A much needed update

I can't believe I haven't blogged since January. Its been so crazy for us. We've been juggling school schedules, work schedules, and babysitter schedules. Today is the last day of work for a couple of weeks and Tuesday is my last day of class. Then FREEDOM - for a couple of weeks anyways. In my downtime I plan on getting my house and family life back in order. Its just so insane right now. We rarely sit down and have a well cooked meal together anymore. And the laundry piled up is so bad its ridiculous! I also plan on getting my photography business going but there is still much to be done in that department. Its going to be a slow work in progress.

My baby girl Katelyn turns 1 next week. Where did the year go? I feel like I didn't do half as many things with Katelyn as I did with Madison. And I know thee are half the pictures too. I feel so terrible, but at the same time they say everyone goes through this with their second. I still feel like she's so young still. She just got her first 2 teeth about a month ago and can still wear onesies that are 3-6 months. She's about half the size Madison was at her age! I can't wait for her party. We are having everyone over to our place for the first time since we've moved in so it'll be nice to actually be hosting a party at my own place and have the space to do it!

Madison has a new obsession with Mickey Mouse. She tries to sing the songs but can only spit out the last word of each line. Its too funny! Her hair is so pretty too with the cutest curls. I can't believe how old my baby girls are! It makes me want to have another baby, but now is not the time I feel. I dont have room for another baby and I want to accomplish more schooling before I get pregnant again.

Nathan loves his job so far and he's doing really good at it. I miss him though. With our crazy schedules we dont have near as much time to spend together it seems. I plan on changing this very soon!

Happy 2nd Birthday Madison!

A lot has happened in the past month, but the most special thing is that Madison turned 2 years old yesterday! Me, Nathan, and Katelyn got her a cake and presents to open and "MaMaw and PaPaw Wobby" [Nates parents] sent her some things as well. Tomorrow we are going to have a birthday party for her at McDonalds with my extended family. Just for the record - all of my family out west is invited too but obviously we know you couldn't make it. I had invitations made out but didn't send them because I put the wrong date on them! Duh Jenn! Im adding some pictures of her on her big day yesterday so check them out at the end.

I have had a lot going on myself. I started school again in January to hopefully finish my degree in photography. I have thoughts about shifting my major - but still focusing in the digital photography though. I'm not a fan of all the dark room work. I'd rather take pictures digitally and edit them on the computer. We'll see what I decide in the long run. I'm taking 4 classes, so a full load and I am a photographer for the school paper. I also got a part time job helping run the dark room on open lab nights. I am going to be so busy its not even funny! But you do what you gotta do - and right now this is what I need to do to help me achieve my goal of graduating! I am taking photography 2 [black and white], Computer Art Studio [Adobe CS4], General Psychology [online] and American Civilization [also online]. The online classes require a lot of reading! Its going to be tough to discipline myself to sit down and do it.

Nathan got a part time job at a store in town called Peebles. It reminds me of a mini Dillards or something. Okay more like a Kohls but smaller. He works mostly in the mens department. He's still hoping something fulltime will come up soon. There is a possible management position opening up in the future at Peebles but we will have to see what happens between now and then. My grandpa wants us to move into his place sooner, so we hope to be in there by the end of March. It will be so nice to be out on our own again. Its so hard raising the girls and living at home with my parents. But we are so grateful for all the help they are giving us!

Katelyn is now crawling and sitting up all by herself so good. She can even go from her belly to sitting up straight all by herself! She's such a big girl, yet so tiny at the same time. She's still only about 13 or 14 lbs. And yes we feed her! She's such a polar opposite of Madison. I am so blessed to have my babies! She liked playing with Madisons wrapping paper from her presents yesterday. She also still hasn't cut any teeth yet! We can't believe it! Time to call it a day for blogging. We have a lot to accomplish today so I need to get started. We love you all!

Moved Blog

I have decided to move our family blog so that we could add pictures to our posts easier. Then everyone can keep up with those as well. I'm also going to try to start blogging every Sunday - so look for updates then, and when there isn't one - yell at me! Ha ha...

This week was kind of crazy. Some of you know that Nathan got a job at Wal Mart working as an inventory control specialist. Well, apparently they did not fill him in on all of the job requirements and was supposed to be able to lift 90 lbs. We all know Nathan has a terrible back and also suffers from MVP (mitro-valve prolapse) so of course he could not keep the job. Unfortunately we had to figure this out after an emergency room trip! Don't worry, He's okay! Now we are back to square one in the job search. We really need your thoughts and prayers!

As of June 1st, we will be moving into my grandpa's old house and renting it from him. Since he is getting older its getting harder on him to live on his own. He's going to move in with a cousin who can help take care of him better. This helps us out a lot and it also helps him because he didn't want to sell the house. We will still be living in Festus and hope to have this arrangement for a few years while we save up some money to buy a house.

Madison can now wear her hair up in pig tails! I was so excited whenever I discovered this and now the poor girl has her hair up in some way every day it seems. She looks so darn cute though I can't help it!

Katelyn is having a pretty busy month so far! She had her 7 month birthday, and was given her baby blessing last Sunday in church (finally!). She's also cutting a big tooth and we hope anyday now it will finally break through and save her on some pain. She's starting to crawl a little and sit up by herself. My little baby girl is already so big! Both of my girls are happy and healthy and I am absolutely blessed! We also took some pictures of the girls by my aunts Christmas tree. I have not edited these yet, but I am posting them for you all to see anyways.

Thats all on us for this week. Please have a very Merry and Safe Christmas! We love you all!

Madison getting ready for Church - first time with piggies!


Madison and Katelyn in their holiday shirts. First "good" Picture together!


Katelyn sitting up all by herself. 7 Months old!


Katelyn on her Blessing Day in her dress.


Both of the girls with Santa Clause at the "Parents as Teachers" Christmas party.
[Madison looked like that the entire time. The "oh NO. I don't think so" look! Katelyn loved him!