Light Up Princess Dolls of JOY!

Once upon a time, not so long ago...

I too was plotting on how to get the jolly fat man to deliver the goods.

AHHHH Christmas.

Kids: bat your eyes, act sweet for the next two weeks, EVEN go to bed without a fight. It's crunch time...Santa is on his way!

AHHH the holidays...how I love them! (Not to mention the fist fights in the Target parking lots...and the mothers launching themselves onto the last light-up sparkle princess doll of the year and fighting the B***h that tries to take it from your hot little hands...but I digress...)

So Renee has been plotting. She's turned into a child. She no longer fears the man in the red suit; she now welcomes him with open arms (so she can receive more toys). I am amazed at how quickly a kid moves from the "sniveling toddler" phase of life to the truly “self-interested-gimmie-child-mode”. Renee is so there and I love it. This year she specifically has asked for a wooden train set, an oil tower for her trains and a car/train wash for her favorite "mode" of transportation. She also has been trolling the aisles at Wally World and has discovered the infamous "remote" (in marketing terms it is called a Leapfrog video game system), and light up princess dolls (God knows the world needs more of those). She is expecting to receive all of these gifts due to her generous contribution of not ONE cookie or TWO cookies for Santa...BUT TEN cookies for the jolly old elf. She reasoned the other day that 10 cookies would keep him in the house longer so he would have more time to give her more gifts (no joke, she is just that twisted). I didn't tell her that those cookies might send her mother and father into diabetic shock, but I assume that conversation can wait (at least for a few years).

I do have to say, on behalf of my readers (and for my own sake), that our whole Christmas has not been consumed by mass quantities of commercialism...just 95% of it. This year Renee played a large roll in helping adopt a family from church. She helped me pick out presents and learned about sharing our joy and happiness with others. She has also learned about the birth of Christ and why we celebrate Christmas. (To help butter up Santa she even drew him a cross today for Christ’s birthday.) She sings carols and dances for us to the constant lull of “leather face” Andy Williams and our good friend Bing Crosby. Tonight as we ran through the covered bridge at Woodbridge she giggled and laughed with glee...afterwards the two of us sat on the walkway and watched the lights dance on the water (insert ooo’s and ahhh’s here). It's one of those moments that you will never forget as a mother...and man it makes you want to have 20 carbon copies of your first model...but I digress. Under all of our greedy self interests I have enjoyed this year more than you can imagine (despite the gallbladder thing). The magic of Christmas does exist and I am THRILLED that Renee is sharing it with us so generously. I have truly never been happier in my life than I am right now...light up princess dolls and all.

(And let me tell you...I took that woman DOWN...it helps to have mass on your side. God I love physics.)

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Jenny

Blogs to Come

I am sorry that I have not written in a while...life has been pretty insane....

When I get some quite time I will fill y'all in on the last few weeks.

sheesh. (photos and all)
Jenny

Man I LOVE my congressman! HA HA HA!

Ok, so i got this today off of the DrudgeReport. It made me feel good inside...and to think...I voted for this guy! HA HA HA. I love this state!

Georgia congressman warns of Obama dictatorship
By BEN EVANS – 2 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Republican congressman from Georgia said Monday he fears that President-elect Obama will establish a Gestapo-like security force to impose a Marxist or fascist dictatorship.
"It may sound a bit crazy and off base, but the thing is, he's the one who proposed this national security force," Rep. Paul Broun said of Obama in an interview Monday with The Associated Press. "I'm just trying to bring attention to the fact that we may — may not, I hope not — but we may have a problem with that type of philosophy of radical socialism or Marxism."
Broun cited a July speech by Obama that has circulated on the Internet in which the then-Democratic presidential candidate called for a civilian force to take some of the national security burden off the military.
"That's exactly what Hitler did in Nazi Germany and it's exactly what the Soviet Union did," Broun said. "When he's proposing to have a national security force that's answering to him, that is as strong as the U.S. military, he's showing me signs of being Marxist."
Obama's comments about a national security force came during a speech in Colorado about building a new civil service corps. Among other things, he called for expanding the nation's foreign service and doubling the size of the Peace Corps "to renew our diplomacy."
"We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set," Obama said in July. "We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."
Broun said he also believes Obama likely will move to ban gun ownership if he does build a national police force.
Obama has said he respects the Second Amendment right to bear arms and favors "common sense" gun laws. Gun rights advocates interpret that as meaning he'll at least enact curbs on ownership of assault weapons and concealed weapons. As an Illinois state lawmaker, Obama supported a ban on semiautomatic weapons and tighter restrictions on firearms generally.
"We can't be lulled into complacency," Broun said. "You have to remember that Adolf Hitler was elected in a democratic Germany. I'm not comparing him to Adolf Hitler. What I'm saying is there is the potential."
Obama's transition office did not respond immediately to Broun's remarks.

I'll be Obama's NOT happy about this comment. :P
Jenny

Christmas time...Already? :)

So why can't I have my Christmas stuff up? Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, and every other commercial entity out there is already trying to suck my wallet into the joyful holiday season...he he he. I think it is HIGH time that I whip out some Bing Crosby and Andy Williams Christmas music! YEA!

So Mark, Renee, and I went tromping off to the Savannah River today to take Renee's Christmas photos. Due to our cheapness I decided to undertake this project on my own. (I actually went out yesterday with one of my friends...but those photos...at least my photos...didn't turn out so hot.) SOOOO off we went. Needless to say I am more than pleased with what I was able to come up with. Renee was a doll and Mark, bless him, was the BEST assistant I have ever had. I am sure people thought my hubby and I had escaped from a mental institution with some of the things we were doing behind the camera...but the wet willies, the "hitting" mom's camera with sticks, and the "sweeping" of mom's head with pine branches seemed to keep her attention for more than two nanoseconds...so we will take it! HA!

Here are some of the shots that I got.

I hope you liked some of my work. :)

Merry Christmas!

Jenny Miller

Trick...or treat?

Moms.



We are a special breed of people.



We have lofty goals for our children, we have expectations of our families, we love to let others know how perfect our lives are...and then...and then we are faced with what our reality really is all about. he he he.



Those who have read many of my blogs probably know that I will start regaling you all with a rather comedic story of Renee and our mother and daughter relationship. Well, I am not going to let you down, I promise.



Today is Halloween, a day for scaring, and booing, and gorging ourselves into sugar induced comas. Today is a day to believe in ghosts (or at least pretend to) and welcome in spirits into your home. Well, Renee, my wonderful three year old did just that. Today we had a galgothan enter our home. If you don't know what a galothan is, please go rent the movie "Dogma". It, in very nice terms is a "Poop-Demon". Yes, Renee has found one, and it attacked our upstairs potty while I was on the phone with my sister. *sigh*



I have been very proud of Renee lately. She really has turned into a young lady. She is smart, cute, spunky, and rather self sufficient. I think God noted that my mommy-hubris was a little out of control, so he let Renee enter kid overdrive today. My self-sufficient little girl went to the potty all by herself. She told me she had to poop, and I let her go all alone (she does most of the time now, but I usually follow her when poo is in the equation). I didn't today.

"Why she's a big girl...i don't need to help."

HA HA HA. Funny me. Well, today Renee, when doing good old number 2 didn't get her bottom all of the way onto the potty. Consequently she made a LARGE mess all over the seat (God bless OATMEAL and bananas). She decided NOT to tell me about her mess. She then tried to clean up her mess...with toilet paper. Which SMEARED the mess more than I knew was possible (all over the toilet seat, part of the back of the potty, and her potty seat..inside and out). She then wiped her bottom (missing 95% of the goodness), pulled up her panties and pants, and then came squishing over to me and told me she was done.



OH the smell. It hit me right away. I took down her pants, surveyed the damage...gacked...wiped down my little lady and then went to see the bathroom. OH MY.

I ask you...how can a 28 pound midget produce SO MUCH MESS!?!?!!?



I looked at Renee, and at the potty, and at Renee again (who is looking proud of herself). The exchange went something like this:

"Renee, honey (note me trying not to yell...she is 3...only 3 this is MY fault I didn't go with her to the potty...oh GOD look at this mess) why is there poo all over the potty?"



"Ummm because it is on the potty."



"Renee, why did you poo on the potty?"



"BECAUSE I'M SILLY MOMMY! HA HA HA! (think high squeaky Renee laugh)"

"No...Renee this isn't SILLY! Why did you poop all over the potty?!?!?"

Crying ensues. Mommy feels badly for asking why Renee needed to make some modern art all over the commode. Mom cleans/scrubs/sanitizes the potty and potty seat. Mom bathes Renee. Mom talks with Renee about how we sit on the potty and why, if there is POO all over the potty that Mommy needs to be notified right away....

I love reality checks.

Jenny

Hello Karl Marx...welcome to America!

Do you want to government to control every aspect of your life? Do you want to give you hard earned dollars away to politicians? Do you not want personal control over your finances and your child's schooling? Do you think that the president SHOULD "spread the wealth around"?

I shudder at the thought that we might just give up our rights to a smooth talking gentleman. I shudder at the thought of having President elect Barrack Obama. He is a socialist. He says he is Robin Hood. No, no he isn't. Robin Hood took from the GOVERNMENT (Sheriff of Nottingham) and GAVE to the poor who had been RAPED by that government. He wants to take from Americans and give to all. From each according to his ablilities, to each according to his needs. Does that sound familiar?!?!

From what I can tell with Obama it looks like the American dream ends at $250,000. If you work hard and earn that much then you need to give of yourself (via the government) to others. hmmm.

Tonight he wiped his feet all over our Constitution. It MAY FEEL GOOD to nominate judges that stand up for "fairness" and the "middle class", but last time I checked they were there to INTERPRET the CONSTITUION, not the will of the people or the whim of a radical leftist (or right wing nut job) that happens into the Presidential office.

In the end, if Obama is elected (which I fear will happen) we will become a socialist nation. The government is going to control all of you out there. I hope you are ready for it...those of you that vote for this change. This is going to be ONE hell of a ride.

Capitalism on the way up...Socialism on the way down.

I have said before, and I totally stand by my comment. McCain is not my first choice for President, but I know he will be a HELL of a lot better than Obama. God help America. I fear ACORN and the uneducated masses are going to bone us over once and for all.

Jenny

Beatrix Potter Letters

Hey all. I just finished the current set of letters that I have been working on. These are for a young lady that is due in late November up in the cold north (aka Michigan..BRRRRR)! Her mommy picked out a really sweet theme...Beatrix Potter (known for Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, and so on...)

I have not taken photos yet with the ribbons attached. I ended up getting a really pretty dark rose colored ribbon to hang the letters with. :)

On the "O" is Peter Rabbit and his 3 sisters.
On the blue "i" is Tom Kitten
On the pink "i" (ha ha ha) I painted Jemima Puddle-Duck

I hope you like them!

By the way: if you know anyone who is about to have a baby, or has young children...pass my name along! These make AWESOME gifts for mommies-to-be!

www.childsdreammurals.com

Thoughts by Dave Ramsey

I got this from my sister...It is an editorial by Dave Ramsey. A must read in my book!


A couple of weeks ago, I worked late like I sometimes need to do to run my business. It was a nice Tennessee summer evening, and I was enjoying the drive home. About 7:30, as I pulled to a stop light a few blocks from my office, I noticed a light on in the corner office of a friend's office building. Through the twilight I could make out my friend's silhouette as he bent over his desk. Being a fellow entrepreneur, I knew what he was doing.
He was looking over some receivables. Some turkey hadn't paid him, and he was trying to make his accounts balance so he would have the cash to make it another day. In that instant, I had a flashback to some of the ridiculous statements I've been hearing on the talking-head news channels and from some individuals during this political year. And I'll be honest—I instantly felt the heat of anger flow through my body.
Let me tell you why. You see, my friend who I saw working late—we'll call him Henry—is a great guy. He's what you want your son to grow up to be. He loves God, his country, his wife, and his kids. He didn't have the academic advantage of attending a big-name university. Instead, he started installing heating and air systems as a grunt laborer after he graduated from high school. He was and is a very hard and diligent worker, and before long, the boss taught him the trade. But when he was 24, after 6 years of service, the company he was working for got into financial trouble and laid him off.
Henry still had his tools, so he bought an old pickup to haul around his materials and tools, and suddenly he was in business. He knew about heating and air-conditioning, but not about business, so he made a lot of mistakes.
He persisted. He took accounting and management at the community college to learn about business. He started reading books on business, HVAC, marriage, kids, God, and anything else someone he respected recommended. Today he is one of the best-read men I know. Soon, because of his fabulous service and fair prices, he developed a great reputation, and his little business began to grow.
Henry started 15 years ago, and now he has 17 employees whose families are fed because he does a great job. He is in church on Sunday and seldom misses his kids' Little League games. Sometimes he has to miss a game because some poor soul has their AC go out in the 96-degree Tennessee summer heat, but Henry makes sure they are served. He is, by all standards, a good man. He is, by all standards, what makes America great.Henry and I are friends, and so he asked me some financial questions last year. I learned in the process that his personal taxable income last year was $328,000. I smiled with pride for this 70-hour a week guy because he is living the dream.At the stop light that evening, I also thought of another guy I know—and that is where the anger flash came from. We will call him John. While John does not have the same drive Henry has, I can say that he, too, is a good man.
John also graduated from high school and did not attend a big-name university. He went to work at a local factory 15 years ago. When 5:00pm comes around, John has probably already made it to his car in the parking lot. He comes in 5 minutes late, takes frequent breaks, and leaves 5 minutes early. However, to his credit, he is steady and works hard.
Over the years, due to his steadiness and seniority, he has worked his way up to about $75,000 per year in that same factory. He seldom misses his kid's ballgames, but most nights you will find him in front of the TV where he has become an expert on "American Idol," "The Biggest Loser," and who got thrown off the island. When he is not in front of the TV, he spends a LOT of time and money bass fishing on our local lake. He never works over 40 hours a week and hasn't read a non-fiction book since high school.
This is America, and there is nothing wrong with either set of choices. Nothing wrong, that is, until the politicians and socialists get involved ...
I have seen several elitist people on the talking-head channels make the statement lately that people making over $250,000 per year have a "moral imperative" to pay more in taxes to take care of the country's problems. This is not only infuriating—it is economically, spiritually, and morally crazy!
Where in the world do these twits get off saying that Henry should be punished for his diligence? If you are John, where do you get off trying to take Henry's hard-earned money away from him in the name of your misguided "fairness"? If you want to sit on the lake, drink beer, scratch your butt, and bass fish, that is perfectly fine with me. I am not against any of those activities and have engaged in some of them myself at one time or another. But you HAVE NO RIGHT to talk about "moral imperatives" about what other people have earned due to their diligence. That money is not yours! You want some money? Go earn some! Get up, leave the cave, kill something, and drag it home.
We are in a dangerous place in our country today. A segment of our population has decided that it is the government's job to provide all of their protection, provision, and prosperity. This segment has figured out that government doesn't have the money to give them everything they want, so somebody else has to pay for it. That is how the "politics of envy" was born. "Tax the rich" has become the mantra of the left, and this political season it has been falsely dubbed a "moral imperative."
Ninety percent of America's millionaires are first-generation rich. They are Henry. To tax them because you think it is a "moral imperative" is legalizing governmental theft from our brightest, most charitable, and most productive citizens.
If I can get a law passed that says you must surrender all your cars to the government because it is the "moral imperative" of anyone who owns cars to support the latest governmental program, that would be a violation of private property rights and simply morally wrong. This new "moral imperative" to redistribute wealth is no different from that. It's the SAME THING!
Please, America, re-think the politics of envy! You are sowing the seeds of our destruction when you punish the Henrys of our culture. If you think taxing the populace to support government programs is the best way—and I don't—then at least tax every single person the same! There are very few Henrys out here who would squawk much about paying a set percentage of their income—if everyone else did, too. But this idea of some butt-scratching bass fisherman saying government should tax his neighbor and not him—just because his neighbor has succeeded—must stop.
So the next time an elitist media talking-head starts telling you it is the moral imperative of our culture to tax my friend Henry, change the channel.
The next time you see someone wealthy who feels guilty and is preaching the politics of envy, change the channel.
The next time you see some celebrity who feels guilt over their income preaching socialism, change the channel.
And the next time you run into a misguided, butt-scratching bass fisherman who says the evil rich people in our culture should have their private property confiscated because that is fair… well just shake your head walk away—and make sure to vote against his candidate. If he and his type win, God help America

The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!!

Today was a nice day. This morning/afternoon I jetted over to the Pumpkin Patch at our church and met up with part of the Knob Hill Mom's group. We got some great photos with the kids (kinda...OK you try to round up 10 kids under the age of 4 and have them all sit for photos!!)
and we had a nice time avoiding fire ant piles, playing in bubbles, and then heading over to Chick-fil-A. mmmm. :) Overall it was a very nice outing and it helped a good cause at our church! (Missions....that is.)

I do love my child, but today was not a good day for smiles. The pumpkins are awesome...but the grimaces aren't my favorites....*sigh* Welcome to having a three year old.

And here is the BEST shot of the day. Thanks honey...Mommy plans on using this on your wedding day to embarrass you!! HA HA HA. Or maybe this will be my Christmas card photo! :P

Renee and Hunter ride off into the sunset together. :)

Cheers

Jenny

All it takes is some Pixie Dust...

Well, Mark, Renee, and I are back from Disney World. We had a wonderful trip (except for my incessant coughing which has NOW turned into bronchitis...ugh...) We started off our trip at MGM Studios and then made our way to the Magic Kingdom, and to EPCOT. On a high note I think we met every character known to man, and by the end of the trip Mark, Renee, and I were expertly hunting them down with vim and vigor. Renee has fallen madly in love with Pluto and Donald, and I honestly don't think she could get enough of them. It is such a joy to watch. Also, Renee took a BIG step this trip and went of Pirates of the Caribbean. Mark and I made sure to time the trip early in the day, so we wouldn't have a "crazed nap-less three year old" on the ride. We narrated the whole boat ride in a rather up-beat manner (much to the JOY of the rest of the boat I am sure) and she made it through with flying colors. I am SO proud of her!!! She's not at all ready for the Haunted Mansion, but for now we are thrilled with this step in her Disney training!! he he he


Here is our little pirate right after the "BIG" ride. She is trying (in vain) to make her very best pirate face!! :)




Here we are at EPCOT before going on the Nemo ride and meeting Crush...Renee now loves EPCOT best of all and her favorite rides include Spaceship Earth (you non-Disney nerds will come to find that this is the ride inside of the EPCOT ball) and the boat ride that instructs you how plants grow (located in the back of the land, next to Soarin...We went on that SEVERAL times, much to Mark's JOY...)





Here is Renee enjoying herself with Cinderella....

And here is my very cute hubby sporting his Mickey ears that we got for FREE! (YES occasionally Disney does GIVE something away!! HA HA HA!!)

Renee's secret garden in EPCOT's world showcase....

On our Anniversary (Oct 5) we attended Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween Party. Renee dressed up as Tinkerbell, and needless to say she GOT a zillion complements on how cute she was. (No parent EVER hates hearing that....) I personally think I did a kick-butt job on her hair...if I may be so bold!!! he he he

AHHHH yes, Dumbo! We all love this classic!

My little Tink.

Daddy and Tinker-neh doin' the obligatory castle photo....

All it takes is some Pixie Dust...Renee is sprinkling Pixie dust in my hair. She took her fairy job VERY seriously!

Yes, I do have the hots for Tarzan...I can't help it. he he he. A little trivia for those who do not know...Mark and I on our first date went to see Tarzan. I had seen it five times, and needed to know if this "guy" would be able to stomach a Disney movie for me...if not I would have NEVER gone out with him again....ask my sister and Sarah McElfresh...they can verify this fact. :)

The Miller Clan meets Captain Hook and Mr Smee. They did NOT appreciate it when Renee asked where the crocodile was!

Here is Tink with some Disney magic floating around her....(this is an unaltered photo...and one of my favorites!)

Cheers everyone.
Jenny

Silly Photo.

If only elections were really like this...
Jenny

Plastic Politics...

I long for a time far from here. I long to hear real intellectuals debating, not pundits spouting out their five highlighted topics of debate. I would kill to see a candidate step outside the lines of "political correctness" and go for the proverbial jugular. Washington is fake now; they are nothing but empty suits...on both sides of the aisle. It disappoints me and scares me to no end. When we start propping up mediocrity as the norm we destroy excellence in the wake.
Tonight and in the past I have paid close attention to the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates. I don't know why I watch them. It is nothing more than a dog and pony show. I thought both Biden and Palin did a very average job. Palin is new to the scene, you can tell, and Biden is nothing more than a East coast political hack, which you can also tell. Biden was semi-well spoken, but in all honesty I cringe at what the liberal democrat platform stands on (government control of our healthcare, global warming being man-made, the thought that government needs to extend their hands into our child's PRESCHOOL education, and so on. I disdain the idea of a cradle to grave society. Government, leave me the hell alone and get out of my life!). On the other side I think Palin could have ripped off Biden's nuts on a few issues, and she opted for a more mediocre road with less bumps.
When talking about the economic issues that we are facing today the dems LOVE to point out the republicans HATE and avoid regulation at all cost, but that is NOT the case. Take a look at this video from a congressional hearing in 2004. Dems are backing the fraudulent Freddie and Fannie and their illustrious leaders. Republicans are calling for reform and oversight. ARGH. Sarah could have jumped all over Biden's ass and chose not to. If I have one true qualm with the Republican party it is this: They do not fully stand for what they believe in. *sigh*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs
When it comes to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq I strongly agree with McCain. First...for all of you war hating hippies out there. Obama will still have us in Iraq, he won't be leaving anytime soon. Oh well, get over it. I think, and so does Mark, that the surge idea in Afghanistan will work. Currently terrorists are over there killing whole towns, raping women and children who are trying to get educations and there is no support for the Afghan government due to fear. If NATO and allied forces clear areas, and keep them clear from asshole 14th century shitbag terrorists, then the people will gain confidence in their elected leaders, they will start to build and participate more in their country and they will get out from under the control of these evil evil people. Pak harbors terrorists on their border, but it is no fault of their own. In that region you have several tribes that do NOT align with Pak and therefore the military and the government in that area does not control the masses. It is a messy country and the new leadership has so much to deal with. Our goals over there should be to keep a consistent government that will not lose control of it's people. If it does then nukes could fall in the wrong hands, so supporting the leadership is the best thing we can currently do with them.
All in all I still like Palin. She is confident and I relate to her as a mother, and a conservative woman. I like that about her. I think she has a WONDERFUL grasp on the energy issues and I know that she will take a bite out of Washington, and that is needed. I will vote for McCain (HA, like you didn't know) but I do wish and long for a party that truly is willing to speak it's mind. I long for a leader that will not cower behind the speech writers and the notes and the party. I long for a true leader in this time of American Idol candidates.
Jenny

A slump of writing proportions.

I've been in a bit of a creative slump of late. I don't quite know why. For the last few nights I have gazed at my computer screen, and nothing, I mean nothing has come into my brain. *sigh*

So here are some things that I want to do. Take this as my brainstorm to get my mind back on track. I feel so lost right now...

1. I want to go to culinary school in Italy for one of my anniversaries. I love cooking (when I am not doing dishes) and I would kill to spend a week in Tuscany drinking wine and learning how to make some fresh wonderful pasta dishes (did I mention the wine?). I think for my 15 year anniversary this will be in order. Either that or this would be a great trip to do with my mom and sister....did I mention the wine?

2. I want to take classes in Russian History. Russia, to me, is shrouded in mystery. It is a fascinating country that has ties to the east and the west, and I believe that they don't quite know which identity they want to consume their existence. I love the history of Imperial Russia. I love the people that have made than country so troubled. I studied Russia in college and would love to expand more upon my knowledge. It's a mildly weird obsession I have. Don't ask...

3. I want to go on a driving trip across the whole USA. (I might do this with Renee is Mark deploys sometime.) We travel well together. She was perfect on our trip through OK, MO, LA, TX, AL, and GA. This time I would like to go into the American Southwest and explore Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon, and so many other wonderful places. I want to stay in the National Parks and show Renee the rugged beauty of America. I want her to appreciate life without electronics, TV, and school and in all honesty I want to do the same.

4. I want another child. Mark and I are ready for #2. We wanted to be PG already, but as fate would have it our timing was NOT that good. All summer I was away from Mark during those "critical" times of the month...and needless to say we still have no Thing #2. Oh well. Now I am in a holding pattern because my sister is getting married in June of next year...and if I were to get PG this month I would be due on her wedding day. As matron of honor I don't think that would work out so well. hmmm. So we wait. When your clock starts ticking this whole waiting thing really sucks. Renee's going to be 4 or 5 when the next kiddo rolls around...and that's not thrilling me. *oh well* Needless to say there isn't much I can do about it currently.

5. I want to go to a new church. I love Wesley Methodist, but I MISS the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. I miss the structure of the church service and I miss their teachings...so we are going elsewhere. Problem is Evans, GA (and all of the south) don't host many Lutheran churches. We have one in town, but it is a drive. At this point I think it is worth it.

6. I want to paint. I want to paint my whole house. I just finished my kitchen and now I am itching to paint my living room and dining room. I think it might be time to hire a painter...my ceilings are high and I don't have the tools to get up there. Plus, that is a LOT of work. UGH.

OK I am sleepy and off to bed. Sorry for the randomness of this. I just felt the need to TYPE something.
Jenny

Self Portrait

I love my daughter! (in case you haven't picked up on that just yet...) Today little Renee graced my presence with her very first full and complete self portrait! She came into the computer room with a smile on her face. She was holding paper behind her back and she told me that she had made me a "special surprise".

She then handed me a wonderful picture! Initially, I was excited like I am with every drawing she does for me. There were scribbles all over the paper...then I flipped it over (she usually fills up all of the paper for me) and I realized what she had done....she had drawn a picture of herself! She looks a little like Mr Potato Head on green construction paper, and in my book that is perfect! She drew her eyes with blue crayon, her nose with red, her mouth, and her hair also makes an appearance. She also drew two legs and two arms...and fingers! (The arms are vertical black lines and the fingers are the dots surrounding the arms.)

While admiring her spectacular artwork, my sister called...I answered and while I was talking with Katie I noticed a dark blue scribble at the bottom Renee's illustrated head/body area. I thought it was clothes, but when I asked for Renee's clarification she told me it was her "belly button"!

EVEN better. :)

Here is her AWESOME drawing. I hope you like it!

I am a little giddy right now. It may be a little early to judge, but as far as I am concerned I have the next Michelangelo sitting here next to me. Excuse me while I go contact the Louvre.

he he he.

Jenny

The Tree The Tree!

OH the tree is done! It consumed only 3/4 of my life for the past week, but it was SO worth it! I feel like I gave birth to a giant foam board baby. Here are some photos for you to feast on:

Over at Tom's house painting the trunk and the background piece that covers the scaffolding.

Renee posing in front of the bush piece:

The full tree on the stage. Lighting might change a little still, but this is it! YEA!

Another shot...zooming out a bit.
I hope beyond all hopes that I get to do this again. There are talks now that I might get to paint the backdrop for the Nutcracker (the giant Christmas tree) and some princess related scenes for other performances. :) WOOT! I never in a million years thought I could get into the world of the theatre....but this is WAY fun. I love working with the people (most of the time) and I love seeing my work on a stage. I could do this over and over again!

YEA ART!

Jenny

BEETCH Antics

Mark, Renee, and I are back from our first FULL family vacation of the summer. Myrtle Beach was an absolute blast! I'm just glad we got there before Hannah decided to make an appearance! On a really high note the waves were awesome! Mark and I were impressed that they rivaled that of Bellows Beach in Hawaii (6 foot waves at times). Needless to say I got some great body boarding in (a past love of mine). I only busted my knee up once, so I am thrilled! Mark, the poor guy, cut his foot up and his knee, and got some shell lodged in his foot. OOO. At least I got to play Doctor Jenny for a while.

I'm not one who can sit on a beach and sun for 8 hours at a time. A relaxing day for me involves construction of many sand castles, playing in the water, getting freaked out by the nature that consequently RESIDES in the water, catching little beach animals and stuffing them in buckets, and trying (usually not succeeding) to build a fort that withstand the constant battering of waves! The nice part is now I have a little cohort and Renee loves doing many of the same things that I do (minus going into the water...that does not thrill her at all), I so don't look like a total fool when I am out "playing". Man, kids are great!

The first night we took Renee down to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. She loved it (heck, I loved it)! They had a giant "party" hurricane, a dude on stilts making balloon animals, and pretty decent food. After that we rode a few rides and then crashed back at the hotel. Our first day on the beach Renee met a little girl and they played around all morning long making sand pies and burring each other in the dirt. It was very sweet. In the afternoon we discovered our pool and the AWESOME slide that our hotel had. (Once again I'm not one to sit in a chair and soak up the sun....) I tried in vain to get Renee on the slide, but she was having NOTHIING to do with it.
Most days involved the beach in the morning, lunch out or in the room, naps, pool time, dinner, and then either crashing, shopping, or night walking on the beach. It was great. Towards the end of the trip Renee did go down the slide with me, and with some persuading (forcibly pushing her down the slide.) she went all by herself. (Mark caught her at the bottom the first 4 times...after that she was on her own!) Once we got her on the slide she didn't get off. I seriously think we climbed that thing 80 times, and every time she went down it she screamed the WHOLE way! We had people stopping us in the elevator asking if that was the "little sweetie" on the slide that they heard (that's Southern for "shut your child up next time). he he he.



The second to last day Renee almost made me die! She was in our hotel room when she picked up a long decorative pillow, carried it over to Mark and myself, and said "Hey Mom, this is kinda like a beetch." (In Renee's high and squeaky voice.) I did a double take and PRAYED I did NOT hear what I think I just heard....

"Renee, what did you just say?"

"I SAID, Mom it's kinda like a BEETCH!"

Mark coins in (trying not to laugh as I give him the GLARE from hell), "Honey, what is that?"

"It's a BEEETCH! A BEEETCH Dad!"

Praying that my daughter had not just turned down a horrible path I ask her another question, "Renee what do you do with a Beetch?"

"Mom, you sit on it. It's a beetch."

My heart stops beating 200 miles per hour. I thank GOD she doesn't have a potty mouth, and Mark and I lose it and start laughing hysterically. It's her BENCH! Oh how I love my child.


Overall our trip was very fun. The slide, the ocean, the sun, and the family time together...it was perfect. *smiles*

Blessings!

Jenny

Columbia Country Ballet JOY

I really am so excited right now. I don't quite know how to contain myself. *eek* This ballet thing that I mentioned before really is going to be awesome. I just got an e-mail back from the director and his wife. I had asked some questions regarding color schemes and lighting and they got back to me with some photos of their old production set that I am helping to replace. (They are scaling the set down a little so they can easily assemble the structure during intermission. ) Since this is a local company I really didn't know what caliber ballet production I would be working with...but after seeing what their old set looked like I am like gigging out right now! It was a gorgeous set! (Yes this is Renee's ballet company...and I can't wait for her to get older so she can be in their dance troop!) ACK! And on top of it the tree really looks like MY style of painting! EEK! I am so happy right now. I love art. I love painting! I love that I am going to get some SERIOUS exposure doing this project! WOOT! I am also going to have my first ad in their playbill. I have never really advertised before, so this is a new venue for me as well (and it's free to boot). *woah*

Sorry I keep gloating about this. I am just truly happy and excited about this development. Thanks for letting me gush!

Here are some photos from the old Columbia County Ballet set:

That's gonna be my TREE! (Except a little smaller...11 feet tall from what I understand!)

Jenny WOOOOOOOOT!

*New Photos*

Hey here are some photos of my tree that I will be painting...I just got these a little while ago. I'm off to go get my paint and check this bad boy out!