Happy New Year!

Sorry to have been away for so long, but I've been having fun! Christmas was wonderful with my family. My sister was home for the holidays, and she even found her wedding dress while here! We were super excited.

This last weekend I met up with my girl, Nat, and we took a trip to Tulsa for Oklahoma Holiday Youth Convention.

We are still young at heart, and they had services for the "20Somethings." We had a wonderful time, and every service was awesome. God was there so strong, His presence was almost palpable. It was the perfect end to a great year.

Saturday we got up early and drove to a remote location not on any map, also known as the family farm. Nat's familie's farm, that is. Her Grandpa and Grandma live out in the boonies (a.k.a. the middle of nowhere) and every New Year's weekend her entire family gets together for Christmas. They have a HUGE family. As in, there were about 75 of us there. And that was immediate family. It was crazy.

It was also a ton of fun. Saturday morning the kids all opened presents, and then we hung out and talked until lunch was ready. We walked across the yard to her uncle's house, where tables were set up for the entire clan. They had everything you could imagine. Smoked pork loin, turkey, ham, the most amazing dressing I've ever had, mashed potatoes and gravy, fried turnips, cheesy potatoes, green beans, and at that point I couldn't remember the names of foods because there was so much.

After we ate, the guys cleared away the tables and set up chairs for church, which is a tradition on the farm at Christmas. Let me tell you...after having been at HYC with hundreds of other young people worshipping and praising God I thought church couldn't get any better, but this family showed me different. From the moment the cousins started leading us in worship, the room was simply saturated with the presence of God. It was one of the best experiences I've ever had. I really hope I get to go back again.

After church the boys were ready to go shootin'. I followed along, wanting to watch. Big Q, however, and his wife, Tammy, had other plans. He quickly stuck a .45 in my hands and instructed me to plant my feet firmly on the ground, shoulder width apart, nice and comfy.

Guns and me don't get along. The one and only time I shot one, it scared me to death, but Q is a really good teacher. As in, he needs to open a place of his own. One side shooting range, the other side for teaching Brazilian Ju Jitsu. (He taught me some of those moves, too.)

After I slowed my breathing down and lined up the 3 dots, he told me I wasn't a bad shot for a chicken.

Sweet Cayna and her beau came too. He brought the big guns.

Later in the day some of the aunts and cousins sat down for their annual game of Hand & Foot. It's a crazy canasta style game with about 7 decks of cards. I learned pretty fast though, and almost came in first with my partner. We were a close second after the second to last had put us down 3000 points.

Sunday morning we all got up and went to church with Grandma and Grandpa. Their town is super small, but cute and quaint. I saw this painted storefront and had to snap a shot.

Bailey girl managed to sit still for 2.5 seconds so her Momma could snap a shot of us.

After church, we quickly traded in our heels for our comfy shoes and jean skirts, since heels and sand don't really go great together, and spent a few more hours with Nat's family before heading back home.

In other words, the last week of 2011 was pretty stellar.

I can't wait to see what 2012 has to hold. I know it's going to be an amazing year!

-Jenn (With 2 N's)

Pistols Firing!

This weekend we celebrated a HUGE milestone in our family. My wonderful mother graduated from college with her Bachelor's in Elementary Education! We are SO super duper proud of her. She has worked in the school system for years, and never got to have her own classroom. She and Dad put both me and my sister through college, and it's so awesome to see her finally get her shot.

It's been a tough road for her, juggling school, her editing job, keeping up the house, being a pastor's wife, and everything else she does as SuperMom, but she has made excellent grades the entire time, and has been at the top of her class.

She was SO worried about every certification test she had to take, but when we got her results back that she passed them with flying colors, we just grinned because we knew she was a smarty britches. =)

Her professors and fellow students have told us we are lucky to have her as a Mom, and I totally agree with them. She's pretty stinking awesome!!

I love you Momma! And I'm SOOOOOO proud of you!!

Laughter IS the Best Medicine

Guess who's home for the holidays??? =)

Yeah...she got in last night, and I'm already hurting from laughing so much.

I'm pretty much stoked about the next few weeks.

Merry Friday before the Friday before Christmas! ;-)

-Jenn (With 2 N's)

True Love Waits: Deux

This family is just full of love. Seriously.

We knew it was coming, but sister didn't! Her guy surprised her this weekend and proposed at the top of the castle in Central Park where they had their first date. I'm beyond ecstatic for them both.

He becomes the property of the US Army on November the 10th, so they've been ring shopping and future planning for awhile. We were just sure he wasn't going to be able to surprise her. He ordered the ring from out of state last week, and somehow got it by the weekend. She didn't even think he had it yet, so she was thoroughly surprised.

She's a green kinda gal, and his birthstone is Peridot, so the stone was perfect for her. Her favorite color and a reminder of her guy.

I'm so thrilled I could just scream! Next to finding my own prince, this is one of the happiest moments for me. I love her with my entire being, and she's waited a long time for this. Her guy is a true, genuine man of God, and wants nothing more than to spend the rest of his life loving her and providing for her. He also loves his country, and I couldn't be prouder than to have my future brother-in-law serving in the military.

I can't wait for them to have a bunch of Army brats running around! ;-)

-Jenn (With 2 N's)

True Love Waits

My bestest bub is getting married next month. He's only 21. He's just a baby!! He's been like my little brother our whole lives. Even though he and his cohort (both my cousins) claim I tortured them when they were little, we love each other fiercely.

He's strong. She's sweet.
He's a talker. She's a listener.
He's a Cowboy. She's a Sooner.

He's a crazy bird. She puts up with him.

He's Godly. She's Godly.
He's handsome. She's gorgeous.

I just can't say enough how thrilled I am for him to have found such an amazing girl to be his wife. He's been through so much in his young life, and putting God at the head of his decisions positioned him to meet this gorgeous girl. We all love her and are blessed to have her as part of our family. And I couldn't think of a better girl to stand beside him.

Tomorrow: Preparations are underway for two showers this weekend given in his hometown. Can't wait to share some decorating ideas with you!

-Jenn (With 2 N's)


Photos copyright JLS Designs

Happy Birthday Momma!

She was 26 when she first met me.

I don't remember that day, but I bet she does.

She was the one who helped me grow.

She fed me, changed me, held my hand when I started to walk.

She was the one who picked me up when I fell down,

probably telling me to slow down and pay attention to where I was going.

She was the one who taught me that yes; chicken really does come from a chicken. And she was the one who would tell me to sit down while I ate my food because, "This is not a traveling dinner!"

She was the cool mom; the one who worked at my school.

She was always around, which made me feel extra safe.

She was the creative one, who would draw some of the most

amazing bulletin boards in the Berryhill Elementary hallways.

She was the one who taught me how to be a lady; because ladies cross their legs, and that lesson was taught over, and over, and over.

She was the one who gave me a love of reading. Often telling Jessica and I to turn off the lights, only to stay up herself, reading just ONE MORE chapter.

She was always around; there when I needed her,

and there to give me space when she knew I needed it.

She was the one who stayed up with me through the night when I had forgotten about a big project that was due. All the while telling me, "I'm not 9-1-1."

She was the one who prayed for me. And prayed for me. And prayed for me.

And she was the one who rejoiced with me, when I finally figured out

what she had been trying to teach me all those years.

She is the one who still helps me grow. She feeds me knowledge, wisdom,

and spiritual guidance. She changes me daily with her actions,

holding my hand when it's hard for me to walk on my own.

She is the one who picks me up when I fall, telling me to

slow down and see where God is trying to lead me.

She is the cool mom. The one everyone tells me

would be the best mom to have around.

She is the creative one; writing, teaching, and forever making me

jealous with the things she can pull out of her brain.

She is the one who teaches me how to be a lady,

by being the godliest lady I know.

She is the one who is always around. She's there when I need her,

and there to give me space when she knows I need it.

She is the one who prays for me. When I struggle to figure out

what it is she learned years ago.

She will forever be my mom. The one who loves me unconditionally,

even though I have failed her so many times.

And I will forever love her, because without her, I wouldn't be who I am today.

I wrote this for my Mom on Mother's Day, but wanted to tell her again how much I love her. She's the best mom for me. She may not be perfect, but she's perfect for me. God knew what He was doing when He gave her to me. I love her with my whole heart.

Happy Birthday Momma! I love your stinking guts! =)

-Jenn (With 2 N's)