June

Many awesome things happened this month. Highlights of the month are:

-sand volleyball season

-Indians games

-dinner at the Mahon's

-my birthday dinner

-whiskey island picnic & cornhole

-when cleaning service happens

-cluster group meeting

-a new niece... the 1st one on the Morris side

-a wedding

-graduation parties

O Me O My O May

Wow. What a roller coaster ride this month has been. Ups and downs and in betweens. We had 2 funerals we attended. Andy's paternal grandma and Aunt Nancy. We traveled to Illinois on the weekend of the 15th for Grandma's. And then on the weekend of the 29th we traveled to Canada for Aunt Nancy's. We took in a new boy on May 21st. His name is Joseph but goes by Joey and he is almost 18 mos. It is pretty cool that he is exactly 1 year and 3 days younger than Gabe. Boy o boy is that time of year busy with birthdays, anniversaries, and Thanksgiving already. He fits in real well and sleeps through the night already. On the 27th we had a permanency planning meeting for Gabe with CFS. It left a lot of unknowns. I dread this now in-between time period we are in when a decision has to be made and it is just on hold. It hasn't been this way the whole time with Gabe until then. I pray that Gabe doesn't become emotionally scared from all of this that may happen. I wonder if he knows what is going on? Andy seems to think that he may understand a little what is happening because he seems a bit stressed out when we are too, and extra clingy. He knows us as mommy and daddy. We take care of him in all aspects. He loves us and we love him. For some reason this all came about only 6 days after we took in Joey. I don't understand. Praise the Lord for our strong marriage! I can't imagine most people staying together with the amounts of crazy circumstances we have had. We are grateful for our family in the Lord and the many prayer warriers there are out there praying for us.

Relax

This week was all around an awesome week. On Wednesday Gabe & I met my mom at the Lodi Prime Outlet mall. From there we headed down to the Amish Country. It has been a long time coming. Gabe really enjoyed seeing the "horseeeees". And then after we shopped the entire outlet mall at the end of the day, we all rode on the train. This is the only outlet mall in the country that has a hop-on hop-off train that goes all thru and around the mall for the shopper's convenience. Trains and horses were on his mind all the next day too. I got some great buys. There was only one item on my list that I didn't get. A butter crock. I will have to keep looking. The one I saw only held one stick and that won't work for my family. I will continue to look elsewhere and look online as well too.
And the next, and very exciting other happening of this week is that we hired a house cleaner! Andy told me long ago that when we have kids that he wanted to hire someone to keep up the house. At first I was not okay with the idea of it. It is anti-me. Or should I say it is quite contrary to my family of origin's way of life. Mom does those things. Having hired help for this seems foreign. But I sure am already warmed up to the idea and actuality of it already. No more bathrooms or kitchens to do for me. She even will do special projects if requested. It is a priority to de-stress our lives as much as possible.
And now... we're getting ready to leave for someones 40th surprise birthday party at BW3's. Don't worry, it isn't ruined since I'm positive this person doesn't read this. It is a colleague of Andy's. I know, I know... I also have a relative turning 40 this month too. But this is not concerning him.

Our very own support group

This evening we attended a cluster group for foster-adoptive parents. Sadly, we regret that it is the first time ever attending. We should've went a long time ago. It was such a tremendous help having people who share experiences with us to eat, talk, and discuss the "system". We got to meet new people and people who are great contacts if we ever have a need for a babysitter. That need is coming soon too! We're going back next month too and the month after etc. It starts with a potluck and you bring your kids and they have planned activities for them after dinner so the adult can have the meeting. Good stuff!

Kid Swap

Tomorrow we get the Morris boys. A while ago we started our very own kid swap with Andy's brother and SIL. It is always a joy to have Gabe's little cousins over. And of course, he loves going over to their house when it is our turn. It is worked out so one week we have their boys and the next week they have Gabe. So far it has worked out great! Every time we get in the car Gabe asks if we're going to their house actually. He has his family lists in his head for sure and theirs is at the top.
It is definitely a good break for the kids and the parents :)

Home Alone

It was a strange but nice reminiscing of life living on my own yesterday. Andy left for Columbus way early in the morning yesterday. Prior to that, on Wednesday night we left Gabe to stay over at the cousins house. We really appreciate having family around! Anyways, I worked all day Thursday and Friday and sometime on Thursday Gabe was transferred to my MIL's house where I would pick him up Friday night. I came home Thursday to an empty house and had a bed to myself. It never bothers me to be home alone. I slept well.

In honor of today...

FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY

In Florida , an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and Passover Holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days.

The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring," Case dismissed!"

The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my Client and all other atheists have no such holidays."

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant."

The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists."

The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day. Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned." 

book

"Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment on Its Ear" by Kaylene Johnson
- I read it in 2 days.
- Very short, simple, and inspiring biography of Sarah Palin.
- For those who hate that she ran as VP on the republican ticket... don't get hung up on it as this book was written and published before she was chosen or even considered.
- admired the truth she stands for in the face of corruption in politics (in both parties).

Ready for summer!

It has been ages... big surprise! It usually has been when I actually have a spare moment to blog. Snow is covering the ground and the temperatures have been in the negative numbers. brrrr and ouch! Gabe is growing up sooo fast. For a while now he has been using 3 word phrases. He is ready to potty train but I am not. We're looking forward to vacation in a few weeks out to visit my brother and family. I have 4 weeks of vacation time this year and I am so excited. I find myself daydreaming a lot lately of summertime last year. I was not working due to FMLA for Gabriel. We had such a good time traveling and playing outside in the water at parks and such. Baseball games, cookouts, camp season.... these are all such fond memories.

Where is summer?

It has been literally months since I've last posted on here. Summer officially ends and fall starts today. The entire month of July I was out of town at different places with Gabe and Andy joined me for part of the month. The first couple of weeks I was in North Carolina with my mom and sister and some family. We celebrated the 4th with extended family up on the mountain there. The following week I counseled for MTYC. My week was changed to about a month later than it has been the past years. I returned home on July 12th to do some major laundry and then our flight left Cleveland at 10:30am the next morning. Andy, Gabe, & I flew out to Denver, CO for a few weeks. Andy's parents, Becki, Danny, and the Nathan Morris family also all went too. It was Andy's maternal grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary celebration and a huge family reunion. I started back to work in August. And last but not least, we moved on Friday. It is a 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath house with a basement too. Very exciting! Very soon I will get some pictures of our past couple of months up on here.

Projects and news

During Gabe's nap time I am able to finally get some long awaited projects done. This is also due to not having extra things to do on my leave of absence from work. Things such as having already graduated this past month with my Master of Arts in Counseling also contributes as well. I now have my house totally clean, pictures up to date (including scrapbooks up to date), my garden outside in bloom, and actually could read books and feel good about it! I even have recently gone through "stuff" and had a yard sale and took the rest to goodwill. Lately I've gotten VERY good deals from craigslist.

Since my last post we've traveled down South 4 times... seems like a lot but they were necessary for the most part. I'll also be taking 3 more trips about the country before the end of July. Yikes! At least things are in order now because my laundry will be backed up by then ;)

-Jenelle-

Slideshow from April

Season of Change

It has been months, literally since I've had time to update this. Major things have happened and are yet to come. We have traveled far and near to visit relatives and friends since the holiday season. First off, it is my pleasure to announce that I am officially graduating for Liberty University with a Master of Arts in Human Services in Marriage and Family Counseling. I will be participating in the commencement ceremony on May 10. Secondly, and even more cool is that Andy and I are adopting a little guy! It is our joy to announce the arrival of Gabriel. He was born on November 27, 2006. And I will also add that he is such a cutie! He has already been living with us for some weeks now.

More holiday times

It was nice the time spent with our families over the holidays. My sister and the young ones were in Ohio waiting for us when we got back from LU. We had a week to goof off together (minus the days I worked). Wednesday the 5th we went to the mall and were out all day. On Friday the 7th we had the annual cookie exchange to attend. On Saturday, December 8th my mom had gotten my sister and I tickets to go with her to a ladies Christmas program at her church. The three of us had a lovely time together.

The following week was also hectic- 2 more birthdays and my brother Bryan is home for Christmas break now. We have a new addition to our home... Sally... the snake. She'll be here for the month until Bryan goes back to school. Interesting is all I can say. I actually became quite fond of the little thing, and held it several times. Watching her eat is also quite fascinating.

The week of the 16th kicked off with a bang as the annual WBF Christmas program was Sunday night. Then Friday night my work had our Christmas party. Finally, Saturday Andy's side of the family, we celebrated our Christmas together.

Next... it is the week of Christmas. On the Eve, Andy and I met my parents, bro Bryan, grandparents, and Aunt Susie & Uncle Terry at Carrabas at 4pm. After this we went to a candlelight church service at Open Door. Immediately following we drove back to our Aunt & Uncle's house for games and more food (even though we were already stuffed!). We were packed and ready to stay at my parents house, which was great since we didn't leave my Aunt's house till 1am. Christmas day Andy and I, Bryan, and my parents were together. It was a quiet and relaxing day. We had the usual spread that mom always has. Good times, good conversations.

At the mall Samuel was so excited to see the "real talking Santa". He jumped right up on his lap and asked him if he could sing a song to him. So Samuel sang to Santa "we wish you a merry Christmas"... the whole way through and completing on tune. Santa was amazed at Samuel... and couldn't believe he is only 3.

baking cookies at mom's house

at the gift exchange at Andy's parents' house

at my mom's house on Christmas day

Christmas dinner

Final class at LU

After Thanksgiving with my sister and family, Andy and I went to Liberty University for the week. I had my last class to undergo. We got to visit with Bryan more and some of my friends that I know from there. The pictures were at the basketball game we went to there.

Thanksgiving Time

goofin off on the couch at the Hyltons'

so happy!

the bird

Early Birds we were the day after Thanksgiving. First in line at Staples for all the electronic gadgets.

Lots of celebrations during Thanksgiving week... our anniversary, my sis Kim's birthday and my bro Bryan's birthday. We spent the holiday with my parents, the Hylton's and my bro Bryan down at the Hyltons' in NC. Fun times.

What's going on with us.

Not too much going on. We're just watching the Cleveland Indians make their way through the playoffs. Also we went to a Steven Curtis Chapman concert on this past Sunday (October 7). It was awesome. My class ends this Sunday. I'll have a break until my last intensive class and then I'll be done with all classwork.

Vacation Album

Visit our Album below for more pictures of our vacation.

Vacation 2007

What's New???

We're on vacation from Sept. 22- Oct. 2.

Ducks at our resort (Powhatan Plantation)

At Virginia Beach for the day...

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday