Happy Anniversary

Seven years ago, on October 11, I was your typical jittery, nervous bride. The day I had waited my entire life for, was here. I would marry the man that I loved with every beat of my heart, every ounce of my being. He made me smile, loved me when I needed it most, and gave me everything I could ever dream of and more. A lot has changed in thirteen years, mainly our waist size... but who cares, we're happy! :)

Seven years as his wife, but thirteen years together. I've spent almost half my life with him and I'm still proud to stand by his side and be his partner. He's my best friend, my rock, the one I laugh with the most, the greatest Dad, a wonderful provider, and patient. I thank God for each characteristic that Travis brings to our relationship. We're opposites, but we work.

The past seven years of my life with him have been nothing short of wonderful. God has blessed us with two beautiful, healthy, precious boys. I have my look alike, he has his. The life I'm living is the one I dreamed of as a little girl. I'm not just saying that, it's the whole hearted truth. I have always dreamed of being married, having babies and staying home to be the wife and mother I feel God has put me on this earth to be. I have Travis to thank for helping to make all my dreams become a reality.

T-rav,
I love you. I still love the way your hand feels in mine, the way you comfort me on the days I need it most. I cherish watching you and the boys play, hearing the giggles coming from the other room. Your a wonderful husband and father. Thank you for making every dream I  ever dreamed, become a reality. I look forward to many, many more years together as your wife. I look forward to watching our boys grow up (and even a baby girl, come on...)!

I pray that God will continue to bless  our family and may our love for one another never die but become stronger with every day and year that passes. You are a blessing in my life and it is my prayer that each day God helps me to become a better wife to you. I love you with all my heart and soul.  Forever and always yours.... Jen

T.H.I.R.T.Y.

Thirty.  Say it again, thirty.  I my dear friends am the proud new owner of that lovely word. I turned the big 3-0 on June 29th.  It came, we celebrated, and it went.  No big hoorah, just another day. I'm not like most. To hear thirty didn't send me into a downward spiral. I didn't have thoughts of, 'oh no! not the dirty thirty!' I just took it as it came.

All in all, I'm glad to be thirty. I'm glad that the Lord has blessed me with thirty wonderful years of life. I look forward to what thirty holds, and quite honestly I look even more forward to turning forty!  I know, I'm nuts... right? Nah, I think my thirties will be filled with excitement as I watch my children grow. They'll start new adventures and chapters of their lives and I, Lord's willing, will be a part of each year. Travis and I have discussed a few goals and dreams and I think several of those may become a reality during the wonderful days of being thirty-something.



I'm not scared of you thirty. I welcome you.  Bring on great days, happy days, memorable moments, and even a few bumps in the road if you may.  I'll take whatever you have to offer and prove to the world thirty is just another number.



I spent my birthday dining with great friends and family a few days prior to my birthday. My dear mother then cooked a spectacular dinner for me, and a delicious cake. Travis and the boys made the day bright! As I sat at my mothers table I looked around and thought to myself, "there is nowhere else I'd rather be at this moment then at this table with these wonderful people!" My life is full, blessed, and as far as I'm concerned it's as close to perfect as it can be!!!


I did receive one special gift from the boys.  Travis knows I'm a sentimental gus. I love gifts that I can hold onto forever and know that it has a significance. He bought me an oak tree from the boys. Yes, a tree. I know most people don't think a tree is probably a gift, but it is to me. I love oak trees, always have, always will. Watching that tree grow is like watching my children grow. Carter was so excited, "momma, momma, we've got to plant your tree!!  Where do you want it, pick a place momma!!!"  We found the perfect place outside his bedroom window and my three boys dug the hole and planted the tree. Each time I look at it I smile because I think of the fun they had planting, as you can tell by the pictures.


I'm glad to be thirty. I feel like to be thirty years old, I've done pretty good for myself. I don't have a college education or a high paying job, but the job I have is the greatest ever. I get to be a wife to the most calm, peaceful, understanding, loving man I know. I get to be the momma to two boys that are as opposite as black and white but make me laugh each day. I get to spend every day at home with my babies, and I have a beautiful home to live in, a family that loves me as much as I love them. I don't need the things of this world to bring happiness to my life.  I wouldn't trade my life for anything the world has to offer.  Well, maybe the few grey hairs that are sprouting on the top of my head.... but as my granny has always said, "with age comes wisdom".  Can I change that up to say, "with age comes wisdom and more grey hair?!"

I hope that my prediction of thirty is correct. I pray it's full of happiness, contentment, good health, peace, and more love than the last thirty!

Getting to know You

My friend Courtney at One Fine Wire is doing the getting to know you and I thought I'd join in. If you'd like to join in, feel free!

1.  What is your definition of sexy?

Confidence, compassionate, and supportive.... my husband!

2. Would you rather clean up puke or change a poopy diaper?

Are you kidding me?! Give me a poopy diaper any day of the week!!!

3. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

I'm going to have to say extrovert.

4.  If you had to give up one of your five senses for a year which one would it be?

I'd have to go with smell. I could go without smelling my stinky boys, I think, but I couldn't go with out seeing them, touching them, hearing them, and I can't do without tasting some good food! :)

5. Cake or Pie?

Give this round ma'am some cake!!!

6.  If you could play any character on TV (old or current) who would you play?

I really have no clue... let's see... umm... no one. I'm not a big TV gal.

7.  My favorite website is...?

GOOGLE! It's where I find anything, and everything!!!

8.  The highlight of my day is...?

Waking up to my babies each and everyday and having the blessed opportunity to stay home with them!!

Come on my friends, play along and let me know that you linked back so I can read your answers!!

We are family!

The complete me in every way possible. They are the reason I get up each and every day. They bring smiles to my face, joy to my soul, and my cup truly runneth over! Even on the hairiest of days, I would trade the chaos for anything. I think sometimes it's the chaos that keeps me sane!



More then a sister. She's a friend, she's a support, she's a prayer partner, she's an inspiration, she's a true reminder that there are good people in the world. I love this dear woman more then she will ever, ever know. It is my prayer that God will continue to watch over her life, guide, and direct her paths. I know that He has something truly spectacular planned for her life. Jess, I love you so very much. I'm proud of you and all you've accomplished.





Then there were four. When we became a family of four, it wasn't easy. My mom did everything within her power to keep our lives as normal as possible. She wasn't able to give us everything we wanted, but we were clothed, fed, and a roof over our head. Looking back now, I had more then I needed. God knew that the three of us would need a strong mother. Someone with compassion, and a hard worker. She was all that and more, and still is. Our mother is truly the back bone of this family. She's my best friend, the one I run to when my heart is broken, the one I seek advice from when I'm not sure where to turn with the kids, and the one I still call on a daily basis just to say hello. I thank God each and every day for this woman. I thank Him that she taught us right from wrong, instilled in us the values we would need to be the people we are today. I love you mom!



Jason and Megan, two of the most go with the flow folks I know. Jason is the big brother that never really had the chance to speak thanks to me and Jessica. He's quiet, he's humble, and he has a heart for giving. He's always willing to help whenever he can. Megan, his girlfriend, is a lot like him. I think she's even more quiet then he is. They both love the boys so much, and I appreciate all they do when they are around. People don't realize how much just keeping them entertained helps me out! :) I love you guys.


Just had to throw these last three in. I love the look on Carter's face. The last one, of the phone booth. On the way home from North Carolina, we stopped at a rest stop and when we got out Carter says, "Mom, I want to call Dad from that funny phone!" I couldn't help but chuckle, and think to myself that when he has kids phone booths will for sure be a thing of the past!

And then there were FOUR!

So, I'm late at posting this. I've not been feeling my best lately. We found out on July 1, that we, well I, am expecting our 2nd child! I am due March 11, 2009. We have had our first ultrasound at 7 weeks and everything seem to be going as planned. We saw a healthy heartbeat, and can't wait for another ultrasound to see the baby growing bigger. Carter is excited, he doesn't understand why he can't see the baby. He tries shinning a light into my belly button to see if he can see the baby. It's too cute.

I have mixed emotions about all of this. Yes, it was planned but I'm just anxious, more scared then I was last time for some reason. I can't wait to find out if the little one is a boy or girl. What bedding will I pick out, what will the name be, how will I handle two...I can barely handle one?! :) As God has taught me in the last year, be patient and He will see me through.

So, not only do we have a new member to the family which is great news. We are also building our new home. It was scheduled to be ready in December but things seem to be coming along a little quicker then expected. We haven't been given an exact move in date, but we are hoping maybe late October?! How exciting, new house, new baby?! That leads me to this, God is so good to me and my family. He pours out His blessings each and everyday to us. If you stop and listen, or even look around His blessings are there waiting for us to see. I am so grateful for each and every aspect of my life. I am blessed to have such a loving, supportive, hardworking husband. I have a healthy, almost, three year old, and another precious life growing inside of me. I can't wait to share this little one with the world, and for us to be a family of FOUR!!!

~jen~