which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in faraway cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Must provide on-site training in basic life skills, such as nose blowing. Must have strong skills in negotiating, conflict resolution and crisis management. Ability to suture flesh wounds a plus. Must be able to think out of the box but not lose track of the box, because you most likely will need it for a school project. Must reconcile petty cash disbursements and be proficient in managing budgets and resources fairly, unless you want to hear "He got more than me!" for the rest of your life.

Also must be able to drive motor vehicles safely under loud and adverse conditions while simultaneously practicing above mentioned skills in conflict resolution. Must be able to choose your battles and stick to your guns. Must be able to withstand criticism, such as "You don't know anything." Must be willing to be hated at least temporarily, until someone needs $5 to go skating. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.

Also must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million chap, plastic toys and battery operated devices.

Also, must have a highly energetic entrepreneurial spirit, because fund-raiser will be your middle name. Must have a diverse knowledge base, so as to answer questions such as "What makes the wind move?" or "Why is the sky blue?" on the fly. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTION:
Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:
None required, unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:
You pay them, offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS:
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered, job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right!


So, I am about to embark on a new job that will never end.. and I know that no day will be the same! I am really praying that the Lord leads me to be the mom he wants me to be!
I am down to 15 days left at NCCS! AHH! I am overwhelmed and dreading where to start with the packing of my personal belongings.
I still have to get through:
end of the year requirements, report-cards, award ceremony, this Friday-Field Day and then the following week...end of the year party!
It will be a BUSY 2 weeks!

I will let you know how it all goes!
Blessings,
Jenn

Happy Birthday Grace!

WOW!
Our neice GraceE is 3 years old today!
She has been so excited for her birthday!
We love you Grace and hope that it is a FUN-pretty, pink Princess and My Little Pony Day for you that you have wanted!!!

XO
Aunt Jenny, Uncle Mike and Cousin Riese :)

Best Friends & both pregnant!

Here are some photos of our fun weekend!




YUP, my best friend Joy and her husband, David are expecting their first baby 12 weeks after Mike and mine! We have been best friends since 96 and we always talked about it...but never actually dreamed it would happen! YEAH! We also love being 2& 1.2 hours apart! They came to visit us for the weekend, following his brother's wedding in Chattanooga!

We also had Mike's cousin Chad and his girlfriend Rachel in town too, from VA. It was a full house...but the company all bondeds and got along great. Saturday the 3 of us girls went out shopping to locate the right window rods for Baby Riese's new curtains. We had to go check out dishes that Joy has been having her eye on! The guys of course went to shoot some hoops.
Following our Saturday afternoon adventures, we grilled Ck and then went to "Dave and Busters." It is like an adult Chucke-Cheese! Played big video games and the good ol'ski ball! We had to much fun!
When Mike gets the curtain rods up I will post the photo. I am starting to get ancy to get the nursery done, before I lose my energy the last tri-mester. Still have alot in me and all is going great. Baby Riese is kicking lick crazy and I am feeling good. The GA heat gets to me, and certain days it keeps me out of car-line at work! My boss doesn't need a 5 month pregnant teacher passing out at car-line (when the kids go home!)Only 3 and 1.2 weeks left with my class!
Have a wonderful week!
Jenn, Mike and Baby Riese :)

Our first furniture purchase for Baby!

Mike and I had an adventurous day! We made our first BIG purchase for Baby Riese!
We bought the baby crib and High chair (which is actually called a "feeding table") today!
I got an invitation to a Safety Seminar by a company called: Babee Tenda and it perked us to go, because there was a gift at the end!
We went after church and we are thrilled with the investment we made.
Here is the website of what we purchased:

We got the crib in Cherry Wood! The thing that impressed us, is that it comes with the mattress and a built in box spring.(Most of the cribs in the stores do NOT come with a mattress and you end up paying the price in the end for just the right (style or design of a crib, and then the mattress!)
The representative from Babee Tenda stood inside the crib! He was around 175 pounds. The cribs built by Babee Tenda are made to hold up to 280 pounds! WOW!
It has a door on the side, so that you can open the crib up and place the baby in it from the side, by sitting in a chair or you can lean over and put the baby in from the top! (The door option is great if you have a c-section!) No leaning over needed! So much more I could say...and yes it is also made to convert into a bed for a child!
The feeding table will convert to: a feeding-table for 3 months old all the way up to a 3 year old, a desk, art table and much-much more for the child when they are older!
The comments were outstanding. One family bought the feeding table 50 years ago and used it with all 18 of their grand kids. How often do you hear a family using a highchair 50 years later?!
You all know how frugal my husband is! He was the one who was in favor of buying the crib and the feeding table! I just wanted the table. He is a man of saving his $$$ and knows when you make a purchase not to just buy anything but he looks for the long-term investment! They do have a great policy too: if by God's plan you lose the baby during pregnancy or birth, they will fully refund the purchase and pay the shipping back! That is a wonderful deal.
The bed and table will arrive in about 4 weeks!
We will hopefully have some work done on the nursery once the bed arrives.
FYI: No recalls at all~ They have been around for 70 years!
We will post pictures when the furniture arrives!
Blessings,
Jenn, Mike & Baby Riese

Very Healthy Baby Riese

Tuesday was the big day! Mike and I got to see Baby Riese(BR)!
It was an amazing morning! Words can not express the emotion and thrill of seeing our baby in the womb! God is amazing-at the miracle of life! How can one not believe in the God of the universe and the creator of Life?? I am truly grateful for this little blessing. I really wanted to reach out and hold BR,especially when it opened its mouth and looked like it was talking to us! Precious!
When we first began,BR. was sleeping on it's belly with it's head turned side ways- so we saw the spine and back first!( I said..."hey that is how I sleep!!") So it must take after mommy! Gina(the Ultra-sound tech) had to wake up BR. and soon it started to move around. (It didn't like being tapped around at first with the Ultra-sound monitor!) I felt the kicking too! BR is very LONG! The actual term was "above average" In the life of a teacher;so nice to hear that your child is considered "above average!"
The Ultra-sound actually read that BR is 1 week older then the original due date, because it has really long legs. (Long legs run on both sides of our family!) I am still on schedule for the end of Aug. Maybe Baby will come before the 20th!!! But then hearing about baby Riese being so long-makes me wonder and think that I may be in for a big baby at the end! Mom R. said that Michael was 22 inches long when he was born. Some of you may not know this know about wonderful husband-(who is actually small framed with a big heart) but, he was 10lbs & 14 oz. at birth! Yes, a prayer for a nice sized (7 or 8 pound baby would be great)...not really praying for a 10 lb baby! My OB said parents' birth weight does not always have to do with the weight of your future children! (Fingers crossed!)If I do have a big baby and have to go early, I am all for that-that would be awesome!
I got complimented on the amniotic sac having plenty of fluids. She said "I can tell you are drinking plenty of water!" I really have done pretty well with the fluids and only gained 16 pounds total since the beginning!
We got 10 photos (actually 11...but that one is just for me!) Mike walked out of the room-when the sex was to be revealed! I am thrilled...and you all know we do not care if the baby is a boy or a girl!
Enjoy the photos of Baby Riese!
Thanks for all the prayers thus far!We covet them the next 17 weeks! (Only 4 more months to go!)
The week has been more noticeable in the world of (pregnancy)!
I have really felt it in the "ribs!" They are sore from all the stretching-but no complaints.
I just rest much more now when I get home from work!
Speaking of which...only 26 more days of 3rd grade! I am not sure what to think? I will miss it, but will really treasure being home with Baby Riese!
Blessings to all,
Jenn Mike and above average-Baby Riese

22 weeks and only 3 days till Ultra Sound!!

I am now 22 weeks and looking (and feeling) pregnant!I can not complain...most days I feel great. My feet get tired easy-if I am standing all day. Now I am finding myself more frequently teaching from my stool or my "teacher chair!"
Tuesday, April 24th my mom's birthday (also) is the big ultra-sound! I am going to find out what it is....Mike is not going to find out! I will do my best to keep it a surprise for him. For the most part everyone will find out in August what Baby is! It is just driving me crazy...and for the sake of the couple showers before I leave work...it will help them out! I will have to hide some stuff at my co-workers house to keep it a suprise from Mike. I am going to try really hard!
Today was a HOT and sunny day!Almost 80 degrees!
We had the Spring Fling at my school and I went to do my 2 hours of work! I worked the Ice-cream stand! I was also entered into the Homemade Ice-cream contest by none other then our PTF president! (Her son is in my class-so she goes out of her way all the time to make me feel appreciated!) She also knows that I have a hobby of cooking-and so she always does things like this (and enters me in the annual contests themes)...I told her I've never made ice-cream and I do not have an ice-cream maker! She went out of her way to get me one and then gave me and her family's recipe too! It was a hit! Homemade Banana Ice-cream-it is a favorite of our headmasters! I got 2nd place! I won a gift card to Target and a handpainted Ice-cream scoop! I will look forward to getting some more maternity clothes with that gift card!
Mike was impressed with the ice-cream maker! He is not a lover of sweets, but he does eat Ice-cream! So, this summer...we will have some Ice-cream parties with friends!
I will keep you all posted and hopefully have photos of baby soon!
Blessings,
Jenn, Mike & Baby

Newest additions to our families!

We have had so many excitements in the past week- all related to "new life!"

It was wonderful to meet the new addition to my immediate family, baby Jack!

Now we have exciting news to share about a newest addition that will join Mike's family officially this fall:

Last Thursday, Mike's favorite, (older) brother, Brian and his
girlfriend Courtney got engaged! I am thrilled because this will add 1
more girl to his family festivities around the holidays and get-togethers!
I liked Courtney from the start (she is a teacher too) and I knew she
was a keeper, Brian! Mike nearly scared her away...with his outgoing
personality and impromptu remarks...but Brian and his unconditional love melted her heart to make her stay!I am thrilled!
It sounds like it will be a wedding this fall and it will be Baby Riese's
first big family adventure! We are thrilled for you both and can not
wait to see all that God will do in the future for you both as you
become one!
We are excited for you both and look forward to celebrating the big day with you!

CONGRATULATIONS, Brian and Courtney!
Love,
Jenn (Mike & Baby Riese)

Highlights of our trip to MI!

Baby Jack is here!

Here is the big news from yesterday!
Julie went about 10 hours with strong contractions and no pain medicine! Later in the day baby Jack flipped. So, at 6:00 PM they took her for a c-section (because he decided to go breech)!
Jack arrived on : April 6th @ 6:20 PM
weighing : 8lbs ,2 oz. & 18 inches long
He has light red hair and blue eyes
*(Spunds like Grandpa Clark's genes passed on the red hair from Great Grandma Clark!)
Julie is doing great (as can be) and told mom that is the way to go!! We are so proud of her and can't wait to meet baby Jack!
We will be going to meet baby Jack today before we head home to GA, today! We are so excited he came while we were in town.
Most of all it is a joy to have this new life with us on this Easter Weekend!
I will post photos very soon!
Happy Easter to all of you,
Aunt Jenny, Uncle Mike (and cousin Baby-Riese)

Good Friday!

Today is a day to rejoice and thank the Lord for what he has done for us!
We hope you all have a wonderful Easter Celebration this weekend and reflect on all that God done for you!
Today, is a Celebration for our family!
Mike and I have come to MI this week to see the family (for Spring Break) translated (Winter Break- here with all the cold weather.) My youngest sister was really hoping to have her baby while we are in town. Her due date is tomorrow!!! Her water broke at 5:15 AM this morning! She was really down at the DR. appointment the other day, there was no progress and looked like Jack was not going to budge! We really thought it would be another 2 weeks before Jack would arrive. God of course is in control and we are rejoicing that we will meet him by tomorrow! YEAH!!!! (Praying it is not to painful, Julie!) I will keep you all posted and have photos soon of our new little nephew!!!
Happy Easter,
Jenn & Mike

Special visit with Mom & Dad

We had an awesome time with my parents. My parents came to visit us for a vacation and get away from the cold
Michigan weather. They could not have picked a better week. It was 80-85 the whole time they were here!
My mom and dad got allot of work done on the house! To us it was a vacation because of all the work they did for us!
They said it was a treat to come to us-but they really treated us and did so much around the 
house and outside. My dad fixed the garage door for Mike. He was thrilled. 
>It was really shaky and needed some new bolts. 
>*Highlights: 
>
>    * Friday we went to a Church that was having a kids consignment
>      sale. My mom and I could not believe all that we
>      saw! My dad just laughed and carried stuff for us. 
>
>    * My mom bought me a Baby Bjorn (baby carrier!) She also got me a Baby Einstein Floor gym. /You lay baby on
>      floor gym! We figure-if it can be washed and it is in great shape....buy it!
>    * I got a "new looking" (large size) Eeyore and plush Classic Pooh! They will go great in the new nursery!
>    *  I also bought a baby bouncer seat - (for $14.00) it has an ocean
>      scene that lights up and it is around $60.00 at Babies R-Us! I am
>      so grateful for consignment sales! We saved a ton! But there is still PLENTY of items on my registry to get!
       We got my registry all completed at Babies R-Us and Target!
   * My appointment was great Friday and lasted only 10 minutes! I am 
loving the new OB visits system so much more...Hear the heartbeat, weigh in, check my blood pressure and 
re-schedule!Here is the best news....no more fees due! My maternity 
visits, labor and delivery are covered 100%! Mike of course was tickled!! He didn't know how to control himself.
    *We went out to a great restaurant on Saturday with Mom and Dad~and then on Sunday we
went to see the Titanic exhibits! It was so amazing to see this part of history revealed!
We are so glad that we got to spend such quality with my parents. 
We are headed to see my family all in MI (next week) for Spring Break! 
We are looking forward to the time there! No hopes for a new nephew, 
but his due date is the Saturday that we are there!! My sister is really ancy for him to be out!
We hope that Spring is finally in bloom for all of you!
Blessings,
Jenn, Mike and Baby!

Precious memories of Grandma

WOW!
February came and went! It was a very fast month and we ended the month by making an unexpect trip to NY!
On Feb. 22 Grandma, (Mike's maternal grandma passed away)!
We debated on the trip and how to get there-being pregnant and traveling about 14 hours was some what of the big discussion! But, after we looked at the $1,000 plane tickets we decided to drive! I am feeling great now and knew if we stopped every 2-3 hours I could make it!
We got to Mom & Dad's at 5AM on Saturday morning and enjoyed the time with them, Mike's brother Phil and getting to know Brian's girlfriend! We had calling hours on Saturday and the Memorial service on Sunday. Grandma planned her funeral out last fall, as she was almost 92 and was ancy to go to Heaven and see Grandpa and her 2 boys already preceeded in death by her! We traveled back home Monday morning and we are SO glad that we took the time out of our busy schedules to be there! My boss was generous enough to give me 2 and 1/2 days off of work and Mike had a full 2 days off as well! Mike was in transition with a new client, so the timing could not have been any better! We will really miss Grandma especially her laughs,teasing her (the boys especially, her faithful birthday cards to us all, homemade cream puffs and most of all, her unconditional love! She was known for her quilt making and it really makes us treasure the quilts we have here in our house!

BABY UPDATE:

I am 16 weeks and feeling great!
Many of you have been asking to see photos of me-so I finally have a photo to post!
I really have just started showing and I am at such an in-between phase of clothes! Looking forward to the belly really popping out (and rounding more) so that the maternity clothes fit better! My next appointment is March 23 and the beginning of April is the big ultra sound!
But we are Still NOT going to find out the sex of the baby! Some of you are disappointed but it will be one of the most interesting phone calls you'll get from Mike-come Aug! To many debates of me wanting to know and Mike not wanting to know! It will make all the labor in Aug. more worth it to know what the baby is!
Blessings to you all,
Jenn, Mike and Baby :)

Creative Valentine Mailbox

(Purple Tulips from Mike!)

Happy Valentines Day!
(A couple days late!)

My class had to make Valentines Mailboxes with the mailbox provided. They had 4 categories they could choose from.One of my girls got very creative and won the "Most Funny" category...for creating Baby Riese!
Here is the mailbox... (My face cut out on the front and none other then a paci! Yes!It is a torn a part baby doll to look like the funniest baby mailbox! The class really got a kick out of it!)
She happily let me keep it! Hmm, it will be a story to tell Baby Riese one day!
So, Mike and I had great plans for the night! (Since it might be one of our last opportunities to just go do something for Valentines night with out being tied down!!!) It was suppose to be a fun night of dinner out and a movie-but God had other plans. I got a flat tire on the way to go see Mike! Fortunately it was in the neighborhood, so I pulled over in the culdesac closest to me and called him! Of course, I was crying that I had ruined our night. We ended up having dinner at a nice Italian restaurant nearby! We liked the place and we will have to go back again.
Well I am off to go get some things done for the weekend.
Blessings to all,
Jennifer

What's in a Name?

So we have had quite a journey this past month talking about names.
I love the verse in Proverbs that says,"A good name is rather to be chosen then great riches!"
So what is so special about names?
It is so amazing to take in this great responsibility-led alone naming your children!
I always do a search of my classes names each year-and it tells me how to pray for them!
I'm always amazed at how many of them, really DO live up to their names!!!
About 2 years ago, Mike and I agreed on family names for a boy and we have stuck with it :
BOY: P.W. (for those of us who know us know what this stands for)
(maiden names of our mothers)
he thinks it would be great to throw in C. after my dad-and get the initials -no joke (Think of the initials)

GIRL- Isabella Joy (or) Kayla Joy (Mikes choice!)
Isabella means "consecrated to God" ,and Joy after the one and only friend,Joy in our lives!
So we are having fun and I would not be surprised if we come up with a different name for a girl before Aug!
He actually thinks we could use P. for a girl-but I am not sold on it!
Only the Lord knows who is in my belly. He already knows the babies whole life...so amazing!
BABY UPDATE: 13 weeks & baby has a healthy heartbeat!
I heard the heartbeat on Friday-It was unbelieveable! (Mike had to work and missed out!)
Baby has 142 beats per minute! It really did sound like a horse galloping!
I am finally feeling much better and now that my 2nd tri-mester has begun I am getting so much more energy back!
We will keep you all posted on upcoming Baby R!
lessings,
Jenn, Mike and Baby:)

"A miracle waiting to be seen.."

Here is the photo from my first ultra sound 2 weeks ago! My digital had been uncoperative and I finally got it working! The frame is from one of my room mom's! So fitting for this miracle from God.
I will keep you all posted; and baby belly photos to come! (Not really noticeable yet!) Clothes are just getting tight. I am still dealing with m.sickness, and hopefully just 2 more weeks of it!
Mike is intensely busy with his current client. I can not wait for Feb. to arrive!
We have Joy and David in town this weekend! (They are actually keeping me company-since Mike is so consumed with his work.)
It is nice he is here, but will be nicer when the client is over!
Have a great week, Jenn & Mike

Baby Riese-Aug. 2007!

YUP-that is right....Mike and I are expecting our first baby on Aug.25th!
So this is my first blog of 2007 and the big adventure of the year is awaiting our little miracle to arrive!
We found out 2 weeks before Christmas ...and the news was shared with the family on Christmas!
On Friday,January 12, I had an internal ultrasound! (It is the first ultrasound they do now days to make sure there is a heartbeat.) It was unbelieveable- and so amzing how little a baby begins and the growth that develops each day! The minute my Dr. began the ultra sound there was an instant picture and there it was... a little tiny baby.. (which looks like a little gummy bear)!...The most important part we were awaiting was the beating heart! It was just a beating away. At my 12 week appointment I will get to hear the heart beat!
It was so cool and we are excited!
The biggest thing-we are not going to find out what the baby is!
That is very hard for me the planner! But this is something Mike has always wanted to do, so I will TRY to honor that.
As for the whole world of feeling pregnant-My body does! I have morning sickness....I find it now a morning routine to throw up a couple of times while I prepare for work.
Hopefully this whole morning sickness will only be a few more weeks!?
Keep us in your prayers as we prepare for Baby Riese.
Blessings to all -
Jenn, Mike and Aug. Baby!

Christmas Highlights-2006

We just got back from NY and had a great time with Mike's family~(despite the stomach flu that many of his family members got) we were glad to be home for a week.
Fortunately Mike and I did not get it...his brother's, him and I were obsessed with drinking Arbonne.
We stopped in DC on the way to NY and finally got the meet Courtney! Courtney is the girlfriend of Brian (Mike's older brother) and I must say that I am glad I took her a Christmas present ;(yes-it was our first time to meet her-and we totally approve too Brian!) but I know how Mike always is-so it was my way of saying "do not be scared away from the family!"
We stuck to the family tradition of appetizers for Christmas Eve Dinner. It was great-
I made a Frech Onion soup and Mom Riese made "yummy" Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Phil did a first for the meal this year-and made delicious Coconut Shrimp! (I just liked the coating on the shrimp-I have never been a lover of seafood!)
We had plenty more to eat...and this year we opted not to make a special dessert since we had nearly 5 dozen differernt kinds of Christmas cookies!
Christmas Eve we open up all our gifts and I loved all the gifts we got-but by far-we had a blast giving all our gifts this year.
I always treasure the time with the family...and this was a memorable Christmas. I missed my family-but will look forward to Christmas of '07 together.
Christmas Day was great to get together with all of Mom Riese's Family and catch up with everyone. It was then next day that many got sick...Mike was convinced that it was food poisoning...but we knew it wasn't!
It was good to see good ol' Syracuse and shop a little with the brothers-brought back alot of memories being in SYR. and our first home! Can't believe that we have been married 4 & 1/2 years. We are in the midst of deciding on a big celebration in June!
Can't believe that New Years Day is tomorrow-
Happy New Year~May God bless you all in 2007-
Jenn & Mike

My Greatest childhood memory of Christmas

As Christmas Day is approaching in less then 2 weeks, I am reminded of so many memories.
I have to say one of my all time favorite Christmas memories was the year that my mom and dad made a huge sacrifice to go above and beyond the call of duty and get me "the doll!" Mind you I was the one daughter who had to have "the doll" every year for Christmas. My parents were in the ministry and money was tight! Ever since I can remember,I was always fasinated with "dolls!"
The one doll that always brings me back to Christmas morning memories was the year I was in second grade. I had just been introduced to "Real Baby" at school by a friend. I played with this doll all day! My heart fell in love with her...I just knew that was what I wanted for Christmas!) Little did I know that she was the most expensive doll that year. As the school day came to an end, I was wondering how to ask for a doll that I figured was probobly too much money! I remember getting off the bus and seeing my mom shoveling the snow! I slowly walked up the walkway to our house and said Mom- my friend brought this doll "Real Baby to school! Can I get one?" My mom then went on to say"Yes, I know what doll she is-(I could not believe she knew what I was talking about) and she then went on to say the words that broke my heart,"she is to expensive!" I remember crying a little bit-but I decided to put her at the top of my list!
I certainly did not get my hopes up and really knew there was NO way I would get her! We knew Jesus was the real meaning of Christmas-but Santa brought presents to our house and that morning was one of my all time treasured moments of Christmas....
..There was a big box that had Jennifer on it! I just knew it was Real Baby-but "she was to expensive"As I opened the box and my eyes focused on the figure inside the box and the name on the outside of the box, it became very clear to me and I burst out with joy-"Real Baby-Real Baby!!! I got Real Baby!"
(And I even got the one that came in the Bunny Rabbit outfit-I must have really wanted that one!)
That morning all I wanted to do was play with her! I named her that morning with my sister Jodi, and we agreed on "Katie and Lynn (after my sister Jodi's middle name.)
To this day, I still have no idea how Mom and Dad got the money for her. I still do not even know how much she cost! ( I doubt that they still have the receipt....) but she was priceless to me!
As you reflect on Christmas- my prayer is that you will find more joy in giving and the real reason we celebrate Christmas;Jesus and the meaning of his birth!
It is always a real blessing to give to others; sometimes a sacrifice on our part will make a world of difference in the life of a child or loved one!
Thanks Mom and Dad for fulfilling one of my greatest Christmas wishes for me! (It meant the world to me!)
( I still have my "Real Baby-Katie!")
Remember to focus on giving this year-and most of all forget not the greatest gift ..."Baby Jesus the Savior of the World!"
Blessings of the Christmas Season to all,
Jennifer

BUNKO "Queen!"

Great story to share~
Tuesday night I had the best night playing with 11 of my neighborhood girl-friends(whom I am still getting accquainted with!)
In the south it is a tradition for many of the neighborhoods to have a Bunko Club! There are 12 members for 1 year and you meet 1 time each month at the neighborhood clubhouse or (in our case) at one of the member's homes. (Each lady hosts bunko 1 time a year!)
Top ten reasons to play BUNKO

1. Fellowship-someone is cooking you dinner
2. Play the BUNKO GAME -aiming to WIN
   
3. Laugh often,eat great foods, see each other's home
   
4. Get prizes for winning the most rounds
5. Get a prize for losing the most rounds
6. Get a prize if your name is drawn out of the Door prize bowl
7. Get a prize for having the most Bunkos
   
8. It only costs $5.00 (and you could walk away with 50-$100.00 in gifts)
9. get to know more about each other's family
10. Have some company while DH is away -or great excuse to get out of the house (after a long stressful day!)
    

I was asked to become a sub member in Aug. and I willingly said "yes" since BUNKO is on Tuesday's nights and my lovely Mike-is away most Tuesdays.
I went last night and had the time of my life-no clue that I would walk away with 2 gifts and be so tired...but relaxed when I got home!
Here is the object of the game-(not sure this makes sense)....

• In the game of Bunko you have 3 sets of dice(3 in each set) you split up into groups of 4....go to 3 different rooms and play the game (at the same time).
  
• When the head table rings the bell-the game begins.
• The Goal of the game is to aim for the digit on your paper (to roll that) on the dice. We have 6 digits on the dice-so you begin with 1 -
• Each play takes a turn rolling the dice...any time that I roll that dice on Round 1 -and it has a 1 dot on it-you get a tally mark....you continue this each time...till you can not roll that number.
  
• You also gain the points of your partner!
  
• If at any time on your roll that you accomplish to roll 3 of that digit...it is called a BUNKO and you automatically win that round with your partner (no matter wich team -at the table was ahead!)
• Once you hear BUNKO- or JUST the Head table (who rings the bell) gets to 21 then the round ends
  
• Then you move on to the next room and begin playing the next row...which would be 2's!

All of that to say.... I am known for 1 month know as the BUNKO queen -until Jan. 9th- because I successfully had 3 BUNKOS last night!(It is totally on a luck of the throw of dice!) I was thrilled and more shocked at how many Bunkos I had. Then to make matters funnier I also gained the door prize of the night-they drew my name and I got a beautiful serving casserole platter and Iron rod stand for it. My Bunko prize was a crystal dish!
I can not wait till I host it...and have no clue what my theme or meal will be! Good thing is-I can sit and ponder it for 4 months!( I do not host BUNKO until April 9th!)
In the meantime I have many more things that will preoccupy my mind: Work-Christmas presents-Christmas cards, Mike( and I am excited to see him...he is on his way home)!
I am so glad I could bore you with my life of BUNKO World!
Until next time-
Blessing to you all,
Jennifer (aka: "BUNKO QUEEN!")

December has arrived!

Happy December! (Hard to believe the year has just about come to an end!)
Here is the latest of my nephews:
Josh (on the left is 8 1/2 months)
Aunt Julie (pregnant here with her first baby in April-Jack) and she's holding Sam who is 5 1/2 months.
Sam on the right with his big grin

Hopefully all of you had a great Thanksgiving? My whole family (in MI) got ill with the BAD stomach Flu! Mike and I almost went to MI, when I found out my sister was flying in with Sam ,and my aunt was coming from CO. with my cousin Brittany! However, it would have been 11 hours of travel and considering we'd only be there for 2 1/2 days, it would not be a relaxing holiday that we so needed! I do miss my little nephews and Grace!The boys have grown so much since I saw them last!
We had a great time with Chris & Meghan and way to much food-but isn't that what the holidays are all about?
We got most of our shopping done this year-on line! I only have to finish a few more gifts. Christmas cards are nearly done-just have to take the photo (I think we are wearing PINK!) Mike is into the fad of guys wearing pink. He actually looks really good in it too!( LOL)
Last night began the Holiday Season kickoff for us: We went to Christmas Party #1 for Mike's work. (It was just the department he works in! There was a catered meal and a great band playing Christmas music!)
Next Friday is the Annual Atlanta PWC Christmas Ball-it is Formal-and I have been told that I have enough Formals outfits, and I do not need to go buy another new one! (He's right-we'll see what kind of mood I am in and which outfit I go for next Friday!) I always look forward to the adult conversations and great food! (I have so many conversations with 8 & 9 year olds (and talk so much to Abbey), that I look forward to spending time with Mike and few friends of ours from the firm!)
Work is very stressful for me this year and I am getting ancy for this Curriculum review to be done with! We are up for renewal on our certification this year~ and the headquarters are coming in March. I have a wonderful team-but this is their first year in 3rd grade at the school. So I am the only one who has taught all the material and knows what to write/ update! Within our team, one is great at typing and the other is really good with Biblical Integrations! We are in the midst of finishing language and are stalling some with all the Biblical integrations-so many people do not have a clear concept of how deep it really has to be. My Bible degree is helpful-but I am still being stretched here! Any idea about teaching adverbs and theBible-I will gladly accept any thoughts.
I am off to go catch up on laundry? Mike is back to Busy season and working on Saturday Mornings.
Blessings to all of you as you prepare for the Chrismas season,
Jenn and Mike