It’s Just Jennie!

Daddy’s Turn!

jennie — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:07:06 +0000

For the last two years my poor husband’s birthday has been a little overlooked since Reese’s birthday is so close. I think he deserves a blog all to himself! I am such a lucky girl to have a husband like Rich. He cooks, cleans, works, and helps me with the boys. It seems like every year he shows me how much he loves me in a different way. Just recently I came to him sharing some struggles I had and he held me, loved me, and showed me how he would support me. He constantly makes sacrifices so our family can have what we need. He is creative and can fix about anything. But the thing that really caught my attention was his silliness. Our silliness meshes well together and has even rubbed off on our boys. I love how much he makes me laugh. My prayer is that today he will know how much he is loved as we celebrate him. So if you pass by my hubby today, tell him happy birthday! I love you Rich Gartman!

Happy Birthday Reese!

jennie — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 01:40:14 +0000

Happy birthday to my silly, ticklish, busy, beautiful football fan. Reese keeps us on our toes at all times. He is obsessed with hats and balls. When he sees an Alabama A, he immediately says football. He loves to spend all day outside. Did I mention he is beautiful? We get stopped in grocery stores often for someone to tell me how cute he is. He is wild and loves to wrestle. I love how much he loves Caffrey. I love this kid!

Mourning yet celebrating

jennie — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 19:58:15 +0000

Today I am mourning the loss of someone I love dearly but celebrating because he is now seeing his Heavenly Father’s face. If you have known me long, chances are you have met my Uncle Ken and Aunt Betty. He has always been our silly Uncle who makes us laugh. I had the pleasure of getting to know Uncle Ken and Aunt Betty really well in high school when they started going on Mission Trips with me. I remember fun things Uncle Ken did when I was a kid but really my fondest memories are from those trips. Once Uncle Ken became a Christian, he loved sharing it. He was known as “Balloon Man”. He would make balloon animals while telling children about Jesus. My favorite was when he would tell the story of Jonah with the balloons. The children would just watch in awe. It makes me sad to think my children will never watch him make a balloon animal. My memories are filled with him shooting us with water guns in the church van, his crazy stories about him being certifiable crazy, (not sure if that was true;)and overalls. I always told Uncle Ken that when I got married he had to wear his overalls or I would be upset with him. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to attend my wedding because he was sick. He has been pretty sick off and on for years now. I feel peace knowing that he is pain free today. But most of all, I know that he is worshiping his Savior face to face today. Isn’t that a great way to spend Christmas! The selfish part of me wishes he was here so my kids could grow up laughing while he made balloons. We had a very special relationship. When he saw me he would always say, “There’s my Jennie.” This weekend, his grandson is getting married and I am sure it will be hard on the family. Please pray for my Aunt Betty, their children, and grandchildren. And well, all of us as we celebrate Uncle Ken’s life. I would love for you to share your favorite Uncle Ken memories. I will post when arrangements are made in case some of you still live around and would like to come.

Take a Guess!

jennie — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 14:47:14 +0000

The day Caffrey was born, the most asked question was who did Caffrey look like. Rich and I both would respond, Reese. Everyone would look at us like we were crazy! Caffrey came out with dark hair, no eyelashes, olive skin, and grey blue eyes. I can see why people would give us those looks. Reese has fair skin, light blue eyes with the longest eyelashes, and blonde hair. But the moment I saw Caffrey I felt like I was looking at Reese. Last night, I found a picture of Reese when he was about two months old and I showed it to Rich without telling him which kid it was and he thought it was a picture of Caffrey. I thought I would post a few pictures of the boys at similar ages and see if you can tell who is who! Can you believe how much they look alike? I have such cute boys!

The Mommy Rut

jennie — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 18:52:12 +0000

I am sure my husband is going to read this blog and get either offended or thing I exaggerate or both. I am feeling stuck, fat, bored, ugly, lazy, and pretty darn exhausted! I am sure I can add more adjectives to that sentence to describe this pit that I have fallen into. I spend many days in my pajamas until nap time when I finally have a moment to jump in the shower. My hair is a mess at all times and I only straighten it on Sunday mornings if everything goes perfect that is. I would be totally embarrassed if a church member dropped by for a surprise visit because my house looks like a tornado hit it. (That tornado has a name by the way!) The only time I have to clean is nap time and lets be honest, I use that time to catch up on my tv shows, take a shower, eat lunch, and nap myself.I now look at my friends who work and call them my heros! I need a maid, a babysitter, a mani/pedi, a haircut, a new wardrobe, and to loose about forty pounds! And did I mention that I would really love some me time! So I am trying to hype myself up to start running again. It would solve several of my complaints! I would have alone time, loose weight, and then I would have to take a shower every morning! Of course I have three really good reasons(excuses) for why I haven’t already picked up running yet. Reason One: I have to drive somewhere to run! We live on a road that has a lot of empty fields that really freak me out when I’m alone. And there are rumors that we have some drug dealers living close by. Not sure if I believe those rumors but it fuels my excuses. Reason Two: I am nervous that running will decrease my milk supply. I never worried about this with Reese but since I am only pumping I constantly see my supply decrease and I fear that I will have to put him on formula. I just wish the silly kid would nurse! I’m not sure that it will harm my supply but the fear is there! Reason Three: I’m fat! I remember what it felt like when I first started running. It took me a month to actually run an entire mile! I remember how sore, exhausted, and simply how hard it was to get out of bed every morning! If it was hard then when I was starting off smaller and hadn’t had two surgeries, I can’t imagine how it’s going to feel this time! And then I have to come home and pump and take care of my babies. Did I mention I am exhausted?

Oh the mommy rut! I really need to get myself together before Rich decides he doesn’t want anymore children! I am sure I am not alone in these feelings. (Or at least I hope!) So mommies, what do you do to get out of the mommy rut? What kind of things do you do to keep from going crazy? Do you have alone time? Girls night out? I am looking for suggestions and motivation. We have a super tight budget so cheap or free suggestions are really appreciated! I am so ready to feel like I have a life outside of spit up and diapers. And I would like to not look like I just had a baby. Now off to take my shower, finally!