17 nights

17 nights... That's how long Joel has been gone on this trip to Pecos, TX, BUT he's coming home today!!!!!!!  I'm pretty excited.  This is the longest we've been apart, ever, and I'm ready to kiss his face.  :)  Molly's been missing her Daddy too.  We talk everyday about where he is and when he's coming home.  She was thrilled when I told her Daddy was coming home today!  You can bet there will be 2 anxious girls waiting at the airport to give him hugs!

             

I'm thankful for a great group of neighbors to help me get through the last couple weeks.  I got sick and they came to my rescue... we've eaten several meals together... and they've invited us over for play dates so I can get some adult conversation.  Here's a pic of our little angels from last night.

We're headed back to Oklahoma on Friday to spend time with our family for Christmas!  We're looking forward to a great trip!  Hope you all get to spend some quality time with the ones you love too!

Love, Jen

"Goober's a Silly Elf!"

So this is our first year to do Elf on the Shelf. We read the book and asked Mollypop to pick a name. She thought for a second and said, "How about Goober?" So Goober it is! She had a problem with Goober leaving our house every night to go to the North Pole though. She was literally in tears with the thought of Goober leaving (even though I explained he'd be back in the morning). Anyway, we decided maybe Goober could just call Santa to report back on how she's doing. Every morning when Mollypop wakes up, we go look to see what Goober has done. And every morning she says, "Goober's a silly elf!" Here are a few pics of what he's been up to...







I really hope we don't have a melt down when Goober has to go back to the North Pole when Christmas is over!

Love, Jen

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Happy Birthday Grandma Carrot!

Today is Grandma Carrot's birthday!  When Molly started talking, of course she gave everyone their own names.  For my stepmom, Karen, she started calling her Grandma Carrot.  We all thought it was hilarious, so it's stuck now.  

Here's one of my favorite pics of her with the kids...

  

In honor of her birthday, I'm going to make a list of 10 cool things you might now know about Grandma Carrot:

1. She has her Master's Degree.

2. She has a really fun lake home on Grand Lake.

3. She completed a half marathon.

4. She has a chocolate lab named Bella that sleeps with her every night.

5. She has let 2 struggling college students live with her for a semester so they could remain in school.

6. She's something big (not sure her exact position) with the Kansas Relay for Life.

7. She probably wears the same pant size as she did when she graduated high school.  

8. She has a rich aunt that lives on Balboa Island. 

9. She helps feed/take care of the Men's CCC Basketball team... even though they are twice her size. 

10. She LOVES all her babies... Molly, Drake, Jaedyn, Paige, and Bella

And just a few more pics...

Happy Birthday Grandma Carrot!  We Love You!  

Love, Jen

Dewberry Farms

Our sweet friends/neighbors invited us to Dewberry Farms.  It's farm with a huge pumpkin patch, Christmas tree farm, small animals, kids attractions, etc.  We had a blast!  Some pics from our day...

So, I'm going to the Nutcracker (in Houston) today and I'm pretty excited about it!  Apparently, it's the motherload of all craft shows!  I'll report back.  We also have some good friends from Tulsa coming to visit!  It's going to be a great weekend!  Hope you have a good one as well!

Love, Jen

Happy Birthdays!

Some pretty special people are having birthdays today!  Just wanted to give shout outs!

Dave (my stepdad) and also known as Papa! - He married my mom right before my 6th grade year.  What an age, right?!  We moved from Edmond to Broken Arrow and I was starting a new school.... lots of changes.  Although at the time I was unsure about all of it, it proved to be one of the best decisions my mom has made.  I love Dave.  He's my very good friend and someone that I constantly depend on.  He LOVES MollyPop.  He sent me pink balloons on the day of my ultrasound because he wanted a granddaughter so bad.  He's been there through thick and thin with me.  He encourages me to follow my dreams.  He sees the best in me.  He always wants us to come visit.  He's so good to my mom.  He sits in the floor and plays with Mollypop for hours.  He's quiet, strong, loyal, and fair.  He supports Joel and me in our decisions.  He opened his home to all my crazy friends... and wanted us to stay and have popcorn and movie night instead of going out.  He gives me advice without intruding.  He fixes my car.  His back porch is one of the most inviting places to sit and relax.  He takes us on Jeep rides to go get ice cream.  He taught me to work hard.  He's the best dogsitter I know.  He held my newborn in the wee hours of the morning so I could get some sleep.  He's a family man.  He grills the best steak.  He takes Mollypop and me on lunch dates.  He would do anything for my family.   He loves us.

Nan (my aunt- my mom's younger sister).  Also called NeNe.  And also called Lori (her real name, although I've never called her that in my life).  She is fun.  She is strong.  She cares for her family.  She is one of the most selfless people I know.  She is creative and crafty.  She's an awesome great-aunt to MollyPop and DrakeMan.  She loves God.  She sends us care packages.  She's a hard worker.  She's going to be a wonderful Grandma in December.  She always tells me I'm tall and skinny (lol).  She decorated my wedding and did the flowers.  She's thoughtful.  She lived with boys and still loves blingy stuff.  She would do anything for her family and friends.  MollyPop and I look forward to seeing her when we are in Coffeyville.  She's one of the reasons we love that place so much!

Happy Birthday!  I love you.

Love, Jen

Oh Happy Halloween!

I know, it's November and Halloween is over, but I couldn't resist sharing some pics of MollyPop in her costumes.  

Tinerkerbell

Pirate - "Argh!"

Pirate Family

Sweet Dance Girls

Supergirl!

Supergirl and her wheels!  Riding her scooter was more fun than trick-or-treating...

I think Supergirl is pooped!

Happy Wednesday y'all!

Love, Jen

2 year pics...better late than never

I was going through our desk and found a CD with Molly's 2 year old pics on them.  So now she is 2.75 and I still have not printed one of the pictures from this session.  Oops!  They weren't my favorite pics of her, but they are still documenting her milestones, so I thought I would share...

It amazes me how much she has changed in just 8 months.  Wow.  Kids grow up too fast.

The church we've been attending has been doing a great series titled "Our Family Fights" and last Sunday was the seventh and final sermon.  Joel and I have really enjoyed this series, but especially this particular message "Fight to Send Your Kids Off the Right Way".

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.  Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior's hands.  Psalm 127:3-4 (NLT)

Of course we all view our children as a gift and a reward from God, but I never thought of Molly as an arrow.  He explained that it is our job to prepare them for adult life.  We can either warp and break a child or sharpen and strengthen a child.  He then gave us this quote:

"The me you see, is the me I will be." --Rev. Adrian Rogers

I'd never heard the quote before but I really like it!  I hope I can always see the good in my kiddos so I'm not hindering them from being their best!  Really this would apply to everyone I come into contact with.

Ok, done with my sermon.

Love, Jen

Celebrate Your Princess

My neighborhood hosted the "Celebrate your Princess" event on Saturday, so we decided to bundle up and support the cause!  We really enjoy doing any type of walk/run as a family, but this one was near and dear to my heart.  Most everyone knows someone that has dealt with breast cancer, but it really hit my family this past year as my Grandma Bunny was diagnosed and went through treatment.  With the power of prayer and her positive attitude, the treatment was successful and relatively easy on her.  But cancer still sucks.  One of my favorite pics of this awesome woman...

They are the epitome of perfect grandparents and lasting love!

Donna and Bill came to visit this weekend and joined us in the walk!  Afterwards they had several activities set up for the participants.  Some pics of our morning...

Let the race (walk) begin!  

He's a sport!   

Love this smile!

Daddy and Daughter

Molly was fascinated with the princesses until she got up close to them.  

And of course there was dancing!

Watching the dancers and getting the moves down! 

Rock Climbing!

She has no fear...

Woohoo, go MollyPop!

Thanks Donna and Bill for visiting and doing the breast cancer walk with us.  We had fun while you were her!

Love, Jen

Scarecrow Festival

My neighborhood had a Scarecrow Festival this past weekend.  So Mom, Dave, MollyPop, and I headed out.  We decorated pumpkins, ate snow cones, learned how to Bollywood dance, and had fun with friends!  Here are some pics...

Papa and Tinkerbell off to the Festival!

Katy Perry and Tinkerbell.  They're sweet friends.

Decorating her pumpkin!

More decorating...

I just love this little Tinkerbell!

"Ready?"

Woohoo!  Dancing Bollywood style!

I think she's a natural!  :)

Love, Jen