Video from our Christmas program

Sunday night at WBF we had a wonderful Christmas program. The children were so cute and we sang Christmas carols. What beautiful music to the Lord's ears. Praise be to God! I've included 2 videos of the one song that completely "knocked my socks off". It was an amazing performance written by Trans-Siberian Orchestra performed by some Believers at WBF. Sorry about the 2 videos (technical difficulties that caused us to have to restart the camera rolling so we missed about 5 seconds of the song).

I did finish my paper about 30 minutes before the deadline at midnight last night.
I also spent the entire day today cleaning the house and our 2 vehicles.
The WBF Christmas Program was excellent last night.
To get out of the house tonight Andy and I went to the library then to Barnes & Noble and then back to the library again.

-Jenelle-

...So I only got 2 pages done of my paper but I think for once I'll actually have too much to say instead of not enough pages.
...The Christmas tree us up.
...I bought my books for my 2 classes in January that are at Liberty for a grand total of $253.62 (which doesn't even include that I have to get more books for my class which starts in Feb.)
YIKES!
-Jenelle-

grocery shopping done and started my paper (don't worry I did a LOT more random things along with that today too). Those just needed to get underway.
-Jenelle-

update... I just finished my final exam!!! I will reward myself by doing something fun until bedtime... hmmmm... there are so many options: scrapbook, Christmas project, design Christmas cards, decorate Christmas tree, surf the net...

-Jenelle-

Still haven't gone grocery shopping

I got back in town Sunday night. We rushed home after Andy picked me up from the airport (I'll never go directly from church to the aiport without changing into gym clothes again!). Next to WBF for the youth group Christmas party at 7:30pm. Monday I cleaned the place up a bit and then went to lunch for Mom Morris' birthday with her, Anita, and Becki to Clementine's Tea House. Back at home I cleaned up more and then went to potluck at WBF. Tuesday morning I cleaned more, took a load of stuff to goodwill, headed over to Westlake for some babysitting at 11:30am then headed to over to do more work for Scott at 1:30pm. I went directly from his house to my mom's for a Christmas party with her cousins, my aunt, and grandma. I got home last night at 11:15pm. Whew!! This morning I barely made it out of bed in time for bible study which starts at 10am. I really don't know what I've done since then but run all around and do random errands and things.
TO DO LIST:
-grocery shopping
-finish a project for Christmas
-shop for 3 people and a couple for Christmas
-write a 15 page personal theory paper by midnight Sunday
-take my final exam by midnight Sunday
-clear the clutter
-ignore the hole in the wall! (yes... there is a hole in the wall)
-Christmas cards
-clean the candle wax off the mirror because "somebody" blew it out too hard
-make meals at meal time
-stay calm
-GET A MASSAGE!!!! I added this to just start the relaxation process of my mind.

-Jenelle-

Home and Away

We got home from Florida on Thursday. We: rushed to the post office, opened our mail, got dressed up, dropped off mail for the Dicks (they left in FL), went to Family Christian Bookstore, went to the mall food court for dinner, rushed downtown for the Cleveland Playhouse to see "A Christmas Story". I had won tickets to it through the Cuyahaga County Library website. They were front row seats too! Friday was catching up on errands and a 3 hour grocery shopping trip. Saturday I went out to my mom's house for shopping and basket bingo along with exchanging things from Florida. Sunday was church and major homework. Monday morning I got up early and packed for my 11:35am flight to Greensboro, NC. So here I am. In North Carolina visiting my sister and the youngest 3 of hers. I won't be home until Sunday night about an hour and a half before the youth group Christmas party. Hmmmmm.... I guess you could say I love to ESCAPE THE SNOW!
-Jenelle-

Dolphins

More pictures from Florida

sunset on the Gulf of Mexico

our Thanksgiving spread in the condo

out on the boat on Friday

Today we're out on the beach getting some sun. It is in the 80s!

pictures from here in Fort Myers Beach yesterday

Happy Thanksgiving today!

We're here!

Today we arrived in Florida... Fort Myers Beach to be exact. What a lovely anniversary. We have been married for two years now. The celebration started a week ago as I gave Andy his gift. I got him a new leather briefcase. I thought he'd want to take it with him on our vacation and couldn't stand to wait any longer to give it to him so he got it a week ago. Then on Friday I received a beautiful arrangement of flowers. I also got chocolate which was discovered Saturday morning. Sunday we were busy packing and finishing up last minute things and today... here we are. I love airports and plane rides! Other than the fact that I do not like the man that confiscated my cheerwine (2 cans of it at that) at the security checkpoint, it is great to fly on a day like today. Andy got me a new scrapbook program for my computer! We have had an awesome day so far and the night is young :) Catcha later!
-Jenelle-

Who is above or beyond being hurt?

Many of our struggles spring from a belief that adults- especially Christian adults- should be "beyond" or "above" being hurt. For example, "If I were really a strong Christian, this wouldn't hurt so much. I just wish I could trust God more." Or another, "this shouldn't bother me theme" such as "my folks always told me I was too sensitive", or "my pastor keeps encouraging me to have more faith." But the basic refrain remains: "I should be able to take anything no matter how cruel and crushing, without feeling any distress. No matter how traumatic the event, I should not let it hurt me." Unseen wounds! Where do intelligent adults get the idea that any human being ought to be able to take everything without feeling anything? Just because you make a mistake doesn't mean you are a mistake. Don't be bound with this shame. But don't be fooled that you are above hurt. Even God himself experienced the deepest hurt as His One and only Son was upon the cross.

Fear of all fears!

Ever been woke up to the sound of a loud bang... like thunder but not because it is much too close to be thunder. The sound of a loud bang at the glass... the glass above your head because you're lying in bed with the headboard resting right next to the window. You grab your hubby and cling on to him tight. A quick passing few seconds later... crash! Get out of the room hubby whispers to me as we make a dash to the next room. The window in there showed flashing red lights which was a comfort to me. It took 30 seconds or so to notice though that the lights were not those of the police but those of a school bus at a stop to pick up the kids in front of our area. Not seeing anyone run by or hearing another loud crash, back to the bedroom we went and took off the cover that keeps out the light at night. Sure enough, the window was broken.

The police came and they determined it must have been a bird or some type of animal. It must have broke through the pane and then was scurrying around trying to find it's way out and it actually broke the glass again on its way out leaving blood on the inside of the window. Hmmmmm.... I sure hope so.

Needless to say... the complex has to get us a new window. They discovered (after the sun was up) that there are also little hairs inside the window... strange?? Anyways... it was a rude awakening this morning at 6:45AM.

And last but not least... Levi is so animated once again!

Friday night entertainment by Levi

"Neither the goal of the Christian life nor the goal of Christian counseling is an individual's happiness. Trying to find happiness is something like trying to fall asleep. As long as you consciously and zealously try to grasp it, it never comes." Larry Crabb

Saturday night fun!

We went to a get-together at Carrie & Eric's place. It was fun! I love to laugh and catch up with friends. The food was great too. The best part is that it is now just past 12:15 am but we get an EXTRA HOUR OF SLEEP because of the time change. I'm going to turn my clocks back now... goodnight.
-Jenelle-

Random weather...

So Andy and I went to Malley's Chocolate to at least take advantage of the $.99 hot fudge sundaes at least one time during the promotion (which btw runs until the 31st of this month!)... and it was snowing and hailing tonight. As soon as we got inside the door there was a loud thunder. How strange! Thunder with snow?? I was very confused at the thought of it and so was everyone else in Malley's. Anyone ever heard of thunder with snow or hail instead of rain?

Happy Sweetest Day!

SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't stand the snow. It actually came down today for the first time this year. Personally I think October 12th is WAY TO EARLY for it to snow.
What do you think?

-Jenelle-

MTYC EXTREME WEEKEND

Max the dog and Samuelup on the rappeling cliffs...
Danny is rappeling down

here goes Andy down

group photo minus the Hylton kids

The messages were very convicting and encouraging. We met a lot of new people and got to reunite with good friends. Lots of food, fun, and fellowship all weekend long!

-Jenelle-

My new adventure!

Last night after 10 Andy taught me how to drive stick shift! Woohoo! I feel like a little girl again getting a new toy. We drove around the little community here in Oakwood late last night (because I was scared people might see me stalling out or something in the daylight... also we didn't put the new plates on... and also we didn't have time until then). Today I'm going to try out the highway!
-Jenelle-

p.s. In case you haven't caught on.... we got a car that has manual drive. It is way more gas efficient than an SUV.

I'm FREE!

I have officially mailed in my papers and book reviews to Liberty today. I had to overnight it with Fedex but at least it'll get there by the class deadline tomorrow. I can now attend to the extra fun things I'd like to do. For now, I have not scheduled anymore classes. I guess I'll have to check into that if I ever want to graduate.
-Jenelle-

Pictures from Labor Day Weekend at the Melon Festival

playing bingo

the little man in control

The Beverly Hills replica in the parade

Nick & Katie in the fun jumping place

Not much new here... we're both just working and taking our classes. This weekend, however is the Melon Festival! We love the good 'ole Melon Fest out in Milan. We'll be there all day Saturday and Sunday. I'm so excited because my family from out of town is coming (Bryan-from Liberty University; Jeff, Julie, Nick, and Katie- from Illinois). Give us a call if you want info about it or directions. We would love to meet you there. Also, the HUGE parade is Sunday afternoon immediately after the lunch hour. It ususally lasts over an hour and sometimes two hours (AND THEY THROW OUT GOODIES!).
-Jenelle-

Catch-Up post...

Last weekend we headed west. Saturday night we arrived at Brad and Loretta's place near Toledo and were able to get in a good visit. Next morning we went to church with them and then had a lovely lunch with them and a couple from their church. Afterwards, Andy and I headed up to Battle Creek, Michigan to pick up something we got from ebay. Our plan was to camp out at Fort Custer for the night and so we did...

Andy sets up our tent

Fort Custer is a lovely state park up in Michigan. We had a good time. The lake was beautiful and the water was clean! I could see the bottom... much better than Lake Erie. It is a very historical place with a national cemetary close by and a national guard station.

Happy Birthday Libby!

CONGRATULATIONS ERIC & CARRIE MAHON!

Happy Birthday Ben!
"you EIGHT it"

A Happy 13th Anniversary goes out to my brother Jeff and his wife Julie!

Happy Birthday Jenna!

A Sunny Sunday

pictures from last weekend

Samuel blowing out the candles...

He is so smart for just turning two. The funniest thing about the gifts he opened was when he said "it matches!" to a pair of shorts and a shirt he received.

taking Samuel's gifts down to the pool after the party

Samuel trying out his new duck!

Jenna likes it too!

Libby in her new caterpillar float.

Today is our "20 month" anniversary. When you state it that way it doesn't seem like that long ago that we were married. However, it seems like a long time ago.

Happy Birthday Samuel!

Yeah right... like he can read. Anyway he turned 2 today and yesterday we had a big party for him here at MTYC up in the lodge area. I'll put up more pictures when I upload them to the computer (probably after I get back home).
-Jenelle-

Week of June 18 at MTYC and beyond

Cabin 3 in front of the breathtaking view up on the mountain

My dear sister who came along on the canoe trip

the rope swing was fun along with jumping off the cliffs

Will, Andy, Kim, Ben on the canoe trip

The entire group who went on the canoe trip

Jr. Girls Week at MTYC

The counselors and directors team

The theme for the week was medical.

A joyful heart is good medicine!

Cabin 3!

Happy birthday to me! My husband was so thoughtful of me. I was away at camp over my birthday. He was being sneeky and sent down Mitchells ice cream in a cooler with Becki. He also sent me a bucket full of pringles (5 cans of various flavors) and a cinnamin candle (my favorite scent). Lots of flowers too!

-Jenelle-

Carrie's shower on June 17

My food contributions to the shower... I guess I have more talent than I thought.

The beautiful bride-to-be and mother

the gals...

Rachel, Tara, Catie, Christin, Jenelle, Soni, Becky