Saturday, January 22, 2011

Party Pics!!!

Jia's Birthday is Jan 7th, but we couldn't get a party time at the skating rink until the 16th.  The wait for the party was excruciating for Jia!
On her actual birthday we made Bakarella's cakeball cupcakes to share with her friends.


She came home with a Birthday Crown and had a really special day! 
That night we took her to Applebee's for Mac N Chz (her request).
I do have mobile a mobile upload from that night I'll have to add.


We made Jia's birthday cake and of course she had to sample the batter...


and the frosting
I was horrified to see her squirting the frosting straight into her mouth.
Her big brother Jacen showed her how, but he turned away before I could get his picture!


Here's the cake!
Jia wanted Mermaids.
I think it's a bit, well.... much.
Jia would've had it to be much muchier!
She loves the 'stuff'!
We had to get every mermaid on there.
And lots of sparkles!


Party table at Roll A Rama



Birthday girl and her cake


Trying to roller skate with Daddy



Jia's BFF's!




I wish this pic of Jia and Daddy was clearer


New earrings and necklace from Grandma and Grandpa!
Red Butterlies!
Jia's favorite color and her birthstone



I love Cambree's face in this picture!
She is such a sweet little girl and always excited!


More 'bling' from Uncle Rob!
This girl can never get enough jewels!


At one point in China, I actually wondered if there was more wrong with Jia's mouth as she didn't seem to open it very wide.
As you can see.... those were unfounded fears!


Helping carry out her presents, not happy about leaving the skating rink!


Jory had a great time also!
Jacen didn't want to go because he didn't think he'd want to spend the afternoon surrounded by all the little girls! 


Jory has gotten really good on the roller blades! 
He had a great time!


I forgot to show you the 'ladybug' hidden on the cake.  I bought a bunch of these at a cake store in the city before we travelled to get Jia.  I love sticking them on cakes I make and seeing if people spot them.  I only have 2 left, so I'm gonna need to make a trip to Overland Park and hope that little store is still there!


Jia had a great birthday!  She felt so special, just like a princess!
Thanks everyone for the wishes and helping us celebrate!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Jory's School Christmas Program

Let's travel back to December.  Jory had a Christmas program at school. 
He's always so thrilled to participate in these....not
Can you spot him?


How about now?


He definately enjoys running around on the bleachers after the program is over.
It is always mass chaos trying to get everyone out of the gym, so we always seem to stand around visiting and avoided the rush of people exiting.
I did get Jory and Jia to stop running around long enough to catch a photo.


And a close up....

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Snow Day

So, you would think that when school is cancelled for a snow day, you would find us all nestled in our warm clothes, snuggled up on the couch under blankets....
But no.
Jia spent the day in her tutu dress.
She would have been freezin'
if she had stood still long enough.
However, she danced the day away and played princess and never slowed down long enough to get cold!
(i love how her blue undies are sticking out below her dance suit)


She spend the entire day just being adorable!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Tiltin' Milton

While you wait for me to get Birthday pictures of Jia edited and uploaded....
Here's a few of Jory to enjoy!

Jack and I got him this game for Christmas called Tiltin' Milton.
He lays in a hammock and has holes all over him that you stick toys in like a plate that you can then add a sandwich or cup to.  A branch that has birds that will set in it.  There's a hat that you can put a feather in, a fishin pole that you can hang a fish from...
Anyway you try and get Milton to 'tilt' towards the other player!


This is Milton tiltin' towards Jory!  Almost to fall over!
(ignore that Dr. Pepper bottle on the living room floor Jack!)


But, alas, as usual..... Jory wins and Milton falls towards me!


Jory gets a kick out of this redneck game and we enjoyed playing it Saturday while Jia was at a friends birthday party.

I still have some Christmas pictures to put up, including Jory's school program.  And I'll get Jia's Birthday pictures up ASAP too!

Happy Monday to ya'll!!!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Some good WORD...

So the other day I was catching up on Annie's blog and she was talking about having a bittersweet Christmas.
Oh, the holiday's were wonderful, but when you're waiting for your child to get home... well bittersweet is the word.
I remember waiting for Jia around Christmas time and I would listen to Merry Christmas by Third Day over and over and over.... I know, I tortured myself!

Anyway, I am reading Jesus Calling this year and Sunday's devotional is definately one worth sharing.
Annie... and other waiting mom's, this ones for you!


January 9th
I AM WITH YOU AND FOR YOU.
When you decide on a course of action that is in line with My will, nothing in heaven or on earth can stop you.  You may encounter many obstacles as you move towad your goal, but don't be discouraged - never give up!  With My help, you can overcome any obstacle.  Do not expect an easy path as you journey hand in hand with Me, but do remember that I, your very-present Helper, am omnipotent.
Much, much stress results from your wanting to make things happen before their times have come.  One of the main ways I assert My sovereignty is in the timing of events.  If you want to stay close to Me and do things My way, ask Me to show you the path forward moment by moment.  Instead of dashing headlong toward your goal, let Me set the pace.  Slow down, and enjoy the journey in My Presence.

Romans 8:31  Psalm 46:1-3  Luke 1:37

And this verse is not listed in the devotional.  No, this one is just from me!  It was one I clung to for those many years of waiting!

For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.
Habakkuk 2:3

Hang in there momma's!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Jacen's Band Concert

Well, back to our busy week before Christmas!
Jacen had a band concert... and really... how many pictures can one take of him playing the trumpet in a poorly lit gymnasium??
So, here's one picture of Jacen playing his trumpet!
I won't bore you with more.


This is the first year the band and choir combine their concerts.
It was really nice and for the last song they played/sang together!
Enjoy!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Happy 5th Birthday Jia!!

Today our beautiful daughter turns 5

This is the last picture we seen of you before taking off to China


You were so heartbroken and distraught.


And less than a year later you were full of joy and trust.


You thoroughly enjoyed your first ever birthday party when you turned 4...


but now you are full of opinions and, well.... sass!


This year, it's killing you to wait for your birthday party!
You have asked everyday for a while now when it's your turn for a birthday party.
You knew your turn was next after Jacen's!


You're are such a gorgeous girl! 


And so girly!


I love you so much baby girl!
I love that you're so girly and want to wear dresses all the time.
I love sharing my makeup with you everymorning.
I love watching you grow and learn.
I love watching you stick up for yourself.
I love everything about you, including your sass and all of your opinions!


Party pictures coming soon....

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Change of Plans

2:30 Change Of Plans Trailer from Moms4FamilyTV.com on Vimeo.

You don't want to miss this!  January 8th on FOX

Check out the FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT website for more details!