Curly Jenn...

That would be me now... me and my full head of curls! One of my new goals is to make myself look better daily FOR MYSELF! I know there are days when I get dressed nicely and actually do my hair and makeup but those days happen about once or twice a month. I like the way I feel those days but HATE the work!

So I decided to needed a hair change. I didn't want to change the color or the length because I've been happy with both. But I needed a style that would be easy to take care and wouldn't make me want to throw it up in a knot everyday! So I did some research, talked to a few people and decided I was going to perm my hair!

AHH A PERM!! It made me think of my crazy pyramid frizzy hair days back in Jr High with the big bangs and the crazy waves in my unruly hair. Those thoughts made me VERY NERVOUS!! But then I looked into all that perms can offer "now-a-days" and felt more comfortable in my choice.

So I brought my pictures, had my consultation and just did it... ripped the bandaid off... no anesthesia! And I LOVE IT!! Of course we're only officially about 30 hours into having the curly hair but so far I really like the way it lies, the texture and the volume! I'm excited to have my new hair adventure and look forward to playing with it! Here are a few pictures of the new hair.

Snow Fun!

Last weekend Neil and I took the kids up to Hyatt lake to go sledding. It was SO much fun. We had all our gear and brought thermos' full of hot cocoa and snacks! We started on the "big" hill and quickly chose to move to another spot that was less crowded and more "family friendly". There were numerous adults and teenagers that would slide careening down the hill and some kids got knocked down. So instead of taking a trip to the ER which was sort of inevitable with the crazies out there.... we chose a better spot that was less crowded and more appropriate for the kiddos.

We defiantely plan to head back and also check out some more local hot spots throughout the winter. Hopefully do more of a day long trip that includes warming by a fire built in the snow, roasting hot dogs and of course hot chocolate!

Here are few pictures at the end of our day.

A new year and a New me!!

I am very pleased to say it's 2010!!!

I could go on about the past year and boast of vacations and celebrations or whine about health issues, societal woes, or whatever... but I am not! That is what a NEW YEAR is all about! Started anew... going forward and creating more memories for a lifetime of fabulousness!!

I have been thinking ALOT about new years resolutions. I have never really "believed" in them... but this year is different. I've had a profound thought process with wanting to realize who I am and what I accomplish on this earth. In that process I turned to the scriptures and was reminded over and over again that I am gift from God. My life is in his hands. As I trust in him trials will be sure but blessings will abound. I NEED THAT!!

So I am not making resolutions this year. Well... I am but they are more like affirmations. I want 2010 to be about positives!!

So here are my 2009 affirmations:

~I will have a healthy year! I will do all in my power to facilitate a healthy body, mind and soul.
~I will celebrate life's blessings by living in the now. Not wondering what could be or could've been.
~I will love and honor my husband and our marriage.
~I will love and honor my children as they have been entrusted to me by God... and they are a gift! (even when I COMPLETELY disagree with that statement!)
~ I will take time for me... to appreciate myself as a women, wife, mother, and all around bad@$$! :)
And last but not least...
~ I WILL DANCE!! Til my body can't take anymore!! :)

I think that adding those affirmations to my life will help me be happy, healthy and have a better outlook on all aspects of my life. I'm ready to start the new me and be the best person I can be!!
Even if I jiggle a little bit... :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

This year I am feeling especially blessed!! Blessed with love, friendship, family and friends! I have much to be thankful for... especially the gift of Christ in my life! Remember that he is the reason for the season!!

Today (Christmas Eve) the girls and I went ice skating with my mom and sister at the local outdoor rink. It was SO much fun! The girls went out on the ice with brave faces and unsteady feet. Thank goodness the rink had little walkers that the kids can use for support so mommy, frammie and pippi didn't have to break their backs!

After our skating adventure we drank some hot cocoa to warm up and then went to the yogurt hut for ice cream... I know... get warm and then eat frozen yogurt?! Typical fun girls day out! :)

We went out to dinner as a family tonight and came home and played Uno and watched a really random kids Christmas movie. After much argument the kids finally went to bed. They were asleep 2 hours later and Santa FINALLY came!

Now that's officially Christmas, and "A Christmas Story" is on TV it's time for santa to head to bed!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!! May your holiday abound with blessings and be filled with family, friends and happiness!!

Crop share...

Sounds interesting huh??

What is a crop share you ask?? We purchase a "share" of a local farmers crop. In turn we get twice monthly boxes of fresh organic veggies, fruits, flowers, herbs, etc! Usually farms only offer CSA's (crop share agreements) in the spring/summer seasons... but this year a local farm offered a winter one!

We decided to split a CSA with some friends down the street and it's been SO FUN! We don't know what comes in each box so it's always a surprise. But it's encouraged me to think outside of the box when it comes to cooking! (which my husband is thoroughly enjoying!)

We got our second box a few days ago and the bounty was PLENTY! In the box we got: carrots, red and yellow potatoes, red onions, leeks, kale, spinach, mixed salad greens, squash, cabbage, a rutabaga... about 15 lbs of veggies in all. The farm also sends some great recipes that we've been trying. Tonight I'll make veggie barley soup using many of the veggies... don't know how it will turn out but it's something different and I'm excited to try it! :)

If your family likes veggies and you want to help the local economy I would suggest looking into farm shares in your area! We go through the Barking Moon farm in the Rogue Valley (which is full for the winter)... but come March start looking around... it's a great investment!!

Off to figure out how to cut up a rutabaga... should be interesting! :)

withdrawls...

So in the midst of my holiday life adventures... I've decided to take a break from the black whole that is FACEBOOK. Now I love facebook and have been quite enjoying connecting and reconnecting with friends, family and random people who I've crossed paths with.

I have to admit that I've been having some serious withdrawls from that which sucked up all my non-existant free time! So I'm committing myself back to my blog. I can share my day, week and overall life adventures with those that would like to keep up with it and not get sucked into the quiz taking, mafia shooting, sorority spatting, bejeweling craziness that is facebook.

Instead I plan to use my black hole moments to get healthy, do projects with my kids, and putting more time into my volunteer work.

So be ready for the updates... and have a Merry Christmas!!!!!!!
May God bless you and yours during this holiday season!

Holiday fun has begun!

We've had a week full of holiday fun activities!
Last Sunday we attended Omar's Staff holiday Party. We are "unofficial" Omar's guests at this party ever year with my mom and step-dad. It's always a fun time to eat good food, celebrate the season and of course get a visit from Santa!!
They close the whole restaurant down told hold this party. It's the ONLY day out of the year that the restaurant is closed to patrons. They makes tons of food, keep the drinks flowing and always give generously as far as Santa is concerned. It's so cute watching my kids sit on Santa's lap and get their sweet gift. This year Mason got an air hockey set, Chloe got a paint your own piggie bank and Abby got a "betsy wetsy" doll. You know... the ones that go "potty". They all LOVE THEIR PRESENTS!! And I love that their gift opening excitement is put at bay for at least a week!!

Then Friday night we were able to enjoy our first ever Central Point City Christmas celebration!! The City put on an adorable event for the kids! We went to the Grange Hall downtown and upon walking in the door the gifts were handed goody bags and tickets. When we got into the "room" the kids matched their ticket number with a wrapped gift. We made Christmas cards, ate cookies and juice, got pictures with Santa, made jingle bell bracelets, made ornaments, got to choose books from the Kiwanas book room and of course got to open presents! It was well run and alot of fun for the whole family! Mason got to take his friend which was an added bonus.
We then went to our wards victorian Christmas celebration! The decorations were BEAUTIFUL, the food was wonderful, the atmosphere magical and the spirit abounding! The kids had a great time doing their activities including ornament making, special dinner and a "snock" fight! (snowballs made out of socks!!) The program and music was a perfect way to portray the blessings that Christ bring us in our lives. It was a wonderful evening!

I'm looking forward to the rest of December to be full of love, blessings, service and Christmas miracles!! I feel so blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who have so much love and support to give!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!