Jenny's Journey

We had a busy Memorial Day weekend.  Well Friday we started out by hitting a local place called Sweetie Pies for fish.  It had been noted in the Journal awhile ago about how good the fish was.  We agreed. Saturday I took the girls grocery shopping and James went and got his tire(he had a flat on Tuesday nite) taken care of (thankfully the tire was surprisingly under warranty and it was replaced FREE!!) and then got his Dad's truck and got 1 1/2 yards of mulch.  Well, next year we will have to remember we only need 1 yard!  We ended up putting 2 1/2 wheel barrels in the back of our lot, cause we didnt know where to go with it all!  It was hot and hard work, but I am glad it is done.  I am guessing James is too, because now I can stop nagging him about it!  Don't worry, I will find something else!  That evening we drove out to Hwy 18 and 89 in Jefferson, to the Hwy 18 Drive-in and saw the newest Shrek movie!  Jadyn loved it! Jenna was a ...

First push-up pops of the season!  To only be eaten outside!

She's finally here! After a long and difficult labor, Stacy gave birth to my newest niece... Jorja Grace She was born at  4:49 pm on May 18th at St. Mary's. She weighed 9lbs 3oz and was 21" long. She has big hands and feet, Stacy's cleft chin and I have been told an Alioto nose!  And tons of dark hair!   A real cutie! Congratulations Stacy and Mike! 

I am sooo excited!  Today I purchased 2 tickets for James and I to see Wicked on my birthday Friday August 6th!  I had wanted to see this musical so bad when it was in Chicago but for numerous reasons, it never worked out!  The tickets dont officially go on sale until Saturday but I used a special promo code and got my tickets today.   Sure it cost me a bit more( alot more ) then I would ever spend on a birthday (especially my 32nd one) but this is something special!  Originally since my b-day is on a Friday(and I dont work the weekend), I planned on going out and getting drunk or something, but hey I can do that anytime...right!?!?!  So instead we will have a nice dinner somewhere (if it was perfect...outdoor dining - another thing I like to do but rarely ever do) and then go to the musical! 

This has got to be one of the best chocolate cake recipes ever!!  It is simple to make and gets raves everytime!  Enjoy! Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Cake!        2 cups sugar 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda   1 teaspoon salt   2 eggs   1 cup milk   1/2 cup vegetable oil   2 teaspoons vanilla extract   1 cup boiling water Directions: 1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans. 2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans. 3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completel...

As Jadyn said to us last nite, she is a whole hand now!   It actually makes me feel old to have a 5 year old!  How am I gonna feel when she is 15!!! It is amazing how these past 5 years have just flown by!  One of the smartest and luckiest things I have ever done in my life was to be blessed by her.  I dont remember what life was like before she came into my life! Not near as fun and silly I know that for sure!  She just has the sweetest (for the most part!) way about her.  She is such a great big sister too!   She was so excited to get to celebrate her birthday at school!  We bought cupcakes to bring in to school too. We will be headed off to Applebees for dinner tonite, because she said they sing to you on your birthday! Happy Birthday Sweetheart!  I hope you have a wonderful day!

Jenna had her 2nd surgery on this past Wednesday.  The surgery allowed the Dr to explore the area and see what was really going on in there. (it is extremely hard to look in a baby's mouth when they are awake!) Dr Denny said to expect the worse and hope for the best.  We thankfully got the best!  Only one side of her gums/palate needed to be repaired.  The front, back and left side of her palate are fine!  The right side would cause problems in the future if not fixed.  So she only has stiches on that side. Because the surgery was not as extensive as first expected, she (we) also got to home the same day!  We were home around 415pm! It was a rough evening and nite, but we did finally get a smile and laugs out of her!  That was good to see!  Hardest part for her right now seems to be the sleeping.  She has to have the arm bands on 24/7 for 2 weeks.  But at 2 am Thursday morning when she woke up she wanted to eat...so she had...