Jenji's Jungle: Seems like forever...

Jenji's Jungle: Seems like forever...: A sweet friend brought to my attention that I haven't posted anything in a really long time.  To be honest I didn't think anyone rea...

Seems like forever...

A sweet friend brought to my attention that I haven't posted anything in a really long time.  To be honest I didn't think anyone really read my blog posts so I kind of stopped writing.  I thought that I would try it again and see how it goes.  I did enjoy writing down my thoughts and sharing a little bit about my world. 
I work at the local library and I have to admit that I am one of those people that love my job!  We have a summer reading program for kids, teens, and adults.  I am over the adult programming and I have to say we read some pretty good books this summer.  I love young adult books so we read all of the Divergent series by Veronica Roth.  The first two are great reads but the last on, Allegiant, was not my favorite.  We also read The Help and The Fault In Our Stars.  All of our book club talks were really good.  I love the different perspectives that the group brings to the table.  I look forward to meeting with them each month.  For Sept. we are reading The Giver.  My friend Audrey and I went to see the movie and I liked it.  Now to read the book and compare.  Have you read The Giver?  Let me know what you think of it.

Colin had a great year with swim team and even got a couple of 1st place ribbons.  He started taking private tennis lessons and we are hoping to start competing in some matches next year.  He also went to church camp for the 1st time.  He had a wonderful time even though I had to drop in on him once after he had an allergic reaction. At least I got some good hugs in!

Look at that boy go!

First night at camp

 That was a long 4 days of camp!

Lily has been keeping me on my toes!  She did so good with swim lessons that we are possibly going to put her on the swim team next year.  She's just like her brother, a fish!  I enrolled her in two camps this summer, one for dance and the other cheer.  She can't decide which is her favorite so right now we are taking dance classes and tumbling/cheer classes.  Hopefully she can pick which one she loves in a few years.

Louisi-Anne Dance Camp

 

MHS Cheer Camp

My husband's job sent him to Minneapolis for a week and you would have thought he was gone for a month!  Colin couldn't sleep for two nights and Lily would cry for him before bed.  I do not envy my friends whose husbands work off or crazy hours.  I learned really quickly that I take Tracy for granted that he is here all the time.  It also showed me how much my kiddos really love their Daddy and we were so glad when he came home!

 

This summer Tracy and I celebrated our 15th Anniversary and our sweet pup, Emma's 15th birthday.  It has been an amazing life so far!  My anniversary gift will have to wait till Christmas because of our work schedules.  It will be a great Christmas gift for the kids too but for now it is a secret.

I'm so thankful he's mine

 

My sweet Emma Rae

Now Colin has started 4th grade and Lily is waiting to start Pre-K.  I am so proud of Colin for getting into honors classes this year, I just hope I can keep up!  We also have a new adventure coming up for our little family, nothing too major but major for us so stay tuned...

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Remembering

The last few months I have met some beautiful women who are dealing with the loss of a baby.  God has placed them in my path and I am so thankful to share my own story of loss with them.  They have helped me in ways I can't explain.  There are days when on the outside I look fine but on the inside I still hurt.  My heart still aches for my two precious angels in heaven.  I am thankful that I did get to meet one of my angels.  I am blessed that I was able to hold him and kiss him.  There are so many women and men out there that have their own little angels in heaven.  They are in my prayers today and always. 

My babies

Lily's in Preschool while Colin misses school

Last Tuesday Lily started Preschool at the daycare she attends.  She was so excited to go to her new classroom.  She had to tell me about all the centers in the room and how she hoped they would let her go to the book center first.  A girl after my own heart!

Isn't she the cutest thing!

She is going to keep me busy.

 Lily with her teacher Ms. Chelsey

Lily with her other teacher Ms. Destiny.

While I was taking Lily to school, Tracy offered to take Colin so I could get pics.  Little did I know that there was a situation at Colin’s school.  As I was leaving Lily, one of my friends called me and asked if I had dropped off Colin yet.  I told her that Tracy had and she said that I might want to go get Colin.  She explained one of the teachers on staff had been threatened by a family member and police were inside the school for precautionary measures.  Let me just say: as a parent that is one of the last things you ever want to hear.  You see tragedies like this on the news, but you never think it will never happen in your small town.  As I was on my way to pick him up, another sweet friend called to make sure I knew.  She had already picked up her son and offered to let Colin come over and play while I went to work.  Colin was so excited to go hang out with his friend all day.  I am so thankful that nothing bad happened and by 9:30 that morning the person was arrested.  Most of the children didn’t even know anything was going on, thank goodness.  While at work, I thought about the “what if’s” of what could have happened and then I looked at my hand.  Colin, Lily, and I had read The Kissing Hand the night before and they had wanted to draw a heart on my hand.  As I saw the heart, I could feel the little kisses they each placed on my hand.  I love them both so much!

Their Kissing Hands.  One for Daddy and one for me.

A constant reminder that day of how much they love me.

Beautiful!!!

Broken

When I woke this morning I didn't intend to relive my experience with Logan.  There was no plan to bring up all those hurtful emotions.  I received a phone call from someone hurting.  She found out yesterday that her baby's heart stopped beating.  She was only six months pregnant.  She wanted to talk about what to expect when she goes to the hospital.  There are no words to describe what she is about to face.  My heart is breaking for someone I have only talked to once.  I know God will get her through this as he did me.  My precious friend Caitlin sent me this beautiful prayer for Lisa.  I know God will give you comfort Lisa.  I want to hold you and protect you from the hurt you are facing.  Please pray for this broken mother and father.

 

O Christ Jesus
When all is darkness
And we feel our weakness and helplessness,
Give us the sense of Your Presence,
Your Love and Your Strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
In Your protecting love
And strengthening power,
So that nothing may frighten or worry us,
For, living close to You,
We shall see Your Hand,
Your Purpose, Your Will through all things.

 

- St. Ignatius of Loyola

 

Labor Day Weekend

My kiddo’s wanted to spend the night with their grandmother this past weekend so Tracy and I were all by ourselves.  Normally when the kids go away for the weekend we have plans but not this weekend.  Tracy loves to get up early and hit the local garage sales on Saturday and I choose to stay home and catch up on my housework.  Well this Saturday when he got up to go I asked if I could tag along.  We hopped in his new “Junk Truck” and headed to a few sales.  We didn’t find much so we headed to Burger King for some breakfast, my favorite part of shopping that early.  When we came back home I went to get a pedi.  I haven’t done that in over a year!  We took it easy by doing some light house work and enjoying Game Day.  It’s hard to narrow down just one football team we like.  Tracy received his Masters Degree from the University of Arkansas and another Degree at LA Tech.  I’ve never been much of a Hogs fan but my Colin is turning into one.  He is all about the Hogs after he found out his Daddy graduated from there.  He is proud of his Dad and I am too.  Being from Louisiana though I am a big LSU fan!  So to keep a happy home we were cheering GO DAWGS, GO HOGS, and GEAUX TIGERS!!!  2 out of 3 won this past Saturday so I say that is a good Game Day! 

This is my Hubby's "Junk Truck".  

 My Sweetie and Me

 Date Night on Saturday to eat and watch LSU!

On Sunday we headed to get our kiddo’s and get ready to take them on a little surprise Monday morning.  We have been planning on taking them to the lake all summer but things always seem to come up.  So bright and early Monday we headed to a local lake for some family fun.  Colin and Lily had the best time.  The swimming area wasn’t crowded at all.  It was like we had the lake all to ourselves.  After a few hours of swimming we headed to our Aunt’s house for some food and fellowship.  It was a great way to spend our last holiday of the summer.  Hope yours was memorable too.

 

 Making a dirt castle

 

He is right at home in the dirt and water

 

"Show me your muscle"