Halloween Nails!

Halloween is my favorite time of the year.  Well, actually, fall is my favorite time of the year.  I love the decorations, the weather, the warmer drinks, and fall festivals!!  Fall festivals are always the best. I enjoy being able to wear flip flops with jeans and a short sleeve shirt.  I was doing my nails regularly - at least once a week for over a year.  And then for about a month, I stopped.  Lately, I've noticed girls wearing black nail police.  I've never been one to wear dark nail polish; always pinks and reds.  A mom at my kids daycare had black nail polish on last week and it looked great.  I mentioned my phobia of dark polish to her.  Her reply was "just do it!  it's just nail polish", so that's what I did.
Check these nails out (done on Saturday night while drinking bottle of wine!):

In case you can't tell, the green are frankensteins and the middle is supposed to be mummy.  It didn't too out to well.  I broke my base coat trying to open the bottle.

(yes, that's blood!  that hurt!!!)

On Sunday, I did lots of yard work. And of course, my nails were ruined. I redid on Sunday night. 

I didn't realize photo was so blurry, but you get the point. I love them! Tyler said the frankensteins are so cool!! 

Xoxo,

Jen

The Story

Interested in the low down of the Story?!?!  The Story has literally changed my way of thinking in just ONE chapter.  Remember how I wanted to read the bible?  I wanted to read the bible just to understand.  I feel like I'm out of the "know" since I've never actually read it.  I don't even know how to quote the bible OR go to a quote from the bible.  Please don't give up on me yet!!

I decided it was time to change.  It was time to learn - The time is now!  I miss my dad so much and I know this is NOT going to bring him back.  But MAYBE this will distract me enough to feel connected to him again.  Whenever I go to this new church, I feel my dad.  Weird, huh? I figured people have thought stranger things than that!

The Story is about 90% the bible.  I'm goode with 85% - so this is better.  It takes the stories of the bible and places them in chronological order.  The order is all published in easy to read chapters!  There are 31 chapters.  The church plan is to read one chapter a week.  The sermon each week will revolve around the assigned chapter.  Small groups are are also highly encouraged. 

The small groups will meet once a week.  There is a guide to use for discussion questions.  My small group consists of my 3 neighbors and a girlfriend.                                                                                                              

Sooooo, I was hoping to blog once a week about the chapter assignment (in addition to the small group).  My blog post on the chapter will be all my thoughts.  The thoughts might include what I learned (mostly this), surprised me (and this), or a basic summary.  Good plan?  I think so too.  I'll use the next week to catch up.  Join the journey with me!!  

Xoxo,

Jen

First Friday

Today is the first Friday in October!  I can't believe it is already October. Jason got the decorations out of the attic...maybe, three weeks ago.  Three weeks is how long I've been wanting to decorate for fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving.  Why haven't I decorated?  This week I went to a yoga detox class on Monday evening, Tuesday was a family committee meeting for boys school, Jason worked late on Wednesday, and Thursday was a PTA meeting.  So, I've been busy.  I'm hoping I will be able to get several things done between tomorrow and Sunday.  Here is my To-Do List:

-Decorate for Halloween.

-Clean bathrooms and kitchen floor.

-Finish Laundry.

-Finish Chapter Three of the Story (I'll explain the Story in my next post).

-Start Chapter Four of the Story.

-Paint Nails.

-Plan Ty Ty's FOURTH birthday party.

-Plan dinners/lunches.

-Go grocery shopping.

-Drink bottle of wine.  ;)

Oops - I didn't mean that...whelp, yes I did.  Ha ha ha.

Photo after today's laps for learning at Andrew's school!

Picture of Spiderman and Ninja Turtle.

And finally, one of my favorite things... FRESH FLOWERS!!

xoxo,

Jen

Life Changes!

Over the past 8 months or so, my life has changed in so many ways.  First and foremost, my dad passed away in July.  He fought hard, but it still breaks my heart everytime I think of it.  I still can't believe he is really gone.  I feel like he is just away on vacation and he will walk through my front door to play with boys.  I was there when he passed away.  I can still remember what I was feeling and what I saw.  I'm not sure I will ever forget.  I'm glad I was there for him; just wish I could block out the memories of that morning.  Last year, when he was given two weeks, I made a decision on what I wanted to do to keep his memory alive.  I wanted to make a t-shirt quilt from his t-shirts.  I presented the idea to him and he loved it.  We talked about it a lot over the last year.  He was really excited about it.  He was afraid the boys wouldn't remember him and felt the quilt would make them ask questions.  Tyler has talked about my dad a lot over the last couple months.  I think my dad has visited him several times.  It makes me happy to think of him still being here and seeing what is happening.  I only received a few t-shirts which means the quilt probably will never happen.

Andrew started kindergarten.  I really dreaded him starting; however, he has transitioned well.  Actually, he loves it.  He goes to our neighbors house before and after.  I really feel they have helped him to stay focused.  Plus, this has opened several other doors for us.  I've met several nice families in and out of the neighborhood.  Our families seem to mesh well and that gives us another opportunity to be active. I'm excited for our future and to see how the friendships progress.

I decided to start completing items on my bucket list.  At the top of my list was to read the bible.  The minimal experience I had with the bible, I knew I wouldnt' be able to just read and understand.  I wanted to read and actually understand the bible.  One day, I was discussing this item with one of my neighbors.  And it changed my life, literally.  She told me the creative way her church was exploring the bible.  Her church was using the book "the story" to read through the bible.  I decided to go a few weeks ago (even got a close friend to join me whose kids are the same age as my boys) and we haven't stopped.  I look forward to the weekend now, but to explore the next chapter in the book. I NEVER thought I would EVER say that and actually mean it.  But I do.  I love it.  I feel great when I'm there and I never even look at my watch.  Amazing.  Jason doesn't know what to do with me.

Xoxo,
Jen  

Pinterest Dinner!

On Friday night, we had a co-worker and his family over for dinner.  His wife has a great personality and their son is adorable!  I think Jason was unsure at first, but he eventually gave in to my crazy ideas.  We both enjoy hosting and meeting new people.  Makes perfect sense to invite someone over who moved here recently.  Right??
Anyway, I waited until Friday afternoon to finalize dinner.  I knew I wanted to make something good (but then again, who doesn't want to make something good for dinner?!? ha!).  I searched pinterest and ended up searching through the people I follow "food" boards for some extra ideas. 
First thing I found was this Oreo pudding pokey cake thingy. 

It was delicious!  And super easy!  I used devil food cake instead of dark chocolate cause that's what I had on hand. :)  I followed the directions to the tee.

I also had chocolate covered strawberries.  A friend told me about using a straw to cut the top off and it worked AMAZING as well.  I already purchased more strawberries to dip in chocolate. 

And finally, the main course.  I knew I wanted a vegetable with a meat (I completely forgot about it being Friday and not having meat - so FAIL!).  But the honey mustard crusted chicken turned out great!  The semi-home made honey mustard was great! 

Current Trends.

Two current trends....dexter and nail polish.
I started watching season one of dexter. I'm interested, but I'm not. The basis behind the show is good; a serial killer who kills other serial killer. A good serial killer. Hmmm. I'm on disc two of the first season. We shall see.
I paint my nails once a week; usually on Sunday nights. I find once I work something in my schedule, I tend I stick with it. I'm not the best at painting my nails, but I've definitely improved. My favorite nail polish brand is wet n wild mega last.

Overload?

Do you ever feel like there is not enough time in day? Right - I know; the story of everyone's life. I feel there is not enough time for me to sleep, to work at work, and of course at home. Not enough time to feed boys, clean-up, bath time, read and do whatever else. Not to mention read a book or watch a tv show. So I think I need to think of one thing to work on each week. Each week I will challenge myself to change the way I do something.
Week one: encourage boys to make beds. I've never been a bed maker. My parents bed was always made growing up. I like the feeling of getting into a made bed in the evening. So - I need to have boys start it. :)

Next week: cooking five times a week. :)