So this is Christmas!!!

Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

At Breakfast

My birthday just passed and it sooooo much fun!  Joel surprised me and took me out to breakfast then to the Tucson botanical gardens!  There they has a butterfly exhibit where you can walk into this green house looking place and it's filled with plants, fish, a nice path, and hundreds of different breeds of butterflies!  It was gorgeous! 

Joel's new Best Friend

Sooo Pretty

I just love the Blue

This is one of my Favorites

Gorgeous 

After we got down there I spent some time with Kyle during lunch then to top off the evening we went to the movies to watch "The Hobbit" which was amazing!  I'm so excited to watch the next one!  Then Joel got me a cinnamon bun and put candles in it as his Mom and him sang Happy Birthday and then I got sad.  Because Joel works Thursday nights and I didn't want to be alone on my birthday night... but then Joel whispers.. "I got the night off..." I just about cried my eyes out and slapped him.  He is so Ahhhh-Mazing! 

Safe to say my Birthday was a success.  

Now it is time for Christmas.  We are leaving to Payson today to have Christmas with my Parents for the weekend.  I'm so excited for Kyle!!!!  He already started to open on of his presents... He's very sneaky! But I made a lot of homemade gifts this year so I'm excited to see what everyone thinks of them... and idk I just feel so happy.  

This season reminds me of my Grandpa Haynes, who passed away in the Summer of 2007.  He was a big goof ball.  I remember when he and my grandma used to live next door to us in California.  My Grandpa Loved Christmas too... just as much as we did it seemed.  Usually around my birthday they would mosey on over to celebrate my birthday with my family.  Then as things would wind down he would walk over to the Christmas Tree and look at all the presents... he'd grab one with his name on it then sit back down on the couch and began to shake his present... now my brothers and I were young so we would practically bed our parents for us to open at least one present early... never worked... well until Grandpa came along.  Because after he shake it and start to ponder what it could be... he would "Sneeze" and the wrapping paper would fly off the present.  My grandpa would be like, "Oh dear looked what happened... well since it's already opened might as well see what it is."  So after my grandpa did it my brothers and I would chime in and would also get to open one present each.. sometimes more depending on if Grandpa was on a "Sneezing Spree" or not.

I must say that although this year has been tough... I think it has been a successful one at that.  I feel like a new person.  After all my life events of going through depression, being pregnant with complications, having a baby, and becoming a good mother... I think I've become a stronger person.  I'm finally starting to believe in myself.  

God has truly blessed My Life. <3

The Good and the Bad

Before I get into it I would like to say, "HAPPY 12-12-2012" I guess it's a pretty cool day but it isn't life changing.

Joel and I have been going through some life changing things these past few days.  We went to my parents last weekend and when we got back we were shocked to see that our 2 front doors were unlocked and opened.  At first I wondered if it was possible that we left it that way... but no... the only reason I know this for sure is because I remember Joel running back inside to get his coffee and yelling at him to lock the doors before we left for our weekend trip.  Our metal framed door was wide open and our front door was unlocked.  I thought for sure someone had taken all our stuff and/or was still in there hiding.

When we got inside everything looked normal... it almost seemed like nothing had been touched... but even though it seemed that way I still had this eerie feeling that someone had walked through our house.  I was creep out! The only thoughts that came to mind was that little girl who had vanished in the middle of the night just from out of her own window.  What if this person was looking for Kyle or even myself.  The night we left was a Friday... those are the nights that Joel normally works and isn't home... we talked to our neighbor and she said she noticed the door was open Friday Night and thought I was home... Ug Sooo Scary!

Well it's safe to say we're not staying the night there anymore.  We're just going to pack up the place and get out.  We filed a police report so if it happens again to us or someone in the future, it's on file.

So other than that whole mishap, Joel and I are figuring out our futures and how we're going to provide for our family.  He didn't get the job he interviewed for in Payson so now we're faced with the choice of having nothing and just live with my parents or with me moving up there with Kyle and Joel staying down making and saving money for two months then bring his business up to Payson probably in February.  It's been a hard decision.  Our situation itself isn't normal... no matter what I don't want to live here in Tucson.

With all of this stuff happening  I came to the realization that I haven't been talking to God about it.  He's the one part of the equation that we haven't included.  I feel like he's been trying to get my attention for a while now and I'm just now starting to notice it.  So I am finally including Him and at this point in our lives I feel like He knows where we need to turn next.

Lead me into this mess and I pray I come out of it a stronger and more Godly person!

Oh and try dealing with all this while you're PMSing!!! Not a pretty sight!

I feel better now.  Next time will be more chipper I promise!

God BLess

Tis the season to Freak Out!

My Parents Christmas Tree

Well I'm back to reality!  I went up to my parents for two weeks and it was nice.  It has been nice to spend Thanksgiving with them and decorate for Christmas once again... its been a few years since I've gotten to do that. As I've "Grown Up" its the little things I miss the most about my previous life.  The life without responsibilities... where Homework was the worst news you could hear and even then I could ignore that and go out and play til we either got into trouble or got to tired to run.  When Christmas rolls around I feel like I'm falling in Love all over again... I get all giddy, and happy.  I start to decorate and get excited about the little things.  Now that Kyle is here my Energy Boost for the holidays has SKYROCKETED! 

Kyle's new Christmas PJ's

My Ginger Sugar bread Family!

The lights on my Parents home

Now I know how my parents felt when they spent our first Christmas's with us.  I can hardly contain myself when I think about him opening presents! 

Kyle helping me Pack

My stress about moving to a different city is getting to me.  I hate that it's happening near the holiday season. But I just want to get out of here.  Tucson is was too Traumatizing for me!  I feel like the crime you here on the news shouldn't be happening to you next door   It needs to stay on the news! LOL.  Moving up to Payson just sounds like the best plan for us.  I'm going to miss my family and friends, and the Church but we gotta move for Kyle's sake.  I can't have him growing up thinking that violence is normal and not being able to walk around your own block is terrifying, which for me it is.   

But moving in general stresses me out.  We need to pack and save money for a deposit up in Payson.. but the fact that we don't know if Joel will even have a job stresses me out.  He does however have a interview this Friday so I'm praying it works out and he gets the job.  It would be the answers to my prayers for this family.  Once he gets a job THEN we can put down a holding deposit on a place we like... but without a job it's hard to know where we're moving too!  And WHEN!!?!?! If he gets the job we move in 2 weeks... Ahhh if he doesn't get the job... well... idk... maybe in a month... but if he doesn't have a job and we still move, we'll have to move in with my parents which is something I don't want to do.  Not because I don't get along with them... but because I'd feel like I was intruding.. but I guess that's what family is for.  

Well I feel better now that I finally got that off my chest.  I'm still stressing but I know deep down that God has this under control.  I just get so anxious! Deep Breaths Jen! 

Well to make this post less intense.. Joel, Kyle, and I took family portraits today!  They are SOOOO Adorable! I got the CD of the pics so I'll post them soon! Kyle was smiling the whole time! Well gotta get back to working on Christmas Presents!  Merry Christmas!

Portrait taking time!

Xoxo

Thanksgiving trip awaits!

Thanksgiving is coming! I'm so excited for this holiday season!  But I can tell already that I'm going to very exhausted during the whole experience! Tomorrow is our Thanksgiving with my family and I found myself unprepared for the trip.  Normally I've got things packed and made a list a week before we leave.  But this time I was so tired and busy that I forgot that we were leaving tomorrow!  I got so frustrated with myself that I had actually forgotten.

Thankfully I talked it out and packed and now I feel better.  I just have to remind myself that I have a baby... things are a bit different that last year! 

Nap Time

Precious

 Joel's parents got Kyle a Johnny Jump up! He looked so funny trying to figure it all out! 

Help me Daddy!

Look what I'm doing!

Princess is warming up to the idea of sharing a blanket with the noise maker!

When I clean I get a little Crazy!

XOXO

Project: Kyle's Christmas Stocking

 Since I have this Beautiful baby Boy in my life and His First Christmas is approaching I thought... 

"He Needs a Stocking!"

My Darling Son

 So I went to work.  I got some felt like fabric from the store... 

 I drew out my design on how I was hoping for it to look like! lol

 Cut of my little Sock like patterns.

 Sewed it all together and wa-la a stocking!  I forgot to take more pics while I was sewing... but its isn't too difficult.

 Kyle decided to taste it.

 Lol "Seriously Mom... you just had to use the Flash!" 

 Anyways here's the stocking... it's a little smaller than I expected but it looks great!

 Time for the Minor details...

 I love twirly wording!

 I finished his name and added a couple stars! TA-DA!

This picture is funny.  Family Picture and Kyle is saying... get me out of here! LOL

Overall I had fun making this! =) Now Kyle can get ready for the holiday season!

XOXO

Giving Thanks Loving life!

I am SOOOooooo Happy! I woke up this morning Smiling... I do that everyday I know but today I just acknowledged how happy I really am.  I have an amazing Husband, the most adorable baby Son, Family and Friends to last a lifetime, and a life full of Love and God.

I find myself wanting to cook and clean more... which I did some but was never wanting to learn more... I felt like I was in a rut.  But lately I've been looking up recipes for dinner... today I actually made a homemade marinade for some Chicken and actually touched the meat... eww... which to tell you the truth I hate touching raw meat... it freaks me out!

Anyways my point was that I now have this "Nesting" drive to clean everything and to make food!

It's been so funny lately cause Joel and I have been having water fights the past few days... its awesome!  I feel so happy and complete with my life.  Things are falling into place nicely.  We may not have lots of money but we have those little things that make our lives amazing together.  Seeing Joel with Kyle melts my heart!  He is so good with him.  I love it when Joel comes home from work and Kyle hears his voice and just starts smiling and wants to be help by Daddy... its so amazingly Cute!

I think you can see my smile by just reading this post!  I'm in Love with Joel...I'm in Love with Kyle... and I'm in LOVE with LIFE!

Thank you Lord for all that you've given me.  You have truly Blessed my Life.

Xoxo

Making things festive! Part 1

Since the Holidays are coming around the bend I thought I'd start decorating the house here and there to get into the festive spirit of things!  For Thanksgiving I thought I would set my table to a more fall-ish look as you see below!  I put out some flowers... some oranges in a basket... I have a nice tablecloth I got for my wedding.  And a basket for all the seasonings/sweeteners that belong on the table!

My Lovely Table

Today I was on Facebook and I saw this post.  Someone had dressed their Refrigerator as a snowman!  I thought to myself That's BRILLIANT!  I want to do that! LOL And since I have so much energy at night I did it tonight... it was pretty simple.  I just Grabbed Scissors, tape, flat magnets I didn't like, and construction paper.  I cute out all the shapes as you see below then taped pieces of the magnets behind the paper then stuck it on the Fridge!  The only tricky part... You have to clean off your Fridge! lol  

Hey There Frosty!

That's all I really got for you today!  I'm sure I'll either think or just find some creative ideas to do next! 

See Ya!

Xoxo

Baby Kyle Update: "You are my Sunshine"

Kyle is growing like a wheat! He is so smart and the funniest kid ever.  He will be turning 6 months soon and he is fitting into 9 month clothes! He's a big boy! Lately he has really been liking eating his rice cereal.  We try to have Breakfast and Lunch around the table with Kyle so he can eat with us.  

Um Mom...where's my Food...

When he eats he just Loves staring at me.  I try and make "nom nom nom" noises so he'll open his mouth which causes him to giggle while he's munching away!

That Precious Smile Melts my Heart

Like all babies his fingers are his favorite part of his body right now.  He is now finally able to be tickled! His feet and belly are the most ticklish of them all.  

Small Confession:  He baby butt is the cutest thing ever!  

He was cold so I bundled him up... lol he added the cloth on his head!

He's been sleeping about the whole night threw although since it's getting colder he wakes up cause he wants to be warmed up and fed.  He loves to be sang to.  We can either be singing to him or have baby music on and he'll be in awe and enjoy the sounds.  My favorite song to sing to him is: "You are my Sunshine."  In a way in reminds me of my Mom and also of my Grandparents that passed away.  

Sweet Love of Mine

Oh and "Kyle has me wrapped around his little finger" that's what Joel says.  Mainly cause he'll be in the living room with Joel and he'll be playing with toys to just entertaining himself... and as soon as Kyle sees me he starts whining!  And I can't help but want to go to him and play with him and hold him.  If I don't he whines even louder!  And when Kyle Whines he makes the strangest sounds! LOL He squeaks, squeals, Pouts, and at one point in his life he would scream in a very high pitch voice until he  couldn't squeal anymore... Joel and I figured he was doing that for pure amusement and because Joel's little brother always talks to him in such a high pitched voice! 

And even though he's at the point in his life where he wants a little independence... he always comes back to me and wants to held...rocks in my arms...and sung to sleep.  I love my Baby Kyle <3 .

Xoxo

A Brief Confession...

For a while I've been trying to hide a spark of jealousy I had for a reason I wasn't aware of until a few days ago.  I love my family to pieces and I love that all my brothers are married and they're all getting ready to have kids and actually my lovely sister in law Emily is Pregnant! Yay!  I'm ecstatic!  When I first found out I was so excited for them and in the pit of my stomach I felt this slight jealousy bubbling... I had no right to be jealous I mean I already had a wonderful baby boy! I never really thought about how I'd feel if one of my brother's wives had babies until now...

So then I did a little soul searching and I was suddenly stricken with a realization that I wasn't Jealous or upset with them having a baby I was upset at a different part of my family that hurt me... even though I'm sure they honestly don't even know they did.

When I was born I was the First Granddaughter on my Dad's side!  My grandparents were so thrilled.  I remember slight memories of spending all my time with them and they even used to call me Candy.  My grandpa and I were best friends.  Then when my cousin arrived we were all excited to have another girl in he family including me.  But as time went on I got pushed to the side and she became the shiny new toy and a part of me was always upset. It wasn't my cousin's fault either... I honestly don't know what happened. But not only did I loose my grandparents attention but I felt like I lost my best friend... My grandpa...

So with that story in mind... the reason why I felt jealous was because I felt like the same thing might happen to Kyle... he won't be noticed anymore... he'd become overlooked. 

But I came to my senses finally.  My parents are amazing parents and wonderful grandparents and I know in my heart that they have a big enough heart for all of us kids and grand kids so i feel a lot better about the whole situation.  I feel like I can finally be happy now that I realized what was bothering me and it wouldn't get in the way of my happiness for my brother and Emily and eventually my other brother and his wife!

If you guys are reading this now know that I love you guys... And I am SOOOOOOOOOO Excited!  For many reasons we are really excited!

Xoxo

Set in Stone

Well its official!  We're moving up to Payson for reals this time!  Thank goodness we finally have an answer! Now that we have that settled I'm going crazy trying to figure out our moving situation, jobs, and a place to rent!  You can just imagine how crazy I may or may not be going right now!  

Kyle showing off his Muscles!

The Pirate of my Life!

Overall it's probably not going to be that bad... but since we are going to go through are stuff because we want to try and sell stuff we don't need/want that's what's I'm thinking about the most.  It will be nice to live closer to my family for a while.  I really do miss them.  My grandfather went to the hospital a couple days ago, he's okay though he can't do a lot of stuff at the moment.  It makes me want to get up there faster to be up there with them as much as possible. 

Halloween was a success!  We took Kyle Trick-Or-Treating for the first time and it was so much fun!  It has been YEARS since I've gone so it was nice to relive my childhood just a bit.  We all dressed up as a family of pirates!  Kyle was the Captain (AKA Captain Adorable).  He did pretty well the whole night.  He was just amazed through the whole experience.  We actually went through a small haunted house and he didn't cry at all.  

Cap'N Adorable

My Pirates

After rescuing our Cap'N something to ease the night away!

Yes I did the makeup myself! He he

My housemade costume! Arrg!

Now that the holiday season has started I'm starting to get excited.  I wish I could put lights up and cut down our own Christmas tree!  Or ever cook our own Turkey... but we're just not there yet.  Joel and I finally have our "10 year" plan made so hopefully it'll work out for us.  

Things are a little boring at the moment because I still haven't been feeling to well.  I think part of it is just from being sore from dancing.  But the other part I'm not too sure what's going on.  I hope tomorrow I feel better so I can actually get some cleaning down.  Once I'm sick... the house get so dirty very fast lol... 

Which tells me... I clean up pretty good! lol and that Joel would be lost without me! =P

Xoxo

Struggles and Forgiveness

As we grow up and meet that special someone and have babies.. you don't really think too much about how much you'll change, how much you may or may not loose yourself, and how it can effect you in both a positive and for others a negative way.  I've been trying to live up to the expectations of my husband, son, parents etc... not that there's anything wrong with that... I like a good challenge.  But lately I've been getting so wrapped up in being a good Mom and Wife that sometimes I do forget about myself.  Which is why I'm starting to craft things here and there.

Having a baby in itself is hard work.  People tell you your life is going to change.. yada yada... but honestly you don't really get it until you've either had your own child or took care of a child full-time.  I now find myself saying... "I need more energy," "Where has the time gone," and my favorite "If I knew then what I knew now." LOL.

Joel is so amazing.  Like all marriages we argue a bit... but we set rules and boundaries when we do argue so no one gets their feelings hurt intentionally, and we Must Talk about what's bothering us and at the end of of discussion we must FORGIVE each other.  It's very rare that I see couples actually Forgive each other.  I hear the words "It's okay" a lot though.  Which when you think about it is the worst thing you could say at the end of a argument!

EX.  Husband, "Sorry honey for calling you the B word..."

  Wife, "It's Okay."

Oh heck no... it's not okay that you called me that but like Jesus says... when you confess your sins to me you are Forgiven.  Which in other words When you say "It's okay" It's likely that its either going to happen again or that person will bring it up in a different fight.  But when you forgive someone, that's saying it wont happen again it's completely forgotten.

It's hard but it's the best way to show your significant other that you trust them.

Anyways, I love my family both near and far!  I just never knew how hard it was going to be to do it all.  But thank the Lord that he made me a strong, intelligent woman because I know I can do this.

I feel like I have so much to say but its so hard to put it all in words.  Or even word it correctly.  My mind is constantly going when Joel is working nights.  I usually try to get my mind tired so I can call asleep but for some reason I just don't feel like sleeping.  Don't get me wrong I'm exhausted but sleeping is somehow not on my mind!  Well if you happen to read this tonight and you feel the same way give me a whistle on my facebook or even text me for those who know me =) Or better yet download the APP VOXING!!! Its like a walkie talkie! I Love it!

Well if I feel restless in a hour I might post again =P

Xoxo

Project 2: Coffee Jar Project

So I was getting tired of having an ugly coffee bad on the counter all the time and decided to do something about it finally!  I was making lunch the other day for Joel and myself and ended up using up all our pickles.  I looked at the jar... and a Light Bulb went off! COFFEE! So I grabbed a bunch of fitting supplies and went at it.

 Most of my supplies laid out around the table!

I made a seam like hatching with the fabric to give the side an interesting look!

 Was actually trying to iron this onto my fabric but realized I needed Freeze Paper and not Wax paper... but I quickly came up with a different idea!  I glued the wax paper onto the fabric.

 Folded some fabric around the rim of the lid... then cute off the scraps surrounding it!

 Now that that part is done.  It's time for the finishing touches!

 I found some old flowers I used to sick in my hair as a kid and tied a bow with some scrap ribbon material.

 Then for the lid a made an abstract version of both Joel and My initials "J"N" =)

 For some reason it wont let me flip the picture but here is the finished project with the coffee beans inside! Waaa...Laaa!

And that is my Lovely Coffee Bean Jar =) 

Xoxo