Scovill Zoo - Memorial Day 2011

We had a WONDERFUL weekend... Jamie decided he wasn't going to work at all, so we got lots of family time in! Since Monday was Memorial Day and there was no work/school, we decided it would be a great day to go to Scovill Zoo in Decatur. Since we have had incredible amounts of rain and major storms over the last few weeks, we wanted to take full advantage of the nice day together!

Although you can't tell by the pictures below, Nathan L-O-V-E-D it! The last time we were there with him, he was about eight weeks old! He did get a little hot (it was about 93 degrees that day), so the trip was cut a little short, but he would have stayed all day if we let him. He really enjoyed the petting zoo and seeing all the baby goats. He was cracking up chasing them all over! Sean, on the other hand, really liked the train ride around the zoo, but really just wanted to play in their massive play structure there.

All-in-all, it was a great, fun family outing and I can't wait to do it more this summer!

Mother's Day Tea

Last week, Sean's pre-k class at ABC hosted their annual Mother's Day Tea. Since I was able to enjoy this fantastic event, I thought it might be nice for my Mom to attend since it was open to any Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, etc. Of course Grandma was THRILLED to attend! ;-) It was a fantastic morning of which Sean thoroughly enjoyed as well! He actually sang the songs this year, and was a very gracious host for Grandma! He pulled out her chair, asked her what she would like to eat/drink, served her and of course, charmed with THIS smile:



Sean and Grandma



Mommy and Sean



Sean's painting of what I look like... spitting image, don't ya think? ;-)



Grandma reading the book Sean made for her "Things my Grandma likes" (very interesting I might add!) ;-)




Getting ready to serve the Mommies and Grandmas



The performance. Although where I was sitting I didn't get a great shot of Sean singing, you can still get the idea.

Joplin, Missouri

I, like many of you, have been glued to my TV watching coverage of the devastation of the storms this year. The latest round that hit Joplin, MO yesterday, hit closer to home. You see, our pastor and his wife, along with Tyler (our Student Ministry Coordinator) and his wife Margo (Early Childhood Coordinator) spent several years there prior to coming to Champaign. They all attended Ozark Christian Church, and in fact, Margo told me today,

"Joplin, MO is where I fell in love with my husband, where I made my best friends and where I got my education...it's so hard to see so much suffering there. But, we are so very thankful that our friends are okay."

Knowing that their friends and family, who thankfully are okay, have lost homes, businesses, vehicles, etc. really made me sad. I wanted to do something, but I didn't know what. Fortunately, my church made that easy for me! A member of our congregation donated the use of a semi-trailer, along with a driver, to take supplied down to Joplin. All we needed to do, was fill it!

I was actually home with Sean today, as he wasn't feeling well this morning. When he got a burst of energy this afternoon, he and I went through our pantry, bathrooms, closets, etc. to find items to donate. A lot of what was requested happened to be baby items, so my house was the place to be! I wanted to take this situation and use it as a learning experience for Sean. We talked about how God has blessed our family immensely, and how it was our time to help those who are in need. Although it was a little difficult trying to explain what a tornado is, he got the idea of very strong winds. I explained that those winds knocked down homes, schools, hospitals, churches, etc., so the things we were getting together were going to be taken to those people.

He was in complete awe! You could see it in his sweet eyes... trying to wrap his head around what I was saying. He listened, so intently, and told me "tell me the story again Mommy!" Once we finished, we loaded up the car and headed to church to drop off the items. Sean wanted to get out and see everything, and fortunately, there weren't many people there (yes, my child was still in his pajamas. He was sick after all!) We unloaded the items, and the next thing I know, this lady from the news wanted to interview me and Sean! YIKES! Are you kidding me??? My child is in his Mickey pajamas and I am a dirty, sweaty mess from packing boxes! Sure. What the heck.

Needless to say, I don't think those families in Joplin will care that I looked like hell and my child was wearing jammies at 4:00 p.m. But I can tell you that my heart, and Sean's, is full today knowing that we were able to help... even in a small way!

I ask that you all say a quick prayer for those who have been impacted by this tragedy, and continue to pray for them in the upcoming weeks. God is good!

Pre-school bound

Today, I OFFICIALLY registered Sean for pre-school at Judah Christian School for the Fall of 2011! I'm not sure how it's possible that he is old enough to be going to an actual school, but I guess it's true!

I must admit, I generally don't deal well with change, so writing the registration check and putting the stamp on the envelope gave me a lot of anxiety. BUT, I am super excited for this next chapter in Sean's life!

Judah is an AMAZING school (both of my nephews go there), that provides an exceptional academic education in a Christ-centered environment. We feel truly blessed that we are able to send Sean there and that he will be getting a truly wonderful education, all while bringing him closer to God. Our plan is for Nathan to start pre-school there in the Fall of 2012, when Sean will move up to Kindergarten.

Sean is super excited that he will be going to "Nick and Kyle's school", although I'm not quite sure he understand that they won't be in his class! ;-)

Go Tribe!

Spaghetti night

At least once a week, Sean will ask if we can have spaghetti for dinner. Now you may be thinking, "Sounds like a kid... every kid likes spaghetti!" But the thing is, he doesn't. He ONLY likes Daddy's spaghetti, and I have to admit, IT... IS... THE... BEST!

We usually have to strip Sean down to just his underwear (please click here to see why), but always try to get him to use a fork. In his defense, why use a fork when you can shovel more into your mouth faster by using your hands?!? Well this week, Sean asked if he could use a fork and didn't start stripping down! I was literally stunned! I very willingly got him a fork, and nervously watched as he excitedly twisted the spaghetti around the fork and took a bite (all the while Mommy was thinking of new stain removal tricks for pasta sauce).

HE DID GREAT!!! He ate 2 1/2 plates of pasta and did not get one drop on his shirt! He was so proud of himself and I was so proud of him! When I asked him where he learned to eat spaghetti (thinking he'd say, "From you Mommy!"), he sweetly said, "From Special Agent Oso of course!"

Great. My kid is learning his table manners, not from his parents, but rather an animated stuffed bear. Mother of the year award - right here! ;-)

Update - Jenn

Well, it's officially been over a month since all of my healh craziness, and I can honestly say - I feel great! So far, the procedure seems to have worked!!! For everything that happened after the surgery, it better have! ;-)

I have been experiencing a little bit of pain, much lower than before, and not NEAR as painful (more annoying and uncomfortable). My co-worker finally convinced me to call my doctor just to let her know and see if she had any thoughts as to what was going on.

Long story short, they ran a test which came back negative, so they scheduled me for a "STAT" ultrasound, of which I had done this past Monday. I suckered my Mom into going with me as it was a lot of sitting around and waiting in between the procedure and seeing the doctor. Plus, let's face it, who doesn't like to have their Mommy with them at the doctor's office? :-) The results showed a cyst on my left ovary, which showed fluid surrounding it. Since this did not show up on my ultrasound from April 15th, they are going to check me again in eight weeks. Oh joy...

I don't think it's anything to worry about, but I am glad I had it checked out. The pain comes and goes and doesn't limit me from doing anything, so that's good. I'll keep you all posted!

My little worm

Nathan's teacher sent me the following picture today... she thinks he's trying to do the worm. I think he's trying to lick the floor. What do YOU think???

While Mom's away...

This weekend when I was hosting the shower for my cousin's fiance, Jamie took the boys to the mall to run a few errands. And where there is a mall, there is a carousel! This was Nathan's first time on the carousel and he LOVED it! I was sorry to miss it, but was happy that Jamie took a picture.



Clearly it was too much excitement for him!

Justin and Emily

This weekend, my sister and cousin threw a Bridal Shower for my cousin Justin's fiance, Emily. I call her that, but she is also a dear friend of mine. She and Justin are getting married in Key West in June and then will have a reception locally in July. I'm so excited for them and was so happy to do this for such a wonderful couple!!!

Party Pics - FINALLY!

Since there are about a million pictures, I won't say much except ENJOY!