Just Talking...

This has been somewhat a busy week for us. With each one of us, one by one, succumbing to the AWFUL common cold, is kind of making it hard for us to enjoy it. Yesterday after Grace's preschool we went over to Sharon's and visited with her and her girls. They had made lunch and we had a teaparty. It was great for the girls to play while Sharon and I caught up and talked...Thank you so much for that:) Her girls were asked to dance for the Grand Opening for the Parkview Community Center (I think that is what it is called) on Friday, so we practiced their dance. I was really proud that they remembered all of it and they did really well. I can't believe how their dancing continues to bless people. After our visit we came home for naps and then it was time to get ready for Grace's last preschool performance:( She sure has the performance gene in her. I loved watching her sing and put such emphasis on the performance. She is such a ham:) I will post videos once I get them downloaded. Then Matt took us to our new favorite place...KFC:) The girls love their popcorn chicken and mashed potatoes...YUM!!!!
Today, Grace has to get ready for her dance pictures. I have to leave work early to go get her dance shoes (I am such a procrastinator on these type of things) and then she has to get her hair done and finally head to the studio for pictures:)

Until Next Time...

God Bless:)

Jess

Family Reunion

Friday, we had some wonderful visitors stay with us. The girls were so excited and anxiously waiting our company. Matt's cousins from Ohio came to stay with us Friday (my girls were excited to see them), they came down with their mom for the Swartzentruber Reunion on Sunday. It was really great to see them and spend time with his side of the family that live out of state. Matt's other aunt and uncle came up from North Carolina too. We all meant up at the local Amish restaurant for breakfast to visit with relatives and friends that haven't seen one another for a while. It was really good to see that side of the family, since my girls don't get a chance to see that very often.
After breakfast we went to Wichman's and got some plants and flowers to start our landscaping, then came home for lunch and naps. Then Saturday evening we meant up at Jake and Patty's for supper. Matt's dad's side was their for a mini Gingerich reunion. It was fun to see every one and I know the little girls had a blast visiting with their cousins. We have had two new additions to the family since the last time we all meant, Kelsey and Kaden. Kaden is the only boy out of 7 little princesses there that night. The little girl screams and laughter didn't seem to bother him to much...he was fast asleep during the time he was there.
Sunday we all went to church and then headed over to the reunion. It is funny that some of Gracie's friends are her 3rd cousins as well...I don't think any of the mom's realized that as well. It was really great to see all the families together and reminisce over memories.
We were blessed with wonderful family, memories, and wonderful weather to accompany us this week.
I think we have been spoiled this weekend with some GREAT food, that I don't know if my family will want to eat anything that I will make for supper this week. Well, I don't know if they really liked it to begin with anyway;)

Hopefully I will be able to post some pictures of this weekend.

Until Next Time...

God Bless...
Jess

My Girls

Izabelle has been more vocal lately, Matt and I laugh each time she opens her little mouth. Her favorite thing to say to Matt is "Wa me daddy"...meaning in toddler talk "Watch me daddy". Or when I say that we are going to do this today and I ask her "You be my big girl, Okay and hold my hand" Her responds "k, k". Really I don't think she understands the whole concept because as soon as we get to where we are going, she runs away from me...Hmmm???
Her favorite thing to eat is cheese which causes problems going #2 but she hasn't caught on that eating so much cheese is why she is grunting and wiggling around until finally we hear the sweet music coming from the potty and a look of relief upon Izabelle's face...Hmmm??? But I do have to give her credit that when she does get cheese or another snack she makes sure she gets two, one for her and one for Racie...aka Gracie.
While my oldest is thinking she is some big stuff now, because she will be in Kindergarten and is CONSTANTLY saying after preschool she is going to be 6 and will be going to Kindergarten. I don't think she really understands that she will be going to school everyday and she will continue to do this until she becomes as old as her mama. I won't break her heart and I will continue to tell her that she will have a BLAST in Kindergarten because I know she will.
A new thing that Grace learned is to ride a bike without training wheels. She was at Treva's a couple of weeks ago (a day that didn't include rain, snow, or wind) and they were teaching Shane to ride his bike, so Grace decided she wanted to learn too. So, when we got home she had to have Daddy take her training wheels off of her bike and show him how she can ride without them. Now she is riding like a pro. Hopping on her bike and just taking off. I can't believe my baby is riding a bike and going to Kindergarten. Where did the years go too????

Until Next Time...

God Bless

Jess

Ahhh....

Ahhh...the soaking of the warm sunny rays and the wind blowing in our hair made us so spoiled over the weekend. Now, today it is cool and rainy, but that is okay, it will make us not take for granted the weekend we had.
Friday, after preschool we meant up with friends at the local park. Ate lunch, watched the kids play, and caught up on some chit chat. It was wonderful...I am thinking that this needs to be a Friday routine for us. The girls LOVE IT!!!! After the park we headed home for some needed naps. While the girls rested I opened the windows and cleaned our laundry room, which was in need of some scrubbing. When Matt got home we headed down to see my brother's house he is building. It is a pole barn house, it is something for him to start with and hopefully be a house for him and Amanda (don't tell him I said that, our fingers are crossed). We visited with my parents and brother for awhile then headed home for bed.

Saturday, we didn't do too much. The morning while the girls played I cleaned the master bathroom, which REALLY needed some attention. By time I got that done, it was lunchtime. While Izabelle took a nap, Matt and I mapped out our sidewalk. We are hoping to get that done sometime in May (fingers crossed on that too). Put some laundry on the cloths line (one of my favorite things to do, now). Matt has been turkey hunting throughout the weekend, but when he got home on Saturday Grace and Matt took the tractor back to Matt's parent's house. Here is a picture of them two driving:

Farmer Grace

Sunday we went to church...Listened to some AWESOME music and parts of the sermon...Sorry Shawn:( Then we got some lunch, Matt went to a bowshoot (he got 2nd place), went to WalMart, and then headed over to Matt's parents for supper. We all spent time outside with the kids. The kids did not want to come in, they were really enjoying this nice weather we were having. Once we were inside we played the Wii (I am still showing I am 70 years old), chased the little girls around, and just chatted. It was really a GREAT TIME!!!!!
Yesterday at Treva's the kids pretty much played outside ALL day!!! Poor Treva felt bad that Izabelle's arms got a little too red. But I assured her that it was okay and Izabelle didn't even notice. I am just glad that they had fun and enjoyed themselves.
Oh, I mowed our yard for the first time last night. I am so proud of myself. Matt's lawn mower is the zero turn mower and it's kind of hard to steer if you are not used to it, but I DID IT. Go Me!!!
I told Izabelle "Let's go wake Gracie"...before I knew it she was already in there and this is what I saw when I came in:

Until Next Time...

God Bless:)

Jess

Dentist, Crazyness, & Pajamas

Yesterday, Grace went to the dentist for the first time...I know, I know she should have went way before now. She did really AWESOME!!!! She was such a BIG Girl sitting in the chair. Unfortunately Izabelle wasn't the best that she could be, she kept running in & out of the room, crying, throwing fits, so finally we went back out to the waiting room to continue our fits. When we got back in there, they said that Grace has 2 teeth on top that have spots that needed to be filled and 2 spots on the bottom that they will monitor. BOOMER!!!! She said it is because Grace has some gaps in the back that can cause more problems. Even if we brush all the time she will have to be more careful and floss more than usual. So that is what we will do. She goes back in next week to get those spots repaired.
After Grace's appointment we headed home for some much needed rest and for mommy to rewind & collect herself.
We enjoyed some time outside (lovin the warm weather), visited our neighbors for a while, then back home to get supper started. I made Chicken and Noodles...Yum!!!
After the girls' baths Grace wanted her and Izabelle to wear their matching Pajamas that they got from the Easter Bunny (aka Mommy & Daddy), so the below pictures are of the girls in their pajamas. Enjoy:)

Sweet Grace

Smiling Mommy's Flowers she got from her Boss...It is Admin appreciation Week

Posing
My Sweet Girls

Girls Matching

God Bless...

Jess

Update

Kind of sad that yesterday and today are or will be filled with rain clouds and gray skies. Especially after a warm sunny day Friday and Saturday. Friday after Grace's preschool we met up with friends at the park to enjoy a picnic under the shade tree. After lunch the kids went to play and the ladies were able to chat for a bit before we headed over to play with the kids. Grace teamed up with the older kids and played on the swings, slided, and teeter totter (sp?), while Izabelle stayed on one play area and went down the slide about a dozen times, then we went over and swung for a bit. I think I enjoyed the time more than my girls. Grace and the older kids were playing on the tire swing while Jodi pushed them around and around. I am surprised that no one fell over from being dizzy, but they really enjoyed it and you couldn't help but laugh from all of them laughing and having fun. I had brought my camera, but I left the memory card out in the van, so I didn't get any pictures. We had a great time and by time we got home were exhausted. I had opened the windows and just let the breeze feel the house and it was so peaceful and warming, that I fell asleep on our living room floor. Thanks girls for a good time!!!!
Friday night we headed out to my mom and dad's to visit with them for a bit. Dad and my uncle were working on saddles and mom was doing hair, so the girls just played outside. It is so much fun watching them work together and playing with each other. Well it's mostly Grace doing something then Izabelle following her around and doing what she is doing. Grant was home, so he played with the girls for a bit.
Saturday Matt went over to Grant's to work on a brush pile while me and the girls went to Jasper, by time we got home it was nap time and then we stopped by Matt's parents' house and then to Rob and Greta's house to visit for a bit.
Sunday, we went to church and the girls and I went back out to mom and dad's. We were bored and wanted to do something besides stay at home and just sit. Then it was off to Small Groups at Brad and Jen's...where we enjoyed great food and social time. I love listening to everyone's stories and just being around them. It was a good time and we really enjoyed our time.

Until Next Time...

God Bless

Jess

Getting Better

I am actually started to feel a little bit of normalcy, that is if I was normal to begin with. I have had a lot of people that have told me that they were thinking & praying for me and I really appreciate it. When having anxiety it really scares you because you think that the whole world is ending, which in the back of your mind you know that it's not going to and you know that you shouldn't worry, but with the mind racing it doesn't make it any better.
The toughest thing is getting started in the morning, I really just want to stay in bed or just stay home and watch the girls, but I know that isn't the best for me and my family. So, I just grab the reins & move forward, which really helps. I have been singing this song the past couple of days "This is the day the Lord has made"...I really don't know the rest just that phrase, but it puts in perspective that today is the day the Lord has made, so you need to make the best out of the day. I have been trying to stay positive and just keep being upbeat, this is very helpful because it forces me to look toward the positive things and not dwell on the things that I tend to worry about.
Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you;He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. Psalms 55:22

For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, 'Do not fear, I will help you.' Isaiah 41:13

God is Good...

Jess