Tons of Overdue Pics

Four generations of women.
My mom, her mom and the kids.

Holly and I with our kids and Grama B (my dad's mom)

Christmas Eve pose.
My parents and my kids.
Look how Millie Grace is growing!

Hattie and her new doll, Dorothy.

Silas and his skateboard, which surprisingly, he is pretty good on!

Luke and his first bike.

I thought this one was cute. Silas gave Hattie a doll and she was telling him that she knew that's what he was going to give her.

BAKUGAN!!!

Jody spoke at a local church the Sunday after Christmas and did a FINE job!

Me and my little sisters.

Jody and his brother in law, Roman, playing hit the other guy with the glow stick as hard as you can. It was pretty funny.

She is SO cute, right?

The boy cousins in Georgia.

Our "Kids New Year" celebration at 8pm!

Happy NEW YEAR!!


We have had a wonderful Christmas season. We got to see most of our family. The Lord has really blessed us this year. As we were putting the kids to bed we were talking about some of those blessings. Millie Grace, a smooth transition to South Carolina, fun birthdays, camping, and more. We prayed, thanking God for 2008 and praying for a great 2009. It was neat to be able to talk about the year with our kids and together to think of some expectations for the next year.

Lets Go to the Movies...

When we were growing up, we lived in Miami. All of our extended family lived (and still live) in Virginia, so we celebrated with friends and in some different ways. One thing we did was go to the movies. "Back then" (as if it was ions ago!!) that was not a big activity. But let me tell you, now it is!!

I noticed this when tons of movies save their opening for Christmas Day. But nothing prepared me for what happened today.

This fall I read Marley to the kids. (its the kids version of Marley and Me) We loved it! Its a great book. Reminded me so much of my childhood dog, Barkley. I was so excited about the movie. We decided we'd take the kids today. My mom, dad, and Joy and my cousin Trudy and her son Paul all decided to go too.

We decided on the last matinee at 4:50. My dad ran out to get the tickets early, no problem. We got to the movie theater at about 4:40 or so...TOO LATE. The theater was PACKED. We could not find seats together. Trudy and Paul found 2 seats together. Joy sat alone. Jody sat in one seat with Silas. And I? I sat with Hattie, Luke, and Millie on the FRONT ROW. Oh, and my parents left. My dad hates crowds like that and he wasn't thrilled about the movie anyway. I don't think there was another seat. Why did they oversell the theater???

My parents complained along with several others. My mom is totally an "American Consumer". She has a way with words and she and my dad walked out with a full refund AND 9 movie tickets.

Meanwhile, I was pretty miserable. My neck, my eyes, and my ears. My ears because Luke would NOT stop talking. I think the lady next to him was pretty annoyed. He commentated and asked questions throughout the entire movie. Where is Marley? WHy did he do that? Is Marley going to die? I'm going to be Marley and you will be Jenny. Etc...

The movie was not really for little kids. It was too much talking, too boring for Lukey. And of course the book was much better. But I did like the movie. It made me wish we had a family dog. But then I know I have WAY enough on my plate without a dog.

I was in a bad mood when we left. I don't think I will go to the movies on Christmas again. That wasn't fun.

Meanwhile,

He's Home

To my great relief, Jody is home from Uganda. He has been gone 11 days. I have to say I did MUCH better than I expected myself to do. I thought I'd be positively crazy with 4 kids ages 5 1/2 and under. But I only felt like I was losing it last night. So, I see that maybe 9 days are my happy limit.

Jody had a great trip. He and my dad led a team to the town where we used to live, Hoima. Jody LOVED reconnecting with his friends there.

After naptime we piled in the car and headed to the airport to pick him up. Of course it was a huge toss up as to what was the best part, riding up and down the escalator or having daddy back. Jody couldn't believe how big Millie is. He said, "I'm missed 1/4 of her life!" (She did weigh 9.5 lbs at her check up)

I made chicken soup for supper and it hit the spot! Jody was really tired of beans and rice, so he really enjoyed it.

Now to get Jody over jetlag before Christmas!

Sing with me....

Over the River and thru the woods to grandmother's house we go....


First of all, I am NOT super mom. But we are going to Virginia today with my mom. And my nephew. That way I won't be pacing and going crazy trying to keep everyone entertained and happy for the weekend. That and Millie is still so perfect for holding and sitting around, exactly what a great-grandmother or 2 (I have 2 still thriving) would enjoy.

But no internet. So, I'll be back!

Snowmen Donuts

How cute are these little guys I made for Lukey's little Christmas Party at his school? Super easy. I think they'll be a hit with all the 2yr olds!

Back on Line!!!!!

Oh my gosh, I feel SOOOOOOOOOO relieved. When I got home I had internet! I feel so much closer to all of you now.

I don't know, I guess without the internet I did get a lot of things done. Maybe I should make myself fast from the internet every once in a while. My house is actually vacuumed and my closet is clean and organized...well my half it. I'm leaving Jody to his half. I'm also halfway through a book. Hmmmm...I think I waste too much time online come to think of it.

Jody's mom left today. She was very helpful to have around. The kids LOVED it. She sits on the floor and plays with them, reads the pokemon encyclopedia type book Silas LOVES and holds the baby all the time.

Millie is still doing fabulous. Luke was swinging a bike helmet around and it knocked Millie in the head and she didn't even get mad. She's SO sweet. My only complaint about her is that she poops too much and has started spitting up predictably. But hey, she sleeps like 5 hours at night and I'm usually the one waking her up because I want to feed her.

Silas had his school Christmas program. Sorry, no pix. I forgot the camera (but I remembered all the kids, so I deserve some credit, right?). We took a picture with my mom's phone, if it turned out decent I'll post it. The program was adorable!! I love our little school, Tigerville Elementary!

So, that's what's been going on here. How's you week? Are you done shopping?

Catching up

I only have a minute to write...that is because I have NO internet. Of course that's the way it works out. Jody leaves the country and I lose touch with the world. (isn't it funny how dependent I am on technology?) Hopefully this will be rectified (I don't know why I just used that word, I hate that word) tomorrow. I am sitting in the deserted college parking lot where I can pick up a signal. Its creepy here at dark when there is no one on campus.

Anyway. Things are going fine. Jody's mom has been with us the last several days. She'll leave Tuesday. The kids are not being the most well behaved, but hey, what can you expect?

More when I get my connection at home!

The Dog House

Jody sent me this link and it it SO funny!  Click HERE.  And comment back here to tell me how hard you laughed on a scale of 1 -10.  I'm going to rate myself a 8. 

At the Parade

Pa and DD (my parents)

Me and Silas

Luke was waiting for Hattie!

Pa and Millie (this was actually taken Saturday)

Hattie had a great time riding on the float! (she is the one in the pink)

The Weekend

The Goings On at the Jennings Home

• Tonight I stopped the kids just in time from brushing their teeth with some "new" toothpaste...it was Neosporin!
• Hattie was in the Greer Christmas Parade today with her Dance troop. She was so proud of herself and so adorable!
• Because of everyone's stellar behavior we decided to treat ourselves to icecream. We were talking about what we were going to get on the way and I said you could get your own kiddie cup. Luke said he didn't want a kiddie cup he wanted a puppy cup. Silas, like my mother, had to sample like 5 different choices before deciding on one.
  
• Jody is becoming a pro at building a wonderful, blazing fire in our fireplace. We sure are going to miss the fires while Jody is gone. He's going to Uganda with my dad and 20 other NGU student on Thursday. Of course we will miss Jody more than the fires!
• Everytime I hold Millie Grace I think, how did I feel like our family was complete before we had her? It amazing the love that is immediately there for a baby that you didn't know a month ago. Millie is such a sweet baby!
  
• I have lots of new pics to post, and Jody is working on our family Christmas photo.
  

Millie 2 weeks old

Thanksgiving08

My kids and "the cousins" from Georgia at the zoo.

Aunt Joy and Millie

My dad carving the turkey.

Hattie and Elijah B

This was the whole crew that ate Thanksgiving dinner at my parents house. It was us, my parents, my sister Joy, my sister Holly and her husband and 2 boys, Holly's mother-in-law, father-in-law and bro-in-law, Jody's parents, Jody's sister, her husband and their 4 kids and my mom's cousin and her son. Whew! It was GREAT!

A Great Movie

If you haven't seen Kit Kittredge you have GOT to!

After all our company left today, we watched it together. Even Luke liked it. It was very family friendly. Great actors...Chris O'Donell (a personal fav of mine), Joan Cusak, the little short guy from The Princess Bride...

Totally worth watching!!

Settling in

Millie Grace is the PERFECT baby thus far. She rarely cries. She doesn't mind being left alone. She has put herself right into her own little predictable schedule. And she LOVES to be warm and cozy.

The siblings are still obsessed and can't get enough of Millie!
The girls.

Just thought I'd throw this one in there, Silas is totally into his Legos. Here is a table and chairs set he made. He wants me to send this to the Lego magazine.

Luke will NOT pass up his turn to hold the baby. He is SO proud to be a big brother!!
Bundled up and warm. (Holly, I found this blanket that we couldn't find this summer! Whoops! Oh well, Millie LOVES is)

Hattie likes to take care of her babies like Mommy.


And in other news..............


I GOT A DISHWASHER!!!! Praise the LORD! I am THRILLED!!!!! Can tell?? Jody found it on Craigs List for $100. My dad help Jody get it hooked up and running and I am elated!

I have 4 kids

Like I just keep saying that to myself in disbelief, I guess.

Its funny. I haven't come across any major bumps in the road thus far. Millie Grace is a perfect baby! She just sleeps and eats, rarely crying. She's even sleeping pretty good lengths of time at night, like 5hours or so. Isn't that unbelievable?

Hattie and Luke can't leave her alone. Its very sweet but borderline obsessive. Silas feels like a pro at being a big brother. He's very sweet, but does his own thing too. Jody and I are SO proud. We think she's the most beautiful baby yet!

We go to the pediatrician for Millie's first checkup tomorrow morning. She will meet Pa (my dad) tomorrow, home from a mission trip. Then Wednesday all the other family starts to comes in. Jody's parents, sister, bro-in-law, and "the cousins". Then of course Thursday...my sister and her family. We've got a bunch of introductions coming up! Silas told me he knows everyone is going to want to hold his baby and we won't get to at all. That may be true...

Millie Pictures

Hattie was automatically in love!


The Siblings come to visit.



The BSU Council came to visit.

Millie had a pretty good night. She fussed a little and then spit up some mucus, so I guess that bothering her tummy. I HATE being in the hospital, so I am tapping my toes for the doctors (both mine and Millie's) to come in and say we can go home. I thought I'd pass the time posting pictures.

She's Here!

Millie Grace Jennings is in the world! My water broke while I was sleeping at 1:45am. Contractions started a little after 2am. They were close together immediately. So we called some great babysitters from the college and got to the hospital at about 3am. At 6:31am we had another daughter.

She weighed 7.5 lbs and was 19.5 inches long. She has a head of dark hair, blond eyebrows and blond eyelashes. Her head to perfectly shaped. She's really adorable! This first day has been an easy one. She doesn't really cry. I didn't have to have any stitches, so I am feeling wonderful...a little tired, but I can't really sleep.

My mom brought the kids over around 3pm. They were IN LOVE. No one could keep their hands off Millie. It was very sweet.

I will try and post pics here in a little while. My mom thoughtfully brought the cord for the camera.

The doctors said there's no reason why we can't go home tomorrow and that is WONDERFUL news to me too! I hate being in the hospital...its so annoying getting your blood pressure constantly checked and always being asked if I'm ok. I'm not a good patient, I'd rather be home.

A Great Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend! Saturday we went to a local kids event downtown, played outside in the leaves and spent some great time together. And today was birthday. Jody took me out to lunch and my mom let the kids decorate my FAVORITE cake that she makes. The kids were SOOOOOOOOOOOO proud of the cake they made. It was very sweet.