Mom and other various forms of that name

Mama:
one of the most glorious
and anticipated words
that will come out of the mouth of babes.

Mommy:
makes you feel needed
and important

Mom:
you know your kid is growing up,
so conversational

But,
add inflection
MOMMY!!!!!!!!!
or
repetition
Mom, mom, mom, mom, mom...
or
monotony
when Mama {to that sweet baby of yours} also means
no, food, or anyone who walks in the door...

That's why I have asked my children to call me
GLORIA.
It has a nice ring to it, dontcha think?
Its pretty.
Its not annoying.
It almost sounds like you have to sigh {ahhhh} after you say it.
Gloria...

I think the message has reached the ears of a
few of these blessings of mine.
Luke called me Gloria today.

DC Summary and PIcs

Sunday: We left around 9am and arrived in DC around 730pm. We were VERY tired and very grouchy. We settled in and got to bed VERY late.
Monday: The kids and I went to a fun park and spent time with my friend Amanda (Jennings) Lee and her two sweet kids.



Tuesday: We joined to team of students at a local community center. We cleaned and helped with what we could then we headed over to my aunt's house for naps and supper.


Wednesday: We rode the metro with my aunt and spent the day in DC. It was so fun! Luke says, "We saw a HUMONGOUS Abraham Lincoln". We also saw Dorothy's ruby red slippers, kermit the frog, the First ladies dresses, the original Star Spangled Banner (my personal favorite), the insect zoo, a T-Rex....
Thursday: The National Zoo and then some terrible nasty stomach bug or food poisoning or something hit. Out of the team of 31, 20 spent the evening and night camped out in the hallway near the bathrooms. Let me just say I have NEVER seen and experienced so much bodily fluid EVER. 2 out of my 4 kids (the girls) woke up throwing up. Ugh. It was unbelievable.

Friday: I spent the day trying to get all these sickly people to eat bananas, applesauce, drink gatorade...
Saturday: Traveled in the rain back home. We picked up Nana (my maternal grandmother) on the way to bring her to SC for a little visit.

It was a great trip. The kids behaved great. We LOVE those college students (both ours from NGU and our new friends from Furman's BCM). They did a great job scouring the city, surveying, serving, and working hard.

What will it be?

6 toothbrushes
30 pairs of socks
8 dvds
4 backpacks filled with books, blankets, paper, crayons, etc
3 sleeping bags
1 air mattress
6 pillows
1 good camera
3 disposable cameras (although, Anne, I agree, in the long run, digitals make more sense, but theywere SO excited when they discovered I got them each a camera, I thought we'd go with these this time.)
and much much more!

I think I'm ready, but inevitably I will forget something. Right?

Washington DC

Hattie's birthday festivities continue, and pictures will follow soon. I CAN'T believe how grown up this special girl is becoming! We are so excited to have all "the cousins" this weekend to celebrate as well as some friends!

And as if its dull enough around here...

We are getting ready for a really fun trip...to Washington DC. Jody is taking a small group of students from NGU to work with a church, and we decided that we would all go. The kids' teachers are all excited for us too. Silas will be keeping a journal of the trip. Hattie will have a chance to share a little with her class and Luke is just plain excited. He told his preschool teacher this: One day I'm gonna wake up and I should be coming to preschool but I'm not going to come because I will be in Washington DC.

We will visit some friends and family, go to the zoo, visit a few museums and monuments, and help with some of the projects. I bought the 3 older kids their own disposable camera so they can take their own pictures. (We'll see how THAT goes!!) I'm trying to plan out our agenda somewhat. I have to work out some naps and decent bedtimes, because if you know me you know how cranky I get when my kids are not well rested. But I'm sure it will be fun! Im sure I'll have a LOT to say when we get back!

I welcome any little tips you may have!!

Old friends, new friends

Millie Grace and Gabriel hit it off right away!

My mom stopped by and took a few pics for us.

I had the privilege of a visit
with a
special {old} friend.

We met when I was in 11th grade, she was in 10th.
Now, we are both wives of godly men,
mothers to some pretty cool kids...

still friends!


I love this quote, by Tennessee Williams:
"Life is partly what we make it,
and partly
what it is made by the friends we choose."

The Windowsill

its not that I haven't missed blogging.

I have!

it's not that I've been sitting at the computer.

I haven't!

Our internet only works consistently in this one windowsill, and once I sit down, I don't want to sit sideways in a chair with the computer propped up pointing outside.

I do have an iPhone now! (bragging, I know)
I love getting snippets of info, updating my facebook
checking my email...while feeding my crew or watching them
play outside.

I also have one EXTREMELY active 15month old who can be found
standing on top of the kitchen table
emptying the contents of purses, bags, drawers, backpacks, etc
on the top bunk
playing in the toiet
bringing me lone shoes, onions, iphones, remotes,
and much much more

But maybe I can get out of my slump
and get back on the blogging wagon.

I've missed you! But, now I'm going to get out of the windowsill
and sit on the couch
and watch the Olympics with my husband.

Goodbye 2009

This year sure did fly by fast for the Jennings, I don't know about you! Some of our highlights were Silas winning the talent show, Family Camp, beach trips, a beautiful fall, watching Millie Grace grow, Hattie starting 4k, Luke's life being spared, Creative Memories, Jody going to Uganda and getting a trampoline.

Jody and I made this list at Thanksgiving of what we are most thankful for. I'm going to share it with you all (they are not in any particular order)....

10) Being a part of the body of Christ and our home church Edwards Road Baptist

9) Being debt free

8) Indoor Plumbing

7) Silas AND Hattie both prayed to become Christians

6) NGU College students and our pick of capable babysitters

5) The godly influence of grandmothers, parents and siblings

4) GPS

3) Jobs we LOVE

2) Privilege of having a big family

1) Miracle of Luke's recovery after nearly drowning.

Mille Grace and The Cape

Millie Grace is quickly becoming an opinionated little thing!

How is it?

How is it that this face, these big blue eyes can conjure up such conflicting emotions in me?

He's so full of life and therefore CANNOT stop talking.

He loves his little sister yet as soon as I turn my back he's got her in some sort of choke hold or other abusive pose.

He so imaginative, love dressing up and playing with swords but he will not hesitate wacking someone within range with the sword.

He is finally potty trained and he leaves trails of clothes EVERYWHERE.

He wakes up early, crashes for a nap, struggles falling asleep (as does his "roommate" Silas, since Luke wont stop talking) and has been waking up in the night for things like going to bathroom, wanting the CD to play again (even if its 3am) or he's lost his flashlight. (yes, he sleeps with a flashlight among a host of other books, stuffed animals and toys)

He argues and tries to defy my all day and as soon as he thinks I'm going to leave him with someone else like at church or at my parents house he has a meltdown.

He can sit in the shopping cart next to Millie Grace, leaning on her, poking her, bothering her and when a "STRANGER!!!!" says hello to her, he shouts "Hey! Leave my sister alone!!" (yes, this happened today at Publix)

I know the Lord has blessed me and our family with this kid. When Luke is driving me NUTS, I thank the Lord for his life, for sparing his life back in the late spring. When he talks and talks and talks and talks I pray that he will use his voice and energy for the Lord as he grows.

But boy are the days long lately.

Natual Remedies

I know its been a long time!!! Our internet connection has been very fickle AND I had sinus surgery that has left me very tired and not too interested in blogging of late! But I have some opinions to share...

There are 3 things that we have been using in our family that I want to tell you about! I say "our family" loosely. Jody, my husband, thinks I'm a little nutty and hasn't really bought into this like I have. AND I'm NOT saying that I'm in any way against doctors and modern medicines. But if there's a natural way that can help and possible save money...

1. The Neti Pot. I will admit...its SO weird. I saw it on Oprah one time a long time ago. I thought its was strange. I've always used the bulb syringe to irrigate the sinuses. But the Neti Pot is WAY better. It doesn't hurt. It doesnt even feel uncomfortable. Its really helping me recover from this sinus surgery since I can't blow my nose! Its also said to prevent sinus infections and colds if used regularly. I LOVE this thing! I have only been using the CVS cheap one for about 1.5 years. I may have to upgrade to a ceramic one soon!!

2. Olive Leaf Extract. My friend Loni told me about this natural remedy for bacterial infections. Its like a natural antibiotic. It tastes very funny. But it works! The other day Luke's throat was hurting. His glands were very swollen, he had a fever and I was afraid he had strep again. I gave him the Olive Leaf Extract 4days in a row and he seems all better. Today I gave him the last dose and he said why are giving my this, my throat is all better.

3. Amber Beads and Hazelwood. I saw these necklaces on another blog and I thought I'd try them. Amber is supposed help with pain, inflammation, immunity. Hazelwood is good for sinuses, arthritis, ear infections, skin problems, headaches...The biggest proof I have that this really works is Silas. He has had terrible allergies this year. Sneezing and terrible stuffiness especially at night and when he wakes up. I've been giving him Zyrtec everyday until I got him an amber necklace. No lie, as long as he is wearing the necklace, his symptoms are almost gone. We have not been using Zyrtec. If he forgets to put it on after bathing, the next morning he is sneezing and blowing his nose like crazy again. I got them here. I'm totally sold on them!

So, that's that. Love to hear what you think!

Love it or Hate it?

Black Friday Shopping....do you love it or hate it?
Do you get all excited and plan out your route? Do you go alone or with a friend or you mom?

OR would you rather have a root canal? Do you roll your eyes at the ludicrous people who get up and wait in the lines?

I had actually never participated in Black Friday until a few years ago. The first year I went alone. I got back about the time my family was getting up. The next year I went with my best friend. We mapped it all out and hit each place we wanted to. We ran thru the doors at Target and screamed with the best of them. It was so fun! Last year I was a week post-pardum, so I didn't go.

This year...I'm still up in the air. We are going to be at my in-laws, in a small town. To get to where the big sales are, we will have to leave even earlier. I've seen some of the ads. A cricut at Walmart for $188. Razor scooters for $20 at Target. Tons of others.

So, I'm wondering if you are going. Or if you read this after the fact, what you did. What deals are going for or did you get? Share!!

Millie Grace is 1

I can't believe its been a year! What a wonderful year it has been to have the joy of Millie Grace added to our family. Here are some facts about her:

She LOVES her siblings. She calls all 3 of them "bubba" which Hattie doesn't love.

She sleeps wonderfully. Naps like the text books say she should.

She eats more than any of the other kids. I'm sure that will taper, but for now, she's bottomless.

She has an obsession with clearing things, like the coffee table, bookshelves, etc.

She makes funny noises, like, "ooh?" and "muh?" all the time.

She is a sheer delight!

We are so thankful to have her in our family.




She really enjoyed her cake!