Jenison's News

Time Off, and Goodbyes

2010-04-27T14:37:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I was able to go to the coast and enjoy some much needed time off. This is the third year I have been able to go on this trip. I am very grateful that I have a husband who allows me to take breaks. I think that he know I need them, and it's better for all of us if I get to take a break on occasion. On Saturday night the group got to talking about the changes in our group over the last year, and how different life is looking for all of us. This year will be the last year Alison is with us. She is taking a new job in Pennsylvania, Alison and her family will be greatly missed by our group. I'm looking forward to the year ahead, and what we all will be talking about next year on our trip. As we continue to go through the journey of motherhood, marriage, and life together. I'm so glad that I have a group of friends to laugh, cry and share life with. On Sunday we are getting together as couples to have a last dinner with Alison and Niklas. I'm sure this dinner will be full of laughter and tears.

Sick

2010-04-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

This past week with Isaac has been a very long week. We didn't do anything, we didn't go anywhere(other than the doctor), we were home. It all started Wednesday of last week, Isaac has been working on potty training and doing very well. Wednesday however he was grumpy, and stubborn. My little guy is usually so happy, but I just thought he is two and having a day. Late Wednesday night the truth was relieved with Isaac temperature rising and uncontrollable crying. After a very long night, Thursday morning rolled around, Isaac didn't wake u until 10:15. A large part of me wanted to believe that this was because he hadn't slept all night, but I knew better. When he woke up his temperature was 104.2, my little man was sick. This has gone on now for 5 days. Today is the first day that he is fever free, and starting to act like a 2 year old again. After 3 doctors visits a trip to the ER(temperature was 105.6) he is on the mend. There is a long medical name for what he has/had, but I don't remember what it is. I'm so gald that he is doing better, it is now time to give my house a bath in Clorox and Lysol. I'm hoping next week I will have all sorts of exciting pictures and stories to tell.

Spring Break 2010

2010-03-30T16:20:00.001-07:00

I know I haven't blogged in way to long, so lets hope that this post turns over a new leaf. We spent spring break with Luke's brother Corey, we all had a great time. The weather was great a few days that he was here which aloud us to enjoy the wonderful pacific north west. I haven't blogged in so long I don't even know were to start with what is new in our lives. Keep looking for post on what is new with our family and the kids.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-27T00:43:00.000-08:00

Being that today is Thanksgiving I thought I would do a quick post, about some of the things I'm thankful for.

My wonderful family, I know that they all love me. I know that my husband is my very best friend and will always be my biggest supporter.
The roof over my head and the furnace that heats it. I know this may sound really silly, but so many of us have taken our homes for granted.
Each one of my kids, I know that I already said my family, but I feel like the kids are a different part of that. Each one of them is so special and wonderful, they bring so much laughter and love into my life each day.

I have so much to be thankful for and I could keep going with my list, but those are my top three. I hoping that my post next week will be something a little more interesting, maybe it will have something to do with my kids, who know we will see.

Coming Back

2009-11-18T21:53:00.000-08:00

I've really been missing my blog, so I'm coming back. My goal is to do a weekly post for the next 6 weeks so that I get back into routine. The next few weeks should be exciting, so stay tuned. I will leave you with a few pictures of the last few months.

Pictures

2009-07-17T13:09:00.001-07:00

I finally uploaded pictures from our camera, so these are from about the last month at our house.

Excuse Me Sir, I Think You're Crazy!

2009-07-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

That is exactly what I thought tonight when the nice man at Sunset Cycle told us that Morgan needed a 20" bike! I looked at the bike, looked back at my fairly small five year old and asked if we could have her try the 16". He said we could but, he wanted to try the larger of the two first. Well I guess there is a reason he works at the bike shop and I don't, a quick test ride around the parking lot and she was sold. She rode it all around out front tonight with no problem, I'm still waiting for the first major fall. Lets just hope its me being overprotective, I don't really want her to fall.

Great Day at the Beach

2009-06-25T21:35:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of having the Stones do our family photos. It was a wonderful day, and I love all of the pictures that we have. I have posted a few of my favorites, but I love them all.

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-25T20:19:00.000-07:00

This weekend was very full, time was spent with family, and good friends. It was the best way to spend the three days!

Olivia was helping me unload the dryer, she loves to do the laundry. Now if I only could get her to fold it, and put it away.

The Day the Ocean Swept my Camera Away

2009-05-22T21:05:00.000-07:00

These are all from back in April when I let the camera go for a swim. A few of them are okay, some were very badly damaged. I'm just glad that I was able to save some of them. Looking on the bright side, we needed a new camera away.

Don't worry she was eating Pirates Booty!

This is one of my favorite shots from the day, it is also one that was damaged by the memory card getting all wet.

My happy little man, he LOVES the beach.

Morgan really likes to take pictures of Luke and me.

Smile big for the camera Olivia.

New Camera!

2009-05-21T19:48:00.000-07:00

We finally got a new camera, I snapped a few pictures with it tonight. So look forward to more regular blogging.

Beef and Cabbage Wraps

2009-05-04T18:20:00.000-07:00

I'm guessing that I'm not the only person out there who is always looking for good new dinner ideas. I tried this for dinner tonight and it was a hit. Olivia asked for thirds, yes my toddler asked for thirds!

8 8-inch flour tortillas
12 ounces lean ground beef/turkey
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup whole kernel corn
2/3 cup BBQ sauce
2 cups packaged coleslaw mix

1-Wrap tortillas in foil; place on baking sheet. Heat in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes or until heated through. I skipped this step and used the cook your own tortillas from Costco.

2-Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until beef is brown and onion is tender. Drain off fat. Stir in corn and BBQ sauce. Cook until corn is hot. Spoon about 1/2 cup filling on each tortilla. Top with some coleslaw mix. Roll up. I also cut up an avocado and added it to ours.

I'm hoping to post what we have been up to soon, but I dropped our camera in the ocean a few weeks ago, and am now waiting until we purchase a new one so that I can get our pictures off the old one.

This is from Better Homes and Gardens 2009 Quick and Easy Recipes

Easter

2009-04-13T09:05:00.001-07:00

Random

2009-04-08T15:19:00.001-07:00

I haven't blogged in so long that I don't even know were to start. So I'm going to let you in on all the things swirling through me head.

Morgan is doing such a good job cleaning up the bouns room, I wish this happend more often.
All three of the kids have had wonderful behavior today, they have listened, and obeyed very well.
Easter is this weekend, we are also going out to dinner Friday night, and having people over on Saturday. I may have over filled the weekend.
The lawn really needs to be mowed, but I have been too busy to get it done
I have been spending way to much time in the car lately, lots of trips to and from my parents house last week.
The Armada is getting much better gas millage than we expected, this is the second tank that I have gotten almost 16 miles per gallon, and that is around town driving.
I hoping that Olivia's chin will be healed enough on Sunday so that she doesn't have to have a bandage on her face.
I miss the sunshine
I would love for the nice weather to come back so that we can start working on the front yard again.
I need new running shoes, my legs hurt from my run this morning.
I love days at the gym, I have 90mins of quite time.
Tomorrow is Morgans Kindergarten orientation, were has the time gone.
I'm so excited for all of our friends and family that are expecting babies soon.
What I planed for dinner is not sounding good to me any more, but I know that it is one of Luke favorites so I will make it anyway.
The peach mango salsa from costco is my new addiction, I could eat it on almost anything. Today I put it in my Turkey and Cream Cheese Whole Weat Roll Up.
I should really be getting myself ready to go, I have some errands that I need to run before Luke gets home.
On Monday I turn 25, I will now be able to drive a rental car when we go on vacation, Not that I didn't before, but we hated to pay the fee for an underage driver.
Morgan just built a really cool structure from her legos, her creativity always amazes me.
I need a hair cut
The Beth Moore bible study that I'm curently doing, is rocking my world!

So whats on your minds? I promise the next post will include pictures of the kids. Happy Easter!

Olivia and "her" Abigail

2009-03-11T13:49:00.001-07:00

These pictures were taken a few weekends ago, when Abigail was down for a visit. Abigail is my sister Jennie's daughter, she is exactly 3 months younger than Olivia. Olivia loves Abigail, she talks about her daily and is always super excited to see "her" Abigail.

It's A Boy

2009-03-09T14:32:00.000-07:00

I had no idea what those words meant when my doctor told me. I was about 14 weeks pregnant with Isaac, and still getting used to the idea of having another baby. Both Luke and I were so excited to find out we were going to be adding a boy to our family of girls. Well, over a year later I now know what It's A Boy truly means. It means:

If I can climb it I will, it doesn't matter if it's not meant to be climbed on.
I will go to extreme lengths to get my hands on any thing electronic.
I have a temper when I don't get my own way, and I will let you know I'm unhappy about it.
I can be 100% naughty, and 100% cute all at the same time
Daddy thinks that everything I do is hilarious, no matter how dangerous it is.
I have an extremely large fascination with sticks, plungers, and the garage, if you tell me I can't have any of those items please re-read number 3.

We love Isaac so much and he is the biggest blessing, but seriously he make the girls look easy. I never believed my friends with boys, I thought my girls are busy. Well, it's not the same. So to all of you ladies out there in house holds of all boys you deserve a round of applause.

This is how we roll

2009-02-20T22:29:00.000-08:00

He loved this, he was laughing so much the first time, but when I got the camera out he kinda clammed up. I'm sure there is some sort of safety warning against this on the Tonka box.

Happy Birthday Isaac

2009-02-15T14:35:00.000-08:00

Today Isaac turns 1, I'm still in sock at how fast this first year has gone! He is such a fun baby, and loves to smile and babble. He is into everything, and dose his best to keep up with the girls, even if it means climbing. Happy birthday little man, Mommy loves you!Day One

3 Months 6 Months 9 Months 1 Year Thanks for my car grandma, I love it!

Happy birthday Morgan

2009-02-13T14:39:00.000-08:00

In a about an hour our babysitter will be arriving and I will be taking Morgan to her birthday party! Time has flown by, she has grown so quickly. Today at whole foods I ran into our old neighbor he hasn't seen Morgan in about 3 years he was shocked at how big she has gotten. She is a wonderful child whom I love more than I could have ever imagined. Happy Birthday "M" mommy loves you!Day One1st Birthday2nd Birthday
3rd Birthday4th BirthdayTaken today after school, with her crown!

I'm the mother of an almost 5 year old!

2009-02-05T15:06:00.000-08:00

It seems that every family has a "birthday" month. A month were birthdays, are a weekly occurrence, and you are sick of cake at the end of the month! February happens to be our family's "birthday" month we start of with Luke's on the 9th, my sister in law on the 10th, Morgans is on the 13th, Isaac's birthday is the 15th, and my dad's is the 21st. Then add Both parents anniversary's, and valentines day, and we are taped out on celebrations.

Yesterday I was looking at the calendar, totally skipped over Luke's birthday and went straight to the fact that Morgan will be 5 in 8 days and Isaac will be one in 10 days! I love every day with the kids, I just wish that I knew a way to slow time down. Truth is I can't slow time down, so I will enjoy every kiss, and every hug. I will celebrate Morgan's first day of kindergarten instead of being sad that she has grown up to quickly. When Isaac started to walk it was bitter sweet, I was so excited, his biggest cheerleaderer. After he went to bed that night I cried knowing that those first steps would be the last first steps. Then my all to smart husband started to laugh at me, saying just because we are moving out of the baby stage, doesn't mean we are done experiencing first with our kids. I love the baby stage, but I'm so excited to move on to the new stage of life at our house, a life of froward facing car seats, sleeping all night, spontaneity that actual feels spontaneous. It probably helps that family and friends are expecting new babies this summer and I will be able to get my baby fix.

Also in other big news Olivia is potty trained!

January 17 2003

2009-01-19T15:36:00.001-08:00

6 years ago I married Luke. He has been such a blessing to my life, and words can't express how much having him in my life means. He isn't the man I can live with, he is the man I can't live with out. This weekend we were able to spend time with no kids, my parents took the kids for the weekend, and we headed out for a wonderful trip with our care group to Hood River.

On a walk this weekend up by the cabin we stayed in.
Night of Fae and Brian's wedding January 2, 2009

I will try and get some pictures of the kids up soon.

First Post of 2009

2009-01-19T15:18:00.000-08:00

So 2009 has been a bit busy for our family and I can hardly believe that we are already more than half way finished with January. I wanted to list high lights of 2008, for each member of our family. We don't send out Christmas cards, so this is a great way for everyone to get the short version of what has been going on in our life.

Isaac: Continues to amaze us, he is such a cute and fun baby. He is growing so fast, and with each day gets more mobile. I can hardly believe that he is going to be one in a few short weeks. He love to play with his sisters and always wants to be in the middle of everything that is going on.

Olivia: My mom says that she is her mothers daughter, I would have to agree with that. She is always moving, and could car less about sitting still. She absolutely loves to laugh, and make those around her laugh. She turned 2 in October, and is really starting to look like a big girl. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays we go to the gym, she loves going into the day care and always has a picture waiting to show me when I return.

Morgan: Started pre-school in the fall and is loving it. She looks forward to school, and is always very sad when they have the day off. Morgan has also started AWANAS, she looks forward to going on Mondays nights, she loves to learn her verses for each week. I think that Morgan is going to be more like her dad than her mom, she loves to read and has her head in a book, most afternoons.

Katie: I have started to work out, 3 days a week, and am so glad to be doing somthing that is just for me. After having Isaac I had a goal to losse 50 lbs plus my baby weight. I'm so excited to say that I have reached that goal and feel great about it! In 2008 I also started to volentree at our Church in womens ministry, it has been very wonderful to watch the ministry grow.

Luke: I don't know were to start, I'm so proud of everything he dose, it's hard to pick just a few things. In July of 2008 Luke was baptised, this was a very exciting weekend for both of us. He continues to work at Intel, and enjoys his job. He has also gotten very handy with home renovations, and completly renovated our master bath this past year.

2008 was a great, and we are greatly looking forward to what 2009 holds for our family.

Pictures

2008-12-20T19:57:00.000-08:00

Luke and I up at my parents house today, when we left they had well over a foot of snow. Luke really didn't wan to get his picture taken. We had so much fun playing in the snow at there house today. The rest of the pictures are from Michigan and Chicago.

Morgan enjoying hot cocoa after making snow angels

Luke's Brother Corey, with Rael, and Issac

Olivia at Shedds Aquarium in Chicago, she loved all the turtles!

Morgan making snow angels, she loves to play in the snow.

Luke's Grandma Jenison with all of her great grand kids

Michigan

2008-12-08T11:35:00.000-08:00

We are in Michigan and having so much fun. The weather is cold, snowy, and wonderful. The kids are loving the snow, but Olivia refuses to walk outside. She says that the snow is to dirty. Luke and I have been able to get some much needed rest and relaxation, thanks to his parents.

I know that I never updated on Isaac, so this is the quick version. It is a tumor, but its a tumor that should go away with time and needs no operation. Praise God!

We will be coming home on the 15th, I will try to add pictures form our tip soon.

Isaac

2008-11-19T13:31:00.000-08:00

Isaac has developed a lump on his face/neck. At first the doctors thought that it was an infected lymph node after almost a month on antibiotics(more than one variety) there was no change. He had an appointment with a pediatric surgeon yesterday to evaluate the lump. The pediatric surgeon gave us 3 options of what his lump could be. We will know more after he has a CT scan, we are hoping to have the results sometime around Thanksgiving. I will try and keep all of you up to-date on what is going on with Isaac. The CT scan will require sedation, and about 5 hours at the hospital, so prayers are appreciated. Luke and I are very confident that this will turn out to be nothing.

2008-11-03T16:13:00.000-08:00

Getting ready to go for a walk.

On the train at Morgans field trip to the pumpkin patch.

She was less than thrilled about how daddy did her hair, while I was out of town.

Alice, I mean Morgan

Alice and Minny Mouse

Isaac was a frog for about ten minutes, he got so hot in his costume that I ended up taking it off.

Birthday Weekend

2008-10-21T14:27:00.000-07:00

On October 18th 2006 Olivia Joy Jenison was born. She was such a cute baby, but I don't think that she slept until she was 14 months old. This weekend she turned 2 she sleeps great! We have moved her into a big girl bed with no problems, she is even taking her naps in her big girl bed! She is also talking so much, Morgan understands a lot more than Luke and I do. I truly feel blessed to have her as my daughter, she is a happy little girl. I love watching my kids grow up, but I also get kinda sad when I think of how short the time is until they will be grown and living their owns lives. I'm excited to see what this year will bring for Olivia!

Olivia 1 Day Old

Olivia's First Birthday

Olivia's Second BirthdayThis is still Olivia's second birthday, it was just juice.

We Clean Up Real Nice

2008-10-18T22:37:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Olivia

2008-10-18T08:56:00.000-07:00

Today Olivia turns two, we are celebrating tomorrow. So I will post pictures then, but I can hardly believe that today she is TWO!

8 Months old!

2008-10-15T15:55:00.000-07:00

The Dinner Dilemma

2008-10-13T15:23:00.000-07:00

Okay so I know that this post is not going to be very exciting. You see I would like some help from all of you. Lately I have been feeling like I'm always making the SAME thing for dinner. This is getting really old, and I would love some suggestions. I would love to hear your ideas, so please leave comments so that my family can have a little variety.

She is Almost 2!

2008-10-08T16:08:00.000-07:00

Olivia will be two on the 18th. I don't know were time has gone, she is getting so big but I still think of her as a baby. She talks so much, we can't understand everything, but she is trying.

Alapacas, 35 Years, New Car Seats, and Sour Cream

2008-09-29T14:53:00.000-07:00

I know that the title to this blog is a little strange, but all of these things were a part of our weekend. We left for Eugene Friday afternoon, and arrived home late Saturday night. It was a quick trip, but we had a great time.

Friday we were able to have dinner and spend a few hours with my Grandma. It was so good to see her and both of the girls loved being at her house. I'm sure Isaac enjoyed himself as well, but he is still to little to tell me if he is having fun. Then we went out to my Aunt and Uncles house to spend the night. They live out in the country, it is always so quite at their house, I love it.

Saturday my Aunts neighbor, who has an Alpaca farm, was having an open house. So the girls got to go over and meet the Alpacas. Morgan was much more into this than Olivia, but they both had fun. Two of the Alpacas just had babies, one of the babies was less than a week old. I took a few pictures, but as timing would have it, my camera battery died and the pictures at the Alpaca farm are the last pictures I have of Saturday. Which is so sad, because after the Alpacas we all packed up to head over to my cousin Matt's house were my aunt and uncle 35 year wedding anniversary party was being held. It was so much fun to celebrate their years of marrage, and to see family. Matt and his wife Tanya have a daughter(Ava) who is about 4 month younger than Olivia. The girls were halarious to watch, not to mention they all had a blast.

Sunday we did the normal chuch thing, then had a relaxing afternoon at home. Isaac will soon be to big for the infant carrier car seat, and needing to move into a bigger car seat. Well we have 2 Marathons, but they both had very girly covers on them. Luke was adimate that this just wouldn't do and I needed to buy a new car seat or a new cover. After looking online I was able to find a new cover that fit Luke's boy requierments. Please rember my Husband is a UofM grad and a football fan.

Both of the car seat had this cover origanaly.

Now One looks like this and is all ready for Isaac, except that I need to adjust it for rear facing, but I'm not going to do that until he is ready to be in it. I just stuck him in for a quick picture.

Lastly I don't think I have bloged about this but Olivia has a huge love of sour cream. Sunday night I made taco salad for dinner, I had left the kitchen to do somthing with Isaac, when I hear Luke laughing and taking pictures. This is what out little sour cream lover had done.

Back Yard Fun

2008-09-23T11:51:00.000-07:00

With summer ending and winter approaching, we have been looking on Craigs List for a play structure. I had a Little Tikes structure in mind, and have been searching for it on CL scene we moved back in November. Well last week I found it, the structure has been in the house for its 2 years of life, so it still looks new. The girls were so excited to put it un in the back yard, I'm really liking having it too.

Sharing

2008-09-22T20:53:00.000-07:00

I think that we need to work on sharing at our house. Luke took this lovely video tonight while I was at AWANAS with Morgan.

It's time for gates!

2008-09-20T14:20:00.000-07:00

He is barely 7 months old and already into everything!

No time to post!

2008-09-19T09:40:00.000-07:00

So the title of this blog says it all. The last 2 weeks have been crazy at our house!

Our new master bath is done, which I'm so excited about. I will post pictures as soon as I get the finishing touches done, new towels, new towel bars, a mirror, and a few other little things. I have to say the bathroom looks awesome, Luke did a great job.

Morgan has started school which means 3 mornings a week we leave 35 minutes after the girls wake up, yea it's a rushed morning. I usually head to the gym after I drop Morgan off at school and arrive back at home just in time for lunch and naps. We have had other activities mixed in to our schedule as well. The same day that school started Morgan and I also started AWANA's, I decided to be a cubbies leader. Both Luke and I have put in extra hours at the church helping to paint the childrens wing, it was so much fun to watch it come together.

Last week I registered for a class at PCC that will start at the end of this month, I'm very excited it's just a dance class, but I'm sure it will be fun. On the 25th my Thursday morning MOM's group will have kick off, and again this year I am on the hospitality team. I have enjoyed my time in MOM's, so this year will be bitter sweet, this is going to be my last year. I have moved on and am now working with the Ladies of F.A.I.T.H ministry at our church. Hopful soon I will do a much more exciting post, on the kids and everything they have been up to.

Pre-School

2008-09-08T16:08:00.000-07:00

Today was Morgans first day a school. She loved it, and can't wait until Wednesday to go again.

She just had to have this backpack nothing else would do. I know it's almost as big as she is.

My Little Man, Is Getting So Big

2008-08-28T17:47:00.000-07:00

So today Isaac had is first taste of Cheerios! He loved them and knew exactly what to do with them.
The Second Pictures are of Isaac pulling down toys. He loves to pull toys off the shelves!

Hood To Coast, and a few other things....

2008-08-26T22:01:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, Luke ran Hood to Coast for the first time. He really enjoyed the weekend, and wants to participate again next year. Isaac and I went down to meet him at the beach and watch his team cross the finish line. Seaside was packed with people, but it was a very fun day. I hope to run next year on a team, as well.

Two weekends ago, we had Isaac and Olivia dedicated at Church. We don't have any pictures of the dedication, but we did take a few shots of all of the kids before we left for Church.

Isaac is now 6 months old! I have no idea how, but the time has gone so quickly. I am savoring the baby stage with him a little more than I did with the girls. He is now crawling, and goes just about were ever he can. He really loves to pull toys off the bottom shelves in the toy room. We continue to feel very blessed in this current stage of life. We may be busier, exhausted, and running on auto pilot, but God had truly blessed us with our all of our children! I hope that I will be blogging more over the next few weeks. We have a big event coming up; Morgans first day of School. Thats right, in two weeks, she will be starting preschool!

Interview with Morgan

2008-08-19T10:52:00.000-07:00

So took this idea from another blog, it was really fun to do this with Morgan. All of the answers are hers I typed what she said.

What is the first thing you want to do when you get home?
Play Polly Pockets

What are some words that describe you ?

I like to play, right now I'm sad because no one wants to ride bikes.

The best thing about being a kid is......Playing and ridding bikes, with friends!

If you could pick any type of food for dinner, what would it be?

Chicken tacos, or maybe corn dogs with ketchup, and I would like to have pink lemonade to drink with it.

What are your favorite songs?
Cinderella, beauty and the beast, little mermaid, and Aurora(sleeping beauty)

What do you want to be when you grow up?
I would like to be a cook

How come?
So I can cook chicken tacos, stroganoff, and bean and cheese burritos.

What do you like about having a little sister?
She plays nice with me sometimes.

What don't you like about having a little sister?
Olivia steals toys from me.

What will your kids do when you are a parent?
Play, and make sure we have fun.

What are you going to do if they don’t obey?
Give them and spanking or put them in time out.

What do you like about Mom and Dad?
When they play nicely with me.

What do you not like about Mom and Dad?
when they give me a spanking or put me in time out, but thats only when I don't obey.

Sisters

2008-08-13T15:14:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, the girls played together wonderfully. I snapped a few pictures of them out in the back yard, they had set up a picnic for lunch. It also made me think about how much I love my sisters! When we were younger we had our differences, I don't know if my mother would call them that, but that is what I am saying. Now that we are all adults, we get along wonderfully, I can tell my sisters pretty much anything, and know that they aren't going to say anything to anyone else. It's a great gift to have a sister, whether a biological sister, or a best friend that has become a sister. I hope that years from know my girls are not only sisters but best friends. I also hope they know how lucky they are to have each other.

Birthday Parties, Business Trips, and a 1/2 broken camera!

2008-08-02T16:07:00.001-07:00

I think the past few weeks I have been on a camera strike. I have found myself not wanting to take pictures, and also not bring the camera to events that I normally would. I don't know why I have been doing this but I have. It might have something to do with the fact that while we were camping I dropped the camera while we were on a hike. It hit the ground pretty hard, and while it still works, it has to be babied. The lens cover is also now missing and the zoom is sketchy at best. I feel so bad about doing this, and I know that we need a new camera, but I really don't want to spend the money on one, we just got the one we have about a year ago. I'm getting all upset again just thinking about it.

On to a happier note, we have been having lots of fun the last few weeks. Luke took a business trip to California and I was left with all three kids for a few days. The time seamed to pass quickly, but I'm very glad to have him home. On the 25th we had a night out with some friends from our care group to celebrate Brian turning 40! If you have never done a Friday night at Greek Cusina and live in the Portland area I would highly recommend it. Then on Thursday Luke, Isaac, and I took in a Portland Beavers Game with friends to celebrate Jason's(Luke's old roommate) birthday. We were in a suite that is at the same level as the baseball field, it was a very fun experience. Oh yea I almost forgot, the summer just wouldn't be complete without a trip to the Washington County Fair. I don't know if I'm getting old, or if the fair is changing, but it just doesn't seem to be the same as I remember it being when I was a kid. But our girls still had fun looking at all of the animals.

I have put up a few pictures, but like I said, I haven't been taking pictures.

Fort Stevens

2008-07-21T13:17:00.000-07:00

This weekend we took a little break and went camping. It was Harvest anual family camp weekend at Fort Stevens. It was our first camping trip in with all of the kids. We had such a wonderful time, the weather was perfect. It was great fun to spend the time with the kids, they are all growing and changing so quickly. Luke and I enjoy all the time we get with them while they are little. Camping next to us this weekend, we our good friends the Berquist's. I used to babysit there children, who are now, 15, 14, and 9 the youngest was a baby when I started to babysit. It really makes me see how quick my kids will grow, bu for now they are little, and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.

This first picture is of Melody and two of her friends(I used to babysit her) right after she was baptized in the lake, her Older brother Zach was also baptized this weekend, but I didn't get a picture of that.

The Picture on the top is Luke and I with Isaac this weekend, the picture on the bottom was taken 4 years ago, and yes that is Morgan.

This is battery Russell, one of the many cool things to do at Fort Stevens. The girls had a ton of fun at the battery.Morgan loved the beach, and it was almost a perfect day on the coast, if the wind would have let up it would have been ideal.

Olivia and I at Battery Russell

This last one is my favorite picture of the weekend. Luke was also baptized this weekend! I love my husband so much and I'm very proud of him and all the changes he has made in his life over the last few years!

Just For Grandma

2008-07-16T18:01:00.000-07:00

So Luke's parents live in Michigan, this means they don't get to see the kids very often. So this video will most likely be very boring to anyone who is not related to my kiddos! Just to warn all of you. On a little side note, Isaac is 5 months old. I have no clue how the months have flown by so quickly he is very busy and almost crawling(when he wants to). He continues to be a very happy baby. He hates to put himself to sleep, we are working on this, but it's so hard to listen to him cry. Although he smiles as soon as I come into comfort him(he even giggles) so deep down I know that he is fine and just not wanting to be left alone.

4th of July

2008-07-11T12:43:00.000-07:00

Getting all three of them to look at a camera is difficult.

I think that Olivia was so tired at this point she had gone a little loopy.

Morgan really liked the sparklers.

It had been a long day, I love sleeping children.

Swimming Lessons

2008-07-03T09:23:00.001-07:00

Morgan has been taking swimming lessons at the Summerset pool the past few weeks. We all have enjoyed going to watch. It's an outdoor pool so Olivia can run around, and Isaac just likes to be outside. I took these Tuesday night. Morgan has the back of her head to the camera, I guess that she was paying great attention to her teacher. :)

Vacation Bible School

2008-07-01T13:41:00.001-07:00

This year was my first year helping with VBS. It was so much fun to see all the kids that came to learn about Jesus. This was also Morgans first year being able to participate, she loved it! I was in one of the two craft rooms, so I was able to see almost of the kids through out the week. This picture is my kids on the last day, it was crazy hair day.

Issac

2008-07-01T13:08:00.000-07:00

He is getting so big! I can hardly believe that on July 15th he will be 5 months old! He continues to be a very happy baby, who will smile at almost anyone. Luke is convinced that he is a Momma's boy, and I would have to agree with that. I took these pictures last week, which was very busy, but I'm will post about that next!

New Experiences

2008-06-21T17:29:00.000-07:00

This week has been full of new experiences for all of us! I'm going to start with Morgan and work my way down the list.

Morgan-
She attended "camp" for the first time. When I say camp I mean, I dropped her off at 10am and was back to pick her up at noon. She loved it! It was a dance camp, and at the end of this week all the kids put on a little performance for the parents.

Olivia-
Has been using the big girl potty with more frequency. She also is telling us when she has to go/gone. To all of you out there reading this who don't have kids you won't understand just how big of a deal this is. Having two children in dippers in a major pain, not to mention dippers are not cheep.

Issac-
He was able to sit up in the shopping cart on our latest trip to Costco. I did have to put a receiving blanket around him, but he loved it! I don't think that I have ever see him smile more at the store!

Me-
I held my first garage sale with a friend this weekend. It was a lot of work, but it was fun to get rid of things that I no longer need. It was also fun to spend time chatting with a girl friend.

Luke-
Ran his first 10k last weekend. I know it wasn't this week, but it's his most current new experience. He really enjoyed the run and is already thinking of what he needs to do to shave time off his mile, so that he can do his next race at a faster pace.

Rose Festival

2008-06-08T15:35:00.001-07:00

Picture Update

2008-06-05T15:45:00.001-07:00

Isaac is feeling better, and back to his normal happy self! He is working on sitting up, he also is not doing so well with the nap thing. I think he just has to much he wants to see during the day!
Morgan and I had a rough start to our week, she was having a very hard time listening. But we have worked through this, she has been listening and obeying wonderfully the last 2 days! She had so much fun at the zoo yesterday, and today she enjoyed playing with friends at Out of This World Pizza. She is also very excited that we are going to Rose Festival with the Ihde's tomorrow night!
Olivia, she continues to be a handful, but in a good way. She is so full of energy and wants to do everything that Morgan is doing. She loves to climb, this week it's been onto the kitchen table. She also had fun at the zoo yesterday, she really liked the animals. This picture is her new smile. If you ask Olivia to smile this is what you will get, I know it's priceless!
I have been enjoying having no agenda during the week, but am looking forward to the start of summer activities. I have been continuing to run 3 days a week, and am finding that I'm enjoying the time alone. My sister Jennie will be in town next week, I'm very excited to see her and my niece Abigale!
Lastly Luke has been working so hard around the house! Our dinning room is finally finished and he has made some really good progress in the master bath. But I think he has made the most progress with our yard! He has been doing such a great job at balancing everything that needs to get done around the house.

On a side note we had family pictures taken last weekend. The photographer was wonderful and I can hardly wait to see our pictures.

Havn't Had TIME!!!

2008-05-27T10:55:00.000-07:00

Well life at our house has been a little crazy, and I just haven't had time to blog! I also haven't been taking pictures of the kids, I will try and do better this week. For those of you who haven't heard Isaac has been sick, we are talking really sick for a baby. Two different times last week his temperature was at 104.0. I talked to the pediatrician a lot this week. They don't have any idea what is going on with my little guy, they thought it was RSV at first, but after doing numerous test they don't know why he has been so sick. For now he is doing Albuterol treatments, and we are just hoping that his little lungs will clear soon.

Morgan and Olivia are doing pretty good, they have been a little testy, but that is to be expected with my attention being diverted. They really had a great time this weekend with Luke being home for 3 days. We also celebrated my Grandma's birthday yesterday, the girls really loved getting to play with there cousin Ava. Ava and Olivia are a little more than 3 months apart, it was so fun to watch them interact. Morgan is getting very excited for Dace camp in June, she also is going to be taking swimming lessons, and doing VBS. I'm hoping she is going to love all the activities I have planed for her. Well I think that it it for now, hopefully this week we will have some fun pictures to post!

Weekend Away

2008-05-21T10:05:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I went to Cape Kawanda with the ladies from our care group. It was great to get away for a few days, not to mention the weather was amazing! This was the first time that I have ever left Luke with any of the kids and gone away. I did take Isaac with me, but he is such a good baby that I really enjoyed having him with me.

3 Months

2008-05-15T21:28:00.000-07:00

Today my little man(Isaac) is officialy 3 months old. The time is going so quickly, he is growing and changing daily. I love my son so much I'm so glad that God blessed our family with Isaac!

The Plumber is Comming

2008-05-12T22:03:00.000-07:00

So for those of you who don't know our master bath looks like this at the moment. Luke has managed to put in new sub floor and a new ceiling scene I took this picture.

you are looking at were out shower used to be!

For those of you who know me, you know I don't like things to be messy. I can only function with so much out of place. When Luke started this project it was "supposed" to be a quick fix, but with all home repairs we soon discovered it needed a lot more work. Knowing myself I quickly decided that it would be best to take everything out of the master bedroom and turn the bonus room into our bedroom until the bathroom is finished. I know for a fact that the mess and disorder of the bathroom would cause me to lose sleep at night, if I had to sleep in my room. Not to mention that the wet floor boards really didn't smell that great. Okay so back to the reason for this posting, I talked to our plumber today and he is going to be able to finish up working on the bathroom Friday! Which means next week Luke can finally put dry wall up! Then the fun of getting to pick out a new bathroom starts! So hopeful we will soon be back to sleeping in our bedroom.

Beach Trip

2008-05-08T13:07:00.001-07:00

Last weekend we were finally able to get away for a bit. It was really nice to getaway for a weekend. We haven't had much of a chance lately with everything we have had to be working on with the house. We took the kids to Seaside, it was such fun to not have to worry about anything!

Our first family picture since we became a family of five, we are having professional pictures taken at the end of this month.

The girls were so excited when they saw the Ocean.Trying to take pictures of both of the girls is next to impossible. Morgan usually ends up frustrated with Olivia!Tomorrow Isaac will be 12 weeks old, were has the time gone!

We decided it was time to buy a PLANE

2008-05-06T12:11:00.000-07:00

Yes, thats right folks Luke and I purchased a plane, but don't get to excited it's for the kids. I have been looking at the airplane, at Costco for some time now, so last night we brought it home. The girls were so excited, that the first thing they wanted to do this morning was go out and play. It was heavenly, I was able to make breakfast and clean up the kitchen with out having to "parent"! Don't worry I could see them the entire time, but they were so excited they some how managed to get along.

I will try and get up pictures from our weekend at the coast soon, but I must get all the things on my to-do list done, before I spend time blogging(too much)!

So Cute

2008-04-24T15:25:00.000-07:00

So today at Target there was the cutest pair of peep-toe wedges. Of course they were in toddler sizes, but having two small girls I was very excited. Until my 4 year old tells me if we are going to buy shoes she would rather have the purple jellies. So we didn't buy any shoes I might go back and get them for Olivia, but I was so bummed that Morgan didn't like them. I don't know maybe I have lost touch with 4 year old fashion!

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling

2008-04-22T16:28:00.000-07:00

Well if you haven't figured it out by now, I will clue you in Isaac has started to roll over! The first time he did it I thought that it was an accident. So I put him back on his stomach, and went back to making lunch for the girls. Look over again, he had rolled again from his stomach to his back. Only this time he had rolled to the left, the first time he rolled to the right. He is getting so big and my "baby time" with him is seaming to go so quick. I find myself wishing(more with him than the girls) that he would stay little longer. I don't mind getting up with him in the middle of the night as much, and am in no hurry for him to grow up.

I have posted a few pictures of the kids over the last weeks, I don't have very many of Olivia she is in a very non photogenic stage. She is however starting to talk so much, she can now say:

Please
More
Thank You
No
Juice
Yes
Purple
Isaac
Morgan
Baby
Mommy
Daddy
Grandpa
Potty(which she has used a few times!!)
Laura
Ball
Shoes
Socks
Buy-Buy

I know there are a few others that I'm forgetting but oh well. She is growing so quickly and changes so much every day! Morgan is so excited for summer to start, she is looking forward to swim lessons, dance camp, going camping, and a few other things that we have planed.

Cirque du Soleil

2008-04-10T13:16:00.000-07:00

Last night was our first night out without any of our children, since the addition of Isaac. Luke had a work Party, for the launch of a new product that he had been working on. It was so much fun to get out of the house and have a wonderful FREE evening with other adults. I guess that my husbands "Dutchness" is wearing off on me. The show was wonderful, I would highly recommend Cirque du Soleil anytime they are in town I have now seen 4 of their shows and I am always entertained.

Chocolate Cake

2008-04-07T15:44:00.000-07:00

Okay so last night we had our friends the Kruhm's over for dinner, and I had to figure out what to make, so I deiced to look for a chocolate cake recipe. I found this and it was so good that I deiced to post it. I know that it's not 100% from scratch, but I'm telling you all it's seriously moist and chocolaty. I love cooks.com!

Chocolate Bundt Cake:

1 Dark Chocolate Cake Mix
8oz. Sour Cream
1 small pkg. Instant Chocolate Pudding
4 eggs
1 Cup Water
1/3 Cup Flour
1/2 pkg. Milk Chocolate Chips
3/4 Cup Oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour bundt pan. Put all ingredients in mixing bowl, and mix for 4 minutes.

Bake for 55 mins. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, and then remove.

I frosted mine with Carmel Cream Cheese Icing and toped with toffee pieces, but the possibilities with Chocolate cake are endless.

7 Weeks Old!

2008-04-06T16:04:00.001-07:00

Didn't want to do it.....

2008-04-04T13:38:00.000-07:00

Today I went double stroller shopping, this is something that I was hoping I would not have to buy. We have a great stroller already that I love, and I purchased it because I didn't like any of the double strollers that I had looked at. That being said I went to segal's this morning in search of a double stroller. I thought that I knew what I wanted, but after looking at it and lifting it, my mind quickly changed. The Graco Quattro Tour Duo (what I originally wanted)weighed in at almost 40lbs. It was incredibly long, and very bulky when folded. On to my second option Phil and Ted's Sport Double, started out seeming much better it was about 15 pounds lighter, folded much more compact and seemed to not take up quite as much room in my car, but it was also drastically more money and I wasn't so in love with it that I wanted to spend that much. So I asked the sale man if there were any favorites. He then showed me the ONE, I mean this stroller is everything that I had on my criteria list and more. It folds compactly, was a reasonable weight to be lifting in and out of the car, and it could hold 2 children up to 45 pounds. Now here comes the best part it's also a jogging stroller. I was sold! He goes to see if they have any in stock(it's a popular stroller for parents with multiple children) they didn't have any. Okay not a big deal when are you getting more in? He tells me,"about a month, and there is a waiting list, but you might try and find one online." Okay so I leave Segal's fully confident that I will be able to find one online. Wrong! Every place I check, is out of stock, but they all have great reviews of parents who love their stroller. Finally I call the manufacture, they send me in the direction of a company in California that always has them in stock. Needless to say the much needed double stroller will be arriving soon. I can hardly wait to get it! I'm still not 100% sold on the idea of having a double stroller, and I think that it will be a phase of life that we pass by very quickly, but for now it's the phase we are in.

Zoo Day

2008-04-03T13:56:00.000-07:00

Today we joined Kristen and Kyra at the zoo we had such a wonderful time. The sun was out, and the temperature was in the 50's. This was the first time that I have been to the zoo with all 3 of the kids and I have to say that it went fairly well. I was very thankful that Kristen was with me, it was nice to have her eyes to help my keep track of Morgan. Isaac did great he slept the entire time we were at the zoo, he really seams to enjoy being outside. I have posted a few pictures, I wish that I could have taken some in the petting zoo, but my hands were a little full. Olivia really loved the pygmy goats, she was so happy to pet them, it really was quite cute.

6 weeks old

2008-04-01T10:58:00.000-07:00

The weeks seem to fly by! Isaac is getting so big, and he is really starting to be awake a lot during the day. It's great fun to have all three of the kids, but I'm loving the difference that Isaac adds to the mix. Hope that you are all having a great week!

Pictures

2008-03-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

Hi Mommy look at me I'm up so High!

Today my girls decide that they could smile for the Camera. I'm so glad we went to the park this morning!

4 Generations, but again my kids really didn't want to be taking pictures.

They Really didn't want to take pictures before Church on Easter. I will try again next time they wear the matching dresses.

Isaac 5 weeks

Olivia Love's her pacifier, I love her big blue eye's!

Welcome Back

2008-03-16T20:19:00.000-07:00

This weekend Luke went to Sunset Pres. mens retreat. It was so good for him to go and spend time with his friends and get away for the weekend. I have to say I was a little jealous when he told me that he had gotten 7 hours of consecutive sleep two night in a row. I'm glad to have him back, and don't want him to leave for along time.

Iv'e Been Tagged

2008-03-12T19:01:00.000-07:00

But I'm not going to tag any one else, mostly because they all have been tagged.

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.

B. Each player answers the questions about themselves.

C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

What I was doing 10 years ago:
I was 14 and a freshman in High School....enough said

5 Things on my To Do List today:
Clean the house, Play with my kids, Relax and get some much needed down time.

Snacks I Enjoy: Luna Bars, Cold Cereal, & Apples

Things I would do if I were a Billionaire: Do missions work, Build a big house on lots of property and open my home to foster kids.

3 of my Bad Habits: Emotional Eating, Procrastination, Bitting my nails

5 places I have lived: Hillsboro OR, Beaverton OR, Aloha OR, I know kinda boring

5 Jobs I have had: Hillsboro School district, Club Tan, Target, Party City, Baby Sitting

Olivia......

2008-03-10T14:08:00.000-07:00

She is such a happy, child. She loves to laugh and she likes to make people laugh. She also has had the most medical problems of any of our children so far. Luke and I have taken Olivia to numerous doctors appointments, and at most of them she has needed antibiotics of some sort. In January she had her adenoids out, we thought we had seen the worst of Olivia's health issues, and that she would be on the mend. We were wrong, God wasn't done teaching us through Olivia. Friday we found out that Olivia has Reflux, a condition that if left untreated can cause long term kidney damage. The good news is, as of right now she doesn't have any kidney damage, and that there is a chance that she might out grow this problem. So for the next year she will have to be monitored, and take a daily antibiotic to keep infections at bay. At the end of the year she will be retested, we are praying that she will have outgrown this problem by then.

Morgan.....

2008-02-29T20:15:00.001-08:00

For any of you who know my oldest daughter she can be a handful. Well ever since Isaac has been born she has been singing to him. This is really very sweet that she wants to sing to her brother, the problem it's always the same song. This last time I got out the camera and she sang more to the camera than Isaac, but it's still cute.

Pictures

2008-02-29T19:47:00.001-08:00

A Wonderful Week

2008-02-29T13:20:00.000-08:00

Today marks the end to my first week alone, well not alone, I'm never alone. It has been great! I love having all three of the kids, and watching each one of them grow. I know that all weeks aren't going to go wonderful, and that we will have times that will be challenging. Thankfully this week wasn't one of them. My mom came over and helped me out 2 twice this week, it was really nice to be able to go to the store with out any of my children. It was also great that she was able to come with us when we had to go out and run a few errands. We had meals brought to us from friends in our care group which was also a huge help. Although today I managed to take Isaac in for his 2 week appointment with both of the girls. It wasn't so bad, you just have to be okay with knowing that you are not 100% in control.

Isaac is doing really well, and continues to be a fairly easy going baby. He loves to be held, but is also content to sit in his swing, or stay in his car seat for a bit after we arrive home.

Olivia is still adjusting to not being the baby, but she is still happy and goes with the flow, she just like to be held and cuddled a little more than she used to. This is okay with me, she was never a very cuddly baby so to be able to hold her and rock her now is great.

Morgan, is such a big helper! I don't know what I would do with our her help. She is very good at getting things for me when my hands are full. Making

sure that Olivia is not getting into trouble when I'm busy with Isaac, and she love to hold Isaac when ever I "need" her to.

I know that some people might think that we are crazy with all the chaos at our house, but Luke and I are both settling into a a routine, and loving every minute, of noise, laughter, crying, and giggling. It's great and we are both feeling very blessed to have each one of our kiddos.

Family Of Five

2008-02-20T19:34:00.000-08:00

As we adjust to out family of five, I keep thinking about Luke going back to work. This week has been pretty good so far, but I have had Luke's help. When he goes back to work it will be me AGAINST the 3 of them. I don't know about all of you, but to me 3 against one, sounds like an unfair fight. I think that the key to making it all work is protecting my time in the morning! Making sure that I get myself ready for the day before the girls get up. So fare Isaac has been content to be set down, I'm praying that this continues for the next few weeks. I feel so blessed to have my family all 3 kids and Luke. I'm thankful that God has given me 3 wonderful children and a husband who loves and supports me! I know that we are going to continue to experience change at our house over the next several months as we adjust to the addition of Isaac. I'm ready for the change the excitement, the hard days, and the rewarding days. I'll keep you all posted on how things go.

Issac Aaron Jenison

2008-02-17T14:25:00.000-08:00

I will add more detail later, but for today a quick post will have to do. Isaac Aaron Jenison is here, he was born February 15th at 6:02 pm. He weighed 8lbs 4oz and measured in at 21inches long. I'm so glad that my doctor didn't let me go almost 10 more days until my due date! We are all doing well, and I'm so happy to be home.

4 Years Old

2008-02-12T21:08:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow at 7:42pm Morgan is 4 years old. Tonight we had her family party it was so much fun. I don't know if it's the fact that I'm very pregnant or the fact, that every year she gets a little older, I seem to think about how fast time has gone. This year she wanted a princess party, so I indulged her I think that I tried to do everything to Morgans exact wishes. For the fist time she had both sets of grandparents at a birthday(yes Luke's parents are in town). It has been great to have them here, I'm also looking forward to having them here for Isaac's arrival. I have posted a few pictures from tonight, I don't know who enjoyed the cake more Morgan(who didn't have any until everyone left) or Olivia(who had to get in the tub right after).

Happy Birthday Luke

2008-02-08T22:46:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to take a quick minute to let everyone know Tomorrow is Luke's 30th Birthday. I love my dear sweet husband very much. He truly is everything that a girl could ask for and more. So Luke this post is for you, Happy Birthday!

A Little Indulgence

2008-02-02T19:24:00.000-08:00

Today my husband gave me the wonderful gift of a little time off. Because I am so pregnant and was not able to attend Womens retreat, Luke thought that I should take some time before that baby and have a break. I tried something new that I have never done before, and let me tell of all you laddies out there, barefoot sage is well worth the indulgence. I left feeling relaxed my feet were no longer swollen, and I could have sat in one of their couches all afternoon long. So next time one of you is in need of a mommy break I highly recommend giving barefoot sage a try. It would be a great thing to do with a few girl friends as well.

Count Down

2008-02-01T15:31:00.000-08:00

It seems like this pregnancy has passed so quickly. That might be because I have been in denial that I will have 3 children in 4 years. So today marks a big day It's february 1st, I have a scheduled induction date of february 15th, but who knows we could be meeting this little boy before that. At best I figure that I have 14 days left of being pregnant. We will keep you all posted on the arrival of new baby Jenison.

Laura, I stole the test off your page apparently I'm stuck in the same time zone that you are!

You Belong in 1956

You're fun loving, romantic, and more than a little innocent. See you at the drive in!

What Year Do You Belong In?

I Love My Family

2008-01-24T14:36:00.000-08:00

Luke- He loves to spend time with family, he enjoys hard work, loves the Lord and lives to show others he loves the Lord.

Olivia Joy- She is truly a happy child who loves to laugh, and be silly. She almost always will give you a smile. She is fearless and try's to do everything that she see Morgan do.
Morgan Elizabeth- Always wants an answer for why things are the way they are, she is curious, and inquisitive. She loves to create, and play pretend with endless imagination.

As I get closer to my due date, for Baby number 3 I have so many things running around in my head, I thought I would share a few with you today:

1. I really love my kids, I love how they have such different personalities and make each day so different and unique.

2. I wonder what this new baby will be like? I really hope that he is easy going, and doesn't mind all the craziness his sisters will add to his life.

3. It is going to be so much fun to have a boy in our house, don't get me wrong I love all the pink, purple and hair bows, but I'm looking forward to not having to do a 4th persons hair in the morning.

4. Morgan is such a fun child when she choses to be one, now as a parent how can I get her to choose this behavior every day?

5. It's hard to believe that Olivia has finally started sleeping through the night only weeks before we add a newborn to the house. I'm sure the fact that she can now breath after her surgery is a huge part of the reason she has started to do this.

6. I wonder what our Costco bill is going t look like now that we will have two kids in dippers?

7. I love days were I feel like I have life organized and things are running really smoothly.

8. I'm so lucky to have Luke and the kids in my life, I can't imagine a day with out them, life just won't be the same.

9. God has blessed my family in so many ways I can only imagine what else he has in store for us this year, I can't wait to find out.

I hope that each and everyone of you who read my blog remember to take time to let your families know how important they are to you. I don't mean the day to day I love you's, I mean really let them know why you love them. It's my goal this week to make a list for Luke, Morgan, and Olivia stating 10 traits that I truly love about each one of them. I know that this might be over Olivia's head, but I want her to know just how much I love her. I think that it is easy to forget that our loved ones are unique and each add something so different to our lives.

Outside Looking In.........

2008-01-17T16:14:00.000-08:00

And wanting in as well. Last night while I was cleaning up the play room, I had the strange feeling that I was being watched. I brushed it off as nothing and continued to clean, but just when I was starting to feel better, I saw 3 sets of eyes staring in. After I calmed down, I noticed we have raccoons. Not only do we have raccoons they seem to be not afraid of people, and when they saw that I noticed them, they wanted in. Yes the biggest raccoon stood up on his hind legs and batted at the door handle. Well, as cute as this huge raccoon was, from inside my house there is no way I would have opened the door for him. So I hoping that they get the picture soon, that we are not going to feed them or let them in and move to someone else's back yard.

Progress

2008-01-14T15:03:00.000-08:00

We have been working very hard on the house for the last 2 months and I finally feel like real progress is being made. Projects are getting done, and when I look around I don't see as many things that bother me or still need to be worked on. For example this is what our hall bath looked like when we moved in:

This is what it looks like now:

This is what our entry way looked like when we moved in:

This is what it looks like now:
I know that you can't really see in the pictures, but when we moved in the grout in the tile was black, after having it professionally cleaned it matches the tile and is a much lighter color. It's kinda makes me sick to think that the floor could be that dirty.

I'm so happy with all the things that are being done, I'm also really happy that we have moved and have space to move around in. I should also take a moment to mention that non of these wonderful things would be getting done with out Luke. He has worked so hard to make everything around the house just as I would like it. He has even had to repaint a few things, because I just didn't like the color I chose once it was on the wall. I love my Husband very much, and am so glad that he has put all the work into the house to make it feel like home.

Christmas Pictures

2007-12-26T11:22:00.000-08:00

We have had a wonderful and busy week so far. I'm just going to put up a few new pictures, seeing as thats about all I have time for today. Hopefully I can fill in details soon! Olivia really didn't want to have her picture taken so this is the only one I have with her not in tears.

Will everything get done????

2007-12-22T21:07:00.000-08:00

So too many of you out there 8 weeks may seem like a long time, but to me 8 weeks seems like a very short amount of time. Why you might ask, well in 8 weeks we will be welcoming Isaac. With December almost over and January being a very full month, Olivia's Surgery, Care Group Weekend Away, Our Wedding Anniversary, And Normal Activity's, I'm sure time will fly by. Then in February we have Luke, and Morgan’s birthdays and before you know it my 8 weeks are all done. Now if I could just figure out were we are going to fit in taking down the wall paper and getting our bedroom painted so that we can finally set up our furniture, oh yes and lets not forget getting Isaac's room ready. Do any of you out there ever feel like you are taking 2 steps forward and then 10 steps back? This is how I have been feeling a lot lately, maybe its hormones, or the rush of the holiday season. I'm guessing though I'm not the only person who ever feels this way. Why do we feel the need to have life organized? For me I know that I'm a happier person when I feel like things are getting done, but dose it go deeper than that? Is it a way of keeping control? Is it my way of not handing everything over to God, and knowing that he will help me accomplish things in his timing? I know that this has been a very random post, but tonight I feel random. Hope you are all enjoying your weekend, and have a Merry Christmas.

Care Group Christmas Party

2007-12-17T12:44:00.000-08:00

Last night we enjoyed celebrating Christmas with our friends, it was so much fun to get together for the holiday season. Thank you so much to Ryan and Jeanie for hosting! Hope you all enjoy the rest of our holiday season.

Not a word of complaint

2007-12-05T07:54:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I opened an e-mail from a friend who I have been thinking/praying about over the last few day of heavy rain. As soon as I read the first few words my heart sank and I started to cry. They live in Vernoina and have lost everything inside their home. They have 3 kids one who is only weeks old. As I read about their home being under 7 feet of water on the outside and 4 feet of water on the inside I could hardly imagine being in her position. But that is not why I'm posting this; I wanted to post about this because of her amazing attitude about things. She could have complained about losing everything, the fact that they have just finished remodeling the entire house, that her family will not be home for Christmas, but she didn't mention any of those things. She said we have lost everything, but I'm thankful that we have family we can stay with and we are all safe, and healthy.

As I head into the Christmas holiday, I have so much to be thankful for. I have no reasons to complain, so what if I can't find the right gift or I have a lot going on. That is not what this season is about. It's about Celebrating Jesus’ Birth. Spending time with love ones and being together as a family. My friend’s attitude made me think, it's never those who have hardly anything or who are asking for help that complain about life's situations. It’s those of us who have so much we have forgotten how little we really go with out, and decide to complain about the mundane things in life.

Bouncy Potato

2007-11-21T21:25:00.000-08:00

I thought that this would be a great little thing to post right before thanksgiving. Tonight when dinner was done, both Olivia and Morgan got into the cupboards and each got one red skin potato. Odd I know, but they are my kids and I love them. After about 30 minutes of laughing a playing nicely with each other, I finally decided to interrupt and ask Morgan what they were doing the answer, we are just playing a game called bouncy potato. Okay then I hope that you two enjoy the rest of your game because mommy is really enjoying cleaning up the kitchen and talking to Daddy! I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with you family and find time to truly enjoy the little things we have to be thankful for.

Cleanliness what is the definition?

2007-11-03T19:26:00.000-07:00

I know that I said I was taking a posting break, but I had to blog about this. I don't want to offend anyone who reads this so know that my definition of cleanliness is just that my definition. Also know that I think there is a very large difference between houses cleanliness and a house being picked up.

So any of you who read my blog know that we are moving next week to a house that needs a little work, so Luke took a few days off of work this week, my Mom took the kids and our plan was to work, work, work, and we did just that. Thursday my new appliances were being delivered so I worked very hard Wednesday, and Thursday morning to get the laundry room ready. After scrubbing every wall and wiping every surface, I moved on to painting all of the walls. Next I shined up the cabinets with pledge, and mopped the floor for a second time. Ahh yes the laundry room in my definition was clean, but for some reason it smelled just awful. So after running through everything that I had done in my head it hit me I never vacuumed out the heating vent, but this smell couldn't be coming from the heating vent, or could it? So I went out to the garage grabbed the shop vac. a was going to clean it out, but I decided I didn't want to because it might be really gross so I asked Luke to do it for me. He pulled off the heating vent and I head, "you have got to be kidding me, what's wrong with people." Curious I walked into the laundry room and asked what he had found, his response was not something that I can post, but we had identified the smell. Yes the people who had lived in our house before us had been using the heating vent as a place to put what they had scoped out of their cats litter box! At this point I left the room feeling very sick to my stomach, but this is what crosses my mind:
1-I'm so glad that Luke is cleaning that and I'm not.
2-It's a really good thing that the gas has been, and still is turned off and the heat hasn't been on.
3-I can't believe that anyone in their right mind would do something like that.
4-I'm so glad that Luke is cleaning up that mess.
5-I love my husband, he's not complaining about the mess as much as I would.

So the mess has been taken care of, and every vent in the house has been cleaned. My laundry room smells just fine, and I still am very excited to move in to the new house. After this experience though, it got me thinking, I had been told that the house was clean. I have been working on getting the house to my standards of clean for almost a week now, and I still have work to do. So what makes people decide to live in filth? Is it lack of motivation in life, or that the standards were never set, and as an adult they don't really know what clean is? I'm interested to hear what others have to say on this subject. Were do you think each individual persons standards of cleanliness come from?

Posting Break

2007-10-29T08:10:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let all of you know; I'm taking a posting break until after we move! With Morgan having swimming lessons 3 nights a week, a house that needs some remodeling before we move into it, and packing up our family, blogging is going to be put on the back burner. Our move date is set for November 10th, and Luke is taking some time off this week to start some of the work on the house. I'm going to try and take lots of pictures of everything that we do between today and the 10th so that the next post will be more fun and exciting than this one.

But Mommy I Was JUST......

2007-10-23T16:40:00.000-07:00

This post happened on Tuesday, but I have not had a chance to put it up. I doing much better with the situation, but I still cringe a little if I look to close.

Well today Morgan played hairstylist. Yes that means exactly what you all are thinking she cut her hair. The hair that I love so much, and always enjoy doing is gone. She now has no bangs, and the right side of her head is missing large chunks of hair, and to top that all off if you move her hair just right, she has a little bit of a Mohawk! The lady at the hair salon said, "She’s half way to a mullet." The word mullet just makes me quiver and that thought that my little girl looks like she has one might just be enough to make me sick. So this afternoon we got a hair cut and her hair looks a little better I'm still trying to get over the fact that she cut it. I have posted a picture of her hair after the at home hair cut gone wrong. I'm sure that most of you are thinking that it's just hair, but for me my kid’s hair is a big deal. I know that it will grow back, but for now I'm still sad and will miss Morgan’s hair.

Happy Birthday Olivia

2007-10-18T15:46:00.000-07:00

Today Olivia turns ONE! This is every exciting, but has also been a little emotional for me as well, the thought of her not being a baby anymore is kinda sad. I'm so glad that we have been blessed with two wonderful daughters, and each millstone it a wonderful one. I have posted a few pictures of Miss Olivia, I might add some more latter after she has her first taste of cake.

We're Moving!

2007-10-14T16:24:00.000-07:00

I'm writing this blog with so much excitement, I can hardly contain myself. After almost 2 years in a 1200 sq. foot apartment, our family is moving to a 2200 sq. foot HOUSE! I can hardly wait! I don't really know what I will do with all the extra space, but I'm sure we will find ways to use it as our family continues to grow. The house is about 5 minutes from were we are living right now, in a nice neighborhood. It's a ranch with a loft at the end of a cul-de-sac. There is a park very close by, and, to top it all off, the back yard is huge! God has blessed our growing family with the wonderful surprise of a new home at just the right time. I will try to post a few pictures soon. Thank you so much for all of you who prayed for us as we waited to find the right fit for our family.

Pumpkin Patch

2007-10-11T12:39:00.000-07:00

Today we went to the pumpkin patch with friends from our moms group. It was fun to have all the kids together(some were missing). The weather ended up being nice, and the girls had so much fun just being outside.

Morgan trying to take Olivia for a wheel barrel ride, Olivia wasn't so sure about it!

When Sharpies Attack!

2007-10-05T16:09:00.000-07:00

Today when I went to get Morgan up from her nap I found a big surprise! I will let the picture do the talking.
After I had excused myself for a few minutes to laugh, I went back in and explained to her that when she is done taking a nap in Mommy and Daddy's room that its not okay for her to get into the desk. She had not only colored on her face, but on every envelope in an almost new box, and her pajamas . I'm so glad that she insisted on putting them on for nap today.

Could It Be?

2007-10-02T22:01:00.000-07:00

We think that the right house might have found our family! Luke and I went through a house today that meets most of our criteria, plus it has more square footage than we had hope to have. There are a few problems, but I think we will find that with most anything. We are now in the possess of negotiating with the owners of the property, if this is meant to be the house for our family we know that the problems will work out. So please pray for us as our next few weeks unfold that Luke and I will be able to accept Gods plan. More me than Luke, but I think that we both would be a little disappointed if things didn't work out.

(this is not the house)

The Funny Things Our Kids Say

2007-09-27T12:57:00.000-07:00

I just thought that I would take a minute to tell all of you about something Morgan told Luke and I yesterday. Well more Luke than me, but I was in the room when she said it. Morgan and I were getting ready to leave for BSF Luke asked her to put her shoes on. I guess that he asked her to put on her black shoes, because she quickly looked at her daddy and Said, "What, What, What! Black shoes with pink socks and a brown sweater, they will send me to prison." When Luke stopped laughing he told her that she could wear her brown shoes.

It's A BOY!

2007-09-26T18:46:00.000-07:00

Yes, thats right we are having a baby boy! Luke and I are very excited! We can't agree on any boy names, we have a few, but none of them are speaking to us. Any of you that have kids now what I mean. As parents we want their name to be all that we know our children will be. Plus you have to make sure that it will be a name that won't get them ridiculed when they start school! So let us know what your favorite boy names are, we would love some suggestions!

Family Fun Night!!!

2007-09-23T16:43:00.000-07:00

Friday night we went to Family Unity Night at Sunset Pres. we had such a wonderful time with the kids. I highly recommend taking you family to the next one(in November) if you didn't get a chance to go on Friday night. Morgan had so much fun playing on the inflatable toys and riding on the plasma cars, Olivia just enjoyed being able to run free!

Were has the time gone?

2007-09-23T16:36:00.000-07:00

When I looked at Olivia today a rush of emotions struck me. My baby is not such a baby anymore, she is walking, saying no when she doesn't like something that is happening to her, and most of all she will be one in a few short weeks. I don't know why today was the day that I decided to notice all of these changes in Olivia, I have Posted a picture of Olivia at one day old and now. It really is amazing how much she has changed.

It's Friday

2007-09-21T10:02:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe that today is Friday, this week has seemed to fly by so fast that I'm still taking it all in. I will give you a quick look at what we had going on this week.

Monday- We did errands I knew that I would not be able to fit them in on any other day so we finished them all in one day. For any of you moms out there you know that doing all of your errands in one day can be very challenging with you kiddos. Then at about 12:30 we went to my moms, and I left for a doctors appointment. Finlay arrived home at 3:00pm put my two very tired kiddos down for a nap. After dinner I started to go though the girls draws only to realizes that Olivia had one pair of pants, after I put off of her summer clothing away. Ran up to Old Navy to buy her a few things while the baby sale was still going on.

Tuesday- Arived at Sunset to help with the Gift Kick off child care at 8:45. For anyone who knows me well I'm not the biggest fan of the morning and having to have myself and both of the girls ready to leave the house at 8:30 can be a big challenge. Olivia was filmed for a video clip that is being used at church on Sunday, I can hardly wait to see it. Finished with kick off at 11:15ish, headed to the grocery store, I always forget to get something off of the big list. :) Arrive home at 12:00 feed the girls, manage to do a little bit of clean up around the house, before laying all of us down for a nap. I woke up about 3, managed to do some laundry, and clean the laundry room. At my house the laundry room always manages to get really cluttered. After dinner I was able to go spend a little time with Laura, it was nice to take a break.

Wednesday- My mom arrives at our house to watch Olivia at 8:30, Morgan and I leave for BSF.
This Wednesday is my turn to Volunteer in the 2 class room, so for the second day in a row I happily play with others children while not spending time with my own. It was great to get to see all of the great things the children in the 2's class are learning. 11:15 I 'm done volunteering pick up Morgan from her class, head home to pick up Olivia. On the way home I hear all about what Morgan learned in class, I'm so glad that it sounds like she had a good time. 11:20 arrive home, talk to my Mom for a minute, grab Olivia and a few snacks head to meet Yvonne at Costco. 11:45 Costco trip with Yvonne and Ben, goes great we are able to buy 90% of what we are going to need to do food for MOM's Kick off on Thursday. We stop at the Costco cafe eat some lunch, pack up our cars, then we are off to Sunset to drop off the food for moms kick off. 2:00pm arrive home with two very tired kiddos put them down for naps, think about laying down myself but decide that I have other things that I really should be getting done.

Thursday- MOM's kick off I'm so excited! My mom arrives at our house to watch both of the girls at 7:30 I'm out the door to go to Kick off, but not with a quick trip though Starbucks. Arrive at Sunset at 8:00am. Yvonne arrives at the church as well we get started making food and setting up the room. 8:30 our helpers arrive and things really start to take form, its all coming together. 9:15 MOM's kick off beings, the room is packed with mom's some that I haven't meet and a few from last year. 11:30 start to clean up kick off was awesome, I'm so glad that I was able to be apart of it this year. 12:30 head for home, my kids are so happy to have me home I'm so happy to be home with them.

All of that brings us to today we have done nothing at the Jenison house, I have been able to sit on the floor and play with my kids. I think that the best part of my day so far was being able to sit at the table and enjoy breakfast with my kids, I have really missed being able to do that this week. I enjoy all of the things that I Volunteer in, but this week with all of them happening at the same time it was a little heck-tick and crazy, I'm so glad that we have nothing going on today. Whats up for tomorrow? We are helping my sister move! I hope that you all enjoy your weekend.