The Santa Hat

When we got out all the Christmas decorations - Jenna found a Santa hat and won't stop wearing it every chance she gets. I told her to go to bed last night and that I would tuck her in in a few minutes. When I got there - she was sound asleep Santa hat and all!!

O' Christmas Tree

Today after church we went and picked out our Christmas Tree. It is always a big deal and the girls love going to the tree place and deciding which tree looks the best, getting it loaded on the van and bringing it home.

We sold our fake tree before we moved into this house 6 years ago and so our tradition of getting a real tree began. We love the smell and look of a real tree and I love not having to store it for most of the year!!

We waited for the branches to come down from the warmth of the house and then I put the lights on and the girls put the ornaments on!! I love watching them happily get out each ornament one by one and find the perfect spot for them on the tree!!

Jenna's Front Tooth

Jenna lost her first front tooth last night - Daddy pulled it out with dental floss when she wasn't looking. Jenna was excited until she realized that the tooth fell out of the dental floss and was lost somewhere on the living room carpet. I told her she could write the tooth fairy a note and tell her what happened to the tooth to make sure that she still collected her $$, but Jenna wanted to take it to school and show her teacher and her friends so the hunt was on!! After about 20 minutes of searching and Mommy giving up....Daddy found the tooth under the couch. She now has an adorable goofy grin!!

Generous Giver

This year in chapel the elementary classes are focusing on attributes that believers possess as followers of Christ. Once a month a "Living Inside Out" award is given to one student in each class. This month the award is Generous Giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 - "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" - giver of time, talents, and treasure to God's work.

This month - Jenna was chosen to be the Generous Giver in her class! This is what her teacher, Mrs. Cooper, wrote and what was said about her at the award presentation:

"Jenna is a generous giver of her time by willingly helping others with an assignment or project. If someone needs to borrow something, she is one of the first to offer her supplies. She also uses her talent of singing to bless others in our classroom. Jenna truly is a generous and cheerful giver!"

We are so proud of her!

Flowers for the Girls

So...this past weekend Jordyn & I went to a mother-daughter retreat at Camp Timber-lee in East Troy for the weekend which left Joe and Jenna to have a daddy-daughter weekend at home. Daddy comes home from work today and surprises all of us girls with flowers!!

My card says "Tam - you are my love!! Joe

Jordyn's card says "Jordyn - I missed you over the weekend and I'm so happy you're home. Daddy

Jenna's card says "Jenna - I had a great time spending last weekend with you. Daddy

He brought me my favorite flowers - two stems of stargazer lilies (which were our wedding flowers) and the girls got two roses each. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband and the girls are so blessed too to have him for their Daddy. He loves us unconditionally and there is no place he would rather be than with his 3 girls!!

Mother-Daughter Retreat

Last weekend Jordyn and I went to a mother-daughter retreat at Camp Timber-lee. We checked in friday night at 6:30 and came home Sunday afternoon. When we got there, we checked in, went and signed up for our weekend activities and then had a praise and worship time. After that - they had a dessert hour with a yummy chocolate fountain. When the chocolate ran out we went back to our cabin and crawled into the same bunk and went to sleep......

This is how we spent our day on Saturday:

mom and daughter photo shoot

made crafts at the leather shop

climbed a rock wall

went to the nature center and played with the turtles and animals

went on an hour horseback riding trail ride

went to Acorns game room

had a sit down harvest meal

went on a pumpkin walk

bonfire

made caramel apples

and finally to bed..again in the same bunk!

Sunday - we went paddle boating and to brunch and then back to Acorns game room to play carpet ball before leaving to go home!

We had such a great weekend together! I loved having so much one on one time together just her and I to talk and laugh and do so much fun stuff together. I love that she still wants to hold my hand when we are just walking and talking. The pumpkin walk had a question for us to answer at each lighted pumpkin and I got to hear her thoughts and feelings about things I wouldn't normally think to ask her. The weekend confirmed what I already know: that I have an amazing, wonderful daughter in every way! She asked me if we can go again next year - I wouldn't miss it for the world!!

My Little Bug

Jenna came home from school today and wanted to take a shower and get right into her pajamas. She is a pajama girl and would live in them if I let her. I can't count the number of times she has tried wearing them to the mall or out to dinner! So she showers and puts on her nightgown and had me put in her matching pony tail holder and next thing I know she is outside in the backyard with her jean jacket and flip flops on playing. She is so stinkin' cute and always makes me smile!!

Walk For Life

This morning we participated in the Walk for Life - we walked two miles around the lake front. There were six of us on our team: Grandpa, Joe, Jordyn, Jenna, Nikki & myself. We collected $811 for the Care Net Pregnancy Center which helps pregnant women and teens with choices other than abortion. They also do post abortion counseling. This is a cause close to our hearts as we are pro-life and we also think it is improtant for the girls to be involved in volunteer activities and ways in which they can serve in the community!! Jordyn was our team leader this year and did a great job collecting pledges around the neighborhood and helping with our Walk For Life table at church. It was a beautiful day with wonderful weather and we had a lot of fun walking for a great cause!!

My Daughter Jordyn

Jordyn went to a 3 day special at church called "For Girls Only" It is a class to teach girls in 4-5th grade about themselves and their relationship with the Lord. It will answer the ??'s:
"Who Am I?"
"How's My Heart"
"What Am I Saying?"
"Where Am I Going?"
They had a bible study - did crafts - and of course ate snacks!!
Before the class began - us moms were asked to write a letter to our daughters and let them know how proud we are of them. Here is my letter about my wonderful daughter, Jordyn!

Dear Jordyn,
I am so proud of you! Every day when I look at you, I am so amazed at the wonderful gift God gave me in you! You are growing up so fast – I can’t believe you are going to be in 4th grade this year. I miss the little girl you once were, but I love who you are right now too! You are sweet, smart, thoughtful, honest, funny, and a wonderful daughter. You are my beautiful girl – on the inside and the outside! You have a smile that lights up your whole face. You are such a joy to be around and I love spending time with you! You are my amazing girl!! You give your all in everything that you do. Whether you are doing school work, playing soccer, learning Awana verses or doing gymnastics—you always do your best! I love that you are living your life for Jesus and I pray that you will continue to grow in your faith. I have so many wishes and dreams for you as you grow up – to be happy and healthy, to find a career that you love, to always be surrounded by love, but most importantly to always follow the Lord and His purpose for you! I love you Jordyn – you are my heart and I can’t wait to see what God has planned for you….Mom

Jenna Fell In Love

with a horse named Holly!! We went to visit our neice Sarah and she has 4 minature horses - Bullseye, Onyx, Caramel, & Holly. Of course, Holly was the most shy one and didn't like people very much. Jenna wouldn't leave the horse pen and eventually won Holly over!! They became pals and Holly even came to Jenna when she called her.

We spent the night and just hung out and visited with Sarah, Julie and Trent. (& Jeremy -Sarah's boyfriend) The girls went in the hot tub and played on the swing set and trampoline. The next morning Sarah did the girls hair just like hers and I got some cute pictures!!

Kindergarten Graduation

I can't believe my baby girl graduated from kindergarten. She looked so grown-up in her cap and gown and she was so confidant when she crossed the stage to recieve her diploma. It wasn't too long ago that she spent her days with Mommy or Grandpa. Now - she is a full fledged school girl after making it through her first full year! She had all S's and S+'s on her report card and Mrs. Gill said she is a hard worker and that she does her work carefully making sure everything is done right. She made lots of friends and had a wonderful year!!

Mother's Day

We found a Mother's Day surprise in our backyard! I went to let Bailey outside and noticed something moving in the bushes. I quickly called Bailey back inside when I saw what it was - a mommy duck and her babies!! They hung out for a while and then went down the block through our neighbors backyards. A little while later, they came back through the front yards and eventually headed to a nearby retaining pond. What a perfect day to see a mommy and her new babies!!