Valentine's Day

Matt and I got all dressed up last night to go to our Enchanted Evening dance at church. It is one of my favorite times of the year. It's so neat to see everyone dance and be "in love" with his/her husband. It's just a different venue to see people in - very entertaining! Every year Matt and I promise each other that we will learn to dance better. We were better this year than last year doing a very basic two-step (which seems to be the most popular dance there!) Some people seem to have taken professional dance lessons and do the waltz & various other ballroom dances. We stick with our two step, slow dance and Carol (our youth director) and I are the queens of the Electric Slide! We had so much fun! We'll post our portrait when the photographer returns them to us.

While we were dancing the kids were watching movies. Some were in the theater upstairs, and the little ones stayed in the nursery downstairs to watch veggie tales. Harrison pooped in the potty for Miss Mary in the nursery, so we had to do the poo-poo conga to the car after the dance!!! He was so proud, as were Matt and I. Now if we can get any consistency with it!!!

Today we woke up and gave the kids their Valentine's presents, which they ate for breakfast (ick!) They got Valentine tattoos and have been sporting those today! Matt got flowers and chocolates for me and I got him his favorite chocolates and a trip to Barnes and Noble. What a happy day!

I'm wishing it would get cold and stay cold for a while to get rid of some of the bugs around here, but I don't see much of a chance for that in the forecast. I think we are headed straight for spring. That's fine too, because I'm always ready to plant some flowers!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful February!!
Janelle

Sickies

We are all so glad to be feeling better after being sick for about a week! This stomach virus picked us off...one by one. Harrison and the baby are still having a few problems, but overall we are all feeling much better now. Here are some sad, sad pictures of my sick guys! And (to encourage the kids to drink) we had a tea party! They loved that :) We are looking forward to a non-eventful weekend!!!!!

Margin

I was listening to the radio the other day, and a local preacher was talking about "margin." It was very interesting. I think it applies to us all.

I've recently started working for a small business and we are still trying to adjust as a family to the time I spend away. Almost every week-night I have something to do, or somewhere to be. And, Matt has things during the week also that he enjoys doing or is required to do for his work. Then it seems that Saturday is catch-up day on household chores or busy getting ready for church on Sunday. Then Sunday is busy with church and trying to get everyone ready for another week. I'm sure most of you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Our family has also budgets allowing us to save money and live more "frugally" (I like that better than cheap!) Budgeting takes some time and planning, but Matt and I agree that we want to do this together. We plan and think about our budget often and are always trying to find ways to save (we treat it like a game.) We've been trying to have "margin" in our financial lives.

This Pastor the other day made me look at other aspects of our lives too. It is important to have margin in EVERY part of your life. He said to have margin in your work day, and also after work to share with family and also financially. I thought about the pace of this world, and how hard it is to slow down (or have margin) with email, cell phones, TV's & and endless to-do list. So, our family is going to create a little "margin" time. It may be a night without TV or cell phones or computers. Maybe even a WHOLE DAY! Maybe its time to look at weekends - especially Sundays - as a time to recharge, not catch up - as a time to reconnect with loved ones - as time to experience all that God has provided us to enjoy - yes, time to smell the roses!

I hope you find time this day, week, year, lifetime to make a little margin in your life!
Janelle

Back Into The Swing

Hamilton got off to school yesterday as did Matt. I miss them both. It's been rough getting everyone ready early - we really enjoyed those lazy mornings and a few days of none of us getting out of our PJ's!

I am going through clothes and donating some and storing others. I got a few more bags of clothes from a friend at church. She gives me clothes and I keep what I want and give the rest to a charity here in Owasso. I'm also trying to clear out some toys (secretly.) I got caught the other day with a race track in the trunk. Hamilton could not figure out what in the world I was doing with that in my trunk. I told him it seemed like a good storage spot....but he was still very suspicious. So.....its back in the house. I didn't get rid of it soon enough! :)

I have several friends at church that are getting ready to have babies. One, Traci, had hers yesterday. I'm so happy for them (and glad its not me!) :) I wishing everyone healthy pregnancies and healthy little babies in 2009!!!

Hopefully the camera and I will happen upstairs together at the same time soon so I can post some new pictures!!!!

Have a good one!
Janelle

Happy New Year

Matt had to return to work today. That's always hard after a long break. The boys miss him bad - I do too!!! My best friend is gone!! :(

Today we had a play date with Monica and her kids, London and Aidan. It was nice to visit with her and listen to the kids play. We all had a good time and resolved to do it more often.

The laundry is caught up again. I took a little time off here and there over the Christmas break, and I thought I'd never get caught up again.

We had dad's retirement party on New Year's Eve. He was excited - we all are! What an accomplishment!!! I'm so glad he has his health to be able to enjoy this time in life. Mom and dad have a few days alone thanks to hospice taking Gracie for 5 days of respite care. Mom and dad have been all over Tulsa, eating at restaurants they wanted to try out, going to shops they want to see.....I think they are having a great time. I'm happy for him, and for them. And, for me too...I always watch the OU games with dad, but he never gets to watch the bowl games because he's always been at work. So, now we'll get to watch them together!

No real New Year's Resolutions this year. Matt and I are going to eat more healthy now that the holidays are past. blah blah blah.

One thing we will continue this year though is our budget. We read "The Cheapest Family in America" and loved the concept of financial independence and have put together a new budget for our family. It was very successful in 2008, so we are expecting great things in 2009! It's kind of tough, but once you get used to it, it's not all that bad. Matt and I are very excited about it.

Hope everyone has a great 2009! Treasure every minute!
Janelle

Reflections

Today Matt and I attended a funeral for a dear friend, Shona Echols. Shona was our friend, Hamilton's current teacher and a church member we had all served with in Bible School, Sunday School or anything else that had to do with the children of our church. She was 39 when she died. She was an absolutely beautiful person.

While at the funeral, through the tears, I was inspired. Inspired to love more. Inspired to laugh more. Inspired to soak up the giggles of my children. Inspired to enjoy their youth, enjoy my youth. Inspired to be a better friend. Inspired to be a better wife. Inspired to be a better mother. Inspired to be a better daughter & sister.

I am so blessed. Blessed by a wonderful family. I have wonderful parents and parents-in-laws. Loved by many friends. I sleep, with my wonderful family in a warm little house. I eat wonderful food that I am able to prepare for my children. I enjoy health. I am able to run with my boys, tickle them and be tickled and laugh so hard with them that I have to stop to breathe. I have the most wonderful husband who supports me in all that I dream to do. Our family is blessed with an incredible church that assists us in raising our boys in Christ's love. And, I am blessed to personally know Christ's love for me and mine.

While it was a sad morning, a hard morning, I was inspired - renewed. And thankful. Very thankful that, today, I am able to love and be loved. I hope you are able to soak up and bask in love and able to then, in turn, give that love back.

Janelle

Our Wii

We've been playing our Wii today. My shoulders hurt!!!! I think its as much fun to watch people play than to actually play.

The boys have been playing with their new toys and, I think, have taken the last new toys out of their boxes.

I'm tired of ham and turkey so I think I'll make some enchilladas tonight for dinner.

We hope everyone is enjoying some time off like we are!!!

Janelle