Where do I even begin? It feels like a life time since I last wrote. But thankfully we are back on-line so I will be able to keep up a lot better now.

Annabelle's "friend" party was a huge success. Of course, she had a "Hannah Montana" themed party with all the works. We had all the matching plates, napkins, cups, and party favors. Basically the only thing we didn't have was Hannah Montana herself! We played games and made bracelets, but surprisingly the thing they enjoyed the most was the balloons...the cheapest thing I bought!! They had so much fun trying to blow them up as big as they could and then letting them fly around the room. Girls can be so silly!
Then February came.....along with lots of illness! I started the month off with a pretty bad cough, but i really didn't feel to bad until about 2 weeks in. Sammy also had a cough and the little boy I babysit was also quite sick and ended up in the hospital with RSV. I was really concerned about that since he had been around Sammy so much, but the doctor told us to just keep on eye on his breathing. Another week passed and things just kept getting worse for all of us. I ended up going to the doctors Feb. 13 and was told I had a viral infection so there was nothing they could do. They did give me an inhaler to help open up my air-ways. I went back home and rested as much as a mom can (which really isn't much!) By the weekend I did feel a little better and thought I was on the mend finally. Then, on Sunday, Andy had a 101+ degree fever. It lasted for 4 days. Sammy and Annabelle also got worse and we ended up taking them to the doctors for safety's sake. Annabelle had bronchitis and Sammy had an ear infection. So they both had to have an antibiotic and breathing treatments. By Wednesday I was feeling awful again and had no voice so I decided to go back to the doctors. Bronchitis and Laryngitis! Awwww...and it didn't end there....this Sunday, Alivia had a 100 degree fever and I just knew she was going to end up with the flu. But by some miracle (and lots of prayer) she was perfectly fine yesterday. Praise God...I really don't think I could have handled one more sick child. There really is light at the end of the tunnel....the kids are doing great, Andy is back to work, and I finally felt pretty good when I got up this morning...I'm even in a good mood!

It's been a really tough month and I'm so glad that its about over. I have to admit that it wasn't completely terrible though...I did get a new niece! Haley had a beautiful little girl on the 12th. Her name is Adalyn Mae and she was 7lbs 15 oz and 20 in. long. Baby and Momma are both doing well and big sister Ariana just adores her. It's such a blessing to see their family growing. Well, that's about all for now...since we've been sickies, we really haven't done anything to exciting. I did get a new digital camera which I love. Andy and I are going to visit Hannah and Dustin in Traverse City this weekend so hopefully I will get some beautiful pictures with it.

I hope that you are all doing well, and getting over your illnesses too. I just keep thinking that spring will be here soon and we will be able to come out of hibernation....I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

Hey everyone! In case you are wondering, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth! Although sometimes I feel like I have..LOL! We haven't had the Internet for awhile and I'm not sure when we will be getting it back..so for now I have to make a trip to my parents house to use their computer. And I know they don't mind b/c they love any chance they get to see the kiddos!

We had a really wonderful Christmas. I'd have to say it was probably the best one we've had yet. The excitement and delight in the kids eyes when they saw what "Santa" left was great! This was the first year that Annabelle asked for one specific thing (usually its everything). She wanted a guitar...and sure enough Santa delivered. Her first response was, "I knew Santa would get me a guitar!" Alivia got a "Mama, Make Me Better" dolly, and Sammy got a work bench just like daddy's, even though daddy doesn't actually have a work bench, but if he did...

We had lots of parties to go to as usual. The kids were so well behaved at EVERY one too! That had to be the best gift for me! Another good thing was Andy didn't have any clue about the gifts I bought him this year...somehow he always guesses and is usually right. But not this year...YAY ME!

In my last entry I told you about the gift we got from Andy's parents...a Flip Video Camera. I tried and tried to put the video with it but couldn't figure it out for the life of me. I decided that after Christmas I would try again when I put our Christmas videos up. I had them all downloaded on the computer, then we had to re-set our computer and completely forgot the videos were on there so we lost them...I am very sad about that, but I still have some really great still pictures and I will always have the memories in my heart....guess there is always next Christmas.

My sweet little Annabelle turned 7 this year! We had a family birthday for her on the 5th (which is her actual bday). It was very nice and she made out like a bandit! Whenever anyone asked her how old she was she would say 20!!! To tell you the truth, it sure feels like shes that old sometimes! Yet at the same time it feels like it was just yesterday that I held her in my arms for the very first time...but I suppose its always going to feel that way...that's just part of being a mom. We are having another party this weekend with just her friends...that should be a lot of fun. This will be the first time she's had a "friend" party. She is very excited.

Andy is still working a lot of hours right now (praise God)!! He's usually laid off during the winter months so this is a real blessing. Especially b/c it has seemed like every time we turn around something is falling apart and needs fixed. Its very frustrating but I know it could be worse.

Well, I suppose I should let you go for now...sorry this is so long, but I had a lot to catch up. I hope that this finds everyone doing well and enjoying the new year. The weather has been quite peculiar, but I sure love the pretty white snow, it lifts my spirits tremendously.

Until next time,
Jenn

We got an early Christmas present today from Andy's parents. Its called a Flip Video. Its a small digital camera that records upto 60 minutes of video. It is really cool. It can be connected to the computer and then saved or put on a dvd. The kids were decorating christmas cookies when they came over so that was the first thing I recorded. It's going to be so nice having this for Christmas morning..thanks mom and dad!

It's been 8 years today that I walked down the aisle and joined my life with Andy's. Although we were young, we were in love and knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. If you had asked me then if I thought it was possible for me to love him any more than I did that day, I would've said no. I was wrong. My love for him has grown. It's grown each time he's encouraged me through labor; each time he's held our newborn child in his loving arms and thanked me for the gift. It's grown each time he's held me in his arms as I wept for the child we lost. It grows each day he goes to work to provide for our family. Every time he makes me laugh, my love for him grows. With every kind word, every thoughtful gesture, every loving touch, my love grows. My heart is nearly bursting with love and yet I know my love will only continue to grow. God has truly blessed me with a wonderful husband. It's not always been any easy road, but for better or worse, our love remains strong and constant. I am so grateful that he took me to be his wife.


Since he is working out of town this week we won't be able to see each other until Thursday. So, he sent me these beautiful bouquet of flowers. It was so unexpected, and such a wonderful surprise! He sure knows the way to my heart!

Every Christmas, as usual, I like to use my crafty skills and make special handmade gifts. Well, this year I decided to make mini albums/cards out of those adorable tin gift card boxes. They are just so cute and there are so many to chose from. I spent the weekend working on them since we werent going anywhere due to the "big" storm we got. Rather than doing a big family picture I thought it would be cute to do a page for each of us. So, we had to have a photo shoot. Now, normally when I do this kind of thing, it takes forever with a lot of bribing, and maybe even a few threats to even get one half way decent picture. To my suprise, I only had to take two pictures of each child to get these adorable shots. I was thrilled. Now, I just have to get the big kid to smile pretty for the birdy...LOL!
Aren't they just so precious? Santa will definetly leave some presents under the tree for these adorable faces!

Well, we survived another Thanksgiving. It actually was a very nice day even though Andy was not here to celebrate it with us...it was his year to go to the UP hunting. We had dinner at Grandma Cameron's. All the food was soooo delicious! The kids were great and we had no major catastrophes! We also had dinner with my parents a few weeks earlier because my mom had surgery the day before Thanksgiving. She's doing great and healing quickly. I am so thankful for my family. They are always there for me and make me feel so loved. I am truly blessed. Here are a few pics of the kids...my very special blessings...

You just got to love this michigan weather! Just last week we had snow on the ground...
and today was absolutley beautiful! Of course we had to take advantage of that so we went out and raked leaves....and then jumped in them!


I dont know how long this warm weather will stick around but Im sure glad that we had at least one more day.

A few weeks ago,when it was scorching hot out, we took the kids to the pumpkin farm. They always have so much fun every time we go. Unfortunately we didnt stay to long this time because it was so hot. But we still managed to get in the traditional pictures.

We take this one every year and its amazing to see how much they have grown.We take this picture every year too, and I believe Sammy was trying to escape in last years pic also!Of course, Sammy was most interested in the BIG TRUCK!!!

And last but not least, we had to get a picture with the 785 lb pumpkin...now that would make a lot of pies...lol!

I don't really know how to start this blog...words are not easily coming to me today. I ended up in the ER today only to find out that I have miscarried my sweet baby. I'm sad, I'm confused, I'm scared. There are so many questions that I have that I may never find answers for. I know that God has His reasons and I am trying my best to trust Him and not question. Even though I am terribly sad and broken hearted today, I am so grateful for the many blessing God has given me. This baby was a blessed surprise. My beautiful children are the joy of my life. My husband is my best friend and my strongest support. My parents are always there when I need them most. And God is my Rock. Even though I don't understand why he called this baby home so early, I know that it is His strength and comfort that will get me through another loss. I can't imagine going through anything like this with out God by my side, even carrying me at times. I know that He is holding my sweet baby in His arms tonight and that I will meet him/her one day.

Thank you friends for all of your congratulations and well wishes. Your friendship and support have meant the world to me. I know that we will be in your prayers, and I thank you for that as well. God Bless
~Jenn~

We finally told the kids about the big news! I have been waiting for two reasons...first, I wanted Andy to be home, and second I wanted to do it in a fun, creative way. Well, it didn't quite go as planned....I thought it would be so cute to buy 6 pumpkins, draw faces on them to resemble each of us, including the baby to be (which I put in one of their doll cribs). Then have them sitting on the counter when they got home from school. I thought Annabelle would give me her cute little 'confused' look and then guess right away that I was expecting, but instead this is how it went.... Alivia noticed them and said, "Oh look, I'm in the crib!" I told her no. Then she said it was Sammy. Again I told her no. Annabelle said, "Oh, it's Logan," (the baby I watch). Sammy's guess was their cousin, Ariana! Finally I told Annabelle to name them off..."Mommy, Daddy, Annabelle, Alivia, Sammy...are you having another baby?" I told her yes, then she noticed that her money from the tooth fairy was also sitting on the counter and that was much more appealing to her! GEEZE, I thought for sure they would be jumping up and down since they've been telling me forever that they wanted me to have another baby. Oh well, it sounded like a good idea in my head! Maybe, they were just in shock like we were and it didn't sink in. Alivia told me that she wants me to have a girl b/c boys are crazy. Then she said I should have a boy so Sammy has someone to play with and will leave her alone! I know one thing for sure, it's going to be very interesting around here.