I wanna hold him (he means her)

We all love her, but Henry loves her most

Let It Snow: Hot Chocolate!

The only way we could get the boys to come inside...HOT CHOCOLATE!

oh how we wish we could go back out there

Let It Snow: Yes You May Play

The boys had the best time. Henry mainly ate snow. Jacob loved playing in the snow with the stick. Jodi showed the boys how to make snow angels. It was a blast!

Names in the Snow

Eating Snow

First snowman

Henry still eating snow off his glove

Oh my love

Thank you Jesus for the snow.

Snow Day--Can We Go Out to Play?

Who could resist these boys?

Christmas Morning

A Christmas Eve Story

I had to work today, EARLY.

About 6:30 a little boy walked into the preschool. A, let's say, interesting boy and we'll call him Aiden, and he is around 6. The other day when I was working in the office he was acting in such a way that I made him take a nap even though his class does not take naps. So on Christmas Eve, at 6:30 am, I was not exactly jumping out of my seat to see him...we were hoping for a nice, quiet day.

After talking non-stop for about 10 minutes, I asked him to eat his breakfast and let his voice rest for a little while.

Soon some of his classmates got there and he came around the counter where I was working and blurted out, "Did you know that tomorrow is God's birthday?" I said, "Yes, I do Aiden."

Aiden, "Ya, God was born in a barn."

Everyone, at this point was kinda smiling and walking away. I was interested and asked Aiden to stay and tell me a little more about this barn and God.

I said, "Sometimes when I think of God as a baby, I like to call him Jesus."

Aiden, "Ya, that is his name too."

Me, "So, who else was at this barn like cows and sheep?"

Aiden looking at me like I have no idea about God and Jesus and said, "No, but there were some wise men."

Me, "Oh ya, why do you think they were there?"

Aiden, matter of factly and a little annoyed at my stupidity, "Because they knew that he was going to be their master, he was going to be their KING!"

I can't lie, I wanted to bow down to this kid and cry in the bathroom, because I know that the Lord was looking at me with those father eyes that say, "Hey Jenny, you have no idea how much I love ALL my creation, ESPECIALLY this boy in front of you that drives everyone crazy."

I got myself together and said, "King is a great word for him, Aiden. Where did you hear all this, your parents?"

A, kinda laughing, "No."

Me, "Do you go to church?"

A: "NO"

Me: "Where?"

Aiden: "On TV"

Me: "Oh, do your parents watch that channel?"

Aiden: "Oh no, they usually just watch big boy shows."

Me: "Do you watch this channel all the time?"

Aiden: "Oh ya, there are some cartoons on it."

Me: "How did you find this channel?"

Aiden: "Well a TV was shoved in my room and I was just changing the channels and there it was."

Humbled, I took him back to his classroom praying my faith would be as sure as his.

Merry Christmas Aiden, may I see you with new eyes, may I see you the way God does.

Soap Box 2009

I just have to post how pissed I am at parents these days. Obviously not all parents, just ones that do not allow their kids to take responsibility for what they have done or how they act. Specifically when it comes to school.

I used to get so frustrated at my parents, especially my dad because he used to ALWAYS play the devil's advocate or take the teacher/coaches side when we came home complaining about how "unfair" they were. Maybe he did this because he himself was a teacher. Whatever the reason it taught me to take responsibility for my education and my life in general. I was forced to look at myself and reflect, even though it made me mad, on what I might have done or what I could do to rectify the situation. My parents never went to the teacher on my behalf, instead I was given the tools to deal with my problems my self. GOD FORBID, PARENTS TEACH THEIR CHILDREN TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN LIVES!

One example I can remember vividly...I was in the car with my mom once again complaining about my volleyball coach (who I still love and respect to this day). My mom finally, looked at me and said, "do you want me to go talk to her?" I was mortified!!! "NO mom please dont!" Somehow in that I was convinced to talk to her myself. I know I am one of that coaches favorite mediocre players with a desire and heart, but no real talent. I wonder what she would really think of me if my mommy went down there and ripped her for whatever it was that I was mad about.

I think sometimes kids get scared and do not want to tell their parents the truth about their behavior/performance at school. And good intending parents blame teachers instead of really taking the time to find out the REAL story. Dont get me wrong, I know their are some stinky teachers out there, I had some. I had a math teacher that never taught, only gave us the problems and went back to his desk to work on wrestling stuff. I would put my book under my desk and talk the rest of the period. My mom ended up making me re-take the class in summer school. She could have went to the teacher and ripped him a new one and I KNOW he would have given me an A++++++, but my mom was trying to teach me that I was in control of my education. I could have went to an old math teacher, or tried, or asked Matt Snell for help because he was getting an A++++++ in the class. I chose not to and got a grade, that for me, was unacceptable.

Anywhooo, all this to say, most teachers work their butts off and are not in teaching to be rich. My mom goes in early and stays late and tutors on her own time...time she does not get paid for, she brings work home and worries about kids 24 hours a day. And I KNOW she is not the exception. I do not think I was the only one fortunate enough to have coaches and teachers in my life that made me a better person and still teach me. My dad used to pick kids up every morning and take them home every night after school/practice. They would call him everyday for a ride. He was a father to the fatherless and made the kid who never felt smart, feel smart for 45 minutes a day in his classroom. He went to school early every morning, opened up the gym for all his "sons" and was always available. He coached summer ball and took kids on trips for about half a penny an hour.

Most importantly these two people taught me to respect the adults in my life even if they did not deserve it and they taught me to respect myself enough to take responsibility of my education and my life. (Not that I am perfect at it, because I am not)

So thank a teacher today and PLEASE resist the need to "fix" all your kids' problems, because it usually makes it worse and it usually embarrasses them and you.

This post is in response to a couple teachers I love having to deal situations with parents, who one day will probably be calling their kids' college professors to tell them that the reason that their child miss class was because the parent forgot to give them their daily wake up call.

Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas

3 If By Plane

I came home tonight to this...
The Wise Men never had it so good.

Thanksgiving & the Daniels

We are so thankful this year for many reasons, but on this Thanksgiving we are thankful that we got to share my family with Kristi and Nathan some of our Oregon family/friends (although they live in Cali right now). They got to experience Thanksgiving outside, which is par for the course in AZ. It was actually a little too warm for me, 80 degrees is not my friend in November. I digress.

Henry and Zach and Zane were actually there, but for some reason I forgot to photograph them, oh well they could use some time off.

The Feast

We did not make the vests this year, but kids had a great time getting ready for our celebration. It was fun to all be together and watch the kids enjoy their feast. The kids loved looking for their place cards with their pictures on them.

And I got to see the Henry Boy eat his corn and chicken and mashed potatoes.

I am thankful for these kids and a job where I get to be with Henry.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Why are you lying on the Ground?

Early in Dean and Jodi's relationship, we allowed Dean to help with the Christmas Tree. In fact, I allowed him to be a part of the whole tradition. Including La Hacienda, where Jodi and I share some Mocajete. I think I said "period" that night, luckily Dean could handle it.

We even let Dean the Machine put up the star.

This is my, "this is the best Christmas ever" pose.

I think this was an important step for these two

Who is taking this picture? Maybe the fourth roommate?

A gorgeous finished product.

Later that night, after Dean left us, Jodi went to water the tree and whoa whoa whoa, the tree fell to its doom. Luckily, that was not how Dodi and Jean's relationship ended. (the tree was fine after we stopped laughing and being in shock) But we laughed really hard. Here's to the Christmas Tree of 2004--thanks for the memories

Love you Dean Jodi, Jacob & Claire-bear...

we cant wait to see you and your 5th tree together