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

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  

Long Break - OvEr! (well hopefully anyway)

WARNING!!  WARNING!!  PIC HEAVY!!  **had a lot to catch up on!

I took a break - a six month break.  I'm not sure what happened, but life.  I want to keep blogging so I have to make it a point to post!!  The last six months have been crazy!  Here is a quick summary:

-June 2012:  my dad was told he had two weeks to live.  I spent as much time as I could with him.  Turns out, he is more stubborn than anyone I know!  Cause he is still alive and going strong!!  I'm so proud of him. He has survived through so many things which should have killed him, I'm not sure I'll ever be prepared to lose my dad.  I'm a daddy's girl - all the way.

-July 2012:  *I hosted my SIL (my husband's sister) baby shower.  It was an airplane themed with the colors blue and brown.  My wonderful neighbors helped me make the tissue balls (can't think of the name - ha ha!),

*My brother and sister-in-law welcomed a handsome healthy little boy to our family, Leland.  I love his name! 
*Colton's 1st Birthday Party!  The theme was "A Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle.  My wonderful neighbors helped me make the invitations and all the wonderful decorations. 

Caterpillar cake made from cupcakes and a small cake!  I placed it on a piece of cardboard wrapped in white tissue paper.  The ears and legs were hand-drawn by my awesome neighbor!  (They also made and decorated the cupcakes and cake!)

Some of the decorations...

 

All decorations made using a cricut!!

I'm thinking I took these pictures after the party cause the Colton cupcake is missing a "wiggly" eye!  :)

A book for everyone to sign! And the favors were adorable!! My neighbors helped me make thank you bags. The main sheet says "happy 1st birthday Colton! -thank you!" and there were M&Ms inside! Tied with a bow!

 

-August 2012: *Andrew's fifth birthday party was batman themed.  AMAZING!

Homemade banner with lots of bats everywhere!





The kids had capes made out of trash bags and masks.  The trash bag capes were the biggest hit.  I took big black (or maybe they are a dark green) trash bags.  Cut down the seam on each side and the bottom.  I ended up cutting about 12 inches off the bottom as they were too long for 4-5 year olds.  The tie part of the trash bags were used to tie the cape around!  It was awesome!  The kids decorated their masks and capes.

-November 2012:  Tyler's 3rd Birthday party! It was safari themed.  I'm not sure why I don't have more pictures.  The kids had some safari crafts all with stickers. 

Dirt Cake

 

-December 2012:  My wonderful hubby was put to the test and built two AMAZING things for our house.  Check it out!!

*First Project

This was the first thing he we made!  It's a shelf hanging in our hallway.  It reads:  Children hold our hands for a while, our hearts forever.  I did the vinyl work.  Turned out awesome!

*Our next project was a new shelving unit in our family room.  We needed something to mainly hold the box for cable. 

On New Years Day, we went searching for items to place on our shelf.  Turns out, we found an awesome antique gone crazy shop.  It's the kind of shop you have to know what you want and ask for it.  If not, it's too packed with stuff to just look through.  We ended up getting two coke cases (bottom left and upper middle right), the lantern (upper middle left) and the jug (upper center) all for less than $50. 

-January 2013:

*We moved to our current house October 2011.  Jason and company painted the whole house from ceiling to floor within a week of us moving in.  The only room not touched was the powder room.  It was covered in wallpaper.  I didn't mind the wallpaper, so he touched it up for me and we left it alone.  We finally figured out what we wanted to do with it.  We wanted a"pallet wall" behind the toilet.  I'm not sure how I found the blog post, but as soon as I showed it Jason, we made up our mind.  Here is the after:  (I'm sorry - I failed to take the before, but imagine wallpaper from floor to ceiling in a maroon color with flowers)

I'm pretty sure that sums it up until this past weekend.  My next post will be all about V-Day!