Thank God for Electric

Okay maybe I need to be thanking God for natural gas rather than electric. Without natural gas I don't think our family would have survived at home the 81 hours we were without power. So much happened in that forever long three and a half days I feel the need to give a play by play.

12:45 am After a very relaxing Sunday of napping, stocking the kitchen (we knew the weather was going to get bad and wanted to prepare), and cooking soup and baking homemade pecan sticky buns it seemed like this was going to be a great little vacation from all the craziness of this time of year. Like I wrote before I had taken a long nap and stayed up vegging in front of the tv until 12:30. I finally got sleepy enough to go to bed. Fifteen minutes later the electric went off. I woke Jonathan and we decided to go ahead and move the two queen size mattresses to the small living room where the gas log fireplace is. After getting the kids tucked into their new sleeping arrangements we decided we better shower now so we would have hot water. Finally at 2:00am we were asleep.

Powerless at 4:15 am I get a call on my cell phone. Who could be calling at this time? It was my new neighbor and cousin Jenny. She had slipped on the ice while getting firewood and hurt her hip. Jonathan and I ran to her house to see if we could help. As we got to Jenny's the neighbors on the other side of Jenny were pulling a tree off three of their cars. Jenny said Alan (her husband who was working) was on his way to get her to take her to the hospital. I completely flashed back to five years ago when I broke my tailbone on the ice. We were now in charge of Riley. I decided to stay there with her until she woke and then take her to our house.

Powerless at 4:45 am The next hour was spent walking from window to window every time I heard a tree fall which was pretty constant.

Powerless at 5:45 am Riley wakes up. I called Jonathan to help me get over to our house with Riley. Then I changed her and fed her a bottle in the dark trying not to wake all three of our kids that were sleeping 5 feet away.

Powerless at 6:45 am Riley finally goes back to sleep so I lay down and try to sleep again. 10 minutes later Jenny calls and they are heading home. She has bruised her hip. They will shower and be over to get Riley.

Powerless at 7:00 am I decide to outside and survey all the damage. It was crazy. I have never seen anything like this. We had three neighbors taking pictures of the damage at our house.

Powerless at 8:00 am I head back inside to find all three of the kids are up and wondering why we are all sleeping in the small living room. They are also telling us to try again to turn the lights on. I wish it was that simple.

Powerless at 8:45 am We discover we have a gas hot water tank! Yeah! We have hot water.

Powerless at 9:00 am Alan picks up Riley and Jonathan leaves for work.

Powerless at 9:15 am What am I going to do with three kids in one 250 sqft. room with no electric on 2 hours of sleep?

Powerless at 11:30 am We made it to lunch time. I heated up soup for Jonathan and I on the gas log fireplace and the kids roasted hot dogs on the fire. Not Bad!

Powerless at 1:00 pm This is where the real fun begins. I walked through the big living room to get something from the kitchen and water started pouring out of the ceiling fan WHAT! Luckily my parents had just come over to see the damage for themselves. My dad helped me find where it was coming from while my mom stayed with the kids.

Powerless at 1:05 pm Jonathan called right before his meeting with the CEO of the bank to make sure we were okay here at home. I told him what had happened and he rushed home just in time to crawl through a small hole into the attic that I was dreading climbing into. The rest of the afternoon was spent temporarily stopping the leak with lots of buckets. Until the ice on the roof melted this was all we could do. I think we ended up dumping about 10 gallons of water that afternoon. Thank God we stayed at home and discovered the leak. There could have been much more damage.

Powerless at 8:00 pm Not much to do after dark with no electric I went to sleep. Jonathan and the kids played a game of chess and checkers then went to sleep about 8:30.

31 hours w/o power We had a good nights sleep and woke up thinking today was going to go much better than the day before only to find multiple leaks in an area about 10ft by 6ft. Pure panic set in!

37 hours w/o power It is as good as it is going to get. We sealed the hole made by a 2 inch in diameter branch that was sticking in the roof about 2 feet!

44 hours w/o power We had just settled into bed for the night and heard a crashing sound so we ran into the living room to discover the ceiling has caved in. We suspected this would happen and bought a tarp and had it down in preparation for this. Only thing we didn't prepare for was that upon collapsing the soaked drywall and insulation would swing out and hit our entertainment center that we had pulled out of the way. Not much damage was done though. We will just need to clean it up a little.

This was most of the branches and trees after cleanup.

After Tuesday nights collapse nothing really big happened. Wednesday we mainly tried to clean up as much as we could without power. Then Thursday morning at 10:00 the power came back on! YEAH!

Getting Crafty

This time of the year I start getting cabin fever and want to start all kinds of projects. When I say projects I don't mean organizing the closets or alphabetizing the pantry (although Jon wishes that were the case). I mean craft projects. I wanted to make all new ornaments for the tree this year but couldn't decide on what colors to use so I am going to think about it all year and try it next year. So I settled on decorating a wreath. I bought the wreath pre-lit and added all the berries, pine cones, and ribbon. I think it turned out really nice and much cheaper than purchasing one already decorated. Next up sewing curtains for the billiardless billiards room as Jonathan calls it.

Classy Christmas Party

Last Saturday night Jonathan had his annual work Christmas party. As I do every year I stressed about what to wear. The invitation said cocktail attire. I so I shopped for a week straight and thought I had something that would work only to decide Friday evening the outfit would not work. So now I have about a hundred dollars worth of clothes and shoes to take back. Saturday at about noon I left to try to find something for the party that started at 6:30. I finally had something. I normally wear jeans and t-shirts so I had a hard time finding something that I thought was "cocktail attire". I guess my definition of cocktail attire was different than the others at the party. What most the ladies were wearing to me qualified as semi-formal. I was just about the only one wearing color. I decided I didn't care and was going to enjoy the evening away from the kids.

The party was at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. Sounds pretty classy right? Wrong! The entertainment for the evening was what they called Little E. Jonathan and I were unaware of who exactly Little E was. He was a little person dressed as Elvis. I don't know why everyone thought it was so funny. There was nothing funny about it to us. It was just weird. Then after Little E moved his lips to two Elvis songs he went to greet people and have his picture made with everyone. Seriously! It was the strangest thing. I am surprised Jonathan even let me blog about it as embarrassing as it was. Oh well. He did win a $50 gift card so I guess it was worth it.

I didn't get a picture of us together this year. Jennah said we looked good. She is our little fashion coach. She is always ready to tell me if my outfit looks good or not. She said we looked like one of the couples on Dancing with the Stars. I think that's a good thing.

Quick Update

We have been so busy lately. Last weekend we drove to outside of Norman for Cooper's birthday party and stayed the night at Jenny and Brian's house. Jonathan also went to a homecoming breakfast at OC. Then we had to rush back for Jonathan to teach Bible class Sunday morning.

Jacksen started getting sick the end of last week. By Sunday night he was really feeling bad. So at 8:30 Monday I called to make him an appointment. The dr. couldn't see him until Tuesday morning. He has strep throat. Hopefully he will be feeling better by tomorrow. On Friday he is having a Grandparents Tea at school so he needs to be better by then.

Friday afternoon we are leaving for Dallas. Jonathan has a work thing there. So we are staying Friday and Saturday night. Then we are rushing back Sunday morning to fix a dish for our family's Thanksgiving dinner at 1:30.

These are just some random pictures I have taken over the past couple of months. Joel with Gravy, Jacksen on his new motorcycle, and Jennah striking a pose (as usual).

This years Halloween activities started on Sunday the 28th and didn't end until Saturday Nov. 3rd. I guess you could say we went Church hopping this year. Sunday Oct. 28th we started at Park Plaza's Fall Party and Trunk of Treats. Then Wednesday the kids both had their school parties Jennah's at 1:45 and Jack's at 2:05. Yes, that is Elvis at Jack's school party (CRAZY PARENTS). Then I checked the kids out early and we went to Aunt Rachel's last college soccer game at 4:00 in Claremore. After that we rushed back home and got the kids in their costumes and headed for Aunt Amy's Church Carnival (thanks for inviting us Amy!). This one was great because it was inside so we didn't have to keep as close of an eye on the kids. Then after leaving that we had to visit both sets of Grandparents and Great Papa and Nana Ila. Finally on Saturday we went with Grandma Janet and Papa Joe's Church Hayride and they kept seven of the nine grand kids! Jonathan and I cut out early to have an evening to ourselves. I feel so bad because I didn't get any pictures of the kids in their costumes. Jack was a motorcycle rider, Jennah was a ballerina, and Joel was a cowboy. Another year of improvising and using what we had around the house; I am proud to say we spent zero dollars on costumes! My kids are so easy.

I am so ready for the holidays this year. I already have a detailed Christmas shopping list and can't wait to start shopping and decorating the house.

This is a picture of what we will be consumed with for the next couple of months. Leaves everywhere! The kids had a great time jumping in them. Leaf raking is also a great punishment for disobeying children.

Lake Murray

This weekend was our annual reunion with Jonathan's family to Lake Murray. This year we were smart and got a cabin instead of tent camping. It wasn't much nicer than the tent we had last year but it was much warmer. Just like every year the kids played way to hard and I ate way too many smores. Nothing really exciting happened just typical family reunion stuff. Just wanted to update.

Acrostics Poem

Last night I was invited to play Bunko with some of the girls from our Bible class. Jonathan has always been great about keeping the kids when I have something like this to do. Last night I had dinner ready and homework finished when he got home so at least he wouldn't have to deal with that on top of keeping all three of them. After finishing up dinner and having an hour long discussion with Jennah about being truthful (a story for another time) it was time for bed.

Jonathan said they were all in bed and Jack got up and told him that he had to get his Grandparents Day projects finished by Tuesday or he would not be able to play on recess. Jonathan went ahead and let him do it thinking I had forgotten about it or something. The project isn't due until the 22nd, but I guess as incentive to get it back earlier she made them miss recess until they returned it. He had to interview one Grandparent and write an acrostics poem for a Grandparent. We had talked Sunday about who he wanted to do each of the projects with. Nana for the interview and Grandma Janet for the acrostics poem. Jack told Jonathan what our plans were and they were off.

The interview turned out great; the acrostics poem on the other hand not so great. I looked at it when I got home last night and laughed until I was crying. Jonathan and Jack are not the most creative people in the world let me show you what they came up with.

Great
Ready
Always nice
Nice
Delightful
Misses
Always ready

Joyous
Always good
Neat
Ever loving
Tries to help

I really appreciate all that Jonathan does, and I am definitely not super creative but poems are just not a strength of his. I was able to help Jack change some of the poem and it turned out okay.

Powdered Sugar

My wonderful husband has taken it upon himself to fix a good breakfast for the kids every morning. His mom fixed a warm breakfast for him every morning and he wants our kids to have the same. Jonathan doesn't remember much growing up but he does remember breakfast. This particular morning he made french toast. After the kids went to school I went to make Joel's bed and noticed my little sidekick wasn't there and I couldn't hear him. I started running through the house yelling for him. This is how I found him. It is amazing what all they can get into in such a small amount of time. Joel loves french toast especially the powdered sugar that goes on top.

Diaper Cake

This is my most recent diaper cake. The couple doesn't know if they are having a boy or girl. Jonathan said it looked like it was for a girl. I used yellow and orange that isn't too girly is it? I think I would like to start selling these diaper cakes. I have looked online and they aren't really big in this area and I really enjoy making them. I just really fear rejection and don't know if I could really do it. Just thinking out loud. Thanks for listening.

Dry Gulch U.S.A.

This weekend we went to our first Family Retreat with Park Plaza Church. It was at Dry Gulch. I had been there a long time ago to ride the Christmas Train. It is the neatest place. The entire grounds were set in the 1880's, even our apartment. We stayed in the Wells Fargo building. The kids thought it was pretty cool. Of course Joel's favorite part was the train. He didn't want to ride it but loved looking at it. Jack and Jennah got to

know some of the other kids their age. We also got to know many different people. We were so worn out when we got home. It was definitely worth the exhaustion. I hope we can make this a family tradition.

Here are a couple pictures from our vacation this summer.

I'm Back!

Finally I think we waited so long I don't really feel as if I need the internet like I use to. I can actually look up numbers in the phone book rather than online. I can go more than 24 hours with out knowing what Jenny, Amy, Shelly, Lita and a few other friends in Ft. Gibson and Edmond are up to. I am sure though in a matter of a week or so I will be back to the obsessive behavior I had before.

I don't really know where to begin. I am now sending Jacksen and Jennah on the bus every morning and they also ride it home everyday! The bus comes right to our house and our addition is the last stop before the school in the morning and the first stop in the afternoons. The age of kids on the school bus goes to third grade. So I don't have to worry about the kids getting bullied. They love riding the bus, and it has made it so nice for me now that I am watching my cousin's baby Riley Paige. Who is quite a handful! Joel is doing very well with her. He just smiles at her and brings her paci to her any time she cries.

Joel is now diaper free! He has had one accident in the past two and a half weeks. So nice! We haven't tackled the paci yet.

Jacksen is now going by Jack. There was another Jackson in his class so he had to go by Jacksen H. that really bothered him so he is now Jack. I almost didn't name him Jacksen because I was afraid people would call him Jack, but I guess it is his name now and not my decision. It really doesn't bother me now like it did back then.

Jack and Jennah have already had a stomach bug and missed school so we are off to a great start! Oh well!

Our House

Here's a picture of our house we love it! This isn't a very good picture but it is the only one I had. We have really been enjoying taking care of the beautiful yard and all the plants. We also love all the space inside. We have had several family gatherings already and we had plenty of room!

Still No Internet

We have been so busy lately with school and birthday parties I haven't had time to call about internet service. I really need to I am so behind on everyone and miss my online blogging friends.

Jacksen and Jennah started school on the 16 they both did well. I was more worried about Jacksen than Jennah just because he is the quite one. It turns out he did much better than Jennah. He made three friends the first day and is so excited every morning about going. Jennah on the other hand does not like school she says all the teacher every does is yell at the kids all day. Jennah's teacher is fresh out of college with 25 kindergartners so I can see why she may have to resort to yelling some!

Joel's birthday party was Friday night we had a house full of kids and adults. I think everyone had a good time. Then Saturday we had two more family parties to go to!

I am hoping things will slow down now that school has started. I have found it very exhausting getting two kids ready for school, (one being Jennah and that curly hair I don't know what to do with) getting two lunches together, and two snacks together daily. In the meantime trying to get Joel to the toilet without an accident. I have started some organizational projects that I think are really going to help with all this.

We visited Ft. Gibson last Wednesday night. We didn't realize until then how much we are missing all our friends and also our Church. We have been out of town for vacation and visiting family and really haven't had time to make new friends at our new Church. I am really missing having friends and staying busy during the day, but I am able to get a lot done at home with just Joel.

I have just discovered the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market. I don't know why I haven't tried it sooner. It was so nice and quite. I was able to purchase a weeks worth of groceries and toiletry items and get back in my car in 40 minutes (with all three kids). I have waited that long just in line at the Super Wal-Mart. So happy with my newest discovery!

Rehearsal Dinner Pics

Catching Up

We have new neighbors! My cousin Jenny, her husband Allan, and the newest addition to the family baby Riley just bought the house next door. We are so excited to have them as neighbors. Finally someone besides me on my side of the family had a baby!

William finally got married off July 7th. We are so happy for the newlyweds. The rehearsal dinner was my moms responsibility so we had a great time planning it and decided to have a TexMex dinner and invited every one to dress in their best western attire. It was really fun and entertaining to see the outfits everyone came up with. William came in with a handle bar mustache and Rachel came in a very "fancy" dress. The wedding was beautiful out in the middle of nowhere! The rain cleared up for two days just long enough to dry up the muddy path for the three 4x4 pickup trucks to haul all one hundred guests to the wedding sight. Did I mention it was in the middle of nowhere!

Still working on getting the internet at our house. I am planning on posting some pictures of our house this week. We had VBS this week at church so we were busy all week. Joel is doing well with potty training. He goes poopy in the potty almost every time. The peeing on the other hand isn't going so well. Any suggestions would be great! With Jacksen and Jennah I always had the opposite problem.

As most everyone knows Jonathan's sisters are prego at the same time! They are two weeks apart how crazy! Also cousin Shelly is having another baby. As I mentiond earlier my cousin Jenny just had a baby which brings up the question will we have a fourth? I really thought with everyone else having new babies I would get baby fever but I really haven't yet. I have always wanted four but I just don't know. Jonathan says the idea sounds great but he just doesn't know right now. Whatever that means! So I guess we will see. Just on my mind so thought I would write about it.

Still Alive!

We are still alive after the move. It took me five days however to get phone service at our new address then we found out the provider we went with doesn't offer DSL so we have to switch back over the the other provider in order to have internet service. So this explains the lack of posts. Sorry! I am sure there are hundreds of you faithful readers out there that are just going crazy not knowing what we have been up to.

Summer has been great so far. We have been visiting the local splash pad in town pretty frequently. I have found it is much easier to keep up with three kids at the splash pad then at the pool. Jon is loving the five minute drive to and from work. He even comes home for lunch everyday! We have started working on potty training Joel so far he has gone poop and pee once already yeah! We are well on our way to no more diapers!

Yesterday I took all three kids to have immunization shots that was a great time. They actually did much better than I expected. Just one of the many things I still needed to do to get back into the swing of things. Most of the boxes are unloaded and Joel is finally adjusted to our new home. He really didn't like not being able to see me at all times.

We placed membership at Park Plaza Church and I think we are really going to like it there. It is just going to be hard to find our place in a church as big as they are.

How Do They Do It?

I lay in bed last night unable to sleep wondering how teachers deal with students, or should I say parents that neglect their children. Well neglect seems like such a strong word, maybe not neglect but don't give attention like a child needs to succeed in life.

A few days ago Jennah's teacher asked if I would do a special favor for her. We had the Pre-K Awards Picnic yesterday and she wanted me to fix a few extra lunches for the kids who's parents hadn't RSVPed to come. I was glad to help so we made three extra lunches. As soon as all the kids ran to their parents there were three little ones with disappointed looks on their faces. Mrs. Lindsey positively brought them to our picnic and told them they were invited to stay with us. Two of the three kids parents eventually showed up. As soon as they saw their parents they just lit up. As for the last little boy nobody ever came. We had relay races, piggy back races, and a bubble gum contest. During these events this little boy just kind of blended in with the crowd. Then it was time for the awards. The teacher would announce a name and each child would go to Mrs. Lindsey to have a picture taken by their proud parents. When it came time for the little boy he sat right down on Mrs. Lindsey's lap and smiled for a picture but there was no one there for him. My heart sunk as I ran over to take a picture of him so he wouldn't feel left out. My heart aches for this little boy. Not a parent, grandparent, or even a family friend was there for him.

As I lay there last night I thought about how many other children go through this, and how teachers see this every year in their classes. I wonder how they do it. How do they keep from wanting to adopt each one of these children. It's not that they are neglected just not cherished as each child should be. I feel like I need to do something about this. What can I do? What does a teacher do? How is this child going to make it through? I pray for these forgotten children. They are not abused, not starved, just not cherished.

Had to get this off my chest. Thanks for listening or reading.

Quick Trip and Moving

We made a quick trip to Dallas this weekend. Jonathan had a business meeting with a client down there so we decided to make a weekend of it. We had a good time the kids got to play with some distant cousins. We went to Grapevine Mall and ate at the Rain Forest Cafe. It was really neat. Jacksen and Jennah loved it. Joel was a little apprehensive of the gorillas and elephants. About every five minutes they would come to life and Joel didn't know what to think about them.

We are finally packing up to move. We are all so excited. Everything seems to be falling into place perfectly. We will be making the big move the 19th. The kids have school until the 23rd and we don't close the sale of our house until the 30th, but that will give us a week or so to get everything out. I am just planning on driving the kids back here for three days to finish up the school year.

Jacksen's School Play

Those of you who know Jacksen know he doesn't need to be in the spot light like his little sister. He had his 1st grade play last Thursday night and wasn't very excited about it. He knew one set of his Grandparents were coming to see the play and told us as we were leaving that he would rather just go home with them instead of be in the play. He knew every song and every hand movement but you could tell he had better things to do. After the play Jon said how much he reminded him of himself.

The play was "A Froggy Day in Lindentown" there was one little boy who was the main character that Jennah informed us during one of his solo performances "he doesn't sing very well". I just know she is going to love this type of thing.

We had a busy week celebrating Jon's 29th birthday. For some reason around our house we have birthday weeks instead of the traditional birthday. Jon got to eat out with someone everyday last week. I also did something special for him each day of the week. He always has projects around the house he can't get to because his back is hurting or he is just too worn out. We are never home on the weekends to get things in order so that is what I did for him. Cleaned the garage, had the oil changed on his car, etc. he is all about the love language "acts of service". Then Saturday night Grandma Janet kept the kids and we got to go out. We went to Los Cabos and loved it then we got free tickets from Jon's work to see Sam Harris in concert. I wasn't looking forward to the Sam Harris thing but it was much better than the last time we saw him. Thanks Grandma Janet and Papa Joe!

Last Traveling Holiday!

This Easter marked the last traveling on holidays we will have to do for hopefully a long long time. Sure we will still have to make the thirty minute drive to Bristow but that is nothing! We had a great Easter holiday the kids had their school parties on Friday and Joel and I were able to go to both of them. It was way too cold for an egg hunt but we braved the weather just for enough time for each kid to find twelve eggs each (not long). Then we had a rabbit donut in Jennah's class and an ice cream sundae in Jacksen's class. Joel participated in both parties and went home a happy baby. Nobody could resist Joel and his begging.

Saturday we went to visit Grandma Kelley at the nursing home and Grandpa at his house. I curled Grandma's hair so she would look nice for Easter. We went to Shogun's for an untraditional Easter dinner with William and Rachel and Sean and Madison. Mom and Dad ended up getting back from their trip to California early so they joined us. We had a really good time. Then Sunday we went to Grandma Janet's house for a turkey dinner. Everything was wonderful and the kids finally got to have an Easter egg hunt with their cousins.

It was a great weekend but we are really looking forward to not having to drive so much on the holidays.

Gravy and Stickers

Joel's two favorite things stickers and Gravy, and of course they are better together. He had a little help with the application of the stickers. Jennah gladly helped out.

Azalea Festival

We stayed around the house this weekend. It was really nice. Saturday we went to the Azalea Festival at Honor Heights Park. It was a little early in the season for the azaleas but they were still pretty. The kids enjoyed walking on the paths and of course playing at the playground. The ice storm this winter really damaged the park. They had over a hundred huge trees labeled to be cut down. It really looked like a tornado had gone through. The kids weren't in picture mode I never got a good picture of all of them. They were acting so silly.

Only seven and a half weeks of school left then hopefully we can make the big move. We can't wait. The next couple of weeks are going to be very busy so hopefully they will go by quickly. This waiting to move is about to drive us crazy. Every other move we have made we decided to move and no longer than two weeks later we were in the new location. This time it looks like it is going to be a couple of months still.

Other news my little brother William is getting married! I am so excited for him. They are such a perfect match. They are planning a July wedding that will be outside. The wedding will be at Rachel's Grandparents house in Texas. Hopefully it won't be too hot; okay I'm dreaming it is going to be sooo hot. Oh well!

It's Official!

As of 11:40 tonight we have a contract on our house! Why 11:40 you ask? We are going to be out of town for the rest of the week and the buyers work evenings and don't get off until 10:45 so this was the only time that worked for both us and them. This couple made an offer on the house when we had only a sign in the yard for a week.

We are so excited about moving. The house we are getting is four miles from Jonathan's work! We love the new house and can't wait to move in. Jacksen and Jennah are so excited to have their rooms upstairs. I find myself not able to sleep at night thinking of how I will arrange the furniture there.

Spring Break started out with a bang. All three of the kids stayed at my parents house two nights! It was really nice because we had a yard sale planned for Saturday. Then we got to get up and go to Church by ourselves. We were there fifteen minutes early! Sunday evening we all went fishing at Aunt Julie and Uncle Tommy's pond. Jacksen, Jennah, and Jonathan all caught catfish. All three of them weighed over two pounds! We all had a great time! Tomorrow we are going to the aquarium with our young families class. Hopefully I will get some good pictures tomorrow.

Thanks to all who have prayed for us in selling our house and finding a new one. It is always so amazing to see God working in our lives. We are blessed and excited to start a new chapter, and God willing be settled for many, many years.

Hard at Work

This past week and this weekend have been packed with home improvement projects. We found the perfect house last weekend and made an offer on it. We wanted a contract contingent on our house selling. The sellers of the house didn't want a contingency so we have to get a contract on our house before we can get a contract on our prospective house. So this past week we have started fixing up our house so God willing it will sell in time to get the house we want.

It is ten minutes from Jonathan's work and two blocks from Grandma Janet and Papa Joe and about a mile from Nana Ila and Papa David! The kids love the house we are looking at. The backyard is right across the street from the school the kids would attend. Jacksen has already said he will walk to and from school every day and every Friday he will walk to Grandma Janet and Papa Joe's house instead of home.

So far in the past seven days we have removed the ugly striped wallpaper from our living room wall, painted the big living room, removed wallpaper from our bathroom (again ugly), removed much clutter, and just organized. It doesn't sound like much but when you throw in our already hectic schedule it really is. We still have to paint our bathroom and replace the carpet throughout the house.

Everyone we have talked to says at our price and location it will sell fast. Hopefully fast enough to get the house we want. Keep us in your prayers. We know God will put us where he wants us, but it is hard to know where and when that might happen.

Last Minute Vacation

Most families plan out a vacation months in advance, but not the Antrikin Family. We were thinking of going on a ski trip on Spring Break, but not everyone could make it then. Most families would just push the date back. Our family takes a different approach let's just go now. So we all checked our calendars and decided Tuesday night we would be leaving Thursday to go on a family ski trip. I really like to just pick up and go like this. Jonathan on the other hand is a planner so he really stresses out when we go on trips with my family. I must admit he is getting better.

We went to Pagosa Springs, CO. It was beautiful. The drive was really long. We broke it up into two days and stayed the night half way there. Joel was sick the entire time. He started running a fever the day we left and was still running a fever when we returned. He had a virus and got a double ear infection from it. He is starting to feel better now. Jacksen and Jennah both went to ski school and did very well. They only went the first day and the second day they both went with us. It was so much fun! Jennah would try to talk all the way down the mountain. Her constant talking would distract her and she would get to going to fast and we would have to tell her to slow it down.

The weather was beautiful. The sun was shining so it wasn't too cold. Then the last day it snowed. The kids are not used to Colorado snow. The flakes were huge Joel had a blast watching it fall.

I will post more pictures when I have them developed.

Valentine's Project

Jennah had a family Valentine's project this week. Her teacher made this basket out of a paper sack and as a family we had to decorate it. I don't know if all kids enjoy this as much as mine but they had a blast. Mrs. Lindsay only had a few rules it had to have her picture on it and her name, and everything else was up to Jennah. With Jennah being the middle child she seldom gets to call the shots. She completely enjoyed it. Jacksen could barely stand it. This is what we ended up with, and it is so Jennah!

Jacksen is having a Jump Rope for Heart jumpathon at school and is very excited about the very cheap prizes. He is quite the little salesman. As soon as he gets home from school every day this week he wants to call someone else to donate to him. We kept thinking we would have to tell him what to say, but he would just rattle it all off like he was a professional telemarketer. He is so big!

This was going to be the first week since Christmas break that both kids went to school all week, but it didn't happen. The first week back Jennah was sick for two days and Jacksen was sick one day with a stomach bug. The next week they were out all week with the ice storm. The next week was last week when Jennah and Joel were both sick. Jennah was home three days and Jacksen one (the day after we took Joel to the ER in the middle of the night). Then another snow day the same week. This week looked pretty promising until this morning Jacksen woke up with a fever so here we are another week with at least one kid not on a regular schedule. I guess that's what happens with little ones. I just hope this is what Jennah and Joel had last week and not something new!

Joel is feeling better he still follows me around everywhere. He is starting to try to talk more. He has now added Jon, drink, yes, and Dora to his vocabulary. It is so funny to hear him say words for the first time. Sometimes I think I am imagining it but yesterday Dora came on and he yelled "Dora!" I thought to myself did he just say Dora, and then Jennah yelled "Mom he said Dora!" so it wasn't just my imagination.