Happy 13th!

13 years ago I officially became a mom. I am amazed at how quickly the time has gone, yet I have learned so many things. In honor of J-Bell I will list 13 things you may not know about her (Bwaaa Haaa Haaa)

1. She was my biggest baby at 8lb 13 oz.

2. She was born on her due date.

3. By the time she was born on her due date, I had been in labor a day and a half

4. She is my only baby I didn't have pitocin with.

5. She was never a good sleeper. She slept through the night at 3 weeks old, but she only took 2 30 min naps during the day. She gave those up on her own at 9 months.

6. When she was 1 1/2 and I needed a nap, I could put on the tv, put her on my bed and tell her she couldn't get off until I woke up. She didn't leave my bed, ever.

7. She was reading pretty fluently at 4.

8. She was one of my most difficult child to potty train.

9. She is not boy crazy (yet)

10. She wanted the new Barbie Christmas movie for her birthday.

11. She got a new haircut (and styling product) instead

12. She is already saving up for Drivers Ed (she knows that if she wants it at 16, she needs to pay for it)

13. Her full nickname to this day is "Jurnee Ju Ju Bumpkin Boo Boo"

B-day/christmas list

Great! Now grandma is giving me assignments. When will school end!?!?!? Well I guess this one is fun so, grandma gave me the assignment to send her my b-day wish or put it on the blog. So every one knows I'm putting it on the blog. A lot of this stuff I'm not going to get I'm positive about that. I'll get started.



1. Laptop computer. ( I don't think I'm going to get it though.)

2. Cellphone. (If I do get this I won't be able to call anyone. Why cant my mom just let me?!)

3. C.D player ( The one aunt Michelle gave me when I was 10 went bye bye )

4. The 39 Clues cards. (We have the book but need more cards )

5. I-pod.

6. Digital Camera

7. Football Cards. ( Got to beat J-Bird. )



I got my stuff down. Other than that, money will work too.

Happy Birthday!

Knight turns 40 today. For some reason this seems weird to me. Not because I think 40 is old, but it just seems more... grownup. Good thing that I'm younger than he is or I might have to grow up too!

Happy Birthday Darlin'!

He's 8!!!!

No more car seats in my vehicles. The last evidence of the little kid stage is no more. My baby turned 8 today. Am I crying cause I don't have a little one anymore? Nope. Not at all. I have enjoyed getting to know J-Bird for the last 8 years. It is great fun watching him grow and learn. He is a joy and I am lucky to call him my son. Happy Birthday Jay.

Baby story

For a great childbirth story read Mommy's post about her newest daughters arrival. My kids were wondering why they didn't drop off the other little ones for us to babysit during her ob check. Excuses, excuses. How many people can say that their garbage man picked up their garbage at 9am and helped deliver their baby an hour later? Congrats Mommy!

**I'm sure our face friends have read it. I am putting this on for my readers who don't know them.

My Birthday

Yesterday we went down to my dad's house to celebrate his birthday. Since my birthday is today there were some presents waiting for me there as well. Becca gave me Digital Photography Workbook for Dummies and Digital Photography: An Introduction two books that will be very helpful in helping me really learn how to do this photography thing the way I want to. Gina gave me a great tripod for my camera. It has some features I have not seen on other tripods (not that I've looked a whole lot either). The tripod was on my wish list. My mom combined my two passions and got me a water proof case so I can take my camera with me on my kayak. Woo Hoo!

After that mom, Becca and I hopped into the kayaks mom and I brought to dad's, paddled to the other side of the lake, portaged across the road to the river, and paddled down to moms house. It was the first time I was out in our tandem kayak, and first time out this year.

Now I'm REALLY remembering why I love kayaking.

Paradise.

I feel like I'm 5

My dad's birthday is today. His party is Sunday. Our parents are always hard to buy for since they generally have everything already or just go buy it if they want it. Quite a few years ago I gave my dad a birthday calandar. He loved it because he could remember the grandkids birthdays.

Then he moved to WI.

And lost it.

He has mentioned a couple times how he would like to have another one. So I went shopping.

Nothing.

Ok, not nothing. There was one, in book form. Very girly. Not that I think that would bother Dad. At all.

But not what I wanted to give him. So I did what any good daughter would do... I made him one.

Hope he likes it.

Happy Birthday Boy!!

J-Bird,

You are 7 today. I can't believe how time goes by, and yet I love watching you grow from a baby to my little man.

When I found out that you were a boy, I still had a couple of months to get used to the idea before you made your appearance into this world. Having a boy scared me. I had all sisters. Then I had 3 girls. I didn't know if I would know how to do the boy thing.

There is so much more imagined pressure on raising a son. Our goal for all of our children is to be strong in the Lord, a compassionate person, a hard worker. But we know that someday you will probably lead a family. We pray that we are able to prepare you for that role correctly.

I love to watch the boy in you. The love for the Packers. The love for fishing. The love for building things with your hands. I also love to watch you care for the weaker ones around you, your desire to do things the right way, and your willingness to play with most anyone.

Happy Birthday. You make me proud to call you son.

Happy 10th Desti!

Another kid hits the double digits. Knight took the family and a couple of her friends horseback riding yesterday to celebrate. It was about an hour long trail ride. The ranch also has a petting area for other animals, and since Desti is such an animal lover she was in heaven.

I stayed back home and made the stuff for lunch. She didn't want birthday cake, so I made some zucchini bars instead. I also made pizza dough so that each person could make their own pizza. Then they chose to sit around and watch my old home movies. Not movies of them. Movies from when I was a kid. I don't get it, but whatever.

Desti is one of the neatest kids. She loves people, especially little kids. She is content playing with anyone, of any age. She has a big heart. Cares deeply for everyone.

She also thinks outside the box. Teaching her has been a challenge. Not because she's not smart, but because she doesn't think the way I do. My classic example--there was a sheet of animals. She was to find the one that is different from the rest. There were all sorts of animals but mainly there were land animals. And one fish. She circled the kangaroo. When asked about it she explained that that was the only one that can hop. Not a wrong answer, but a different one than expected.

It has been a joy to watch her grow into the young lady she is. I truly hope she continues to grow strong in the Lord, and her love for people and animals stay as pure as it is now.

I am blessed to have her call me Mom.

8 things for my 8 year old

1.Eight years ago today your Daddy and I became outnumbered by the kids.

2.Eight years ago today you entered the world with only one push.

3.Eight years ago today when you entered the world you were bright pink and you scored the best possible score on the Apgar scale.

4.For the last eight years we have witnessed you grow up to be a sweet girl who tries to be positive and doesn't like to say the word no.

5.For the last eight years your personality has come out and you love to be in front of the camera posing just so you can laugh at the picture.

6.In the last eight years you were my easiest to potty train, you have started to read chapter books, write cursive more ledgeable than your sisters and today you are done with car seats!

7.Eight years ago I could kiss you and you wouldn't wipe them off, but as soon as you could let us know how much you didn't like spit you have wiped off any kiss you have recieved. (I hope this is a trait you keep until you are married!)

8. There are so many special things about you that I love. You are a beautiful, talented girl and I am thrilled that God has let me be your mommy. Happy golden birthday my precious 8 year old.