Happy Birthday Mom!

Today, my family is celebrating with my Mom as she marks her 50th birthday! Yes, I did say 50! No, I am not lying...Yes, I know she doesn't look it at all!

It all started 50 years ago today! My grandmother gave birth at the age of 16 to a baby girl that would be the most important person in my life. I mean, when I think about my Mom, I can't even think of all the words to say how much she means to me. She has hands-down, without a doubt, become my best friend.  I have friends, but Mom is my go-to girl! I cannot imagine a day without her and pray that I never ever have to.



My Mom is pretty amazing! She is one of the most self-less people I know.  I truly mean it.  This is the lady that is always giving out. Let me tell just how amazing she is...she just took me, Jenna, Rachel and Chloe on an all-expense paid trip to Disneyworld.  How awesome is that!?!? She constantly picks up things for us while shopping because she remembers us saying we wanted it.  She always finds ways to bless others.

Mom is the glue that binds our family.  She is our Prayer Warrior.  The thing that I am most thankful about my mom is that when I have something going on in my life and I need God to work a miracle, I know I can go to Mom and she immediately start praying over the situation. I can't tell you how many prayers have been answered because she agreed in prayer with me or was praying over me and my family! 

I have so many memories of her as I was growing up.  One found memory is all of the oldies and 70's music she would listen to while, cooking, cleaning and even exercising in our home. I can remember her letting my drive Dad's truck home from school and she was in the passenger seat and I pulled out  and we got broadsided. She was nice about it, but probably wanted to kill me at the same time!  I can remember countless times her and her cousin Eddie "cheating" in pictionary to beat my Dad and Eddie's wife Connie. I remember her wrestling my cousin Shannon in an elevator of a hotel for a quarter!  Most recently, I thought I was going to pee my parents when Rachel and I got her on the Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios and she just kept screaming.  The whole time up and the whole time down on the ride, she was screaming!  I will post a picture of her just to let you see how funny it was!

Mom, you are a super, tremendous, special lady and I love you more than words can say!  I hope you have a boogie woogie 50th birthday!!! ;-)

Wow...Time Flies when your having fun!

Where has the time gone?  It just blew past and life has been a blur for a few months. So many different things have happened since I last blogged.

My kids went to their school Harvest Festival on Halloween day and were two of the custest dressed kids, if I must say! ;-)  Jenna went as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, and Jacob went as a cowboy.

The next day, we went to the Wings Over Houston airshow and it was amazing.  The weather couldn't have been any better and we went with great friends.  The Blue Angels were the highlight of the show and they never cease to amaze me.  There is just something about the roar of a jet engine...
Here are a few pics of the day:

Next...on Nov. 14th, James and I celebrated our 11th year of marriage.  Marriage is a tricky thing, and noone ever told me how hard it would be, and what great rewards there were as well.  We had to cut our celebration a little short because Jacob had a baseball game, but we had fun.

We ate our main course at PF Changs and then stepped over to Cheesecake Factory for dessert.  The red velvet cheesecake was yummy!

After the lunch we caught a quick movie and then off to the baseball fields!

Thanksgiving came and went!  We are drove up to Livingston, to my aunt's house and made a day of it. I wish I could post pictures of the day, but my aunt has not emailed me any pictures!

On Dec 4th, it SNOWED in Conroe!  Can you believe it?!?!?! 2 years in a row! We picked the kids up from school early that day and went home and played in it and topped it off with hot chocolate!  It started to feel like Christmas!  I will post pictures soon!

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Today my parents are celebrating their 33rd (i think) anniversary.  Wow!  What an accomplishment!  In 1980 the avarage marriage life span was about 37 years, and today its about 24 years.

I hope my parents are enjoying their time away from work and enjoying the Florida sun!  My parents have been such a rock for me over the past 30 years.  They have shown me what it is to stick together through thick and thin and how to wade out the storm in my marriage.

I love you guys and am so thankful that you have stuck together for 33 years and look forward to watching you stick together for 33 more years!!!

Love Ya,
Jenny

30 years! Wow!

Well, not use is delaying the inevitable...today I am 30.  My friends and family have made me feel special yet again, with all the birthday wishes and presents and love!  Got the best family and friends in the world!!!

So here is a little before and after for ya:

below is a pic of me in 2008 on my b-day...

and below is a pic from today - 50lbs lighter!

What a difference 365 days makes huh!?!??!

Pre Birthday Celebration...and turning 30!

My awesome Mom and Sister have planned a "pre-birthday" celebration for me tonight!  I am so excited and can't wait for 6:00pm.  My actual birthday is monday, Oct 5th.

Evening plans are a girl's only dinner and movie.  They've invited my closest and best friends and family to celebrate my turning 30.  Yes, I did say 30!  I can't believe the time has arrived for me to graduate to my 30's.
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I have mixed emotions about turning 30. 

Part of me is excited because I feel like the older I get, the more confident I become in who I am.  I feel confident in who I have become and where I am going in life.  I feel confident in my looks.  While I acknowledge that I am not a super model, I also realize that even supermodels aren't really even supermodels.  I've started viewing beauty in different aspects other than looks.  Beauty is so much more than that.  For me, it's strength, god'grace, honest people and integrity. I have also noticed that my emotions have settled down a little bit.  I don't take things so personal and I've noticed that I can handle rejection a little better. I appreciate and love my kids more and more every day.  I am thankful for the way my parents raised me and how they've supported me through many good and bad decisions, yet still loved me the same. I am thankful, that while my marriage has been a journey, that James has hung in there with me.

The not so happy part of me is thinking "Oh man, I'm not in my twenties anymore.  It was always so nice to say, " I'm twenty----something."  I have also heard things like:  your metabolism slows down one you hit 30 (which in my case was 20!) 

It's ok though.  I am entering a new phase of my adulthood and I will embrace it!  Besides, I don't really have an option, it's coming for me ready or not! ;-)

Sailing the ocean Blue...

So, James & I ventured out into the world of cruises, and took our first ever cruise with a couple of friends. It was fantastic, awesome, fun, etc... We went on a Carnival cruise out of Galveston.

The ship was the Carnival Conquest.

We took a 7 day that went to Montego Bay, Jamaica then to Grand Cayman then to our final stop of Cozumel. We had a blast. The first 2 1/2 days we were at sea, so we took advantage of the boat and tried to experience most of what it had to offer...volleyball, putt-putt, fitness center, lido deck where we just layed out in the sun, bean bag toss, name that tune, bingo, texas trivia and buffets. So much food!!!

In Jamaica we paid for an excursion that allowed us to bobsled and climb Dunn's river waterfall. What an experience they both were. To get to them, we had to take a shuttle to Ocho Rios and saw some great roadside scenery. We even past the school that the Jamaican track star, Usain Bolt.

Here are a few highlights from Ocho Rios, Jamaica:

The next port of call was Grand Cayman and this was, in my opinion, the most beautiful beach I'd seen. The water was so blue and the sand so soft. We went to Seven Mile Beach and kayaked, swam and even shopped a little bit. Of the three ports of call, I would definitely go back to Grand Cayman first!

Here are a few pics of the highlights of Grand Cayman:

The last port of call was Cozumel and we had so much fun with our friends in Cozumel. We took a taxi to Playa Mia beach and did a lot of fun stuff, after the hour long rain storm! We snorkeled, jumped on the water trampoline, tried our luck at paddle boats and ate lots of food.

Here is our picture proof of Cozumel! ;-)

So, I guess the moral of my story is this...

If you are debating taking a cruise, JUST DO IT! Unless you don't like people, food and tons of fun!

Happy Birthday Dad!

52 years ago today, my grandmother gave birth to a beautiful little boy that would grow up to be such an awesome father, husband, poppa, brother, son, friend and co-worker. Little did she know what a remarkable man this baby would grow up to be. Or maybe she did know!

My Dad is the most importmant man in my life (besides my hubby) and I am so thankful for him. He has taught me so many things about life and love and most importantly about Jesus. He's has shown me the importance of giving to others, being kind to others, trusting in the Lord and so much more.

Dad has given me memories to last a lifetime! I can recall story after story of things we did together when I was a child! Some were as simple as him tripping on a sidewalk in front of the Compaq Center years ago, or spitting out an onion as we ate a cheeseburger while I laid in a hospital bed (for 12 days) and later noticing the same onion stuck on the wall! That was pretty entertaining to an 11 year old! I can remember the time we rented a pontoon boat in Arkansas and my sister wanted to jump in the lake and swim, and being the cautious and protective dad that he is, insisted he jump first to make sure everything was ok. Little did we realize that the boat had no ladder to use to climb back in the boat and it took about an hour for us to get him back in the boat!

My Dad is hands-down, the BEST dad on earth. Dad, I love you and am so thankful for you. I don't even think there are words or gestures to show you how truly important you are to me. I hope you have a wonderful day and are showered with love today!

Oh, and I hope you enjoy that new birthday truck!!!

Love You Always,

Jennifer

Mini Vacay Update

So we did go to San Antonio a couple of weeks ago and it was a blast! I don't have any pics from Schlitterbaun because I used a waterproof disposable camera, but I have lots of pics from Sea World and the Riverwalk.

We had a blast with my sis and her family! I will just let the pictures speak for them self!!!

Mini Vacation...Just what the Dr. ordered!!!

Tomorrow is the start of a mini-vacay for us and the kids.

Friday will be an all-day affair at Schlitterbaun-New Braunfels. James and I haven't been there in about 9 years. My kiddos have never been. Very excited!

Saturday will be Sea World day! We took Jacob when he was about a year old and haven't been back since. Jenna is sooooo excited, as this will be her first time!

Sunday we are taking the kids to the Riverwalk!

Will post lots of updates and pics when we get back!

Hasta la Vista!!!

Happy 6th Birthday Jenna!!!

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY JENNA!

8/4/09

Yesterday was my baby girl's 6th birthday and what a day she had! We started our celebration on Monday evening at the local skating rink for her "official" birthday party. She had a blast as well as everyone else. Jen's Nana & Poppa rented the entire skating rink just for Jen and her friends and family. How great are they!?!?!?! We skated, ate food, ate cake, watched Jen open her presents and then we even raced each other.

The first part of the skating included playing "Simon Says" which is really hard to do on skates! Poor Ginny Morrison, she was one of the 1st was out! Jenna made it to the end, but Jacob pulled out the win! After that we did the Hokey Pokey and the Chicken Dance, which was lots of fun because even the people who weren't skating participated in their shoes or socks.

After the pizza and cake, we skated some more. I think this is where most people had the most fun because we did a few relay races. All girl's raced first and Taylor Coker blew away the competition. Reagan and Jenna came in 2nd and 3rd place followed by Bibiana, Chloe', and Gabby. That Chloe'...you have to watch her, she is a little cheat! ;-) The boys raced next, and Jacob came in 1st then Devin and Jaxon.

I would have to say that the adult race was the highlight though!!! The contestants were: Chip, Heidi, Sheldon, Christine, Me, James, Rachel, Ginny, Misty, Mr. Stockton and Kelli Coker. Sheldon was the winner and I don't even know who was next. I do know that Kelli did the splits upon takeoff and Misty fell too! Have you ever watched adults try to re-live their younger days on skates??? Oh man, it is really funny! The last race was the skooter race that I think Sheldon and Christine won, followed by a close second of Misty and Chloe'!

Jenna you have wonderful friends and family that love you very much!



The next day, her actual birthday, James and I woke up and took her, Reagan (her friend), and Jacob to Incredible Pizza. That was an interesting event too. We went on Senior Citizen day. Have you ever had to fight an old person at a buffet line? We almost did!!! No, but seriously, they were serious pizza eaters and they were everywhere!

After that, we took Reagan home and then went swimming with Rae, JD and Chloe'. Jenna had tons of fun and I think her favorite part is when the lifeguard blows the whistle for the kids to get out of the pool so the adults can swim...she hits the concession stand everytime that whistle blows!

After all the swimming, we finished off her birthday at Cracker Barrell. (Not at her request, but at mine...we have free kids meal coupons!!!) But, she loved it. Nana, Poppa and Mema even joined us there and the waitstaff sang Happy Birthday to her.


I hope that we made Jenna fell special on her birthday. I grew in a family that just doted on you the whole day of your birthday. They just really make a big deal about it and make you feel so special and that is one thing that I hope to pass on to my kids.

Jenna, we love you, are thankful for you and hope that you know how much each one of us love you. Jenna, you bring spunk, spark and sass to our family and we can't imagine our family without you!!!

Love You Bunches, Mom

Skating is awesome fun excercise!!!

The other day, my kiddos were invited to a birthday party at the local skating rink. I took them and low and behold, I found myself skating right along beside them. It was a blast. So, a few days later I loaded up the kids and my hubby and got my sis, bro-in-law and niece to go back with us.

We had so much fun! Skating just makes you feel like a kid again! There is nothing better during a hot Texas summer than going to the skating rink and skating while the wind blows in your face!!! Jacob decided to participate in the 8 and under race for boys and blew away the competition! He was awesome and even won a free drink! Jenna raced in the girl's 8 and under and I was extremely proud of her too! She is about to be 6, so she was younger than most of the girl's, but she still tried. She came in about 7th out of probably 10 or 11 girls, which isn't too shabby. She didn't fall at all and that is huge for her!! My girl loves to skate. She wants to take skating lessons and is even having her birthday party at the rink next week. Here is a video of her dancing on her skates. I love this video, it cracks me up everytime I watch it!

Hope you all enjoy this as much as I did!!!

Weigh-In Update...

WOW! This is what I thought when I stepped on the scale at the gym this evening! I fooled myself. I thought I was having a really crappy month but the last few days I kicked it into overdrive!

Total lbs lost from 6/17 - 7/16 = 6lbs
Total Weight loss from Oct '08 = 52lbs

Every month, my trainer takes measurements and calculates my BMI (body mass index), on 12-29-8 my BMI was 42% which is considered morbidly obese (that's embarassing!) but tonight he informed me that is has dropped to 25.6% which is only .6%from being in the average range. So pumped and excited! He actually had the nerve to say, "Dang Jen, you were fat when you came in here, but look at you now!" I did punch him in the arm for that one though!

I am so thankful and excited that I got off the vicious cycle I had been on of wanting to lose weight but doing nothing about it, to finally getting off of my butt and doing something about it. Before I started my diet and exercise routine I had some health issues that started to worry me. I snored so bad that James would have to sleep in the other room many nights. My son told me that he would get scared because he thought I would stop breathing at times, which I did thanks to the sleep apnea from my weight. I also had severe heartburn every single night, it didn't matter what I ate or didn't eat. Every morning I would wake up tired and my lower back would be hurting me so bad. It sucked! I was tired all of the time and never felt good. Also my triglycerides and cholesterol were way to high and my doctor suggested that I start take medicine to get them down. All of these symptoms at the young age of 29...I was way to young for that!

Well, after the first 25-30lbs, every symptom had vanished and my cholesterol and try's were back down to normal. Every lb I've lost after that has just helped me feel even better, not to mention my dress size keeps decreasing (Yay!). So if you are reading this post and wondering what in the world I am ranting for, it is simply because for tonight, I am going to let me be proud of me! I don't do that very often, I am probably most own worst critic, but not tonight. Also, if anyone can relate to the vicious cycle I was talking about, contact me. I would LOVE to help you get off of that cycle. I feel like I am getting my life back after a whole decade of wasted time!

Life Gets in the Way!

This past month has not been a very good month for weight-loss. With celebrating birthdays and more birthdays, being at baseball tourneys every weekend and just simply not making good eating choices, I have only seen a very slight budge of the scale.

The bright side is that I have gotten in all of my training sessions and have done my extra cardio! Btw, if any of you need a good trainer in The Woodlands area, I have the best! I will hook you up! ;-)

So frustrated how I have just let life dictate my food choices the last few weeks. Sometimes it seems like the closer I get to my goal, the more I sabotage myself. Why? Why? Why?

This is the time for me to just dig in my heels and keep pressing on...and that is exactly what I intend to do. So, this time next month, I hope to have a good report!!

American Patriots

My newest cousin Heidi (who just married my cousin Chip) took some really good pictures of my kids and my niece before the 4th of July. She is very talented and I think the pictures turned out great (even if all 3 kids were major toots that day!) I'm probably a little partial, but I think these 3 kiddos are the most beautiful and smartest kids around! ;-)

So here are a few of my fave's...