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

Happy Wednesday I guess

Today I have gotten many random things done. Yesterday was my first day back in Ohio. I got my house in order again and even worked a few hours for Scott. And last night I used one of my many FREE coupons for my birthday. I got free Ice Cream at Cold Stone Creamery. Yummy! Andy and I then watched a movie at the Markovich's house last night. This morning I got up and cleaned up around their house. I'm surprised the animals were still alive here when I got back... I just really didn't think someone would remember to feed them, LOL... just kidding. Anyway, I got to put my pages into my new album and starting attacking my next class. Oh yes, and I did finish my paper on time that needed to be done by Monday night (that class is over now). Maybe later tonight I will add some pictures of the week at MTYC.
-Jenelle-

Happy Birthday Jessica!

Happy 21st!

Happy Father's Day!

Sorry I wasn't there to share with everyone this special day... camp is going well so far... as usual we haven't started yet we're running late and the campers arrive in one hour!
-Jenelle-

I might not be able to update during the week, we'll see.

House sitting & such

Things are going well here. I'm enjoying the new scenery for a bit. The dog and cats are doing well. I even got a chance to go out on the cayak and launch pad. My week ended up being pretty free. I had some great family time with my side of the family. We had a random birthday dinner for me on Tuesday. Half of the people knew and half of them didn't. Oh well... I got a HUGE piece of chocolate cake from Hoggy's. I got some fall decor and money (to help with gas for my trip next week). So I guess the festivities have already began even though my birthday isn't until the 19th. Hooray!
-Jenelle-

Happy Birthday Anita!

Biking

We did it! Today we biked to church... then to Chipotles... then to Walmart... then back home. It had to be at least 15 miles if not more. I'm exhausted and was so sweaty because it is so hot out this afternoon. We got home around 3pm. Just in case anyone else wants to bike from our place to the chapel... it took us a 1/2 an hour and we were going pretty fast. Usually to drive it takes us 12 minutes.
-Jenelle-

The Party is over... I think

Dear Bryan,
The big party is over... it was fun! Thanks for graduating so I could have a good time with everyone :)

"bored" is not in my vocabulary anymore...

I had planned a nice, leisurely week for this week. Somehow, things just don't work that way. I went from being extremely bored to working from 5:30am until nearly midnight. Don't ask me why, I must be in high demand or something without even trying, lol. I was only scheduled to work T, W, and H from 4-8:30pm at the bank. Instead I worked long, long days also doing other work for Scott and babysitting for other families. It would have been nice to spend the days out at my parents while relatives were in town. There were 2 deaths in the family last week on Monday and Tuesday so some relatives decided to stick around for the festivities happening tomorrow. Tonight my wants will come true. After done from babysitting the twins today around 6:30pm I'm headed out to good 'ole Milan! CONGRATULATIONS BRYAN! Yay, we're going to do our last minute preparations for Bryan's graduation party that is tomorrow from 4-8pm. Besides that, I'm just going to spend the night there because I have sooooo many relatives in town for this festive occassion. I can't wait to visit! However, I must get to my schoolwork... it has been neglected since last week. All I have left for this week is to write a 4 page critical analysis of some two counseling theories by Sunday night midnight. See you tomorrow hopefully at the party!
-Jenelle-

Farewell for the summer!

Yesterday at Huntington Beach we had our last youth group cookout and meeting.

our group attendance Sunday afternoon...

good 'ole Friday night

Wow, it was definitely full of many laughs and new memories. Tonight we played James Bond on the playstation (we rotated players because only 4 could play at a time). After that we did a run to Cold Stone Creamery way out in Parma. It brought back so many memories to cramb into 1 car... the 7 of us. After that a pitt stop to the gas station and then to the blockbuster to get the movie Matrix. I decided to make the popcorn with the new topping I have discovered, garlic tobassco. Good night all - however the rest of the crew is still watching the movie.
-Jenelle-

Obviously I have been busy. Another babysitting job happened as the parents of the twins went out of town and I stayed at their house with the kids. It was good. School has started and just random things like that. I'm finally starting to get a headache from this juice cleanse. It's about time after two days that I start feeling it work. Here are some recent pictures:

Youth group on April 30th at the Markovich's

The twins I babysit (Frankie on the left & Anthony on the right)

-Jenelle-

Shame on me...

This is the first election that I have not voted in. In fact, I don't even remember where I'm registered to vote at. I've moved around, been in college, gotten married, changed counties. I really don't know what is going on. I suppose that I'll have to find out where to vote before November. I remember Andy having to drive all over last year in November and he never ended up voting because they changed the groups and he couldn't find the right one. We give up! On the same note... the Ohio BMV insists on sending my vehicle renewal tag info to my parents house with my maiden name. I've tried to change it twice now and they still have kept the original info. I was rather annoyed when my dad said I should change it because I've tried to several times (however it has been over 3 years since I've lived at my parents house so he's probably getting irritated about it too).
-Jenelle-

DRAMA HERE

I thought I should let everyone know that on the 21st of April our refrigerator quit working. Therefore the freezer stuff melted and it was a mess. The good news is that the place here had to fix it and we even got a brand new frig out of it. It is much bigger :)

Today I noticed that in the laundry room some of the ceiling plaster was on the floor... I looked up and it was withering. Come to find out after the maintenance guy cuts a hole in the ceiling... there is a small leak. Anyway, they fixed it but there is still a hole in the laundry ceiling (at least the guy was nice enough to tell us to remove our stuff out of the room because it made a mess). He said it would take 2 days until they finish repatching up the ceiling. I love not having to repair things here but rather just call the people up and they have to do it!

-Jenelle-

Well it's Monday and yes, I did survive the last week and weekend. The time with the Markovich children was good. I was actually quite relaxed. This weekend is a whole other story. From Thursday until Saturday I have 2 1/2 year old twins. Andy will stay there with me at night like he did while I was with the Markovichs. This age level will probably be more challenging. It is also a little more awkward considering I don't really know the family personally other than just to babysit a couple of times a week. There just isn't that same spirit as with a dear brother and sister in Christ. Oh well.

Today kicked off my first day of classes for the summer. I have an 8 week class "Theories in Counseling" and then in two weeks another class "Ethnicity, Families & Counseling" starts. That one is a regular 16 week class. Only 14 more classes until I complete my Masters degree! ... that is of course after I finish these two :)

-Jenelle-

Yesterday I went to the Amish Country with my sister Kim, my mom, Libby, and Samuel. It was an interesting ride where I was sitting in the backseat of the jeep in between Samuel & Libby in their carseats. On the way there Libby fell asleep and was snoring while Samuel decided to talk the ENTIRE WAY. It was so sweet at first. I love to hear his developing vocabulary. He like to say "wagon" "cow" "sheep" "horsey" "more" and of course "Nell". It seemed as if the longer the car ride was the more bruise I developed. He would hit his hand on my arm and say one of those words while looking at the scenery outside. When there wasn't a horse and buggy or whatever animal he wanted to see he would still hit me and say "more". What a ride!
Today I'm just waiting here for my buddies to get home from school. I get to stay with the Markovich kids for the week :)
-Jenelle-

Tea Time

The girls all went to the Tree House Tea House in Avon this morning...

Libby, Katie, & Jenna

they liked the blue raspberry soda more than tea
Katie & her mom Julie
Grandma & my mom

sisters

Group photo outside the Tea House

Samuel snoozing on my couch when we were having lunch

Sunday's activities

Andy and I had hospitality this afternoon. It started out a bit frantic but eventually we figured things out. Around 3pm we arrived at Hartville to join the Good News on The Move team (Danny, Becki, Davis, Will, Ben, Jacob, Anna, Andy, and I). It was amazing to see God work things out like He did. We came just as they were praying for some help to pass out tracks to the neighborhood door to door. What an encouragement to the team and to us. We then ate dinner with everyone and then stayed for the message and Gospel meeting. We didn't end up leaving until 10pm to head back home. Will & Ben get to stay the night at our house. How fun!
-Jenelle-

Happy Anniversary Paul & Jess!

Congrats for the 1st anniversary of Paul & Jessica Morris!

MLB UMPIRES ARE RIDICULOUS!

I've absolutely had it with the umpires! They have ruined things too many times for the Indians. Over 3 times this season they umpires have "interferred" with the ball and knocked it in play to the Indians disadvantage. And now... they just ejected the pitcher for accidently hitting a batter... IT WAS ACCIDENTAL... I saw the replay numerous times! What a way to ruin the game for us ump (aka JIM WOLF)... and the 1st base ump isn't that much better either! No reason for this.

Friday & Saturday pictures

Friday night the Hyltons arrived at my parents house. We just hung around for hours. The kids are getting so grown up. Saturday morning they came to my house with my mom to pick me up. They all loved the hammock. We all then went down to Hartville for the day where the Good News on the Move team is currently.
-Jenelle-

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

This one goes out to my dear sister and brother-in-law... Kim & Andy. I can't believe it has been 14 years since you've been married. What a blessing it has been :)

The Weekend

Last weekend was lovely. Friday night Andy and I had date night. We ate at Chipotles Mexican Grill, went to Crocker Park into Borders bookstore, went to the theatre to see Benchwarmers, then to Rosati's frozen custard for some dessert. YUMMY! Andy and I each got our own waffle cone (his was strawberry shortcake and mine was cake batter). Let me tell you, that cake batter flavor was delicious (it almost tasted like lemon because it was so sweet). Saturday Andy and I had some awesome conversations and then we went shopping together at Marcs. After that we quickly fixed lunch and went to Walmart in Avon to get both of our car's oil changed. I got 2 things from the garden section to add to my hobby. Anyway, when we got back to the car department we found out they lost my car keys and clicker. Needless to say, they screwed up and I got a free oil change on my car just in the nick of time as they found my keys on the ground after looking 20 minutes. Back at home we decided to have a cookout this beautiful Saturday night on the spur of the moment. Bryan was here (yay, I got my bike here... it was the only thing that was left of mine at my parents house- oh yea... and also he brought us the last of the deer meat from the deer he killed last year... I'll be making stew on Monday for Andy to eat... YUCK! I don't eat deer meat). So it was Bryan, Paul, Becki, Nate, Anita, Levi, Andy, and I. Davis came later after dinner and some football and tennis. Get this... we went to Rosatis frozen custard again. Back at the house Paul, Davis, Becki, Andy, and I played Texas Holdem. Sunday was Easter (HE IS RISEN INDEED!). After morning meeting Andy and I joined the rest of the Morris family at Mom & Dad Morris' house. Way too much food was there, but it was so good though. Around 5:30 Andy and I then headed out to Huron to my Aunt & Uncle's place. My parents, grandparents, and brother Bryan were there playing games and snacking lightly. Unfortunately I was kind of full but I still had to eat (I mean come on... there were chocolate covered strawberries and peanut butter pie with chocolate in it). Oh boy, we ate more and played games. To wrap the evening up I watched the Cleveland Blue Jays as they barely lost to Chicago in hockey... what a bummer to end their season with a loss.
-Jenelle-

P.S. I'm a little disappointed in myself for not taking pictures on Sunday. I got some of the cookout from Saturday. Hopefully this weekend I'll get some when my side of the family gets together for Easter dinner at the least.

It's official!

The seeds, flowers, and plants are planted. The summer clothes are out and the winter ones stored away. The weather is once again unbelievably great just like it has been all week thus far. However, the Indians are not doing too well. Last night and the night before were a pathetic effort. They better straighten up!

I LOVE SUMMER WEATHER!
-Jenelle-

I've been caught!

Ok.... so I just wanted to enjoy the beautiful sunlight, gorgeous weather. There shouldn't be anything wrong with that. Today so far I've spent approximately 2 1/2 hours outside between a walk and reading a book (sneeking in a snooze too!). I can't argue with 73 degree weather.
-Jenelle-

Hafner is rockin! His forth homerun this season was today as the Indians won again 3-0 against the Twins.
-Jenelle-

1/2 price Cleveland Indians tickets!

Since many of you have expressed interest... here are the days in which students with a college ID can get 1/2 off tickets (I'll update as I find out if there are more dates):

Thursday April 13th against the Mariners
Thursday April 27th against the Red Sox
Wednesday June 7th against the Athletics

-Jenelle-
GO TRIBE!

WAHOO INDIANS! YAHOO CLEVELAND

THE INDIANS HOME OPENER WAS AWESOME! 11-6 win today against the Twins with numerous home runs and an awesome GRAND SLAM by Blake! Great pitching today too!
-Jenelle-

OBJECTION: "Christianity oppresses women by making them submit to their husbands!"

MY VIEW: The Bible does say, "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord," but it also instructs, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it" (Ephesians 5:22,25). A man who under-stands that Jesus Christ sacrificed His life’s blood for the Church will likewise love his wife sacrificially and passionately. He will honor her, respect her, protect, love, and cherish her as much as he does his own body, as he is instructed to do (Ephesians 5:28). He will never say or do anything to harm or demean her. It is in this atmosphere of love and security that a godly wife willingly submits herself to the protective arms of her husband. She does this not because he is better than she is, but simply because this is God’s order for His creation.
A godless world rejects the God-given formula to make marriage work. It thinks it knows best, and suffers the heartbreaking consequences of destroyed marriages and ruined lives. The Christian ideal of marriage is not one of an authoritarian and chauvinistic male holding his cringing wife in submission like an obedient dog. It’s the very opposite. While most of the great religions treat women as inferior to men, the Bible gives them a place of dignity, honor, and unspeakable worth, expressed so evidently in Proverbs 31.
-Jenelle-
Amen!

Time to Consider...

Check out this article, you have to go to page 17 and then continue reading on to page 18.

http://www.uplook.org/web/images/pdf/2006_02.pdf

Taxes, taxes, taxes...

As I write we are sitting at mom & dad Morris' house working on taxes. What a pain! FYI... tax day this year is on April 17th and NOT April 15th. This does not matter much for us, we'll probably still file an extension.
-Jenelle-

Little ones...

this big ball makes Levi's day!

Levi, Aunt Nell, & Larry

the twins Anthony & Frankie

April fools day!

I remember last year at this time... the greatest (or meanest I guess you could say) joke that was played on numerous people. The quick version, I said I was pregnant (which of course I was not). We would get into a long story about what to do and how I feel and then after I really got people going... tada! APRIL FOOLS! I won't do it again this year, however it would probably work again.
-Jenelle-