Happy 2nd Birthday Carter J!

Let's see 2 years ago today I enjoyed a wonderful lunch with the hubby at Taco Inn, had my favorite Deluxe Nachos on flour chips with a huge helping of jalapenos! It was a Thurs so I went back & finished my shift at work, but what I didn't know was that it actually turned out to be my Friday! That evening I went home & did the whole evening routine, dinner, check, baths, check, kids in bed, check, computer time, check. Jake was just getting into bed at 9:30 when I told him I thought we better go to the hosp, my contractions were timeable & I didn't want to deliver en route.

We dropped the kids off & headed in to St. E's, which was super busy in L&D that night & we had to wait an hour before checking in. They checked us in about 11:15 and I was 5cm. They called my doc about 3am when I was 8cm, she came in and broke my water & I was ready to push but still only 8cm. After making it through a couple more contractions Carter Jefferson was born at 4:01am Oct. 19, 2007 in 5 mins of pushing with 3 pushes. He was born 11 days before his due date weighing 7lbs. 12oz & was 19 3/4in long. Once again I was able to have a totally drug free birthing experience, but only because I have short labors. I feel sorry for these poor women in labor for 12 or even 24 hours.

The first thing I said was "He actually has hair!" The other kids barely had any & it was so light, Carter's was so dark & was even curly when wet! He was quite his own little character, completely opposite of my other two. He liked his binky, he was not the chubs that the others were, he was just starting to roll over & laugh out loud. I sure do miss my monkey man! I am greatful that we were able to spend 3 wonderful months with him & see him smile!

I ordered the image above from Carly at To write their names in the sand she is a wonderful blessing to many bereaved parents! Go check out her blog!

Where do I even start????

This past 6 weeks sure have been busy! Football is in full swing for Jake & Cordell. Carmen has started volleyball as well! Thank goodness it's only one night a week, but watching a 3 year old try to keep up with the BIG girls is ridiculously cute!


The last weekend in July the kids & I found ourselves tubing down the Niobrara. This has turned into an annual event with my family & we thoroughly enjoy it! The weather was perfect, not too hot & not too cold!


The second weekend in August found us hanging out at the Lancaster County Fair! The cattle show ran for 7 hours on Sat on what was possibly was the hottest day of the year! Cordell did show & tell with a poster he made on recycling & Ricky once again showed his rabbit Midnight. Cordell received two blue ribbons, one for his poster & the other for his adorable pig cupcakes that he made.
On August 11th, I was online daydreaming & looking for houses for sale, when I spotted the PERFECT house in Malcolm. Jake tried to meet with the banker on Thursday morning but he was out of the office. We went & looked at the house on Sat am & were sold on it. The following Tues we met with the banker & were approved, called our realtor & set up a time to look at it again. We were ready to make an offer, until our realtor called back & informed us that the house went under contract earlier that day. BUMMER!! 6 days on the market & it was sold.


So we have spent many hours searching for something else that will fit our needs. There is a house that is being listed tomorrow & we are going to look at it. Hopefully it meets our needs!


Cordell started 2nd grade on August 13th, he is enjoying being back in school & playing with his friends. Corby has moved back to Lincoln & started school in Bennet on August 17th. He says he likes it there & has been attending everyday! It's disappointing that he had to switch schools again & that he is further away from us now.


Shaunice & Savannah went home to live with their mom on August 14th. We were all saddened by this, but thankful that we got to spend 13 wonderful months with these two special girls! We met up with them & their mom for a play date on August 28th! Their mom would like to keep in contact with us & would like the girls to continue relationships with all of us!

August 16th we traveled to Utica to celebrate Jake's grandpa's 80th birthday! Ray & Donna are very special people & we are very blessed to have such loving, compassionate people in our lives! We love you Crappa & Grandma Donna! The weather was perfect for a picnic in the park. I just can't believe how unseasonably cool August.
We were also able to spend time with my great grandmother when she was in town for the day! We don't get to see her often & it's pretty special that my children are able to know their great great grandparents!

During the first 3 weeks in August we travelled around town & had church at various places. Our first stop was the State Capital. We had a sun filled morning worshipping God on the north steps! Afterwards we were able to tour the capital! August 9th we attended church at Morrill Hall, it was raining hard that day & I am so glad that we were inside! We were blessed by the presence of my friend Cassie & her 3 beautiful kids! We once again were able to enjoy a tour of the facility! On the third Sunday of being a church on the move we met at The Lincoln Children's Zoo! While there Pastor Mike blessed the kid's backpacks before the start of the year! After singing praises & feeling God's presence we walked around & visited with the animals.


I am so grateful for our church & church family! Our pastor is so wonderful & creative, he keeps everyone entertained & interested. I have learned & grown so much as a Christian since the inception of St. Mark's NW.

This past weekend we had the opportunity to attend Crossfest at Crossbridge Christian Church. This is my best friend's church & it is a community wide event. Ron Brown was a guest speaker, their worship team performed most of the night, free food & games! This is an annual event & I hope the word gets out & more people attend next year! Kala talked me into coming to church with them the following morning. They had a presentation of Cardboard Testimonies, let me just say this was very moving. If you are curious about what I'm talking about google cardboard testimonies & watch a video about it. I had no idea who the people sharing these were but it was AWESOME to see how God works in people's lives! I'm going to suggest we do these at NW & it got me thinking, what would be on MY Cardboard?? I know if I thought long enough I could come up with lots but the one that speaks clearly to me is...




Front: Filled with guilt & shame after Carter's death

Back: God has forgiven me & given me the strength to forgive myself

Forgiveness is a powerful thing!
Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord!

Fun week without daddy!

Eventhough we missed Jake this week, we had a fun time without him! We had plans almost everynight so I think that helped to make it go faster. Monday night the kids & I went out to eat at DQ Grill & Chill. Our life insurance company sponsor a monthly get together & pay for part of our meals! $12 for all of us to eat supper & have Blizzards, you just can't beat that! Cordell highly reccomends the flavor of the month Tag-a-longs! Anything with Girl Scout cookies in it has to be awesome! Tuesday mom cooked dinner for us, Wednesday the kids helped wash & walk the cows. They are busy getting them ready for fair.

Thursday my mom babysat & I got a much needed break out with my girls Lisa, Cassie & Tori! We spent 4 hours at Granite City drinkin' fruity drinks & having girl talk. You 3 will never know how much therapy that was for me, Thank You! I am truly thankful for your friendships & believe that God sent you into my life for a reason!

Friday we saw another awesome production out at Pinewood Bowl! This year was Footloose & for the life of me I couldn't get that song out of my head all night. We took a picnic out there and ate before it started.

Saturday we were up early to go to Sidewalk Sunday School, Cassie & her kids were able to join us for the morning! After nap & a game of Apples to Apples, I finally got Jake's birthday cake finished!

Sunday after church we met up with my grandpa to go to the Children's Museum. This was Carmen's first experience there & she had a meltdown as we were leaving. She did not want to leave, she threw herself on the floor & was screaming! I really should learn that a 3 year old still needs a nap!

So daddy will be coming home tomorrow night & I'm sure we will all be up late with extra hugs & birthday cake! Thanks Jake for working so hard for our family! You truly are my soulmate & I am so blessed to have you in my life!

Free Manicures!!

I just thought that I'd let you all know if you are in need of a free mani come on out & Carmen will practice on you! I said free not professional! Ha! Last night she wanted me to paint her fingernails but I was consumed with other things, so I got out the old newspaper & let her go to town. After about a 1/2 bottle of remover & a bunch of paint she got em done!

Just to make u smile!

Old dog learning new tricks!

You have all heard the saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." well an old dog can teach himself new tricks! Ok, our dog is only 2 1/2 but he doesn't like doing ANY tricks. He sits & kennels on command most of the time but that's it. He has figured out how to open the cupboard door & help himself to his treats. Monday night I bought him a package of 10 rawhide bones on clearance for a buck! I was excited that I got such a good deal. I put them in the cupboard where his treats go & what do you know there is only one left tonight. Smart dog, stupid human. You would think I would have thought to move them before they were gone in two days, kind of defeated my purpose of picking them up on sale!

MIA

So lately i've kind of slacked on the bloggin'. I have been super busy with projects around the house, not to mention that Jake has been out of town all week for work. I've kind of gotten a feel for what it would be like to be a single parent and let me tell ya, I'm NOT digging it. Not that I can't handle the kids, but it is nice to have someone around to help out (even if it's only cuz I'm nagging). I am getting a break tomorrow night so that I can go out with the girls! I'm really excited about this as I get to spend time with new friends & a friend from my childhood whom I don't see often!

Dresser Before

10 days ago I took on a project of redoing the boys' dresser. Jake's grandpa made it for him when he was little & it has since been repainted & there were stickers all over it. To say the least it has been an eyesore since Corby's mom gave it back to us. I sanded it all down, painted numerous coats & covered some drawers in Husker fabric. I think it is turning out quite nicely & I'm pretty proud of the fact that I have stuck with it. I tend to start projects & never finish them, it probably helps that the boy's clothes are laying on the couch in their room.

Dresser After


Side View


Sorry about the sideways pic I couldn't get kodak to work and at 11:30 at night I didn't care to mess with it anymore!

I did all this for just about $25! I hope the boys can enjoy this for many more years to come.

$4 for material + $18 for paint supplies + $2 for sanding paper

preserving a handmade item from Jake's grandpa = priceless