Believe

I truly believe.....Believe that we should always want to give to others before and after Christmas. We all have something to give. Be it money, time or even hugs.

My Wish..............I Wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas!

Jen

I am back.......

I am back......... Back from the long absence of blogging that is.

I have great information to share. If you don't already follow her, you should be. What a great blog! Jennifer McKinney is giving away a HP touch screen computer on Christmas Eve.

http://mckgiveaways.blogspot.com

Hope you all are having a wonderful day and have a Wonderful Christmas!

Josh is going to Disney!

I just LOVE this picture!! He is so stinkin' handsome.

I really LOVE that Josh is able to go to Disney with us!

Lauren's new bike

This month has really made George and I realize how Lauren is changing. Not only has she started 4th grade, but she is physically growing up.

She mentally and physically grew out of her little pink bike. We noticed a couple months ago that her knees looked like they were up to the handle bars. So off we went, looking for a new (not little girl looking) bike. Do you know how many different bikes there are out there? Let me tell you, Lauren and I visited many stores. Of course we did, that's what Lauren and I love to do....SHOP!

Well, after all those stores, discussions and a visit to the local Orrville Bike shop, we decided on this bike. Lauren had the final say on which color to get.

The helmet was a hand me down from Josh....... :)

Happy Biking!!!!!

26 days and counting

26 days and counting..........I am not sure if Lauren and I can wait that long to get to Disney.

Lauren is just as excited about her first plane ride as she is her first time at Disney.

School

Lauren was looking forward to finding out her teacher for the year, but was slightly dissappointed when she didn't get who she wanted. Lauren was still excited with who she has.

Her first day of school went well. Of course being the overachiever that she is, the night before she was worried about the grades that she may get this year. Who's child is this?

The first day came and went. I am sure it went fast for her, but I found myself constantly looking at the clock to see when she'd be home. I miss my little girl when she's gone.

Stellan in the hospital Again...

Pray, pray for this little one. Stellan is in the hospital again fighting for his life. His poor little heart is beating at about 228, as you can see in the picture. Please pray for God to lay his healing hand on Stellan and give the Doctors and Nurses the wisdom to help him.

Jen

My heart is filled with sadness......

Today I learned that a young man that my son went to school with passed away. At 20 his parents have to bury one of their sons. I just can't imagine the pain they are going through. Please put this family in your prayers.

On the Mend...........

Good Morning..............

No pictures today, but just an update.

I am on the mend after having my ankle surgery last Wednesday. I am able to walk around but limited stairs. Thanks again to my wonderful husband, who is doing dinners and cleaning and laundry, I am sooooo fortunate to have George.

Today is going to be a good day.........I get to see the kid's. I miss them so much when they aren't here.

Also, can anyone believe that it's July already? Where has the time gone? Before you know it school will be starting soon. :( But we aren't going to think like that today...... The weather has been so beautiful... cooler temps. and sun, can't beat that!

Hopefully soon I will post some pictures, but we are in the middle of trading computers around at the house. We just bought a computer, so the "old Main computer" will go to the scrapbook area, just waiting for George to put in the card for the internet.

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoyed the fourth.... We sure did, we were able to spend it with wonderful friends.....Ann, Jeff, Chris, Todd all the kiddo's...... GOOD TIMES!

Stellan needs our prayers

Prayers are a need right now, for sweet little Stellan. I've posted before about his situation. Stellan in recent days has had continuous problems with SVT, and his mommy can't seem to help his heart get out of that serious rhythm along with medication. Stellan is now in the PICU. The problem is, that Stellan's body has gotten used to the medication that he is on and he is on the highest dosage allowed. The doctor's would like to see Stellan 40 lbs, (around 4) so they can do his needed surgery, but if everything fails on trying to get Stellan in a normal rhythm for a long period of time, they will have no choice on doing the surgery.

If you could please pray for this little guy and hi family.......

Strawberry Picking

Monday afternoon, Lauren and I were able to go to Maurer Farm's to pick fresh strawberries. We had a great time and the weather was perfect. I just enjoy having these special times with Lauren, and even though we could have easily went to the store to buy them, the time we spent together is priceless.

Stop to enjoy the flowers (part II)

It looks like Sparky was paying attention when I updated my blog yesterday. He too, stopped to smell the flowers. And....................

Appreciate them. Awww isn't he the cutest?

You just have to stop and enjoy the flowers.....

I have to tell ya...... Summer is my favorite time of the year. Birds are singing, children are playing and the flowers are out. I have to admit, I do not have a green thumb, that is why I have so many Hosta's. As I get older and not the wiser, hehehe, in flowers that is....... I am trying to keep my flowers alive. I am very proud to say, my Gerber Daisies are still alive after about 3 weeks or so. I LOVE Gerber Daisies..... MY FAVORITE! I am not sure what I am doing right, but I will try to keep on doing it.

I hope those of you that visit my blog, will stop, not only to smell the flowers, but to actually appreciate them.

Jennifer

It's been forever and a day......

It has been forever and a day, since I last blogged. I just haven't been feeling "IT". Not feeling good and my ankle still bothering me, just has had be down. But, I have come the conclusion that I need to get over this and move on. So, thank you for coming back!

I will try, to keep up with my blog. (hahaha)

So, what has been going on? Hmmm, let me think. :)

Josh took his girlfriend, Jenna to her Prom. He started working 3rd shift and loves it. I'm not quite sure if Buddy "our Golden Retriever" loves it. He is Josh's shadow, and is not sure what to do with himself during the night.

Lauren has signed up for Tumbling Team for the fall. She is soooo excited. She is anxious about school being over. Six more school days. I can guarantee that the first day of summer vacation, she'll say "I miss school". Lauren is planning on being busy this summer with a reading program at the college, gymnastic's team, girls in action, swimming, swimming and more swimming.

George is still in school. He'll be taking 3 classes this summer, then 4 in the fall/winter session. Then 2 classes after that to have his Associates in Business. He'll go to Malone for about 14 months after that for his degree. I just feel for George, he works so hard both at work and school.

Please keep my mom in your prayers. She is having her knee replaced today. She had some minor difficulties last time with medication and blood pressure, so hopefully they know what to expect this time and take precautions.

Oh, and another thing. My blog friend is starting her own Scrapbooking business, I am so excited for her. So keep her in your prayers and please visit her to see how it's going. http://scrappincecile.blogspot.com/ I also have a blog friend who has her own business on-line, she makes beautiful tearbears and items for scrapbooking. I have some in my scrapbook. LOVE EM!

http://missymadeit.blogspot.com/

If you are looking for any Stampin Up' items visit my RLF (real life friend) at her blog http://free2bstampin.blogspot.com/, if you are local, she has wonderful classes.

And..... I also have a RLF that sells Creative Memories. She holds monthly crops, so again, if you are local..... fun, fun, fun. Cdreher@zoominternet.net.

I have one more thing...... I have to just brag about my RLF's. My 40th birthday was on the 7th. They came over in the morning with Mocha's and coffee cake and surprised me. I just love them to pieces. I am sooooo blessed to have them in my life. I am just one lucky gal.

Well, I think I've told you everything up to now. So, hopefully my next blog entry won't be so overwhelming. hehehehe

Have a wonderful day.

Jen

Pray for Stellan

Please pray for Stellan...he has been in the hospital with some very serious heart issues for the past few days, and it seems to be getting worse. You may know Stellan's Story, but if not, I encourage you to read about this little miracle. He desperately needs another miracle to survive, so please, if you have some time, pray for Stellan and his medical team, as well as his family.

Yet another Wednesday.....

Look what was delivered to my door..... :) And it did put a smile on my face. Josh was even willing to give it a test drive too! It only weighs 12 lbs., but it also has such a great suction that it pulls itself. Gotta love that!

George, Josh and Lauren have decided to play tennis. George is an old pro. He played in high school is quite good at it. With the wonderful weather that we have had, they went to the courts last night and plan on it tonight. Me..... I stunk at it in my 20's and haven't really tried since.

Josh started his new job.... he LOVES it! He comes home with so much to talk about. It is so cute, he pulls up in his car just smiling :) I think life is finally good for him now. SIGH..... Thank goodness.... as a mom, that is all you really want for your children. To be happy and safe.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Jen

Hump Day

It's Wednesday, only two more days till the weekend. In my world, weekends are for grocery shopping and cleaning, so.....hmmmm am I really ready for the weekend? I don't know.

I do know, allot of good things are going on in the Barrett house! Josh is singing his song..... I gotta job..I gotta job..I gotta job..hey...hey..hey..hey..hey! (he has a job at Dairy Queen) He decided that he wasn't quite ready for the college thing right now, so he was looking for an "adult job". He is now a happy employee of "THE DAIRY", its a local dairy manufacturer in town.

I bought a new sweeper. The new Hoover Platinum..... It is on its way here. I can't wait. I never thought in a million years that I would ever get excited about a vacuum. Yep, just mark that up as to another sign of getting older. hehehe
Speaking of getting excited about the little things in life, my fridge is fixed. The dispenser has been broken for about a month, and it just took me about 3 weeks to call a repair man. Don't ask me why? I have no answer. When you are used to the little luxuries in life and you don't have them, MAN do you miss them. It's working again....... HAPPY DAYS! Okay, it doesn't take much to make me happy, right?

Oh, can't leave George out. As I type is studying for midterms. He was able to get our main computer up and running again after a virus hit us, with the help of very nice friend, Thanks Todd! We apprieciate the help...

Lauren is taking swimming lessons at the YMCA, so she won't drown this summer. HA! She is progressing great, she just needed that extra help, and now she is ready to get her "license" for the pool so she can go in the deep end.

Our Zoe girl, is doing wonderfuly after surgery. We were a little worried due to her immune disorder, going into this, but it needed to be done.

Well, that's whats going on in the Barrett house. Crazy, but... it's all good right now. :) I'll keep it that way!

Have a wonderful day!

Jen

Great news

Sorry for the lack of blogging. There has been so much abnormal craziness around here.

I am going to apologize ahead of time, I am going to let go....... I am going to let it flow.....

But I just want to shout from the roof tops! There were some medical test that I needed done that had some questionable issues. But after a long agonizing wait, results are NORMAL!

I just want to thank you all for caring and for the many prayers. I love you guys!

Boy does that kind of stuff put everything else into perspective? Gets you thinking all kinds of CRAZY! :)

I think the last time I prayed that hard was when George was in for heart problems, my dad went into have heart surgery and when Lauren was a day old and stopped breathing. Why, why do we wait until its something sooo serious to pray like that? Is it just me? I try not to pray for myself, because I feel that I am being greedy. Is that silly? I have no problem with praying for others. And I feel since I have gotten diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and deal with my pain on a daily basis, that I am more in touch with God. I felt so guilty about that for such a long time.

Prayer........ It is a powerful thing. God is wonderful. And I am sooooo blessed!


Jen

Happy Belated Birthday Joshy

YEP..... I am officially the worse blogger-mom out there. I haven't blogged about Josh's Birthday. He turned 19 back on the 11th. EEK! I shall do 10 hail Mary's. Is that enough? Maybe I should do more since I'm not Catholic. I am Lutheran, very, very close to Catholic. Anywho....

Well Josh did turn 19 and I am still old!

I can't believe it's been 19 years. Where has the time gone? From this tiny little guy that I carried home from the hospital to this wonderful, caring adult. We are so proud of you.

Here are some memories...Unfortunately back in the day we had to get our pictures developed, so most of his pictures are not on disc. Those will come soon. Allot of digging. :)

Okay, I have to explain this one...... He was wearing the 3D glasses Lauren had gotten from Hannah Montana. What a goober...... But this is my guy.

The Sleepover

GIRLS~GIRLS~GIRLS~GIRLS~GIRLS~GIRLS~GIRLS

What else can you say when you have 7 girls over for a sleepover. :)

George in the past, has made some of the kids cakes for their birthdays. For example Dora's Backpack or a present cake. This year, Lauren wanted her dad to make her cake again. While shopping, I ran across this wonderful cupcake book. Guess what it had in it. Sleepover cupcakes. Here they are...... Are they the cutest? George always does a great job.

We had a blast with the girls. We planned several games and activities. And of course Josh and George entertained. The big hit of the sleepover was Truth or Dare (rated g). I had the girls doing tons of crazy things. Poor Makenna, ended up getting all the horrible ones. She had to do piggys on all the girls toes. EWWW! Here in the picture, she had to be rolled up in toliet paper.

Lauren had to act like she was under water ~ what an easy dare.....
We made Josh pick a dare, He had to dance to Hannah Montanna
Then the girls joined in

They made picture Frames and painted their nails
Here is Kailey, with several marshmellows in her mouth. Yet another dare...... They decided to play it again after they woke up.... which was about 6:45 a.m.

They were the best girls ever! And for the first girl sleepover party that we've had, it went great. I would do again, but let me recoup. ;o)

Lauren's Birthday

My sweet "little" Lauren isn't little anymore. My peanut turned 9 last Thursday. As I look at these pictures, it just doesn't seem like it's been that long. I can still remember your baby smell and your soft little hands.

The whole week that we were at the hospital, there was an outbreak of the flu, so Josh was not allowed to see Lauren until we were home. The last picture is of Josh holding his little sister for the very first time.

Happy Birthday sweetie, Daddy, Josh and I love you very much!

Missy & Cecile

http://greatmindsthinkalikepaperpiecings.blogspot.com/

Check out what Cecile and Missy have been up to..... They are just so creative. And check back often, they are always making something new. Go take a peek, I dare ya! :)

Sleepover Pillow Card

Here are the pillow invitations that I made for Laurens Sleepover party.
They were so simple. I would say the hardest part was the ribbon.

My little baby will be turning 9 next Thursday. That makes me soooo sad. But, next Friday, there will be a total of 7 girls in my house. EEK! Thank goodness George is taking off work. :) I have some idea of what we are going to do, but I know when it comes down to it, I am going to be flying by the seat of my pants. hehehe

Weather days off

Okay, I really must explain the next two pictures...... But if you have boys, you'll understand.

The day before these pictures, Josh was sick with the flu, he had been sleeping ALL day and night. So he was primed and ready to go the next day. Miss Jenna was over with homemade soup in hand, well long story short, Josh HAD to be his rotten self. And I had my camera.

As we at lunch, Miss Jenna told us about making it snow. She gave us instructions and we were right on that! How cool! You can only do it when the temperature is below -0. But, you fill a normal sized coffee cup 1/2 full of water. Place it in the microwave for about 2 1/2 - 3 minutes and go directly outside and throw the water away from you into the air.

In the photo below, I wasn't happy with just the cup of water, and after doing some chores around the house and thinking how cool it was, I thought of a better idea. I took a squirt bottle and filled it with the hot water and used a hot mitt. That allowed just the right amount of water to come out for the snow to form. COOL TRICK!