Our sweet 1 pounders are now in Kindergarten!!!!!

How is this even possible?

August 14th was their first day.  I was a mess.  I was so worried they wouldn't get on the bus, worried they would be scared, worried that they would hate it....

However, I was 100% TOTALLY wrong.  They LOVE it.  They Love Mrs Murkins, their fabulous teacher.  They love their new friends and they LOVE riding the bus to school.  We've been able to get to know more friends in the  neighborhood too which has been such a blessing.  Even more reason we adore where we live.

For now, I have pictures to share from their first day and first few weeks.  I will post their Kindergarten interviews soon (I promise).

2014?

Is it possible that the last time I posted a blog was in 2013?  Wow.  So much has happened in 2014...where do I begin.  Let's start with some bullet points.

• Birk and Addy turned 5 on March 17th
• Birk and Addy graduated Preschool in May 2014.  
• We surprised them with a trip to Disney at the end of June/early July.  It was amazing....  We met Cinderella, all the characters, stayed on property.  We're already planning our next trip there. 
• Birk and Addy played on the same T-Ball team this summer.  Nick was their coach.  They loved playing on the Rangers.  
• Nick played the State Fair with Risen this summer.  It was a rainy day, but still had a great crowd.  What a great way to Worship Jesus.  
• We started the big Kindergarten in August.  They are loving their teacher, riding the bus, and all their new friends. 
• We attended as many ISU football games this year as we could.
• Addy started gymnastics in September.  After only 4 classes she was advanced to the next level.  She loves it and is doing so great. 
• Addy also got glasses in December.  She is so excited and looks so adorable.  They are just corrective so we're hoping it only lasts a few years.  
• Birk loves playing basketball and did great in the Skills-n-Drills program through our church.  He will join a Rec team this January.  
• I'm still working from home LOVING my job.  Wells Fargo has been so good to me.  I can't complain.
• Nick is still at Principal and loving what he is doing.  Because of his role he got to be in San Antonia this year and take me to Puerto Rico in May.  We met some amazing friends on that trip and are currently planning our next beach vacation to celebrate..... 
• Nick and I celebrated 10 years of Marriage on 11/20.  (Hence, the reason for the beach vacation).  

That's a very high level summary of our year.  Next post... the picture dump from 2014... Stay tuned.  

Mother's Day Pondering .....

For anyone who knows me its no secret that I love following the Duggar family from Arkansas.  If you aren't sure who they are ... they are the family who have 19 children (and 3 grandchildren).  When I first heard about this family I was actually kind of annoyed.  At the time I really wanted to have a child and just could not understand how one family could just keep having kids....  It just bothered me.  However, in the last year I've started watching their show and now reading the books that this family has written.  My feelings have totally changed.  I'm in awe of their values, beliefs and how they choose to lead their family.  On the plane today back from San Juan I started reading Growing up Duggar, which is written by the 4 oldest Duggar girls.  Their advice for young girls is spot on.  They hit on major topics like; relationship with yourself, with your parents, friends and with the person who you are supposed to spend your life with.  In addition to reading this book I've also finished the books that Jim Bob and Michelle have written.  What I'm taking away from all of this is that I want the relationship with Birk and Addy that this large family has with each other.  I want to teach my children how to fully communicate with Nick and I.  I want it to be totally acceptable for them to share with us, to cry in front of or with us.  To trust us with their hearts and know that we will always be there for them.  But most of all I want to teach them to have a servants heart and to love Jesus more than you love yourself.  This is what life is all about.  It is finding ways to serve others and to bring the joy of Jesus to those that we come into contact with.  To pray for and with others and to be proud and thankful for all that we've been given.  I want to teach Birk that he is a strong man who can be faithful and be the head of a family someday.  I want him to be proud of the God given talents he has been given.  I want to foster those for him and support the decisions that he makes in his life.  I want to teach Addy that she is beautiful inside and out.  It doesn't matter if she has the perfect hair, outfit or hobbies ... it is how she chooses to keep her heart focused on Jesus that really counts.  Its about surrounding yourself with others who have this same mindset.

As I sit here pondering all the fortune I've been given (family, friends, faith).... I'm humbled that on this Mothers Day, I get the gift of being a Mom.  I get to choose to raise my kids serving a mighty God.  They can be anything they want, go anywhere they want and if we as a family put our faith first we can help change lives and teach others what TRUE happiness looks like.

Happy Mothers' Day to all Mother's today.  Many blessings on each day that you travel this journey of motherhood....  You're doing an amazing job (even though its hard sometimes).  Keep your eye on the prize ... children who turn to adults who are beyond amazing.  :-)

God Bless!!!
Jenny

Wesley Downing

We had the opportunity to meet our dear friends' the Downings newest little miracle.  Wesley Downing was born a few weeks early, but is doing great.  Thanks for Jeff and Kelli for letting us take care of Kalynne while you delivered sweet Wesley.  Here are some pictures of our meet-n-greet today!!!

April 2014 Already

Man... it feels like 2014 just started and here I sit and its already April 2nd.  Geez.  We're winding down the school year and have entered the last 60 days.  The kids are doing an ABC deal where they get to dress in a different fun outfit for each letter.  They are most excited about P ... for Pajama's.  I'm going to 'try' to take pictures every day of their outfits.  We'll see how diligent I am at that goal.

I've started mentoring with a running club through our church called Run for God.  It's been both inspiring to me and motivating.  I'm hopeful all out there that want to be a runner find a great group of people like this and start running.  :-)

Here are some more pictures to share ... cause that's just what I do.

2014 Picture Dump

Since I can't seem to keep up with blogging a about my amazing kids/husband/life ... I figure I could at least get some pictures up here.  Here are some high level things that are going on....

1. ISU is now in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament and my boys are beyond excited and play basketball ALL.THE.TIME.
2.  Birk is OBSESSED with Georges Niang of the Cyclones.  He talks about him all the time, always pretends he is Niang with playing bball, and can't get enough of watching it on TV.
3.  Addy loves to watch 19 kids and Counting with me.  We love that family.  We love how they raise their children and love the adventures that they have.  Addy also loves to be Michelle Duggar when playing with her dollies.  :-)
4.  The kids turned 5 on 3/17/14
5.  We learned to ride our new bikes we got at Christmas.  Next step .. .NO TRAINING WHEELS.
6.  We're surprising the kids with an amazing mystery trip this summer to shhhh..... DISNEY!  It will be our first time on a plane, and first time at the parks.  We're excited.
7.  I'm going to San Juan with Nick for a work trip.  I will be by myself for a big chunk of it. But, heck, I'll be at the beach.  How terrible is that.  :-)

Now ... for some pictures for your enjoyment.