Here is Avery's teacher and classmates picking out a class pumpkin!

Avery didn't like getting very dirty, so she tried to walk in the 'cleaner' areas!

All the kiddos got to pick out a gourd to take home! Here is Avery with what she thought was called a "gordman"! (There is a store in BIG TOWN called Gordman's)

Thanks for the tag, Dena!

1. Naps...sleeping....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......
2. Taking trips to BIG TOWN ALONE and not having a certain time I have to be back. It's my little taste of freedom!
3. Guad restaurant. I love me some steak fajitas!
4. Snuggling with my Avery and Livvie. They both make me smile many times throughout the day! Even though it's been a rough road here lately, I am so blessed to be called their mommy!
5. Digital Scrap booking...I haven't done it FOREVER, but I do like to do it very much. I just don't seem to be able to sit down and get anything accomplished anymore!
6. When my husband washes the bottles and n*pples, or helps clean.
7. My hubby! Funny story from today... at 1:00, he sits down for lunch, and makes a "huh" face, while he's looking at his arm. It appears as if one of my nursing pads made it's home in his shirt...for most of the day...I laughed A LOT! Can you imagine, PG at church, talking seriously about theology with someone, and saying, 'excuse me, and pulling out a nursing pad? Cracks me up! Good thing he came home to find it!
8. When I actually DON'T have a headache, which is rare...
9. My bloggie buddies. I really enjoy the new ladies I've met in bloggie land, and I love reading about their lives!
10. Mail...I LOVE LOVE LOVE getting mail! I also like email, but something about it being in my mailbox makes me happy!
11. I had to add a #11, because I just couldn't leave this one out...I love TV! And, like Dena said, it's premiere week and I am very excited to see some new shows! Hey...what's a girl to do when she's been playing ALL DAY LONG, and her hubby doesn't get home till late?

Ohhh....one more! When my mom and dad come and visit...I LOVE that too!

I tag...hmmm......Leslie, Christy, and Ashley

#3 - Blue Floral dress

#5 - Pink dress

I have a confession to make. Our family is unlike a lot of other families. PG and I decided years ago, that we wanted to be IN and not OF this world in a couple of holidays for our children.

First of all, we don't celebrate Halloween. I know...we're such bummers, aren't we? What's up with us? What weirdos, right? Well, Halloween has strong roots in evil. It is a holiday that glorifies the dark things of this world, rather than bring glory to Jesus Christ. Simple as that...it doesn't glorify God, so why do it?

Second, we don't participate in Santa Claus stuff. For one, we don't celebrate him because I just don't want to lie to my kids. Why would I want to tell them stories about Santa and that he brings them presents, and it not be true? Again, I know...where's the fun? We're taking all the fun stuff out of our kids lives, right? We still buy presents and decorate and all that. But, we teach our children that we give gifts on Christmas, because we're celebrating the greatest gift that God gave to us...Jesus...

I must be crazy, but silly me thinks there is so much more joy found in celebrating the birth of Christ, God's ultimate display of love to us, than to talk about some silly old man with elves.

So, I finally confessed how WEIRD and CHRISTIAN I actually am! Shame on me, right?

Hope you bloggie friends of mine still like me.....I still like all of you!

So, yeah...not the day I had in mind for sure...

I'm going to vent, so if you don't want to hear it, go somewhere else...seriously...

I'm tired. I'm spent. And, I can't stand the constant screams from Livvie because I have either left the room, or put her down, of just because she is crabby - which seems to be all day everyday, 24-7...

I'm sick of hearing Avery sing all day long. I'm tired of looking at my living room filled with toys EVERYWHERE, and I have 2 kids...neither of who pick up.

I'm sick of the fact that tomorrow is a Pot Blessing at our church, and I have to go shopping and make something up, when usually I don't cook at all...which, that's another thing I hate...why don't I like to cook? My husband would love it if I would make these meals for our family, but for the life of me, I can't figure out why I despise cooking...

I'm tired of having a husband who works evenings. Granted, he is home sometimes during the day (for which I am grateful), but I can't stand being home...alone...with my 2 children who I have cared for all-day-long...

Then, this husband of mine, tells me that he's going to be gone till after 8:30, 3 nights most weeks now for church stuff. SERIOUSLY? I think I'm going to vomit...

Not to mention that being married to a pastor, is like being married to your church, and hearing about church stuff, all day long. He can't leave his job at work, and it spills into our life all-the-time...

I love God, I love church, I love my husband...but why can't we just sit and talk about something stupid instead of church stuff?

I'm sick and tired of looking at my sink, and seeing the dirty dishes piled up. I could get to them, if I didn't have a child who cried when I left the living room every time. "Why don't you do them while she's taking a nap then" Why yes, sounds great. If I was a good mom and wife, I probably would. But no, when she decides to take her 30 minute naps, I usually either sleep with her, eat, go on the computer, or watch TV.

Then there is the laundry, and the hair that keeps falling out of my head that needs to be swept up in my bathroom, and the bottles that need to be washed, oh yeah...I have to pump too! sigh...

I'm so tired of walking into my bathroom after taking a refreshing shower, to fins it stunk up, because my 5 year old decided to take a poo and not flush...for hours...

So, basically, I am just tired. I don't need people to call me, God knows I don't need visitors, or people who want something from me (which seems to be often these days). I just want to be Jennisa...you know, the fun loving, spur of the moment, perky gal that my husband loves so much, and that I love to be.

My children ARE God's greatest gifts to me. I love them to the moon and back...But, that doesn't mean that sometimes these gifts seem like too much to handle, and that I would like to "re-gift" them....if just for a day.

Where is my mother, and why doesn't she live down the street? I need relief, and she's the only one (besides my hubby) who I trust fully, and completely with my children...

Hope you all have a restful Saturday!

Oh, and pray for my friend Jennifer. She has a kidney infection, while being 35 weeks pregnant, and just needs to be lifted up and surrounded in prayer. (Jennifer, if you want to read about my kidney infection, go here)

Avery IS learning a lot at school! At open house night, her teacher told us that she would be able to tell us what God made on the 7 days of creation before the month was up.

I guess she was right!

Since there isn't a whole lot to blog about in my little life these days, I thought I'd show you 2 new blogs that I have gotten addicted to! Who doesn't like a new bloggie to read, right?

AMAZING TRIPS - This mom is the funniest gal! She cracks me up! How she deals with 3 two year olds, and a newborn, is beyond me. There is always good laughs here! Right now she is going through the whole potty training thing...lots of laughs!

LIFE THROUGH OUR EYES - This cute couple just welcomed quads into their lives, and just got to bring their last little guy home! It's such fun to hop on over to see what's going on with them!

Hope you enjoy!

And, look what they all taught Livvie!

**On a side note, I uploaded one of my favorite songs to the top of my play list. I have a page in Avery's scrapbook entitled "The first time ever I saw your face"...When I listen to this song, it makes me pause and be thankful for the precious little girls that I have the privilege to love with my whole heart...

MOM AND DAD...MOVE CLOSER! (yeah right...I only wish that was possible)

Little Avery, within 10 minutes of each other, said the following 2 statements to PG and I...

"Mom. Look at my fingernails. Some of the pink is coming off! I have to fix it! What if Mrs. P sees it? She'll think it's ugly!"

Daddy opened her door to find her playing in her room. He said, "Avery, why'd you shut the door?" She replied, "Because I don't want to be embarrassed by you hearing me play."

I guess this comes with the territory, but I'm seeing situations like these happen over and over. It's so important for us, as parents, to teach her that her beauty comes from within. If this is what it's like with a 5 year old, I can only imagine what the teenage years will bring! :)

So, I am finally able to admit that I am having a hard time keeping up with Miss Livvie. She is quite different from Avery, that's for sure. With Avery at this age, we could have had a knife sitting out on the table and she wouldn't touch it. There was no cabinet door locks, because she just didn't get into anything. Now I realize why PG and I were so quick to try to have another child when Avery was 11 months old. She was an easy baby!

Then, there's Livvie. She's a terror! She gets into everything, eats anything she finds on the ground, and just pushes the limits.

Yesterday I was on the phone, and turned my back on her for a second, and she was fishing out toilet paper from the toilet (yes, Avery forgot to flush) and plopping it on the ground...nice...

A week ago, she decided to learn to stand on this rocking horse thing we have, and stand on this little tykes bike. She has NO fear...NO FEAR!

2 days ago, she had a tantrum because I was trying to teach her to NOT go into our kitchen drawers. Wow...beware of the crabby Livvie...wowsers she didn't like me one bit!

This morning, by 9:30, she had already learned how to climb up on Avery's bed and WILL NOT sit down, no matter how many times I say "NO".

Throw into this mix, a teething 10 month old who is discovering her voice, and you know what I'm dealing with daily

I am in love with my Livvie, as I am with Avery, but with Avery I was never this worn out. Livvie drains my energy. Seriously...how can she be this active all day long?

It was an early morning here at our house. I went in to wake up Avery, and she was already a tad awake. Here is the Pre-Kindergarten-er, in all her glory! (she is so tired and excited that she can't even spit her words out...soooo funny)

I have to admit, it was a mad dash to get everything done before we walked out the door. She did manage to have some breakfast, but I did forget her vitamins and to brush her teeth. oops

Daddy's girls...keep in mind that I didn't have time to shower, so I'm a little grungy!

Pulling out of the driveway...

Does she look excited to you? Um, yeah!

We're leaving in a couple minutes to take Avery to school...yes...all of us...

I awoke to this email from my Aunt Becky today.
(hope she doesn't mind me sharing)
Tears are welling up now...

"Dear Jennisa,

I was reading your blog this morning and realized, once again, how our lives have paralleled… you sending your precious Avery to school and me, sending my “baby” to college.

I don’t know about you, but no one ever told me that being a mom could hurt so bad. Why is it that the joy for our child is overshadowed by the pain of saying goodbye? For that’s what parenting seems to be… if you’re a good mom, you raise your child so they will be confident enough to leave you – to say goodbye with a happy wave and a smile.

So many goodbyes through the years… Each step of independence: first steps, first words, going to school, play dates, I want to do this myself, I’d rather be with my friends, learning to drive, graduations, trips to Germany, off to college… I’ve felt such joy such joy in those milestones, but also the pain of yet another goodbye. It’s pretty amazing how many tears I’ve hidden from my girls, and also some I couldn’t hide.

Yeah it sure does hurt. But Jennisa - amidst the anguish, be so very proud! Be proud that you are a ‘good mom’, that you have raised such a wonderful girl - a child who is confident and ready to face this new experience with a smile on her face, a twinkle in her eye, a willingness to learn, to make new friends, and the confidence to take a step out on her own… and know that the reason she is able to do so is because your love and caring has given her a rock solid foundation of love and security. If it wasn’t so, she wouldn’t be ready to go. Gosh, a mixed Blessing, isn’t it?

So today, I am with you in thought and in prayer and yes, sharing your tears too – bawling my eyes out if you want to know the truth. But let some of those tears be joyful too, ok? Let Avery’s joy and excitement fill the empty sad parts of your heart. And take comfort that even though you won’t be there, she is in God’s loving hands, and as she’s already told you -- "Mom...ya wanna know who's inside my heart?...It's YOU!" Jennisa, I am here to tell you that it will always be so.

The song I’ve attached (lyrics below) … says it better than I ever could. I guess it’s time to let Avery soar.

I will be praying for you.

Love from,

Becky

She attached the lyrics to Nickel Creek's "When You Come Back Down"
I changed my song on this blog to that song...so what I needed today!

Okay, so it's 1/2 hour before the preschool open house. Avery must feel me getting a little anxious about the school stuff...here's what she just said to me...

"Mom...ya wanna know who's inside my heart?...It's YOU!" Then she proceeded to run across the room and give me a big hug...

*sigh* I am so in love with her...

Tonight is "Open House" at preschool.

Avery woke up this morning and said, "Mommy...today is the night where I get to meet all my school friends! And, today is the last day I stay home. Tomorrow I go to school!!!!"

We're excited for her, we're nervous for her, and most of all, I don't know what emotions I will be feeling tomorrow morning at 8:20 when I hug her and say, "See you in 3 hours"...

I was looking through my old posts the other day, and I came across these 2...

It will be such a sad day...
I did it...sigh...

Nana and Bapa (and Sophie) got here late Thursday night, and we were SO hyper and excited when they arrived! Friday, we had to experience Nana and Bapa to the world of High School Musical, so they got to watch both of the movies with Avery! Here they are during one of the movies! Notice, Avery is wearing her HSM2 shirt! :)

Livvie enjoyed having her grandparents here. She loved it when they took her on walks, and really enjoyed when Bapa would take her outside and let her walk on the grass. Heck, she even enjoyed Sophie, and especially playing with her leash!
We ate at Z'Kota Grille almost every meal. Because of Avery's limited diet, it's one of the only places in our town that serves hot dogs and french fries. I am SICK of Z'kota, and glad I won't be going back there........ till Wednesday, when I will be taking Avery for her first day of school lunch (courtesy of Nana and Bapa, of course)...
After church today, and after we ate at Z'kota again, Nana took Avery to Walmart to get her a "surprise". Avery had just gotten a new bed earlier this week, and so Nana took her to pick out a new pillow case and blanket! We all thought she would pick out the High School Musical stuff, but nope...she's still just a little girl at heart. She picked out The Little Mermaid...Thanks Nana!
The blanket is really so soft and cuddly! I think I'll have to steal a few naps with it myself! :)
Avery likes to take pictures with our camera, and here is one she took of Sophie, Nana, and Livvie today! She did a great job, I think!

So, thanks for visiting Nana and Bapa! I know there are no photos of Daddy (or I), but he had to work a lot, and I was busy taking the pictures! :)

Hope you all had a fant-abulous weekend!