Wow! It's hard to believe that 2007 is here and gone! And what a year for change. It has been amazing to see our little family grow together. I am so thankful for so many things. I remember that every year for a VERY long time, my New Years Eve wish was that I would find someone who would love me and care for me as my husband. If you had told me then - that my life would have turned into this fairytail - I would have laughed in your face. I'm so thankful that God's ways were higher than mine and that His thoughts were bigger than mine!! He has blessed us beyond measure by giving us a beautiful baby girl and another one on the way. My biggest prayer is that we can honor Him in the way that we raise them.

He has taught us many lessons by being here in West Virginia. I think the most important thing I've learned is that "Home is where your heart is". My heart is with Jon - so wherever we are at - I am to be content. He's also taught me that my family comes first. My husband and children are to be the number one priority in my day to day life. This means that if ministries or friends try to get in the way of that - they should be removed or I should take a step back. I have learned that I can count the number of good friends on one hand. Having a good friend is a rare and special thing. Sure - I have lots of good "friends" - but someone that really puts my needs and my feelings ahead of their own - is hard to come by. I've learned that most friendships are selfish - and most people are out to see what they can gain - leaving me drained and tired. I have learned to appreciate the friends that pray with me, and for me. The friends that help me clean up after a party, the friends that can make themselves at home in my house, and the friends that I WANT to call because I know that we are going to have a good conversation - not a negative one. The friends that load up their 2 kids on Christmas Eve and take me and my daughter to Urgent Care, the friends that come and take my screaming child when I'm staying at their house - at 3 in the morning, just so I can sleep. The ones that get excited when my daughter takes her first steps or shoves cake into her mouth on her 1st birthday! I love being there for those few friends as well - and pray that I can be as they have been for me. You know who you are!! Thank you!

I have learned that being a "Stay at Home Mom" is not all it's cracked up to be! It's such hard work. I don't get a weekend break - or vacation days. I don't get a bonus check or a ham for Christmas. No one pats me on the back and tells me I am doing a good job every day. I don't get a raise or incentives...and I put in a lot of nights. But there are still rewards they are just different - and will be everlasting.

2007 has been a big year of change for me. I have grown up a lot! Partly with no choice in the matter. :) Those growing times are not always fun - and sometimes they just stink!! But - I always seem to come back stronger. Cheers to 2008!!

Is this really what we signed up for?

PARENT - Job Description

This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way,
I don't believe any of us would have done it!!!!

POSITION :
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION :

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 to 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 far away cities!
Travel expenses not reimbursed.
Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

The rest of your life.
Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily,
until someone needs $5.
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 have ability to plan and organize social gatherings
for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
Must be willing to be indispensable one minute,
an embarrassment the next.
Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a
half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.
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 & PROMOTION :

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 :

Get this! 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;
this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth
and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.


Forward this on to all the PARENTS you know, in appreciation for everything they do on a daily basis,
letting them know they are appreciated
for the fabulous job they do...
or forward with love
to anyone thinking of applying for the job.

Birthdays and the Stomach Flu

My baby is 1 year old today...and we're celebrating with the stomach flu.

Like mother...like daughter...always happens during our big milestone days. :)

I had the flu on her birthday LAST year!!! Kind of sweet if it wasn't so nasty!!

Sigh....

Due date change

My new due date is June 24th!! But since I'm a c-section - they will take the baby around June 15th... :)

Even though most of you already know....

Kennedy's going to be a big sister!!!! :) We are very excited and due July 1st!
Pray for a healthy baby - and an easy pregnancy! :)

Good thing we buy in Bulk!!

Well - when Jon gets a new roll of toilet paper - he rarely (if ever)- takes the old tube off to dispose of it. He simply piles them up on top. This made for a perfect "toy" for Kennedy...I was putting my make-up on - and this is what I found 2 minutes later. :)

2 kids!!

I started watching Ted 2 days a week - it's going great so far!! :)
They had a ton of fun together! It was so much fun to watch them play!

A little taste of what 2 kids will be like...