Full of Love: Like his prayer

Today while shopping at a children's store Otto met this lady. She was a stranger and in less than five minutes he made a friend. She had a little girl his age and he was loving them.

When I sent my MIL the picture of her darling she reminded me he is full of love like his prayer.
"Full of Light, Love and Laughter, and Lead by the Lord".

Polar Express

My parents took Ollie to the Polar Express before Thanksgiving. He had the BEST time and was so excited when we told him where he was going. Seriously, I've never seen the kid more happy...maybe even happier than when Otto came home from the hospital. They had a great time and Paw did an excellent job documenting the entire trip for mom.






santa giving the mister a bell


he was pumped to talk to the conductor

he punched an "O"

thanks gigi

I Do

 

Today we celebrate five years of marriage. We've had fun reflecting on how we met, our first conversations, our first dates and our first year of marriage. I hope to get around to posting our story mainly because I like our story ;)
We also managed to squeeze in a date our friends ,Cory & Kelly, babysat for us after we left their son's birthday party. What great friends, thanks guys.

Entertain Me

My mother-in-law has some crazy nice and crazy rich friends in Houston that throw an amazing Christmas party. She has been to every party with video camera in tow to document the event. It continues to get bigger and bigger every year and this year I think Mark & Becky have out done themselves. This year the entertainer is wait for it Miley Cyrus. Seriously people Miley Cyrus! **I would like to note that every time I type Miley Cyrus I'm saying Hannah Botana in my head cuz that is what Ollie calls her** She is coming to their house for their Christmas party...she is performing in their backyard. How crazy is that and by the way I'm super excited.
When I heard her song See You Again I thought to self I wonder who this is and I think I like it. When I found out it was Hannah Botana I was surprised. I'd never watched her show and only knew of her dad. Sister is a secret fan and has confessed her love for Miley which was a good thing and I felt more comfortable and relaxed to know another adult liked her.
I just read/watched Twilight and now I'm admitting to liking Hannah Botana...I think I will have to post my more serious thoughts that I've only emailed to best friend Melissa.

Here is an article about the party. Did I mention I'm so so excited. I'm not a true fan but I do like her and anticipate an entertaining show. I've been listening to her songs because I'm afraid some tween is going to take me down at the concert for not singing every word along with them. Y'all know I'll try to get as close to the front as possible dragging my child with me. I watched the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both World Concert Tour this summer I know how serious these girls are and I am scared.

If you aren't familiar here she is folks.

trotted

i ran/walked my first 10K on thanksgiving morning and i'm officially hooked. texarkana half-marathon here i come on 3/1/2009.

trotted across the finish line in 1:32:55...14:58 pace...for those of you who don't know, that's fast...for a grandmother...i am not a grandmother

-JJ

Turkey Trot

Jeremy and Amber will be running the Turkey Trot in the morning. Prego here will not be running a 10K this year.

Tonight my cousin and I are putting our boys to bed & then we'll be trotting off to watch Twilight. I'm just hoping its as good as the book.

We are so excited to be home and we'll be packing in as much fun with family and friends as possible.

Come on!

Have you heard they may be getting closer to a movie.

If you aren't a fan give it a try. Please be patient its an acquired taste and the characters will grow on you. The show gets funnier as you get all the jokes and know the people. I guess that is why it was canceled...it was too funny.

All Aboard

Hey East Texas bloggers what do you know about the the The Polar Express Ride? Let me know your thoughts. Ollie LOVES this movie and my mom & I plan on taking him this year.

Entertainment

While my sister was reading the Twilight series she told me I had to read it. She said she couldn't put it down & she loved them...blah, blah, blah. She's always reading something and I didn't think much about it. But everywhere I turn I hear about this book. After a visit to our local library I found out there was a waiting list for the book and I'd be the 11th person on the list. More curious than ever we went straight to Target to purchase the book and I'm pleased to say I'm on the bandwagon. Have you read it? What are you reading?



Jeremy is reading The New Kings of Nonfiction. He loves This American Life and I mean loves it...maybe even obsessed.

Rock the Vote

I didn't rock the vote today. I've was very confident (okay just a little confident) we completed all the paper work needed to be registered voters of our new county, Bowie, and didn't think much about it during this long election. Well, last week I thought I should check into it just in case I wanted to vote early. Apparently we are still registered in Harris County. At this point, I know my sweet mother-in-law is sighing in disappointment...sorry. I just couldn't drive from Texarkana to Houston to vote today. Maybe subconsciously I let this all happen because I have still not accepted that we actually live in Texarkana ;)

I didn't rock today BUT Compassion rocks. Our friend Brian and his brother-in-law are leading a a team of bloggers in the Dominican Republic. I love hearing from the compassion bloggers and their unique experiences. Read about it here. My mom will be glad to know Malboro Man and some of his kids are on the trip.

Hey Y'all

Hey y'all, we're pregnant again and expecting boy #3 in February. I'm 23 weeks along and we'll likely schedule our c-section the second week of February.

We're super duper excited, as Ollie would say. Although, Ollie had his heart set on a little sister. After watching the movie Enchanted he said he said his sister was going to be his true love...honestly, melt your heart with sweetness. We had a very difficult day or two trying to explain to him that God wants us to have another brother. You see this sweet lil man has been praying for a sister since Otto was an infant. His heart has been set on this for quite some time. Our sonogram appointment was a very tearful day for him, we thought he was prepped enough and we weren't prepared for his reaction. Thankfully, he's come around to idea of having a brother and has decided we'll have a sister next! Jeremy & Ollie will have to talk that one out.

Pregnancy may have that glowing, wonderful affect on you ***cough Stacy*** but for me its pretty much miserable all nine months. Ollie's pregnancy was the most difficult, I had severe and persistent nausea and vomiting known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum. I was admitted to the hospital on four different occasions. After a week at Texas Women's and still vomiting, I was sent home on home health care with my own IV & nurse via phone so we could do iv therapy when needed. I also found relief by wearing the zofran pump which pumps the zofran 24/7. I have been very thankful that Otto's pregnancy and this pregnancy have not been HG. Although its still been miserable I've had more severe and persistent nausea and less vomiting.

I've figured out what works for me with each pregnancy and I have my own survival guide. Never start the vomit cycle(once it begins I can't end it) and stay hydrated. I can not drink water but Gatorade has been my friend. Something about a regular coke work wonders. Just a month or so ago, I know my only calories for three or four days was from coke alone. As soon as I eat something or if Jeremy is cooking for him and the kids and the smell is to much I jump in shower. I have no idea why this works but I can take half a dozen showers a day. Oh and phenegran. I can take half doses throughout the day and remain functional.

I know some of you know exactly what this is like. I remember talking to Jenn right after I had Ollie and feeling such relief that someone else understood.

Jeremy, my mom & b/f Melissa have been supportive as I've cried to them on many occasions over the last 23 weeks. I've told myself, Jeremy & my mom, "Please remind me how miserable and depressed I am right now. I will forget and as soon as this lil guy is here I will want to be pregnant again! Please don't let me do this again!" There is a wide range of emotions when you are nauseated everyday. Is it fitting that my Bible study memory verse this week is Phil 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing.

We were in Savannah this past weekend for Melissa & Ryan's wedding. Will post more later. Here's ring bearer Ollie:

A Clean, Well-Lighted Place

Here is my new favorite blog.

Seriously, I love this chick. We speak a language only her & I understand...I get her. I read this blog and miss her.

I love that my sister loves my kiddos and thinks they are as wonderful as I do. I also love that she loves my husband like a real brother. Once someone asked her how many brothers and sisters she had, she quickly replied one brother and one sister, they're married. Eh, I mean its my brother-in-law married to my sister. She just thinks of Jeremy as a brother and its very cool they get along so well. I must apologize in advance if you're ever in a movie theater with Amber and Jeremy, because they will be loud - very loud. The laughter level will be through the roof even when the scene isn't funny to you.

I'm very sad we will not be at ACL next weekend. Who else will help sister tell Lyle to slow it down - Texas is a big state.

Monday Menu

I made Paula Dean's Hurry Up Chicken Pot yesterday after church. Jeremy LOVED it. He said it may have been the best thing I ever cooked. However, I just think its b/c he's been eating super healthy and hasn't had anything with butter much less a stick of butter melted over it. It was delicious and its so easy. We couldn't resist singing this while we ate. I'm sure Ollie thinks his parents are silly.

Ingredients:
2 cup chopped cooked chicken breast
2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
1/2 cup thinly sliced carrots
1/2 cup frozen green peas
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
Salt and pepper, optional
1 1/2 cup instant biscuit mix
1 cup milk
1 stick melted butter
1 cup chicken broth

Directions:

In a greased 2-quart casserole, layer the chicken, eggs, carrots, and peas. Mix the soup, chicken broth, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Pour over the layers. Stir together the biscuit mix and milk, and pour this over the casserole. Drizzle butter over the topping. Bake at 350 until the topping is golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes.

Recipe courtesy of Paula Deen


Inspired by my friend Shannon here is my weekly menu.

Monday: Gumbo

Tuesday: leftovers

Wednesday-Friday: no cooking we're going out of town.

Happy Birthday Jeremy

Today is Jeremy's 32nd birthday. I hope he has a special day....his last birthday was spent moving into our new house (we had movers and unpackers so it wasn't as bad as it sounds). He had a massage this morning, he is golfing this afternoon and tonight we're going to dinner without the kiddos. I'd like to send a special thanks to Jessica for babysitting.

Send him a text or call and wish him a happy birthday 903.908.0815.

Happy birthday babe, the house of jansens loves you.

ATX for the Ark-La-Tex

Aunt Ambo is leaving the ATX and visitng us in the Ark-La-Tex. We are so excited to have her come and hang with us for a week (or 2)...the benefits of teaching ;) She is bringing GiGi too...we'll be celebrating my mom's recent decision to be a full-time grandma! Woo-hoo.

Ambo has taught Ollie countless funny things...who knows what they'll come up in their time together this week. Sometimes we call Amber just leave her a Hot Pocket voicemail. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zewDAa99Ns8

Country Fun

My best friend, Melissa, and her fiance, Ryan, are coming to Texarkana for the weekend. We are so excited to have friends come to our part of the world. Mel lives in Midtown where there are great places to eat and great hangouts around every corner. Lets just say Texarkana is different than that. We're gonna have some good ole country fun...I hope they are ready for it!

watch this

have you seen this? candi and i watched it last night...words can't describe my feelings on this documentary...up there with spellbound and the devil and daniel johnston...and if you haven't seen those either, then...well...it's time.

establishing the hoj

You have probably never wondered why this blog is called "House of Jansen." Believe it or not there is more to it than a lack of creativity. (about as creative as the Dave Matthews Band amirite?) There is actually a backstory to our little slice of the internets.

Candi and I got married in the winter of 2003. After enjoying our free honeymoon at the El Dorado Royale in the sunny Riveria Maya, we quickly settled in to new life as a married couple. OK, "settled in" might be pushing it a little bit. We didn't quite kill each other, but came pretty close a couple of times in those first couple of months. I think the false expectations set by a couple in that first little while after they say "I do" sort of creates this hyper-sensitive reality. Every little thing wrongly said or done leads the offended spouse with the fear that "this is how my marriage is going to be!" At least that's how it seemed to us. You might be thinking to yourself, "wait a minute, did he say, 'free honeymoon?'" Long story, but there are definitely perks to being on staff at a church.

Because the wedding was so close to Christmas, I think was important to get each other gifts that would be meaningful and memorable. For instance, I got Candi a box set of the Chronic-what-cles of Narnia because it was so important to me as a child and she had never read it. Candi wanted to get me something special also. She thought long and hard about it, and came up with a great idea. In an attempt to celebrate her new name, she would get a metal plaque that we could hang on the outside wall. You know, "The Jansen's Live Here" or "Welcome to the Jansen's." The end result wound up being much more comical. Apparently someone got the order wrong, and we ended up with a plaque that says "House of Jansen." I'm not exactly sure why it's so funny to me, but it could be that everytime I read it in my head I am speaking with my best Sean Connery as King Arthur accent. "Welcome to the House of Jansen, may I interest you in a chalice of mead and a boar's leg?"

I'm pretty sure it hurt Candi's feelings on that first Christmas morning when I laughed out loud as I opened her present, but she's probably over it. Probably.

Happy Mother's Day

I'm thankful to have a great mom AND a great mother-in-law too. Happy Mother's Day! We love you both.

mind = blown

holy crap...do you watch lost? here are my questions from last nights episode:

• what is the connection between abaddon (creepy black orderly/oceanic lawyer guy) and widmore?
• how is locke supposed to move the island?
• is claire dead?
• why doesn't richard age?
• why didn't locke pass "the test" that richard gave him?
• is widmore dharma? (keamy got that dharma book from the safe)

thoughts?

enriching the hoj

this summer is all about enrichment...the house of jansen will be taking lessons...lots of lessons...we're all learning new stuff at the same time...should be fun...

ollie: swimming lessons at our local gym/waterpark/babysitting facility.

candi: sewing lessons from a lady at hancocks fabrics.

jeremy: guitar lessons from this guy and golf lessons at this place.

otto: pouting lessons from this big brother.

is your family taking lessons?

tonight

candi made this for dinner...we watched this guy get the axe...fed otto out of one these...watched ollie play with these in the bathtub and listened to him sweetly do this...candi watched this in our room to get ready for this...i watched this in the living room and then went here to read about the scientific accuracy of the plot with all the other dorks...it was a good night

-jj

Funny, Heartbreaking & Sweet

I saw this movie last fall with Jeremy & my sister and I recommended it to serveral friends after watching it. I was thinking it could've been one my favorite movies of '07 so I rewatched this weekend.

I realize a lot of good movies came out last year and I didn't see any of the "big ones" (atonement, there will be blood, no country, etc.) I did see Juno. Being a huge Arrested Development fan I was so happy to see Michael Cera and Jason Bateman together again. Any Arrested Development fans out there?

Lars and the Real Girl is funny, sweet and heartbreaking...I hope you like it too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1XxILVnt1w

Spring Fashion Fiesta!

Last Friday was Spring Fashion Fiesta! Hosted by Big Mama.

I definitely have a daily "uniform" and a few favorite things. Its good to see other SAHM with "uniforms". Once a neighbor commented, "Oh, look you're wearing your favorite shirt again". Hmm...I guess people other than my husband have noticed I wear the same thing over and over.

If you were to stop by house unannounced or see me running errands I'm certain I'd be wearing something pictured below.

This is the uniform: I had to pull the shirt out of the dryer and remove the pants and shoes from my body to take this picture. Shirt and pants were purchased at American Apparel. I also have black yoga pants from Banana Republic I bought in 2002 and a couple from Target I will wear if the American Apparel pants are dirty.

This black shirt from America Apparel is a favorite and also worn weekly. I also have a black maternity shirt from Target I wear if this one is dirty. These are always paired with one of the above mentioned black pants. The hat is commonly thrown on if I'm going to see anyone and I don't have time to brush my hair :)

I'll throw on these Gap jeans and this pullover when I get Ollie from school or go to the grocery if I don't want to look like I've been lounging all day. I have dozens of different designer jeans (my sister worked at diesel while in college and i got 50% off clothes) but Gap is still a favorite. I wish I had the pullover in every color.

This is my favorite shirt! Its the American Apparel tri-blend deep v-neck . I have a couple of these shirts and I wear them everywhere. I add a scarf to shirt b/c it is a very deep v-neck.

Here is a cute sweater I got at American Apparel after I saw my sister wearing it. Noticing an American Apparel theme...I didn't realize so many things I wore came from this store. I wear this outfit if I'm dressing up for week night dinner at a restaurant ;)


My go to shoes: I love my Lucchese boots, chucks and Toms. The Toms are about to be retired as they are absolutely gross. I've had each of the flip flops for 5 + years.


I just got these skirts at, you guessed it, American Apparel. I'll wear any clean t-shirt with them.


Oh, and an all time fav are the victoria secret pjs. I have them in 3 different colors and they are so comfy. (the left leg is completely stretched out at the bottom...the original size should look more like the right)


Just thought I'd share my SAHM clothes. I do own some cute stuff and can "clean up nicely" for a date, drinks with friends, or church. Oh, and I have lots of high heels :)

--cj

otto is home

we got out of the hospital today...otto's white blood cell count has returned to normal levels, and the doc let him out...anybody who knows anything about medicine might be interested to know that his white blood cellcount was 27,800 yesterday morning...this morning it was back down to 12,200
(which is still a touch high I think)...they are pretty sure it was/is a bacterial infection, but we don't know the source of it...candi seems to think it was because she caught him eating ollie's shoe the other day :)

all that to say, thanks for the prayers, everything seems to be fine...

-jj

Praying for Otto tonight

Otto woke up happy & well today and by 2:30 pm he was admitted to the hospital! He was great and then at 11:40 am the vomitting began. He wasn't himself so I took him to the doctor and he had gone to worse. His white blood count came back really high and admitting him overnight to the hospital was precautionary. He's been on antibiotics for week due to a sinus infection and we're hoping he can continue to fight off whatever is attacking him.
Our poor baby was so very dehydrated today. They poked and prodded for a vein to get the IV started...5 veins collapsed and 3 nurses tried and after 45 minutes they got it going. He was such a trooper and I did okay too.
Jeremy is staying with Otto tonight and he'll be able to talk with our doctor when he does his 6am rounds. I don't "do doctor talk " well that early, so I'm home with Ollie. Ollie was not interested in coming home with me and was very disappointed he was not spending the night with Max. My friend, Kelly, picked Ollie up from preschool and took care of him this afternoon and evening. I'm so thankful for good friends that we can depend on like family. Thanks McGahas.

Here is Otto with his nurses before the IV ordeal.

What Do You Love?

While eating lunch last week, Ollie told me his heart was in his stomach. I asked him if he had love in his heart and told him I had love in my heart. I was thinking I could talk about how I love Jesus. First, you must undestand talking about Jesus this Easter season was a little much for our 3 year old. Jesus dying on a cross, being buried and rising after 3 days was pretty mind blowing and to top it all off he now lives in heaven with God our Father. WOW. A few weeks before Easter Sunday he decided he did NOT like Jesus.
Somehow our conversation at the table didn't end up being about loving Jesus; however, it went a little more like this:

Me: what do you love buddy?

O: (quick response) watching movies

Me: what else?

O: tee teeing outside. (we live in the country and that is just what you do when your backyard is the woods)

Me: (i now realize he is so cute i think i'm gonna go with this and we'll talk about Jesus later)
really?! what else do you love?

O: playing golf with my daddy (enthusiastic response)

Me: awesome. what else buddy?

O: i love you watching me play golf (so sweet)

Me: oh me too. what else do you love ollie?

O: sleeping in baby otto's room with my friend, gigi (my mom)

Me: is there anything else you love?

O: i just love watching movies!


Most days (and definitely not everyday) I love staying at home with my boys and just being a mom. I love moments like these and glimpses of my child's heart and his world.

What do you love?

oh yeah...i love Jesus...

you may or may not know this about me, but i am a district manager for an insurance company...i used to be a youth pastor...since my career change, i have often have to remind myself that you don't end meetings in the business world with the words "let's pray."

we had a huge hail storm in texarkana this week, and it has been a pretty stressful time...honestly i feel like it is wednesday afternoon at youth camp...meaning that i am wiped out and still have a couple days to go...here is what i am i am trying to say...who am i chosing to be in middle of my stress? i feel like i need a flashing button that says, "oh yeah...i love Jesus"

-JJ

unsanitized, unpasteurized music

Dan Zanes Rocks.


Our family loves his music. Has your family discovered a love for him too?

Dan Zanes and Friends’ “Catch That Train!” the 2007 Grammy Award winner for Best Musical Album for Children. Buy it today and have a good ole fashion dance party in your living room (or if you're a super cool art teacher, like my sister, you can have a dance party with your students).

time to slow down (now with pics)

here's what we've been up to:

- drove to houston (5 hours + 2 kids = long night)
- gave our dog away
- shopping at american apparel
- cool houston hair cut
- wilco show (wow)
- refreshments with melissa and ryan
- candi drove the car off the driveway
- jeremy golf (won $21)
- baby grace's bday party (jared and jennifer's little one)
- pawpaw's birthday lunch at nene's
- drove back to the arklatex (what a weekend)
- candi bootcamp
- max came over to play
- candi bootcamp
- big meeting with company folks
- jeremy golf with company folks (won $20)
- candi bootcamp
- jeremy golf with ollie after work
- dinner with cassy and fred
- candi bootcamp
- fence building with fred (still sore)
- candi stalking the tennessee seays at chick-fil-a
- grilled out with the cult-de-sac
- church
- jeremy golf (lost $7)
- fight about jeremy playing too much golf
- baker brother's salads (could be the highlight of the week)

pictures we took (before the battery died)

Cool Cat

So the idea for this blog started when we moved to Texarkana. Ollie had said a few things, you know write this down in his baby book kind of things. The problem is I don't have a baby book and chose a blog as a forum for documenting our growing family. Pretty much my parents and sister, mother-in-law and best friend, Melissa (& Ryan), seem to enjoy my Ollie (& Otto) stories the most. So this post is for you guys and anyone else who wants to hear me go on and on about my kid.

A few things Ollie came up this week:
#1
Lil man has a hard time remembering to stop what he playing and run to the bathroom when he needs to go. Saturday when we were playing outside he made a habit of "relieving himself" in the grass when he needed to go. I would praise him for going b/c thankfully he remembered to stop playing and pee but he didn't have time to make it inside to a bathroom. When we got home and were showering I explained to him that his wee wee was private. His best playmate is our 5 year old neighbor girl and obviously Ollie doesn't understand boundaries older kids get. So, I told him he should tee-tee in private and no one needs to see him do that especially girls. He was quick to tell me "NO, my wee wee is a Cool Cat!" It was hard to hold back my grin...I really couldn't argue with the dude. I'll leave the rest up to dad to handle.
*I'd like to note that I have never referred to anything as a cool cat to my son. I have no clue where he heard this.
#2
Ollie's been talking about some kid in his class that has a fish. I'm not sure if this fish is at school or if this something they are talking about. My understanding of the 3 year old language varies day to day. I completely forgot about our fish "conversation" yesterday at the grocery store when I told him we were eating fish tonight. He completely freaked out "NO! Mommy NOT FISH". I instantly recalled our talk about the fish he's so fond of. He ended up being okay with fish and requested fish steaks(sticks). I felt like this issue was over until I played Nemo this morning and they said fish are friends, not food. Dang! I hope he didn't hear that :)
#3
Not that funny but still worth sharing. Jeremy has been known to give Ollie a dollar here and there for something random. Like Saturday, he held a the swinging "contest" on the duel tree swings in our neighbor's yard and paid the winners a dollar. Of course Ollie lost but he still got money. I didn't realize he gave the money back to his dad. As we were leaving the grocery store yesterday, he asked to get the candy "egg" out of those little red machines they put at eye-level for kids (gotta start that consumerism early). I told him to save his coins and dollars and he could use them at the store. He is obsessed with pockets and he thinks its fun to put stuff in there...so I'll put money in pocket for him give to his teacher for pizza on pizza day. Again, I forgot about the pizza money in the pocket thing...suddenly he began crying "But, Ms. Mandy has ALL my money". So so so sad he thinks the teacher is taking his money. I think I'm gonna need to hand deliver the pizza money I'm afraid Ollie will start keeping it all!

We're headed to Houston for a weekend of fun. We've got lots of plans and hopefully we'll take some pics and post. I may even come back with shorter hair.

Here are some pictures I snapped of them today.

we don't beat our kids (that much)

It seems like so many kids we know have gotten sick in the past couple of months. I've caught myself thinking wow Ollie hasn't been sick in a long time. Its inevitable the moment I think or dare say it out loud we'll all get it. This weekend we discovered Ollie has a case of Fifth Disease. I tried to ignore it for a couple of days and dismiss it as allergies, but Saturday morning it was clear that something was definitely abnormal. Perfect, a sick kid on the weekend. Luckily our neighbor is Abe is a doctor, who Misty refers to as "doc on the block," and was kind enough to diagnose our child. All that to say, I didn't slap Ollie on the face to make him smile for the camera, he just has a crazy rash.

bonus: baby otto looking cute and eating his shoe!

NeNe Update

Thanks for your prayers people. NeNe is doing great and recovering at home. She only spent a few days in the hosital...I'm very delayed on the update.

I love my NeNe...isn't she a cutie?! She is one stylish and hip grandma. I also think its cute that she has an iPod. Last summer she floated the Guadalupe River with her grandchildren (or was it the Comal, Leah). I was not one of the grandchildren floating the river, I was 7 months pregnant and not up for an adventure.

I must admit I've not taken advantage of learning from her. She cooks great food from scratch...Jeremy is always impressed with her. She paints, does all the needle arts and crafts, sews & quilts. I love her quilts the most. They are handmade and even hand stitched (some machine stitched). Everyone in the family gets a quilt. Babies always get a baby quilt. I got a quilt in high-school made out old denim she even used jeans that were once worn by my dad. After I graduated college I was given a quilt and again as a wedding gift. NeNe has stacks and stacks and stacks of quilts she's made just sitting her house. Over the years, we've talked about them, admired them and on occasion laid them out on the floor to get a better look. Last Christmas, after all the presents were opened, she let everyone pick out a quilt. It was quite a surprise, there were more quilts than people and choosing the right one was a task. Talk about hard decisions, each special in their own way and all special because she made them.

Anyway, just wanted to give a shout out to the cool lady I call NeNe.

Angel Baby

Otto is so cute these days. He is 6 months old and I can't believe how much he has grown. I have been enjoying every second of him. I really don't want him to hit anymore milestones...its going by too fast for me. I was just telling my best friend, Melissa, how laid back I am with Otto. With Ollie everything was so new...I anticipated every stage of his development. I'm so different with Otto. I don't read any emails about development, I don't wonder about what's next, I'm not concerned that we have no schedule and I don't follow the "rules". Otto just started sleeping in his bed. I've been nursing him so its so easy to keep him bed with us :) He is sleeping in his bed now and sleeps from 9ish to 7ish. Last night from 9ish to 6:4oish. He is pretty much a rock star. He's truly a good baby...he's been so easy from day 1.
I'm so thankful for him and often refer to him as "angel baby" (sometimes "that baby" but more frequently "angel baby").
Otto is also my firecracker, he'll let you know if he doesn't like something. He's already a social butterfly...he can be ready to sleep and then I take him out to see people and he beams. It seems like he may have more personality than Ollie, is that even possible? Ollie is like his dad, give him the stage and he'll put on a show for you.

Otto's big milestones these days: sitting up and moving up a class at sunday school! I was so sad when I found out he was no longer in the baby, baby class(that is my official name for it). He also decided to sit up early. Like I mentioned, I don't read the books but my doctor was very surprised that he was sitting up and commented he was early doing that. I'm pretty sure the old guy didn't believe me, so he sat Otto up on the table and gave him something to play with. Otto performs well under pressure and was up for impressing the doctor. I'm glad he is wanting to sit up but I'd rather him just need his mommy. for a little while longer.
Here is a picture of my sweet angel baby.

Not quite a cult-de-sac.

I wouldn't say we're a cult-de-sac like the Tennesse Seays , but we really like hanging out with our neighbors. Saturday afternoon Jeremy decided to grill out...amazing weather this weekend don't you Texans agree? Anyway, we invited everyone over from our street to come eat with us. Jeremy set up his laptop and projector and we played Ratatouille on our garage. We had steaks, sides, some amazing bread (Thanks Jennifer), beer and lots of fun. Here are some of our sweet neighbors below: Robin (holding Cannon), Siby, Misty, Cassy, Kelly (not a neighbor just my good friend) & me holding my precious angel.

Sunday after church everyone was back outside in the cul-de-sac doing some sidewalk chalk art and riding Cassy's old Spree scooter (remember those)? Oh and I got a iPhone this weekend. What a great weekend! Here are the pics:

Sweet baby Otto.

Fred driving Mady around...he was a little crazy on the spree so I wouldn't let Ollie ride.

Ollie upset b/c he can't ride the Spree.

NeNe

We are in Houston for the weekend. Candi's grandma (Roy's mom) went in for a heart cath on Friday that turned into to triple bypass. She is doing fine, and is expected to be out of ICU in the next couple of days. We love NeNe and are praying for a speedy and full recovery. We know she will be quilting and making her famous rolls (from scratch) before we know it. Please remember to say a prayer for her!

--JJ

aaron can't find his pants

this is funny...real funny...read about it here.

woweeweewa

Ok...I cancelled my appointments today...pretty much over my stomach condition, but still not quite myself...it's icing up outside, and I-30 will probably be a circus...i'm moving my office next week (nightmare)...leaving for scottsdale for a work trip on sunday (don't feel sorry for me, it's a golfing trip in a town basically known as golfing mecca, and the hotel we are staying at happens to also be hosting the afc champion new england patriots for the week as the superbowl happens to be in the same town, so i'll be hanging with tom brady and mike vrabel )...i'm trying to get my tax info tidied up before i leave town...not that any of those are excuses, but all of that added up to me needing to be in the office.

all that to say, i have my door shut, my headphones in, and my itunes a-shufflin'...a radiohead track just came up that i hadn't listened to in a long time (rediscovering songs you forgot about is one of the best things about setting itunes to shuffle)...so i changed the itunes mode to play continously, and i have been so very enjoying "ok computer"...this is one of the best albums ever made...seriously...if you like any sort of indie-rock/adult alternative/brit-pop, you can thank the beatles...then very quickly turn your gratitude toward these musical giants...thom yorke's voice is...well...it's good...really good...just wow...and i forgot...shame on me

very serious

--JJ

aka naked lady party

my sister went to "clothes swap 2008," aka naked lady party, this past weekend. i'm so jealous of her cool austin life. i mean she is a sxsw volunteer and is able to see cool shows and meet cool people for one solid week every year. seriously nothing remotely cool happens in the ark-la-tex.

back to the party, this is where 20 or so girls (with great clothes) bring their old clothing, shoes, purses, & other accessories and obviously they swap items. one of the cool things about this particular clothes swap is that some or all (i have no idea) of the austin craft mafia girls are a part of it and they bring hand-made, unique pieces :) i'm hoping i can steal (i mean swap) a few of my sisters new clothes.

i have a link with instructions (written and video) on how to host a clothes swap. http://naughtysecretaryclub.blogspot.com/

oh and if your aren't familiar with austin craft mafia here ya go and happy shopping.
http://www.austincraftmafia.com/companyinfo.html

-cj

boo

i have a stomach bug...and am working on my taxes...go ahead...kick me in the teeth...it would have to be better than today :)

--JJ

Ollie is 3

just three years ago i was having panic attacks in the hospital b/c i knew very soon they'd be seding me home with a baby to be responsible for. my mom reminded me of that this weekend. it was not so funny at the time but so funny now.

i had no idea oliver mccall jansen would be so amazing and my best buddy. i've had the best time being ollie's mom and enjoy watching him learn and grow.

this week we celebrated ollie. thursday we had a chuck-e-cheese party with a few other 3 year old kids. saturday aunt ambo, gigi, paw and our neighborhood friends came over for a lil birthday party.

in action blowing out the candles.

grrr...he got this lion costume from our neighbors

3 years old and riding a bike like a big boy

he goes to preschool and wears a backpack

OLLIE IS:

• clever


• courageous (we've seen the emergency room occasionally in his 3 short years of life)


• adventurous (hence the er visits)


• exciting


• witty


• funny (he like to make up knock knock jokes...like our friend, jackson smith)


• encouraging (he is always quick to praise his dad for a good swing of the golf club)


• atheletic (the kid is a golfer he's got his golf clubs and practices daily)


• kind hearted


• loved

my sweet mother-in-law has a prayer and verse for each of her grandchildren. this is the prayer she prayed for ollie from day 1.

"may you always be healthy, happy, holy, wise, kind and capable."

"he is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields it's fruit in due season and whose leaf does not wither. whatever he does prospers."
psalm 1:3

--cj