Spring Break Fun

Spring break was March 12-16th and we had a great time as a family. We have been searching for a house and found one on March 10th that we really liked, so we submitted an offer. Our current house has been wonderful for our little family but we ave out grown it. We began looking a little while back and decided to spring break searching more...luckily for us, we found one we liked. We did not hesitate to submit an offer because the last time we found one we liked was gone before we ever had the chance to submit the offer. Fortunately, in our favor, a few days after we heard that our offer was accepted. We will be moving to Bartlett into a home twice as large as the one we currently live in and in a better neighborhood. I am very excited but nervous at the same time. Our mortgage is also doubling as will our electric bill, did I mention we will be paying two mortgages our current home sells. Also, last Sunday ward members found out, Jake informed bishop days earlier as soon as we knew, so be could prepare to submit for a new counselor. The last two Sundays, we have felt an out pouring of love and people saying they will miss us, a few have even shed a tear or two. I will miss seeing my sister most of all. Memphis 2nd ward has been a good for us to be a part of.
But on to Spring Break fun, Jake completed the tree fort for the kids, just in time to move. We took the kids to the zoo, Christopher loved the water area of the zoo, and then we went to Jackson and spent the day. We enjoyed a week as a family and anticipate the excitement of the next month as we prepare for our move.

Valentines week

Valentines was on a Tuesday, so Monday work was early and long. I had to be there at 6:30p.m and did not get off until 3:00 a.m., so I as exhausted but wanted to make sure the kids woke up to something. We are trying to conserve money to buy a new home, so I decided to hear attack the doors. The week of valentines this week was crazy busy for me....I literally had things going everyday and most days multiple things going. However, the highlight of the week was being able to go watch Aubree's black history program at school. She wanted to be a slave so she could wear her jeans and she played up the part. She loved it and was so proud. One of my favorite things about that day was how she looked very hard to spot us in the audience. Sandra was there too and Aubree wanted to make sure that she saw us. It was also a bonus that I was off work Valentines night. The next morning, I enjoyed mornings with mom at the girls school.I had taken off because Jake and I were suppose to meet with the attorney from a car wreck over two years ago. We both took off work and on our way there, we received a phone call that they needed to cancel...I was mad but did enjoy the day with Jake. We went and got him botox again to hopefully help headaches to become less frequent for him. Then Friday, Jake and Aubree flew to Houston for Callie's baptism. Aubree loves Callie and enjoyed the time with her dad. I enjoyed a good weekend too. Mom came up Saturday evening and we went to dinner and the mall with Charity. Jacob William took Rebekah to dinner for being his Valentine. The Sunday, I was able to be with Sandra at Elijah's blessing and enjoy a nice afternoon at James's house with a lot of the family. Ginny and I came home and enjoyed a little "girl time", we baked cookies, had popcorn, and watched a "chic flick". The week ended on a high not because a little before midnight, Jake and Aubree arrived home. Jake is real funny, he packed me a piece of cake in his suitcase because he liked it so much, he wanted me to have some too..how sweet is that!

Hypocrite

This week, I would like to share a humbling experience that I had this past week. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and as a member one of the responsibilities that I have is to be a visiting teacher. As a visiting teacher, it is my privilege to be able to visit assigned sisters each month with my companion. My companion is a neat lady but does not drive, which leads to my story. Our route, is not a simple one. We visit two inactive sisters, a new member, and an active person. One of the women on our route has no transportation, so each month, I take her to the grocery store. This takes about 4 hours with both my boys and sometimes Riley too on one day. Last Wednesday, as I sat in the car with my boys waiting on her, I was thinking of 20 others things that I could be doing and a few more why it would be easier if someone else took her...then it dawned on me, Renee', you hypocrite, each Sunday you tell your class the importance of loving and serving one another and here you are not having a joyful heart. After, I cleared my mind, the lady came back to the car and I had made a silent resolution to to do better. Also at church, for the past two years, I have been blessed to be the gospel essentials teacher. I love it and my testimony has grown from teaching the class and answering questions. It helps that the missionaries say if they can get people to stay for my class, they always come back. I am thankful for the eye opening experience and the reminder to practice what you preach! I also had the chance to have lunch with a sister that seemed to be having a hard time. When I mentioned we should do lunch one day, I did not really think it would happen but when I received the text asking if the day worked, I believe I was the one lifted more than she was. Happiness can really be strengthened when we help others cheerfully.
Today was stake conference and here is what I came away with today. One of the speakers, Elder Robert W. Hymas (from Lexington Kentucky) of the area seventy, began his talk by saying that he was going to share a few things that we always need to remember to do. My thoughts were that it was going to be the standard things like pray, read scriptures...but his responses really touched me. Here are his suggestions:
1. Always pay your tithing.
2. Always make your sacrament meetings and partake of the sacrament. It is an ordinance that
we can take part in every week and be renewed.
3. Always ask for direction for your packages from heaven. Each of our children are different,
learn differently, and have different needs. Pray to know how to reach each of them,
4. Always accept callings. We do not ask for callings nor should we ask to released from callings.
5. Always treat your spouse as they deserve to be treated. And tell your spouse you love them
everyday.
When our mind is set to do things, we only have to make the choice once and then there is no question.

Happy 2012

It has been a little while since I have been able to sit down and "blog" about our little life. Many people start the new year old with goals to achieve. I have contemplated goals many times in my head and came up with the idea just to set a monthly goal and try to achieve that. However, my goal for the year is just to survive. Between, being a mom, wife, employee, and student, my life becomes so over whelming sometimes just trying to stay caught up. Last Fall, I chose to go back to school not only to better myself but mainly for my family. Jake loves to teach but unfortunately teachers are not paid a lot but on the up, they do get a lot of time off work. I want him to be able to continue to teach and for our children to have things, so I am being pro-active and back in school. When Christopher goes to school, I can leave FedEx working nights and work during the day, making a larger salary as well. Over ten years ago, when Jake and I were married, I decided I will do what it takes to help provide for us...then babies began to come along and the determination was stronger. So, my overall goal is just to survive. Now, the month of January, I am working hard on not raising my voice at my sweets and this goal will continue into February as well. Likewise, I am encouraging the kids not raise their voices at one another. I want our home to one of peace and loving words.
We also have set a goal to being looking for another home this year. We are getting closer to becoming consumer debt free (only having house and school loans) and will try to get in another home for our little family, so we will see how that goes.

Happy 4th Birthday Jacob William

Today my boy turned 4. He is all boy and I love it. Jacob William keeps me on my toes and he constantly keeps me on my feet. He is a blessing to our family. He has rascal moments and moments of pure mischief. He is a sneaky little boy and depending on if he is in trouble or not goes by Jake or Will, if you get on to him by Will, he tells you he is not Will but Jake and vice versa. Some of his favorite things are transformers and cars right now. He also loves pizza, mac and cheese, and anything with meat. He loves to eat! We would not trade him.

Wise Men still seek him

Christmas, oh Christmas, is my absolute favorite time of the year with the fourth a July a close second. This year, we traveled to Odessa Texas to spend Christmas with Jake's side of the family. We have not been with his side of the family for five years for Christmas due to my work schedule or being pregnant with Jacob William. We left in the early a.m. hours of Christmas Eve when I got off work and arrived Christmas Eve evening. We allowed our kids to open gifts from us early and they were each happy. As a family we received a few movies, a game, and gift cards from my siblings. Our family received an abundance of gifts this year.
Ginny's top gift was Twilight barbies that her Nana got her...she had thought they were boots and was super excited when she discovered it was Bella and Edward. Ginny also had her DSi repaired, 2 DS games, mini pillow pet, an outfit, new purse, and perfume. Santa left her boots, gold chain, and other miscellaneous stocking stuffers (toothbrush, DS game...).
Aubree received fun things from us as well. She is currently into Monster High dolls. She received a monster high doll and monster karaoke from Nana. We also had Monster High dolls, for her, new purse, 4 DS games, an ice cream maker winter crocs, and a few other items. Santa left her the Barbie she wanted and several stocking stuffers.Jacob William received a DS with 3 games, Sunday shoes, winter crocs, Cars 2 movie, Cars 2 cars, mini Pillow pet, and a few other items. Santa left him transformers. He also received a transformer car and mask from Nana. He loves the mask.Christoper was not left out. He received new pajamas, new winter crocs, and lots of legos. Nana bought him a play cell phone and his own pillow pet. Santa left Christopher building blocks.Oddly, it was a white Christmas, very strange for West Texas. Christmas Eve the kids bid Zang, our elf good bye. Santa picks him up at Christmas Eve night. Zang is now a fun family tradition that we hope to keep established. Christmas morning, the kids awoke to see that Santa had arrived and left goodies. They also received gifts from Grammy and Papa. Ginny received a Kindle Fire, Aubree a Razor motor scooter, Jacob William received a car track, and Christopher a train table. I love that Christmas was on a Sunday and we were able to attend church on Christmas day to worship our Savior. The only meeting was sacrament and it was perfect because you still had the rest of the day being with family. I called my family Christmas day and was a little sad that I was not with them. In my perfect world, we would wake up with our kids Christmas morning, open gifts, and spend the rest of the day visiting both sides of the family but with one in Tennessee and one in Texas, that is not the case. But in the end as long as we are with family, life is wonderful and thank you for modern technology that allows us to communicate with each other so easily. I am hoping that this Christmas spirit remains with me throughout the year. May my eyes be more open to the needs of others and my heart full of compassion for my fellow men and may I remember that Wise men still seek him!

The holiday season is one of my most favorite times of the year. I love how people are a little nicer this time of year. I love the decorations and I love that families come a little closer too. We started a new little activity in our family called the ELF on the Shelf. Here is the story that goes along with it: "Have you ever wondered how Santa knows who is naughty and who is nice? The Elf on the Shelf – A Christmas Tradition is the very special tool that helps Santa know who to put on the Naughty and Nice list. This interactive holiday hide-and-seek tradition is perfect for children and families of all ages.

The tradition begins when Santa sends his scout elves out to Elf Adoption Centers. Waiting for their families to bring them home, these patient elves hibernate until their family reads The Elf on the Shelf, gives their elf a very special name, and registers their adoption online. Once named, each scout elf will receive its Christmas magic and become a part of the family’s Christmas each and every year.

Excellent listeners and even better observers, these scout elves are the eyes and ears of Santa Claus. Although they cannot be touched, or else they may lose their magic, the elf will always listen and relay messages back to Santa. Taking in all the day-to-day activities around the house, no good deed goes unnoticed; these scout elves take their job seriously.

Each night, after the family goes to bed, the scout elf uses his magical Christmas powers to fly back to the North Pole. Once there, the elf will make his or her daily report to Santa and visit with elf friends where they will tell stories about their beloved families, play with the reindeer, and of course, sneak some of Mrs. Claus’ cookies!

Before the family awakes each morning, their special scout elf will fly back to their home from the North Pole. However, since these elves like to play games, don’t expect to find them in the same spot! While some like to hide in the freezer (probably because it reminds them of the North Pole) and others prefer to sit on the fireplace mantle or hang from the chandelier, these elves love to play hide-and-seek with their families.

On Christmas Eve, the scout elf will listen for Santa’s bell and then fly back to the North Pole until the next season, wishing every girl and each boy a Christmas of peace and a year full of joy."

So each night the Elf takes a new home before the kids awaken. Earlier this week, when I got off work, it was snowing, so I thought it would be appropriate for the Elf to build a snow man out of marshmallows and a snow angel from powder sugar. Aubree was the first one awake and speedily cleaned it up without noticing Zang, our elf. She was discouraged that someone had made a mess and did not clean it up. The next day, I came home from work and discovered Zang had baked a few cookies for himself and a glass of milk. I am not sure who likes Zang more, Jake or the kids....We have taken the opportunity to go to a couple Christmas parades and participate in Christmas activities. We took the kids to a live nativity as well but we were not too impressed, however, it provided a good opportunity for us to tell the story of the birth of our Savior.