Today, I received a HUGE compliment from our agency nurse after working with her on a project. :)

So.. we met Sara's man. He is a sweetie pie. Sara must take awful pictures of him, because he is cutier in "real life". Sorry that Bill and Katie and lovies couldn't attend. He received tentative approval from Cannon, but Cannn is upset because the man lives so far away. Cannon is thinking Sara might move far away to be closer to said "special friend". Sara may be auntnapped by said nephew if knowledge is leaked. Or.. and here's an EXCELLENT idea... could go live with Auntie Sara with freqent visits from Mom !

tee hee

Last night, I had my 1st bellydancing lesson. I truly had fun! I wasn't as awful as I'd imagined, but man those moves are much harder than they look. I have a GREATER appreciation for those dancers; very pretty to watch the fluid moves from good dancers.

More later!!

Jennifer

Enjoying taking nightly walks with Frankie; gorgeous weather, gorgeous hubby, lots of talking, a little fighting :) hey that's how it goes. I'm trying to increase my prayer life and focus on "Be still and know that I am GOD" verse also "Be anxious for nothing, but everything with prayer". Frank & I are invited to a b-day party for Saturday P.M. I'm looking forward to that; the couple are in our S.C.A. group and are members of the new church we are trying.

Super excited to met Sara's beau this weekend.

Still fighting the cold Frank shared with me :) OH well if I'm going to get a cold; I got it the most fun way.

We are planning to go to Adventurland on Tuesday. Jewel is spending 3 days with my parents and my niece so she doesn't know abt A'land yet; I know she'll be thrilled.

Life is very weird; that's one thing I know for sure.

Frank is in charge of an event in September so I'm excited/nervous to help with that. We are taking Jewel to coronation in Cedar Rapids; neither Jewel or I have ever been to coronation we are PUMPED.

I need to bribe my mother-in-law to make me one more dress. I think I need to beg her to teach me to sew too.

I hope you all have joyous and blessed weekends. May God continue to bless you all with wonder!

Smiles,
Jennifer

Jewel warrior with Cannon's shield and boffer

Cannon with his shield and boffer

Jewel capturing Cannon being his true self he he

Jewel loving the camera

Cannon at Lilies being a (oh Frank help me; what was he? a page for Xerzes?)

These pictures are posted backwards!! My Viking chair for S.C.A.
I made it with just a smidgen of help from Frankie

The cross of Calontir -(larger group that Ames Axed Root belongs to) Nifty colors of purple and gold (kinnda funny too the Ames group has UNI colors tee hee)

My gorgeous man, helping me

Be warned I have a power tool in my hands!

Using my best focusing skills :) Frank had to remind me to watch my thumb so the blade and my thumb did not cross paths.

Cannon helping Jewel sand her Viking chair

Jewel sanding her Viking chair- electronic sanders so trump old school sanders. (Yes we cheated I'm sure folks in the Medieval Era did not have electronic sanders.

Me measuring (and remeasuring again and again)

The semi-final product. Do you all love Jewel & I's goofy hats?

The purple & pink floral arrangement we put on G'ma Rose's headstone on Memorial Day.


This was one of the best 4ths of July I have ever had! I loved using the power tools and spending time with Frankie and the kids. I have an awesome, but heavy chair for C.S.A. events ( I cheated and used Frank's lightweight chair during court-he was doing announcments so he didn't need his chair)

Raid or Trade Weekend. I can honestly say I had a really good time. Got to meet an awesome lady named, Helen, who also happens to be a Believer! I spent a great deal of the weekend with Helen when Frankie was busy with vocal heralding. Frankie was a perfect gentleman who checked in on me often and made sure we got to spend some quiet time together. We also spent some fun time at feast (he sat with me) and at the singing circle. The dress my mom-in-law made me was very pretty and I received many compliments :). We had a really goofy guy camp right next to us and someone I don't care for at all camp 2 tents over, but I just ignored as much as I could and enjoyed everyone else. We did have several people from Axed Root (our local group) camp by us so that was AWESOME! I did get to spend some time with Shandra (who is a lot like Sara) which was quiet a bit of fun. At Shandra's request I helped with feast clean up-something I actually know how to do-hall clean up (from church and my college job). I helped the feast cook along with the former Baron and my new friend Helen, set-up the cook's personal tent. Boy, Frank is sure correct in saying there are no straight lines in SCA.
Frank did a really good job for his 1st time of vocal hearalding-he made a few mistakes- but was way too hard on himself. He received many compliments (people even chased him down to compliment him); he has a wonderful speaking voice and very good projection of his voice.
Better go, work is busy.
I sincerely look forward to learning more in/abt SCA. I hope I can be a great help to Frank when he autocrats (hosts) his event in September.
A HUGE thank you to my mom-in-law for not only keeping my kids this past weekend, but making wonderful memories with them.
Smiles,
Jennifer

Excited to spend time with Frankie this weekend; he is a little stressed so I hope I don't overwhelm him. It is looking like it may not rain all weekend; which would be wonderful. I mostly hope it does not rain all day on Saturday as that is when the "important" events will take place. There is a chance I may serve the head table; could be fun. I use to work at the president of I.S.U.'s house for special dinners so I should be in familiar territory.
Last night, fighter practice went well. People keep assigning Frankie new tasks so I hope he doesn't overschedule himself. He does a good job and I am proud of him. I'm getting to know Shandra better; I really like her.
Hum.. now what to make for supper? The other night, I made tuna noodle casserole because Frankie and Jewel love it. Frank and both kids said it was good, but then Frankie was giving me crap abt it the other night-so now I don't know. Typically, Jewel is brutal with her culinary assessments not only did she eat all she took, but replied it was good. I wasn't hungry that night so it worked out well.
Today, I ate lunch :) Been stressed so not eating, but getting some better.
We are still hoping to make it to Adventurland yet this summer; got a deal through Frankie's work. Cannon is very excited abt this. I would like for us to do a few more "family" outings before school starts. Frankie did surprise us with a trip to Roosevelt park!
Its Bookmobile night!!!!!!!!!! The kids and I have a tradition of going every Thursday-we all look forward to it.
The sky here is really DARK, but if it rains now instead of Saturday I'll take it.

Smiles!
Jennifer

CONGRATS go out to Bill & Katie on the Indy house being sold! What an answer to prayer. WHEW!
Last night, Frank and I got a few things packed for the weekend; not as much as hoped, but a good start. We are hoping it truly does not rain all weekend as the weather woman is predicting. Kris is making good progress on my dress. I am taking things day by day, but am excited for the weekend. Frankie got asked to be the vocal herald for yet another couple at feast. He is a smidge nervous, but I know he will do well. He has lots of experience speaking in public (from being the youth minster at our church years ago and sub preaching for his dad) and has always done a fab job. I hope he is not too nervous to enjoy the weekend. Even if it does rain we will just have to make the best of things. I'm hoping to hang out with Shandra for part of the weekend & then the rest of the time I hope to be with Frankie.

Last night I decided to forge ahead with my sprinting & walking venture despite the muggy air. I did have to lean over to breathe a few times, but avoided the use of my inhaler. I walked a bit, then sprinted, walked only until I noted by heart rate slowing down and then sprinted again. When I was exhausted I walked for a cool down. 45 minutes later returned home sweaty and with a good endorphine rush going on. I love summer.

In a few weeks Frank promised to take me canoeing. I canoed once during junior high camp-loved it! Our canoe got stuck so I got out to free us and was rewarded with a nice, purple bruise as proof of our adventure. That was at AWANA camp-always returned to IRBC camp-not sure why I really didn't enjoy it. I loved AWANA camp, but it was more expensive so I only got to go 2 years. Ah those are good memories.

Cannon had a rough a.m. ,but he seemed to pull himself together after an hour or so.

I am in a good place right now. Looking forward to fighter practice tonight, but don't think Frankie or I will fight the kiddies will come with us.

Smiles,
Jennifer

UGH! Truly feels like it should be Thursday, not only Tuesday.
I'm excited/nervous for my 1st all weekend C.S.A. (medieval) event this weekend. Kris is sewing me 2 sweet dresses. I'm so thankful. I'm totally bummed it might rain all weekend. I was wanting to be out in the sunshine and walk around seeing people, activities. This evening, Frank and I are suppose to start packing. I don't know how he organizes things, but I guess I will learn.
Frank and I took Jewel to twirling last night. She was showing me some of her moves-they all have silly names. I think the teacher makes up fun names for the kids, but the names are still funny. I couldn't get one of the really simple moves until my 5th try-it was so easy, but a weird feeling for me. Jewel is the youngest participant in class-she hates that. However, Frank and I pointed out since she is starting so young she will know so much by the time she reaches the other's ages (twirling is new to the studio-this is only the 2nd year it was offered). It was nice for Frank and I to be together without the kids; even running a simple errands.
The kids are both so relaxed during the summer versus the school year. I enjoy the summer; I plan on relishes every minute because it goes by so fast. Jewel and I need to start reading-fall is coming.
The guys got their pics back from Lilies; some are good others not so much. I ordered discs with both of his photo orders so I hope he posts some pics. NOT of me making my Viking chair; of Lilies.
Today, I wore a dress to work that was sleeveless with 2 slits up the leg area. One would believe I'd never worn a dress to work before, but a got a "woo hoo" so hey I'll take it.
anyway.. it has been a really nice week in many ways. I've thoroughly enjoyed the time I got to spend with Frankie.

Smiles to you all,
Jennifer

Good a.m. Weird afternoon. It is funny how the different situations life puts us in brings out different sides of us. Hum..

Busy at work today so I'm glad for that; not crazy busy like last week ; just busy. I'm so tired. I had a very late night last night. Still very sad about many things. It is a good think I try to get my strength from God because I've ran out of strength of my own.
The kids got to go swimming with Maddy an Cal so they were thrilled. Cannon had not been to a swimming pool yet this summer.
Last night,I went with Frankie to SCA. I used loaner gear to "fight" for the 1st time. I could not believe how much I giggled; such a weird sensation to get hit. I thought it would be a lot like boxing, but it wasn't. I have a very tiny bruise on my arm from where Frank hit me, but I'm trying to act like I have a terrific battle bruise. Jewel told me I should hit daddy as hard as I could; I thought that was funny. Sometimes, she is such a little smarty.

Junkers, work busy.


Jennifer

I have decided the only thing good abt stress is weight loss-tee hee. Those 5 lbs I have been yammering abt all summer. Well, I lost them in 4 days. However, today I am feeling better abt things so now my appetite is coming back.

Tootles!

Jennifer

Cannon & Jewel

Easter 2008

Jewel & Ashley with the ISU cheerleaders VEISHA

My mom, sister and I at Gretchen's 40th birthday party. We had an excellent time.

No matter what happens in life I have two gorgeous, funny , intelligent children. I am grateful.

Jennifer

Today, I awoke and my groove was back. I have the Lord and decided that He is all the I need. I feel so strong and so good.

I have some cute pictures to share.

It just has to be said sometimes life stinks and stinks badly.

I am feeling angry today. It is muggy, but I need to go for a long, fast run; that is the only thing I can think will help. I can't even describe how deep my anger is. We all have these times. I use to have an anger managment issue that I spent years fighting so I've tended ever since then to be afraid of my anger. Those of you who've known me for years- but I don't think anyone-except Jeanette- has seen my "Waterloo side". I went through a lot as a kid so I use to be closed off and a little on the tough side. I guess it would be good for me to get some of that back and boy am I feeling it today. I hope I can go through my anger without hurting God or anyone close to me. I have no intention of hating anyone or hurting anyone but I think sometimes a side effect of life's trials is a person toughens up. This experience has changed me so I'm not sure I will ever be the same again, but more like I use to be when I don't know was really the best. I'm not sure the people who know me now will really like me if I toughen up again, but sometimes a person has to survive and prepare for what the future might bring. I appreciate prayers more still. Maybe God is allowing my anger to help me survive; I don't know. Not trying to be mysterious; several of you have gone through difficult times- nothing major right this minute ;just a change. I wish more than anythign I was at home with my brother Ryan so I could say, "Ryan I need to fight" and we would box. Every once in a while I use to feel the need to physically fight-that is how emotions were dealt with in my house. Then I learned sometimes that feeling is really sadness; we weren't allowed to cry as children-only weak people cry esp women. I could so use a boxing match right now. I hope I can continue to feel sadness without always being angry, but sometimes its more than anger more raw. Ryan use to let me hit his body bag-what an awesome feeling. My brothers would hit me and throw me around I use to be quite a scrappy fighter.

I hope you all are well. We have had an overall great weekend. THe kids and I tried a new church this morning and so far we love it.
Frank taught me to use a few power tools and I made a Viking chair. I get to attend an upcoming event for S.C.A. with him so I'm pretty excited. It will be my 1st full event and we think we can attend sans kids. Woo hoo! I'm excited and nervous. If the event were today I would be just fine- my anger is greater than my nervousness.

Okay so obviously I still need prayers to stay in God's will.

A Glorious Sunday to you all!

Jennifer

Hey everybody! Having a hard time focusing on God's will today; please pray for me.
Smiles,
Jennifer