This and That

Jack's new favorite thing is chess. Jonathan is so excited for him to be old enough to play with him. They play at least one game every evening. Jonathan said he is getting pretty good. He came home last week with a paper to join the school chess club. One of the things it said they would do was learn to beat your dad. Jack is so excited about it. He also got to go this weekend with Grandma Janet and Papa Joe to Elk City for the weekend. He had a great time!

Last Thursday night Jonathan got free tickets for the soft opening of the new SpiritBank center. The finalists from Nashville Star performed. We watched a little of the show and Coffey was our favorite. He was definitely the best performer. The kids were so excited about going to their first concert. They didn't last too long after the first performer they were so tired from a long day that Joel fell asleep and Jennah and Jack were laying across their seats. We decided from now on they should only go to concerts on Saturday nights so they have a good nights sleep and get to sleep in that day.

Jennah had her first sleepover this weekend. It was a friend from church. These people went all out! It was crazy. First of all the girls were to come in princess attire and it was at the Hampton Inn. They went way overboard with everything. There was a chocolate fountain, a punch fountain, crazy cake (that the mom made herself), jupiter jump, and much more. Jennah LOVED it! I had to explain to her that we would not be having a party for her like that!

The Rest of the Story

So, my last post was on how big Jennah is getting and how she lost her first tooth. Well I guess that two dollars left under her pillow was a little addictive for little Jennah. I must stress when telling this story that she was NOT under our supervision when she came up with this brilliant idea.

Jonathan and I had our last Spanish class last night and my parents so graciously offered at the last minute to keep the kids for us. It had been a very hectic weekend and a busy Monday as well and we had forgotten all about getting a sitter for the kids during our class. My parents had Joel they were bringing home and decided they could keep the kids so I could go to Spanish class with Jonathan. I decided Jonathan needed the practice much worse than I did. He was still throwing in a little french with his Spanish. We called it "Franish". Turns out that night we found out Jonathan wasn't the only one speaking "Franish" as Lita in her final conversation with the instructor threw in a little "Franish" as well. Anyway that's beside the point. So, I called home to let them know we were on our way and my mom told me Jennah had a little problem. She went on to tell me she and Jack went to get some dinner and Papa, Jennah, and Joel stayed there. While she was gone Jennah decided she wanted to pull another tooth. Even though there were no loose teeth in her mouth. Sneaky Jennah took some dental floss up to her bathroom tied it around her tooth and then tied it to the bathroom door and slammed the door. The next thing my dad knew she was coming down the stairs just bawling. First of all the slamming door didn't remove the tooth but it did make her tooth hurt and now the dental floss was wedged into her gums and she couldn't get it out. My mom quickly returned to help my father remove the floss with no success. So for an hour Jennah sat in the living room with a foot of floss hanging out of her mouth and whining. When we finally returned I was able to remove the floss in about five minutes. She was so glad to get that floss out of her mouth and I don't think she will attempt this again loose tooth or not!

Don't let that sweet face fool you, she is my mess. This doesn't surprise me at all. She is always coming up with something. I am sure she even waited until Jack was gone to do this because she knew Jack would tattle on her. She always has us laughing and it's never boring with her around. Fun times!

Little Jennah

Little Jennah is getting so big. She lost her first tooth Friday night. She was so excited. She has been having me check every few days for about the past year to see if any are loose yet. Finally about a month ago Aunt Amy and Uncle John were keeping the kids for us while we were at Spanish class and when we returned Jennah proudly announced she had a loose tooth. Amy and John told us Jennah told them if the tooth was really clean she would get $20 for it! I don't know where she came up with that one.

Jennah is such a girly girl. She walks around the house humming "Here Comes the Bride" all the time. I keep telling Jonathan that we better start saving for that wedding now because she is already planning it. Jonathan officiated a wedding Saturday night and Jennah loved it. On the way home she told us her wedding was going to be outside and inside. Jonathan asked her if she wanted him to perform the ceremony for her wedding. She quickly answered back "No Dad you'll be to old!" She always has us laughing.

Dry Gulch '08

This is our second year to attend Park Plaza's family retreat to Dry Gulch, USA. Again it was such a neat place and the fellowship and family time was a much needed break from the last two crazy months. We stayed in an apartment again this year. I felt kind of bad getting one. They are reserved for families with young children and the elderly. Everyone else stays in dorms girls in one boys in the other. Joel really isn't small enough that we needed one but we all wanted to stay together and it is much easier to pack only one bag instead of splitting up all our things. This will definitely be the last year I feel like we can stay in the apartments unless we have another baby. We did tell them we didn't want to take an apartment away from someone that needed it so if there wasn't room we would stay in the dorms, but we lucked out and got one. We got to ride the train this year. The kids loved it. We came back refreshed and ready for the next couple of months.

My Little Brother

Monday morning at 6:00 am my little brother William and sister-in-law Rachel will be leaving for a two year mission trip to Honduras. I am so proud of them. They have definitely inspired us. Jonathan and I have always been interested in missions but the path God led us on seemed to keep us here. They have reminded us of our passion to do something like this. We may not be able to do this type of work now but we can support, encourage, and pray for them. We know this is the roll God wants us to play in mission work right now. We are going to go and visit them in October and have started a conversational Spanish class to prepare us. I am excited for the work God will be doing through them. Please pray for Will and Rachel. Will had a heart surgery when he was young and still has to return yearly to a specialist but is doing fine; however the insurance they have applied for (and have been waiting on to leave) has denied him coverage. They have some other options but this was definitely the best option for them. Saying their goodbyes and hearing of this news has been an emotional roller coaster. Please pray Will can get the coverage he needs to protect him in this foreign land and that they will be successful in their work.

Mr. and Mrs. Antrikin

Sean and Madison got married this weekend we started out with a great rehearsal and dinner from Famous Dave's BBQ (one of my favorites). Jonathan officiated the wedding and Jennah was the flower girl and Joel and one of Madison's nephews who is a week younger than Joel were the ring bears. Jennah is an old pro at being a flower girl and she took control of the younger boys, it was so cute. This was Jack's first wedding to be an usher. He did a great job. Everything went very smooth and it was a beautiful wedding.

I also celebrated my 28th birthday on Wednesday.

Joel's 3!

I'm a little behind on posting. We have had so much going on the last few weeks. After getting the kids off to school starting on the 14th that Saturday was my mother's family reunion and Joel's birthday. So we had a very busy day and the next weekend was my youngest brother's wedding. Joel's birthday party went well and the weather was just perfect. He had a great time and thanks to everyone that came. I can't believe my baby Joel is a big three year old.

Back to School

Today started Jack and Jennah's 3rd and 1st grade years. Jennah was very excited, but Jack not so much. This is always a hard time for me. I have trouble letting them go. Jack made it harder on me by deciding at the last minute he wanted to ride the bus to school today! I wasn't prepared for that and really didn't want him to but Jonathan said he thought it would be good for his self esteem. Jennah has no trouble in area of self confidence, but Jack on the other hand is a little like his mom and dad. So reluctantly I agreed to let him ride the bus. I did okay until the bus drove off. No tears just a teary eyes and the realization that he is really growing up so fast and the responsibilities of the kids getting older runs through my mind and heart. All the things we need to be teaching them as they are getting older and how to be Christians set apart from the world but still living in it and how to deal with that daily. How to influence others with the kindness they show. I pray for these beautiful gifts God has given us and I pray He gives us the wisdom and knowledge to raise them to be soul winners for His kingdom. Having babies is such a special time in life and I never thought there could be anything sweeter than holding a newborn baby, but this feels just as sweet. I am able to send my children out into the world and know that they will be just fine because I have taught them what they need to know to be successful. We still have a long way to go, I know. I am sure these next ten to fifteen years will be hard at times but the things they will accomplish and learn will be so sweet. I'm excited for this new chapter in their lives and what new things they will learn and new friends they will make. So here we go!

My Little Beat Boxer

Joel learned this from big brother Jack. Every time Jennah starts singing Joel starts beat boxing. It is so funny. Enjoy!

Beware!!

I just want to share this with everyone so if this happens to you at least you'll have a plan. Yesterday afternoon about 12:30 our house almost got broken into. With me and the three kids there! It caught me so off guard I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to share this but I think I needed to warn others to be on guard.

I was fixing lunch and the kids were very loudly playing in the living room and the doorbell rang. I never go to the front door when it rings I always go to Joel's room and see who it is and if it is a labeled car they are driving. This guy was wearing a "wife beater" and his boxers were hanging out of his pants about six inches. I thought, I will just let him ring the door bell until he just leaves. I gathered the kids up and took them to my room and told them to sit quietly. The guy just kept knocking and ringing the doorbell for maybe 3 minutes and then the car that was parked across the street and two houses down moved in front of my driveway and two more guys got out and came to the door. They all began ringing the bell, beating on the door, and jiggling the door handle. I yelled at them "I'm not going to open the door!" I don't know what I thought that would help. I didn't know at that time I could call 911 for that type of situation. I know now that is perfectly fine. I also could have set off our house alarm but it is in the small living room directly off the entry and we didn't have blinds over that window. For some reason I didn't want them to see me. After what seemed to be an hour but was actually about three or four minutes they kicked the door really hard and then ran off. We didn't realize then but later when the police arrived to take a report he noticed when they kicked the door it busted the door frame if the dead bolt had not been set they would have been in my house at that time. Even with the dead bolt the police man said it would have only taken one or two more kicks. I felt so helpless to think ten more seconds and they would have been in MY home with me and my three kids. What would I have done.

I am writing this not to scare anyone or make you lose sleep for fear, but to empower you to be prepared should anything like this happen. Please have a plan!

I Bribed Them

I confess, on occasion I have been known to bribe my kids. I did it today. I promised them if they acted on their best behavior I would let them go to QT and pick out some candy. It worked and they were angels. The hair stylist even commented on how well behaved they were. I didn't have the heart to tell her they had been bribed. Normally I take my kids everywhere with me but the people in Utica Square kind of intimidate me. Which is why I worried so much about taking them there. I really don't like to bribe them I think they should act well whether they get something for it or not. Surely every once in a while is okay though isn't it?

Good Luck To Me

Wish me luck everyone. In thirty minutes I am taking all three kids with me to the Ihloff Salon and Day Spa in Utica Square to get my hair cut. Most of the time my mother and I make our appointments together and she stays with the kids while I get my hair cut. My parents got a call yesterday to go to Minnesota so I am on my own. Normally I would just reschedule but I already had to reschedule once due to our vacation. With my hair being as short as it is it really needs to be cut at least every eight weeks. It has been I think eleven weeks and counting. I am curious does everyone else take their kids with them or what do you do with your kids while you have your hair did?

Busy Weekend

We started off the weekend by having Blake and Shelly and their kids and Amy and Benjamin over for dinner Friday night. We cooked kabobs and it turned out to be a little stressful trying to get everything finished at the same time. Next time we have you all over we will do something easier (sorry). Then Saturday morning Jennah and I went to see Shelby's ballet performance. Jennah loved it and as soon as we left she wanted to know when she could take ballet. After that we went with Jonathan to work for a little while. Then Jennah had to be at the church building to get ready for her musical. I was really nervous for her but I don't think she was at all. She forgot to stand up which threw her off a little in the beginning of the song but quickly caught up and did a wonderful job. Especially this being her first solo and not knowing about it until Wednesday! Sorry for the shaking camera I was crying and laughing at the same time. I'm sure everyone there thought I was crazy. I cried through the entire program. After it was over Jennah got to go around and give people her autograph. She loved that! To top the day off we ate at Ted's with my family and then all five of us watched Hannah Montana 3-D! Sunday, Quentin and a friend came to church with us. The kids love uncle Quentin. Then a good Sunday afternoon nap and off to church again. After services we had a children's ministry meeting to inform all the parents about how the new format will be when we go to three services. Everyone had so many questions and concerns. It is amazing how terrified people are of change, but that's a story for another time.

Also, thank you to everyone that came to see Jennah perform. I know it meant so much to her to have so many family members there to support her. It meant a lot to Jonathan and me too.

Music Camp

Jennah started Music Camp this week. It is perfect for her! She cried today when it was time for me to pick her up. She loves it. They sent a cd with all the songs to the musical home with her. I thought with it being from 9-5:00 she would be tired of it by the time she got home, but not Jennah. She has been practicing the songs and the motions all evening. She even throws in a little attitude with some head movement. They had auditions that we missed for the solo and speaking parts. I think she really would have enjoyed that. They are performing the musical Saturday evening and I can't wait!

Home Sweet Home

We made it back about half an hour ago. We had a wonderful trip but all of us are glad to be home. These are a couple of the best pictures we took.

Dolphin Cruise

We went on a dolphin cruise Tuesday that guarantied the dolphins would jump, roll, and surf or our money back. We had been on a dolphin cruise several years ago when we came down here and we only saw a few dolphins only for a second, and definitely no jumping, rolling, or surfing. We were pleasantly surprised to see all of this on this cruise. The kids had a blast and could see them up close. The difference was this cruise had two big boats that would run next to each other and create a nice wave the dolphins enjoyed playing on. Jacksen and Jennah did well on the boat like they had done it a hundred times. Joel had to warm up to it but by the end of the cruise he was okay.

Water Tricks

Joel decided yesterday with no help from us that it was time for him to learn how to go underwater and swim. Just out of the blue in the kiddie pool he started putting his head in the water over and over and over. It was so funny to us because we hadn't asked him to or showed him how. We knew when we went on our vacation when Joel was almost one and he decided on his own it was time to start walking how much determination he had even as a almost one year old. We had not seen him be so determined to do something since then. He almost gets obsessed with it. This video was this morning in the pool and shortly after this he got in the big pool and swam underwater from Jonathan to me and back and forth for about thirty minutes. He also likes to jump into the pool without us catching him so he can go under and then we can pick him up out of the water.

Jennah is learning how to float on her back although it doesn't look like she is actually floating she can keep her head above water. Kind of like when she swims it doesn't look like she is actually swimming but she can get anywhere she wants. Last year on vacation Jennnah was "saved" three times in the pool. She wasn't actually drowning she just looks like it when she swims. The three people just kind of look at us funny and grab her out of the water and brought her to us.

Jacksen's favorite thing these days is diving for things at the bottom of the pool. In this video he is diving for a penny. He also really enjoys having Joel swim to him in the pool. He feels pretty big.

I love that we can share our vacation with all our family and friends. Also, you will have to mute the music at the bottom of my blog to hear the kids.

We missed the sun setting by a few minutes, but got a few good pictures right after it set on the bay side.

Vacation!

We're here finally! It seems like the longest trip we have ever made. I know it isn't because the trip to CO last spring break took about sixteen hours but this seemed longer. The kids were great. It is actually my fault the trip seemed so long. When I called to make our reservations for the condo they informed me I could save $200 if I waited until the day after the 4th of July. Of course I wanted to save the money! Then after proudly telling Jonathan of the great deal I had made I found out there would be fireworks on the beach. On the beach, we can't miss that! So being the cheap girl I am instead of calling and just reserving the room for an additional night the 4th I call every other place in Gulf Shores to find a room. The cheapest place I could find was $240 for one night! So after searching and searching I finally decided to call the original place we are staying all week to decline the $200 off and stay the extra day on the 4th. By the time I call back someone else had reserved the condo for the week before us and the last night being the 4th! So we stayed in Mobile, AL last night and drove down to the beach for the fireworks. After making a 12 hour drive, we took a quick swim and had dinner, then loaded back up in the car to drive down to the beach. It was neat but the traffic was really bad and we didn't get to the beach until the fireworks were over. We left Mobile 8:00 pm for the fireworks and didn't get back to the hotel until 12:00 am! This was after spending 12 hours in the car for the trip down here. Finally we arrived around 4:00 this afternoon. The condo is great! The first picture is off the living room balcony of the ocean. The second is from our bedroom of the bay.

Thanks for your prayers for my newest nephew Fischer. He gets to go home today! He got to stay in the room with Madison and Sean last night and is arriving home this afternoon.