I Wish....

A while back, PandaMom thought it might be fun if I played along with the little "I Wish" game. I have finally had time to actually follow through! So, without further adieu.... my "I wish" list



-I wish my children weren't growing up so fast

-I wish I had paid attention and tried to learn tatting and how to make those beautiful handkerchiefs from my great aunt G. before she died

-I wish I had a laundry fairy

-I wish I didn't automatically assume "worst case scenario"

-I wish I didn't worry so much

-I wish I had more scripture memorized

-I wish (and hope and pray) my children would grow up to walk in the TRUTH and in the light

-I wish I didn't have post-pregnancy stretch marks

-I wish for my children to have as wonderful a childhood as I did

-I wish people weren't so mean

-I wish some of my closest friends lived closer

-I wish my eyelashes were as long as my daughter's

-I wish our nation would turn to God

-I wish to be more bold in sharing my faith

-I wish I could be disciplined enough to wake up at 5 a.m. everyday

-I wish I were more disciplined about going to bed before midnight!! (Might help with above!)

-I wish I could visit New England every fall

-I wish I could go on a mission trip this year - even something really small

-I wish I didn't struggle with contentment- not just materially, but with myself, circumstances, family, etc.

-I wish I had a vegetable garden

-I wish I didn't crave chocolate and have a sweet tooth!

-I wish I were more patient with those who don't share the same viewpoint as I do

-I wish I had more time to read

-I wish I could bottle up the smell of my littles after their baths and save it forever

-I wish I had a photographic memory

-I wish I didn't cry so easily

-I wish I understood how some men can leave their families

-I wish I had a deep, wrap-around front porch

-I wish people didn't automatically have misconceptions about Southerners, Mississippians, etc. when they really don't have a clue that most of us really are educated, well-read and actually wear shoes.... we just speak a little slower than everyone else.

-I wish my children will be as fascinated by history and geneaology as I am

-I wish I could live in a past era for just one week.

-I wish people would use the word "perhaps" more- (it's one of my favorites)

-I wish people would take more pride in their appearance

-I wish our dog wouldn't dig holes in our grass and flowerbeds

-I wish getting a tan wasn't bad for you

-I wish I hadn't spent so much time in tanning beds when I was younger

-I wish everyone could experience the joy of knowing Christ

-I wish people really prayed for each other more, instead of just saying they are going to

-I wish I could meet so many of you in person and give you a big hug



What do you wish?? If you do a "wish list" leave me a comment and let me know! I'd love to read



Happy Thursday and Much Love,

Jennifer

Fabulousness....

.... IS that even a word?? Even if it doesn't grace the pages of Webster, it is perfect in describing how our little weekend getaway went! After a quick drop off of the kiddos at Daddy and Mama's we were OFF! Several stops, a cappuccino and lots of road trip music later, we arrived in the Delta.

Here to be exact.

We checked into our fab-u-lous digs, got mugs of real hot chocolate (seriously, real melted chocolate); I dove deep into the amazing linens, while Andy went to "explore"- (Such a MAN thing, don't you think?) I stayed contented there until time to cross the street for our 1 hour massages. Bliss. BLISS, I tell you. After I lifted my wet noodle of a body off of the table and sat in the steam room, I forced myself to get dressed and met A. to go back across the street to prep for dinner.

Dinner=divine. Dining at a former speakeasy with curtained booths and a buzzer to summon the waitress was a different experience to say the least! After a feast on Mississippi farm raised catfish (with the special sauce) and steaks, it was time to summon the shuttle back to our quarters. While we were gone, a good fairy had turned down the beds, and even left chocolate on our pillows to ensure sweet dreams!

Can I just tell you how amazing (did I mention wonderful) it felt to sleep in until AFTER 9 O'clock in the morning. Sure, I did crack my eyes at 7, but it was short-lived. My adventures in dreamland lasted 2 more good long hours. Showers and a lazy pace of getting ready followed. Then came the Southern breakfast buffet by the fireplace. Eggs, cheese grits (my FAV) accompanied by all manners of pork, fruits, frittatas, cereal, muffins, and juices were there for the eating. O.my.WORD. (!!!!)

After all the exertion of morning (HA!) I decided I needed a little rest, and perched myself on the bed with a book and my mandatory second cup of coffee. Andy.... wellll he went to the gym (Just HAS to make a girl feel bad!)

Checking out was followed by perusing small shops, a loooonnngg stroll through a bookstore (with a fabulous selection of southern lit- a favorite of mine!), antiques, jewelry and a children's boutique, and then time to head back to reality.... ALREADY? By this time the afternoon was marching on toward evening, and I began to feel just a wee ( I said a wee) bit sorry for my parents, and began to miss my littles (a bit more than a wee), and we headed south.

More gas, more diet cokes, more road trip music, and a quick stop at my sister's house in the capital city, and we arrived back in home territory, though it was way after dark!

After kisses and numerous hugs and squeals, we discerned that Anna Kate was on hairstyle #452 for the day, (her current phase) and that Andrew had been "hunting bears" with Papa in the woods (numerous times)! All had roasted marshmallows, gotten new toys, and been thoroughly and absolutely spoiled. And to top it all off, Mama had a nice, hot, homecooked meal waiting.... perfect ending, don't you think?

I can't WAIT to go back... and I'm thinking SOON!

Bliss

My crystal ball tells me that a trip here
and here is in my future! I. can't. WAIT!!
Anyone ever been? Comments? My parents and siblings swear it is the best thing EVAH!
I'll definitely be sharing details and photographic evidence!

Happy Thursday and Much Love,

Jennifer

4 things

I was tagged for this by my sis-in-law (via email) and decided to join in on the fun!! If you decide to do it, let me know in the comments- I'd love to read!

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Nurse on cardiac floor
2. Nurse in neonatal ICU
3. Nurse in Cardiac ICU
4. Nurse Practitioner

(B) Four movies I would watch over and over (or have
watched over and over)
1. Steel Magnolias
2. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
3. Sweet Home Alabama
4. Gone with the Wind

C) Four places I have lived:
1. My hometown, MS
2. Jackson, MS
3. New Bedford, MA (while on travel nursing assignment)
4. Current town, MS

(D) Four TV Shows that I watch:
1. Jon and Kate plus 8
2. Dancing with the Stars
3. What not to Wear
4. Supernanny

E) Four places I have been:
1. Paris, France
2. Venice, Italy
3. Luzern, Switzerland
4. Munich, Germany

(F) People who e-mail me (regularly):
1. Sister
2. Friend M
3. Friend J
4. Friend C

(G) Four of my favorite foods:
1. Homemade biscuits
2. Chicken and Dumplins
3. Queso Dip
4. Plain Hershey’s bar

(H) Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Beach
2. Getting a massage
3. Getting a pedicure!
4. Nowhere??- (sounds silly, but pretty happy where I am at the moment!! )


(J) Four things I am looking forward to in 2008:
1. Becoming more involved in our new church
2. Summer
3. Vacation
4. Continuing to be entertained by my little lambs!!

Happy Monday and much Love!
>

Sillies

Apparently (or unfortunately), this attire is entirely indicitive of the weather we've been having in the past couple of weeks....
From the 20s to the 70s and back again, one is not sure whether to dress for the sunshine or the snow!

I guess a bathing suit top (OVER the cover up) paired with the hat and mittens is just the trick. Great job my little 2 year old fashionista!

I laughed until I almost lost my breath over this one. The 4 year old has become increasingly territorial with his, ummm, "art" lately. I guess when you have a Tasmanian devil for a little sister, you become a little protective of your property. At any rate, I found this "sign" attached to his latest masterpiece tonight. Phonetically speaking, I guess you can tell where we are from. (The accent even comes out in the writing.) He really did a great job of "sounding out" the words to spell them, and subsequently marked his sign with his name. Guess we need to work a little on the punctuation! Cracks. me. UP!!!

Happy Sunday and much love,

Happenings.....

F i n a l l y, this (after much deliberation and gnashing of teeth over the overwhelming amount of choices available)...

has been the scene in our living room (and hallway). Buh-bye, carpet.... hello, beautiful wood. I have been sooo excited for this, and as of yesterday, the project is COMPLETED! Now I have an excuse to look for an area rug!!

These (!!!!!!!)

...were for Valentines Day, along with some other sweet happies....

The sweetest of all being this...





Heart=full.

Happy Friday and much love,