Tis the Season......

Well, it is getting to that time of year yet again. And I am trying really hard to soak in every Christmas moment I can. I just need motivation today. I am really not feeling that well, I mean my cold is kicking my butt. My throat is fine. I am just tired, sneezing, and stuffed up. I feel like I can't get a good night sleep. I try, but it isn't working. Ugh! As for the Christmas projects I have yet to finish. I just have to finish cutting strips on my SIL's blanket, thatn that is done. I also have to finish tieing Ryan's blanket, then that is done. Also, another thing I have to do is finish his scrapbook. I am not stressing out about them not being done. I swear I will not stress out.

Other than that, Christmas this year will be good. Ryan left this morning to go to Chicago for Christmas with his mom, sister, and sister's boyfriend. Ryan and his mom will be coming home Saturday in the afternoon. I am hoping either late afternoon or early evening. That way he can come out to me, see my dad, brother, and sissy-in-law. Screw it! She is my sister. Enough of the in-law part.

Tonight I will be going over to my aunt and uncle's house next door for a little family get together. Tomorrow is church, then it is CHRISTMAS!!!

Has it really been almost 2 years?

I keep asking myself that. I can't believe that it has been almost 2 years since my mom has died. I was thinking yesterday when I was at church, that going to Colony Oaks with Pastor, Ryan, and the youth was going to be hard. Well, it was actually good. I did okay! I did better than I thought I would. I helped the kids get comfortable around them. Since Ryan and I have had ample experience with that part. Thank you mom! So when we were singing Christmas Carols, there was this lady in the front row, that I swear reminded me of my mom. She just starred at me, and smiled. Really all I had to was when they looked at me, I smiled, and they smiled. We so brightened up their days. It made me feel good. Many said Merry Christmas to us. And loved seeing the kids there. We, mine and Ryan's group, raided the lunch room. Then walked down the hall we were assigned. I swear we get the same hall every year. But that is okay. We gave a card to those who weren't in the lunch room. And wow was it HOT in there. I had my coat on and my sweater. Ugh I thought I was going to pass out. It felt good to be outside. But I understand why they keep it so warm.

Now back on track. I am actually doing pretty good. I am just concerned about my dad. I could tell last night he was not in a good mood. See yesterday 2 years ago to the date, she went into the hospital. I only cried mildly thinking of that lady at Colony Oaks. But Ryan has no clue I had tears in my eyes. My dad is better today though. I am slowly decorating the tree with the ornaments that HAVE to go on the tree every year. Man we have a lot of ornaments. At least I was smart enough last year to put the ones that we always use, in one box. I am smart.

Christmas I think will be better this year. I hope. I am better than last year. Way too much went down last year. Ryan leaves Thursday in the morning to go to Milwaukee, get his mom, then head they head to Chicago for Christmas with his sister Renee. He will be coming home Christmas Day sometime, so hopefully I can see him that day. If not we will see each other at church the following day, then have Bible Study, have our Christmas, and then go to my grandma's for Christmas at her place with all my family. My BIG family. I have a new baby second cousin I can't wait to meet, and then another one on the way. His name is Isaiah. My other cousin is having a little girl. I can't wait to meet her also. I mean I can wait, I don't want her to go in labor early. I think she is due in March. Oh! And a friend of mine is having another baby also. She is due in January. Can't wait to meet that little one also. A new year with 2 new little people. What more can a person ask for?

I am really doing okay though! I just want to say Merry Christmas everyone! Hugs and kisses to all my amazing freinds and family. I love you all! And thank you all for always being there when I need it.

Love,
Jodes

Are you still there?

Who is all still blogging? I know Becky and I seem to be catching back up with that. But who else is doing it? So that is my question for all of you, and I can't think of anything else to say right now.

Jodes

Christmas......

here is my gift to myself onsale for $70 from $160. I am so proud of myself. I have not had a new coat in like 9+ years or has it been longer. Not quite sure. It has been a long time. I think since my mom used to live at home, and that was a long time ago.



I am so happy that I get a hood. Woo hoo! It is the simple things in life that make me happy. And I get to pick this us at the store later today or tomorrow. I think it will be tomorrow when I am in the area of the mall tomorrow. I am getting this in time for our road trip to Milwaukee on Saturday. Now I will stay warm. I get a chick coat. My Columbia coat will be retired, and that is a guy coat. Yes, when I zip it fully, it doesn't fit well accross the chest. I wonder why? ;) Stay tuned for future pics of my home-made gifts once they are done. I have 2 blankets and a scrapbook to finish. Oh and a blanket for January, but that fabric isn't bought yet. January is my bro's birthday and he is getting a blanket also. His wife is getting one for Christmas and so is Ryan. Ryan also gets a scrapbook also.

Tis the Season for Christmas!

I am happy to report that this year my Christmas spirit is coming back. I am so thankful. I mean I will remember what happened 2 years ago the weekend before Christmas for the rest of my life. That will live with me, my dad, my brother, my sister-in-law, and Ryan forever. But as a family we are getting through it. My dad and I aren't as close as I would like, but we are a little closer. He can read me like a book when something is wrong. I think my mom has instilled that in him. And my brother and sissy-in-law rock! And I can't forget the love of my life, Ryan. He has been through a lot with my family and I.

I know this is off the subject. But this just came to light for me this past weekend. Ryan told me that when my mom was alive, he would stop in by her and check on her. Now, can I tell you something. That brought tears to my eyes. My dad or mom didn't say anything to me about this. It touched me so much that I told him thank you and that he has no clue how much that means to me. I feel so blessed now! Just telling my girls that, brings tears to my eyes. He truly is AWESOME! Knowing that made me realize how much he loves me, my family, and makes me love him that much more if that is possible. I can't litterally put into words what that means to me that he did that.

Now back to Christmas. I long for the days that Ryan and I will actually spend Christmas day together. I mean going to Christmas Eve service together, and then Christmas Day together. That will have to wait I guess. I will be with my family this year, and he will be with his. Which is okay.

Honestly, my Christmas spirit is slowly coming back to me. I am looking forward to my family and loved ones opening their gifts. I am looking forward to seeing family, spending time with friends, and the Christmas Music. Also, this means our annual Christmas Tree picture will be taken. I am hoping that the tree is up this week at church, so we can have our picture taken in front of it. Then boom! Christmas card baby!

I swear I am done rambling. I have had caffiene so bare with me. Stay tuned for the next blog.

Love to all!
Jodes

Has it really been 3 months since my last post?

Oye! Sorry guys! Life kinda got away on me like it has for everyone else. I am trying now when I have the time, to blog. That is if I keep rememberin to. Everytime I think about it, I try to do it. I mean logging in to blog, but then I forget. I hate this Short Term Memory Loss. It has to do with having 3 transplants. Darn anesthesia (sp?). Not quite sure if I spelled it right.

So to recap the last 3 months. Ummm! Hmm! Were do I begin? Good question. Lets see. Here is a picture of the flowers that I got for my birthday. I predict next year he will get me 2 dozen. Ryan said he wasn't sure if they all would fit in a vase or if I had one big enough. I said I do, and if you get me 2 dozen. Just don't get it with all the greens and baby's breath.

So this is what they look like.



Basically it was just him and I celbrating my birthday. He took me out to eat at Five Corners in Freedom. We were the youngest coupel there. Going to a super club at 5 pm or so. Makes you sure feel young. Except for the bartender. So we ordered tenderloin for 2. Holy crap that steak was HUGE! I ate maybe a quarter of it, if that. Ryan ate the rest. Wow! Mind you we get salad bar, and fresh bread. And with the steak we got our choice of potato. I was stuffed, and so was Ryan. It was $29 for both of us to have steak, choice of potato, salad bar, fresh bread, and soda. So we did the math of what it would cost separtely, okay Ryan did. And we figured this was a deal. It was good also.

I don't remember what else happened in July after that. Now onto August. It was our annual Brewer Game with church. Which I tried my hardest to embarrass my BELOVED! But didn't quite work. Dang it! I tried to burn photos onto a DVD to create a slideshow. For everyone to view on the bus on the way down to Milwaukee. See it was his 30th Birthday. I showed him what it was supposed to look like. So needless to say everyone on the bus sang Happy Birthday to Ryan. His face turned red, and guess who he looked at as the instigator. Not me!! ;) Hahahaha! DUH! Who else would have the gutts to do this to him? I can name a handful of people that would do it, but I can also name some who wouldn't do it. They would think of it, but probably chicken out to do it. Anyways, Brewers pulled out a win. Then we saw Fireworks. Oh and did I forget to mention we got a free bag of peanuts. SWEET!!! Next year, I am bringing food for the ride down, bringing my own ranch for cheese curds, and my own peanuts. Oh and some bottles of water or soda. No more seltzer water for me at games. I had a bottle explosion. Not cool!

The following 2 pictures is our annual shot taken at the stadium. Thank you Gaby for doing this!

Ryan giving a goofy look at Gaby!


Awww! Aren't we cute?

After that, on the following Sunday we celebrated Ryan's birthday with a mini party. He went down the day after the Brewer game to go down to Milwaukee to meet up with his mom and sister. They went to the Museum and took him out to lunch. He came back on Sunday. Then my brother and sister-in-law came by. Gave me my belated birthday card, and gave Ryan his. Oh then my dad gave my sister-in-law hers. We are a slow family on birthday cards. They had to leave, my SIL had surgery, and was really sore. My dad stuck around, then some friends came over. We had a blast. Katie had to buy Ryan a birthday treat. They were going to get him a cake, but there was not one that Ryan would like except for Dora. That is what Katie said. So they got him popsicles with ice cream in the middle. What a sweet girl! I love that munchkin. I love my little toddler friends. They all make me smile and laugh.

I don't quite remember anything else that happened. Now comes September. By this time I have come up with my new career path. Which is child care. My main goal was to open an In-home family daycare. So I registered for my very first class. I am taking 3 classes to get licensed. I only need 2 to be state certified. My main goal now was to work in a center while taking my classes so I have those under my belt, and so I can also get experience in the child care profession. Then if I so choose, I can branch out and do an in-home family daycare in the future.

So now up to date today. I am working for friends of mine and Ryan's. They have 2 children. A 4 year-old and a 3 month old. I love doing this. I go to their house and watch them there. I am am doing this part-time with a minimum of 4 hours a day. I am also charging $4 per hour per child. Is that too steep? I mean they did call me at the last minute. They called me on October 10th and needed me to start October 11th. Yes they called me at the last minute. So I really couldn't think of an hourly rate on the fly. I did tell our friends that down the road if they want me to change my hourly rate. I will lower it to $3 an hour per child. They said okay!

So that is pretty much all that has gone on that I can remember. If anything substantial happens. I promise to let you all know either on here or on facebook. This is thus far all from the peanut gallery for now.

Until next time!
Jodes

Were has everyone gone?

Oh! I know were everyone has gone! It is summer, and so we all get so busy doing other stuff. That we forget to blog. Hmmm! Kinda like me! I am not ripping on anyone. I am guilty of it also. I get caught up in the game of life, I think about blogging, then I log on, and forget what I was going to do. So to me that is a strike out! Okay! I have watched way too much baseball this summer. I need my football to come back. Since the Brew Crew sucks, we have the wonderful T-Ratts! They are at least kicking it in gear to do better. Better than the Brewers. Now I am off my soap box.

I would like to say a huge WELCOME BACK TO WISCONSIN to everyone from Good Shepherd/Bethenny/Sheperd of the Hills churches that went to the NYG in New Orleans. Y'all were certainly missed. Especially our crew from Good Shepherd. My homies! ;)

Now onto my amazing gift from Ryan for my birthday. If you haven't seen on facebook at all here you go.



I am done in the peanut gallery. I will try to blog more, but can't promise anything. I will be pretty tired once my daycare takes off. I will be pulling in about 9 1/2 hours a day. Ugh! This will be my kid fix for life I am guessing. Which is good. Talk to you all later, I hope!

Jodes