CONGRATS AND WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!

Congrats to my brother, Kenneth, and to his beautiful wife, Jennie, who were married Nov. 22, 2008 at Shiloh United Methodist church in Mantachie, MS!!! Sorry for the ultra late blog congrats...I sort of took a looooooonnnng break!

We are so excited to receive you into our family as our sister, Jennie! You compliment Kenneth and we look forward to getting to know you better through the years. We miss you both and can't wait to see you again.

Thanks to Aunt Shelia, aka: the Chef, who provided all the scrumptious food!!!!
Here's the Garrett gals minus Aunt Shelia who is pictured above with Anna and baby Kelso. from left to right: Amanda, Anna, Jill & G, mom & Kelso, Aunt Melba
All the siblings and their significant others - this is the first pic we have together!!! left to right, Daniel & Heidi, Jay & Anna, Kenneth & Jennie, Jill & Chris & G
What fun!! I wish we all got together more often!

Thanks, girls!!!

I have some of the best friends a girl could ask for!!! Melissa and Tiffany showered me with birthday blessings Tues. night and helped me feel honored and celebrated!! We ate yummy Sakura for dinner and Shirley's pettifores for dessert, complete with a candle that Garrett blew out for me! He came running into the kitchen as soon as he heard "Happy Birthday" being sung to me!!

Thank you, girls, for a wonderful evening, the sweetest birthday card, and gift certificate to Natural Affects, our amazing local health food store/ spa! I can't wait to spend some money there....it'll go quickly!!

Thank you also to everyone who sent me birthday wishes via phone, email, and mail. It feels great to feel loved and appreciated!!! I love you all!!!!!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

WE LOVE EACH OF YOU SO MUCH AND WISH YOU A HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! WE MISS YOU AND HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON! MUCH LOVE FROM ALL FOUR OF US!

Our Valentine's Day started off with a welcoming breakfast prepared by the wonderful parents of our own NSHS Academic Decathlon team. Chris was the brave coach who survived yet another all- night -lock- in with 11 of his AD students. Of course, he didn't sleep - he was too busy listening to their speeches and guiding them in their studies of Latin America. They recently finished 5th at Regionals and will compete at the State level this coming weekend. We look forward to supporting them in Clarksville!

Immediately following breakfast Chris came home for about 20 min. to regroup and prepare for coaching some baseball! Yep, you heard it right - it's that time again that Chris and G both adore and I seem to dread at times (not bc of the game itself; just the amt. of time it takes for Chris to coach - sometimes working 60 - 70 hour weeks!) However, I am excited to support him and the NSHS Indians!! G has already been talking about the "baseball field" and "baseball diamond" and practicing swinging his bat and throwing his ball at every chance he gets. What fun! Let's just hope he gets it out of his system BEFORE the new baby arrives. ;)

While daddy was away coaching scrimmages, we played and took a very long nap as we are not accustomed at being anywhere other than our beds at 7 am! We baked cookies, made daddy Valentine Day cards, and I even managed to clean a little, set the table, and start on my gourmet meal for the evening. Although the weather was cooler today, G couldn't resist playing on the recently cleaned screened porch (for only 15 min. at a time, lest he get another runny nose). Here is what I found during one of my "checking on him" intervals:



What great fun G had!!! Daddy got home around 5. He and G enjoyed daddy's favorite cheese- smoked gouda with some crackers and decorated the V-day cookies while I cooked. I think G enjoyed eating the homemade icing better than the actual decorating! See for yourselves:





Our night was not complete without enjoying yummy strawberry salad with homemade poppyseed dressing and a gourmet version of eggplant parmesan complete with "real" fresh organic mozzarella and parmesan cheeses- which I must say was tasty. And of course, after G went to bed, we enjoyed our ice cream drizzled with chocolate and organic chocolate covered strawberries (maybe this is why I couldn't go to sleep until 2 am!! )

THANK YOU TO MY PRECIOUS HUSBAND WHO GAVE ME A NEW BREAD MAKER - WHAT A GREAT GIFT....CAN'T WAIT TO TRY IT OUT TONIGHT....CINNAMON BREAD ANYONE?


What a nice day filled with lots of love and fun! HAPPY VALENTINE'S TO ALL!!

FIRST THINGS FIRST....

SORRY, SORRY, SORRY FOR NOT BLOGGING FOR THE PAST .....3 MONTHS!!! YIKES!! I PROMISE I DO THINK ABOUT IT ALLLLLLLL THE TIME, BUT I MUST CONFESS THAT I, JILL, HAVE BEEN PREOCCUPIED WITH DECLUTTERING MY HOUSE TO THE POINT OF EXHAUSTION.....GOTTA GET IT DONE BF THE NEXT BABY ARRIVES IN MAY!!!!

Now, let me say that I have much with which to update you so hold on tightly....the ride is about to continue!!!!!