jacksonentourage

2010-06-02T22:35:00.000-07:00

I was in the grocery store this afternoon and I heard a man say “Mira…” as he chuckled…
Obviously I knew he didn’t want ME to LOOK…but I understood what he said so I looked anyway.
I saw this middle aged Mexican man holding two cantaloupes up to his chest while facing his wife and making ‘eyes’ at her. I saw the look on her face and knew then that God was speaking to me.
I started this bible study six weeks ago called ‘Discerning the voice of God’. It has been eye opening. Its not like I’m learning things that I feel like I’ve never heard before but I guess sometimes you just have to be in the right place.
The first day it asks you to make a list of personal circumstances that are troubling you and to focus on those things as you go through the study. I listed my marriage. That was my list.
Not my husband, but my marriage.
I want a marriage like my parents. They have been married for 40 years. They love, honor and respect one another. They have arrived. They did it.
I thought for sure I would be a great spouse, I mean, look what I have modeled for me! It is beyond me why I stink at it so bad. Anyhow, I have been praying and praying and praying that God would show me what to do and He has. He really has. Do you know that if you ask God for something and then you LISTEN for His answer…He will give you one. (listening is key)
Cory and I had this serious conversation tonight about this and that. You know the one. The one you have every few months or so. I imagine the time in between gets longer as you get older…or maybe you just learn each other by then. I don’t know. Anyway, he was telling me that he felt like I wanted a ‘Ned Flanders’ or something and he just can’t be that for me. I realized then and there (or maybe it was little later when I saw the man in the grocery store) that I had exactly what I wanted. Its like I created this thing in my head of what I thought a husband, my husband, would be like. This spiritual head of the household, perfect, flawless, ridiculous man who would NEVER hold cantaloupes up to his chest and pretend they were boobs. Apparently ALL men hold produce up to various parts of their body and pretend it is another part of their body. It is just reality. And I think I like it. I think it would be boring to be married to Ned Flanders. I love what I have and I love what it took for God to show me that.

My husband is brave and handsome.
My husband is an amazing father.
My husband is the provider and the hardest worker.
My husband is strong and forgiving and patient.
My husband adores me and shame on me for not making him feel the same way for the last eight years.
Oh yeah…and my husband like beer. And, I’m okay with it. ☺

Ask Him and He will answer. It is not always what you want to hear. But He will answer. You just have to listen, and beware, sometimes He speaks in Spanish.

…a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping…

Proud Auntie!

2009-11-25T11:00:00.001-08:00

I have a new nephew and he is PERFECT!

Sadie Hawkins

2009-05-18T15:58:00.000-07:00

A picture is worth a thousand words!

The Five of You...

2009-05-02T20:27:00.001-07:00

Ok, since there ARE five of you. I'm tagging you. Here is the deal. I was tagged by Mona.
The game is that you have to immediately take a picture of yourself once you have been tagged and post it.
No primping, no fixing anything, no looks into the mirror to check this or that. Just exactly what we really look like.

I got to say...I like it :)

So now for those I would like to see....

Mindy Mills
Casey Jones
Marty Enniss (although I know you already did it so you don't have to do it again. You are just one of my five!)
Sarah Elwer
Mona Enniss (you are exempt as well)

You guys are all great. Thanks for being my five!

Never Say Never

2009-05-02T09:49:00.000-07:00

Mona. Here it is. I don't think I will tag people back because I don't think that five people even come to my blog. I have not posted in over three months.

Straight from bed. PJ's and all.

A Day to Remember

2009-01-25T19:35:00.000-08:00

Ok, again this is what we refer to as the 'money shot'. This was the day where Mona and I were the cool moms and took our kids to Disneyland when it was raining! Turns out we were not the only ones. It was a little busier that we expected. Wonderful none the less.

Is that Zoe posing?

Wait, is Zoe posing again?

Merry Go Round...and yet another pose being striked.

Brotherly and Sisterly love. Captain wouldn't join the hugfest for this one. He was ready to rock!
We had a great day and just marveled at how big our kids are getting.

2009-01-17T09:35:00.000-08:00

Well, we didn't get Christmas cards done so I was shooting for New Years. New Years didn't happen either. So, here is the picture I would have used. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Heading to the Dentist

2008-12-27T11:01:00.001-08:00

After a wonderful Christmas we must head to the dentist. To many sweets!

Farewell Gold Tooth

2008-12-05T19:12:00.001-08:00

We officially said goodbye to the Gold Tooth. He served us well for over a year and now has a happy new home here in Lake Elsinore.

The wishbone Fiasco

2008-12-05T18:41:00.000-08:00

Step One: Hold on tight to your chosen side and make a wish...

Step Two: Pull with all of your 3 and 5 year old might...

Step Three: The Break...

Step Four: Both thrilled that they broke it!

Step Five: Brother realizing that he lost...

Step Six: Sister rejoicing in her victory and informing me that her wish was to stay up until 10:30. I'm not even sure she understands what that means.

Step Seven: Brother fully recuperated after less than one minute...

The End.

Thankful

2008-12-05T18:37:00.000-08:00

Here are my beautiful kiddos at Thanksgiving this year. I'm not sure but I don't think they could be any more beautiful!

The Money Shot

2008-10-19T19:50:00.000-07:00

This is what we like to call the money shot. This is the Harvest Pumpkin Patch. They had a blast.

Hi Casey!

2008-07-23T22:34:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to give a quick shout out to my girl Casey Jones!

Just a little summer sprinkler fun here for you!

2008-04-02T18:01:00.000-07:00

These are from Easter. Nothing really clever to say; just keeping you updated!

2008-03-17T20:17:00.000-07:00

I have never really liked birds. I actually think people may say I hate birds. I think I figured it out though. When we were kids, my brother was a magician: "Mr. Fire the Mystifier". He had birds. Birds that had their wings clipped so they could not fly away. They would still try to fly though which meant there was just a helpless lame bird flapping through the house. Terrifying. So, what I have realized is that it is not so much the bird itself that I don't like but more the falling flapping bird in your house that I don't like. I say all this because I have really started to like birds lately. There is a hummingbird nest in my orange tree and that sweet little mama perches herself on that nest all day long. I have never seen a humming bird still. It is neat! So, here is as close as I could get without thinking she just might start poking me with her speedy little beak...

Out of the park!

2008-03-16T17:25:00.000-07:00

I can't really think of anything to say about these pictures that you probably haven't already thought in your head by now. He is my precious boy.

Lucky

2008-02-11T22:04:00.000-08:00

I had a moment today. A moment where all I felt was lucky. I forgot for a moment about rheumatoid arthritis, $80 in our checking account for the next 11 days, an overcrowded garage full of junk, the laundry, the whirlwind of spiritual conflict in my mind, the things I think about doing everyday but never do...you get the picture. I was cooking dinner in my kitchen and my kids were outside in the back playing. As I was slowly cooking over the stove I just listened. I listened to my kids. My sweet kids who are playing together and laughing and sharing and riding scooters. It was great. Then I hear "Mom....Mom, Look at me". I look out the window and Zoe just gives me the I love you sign. Precious. Then Brother of course wants in on the action and they are just screaming my name trying to steal my attention from the other. I just felt lucky. Lucky to have a home, food to cook, kids that love me so much they are fighting over mere seconds of my attention. I quickly grabbed the camera because I wanted to capture the spontaneous, but they caught on. The poses are obvious. I love my kids. I'm just so blessed.

The mount...

2008-01-21T09:47:00.000-08:00

Mona.

"We have all had times on the mount, when we have seen things from God's standpoint and have wanted to stay there; but God will never allow us to stay there. The test of our spiritual life is the power to descend; if we have power to rise only, something is wrong. We are not built for the mountains and the dawns and aesthetic affinities, those are for moments of inspiration, that is all. We are built for the valley, for the ordinary stuff we are in, and that is where we have to prove our mettle. Spiritual selfishness always wants repeated moments on the mount. We feel we could talk like angels and live like angels, if only we could stay on the mount.

We are apt to think that everything that happens is to be turned into useful teaching. It is to be turned into something better than teaching, that is, into character."

Oswald Chambers

You reap what you sew...

2007-12-21T14:04:00.000-08:00

This is my life for the next four days. It is a cool place to be. I love the image of my nativity behind my sewing machine. It keeps me level and reminds me what this day is all about. I feel blessed today. I love my kids. It is nearly impossible to really get much done between PB & Js, more juice, mommy I got to go peepee, where are we going, what are we doing tomorrow morning, can we have our countdown...you get it. Being a mom is grand.

Its been a while!

2007-12-18T13:41:00.000-08:00

I know I have not posted in a while so I thought I would add a picture of my sweet family at Christmas! I hope to get back into the writing part but have gotten more fond of the reading part! It is so neat to be able to read about peoples lives! Merry Christmas!

Tattoos

2007-10-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

The kids being pretty proud of their tattoos daddy drew on them!

Evil Lady Hand...

2007-10-12T17:11:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I know it is slightly troubling that my four year old has a concept on evil but if you will...look past that and see the art here. She drew this and told me she named it 'Evil Lady Hand'. I was so impressed because it truly is an evil lady hand. I think she may have a talent here! Mona, I know you will back me on this. Don't be to alarmed though, becasue she is drawing babies as we speak. She is still innocent and sweet and precious.

Turning 36...

2007-10-04T21:02:00.000-07:00

So, I turned 36 today. It really was not that big of a deal since for most of this last year I thought I was 36 anyway. I had a great day. My favorite part of my birthday every year is my birthday breakfast with my dad. This year was no exception. We had a wonderful breakfast at the Ramos House accompanied by wonderful conversation. What I know for sure is that my dad loves me.

While we were at breakfast my mom had my kiddos. I'm not sure how she did it in three hours but she cleaned my kitchen (including major stove work), did three loads of laundry (wash, dry & fold), made my bed, watered my plants, and bathed my children. I would be lucky to get all that done in a week. She is the mom of all moms. She just makes stuff happen. Oh, and she made some homemade almond milk. Amazing. What I know for sure is that my mom loves me.
I got an hour and a half massage at noon which was wonderful. I got phone calls singing happy birthday, text messages from my d-ship girls (I love you guys!), flowers from my family in Vegas and in Wyoming, and a beautiful salad bowl and tongs from my dear Wendy! Zoe gave me lots of kisses because she said she didn't want to waste time at the store. How precious! What I know for sure is that my friends and family love me.
I got a beautiful letter from my sister that made me cry and feel really special. What I know for sure is that my sister loves me.
My mom made dinner for me and my family and it was wonderful! Salmon Stack wrapped in parchment with capers, lemons, spinach and leeks...and don't forget the brown rice biscuits! The biscuits actually rocked. She was also thoughtful enough to get a pin the tail on the donkey game which was a big hit with the kids!

When it was all said and done, I felt loved at the end of the day and what more could you really want.

My little Rock Star!

2007-10-01T22:02:00.001-07:00

I took this picture of us holding out the camera and had no idea he put on his ROCK STAR face. I love it!

I miss you!

2007-10-01T21:59:00.000-07:00

All I have to say is that I MISS YOU!

Gods Promise Mommy

2007-09-09T21:59:00.000-07:00

Today we went and looked at model homes. We do this often because we like to dream and the kids love to find 'their rooms'. We were walking up the stairs in one of the homes and there were these stained glass (kind of) windows to outside casting rainbow prisms all over the stairs and Zoe said " Look Mommy, Gods promises". It was so precious. Just one of things I want to remember that she said.

Fake Cheese is a Hit!

2007-09-09T20:28:00.000-07:00

So, this isn't going to make sense to most of you but it will to Mona and my Mom. The fake cheese, brown rice lasagna noodles, grass fed hormone free ground turkey homegrown tomato lasagna was AWESOME! Cory couldn't even tell the cheese was not real. YES! I know the picture looks disgusting but it was SSOOOOOO good! I've missed cheese and now its back, well...kind of.

Potty Training

2007-09-09T18:06:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist putting these pictures on. I suppose it may be an invasion of privacy but I don't think he cares yet! He is doing awesome with potty training. He is kind of doing it himself. It is actually quite remarkable. Truthfully I think God just said "Jen really can't handle potty training right now so I'm going to do it for her". Either way, I'm thankful! And of course the adorable shot of Zoe from up above once again! So sweet!

Pre Ballet...

2007-09-09T16:28:00.000-07:00

So, here is Zoe in her 'big girl' pre ballet class. She feels very big because it is in the 'upstairs' room where the big kids go. She was so proud when we came in to see the last fifteen minutes of her class last week. It is so precious to see her look at us like "did you see that? did you see what i just did?" She would do her thing and then look over to make sure we were watching, smiling and giving her the thumbs up and I love you sign. I hope she always feels proud of herself and always looks for that thumbs up from us because I tell you this...it will be there always! (even when shes not looking for it!)

Just Loving My Babies...

2007-09-03T19:27:00.000-07:00

Just some pics of me loving my babies and sending a big huge I LOVE YOU to Mona! 12 Days! Oh, and I thought I would add yet another picture of Zoe looking perfectly angelic.

Having Fun!

2007-09-02T20:04:00.000-07:00

Just a little laughin...

Too Cute Not To Post!

2007-08-28T19:15:00.000-07:00

There are really no words.

Before Church

2007-08-26T13:13:00.000-07:00

Zoes First Game!

2007-08-25T14:09:00.001-07:00

Watching Zoe today was awesome. Although at times she was more concerned with waving at everyone on the sidelines she was GREAT! She ran with the team like a champ. I just could not believe that was my girl out there. I feel like she was just my little baby and now she is playing soccer. It is an exciting time in her life and watching her grow up is pure joy!

Keen Fashion Sense...

2007-08-25T14:06:00.000-07:00

Brother has begun to choose his own clothes. I want you to look closely at all he has chosen here. From the bandana, to the "buddy boy shorts", to the spider-man socks with sandals. GQ here he comes!

Soccer Practice & The Park

2007-08-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

I thought I would add the top one because it is so funny. I was taking a picture of Brother and I and didn't realize the zoom was on...made me laugh hard. Masterpiece huh?

Same Chair ~ Different Day

2007-08-22T15:21:00.000-07:00

So, along with the papis we also gave up on naps since it was getting increasingly hard to get him to sleep at night. I decided to go ahead and give him a nap today and he woke up HAPPY! Naps are back! Naps are the new no naps. Just wanted to update you for those who were left brokenhearted from that last picture! Yeah Caleb!

no papi = no happy

2007-08-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

caleb gave up his papis about three weeks ago. (papi = pacifier) we had a bye-bye papi party and he said goodbye to each one and put them all in an envelope to mail them back to papiland to be with their family. he did great after a couple days of fuss, but it has definitely been an adjustment. here is a picture of caleb that i see about 3 or 4 times a day. i know it is just a phase but i just feel so bad for him.

but mommy, i want to be colorful...

2007-08-21T20:31:00.001-07:00

so zoe walks downstairs ready to leave and i notice she has two different socks on. of course i say, zoe go change your socks, they don't match. "but mommy, i want to be colorful"... i decided i couldnt deny her that because i hope she always feels that way. i also didn't deny her brushing my hair with a fork the other day because she said "but mommy, its my dinglehopper".
life at four must be wonderful.

i love nona

2007-08-21T20:27:00.000-07:00

zoe sends out an
i love you to auntie nona. i didn't realize her shirt looked so filthy when i took the picture. i'm hoping nobody sees past those
beautiful baby blues! we miss you mona.

Zoe starts soccer!

2007-08-15T17:36:00.001-07:00

Zoe started AYSO soccer this week! She was great and scored a goal on her first try!