This blog is about our family, who have dealt with the loss of two sons with Muscular Dystrophy, the adoption of a son diagnosed with Agenesis of Corpus Callosum and the birth our a healthy little girl. It's a crazy life, but we are loving it.
Last week Emily had her 1st grade Christmas program. She even had a little speaking part. She and all the other students did a great job.
On the night of the program, I got to the school an hour early. Why, you may ask? You can read about my past experiences here and here.While waiting for the program to start, Ethan saw his best friend, Anthony. Anthony's little brother Aiden was in the program, too.
The program started and all the little one came in. Since Emily had a speaking part, she was on the front row.
Santa made an appearance.
There was lots of singing, and cuteness all around.
After the program, I snapped a pic of Emily with her good friend Emma.
And then her teacher.
After the program, we met my parents at a local Mexican food restaurant to celebrate the special night.
Emily did great. I always enjoy my kids programs. I smile from ear to ear when the kids come out and sing. I get so proud, I think my heart is gonna burst. And to top it off, I had a front row seat this time. I was pretty much on cloud nine. It's an hour early for me every time my kids have a program.
10! I can't believe it! I say that with every birthday with all my kiddos.
Oh Ethan, you are just too handsome for your own good!
We had my mom and dad over tonight for dinner. I asked Ethan what he wanted. He didn't even have to think about it, he wanted pizza. So, I made him some of my homemade pizza. And it was good. Really good. It rocked my world, pretty much.
He got some pretty cool gifts.
Emily made him a really cute card.
He got a new helicopter.
So Happy Birthday, Mr. E!
I hope being 10 is a great year for you.
We love you!
And I have to add this one... Ethan when he turned 4. Oh those cheeks...
Last Friday I went with Emily and her class to a local Christmas Tree Farm.
Lots of 1st graders at the Christmas Tree Farm.
We took a tractor ride through the farm, then came back and had some hot chocolate. Then Emily's class learned how Christmas Trees are grown.
They also learned about the different animals around the farm.
This guy was mugging for the camera.
And I took a picture of Emily with her infamous eye closed pose.
That night we went to our town's Christmas parade, were Emily immediately spotted a friend and they invited her to sit with them during the parade. So Mark, Ethan and I enjoyed the parade together.
Ethan enjoying his hot chocolate and waiting for the parade.
Santa was there of course.
After the parade, we decided to eat at Sonic. The weather was a little warm, so we sat outside to eat.
Ethan at Sonic.
I told Mark to smile and say "Complicated food order." I always feel for the people who cook our food when we go out. Everyone wants something different and made their own way. We apologized when the carhop brought our food out about all the different special orders, but the carhop was super nice and said it was really no problem.
On Saturday morning, we woke up bright and early to head to our downtown park. I entered Emily into a county recycled ornament contest. They asked that students make a Christmas ornament out of recycled materials. Emily was so excited to enter.
I had her make an ornaments out of a toilet paper roll. I cut it in 5 pieces and she painted it, and glittered it and glued it together. I wish I took a picture of it before she turned it in but I didn't. It looks similar to this. I found this photo on Pinterest.
Anyway, I received a call saying she won a prize and they would be presenting the prizes at the park on Saturday morning.
She won $10 for placing in the 1st/2nd grade category.
I won $25 for helping her with the ornament. That was a nice surprise! I wasn't expecting this!
Then, Emily won $25 for placing 1st in her category. We banked $60 on a toilet paper roll, some paint, glitter and ribbon. Woohoo!!
She was so excited!
To top it off, she and all the other winners got their picture in the local newspaper.
I told Ethan maybe next year he can come up with an ornament too. He didn't seem very thrilled, although he thinks $35 sounds pretty cool.
On a totally unrelated note, I finally signed up on Twitter. Does anyone else do Twitter? Follow me @JenniferStroup2.
I happened to catch this movie last night. It's not often that I sit down and watch t.v. It came on just as I was trying to get my kids rounded up for bed. I recognized the movie because I recently read an interview with Candace Cameron Bure and she was discussing the movie. So once the kids were in bed, I settled down and watched.
Oh my goodness. If you happen to catch this movie, you will not be disappointed. But let me warn you, you will need a box of tissue. I was mess after watching it, but it is a beautiful story that was based on actual events. I could relate to this couple. I don't want to give anything away, but I too had to watch my child (for me it was two of them) sick, in the hospital, suffer and go through different tests and treatments. So this story really touched me.
And I know it will touch you too! So if you get a chance to watch this movie, do so!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. On Thursday we met my side of the family at the community room at my grandmother's apartments. It was nice, spacious and the weather was beautiful.
We had a TON of food...
My babies were the only children there. Here's how they were entertained ....
me and my pickle lovin' girl...
Mark attempting to play football with some of the boys...
Ethan waiting for the ball...
We tried to to get everyone together for a family picture. I'm not sure why I'm not in this photo.
Then we took the crazy pics...
Then we had our pictures taken...
I then took pictures of my kiddos and I love how they turned out.
On Friday we went to Waco to spend time with Mark's family. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures.
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. I thank my God for His love and many, many blessing he bestows on me daily, hourly and minutely. My heart is full.
My name is Jennifer, and I have a dream. It's not a big dream. Just a little one. Want to know what my dream is?
I want to be a stay at home mom, who makes cookies on the side. Friday, I got a little slice of my dream.
I took a day off from work because I was asked to make some cookies for my local bank's Christmas party. Yes, they have their party in November, before Thanksgiving.
So Friday morning, I got up early and took the kids to school, went by the grocery store for a few last minute things, then I came home and baked, baked, baked. 19 dozen cookies to be exact. I packed them up, went to pick the kids up from school, dropped the cookies off at the bank, took the kids to the library, picked up a movie from Red Box, came home, made dinner, watched movie and went to bed. It was magical, really. All day long I kept thinking, "This is what I want to do. I want to take care of my family, my home and bake awesome cookies once in a while.".
I mean who doesn't like cookies? You always hear people who are either team pie or team cake, but I think everyone is team cookies!! There isn't a pie or cake monster. No, there is only a cookie monster. And he even covered Carly Rae Jensen's hit song. Everyone love cookies!!
So after baking for around 6 hours, my dining room looked like this.
Jello, Mint Chocolate Chip, Cake Mix & Monster Cookies
On Saturday, we got to the Christmas party around 45 minutes after it started. My mom and dad were already there since my mom works at the bank and she basically had to "work" at the party. I first saw my dad and he said my cookies were almost gone. I then got in line with the kids to see Santa. My mom joined us when the kids were getting their pictures made and she told me that my cookies were gone and all that was left were the store bought ones. I got compliments all night long on my cookies. I was so excited!!
We had a great time at the party, but the highlight was the photo booth.
First up was my mom & I.
I didn't realize how much taller I am than my mom. I'm even slouching and bending over here. I look like an Amazon woman next to her.
Next up was Mark, Emily and I.
I finally talked Ethan into getting into the photo booth with me. He's (s-l-o-w-l-y) maturing, and being in a photo booth with your mom isn't exactly cool I guess.
The look on Ethan's face is priceless!
And here's a (bad phone pic) of Emily and friends Kaylin & Kinley, who are identical twins.
So tomorrow it's back to work and I must head back to reality. But, we are having our Thanksgiving luncheon tomorrow. Cookies anyone?
