My stinky Internet service has been a pain in the you know what for the last 24 hours or so. It kicks me offline constantly. Today has been a good day-I got all the bills paid and went to the school and made our first payment for the year. That part wasn't so fun, but I am getting excited about them starting school--and they just have 12 days left. I think we're ready--I just have to get to town and buy their many school supplies. I can tell you that if we were homeschooling, though, it would still be awhile before we started. So, with me STILL feeling burned out, it's probably a good thing they are going this year. I had such a nice time in Missouri. I spent good quality time with my sisters. My kids enjoyed doing some things they never get to do here, like sleeping in an RV for two nights, swimming in a gravel bottom creek, shooting off bottle rockets, and riding down a big hill in a wagon. I'm quite sure they had a blast. We also got in a trip to the St. Louis zoo--both sisters, our kids, and our step-niece and nephew. It was a good time. B's recently widowed grandmother took us out for Mexican food one day and drove us around to all their old home sites. We had a wonderful time with my cousin--the kids spent hours playing play station--which I never allow. My cousin and I spent hours sitting at her kitchen bar just talking. The night before we left, we got to have dinner with B's aunt and sister and family at Cracker Barrel. Yum. I also managed to get in a couple of trips to Dairy Queen and brought home a bunch of bagels from Panera Bread (we don't have either of those places anywhere around us). It was a good time. And I'm glad to be home.

Labels: Family

• MONDAY--Chicken and Rice Soup
• TUESDAY-- Taco Salad
• WEDNESDAY--I wasn't at church Sunday to find out the menu, but if it's something I like, we will eat there, otherwise it will be taco bell.
• THURSDAY--Teriyaki Chicken over Rice (this is M's specialty and is my current favorite)
• FRIDAY--K has a sleepover for basketball (at Coach J's) so the rest of us are ordering pizza and watching a movie
• SATURDAY--Company coming--not sure what we are having yet. I'm thinking Baked Spaghetti, green salad, jello salad, garlic bread, and chocolate cake. But, we could fall back on the good ole grilled burgers!

**On a sidenote, I just started my own recipe blog. I don't have anything posted over there yet but wanted to let you in on it. Please visit me at Jenna's Fare any ole time.

Labels: Menu Plan Mondays

K with friends worshipping at a praise gathering

Exhausted, but having fun at Universal Studios

I have over a hundred pictures from this trip, but won't publish pictures of other people's children without permission. I wish I could, though, because we have an incredible group of kids.

Labels: Family

I wanted to post before I left so that you could see my new design. Susie at Bluebird Blogs did it for me--didn't she do a great job? She's not taking any orders this month so if you want one you will have to wait until August to order. I'm so pleased with it. Let me know what you think. And I hope that you all have an extra super special week.

Labels: Blogging Info.

OK, so I'm signing in to say that I am signing off--for a week or so. B and K are headed out Sunday night for an AIM missions trip to Miami. The twins and I are going to Missouri to visit with family. So, look for me back here on July 30th--unless I get a hold of some Internet service while I am up there. Don't count on it, my friends. In order for you to have some interesting Jenna factoids to read while I am gone, I am posting this meme that came through the email via my lovely and wonderful cousin/friend in Missouri. (I'm going to stay with her, so I have to be extra special nice when I talk about her!!) Right, Ang? And, please pray for her as she has had extensive surgery on her left hand due to rheumatoid arthritis. It's a nasty disease that she's been fighting since we were teenagers--we're the same age. And when you pray, please pray for complete healing as she is facing the same surgery on her right hand next year, and has already had her feet operated on. ( My mil has this too, and could definitely use prayer.)

Here goes:

1. Hi, my name is...JennaG

2. Never in my life have I been...bungee jumping, nor do I plan to

3. The one person/being who can drive me nuts is...B, but also my kids.

4. High school...was OK.

5. When I'm nervous...I wring my hands.

6. The last time I cried was...can't remember.

7. If I were to get married right now my best man/bridesmaid would be...Angela--wait she was 18 years ago too.

8. My hair is... extremely thick, but has been very thinned out by my hairdresser recently.

9. When I was 5...I had chicken pox.

10. Last Christmas...my husband's family came to our house to celebrate for the first time.

11. I should be...cleaning my bathrooms.

12. When I look down I see...my keyboard and my lap.

13. The happiest recent event was...lunch with friends on Sunday--while our kids swam.

14. If I were a character on 'Friends' I'd be...RICH! (sorry, stole that from my cousin.)

15. By this time next year...my kids will have finished their first year at private school--and I will be nearly 40.

16. My current gripe is...my husband has stuff lying all over the place.

17. I have a hard time understanding...abortion

18. There's this guy I know that...can wiggle his ears. (I stole that one too)

19. You know I like you when...I talk to you --that sounds snobby, doesn't it. I didn't mean it that way, though.

20. If I won an award, the first person I would tell would be...B. Could be the 1st person I run into that I know, though!

21. Take my advice...don't sweat the small stuff.

22. Something that I really want to buy is...a bedroom suite for my youngest daughter.

23. If you visited the place I was born...you'd be in Poplar Bluff (stole this one, but only because it was the same).

24. I plan to visit...with my cousin, sisters, and other family members next week when I get to Missouri.

25. If you spend the night at my house...I would hope you would feel comfortable and at home.

26. I'd stop my wedding if...already married.

27. The world could do without...sin.

28. I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than...eat it! Who thinks of these things?

29. Most recent thing I've bought myself...a denim skirt from Old Navy.

30. Most recent thing someone else bought me...I've gotten Good Mail from Judi and Christy.

31. My favorite blonde is...me--I'm kidding.

32. My favorite brunette is...my hubby

. 33. My favorite redhead is... (are) my nieces and nephews.

34. My middle name is...private--Yes, that's Jenna Private G.

35. This morning I...was rudely awakened at 8:40 by my husband and daughter, and then I went to Curves. (Yes, I was still asleep at that hour, but only because I couldn't sleep for 3 hours during the night.)

36. The animals I would like to see flying besides birds are...pigs.

37. Once, at a bar...my hubby , who was then my boyfriend, almost got in a fight, and it scared me half to death. I've never been to another one and don't have any plans to.

38. Last night I was...reading Reader's Digest.

39. There's this girl I know who...had better get her room cleaned.

40. I don't know...if anyone else would want to do this meme, but I'd sure like to read it if you do.

41. A better name for me would be...Lazy Daisy-just kidding, but I really should be cleaning my bathrooms. I like the name I have.

42. Tomorrow I am...running errands with hubby, doing laundry, and packing to go.

43. Tonight I am... cleaning my bathrooms, and making Bacon and tomato sandwiches--and maybe some brownies.

44. My birthday is...September 15th.

Labels: Just Me, Meme

Four jobs I've held: (besides being a mom)

1. I was a DJ for a country music radio station.
2. I worked in a picture frame factory.
3. I was assistant manager of a clothing store.
4. I worked in a Hallmark gift store.

Four movies I can watch over and over again:

1. Little House on the Prairie Premiere Movie
2. White Christmas
3. Christy
4. Facing the Giants

Four places I have lived:

1. Piedmont, Missouri
2. Cape Girardeau, Missouri
3. Minot, North Dakota
4. Medical Lake, Washington (outside Spokane)
5. (Also: Merced, California--San Antonio, Texas--Altus, Oklahoma--and where I am now in Mississippi)

Four TV shows I watch:

1. Househunters
2. Designed to Sell
3. Little House on the Prairie
4. Magnum PI, Leave it to Beaver reruns ( I watch little TV and don't watch any prime time)

Four places I've been on vacation:

1. Oahu, Hawaii
2. Nassau, Bahamas
3. Orlando, Florida
4. Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Four favorite foods:

1. Fried Chicken
2. Steak
3. Pizza
4. Fresh fruits (sorry Annie) and vegetables

Four websites I visit:

1. bank
2. hometown newspaper
3. Lisa Welchel
4. Fox news

Four people I'm tagging:

1. you
2. you
3. you
4. you

Labels: Meme

B and I had the best morning. We got up early (for me, not for him) and went for a very long walk--over hill after hill. I'm already just a little sore. I enjoyed it so much, I'm hoping to do it again tomorrow. We shall see. Got my hair cut today. I'm guessing that she cut off about half of what I had. That may sound drastic, but when you have as much hair as I do--it's really not. Mandalyn asked me to post a picture of it. I'm afraid I can't right now--perhaps I would if I didn't have 14,000 zits on my face at the moment. OK--maybe it's not that many--but, honestly, didn't I leave teenagerdom and all the zits that come with it a very long time ago? Apparently not. So, sorry, Mandalyn, you will just have to wait until you see me in real life--you can admire the haircut--and the zits, not so much. Oh, and I made the jalapeno thingies that Pioneer Woman makes. They were beyond yummy. I had been given several fresh jalapenos from a friend and wondered what I was going to do with them. I knew my hubby would love them--he's a big jalapeno fan. I am so glad that Mandalyn posted about making them. We are in agreement with them--they are excellent. ( I did use the whipped cream cheese that comes in a tub though--easier.) I just had the pleasure of running into Coach J at Pizza Hut--our children were invited to the same party. I enjoyed chatting with her for a little while, and watching her eat!--she spoke of how much she enjoyed her "irl" meeting this weekend. Anyway, my hubby was there and he offered to take me shopping for a little while--so I dumped Coach J to go with him. She so graciously offered to take my oldest to basketball practice--(she is one of my daughter's coaches). She's nice like that. I was very appreciative, indeed. So, now that I have bored you with my day--I am going to go pick up my daughter from practice---and then wait for my hubby to get home from work. He's night flying tonight and won't be in until late. Just wanted the "band of thieves" to know. Ha. That was a joke. Have a great night y'all.

Labels: Just Me

• Monday-Crock-pot "roasted" chicken with carrots and potatoes, baked squash
• Tuesday- Leftovers, peanut butter cookies
• Wednesday- Fried chicken at church
• Thursday- Cubed Steak, mashed potatoes, corn on cob
• Friday- Bacon and Tomato sandwiches, fruit, brownie sundaes
• Saturday-ordering Pizza I hope you all have a wonderful week. And please visit Laura for more menu plans.

Labels: Menu Plan Mondays

I realize the last two posts have been very serious--and not much fun to read. You guys have all been so sweet with your comments. I just wanted to say that I'm fine--we're fine. We've been healed and whole for many, many years. The first few months were extremely tough, and I remember that the sound of a baby crying was more than I could bear. We found it very hard to praise God in our circumstance. But the Lord truly did have a plan--we didn't understand it then, and we don't understand it now--and that's OK. We don't have to--we just have to trust Him. And we do. My plan was to not have any more children after Kassidy died. I didn't think I could go through it again. But I changed my mind very quickly and couldn't wait to conceive. I was pregnant within 6 months. The healing had begun. I asked God to give me twins. I remember saying to God that I really wanted twins, but not if He didn't think I could handle it. Of course, B wasn't exactly on board with this prayer. But I do know that God gave me a great big 'YES', and those two precious babies were born 14 months after their sister passed away. I was completely healed of the heartache the moment I laid eyes on them. And I can't imagine my life without them. God had a plan. God is Good.

Labels: Family

My pregnancy with Kassidy had been a complete placenta previa pregnancy. I had known from the beginning that I would be having a C-section. A natural birth was impossible, and could have killed me and the baby. I never had any bleeding during the pregnancy, and I was never truly concerned. I wasn't overly happy about having to have a C-section, but I was thankful to be living in a time when it was possible. A hundred years ago, women died from placenta previa hemorrhaging. I never dreamed that it was linked with something so very horrible. It was years after her birth before I even knew the placenta previa was probably connected to her death. At some point in my pregnancy there had been an injury to the placenta, at least, I was told that. The veins and arteries connecting the two of us together had crossed somehow, and were not working properly. It is exactly the same as twin/twin transfusion syndrome, only it was happening between the two of us--fetal-maternal hemorrhage (FMH). It was basically like bleeding to death inside the womb. All the blood in her body was being pumped into mine. She wasn't getting very much at all. The medical community believes it is the cause of many stillbirths. As a matter of fact, mine and Kassidy's records say "stillbirth". Anyway, we made it through the night, and early that morning B asked if I wanted to wheel down to the nursery and see her. I wasn't really feeling myself, and honestly don't remember wanting to, but I did. I knew I would have plenty of time for that. I think B tried to prepare me for what I was going to see, but I don't think it was possible. He had already spent some time with her. The moment I saw her, I finally grasped that my daughter really was seriously ill--deathly ill. The nurses had been manually pumping her heart since her birth using their index fingers--keeping her alive. She never breathed one breath on her own--except her last. In spite of the tubes everywhere and the iodine stains, I thought she was beautiful. She was going to look like her daddy--just like our oldest did. I didn't stay long--couldn't. You would think that I wouldn't be able to leave her side, but I did. At that point, we were still hoping. A team was on its way from Jackson MS, and they were planning to transport her there. When the team arrived, they said, "You've brought us here for nothing. There's nothing we can do. She can't be saved." Her liver had burst, and her heart had obviously failed. She was worn out. We let her go. I will not ever forget that day, July 13th, 1995. We had spent 12 hours with our little girl--the only twelve hours we would ever get in this life. A most precious 12 hours. She died at 1130am. I will not forget the way my husband cried on our pastor's shoulder--great tears of sorrow. I will not forget my inability to cry. I will not forget having to tell B's mom that Kassidy had passed away. She had been traveling for hours to get to us and didn't have a clue that Kassidy had passed away. I will not forget the great out- pouring of love from our friends and family. The military and our church family ( even our former churches) were also a huge help to us during that time. I will not forget that B's grandparents bought her a grave site, and as a gift bought the two next to it for B and me. I will not forget that B's brother calls to talk to me most years on this day and never says why--but I know. I will not forget what it felt like to have her inside me, kicking and moving around. Mostly, I will not forget that God is sovereign. I don't have to know the reason why our little girl died, I trust that He knows why. He has a perfect plan. That is truly enough for me. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Labels: Family

* I am writing this down because I never have before. After 12 years, my memory has faded and I really don't want to forget any more details. I want it documented for our family. I would also like to increase awareness of this very rare problem.* Twelve years ago today, I gave birth to a sweet little baby girl. We didn't know it at the time, but her life on this earth was to be very short lived. Here's the story: It was a Wednesday. I was at the beginning of my 37th week, and I hadn't felt her move much the day before. I couldn't really remember if I had felt her at all. I anxiously waited all day Wed. for her to make some sort of movement, and when, by evening,I still hadn't felt a thing, I called my doctor. He told me that he NEVER underestimates a mommy's instinct, and to come on in. I was admitted to the hospital and immediately hooked up to all the many necessary monitors. They were able to find her heart beat right away so all concern left me. They offered many reasons why she might not be moving, but said her heart beat showed that she was fine. They kept me in the hospital,though,because I was having a lot of Braxton-Hicks contractions and they wanted to monitor them--and they could also see that she wasn't moving. I had been on pre-term labor drugs for many weeks, but the contractions were still there. Around 11:00 that evening, my doctor came in to check on me--I guess he had been there to deliver a baby--they checked my vitals and the baby's and saw that her heart rate had either increased or decreased ( I can't remember now--I suppose it had decreased), and I remember the Dr. saying, "We've got to get that baby out now, she's in distress." That started a whirlwind of events--I mean to tell you that they did get her out fast. They prepped me for surgery and rolled me in before I even knew what was going on. I will never forget looking into B's eyes, seeing the fear--and love, and wanting him to stay with me--knowing he couldn't. He was all alone waiting to find out what was going to happen. I was completely sedated at her birth and had to rely on B for all the details after I woke up. He said that the first thing he saw after surgery was our pediatrician rushing out of the surgery room, carrying the baby, and yelling that he, "needed blood and he needed blood now". He has said that that was the worst moment of his life. He had no idea what was going on and no one told him for a while. And no one was there with him. It was a long time before I was "conscious" and B was able to tell me that our daughter was very sick. The doctor had told them that our little Kassidy had been born with very little blood due to a rare problem called Fetal Maternal Hemorrhage. B said that he knew that I didn't truly grasp how sick she was--and I didn't. I never dreamed for ONE MINUTE that she wouldn't make it--never crossed my mind. Even after B told me she had a 50/50 chance (that was a very generous percentage, by the way) to live, I wasn't worried. (To be continued)

Labels: Family

I am posting this absolutely yummy recipe for Renee. She asked me for it after seeing my comment at another blog.

Labels: Food

PLEASE TELL ME YOU FEEL SORRY FOR ME.

Labels: Just Me

John started a meme called Five Things I Dig About Jesus.Here’s how it works:Those tagged will share five things they dig about Jesus.Those tagged will tag five people.Those tagged will leave a link to their meme in the comment section of this post so everyone can keep track of what’s been posted.You can go to Five Things I Dig About Jesus to see what other people have said. I have had the wonderful pleasure of being tagged by two sweet ladies for this meme. Jodi at Fruit Inspection and Annie at My Life as Annie both tagged me for this. I really wanted to take some time to think about this one. Any of us that have been serving Him for any period of time could probably write a book on this topic, so I really wanted to think of what I consider the best of the best. I have been thinking all weekend long--so here it goes. I dig:

1. that He is omnipotent (all-powerful), omnipresent (everywhere at the same time), and omniscient (all-knowing).
2. that He is the one and only way that anyone can ever have eternal life. There are no alternate routes--no matter what anyone else might think.
3. that He is forgetful--of our confessed sins, that is. No one else can forgive and FORGET the wrong things I do, except Him. The Bible tells us that not only are our sins taken from us as far as the east is from the west--but He also forgets them. I'm so glad He never finds it necessary to bring up our past--EVER.
4. that He died on the cross for ME. And if I were the only person ever--He still would have done it. He paid a debt He did not owe. I owed a debt I could not pay.
5. that He is in the miracle-working business. He wants to give us the desires of our hearts--and to heal our diseases, marriages, etc.

I'm not tagging anyone, but I would love to read yours if you play along. Just let me know when you've posted yours and I'll be right over!

Labels: Meme

• Monday-Leftover home-made sloppy joes, watermelon, cantaloupe, chips, Chocolate Bundt cake
• Tuesday-Chicken Stir-fry with rice
• Wednesday-Eat at Church-K is going on a mission trip in our town for the rest of the week.
• Thursday-Bacon, Eggs, Biscuits, Fruit
• Friday-Taco Salad
• Saturday-Pizza, maybe

Thanks to Laura for hosting.

Labels: Menu Plan Mondays

(This is the plane B. flies--the T-6. He has only been flying this particular kind of plane for a year now.)

He will be home sometime Sunday afternoon--just in time for Life Groups at our house. The twins were invited to go bowling today with my mentor and her grandchildren from Florida. They aren't back yet, but should be shortly. K. and I cleaned all the floors in the house, and then went to buy her (red) basketball shoes and get some ice cream from Sonic! She thinks she's something in those shoes--I can tell! She is beyond excited to be playing basketball at her new school this next year. I have big plans to finish cleaning my house, make some good comfort food--chicken spaghetti, baked squash, and fresh sliced tomatoes for supper, and then I want to sit and watch as many "Christy" episodes as I can before a John Wayne movie comes on this evening on Hallmark--(or maybe I was mistaken--it's James Arnez instead--That will still be good). I'm livin' the life, I'm tellin' ya! If my hubby were here, everything would be perfect. Well, actually, if I had a personal maid, chef, and hair stylist, etc.--everything would be perfect. But, you know what I mean... Have a great weekend y'all.

Labels: Just Me

Annie tagged me for this fun little meme--I am going to have a hard time with it, because I am already doing my dream job.

• Here is how to play: If you had the opportunity to do a 1-year internship in a company or field completely unrelated to your current career or specialty, what would be your top 5 choices?

1. I would love, love , love to sing alto in a southern gospel singing group. Sadly, while I am decent at reading music, and I have sang all my life, I do not have a star quality voice. This would be my ultimate dream come true, though.
2. Don't you think it would be really cool to be an ice cream taste tester? Sadly, I'm lactose intolerant.
3. It would be really fun to be a tour guide at a place that I really love and know a lot about--like maybe Laura Ingalls Wilder's home. Sadly, I don't live in Missouri anymore. ( Not that I don't love Mississippi!)
4. I would love to be a book reviewer and a proof reader.
5. I think it would be really cool to go in and help people organize their lives--kind of like Mission Organization on HGTV. Do you suppose that would mean that I would have to get my house a little better organized?

I realized while doing this that I really don't have big-huge-income-bringing -job dreams--These are all pretty normal type things--don't you think? Except maybe the Southern Gospel group thing. And on that note (pun intended), I'm off to listen to a little Crabb Family and to practice my alto!

I think I will tag: Laura, kittyhox, Sonya, and Amberly.

Labels: Meme

Labels: Friends

Labels: Random Thoughts

Thanks so much to Annie and Leahbelle for thinking that I rock. I'm guessin' not too many people would describe me as "rockin'" , but I'll take it when I can get it. Just call me Rockin' Jenna.

1. Rockin' Blogger--Carrie @ My L'il Corner of the World. I love her because she was having a baby one day, and posting her menu on the blog the next--well, not really--but almost. She is a sweet, sweet lady and is always so good to comment and lift me up!
2. Rockin' Blogger--Mandalyn @ Grace and Hope. Mandalyn has been my real life friend for 7 years now, but only recently became my blogger buddy. I have learned more about her, and I'm sure she would agree that we know each other better now than we did a few months ago because of our blogs. She is doing such a service to her family by keeping track of all the cute things her daughters say and do. She is a hard-working woman and mother.
3. Rockin' Blogger--Judi @ Mommy of Two--I love Judi--she is so honest and open with her posts. I am hoping that she keeps right on posting when she can. She is a wonderful southern girl that I hope to meet someday as well--I will be heading her direction in October so maybe we can work that out. She is thoughtful--and even sent a book my way a couple weeks ago. (I'm reading it now.) Thanks a bunch, Judi.
4. Blogger Reflection Award--Coach Jenny @ A Coach For Life--Jenny has also been my real life friend for 7 years. I think she deserves this award because she is a thinker--a deep thinker. I enjoy reading her posts because they make ME think. I wish you all had the pleasure of knowing her in real life--you would truly be blessed by her and her sweet teacher's heart. Plus, she is a lot of fun to be around.
5. Blogger Reflection Award--Annie @ My Life As Annie--I'm coming right back atcha with this one because you are the greatest. I have learned a whole kaboodle from you during the past 5 months.

I really could do more if I had more time. In my humble opinion, I think all Christian Mommy Bloggers rock. You all rock and I am honored to "know" every one of you.

Labels: Awards

Labels: Family