tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85593677497628240372012-01-30T18:51:01.625-06:00JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.comBlogger1111100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-23384784153429539352012-01-28T11:41:00.000-06:002012-01-30T18:51:01.634-06:00

He is the one who made me into a mama.  I treasure these days, knowing his time to fly out of the nest will come so soon.  I love his heart, his sweet spirit.  I love the way he knows before anyone else when I am sad.  I love the way he hugs me and tells me he loves me.  I love the way he works so hard at things that are important to him.  I love the way he spreads his hobbies ALL over the house

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-28702751539510668422012-01-23T21:18:00.001-06:002012-01-23T21:29:29.076-06:00

Outside my window...its dark, wet, and cold but I don't mind. I am thinking...that it's always best if I get everything ready for the morning before I go to bed, but I don't really want to. I am thankful for...our home, a safe place God has given us. From the kitchen...not too much cause mama and daddy had a date for lunch and Grammie took us out for supper...can I get a yee haw??? To redeem

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-40804679161779905062011-11-14T11:20:00.000-06:002011-11-14T11:20:03.736-06:00

All of the normal things were on the to-do list for this evening...chores, homework, baths, an episode of Murder She Wrote (our family's current favorite on Netflix), the usual, BUT then I read this post and the to-do list has changed.  We'll be writing a letter and gathering photos for David, our Compassion child in El Salvador.  We've written a few times before and we sent one picture, but can

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-65500414505480266062011-11-04T14:40:00.000-05:002011-11-04T14:40:57.992-05:00

...this boy was just a little boy, sitting on my lap, asking me to "sratch (scratch) his bat (back)" while he fell asleep.  Yesterday, he got contacts, and I feel like this seemingly small event is yet another thing making him into a young man.  Its a reminder that we are always dropping pockets as parents.  I love the young man he is becoming, but there are days when I miss that little boy.  Its

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-91559726032807801862011-09-08T16:06:00.001-05:002011-09-08T16:08:22.306-05:00

Part of my duties as a music teacher include working in the lunch room for kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade lunch.  While I love seeing those sweet little faces munching their food every day, I most appreciate the wisdom I've gained from my time in the lunch room.10.  Steak bites may or may not have any real meat in them. 9.  Barbecue Sauce and ketchup can make anything taste ok. 8.  There

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-61121206297532272412011-09-06T20:11:00.002-05:002011-09-06T20:13:09.270-05:00

We spent most of our Labor Day outside.  It was SO beautiful out there.  Tim and Isaac dug up two giant stumps (well, they weren't giant before they dug them up, but they sure did look huge once they were out of the ground).  We built a fire early in the day and then built it back up again after our picnic supper so we could stay warm and make s'mores.  I LOVE days like this... Simon guards the

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-63548334085426301622011-08-31T08:45:00.000-05:002011-08-31T08:45:57.380-05:00

Yeah, she looks content, but really the only thing holding her there is Tim's hand. Lou is thinking, "WHY are they ALL rubbing me??". I love these boys.  I love that man.  I love galvanized tubs.  I even love Lou.  

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-25975797557015012542011-08-27T10:10:00.000-05:002011-08-27T10:10:28.001-05:00

Our home, built in the 1880s, has only been lived in by 3 families including us since it was built.  We've heard lots of fun stories from the family before us, and many of those are tales of the hard work the kids did outside.  Much of our yard (which is half of a block...four lots) was planted as a garden to feed the family.  There are apple trees and grape vines still.  The apple trees got

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-89534599061725315052011-08-18T13:35:00.005-05:002011-08-18T14:28:02.248-05:00

Is it really time for school? In some ways, I'm ready...ready for the routine, for fall weather, hoodies, packing lunches, chores... I will miss sleeping in and jammie days and swimming every.single.day. Life comes in seasons, though. Here's to moving to the next season.... Mrs. Keown's fifth grader... Mrs. Crumrin's first grader...

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-56916917806646505802011-08-10T14:29:00.005-05:002011-08-25T21:58:06.892-05:00

Ezra has been asking all summer to get the sprinkler out. Since summer is almost over, he took matters into his own hands and found it himself... Pork burgers on the grill that were bigger than our heads... the rarely used dining room table is now a homework/arts and craft station. All of us (well, all of us except daddy!) have enjoyed using it already...

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-10050129107243521112011-08-04T14:56:00.003-05:002011-08-04T15:07:51.812-05:00

So, Simon really DID turn 3 in April...I've just been a lazy blogger. Here's a picture so that when the children look back on my blog, they know that we really did have a special birthday dinner for the 3rd child's 3rd birthday.Diego and Baby Jaguar cake balls are where its at...does anyone else feel a little silly when they talk about cake balls??? Maybe its just that I live in a house full of

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-21331703826668644352011-07-31T13:12:00.007-05:002011-07-31T15:55:23.217-05:00

This little guy left for camp today. Sometimes I forget that he's not this little guy anymore (pictured here with Zia, after they snuck out of church while the mommies were cooking and splashed in mud puddles for quite awhile before anyone caught them......Zia left for camp today, too).He's big now......he packs deodorant for camp......and he loves Jesus with all of his heart.......and he cares

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-38789151442218969732011-07-21T22:47:00.003-05:002011-07-22T08:29:47.230-05:00

A fun hobby has turned into a surprise little business for me. Just this week, I've made a new facebook business page and a new blog/website. In case you haven't seen my obnoxious announcing of this on facebook, I thought I'd let you know here on the ole' family blog.www.jenniferwoodphotography.blogspot.com

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-6370051544102713002011-05-20T09:46:00.004-05:002011-05-20T10:34:05.296-05:00

Senior Night 2011 at the Dwelling Place has come and gone. I wondered if I would be sad...after all, its the last Senior Night with Tim as the youth minister...well, actually, he's not even the youth minister anymore, but he's been doing the Dwelling Place this year while we wait for God's new person for the job (can I get a Yahoo for Crews!!??!!).Anyway, of course I cried because we

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-15144878518866539402011-05-12T08:44:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:46:48.827-05:00

I just finished watching an interview of Noah Worthington's dad, Wil. For those of you who are not local, Noah, age 11, was killed in a car accident last week.I am left sitting here at my desk, eyes leaking profusely, pondering how this family will go on (I've written about those thoughts here). The longer I sit there, though, I am struck with the reminder that it is all a gift....ALL of it...

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-10740683817970182011-03-15T21:03:00.001-05:002011-03-23T11:38:40.794-05:00

A couple of Fridays ago, after school, Isaac and I decided to take a bike ride. Ezra was at an after school movie, and Simon was safely strapped into the seat on the back of my bike. Isaac mentioned that his tires were flat and I said that mine were too so we would first head to the gas station to air them up, no big deal. WRONG! The airing up thingy was out of order. So, we headed farther (

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-15854160635728840302011-03-12T23:20:00.004-06:002011-03-12T23:31:23.382-06:00

Colossians 3Living as Those Made Alive in Christ 1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-70485786629462452011-02-22T23:23:00.007-06:002011-02-22T23:59:22.468-06:00

We are in the midst of planning a vacation with our friends Jonathan and Lesli for this summer. It is a trip we have talked about since before they were married, always saying, "we should sooo do that sometime!!". Well, sometime has arrived and we are headed to the beach together this summer as soon as school is out! Can I get a yahoo?!?As I thought about this trip tonight, I could not help

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-13707076387629545202011-02-19T20:28:00.010-06:002011-02-22T23:20:15.122-06:00

Isaac loves everything about art. He ALWAYS has a project (or 16) going in the house. When asked what he wants to do when he grows up, he will generally answer "be an art teacher". This winter, he took art lessons with our friend Amanda and had a blast doing it.For one of his assignments he drew a portrait of Harry Potter from the cover of the book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I loved

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-28130589434768095762011-02-14T16:55:00.003-06:002011-02-14T17:13:08.082-06:00

If i completed half of a workout, but I also broke up 3 fights between the little two and one HUGE fight between the big two and helped build a fort and tripped over a 2 year old pretending to be a cheerleader and sent the oldest to his room for talking to me with a bad attitude REPEATEDLY all DURING the half of the workout I completed and then took out the Jillian Michaels DVD and put Diego on

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-72267040603199720872011-02-13T13:29:00.004-06:002011-02-13T13:48:13.292-06:00

So, when I drove like a wild woman after my master's degree graduation to get to Tim who was at church camp and then we got this picture taken together (me with my super cool bib overalls on and Tim with his nappy hair and dark tan), I had no idea how much I would love this man. I thought I loved him then...and I did...but, oh, how I love him now.Love grows, but not without effort. Love grows

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-73572158680431691352011-02-11T13:58:00.003-06:002011-02-11T14:06:49.197-06:00

This mom was feeling a little overwhelmed by life this afternoon. The house is bursting with dust bunnies and clean clothes and dirty clothes and little boys' toys and dirty dishes and small appliances needing wiped off and put away.I found myself repeating in my mind "Just take care of each little space. Don't think about the other things to do until that little space is done." My sweet

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-86716320753350682132011-02-07T13:44:00.003-06:002011-02-07T13:54:01.257-06:00

The Wood boys (the three oldest...that would be Tim, Isaac, and Ezra) thought a snow fort was in order after the latest snow. Ezra and Tim spent several hours outside the first day, designing and creating the fort. When Isaac got home from a day of helping Bubba (family friend for anyone wondering, aka "Jonathan") do some construction work (yay, Bubba, thanks for helping us build men outta

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-20845202875536912252011-02-06T14:27:00.004-06:002011-02-06T14:32:22.064-06:00

Ezra got Grammie's old camera when she got a new camera for Christmas. After we got him all set up, he said, "What should I take pictures of, Mama?". I said, "Just take pictures of things you love". When I connected the camera and these were the first three pictures to pop up, my heart skipped a beat. These are the things he loves.What an honor to be entrusted with these three. May I be

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-13241251872149471382011-02-05T09:38:00.002-06:002011-02-05T10:20:46.560-06:00

I am reading, well actually devouring, the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I'm considering making it required reading for everyone I love. Typically I'm more of a fiction girl. I'm not sure what happened, but I wonder if I overdosed on non-fiction in college and grad school. It's like the sight of it is alluring to me and I think I'm gonna like it, but when I start reading, I break

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-38220817282388065162011-02-04T08:58:00.002-06:002011-02-04T09:04:15.734-06:00

This songs makes me want to be more like Jesus. Go to itunes and buy it. You know you want to.I've been looking for a reason… I've been longing for a purpose…I'm losing all my meaning…I've run out of excuses.Lord, it's hard to know You. ..I don't always see your plan ...But holiness is calling me so take me as I am.Chorus: You are my everything, you are the song I sing; I'll do anything for you

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-7344184057229147882011-02-03T14:17:00.001-06:002011-02-03T14:19:32.162-06:00

...Tim wakes me early in the morning, before the sun is up, to kiss me and say goodbye, and I know that I can go back to sleep for an hour or two. Mmmm...mmmm..mmmm....

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-12362022354948701992011-02-02T22:33:00.003-06:002011-02-02T22:48:38.116-06:00

Can it be true? Do we really have a child in the double digits? Wow. I can't think of anyone I'd rather have as the big brother of our house. He is strong and sweet all mixed together.Auntie and Uncle Dave and the cousins came to help celebrate. We had a blast!

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-18942174648908089842010-12-01T20:23:00.002-06:002010-12-01T20:35:04.365-06:00

There are moments in life where we realize with super duper clarity that we really have no control. Let's face it, we really don't EVER have control. However, our human brains and hearts trick themselves into thinking that if we just try hard enough or beg long enough or talk to the right people, we can somehow exert some semblance of control of the situations in our lives.I love looking back

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-19783983952467343472010-09-12T15:44:00.002-05:002010-09-12T15:54:55.349-05:00

Our family is getting ready to turn the page to a new chapter of life. For nine years, Tim has been the youth minister at FCC in Marshall. This has been our lives. Our boys have continually had this group of older siblings who have loved them and taught them (some good stuff and some not so good stuff) and played with them and invested in them. Tim and I have been surrounded by jr and sr high

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-51064767157150079112010-08-24T23:06:00.001-05:002010-08-24T23:09:16.910-05:00

We have now arrived at fourth grade and kindergarten (and age 2 for Simon!). These guys get more and more fun as the years go by. I LOVE being the mama of boys. Be like Jesus at school, sweet boys. I love you.

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-54000947192860431862010-07-02T09:35:00.001-05:002010-07-02T09:44:33.719-05:00

Some years, it seems we are completely on top of summer home maintenance. You know...the weeds are battled, the mulch is spread, the flowers are watered, the lawn is not only mowed but "weed-eatered" too. Then other years (like this one), we are doing well to just get the lawn mowed before it turns into a hay field. Yesterday, as I was hurriedly mowing the back yard before it was time to leave

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-12655362520433052272010-06-29T13:32:00.003-05:002010-06-29T13:39:48.666-05:00

The Wood family is enjoying evenings without homework and papers to write....well, it was just Daddy who did the homework and wrote the papers, but we're all thankful to be done with them. Yay for Daddy who graduated with his MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary!!!!!

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-64941905318815941292010-05-05T13:41:00.002-05:002010-05-05T13:50:59.641-05:00

fabulous sings of spring

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-65707172473339048752010-05-05T08:02:00.002-05:002010-05-05T08:17:29.462-05:00

....of His extreme love for you....

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-64151938784851567422010-05-03T00:25:00.000-05:002010-05-03T00:25:48.929-05:00

The first time, he blew them out before Tim even moved his hand away. None of us were even looking, and he knew just what to do. So, daddy lit them again and we told him to wait while we sang. He did just that, but looked at us like we were crazy...singing a whole song while those blue and white sticks were on fire right in front of him. When the song was over, we told him to blow and he did,

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-33039669134759359512010-04-09T19:13:00.001-05:002010-04-09T19:14:55.201-05:00

We enjoyed a fun-filled Easter day complete with church, hunting for Easter baskets, yummy Easter dinner and a family wedding to top off the day. It was a SUPER day, and we are thankful that Jesus is alive!!!Now, we are LOVING having our cousins Asia and Austin along with Auntie and Uncle Dave visiting us for a few days. Oh, how we LOVE them. Check out the two coolest members of our posse....

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-83621197994641416332010-03-30T12:16:00.004-05:002010-03-30T12:51:43.544-05:00

Outside my window...the sun is shining, but it's a little cooler than it looks. I just saw my lover leave on his motorcycle.I am thinking...about exercising...as you can tell, I'm still sitting here at the computer.I am thankful for...God's provision that meets us where we are.From the kitchen...last night was chicken and bean burritos and tonight mama and daddy are going out alone!!! :)I am

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-34647358582145170592010-02-20T07:50:00.007-06:002010-02-20T09:11:35.994-06:00

I've tried three times to email this to Ezra's cousin, Asia, in Cambodia, and I tried to post it on her parents' facebook wall which didn't work either. So, we're gonna try this...

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-31735868654973889992010-02-14T15:08:00.000-06:002010-02-14T15:09:02.323-06:00

Enjoy your day today. You are loved by Your creator in amazing and incredible ways. His mercies dump on you in much the same way Ezra dumps the sprinkles on his half of the cupcakes...large quantities, sometimes messy, but always with love.

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-77786537600777185042010-01-02T16:29:00.004-06:002010-01-02T16:35:49.922-06:00

Feeling thankful today... for a life I don't deserve,for forgiveness and restoration from screw-ups along the way,for the love God has for the "me" others rarely see,for a loving Savior who goes before me and beside me, preparing the way and walking it with me,for a God who knows the plans He has for me.

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-32115283963390601162009-12-29T07:56:00.000-06:002009-12-29T07:56:16.252-06:00

We had a really sweet Christmas this year. As the boys get older, it just gets more and more fun to give, get, eat, play, relax, love, eat again, etc.Here are two of my favorite pictures from this year.This is my mama and Simon reading about baby Jesus. I love the intense look on his face.This is our little family of five by the tree at church. We take pictures here almost every year, and I

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-27112590887916896992009-12-21T14:18:00.003-06:002009-12-21T14:28:46.735-06:00

Outside My Window... a little snow and a cat on the porch who doesn't belong to us and WON'T GO AWAY!!I am listening to... Smallville in the living room (the 5th or 6th episode since yesterday at this time!) and quiet quiet quiet on the baby monitor (yippee!!)I am wearing... jeans and a fuzzy (our name for fleece sweatshirts)I am thankful...for Christmas break, a warm house, grace, coffee, my

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-72759849561827037312009-12-14T15:30:00.001-06:002009-12-14T16:20:54.742-06:00

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-68338082482349838432009-12-08T22:32:00.000-06:002009-12-08T22:32:40.611-06:00

I found this treasure of a photo today while I was loading up our digital picture frame with old Christmas pictures. It reminded me that a sweet baby is the center of all of this flurry we are in. I love the flurry. I love the sweet baby who came. I love the man who died for me.

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-75651869167169516022009-12-06T14:35:00.000-06:002009-12-06T14:36:02.870-06:00

I think this picture captures so much. Isaac is the first grandchild, the quiet one, the protective one, the one who loves to draw and play checkers at Grammies house. Ezra is the middle grandson, the one who can get almost anything he wants from Grammie if he just cuddles up and gives that sweet smile. Simon is the baby, the one who can bring joy when no one or nothing else can, who squeals

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-40017406970620599672009-11-07T23:05:00.000-06:002009-11-07T23:05:39.354-06:00

The Wood family has decided that an annual trip to Milligan College Homecoming is a priority for us. Isaac, Ezra, and Simon enjoyed playing with Elizabeth and Kate, catching candy at the Homecoming parade, and playing football on Pardee Lawn. Mommy and Daddy enjoyed staying up late with old friends, eating at all of our favorite restaurants, and remembering the days of falling in love. We

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-55350940150877997722009-11-07T20:28:00.002-06:002009-11-07T20:34:46.245-06:00

Well, Bubba (as my boys call him) is the dad of this family, and he's been like a little brother to me since his birth in 1983. I remember the day he was born...my mom came to school to tell me...I was in 3rd grade (Mrs. Nicolson's class), and we were in Art class. Well, now he's all grown up, and he has a beautiful wife and a sweet little boy...I can hardly stand it, they're so cute!!!!!We had

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-15288553958892395192009-10-29T00:19:00.003-05:002009-11-07T20:35:13.287-06:00

Want a cute shot of your family for Christmas cards? Check out the Christmas card special, and then share the good news of the special with a friend!!

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-24354710537323118512009-10-20T00:00:00.001-05:002009-11-07T20:35:47.436-06:00

I had the honor of taking photos of this sweet family this weekend. Monica and I went to college together...Tim says that he always hoped Monica would tell me the things he wanted to convince me of because I listened to her wisdom more than I listened to his. :)This is one of my very favorites, so I'm sharing it with you...

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-7066160509810400892009-10-14T00:13:00.001-05:002009-11-07T20:36:14.823-06:00

Even though he was skeptical at first, Lee actually admitted (as he was diving onto the ground for the football shot) that he was having some fun! Lee's sisters, Megan and Ellie, got in on the fun, too. We got several good photos, and here are a few of my favorites.By the way, I'm still having lots of fun taking pictures. :)

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-53144373406110482602009-10-10T14:41:00.001-05:002009-10-10T14:46:05.660-05:00

....but a trip to Pumpkin Works will have to do!!

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-9316799257924807792009-10-06T19:45:00.000-05:002009-10-06T19:45:49.534-05:00

In only the 2nd week of my new feature, I'm a day behind. Oh, well. We might as well face it today that Simon is the baby of our family. He gets away with things Isaac could never have done. He has the power to change all of our plans if we let him. Sometimes he gets rocked to sleep; sometimes he sleeps in the middle; sometimes he eats chocolate candy for a snack. He always kisses; he

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-12514844616730746532009-10-05T12:47:00.009-05:002009-11-07T20:36:37.404-06:00

Do you remember my post about taking Hal Enkoff's senior pictures (I just love to write that name because it's my maiden name and sometimes I miss it!)? Well, I've now taken Jordan's senior pictures, and I also have some appointments for more senior pictures and some family pictures.I really do enjoy taking pictures and "messing" with them on the computer. I am struck with surprise and joy when

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-36577955986049317702009-09-28T23:50:00.002-05:002009-09-28T23:54:59.577-05:00

In my effort to encourage and build up my sweet family, it seems I have embarrassed and upset my dear husband, so I just need to say, for the record, that Tim does tons of stuff around our house. In fact, I've often said that our house and laundry would be in much better shape if he was in charge of that area. I think I get overwhelmed by the dishes and trash/recycling because it's just such a

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-56620125750138053842009-09-28T12:30:00.002-05:002009-09-28T12:49:03.082-05:00

My friend, Missy, started this Monday post on her blog, so I'm following suit--well, at least for today, no promises for the future.So, I was planning on writing about how I might as well face it that I'm the only one in the house with the skills to empty the dishwasher or maybe just put the dishes into the dishwasher instead of leaving them on the counter (even when the dishwasher's empty!) and

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-23898158237649720272009-09-04T12:45:00.002-05:002009-09-04T12:49:29.097-05:00

"Mom, I'll even watch Mary Kate and Ashley with Ezra if that will make him happy, cause when he's happy, you're happy, and when you're happy, then all of us are happy." --Isaac"Did you kill the mouse?" --Tim"No, I put it in a Walmart bag." --Jen"If there were rules on the soccer field, one of them should be that you can't ever take the ball from me." --Ezra"Jen, wake up, there's a bat flying in

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-2340450066691072692009-09-01T22:53:00.005-05:002009-09-01T23:10:17.188-05:00

I enjoy reading blogs. Sometimes I end up reading the blogs of complete strangers just by clicking on link to link to link...That happened tonight. I eventually read of a young mother who died of cancer yesterday. Honestly, I couldn't read the whole thing. It made my heart hurt too much. I clicked it closed, praying as I did that God would give her friends and family the grace they would

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-33430713846468179952009-08-28T00:19:00.012-05:002009-11-07T20:37:28.805-06:00

I do so love to take pictures, and I do love my precious little Canon Rebel, and I'm growing to love Photoshop Elements more and more as I make my way through "Photoshop Elements for Dummies" (oh, but I'm NOT kidding!!). All three of these loves are coming together as I've taken some senior photos for friends and family in the last week.The first of these photos were of my sweet little cousin Hal

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-61972708617621771712009-08-20T22:56:00.002-05:002009-08-20T23:03:32.250-05:00

Mrs. Nicholson was my 3rd grade teacher. I wore french braids almost every day. I practiced piano every morning before school. My sweet pretend brother was born that year. We now call him Bubba. Mrs. Nicholson had young daughters. I wanted to be a mama like her when I grew up. We visited my aunt and uncle in Texas that year. It was the first time I'd ever flown on an airplane. I got my

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-27912431704518418552009-08-12T23:29:00.005-05:002009-08-12T23:40:57.052-05:00

It's almost time for our little preschooler and 3rd grader to go to school this fall. One of the ways I can tell its coming is that Grammie takes us out to eat and to buy new shoes. Grammie buys the shoes every year, and the sizes just keep getting larger and larger...its astounding!!

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-45109845053157685482009-07-16T23:27:00.003-05:002009-07-16T23:32:05.637-05:00

Earlier today I told Tim that I had a strange uneasiness about something but I wasn't sure what it was. As we talked I realized that, although I couldn't put words to it only moments before, I'm feeling uneasy about leaving Simon in Marshall while the rest of the family goes to Mexico. To be honest, it will be nice to have a break from caring for a very fiesty toddler, but it won't feel quite

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-53808113733768258612009-07-01T16:07:00.001-05:002009-07-01T16:14:12.726-05:00

Since school ended this spring, we've been busy with basketball camp, soccer camp, jr high church camp, baseball games, and who knows what else.  So, this week is the first time it's really felt like summer vacation for us.  The boys know mama's feeling like summer when she breaks out the whale sprinkler and ice cream on the porch.  There's just nothing like it...  

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-20919868274602322372009-06-22T19:35:00.001-05:002009-06-22T19:43:19.927-05:00

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-76558817950322848782009-05-22T21:22:00.001-05:002009-05-22T21:35:41.673-05:00

A Birthday picture with my mom and dad...My first look at the cake and candles...Ok, dad, let go...I've got it...This cake is sooooo good...Hey, Ezra, don't even try to steal this cake from me!!!This cake is making me soooo happy!!!!!Mama says this is what we three boys looked like a year ago, but I don't really remember...

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-78396527715166197082009-05-12T08:32:00.000-05:002009-05-12T08:32:58.595-05:00

Oh, how the days have flown by this year. More pictures (including the ceremonial eating of the cake) to follow.

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-63989560865144443812009-05-08T14:58:00.002-05:002009-05-08T15:00:21.857-05:00

While they were playing Guitar Hero together, Isaac said to Ezra, "Ezra, don't look at those girls dancing on the screen."  Ezra, with eyes half open, replied," I'm trying not to, but sometimes my eyes just do it anyway."I love that boy. 

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-23593902714331802332009-04-27T00:10:00.003-05:002009-04-27T00:20:58.208-05:00

Some weeks peace in our home just doesn't come without a struggle, and this has been one of those weeks.  We have a hope and a dream for our boys to have a relationship of encouragement and building each other up...click on this post from my old blog to read more about that.  I know it can happen.  I know that it is worth the struggle.  I know it's what God is calling our family to.  Some days,

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-37212756905759189902009-04-19T18:05:00.002-05:002009-04-19T18:08:36.448-05:00

....Isaac lost his first tooth...Simon took his first step...Ezra can't fit into any of his shoes...and Isaac's coach told him he needs one of those one things boys wear when they play sports.Oh, my, they're growing up too fast!!!!!!!!

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-4317446005029642252009-04-01T19:39:00.002-05:002009-04-01T20:01:07.087-05:00

We just finished the Dwelling Place (our jr/sr high ministry at church), and I rushed to Tim's computer so that I wouldn't forget a moment of what just happened...Tim spoke about grace, about Jesus' perspective on people stuck in pig slop, about the fact that we really should still be stuck in the pig slop if it weren't for his fantastic grace. After he spoke, we sang a couple of songs about the

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-40087281977464603542009-03-30T06:49:00.003-05:002009-03-30T07:02:12.974-05:00

There is a song from my past that contains the lines "These are the days that I wish to never end, when I wake within Your presence, when we make the day begin, when morning is spent bringing us together..."Mornings like this one always bring that song to mind. It's 6:52 and I've already exercised; I've just finished spending some good time with God and my coffee. I'm watching Simon slowly wake

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-91017044235552784002009-03-27T07:10:00.002-05:002009-03-27T07:20:46.027-05:00

You are faithful, Lord. I have found you to be faithful in my life. I know that I know that I know that you keep your promises. I can look back and see the ways you have brought me to today. I would never have chosen or guessed the paths you chose, but I am grateful. I am thankful for the hurts...they brought me closer to you as I climbed up on your lap and let you comfort me. I am thankful

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-17018477093979295532009-02-28T01:17:00.003-06:002009-02-28T01:28:56.468-06:00

I heard the news this morning that one of my bosses at Milligan died today, and the cause was a self-inflicted gun shot wound. My heart is heavy and sad. I wonder how things could have been that bad, and yet, there have been moments in my life when I've understood how the pain could really be that deep. His name was Mike Johnson, and he made us laugh, oh did he make us laugh. When I entered

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-29372431651116018802009-02-09T21:49:00.002-06:002009-02-09T21:56:27.990-06:00

Some of you may remember cousin Lori who reads my blog every day and is often disappointed, I am sure, to find that there is nothing new. I am so sad about something. I just now finally made it through the HUGE basket of mail that accumulated while I was gone for five whole weeks..... Please let me digress here and say that if I should happen to die before Tim, would someone please help him

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-65104650227470395792009-01-27T23:16:00.002-06:002009-01-27T23:21:18.400-06:00

I'm still feeling too overwhelmed, or maybe lazy, to write more about our trip. So, here's a list just for fun...1. I am an only child, spoiled rotten. Tim pities the spouses of only children.2. I love Little House on the Prairie and I would like to still be able to climb on my Dad's lap for the sad or scary parts.3. I wish we would have vacationed more before we had kids, but I love vacationing

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-82079728575732885472009-01-15T06:27:00.006-06:002009-01-15T07:02:13.077-06:00

Tim had the idea that I could do a whole blog of "firsts" from our trip...he's so clever.  There are a million I could put on here, but I'm just going to start with a few......my first Cambodian haircut (and on my shirt is blood from Simon's first bloody nose!)...Simon's first two teeth (notice the dried cereal on his nose...I'm mom of the year!!)...my first ever $4 French pedicure...and a cute

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-31027024898305792582009-01-13T11:38:00.005-06:002009-01-13T12:13:19.817-06:00

Simon and I are still in Cambodia hanging out with Auntie and the kids while Uncle Dave is on a motorcycle trip.  Don't go thinking I'm all noble and brave...I've been homesick for my big boys!!!  I think it's a combination of being all the way around the world without them and the fact that I had already been gone for 3 weeks, but I haven't been this homesick since college.  I was actually

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-45497263350735343652009-01-02T07:08:00.011-06:002009-01-02T08:54:57.203-06:00

We rode the Bamboo Train today.  It was a little bit bumpy, and if you looked down below for too long, nausea would take over as the ground sped by.  When we came upon another bamboo train, we would count people and the train with the least people had to get off, take off their car, and let the other one pass.  We came upon a little drink stand eventually where we stopped for a drink and turned

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-13056367148527710762008-12-28T21:42:00.016-06:002008-12-28T22:41:57.182-06:00

Our family of five at the ruins of a Buddhist temple...All of us together on our tuk tuk...Four people on a moto and Asia's driving...The first Christmas for our sweet baby Simon...

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-393296448744227842008-12-24T10:13:00.003-06:002008-12-24T10:23:15.980-06:00

Uncle Dave and Auntie's house-helper, Savann, had to leave unexpectedly today, and it took all five of us adults to accomplish what she would have done all by herself.  Tim washed out the clothes BY HAND.  I took the clean dry clothes off the line and replaced them with the newly washed clothes.  Uncle Dave swept the whole house.  Grandma washed the vegetables Savann had already bought at the

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-46789034487712565872008-12-23T08:43:00.003-06:002008-12-23T09:06:05.687-06:00

Yesterday, we spent a day in the life of Auntie and Uncle Dave, complete with language lessons and hanging the laundry on the line.  I was amazed at how excited I got when I was squeezing the laundry out by hand and the water poured onto my feet to cool me off!!!Today, we shopped a little bit and then went to the park this evening.  There were people doing aerobic-type exercises in the park which

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-41130830538555155912008-12-21T01:40:00.004-06:002008-12-21T02:09:13.271-06:00

Exactly 48 hours after leaving home, we finally arrived at Uncle Dave, Auntie, Asia, and Austin's house in Battambang.  We are having an absolute blast!!  We are thrilled that the boys' world-views are being shaped in incredible ways.  Just knowing that there's a big world out there that's a lot different from home but still has real people who are not much different from us will change their

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-80236608143636007752008-11-18T23:56:00.004-06:002008-11-19T00:12:31.105-06:00

***warning: this post contains the word "poop"***"Ezra, please stop sucking on Simon." ---Jennifer"Oh, yeah, mom...it's McTeacher Night. Can we go to McDonalds? (as we're finishing the soup I made for supper)" ---Isaac"Owww...it's hurting to poop...it always does that when I save my poop up for too long and it gets too big." ---Ezra"Oh, yeah, I did that when I was little...when I was 2 (after I

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-59235875995169645142008-11-15T01:48:00.006-06:002008-11-15T01:54:44.820-06:00

See the goofy grin on my face?  That's because I have had A LOT of coffee during my short stay in Seattle.  I'm also bringing home so many coffee beans that I'm going to have to pay the extra heavy baggage fee.  Maybe I'll try hiding them in the lining of Simon's diaper. 

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-35141276790618095192008-11-12T21:15:00.001-06:002008-11-12T21:17:06.064-06:00

I'm in Seattle, Washington, and I did not even make it out of the airport before I had Starbucks!!  Seattle is the home of Starbucks, you know.  In other words, Seattle is my heaven!!Gotta go...Starbucks is calling!!!Jennifer

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-90325524518623361932008-11-04T10:13:00.001-06:002008-11-04T10:15:35.175-06:00

Happy Election Day!  Get this great song for free!

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-43297739941623831622008-10-29T13:35:00.002-05:002008-10-29T13:39:43.215-05:00

Now that I got that whining out of my system, I have a fabulous post to share with you that I found while surfing the internet instead of putting away clean laundry.  I figure, the laundry will always be there, but you never know when that big internet in the sky will crash, and then I'll never get to read these fantastic blogs!!!

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-51901914396430605022008-10-29T10:56:00.002-05:002008-10-29T11:07:45.024-05:00

Please just stop believing everything that comes through your inbox.  They are LIES, people.  Anyone can make up anything and send it out as an email.  The world would be a much happier place if Mr. Email had never included the "forward" option in the first place.Okay, that's all.

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-44491374407689460372008-10-27T10:32:00.009-05:002008-10-27T11:39:31.739-05:00

We were at Homecoming at our alma mater this weekend.  This one was particularly nostalgic for me.  I was overwhelmed with gratefulness for the sacrifices my parents made for me to go to such a special place.  I was struck by the ways this place began the process of making me who I am still becoming.  I was thankful for the adults there who discipled me, taught me, set examples for me, and STILL

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-13372850056018005612008-10-27T08:28:00.004-05:002008-10-27T09:06:07.488-05:00

I don't know how the Pioneer Woman does it!  Once all the entries arrived (you know, all 6 of them!!), I was just overwhelmed and didn't know what to do with the fact that a few of them were correct, including the 1st one, and I was feeling so sad that the rest of the correct ones wouldn't get a pie.  So, I just never wrote another blog entry.  Seriously, folks, that is very sad considering the

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-32864596821279157762008-10-06T15:46:00.002-05:002008-10-06T15:49:52.144-05:00

I ordered a hotsling this week and it arrived today.  I loooove it!!  Now, whoever is the first to guess correctly what a hotsling is by leaving a comment (and WITHOUT googling "hotsling") will win a homemade pie.  Okay, in case you're wondering, I'm not really sure how I'll get the pie to you if you don't live close, but I'm serious about this, and I'll figure out a way...maybe a visit from me,

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-3024974990796507332008-09-30T22:40:00.007-05:002008-09-30T23:45:15.443-05:00

Simon, we all adore you.  You are a happy baby.  You mostly love to wiggle and drool.  Ezra attacks you with kisses and squeezes.  I'm sorry we don't always protect you from him...he means well!!  Isaac loves to hold you and is fascinated with the ways you change and grow. Daddy loves to hold you, but he can not stand your drool.  It's pretty funny that you can cause a grown man to run simply by

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-11516729899572598852008-09-26T17:11:00.002-05:002008-09-26T17:19:09.258-05:00

Tim and I were talking on the front porch this afternoon.  It was a serious conversation, and, yes, I was crying (I'm such a girl!!).  For those of you who know us in real life, I'd like to point out that WE WERE NOT FIGHTING!!  I thought you'd be pleased to know that! :)  Anyway, there's no moral failure in either of our lives (well, no giant ones, anyway), no one has cancer, and neither of us

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-84701383698160944862008-09-25T08:52:00.003-05:002008-09-25T09:02:43.854-05:00

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-57783373868068216342008-09-09T21:20:00.005-05:002008-09-09T22:20:09.971-05:00

After a rip roarin' summer typical of the life of a youth minister's family, we always take some time in August to refresh, renew, and revitalize (actually, I think that's what it says on my Mary Kay bottle!!).  In the past, we've visited Holiday World, the Beltz family, and other refreshing renewing destinations.  This year, we visited Isaac's roots....we went to the south suburbs of

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-69578781699032242982008-09-07T00:41:00.001-05:002008-09-07T01:03:54.926-05:00

As the boys are getting older, I am noticing that there are more and more pockets of time during which the seeming control I have over their lives is gone.  Of course, if I'm honest, I must admit that I never really have control of their lives, but let's not go there today, okay? :)Some pockets of bygone days that come to mind......Isaac riding away on Bill's bus, headed to preschool, while I'm

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-15802574167005312002008-08-28T00:10:00.001-05:002008-08-28T00:27:13.312-05:00

Where have all the days gone? I can’t believe you’re in 2nd grade, my sweet Isaac.  I adore your sensitive spirit, your helpfulness, your desire to be like Daddy. It just keeps getting “funner” as you grow.  I love you. Love, Mama

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-17374105958926446272008-08-27T13:54:00.000-05:002008-08-27T14:43:12.122-05:00

Isn't she a beauty?**updated:  recipe at the bottom**One of the perks of lovin' on jr and sr high students with us is that you get to enjoy this succulent (that seems like it should be a bad word...is it??) pasta salad at our house tonight.  We do what we can, you know.She (she just looks like a girl to me!) was so gorgeous, I just had to snap a picture.Gorgeous Pasta Salad One box bow tie pasta

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-38696508292031032482008-08-22T00:49:00.000-05:002008-08-22T01:16:29.694-05:00

A Letter to Jennifer, Fall 1992This is a letter I'm writing today to my college freshman self of 16 years ago...(I can't claim this idea; I saw it on someone else's blog and thought it looked fun!)I know you're scared, you're nervous, you're just about to throw up every moment of the day. Try to be brave...it will really all turn out ok.It's really a great thing that you're spreading your wings

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8559367749762824037.post-50565202841343845742008-08-20T23:17:00.000-05:002008-08-20T23:28:42.592-05:00

I really REALLY want these verses to hang in my kitchen. They give my days a perspective that I need.  Instead of scribbling them out on scratch paper and magneting them to my frig, I decided to make them pretty.  Well, now they match my kitchen quite nicely, but I can't quite bring myself to print the darn thing out.  Why?  Because I just can't convince myself that Job had red gingham and

JenniferLaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744123525762682347noreply@blogger.com1