Posts filed under 'Work'
I know it’s been awhile since we updated everyone on how we’re doing. Yes, we’ve fallen off the face of the earth.
Colby - is definitely using sentences more and more. Most of them begin with “I want…” or “I did it!” He is gaining independence each day. I am so proud of him and the things he is learning. Right now he has a stuffy nose so he says cute things like “Bobby, hep be, beez.” (which of course, means, “Mommy, help me pleez.”)
Kennedy - is CRAWLING. AND pulling up to stand. Pictures and videos will come soon. Yesterday morning she woke up with a fever so it’s been rough on the girl, and she dips in and out of a feverish state. I think it hurts her head when she sleeps, so last night she woke up every hour and couldn’t get comfortable on my shoulder.
I - am woefully behind on everything. Christmas pictures have not been taken, much less sent out in the mail. I just finished my shopping on Friday and Kevin wrapped just about every present tonight. Oh, and I have a kidney stone, so I’ve been in a lot of pain for the past 9 days. Make it 10 now.
Kevin - just finished the production of our church’s Christmas musical. He did a fabulous job coordinating the sound and lights during the practices and performances, and he just finished editing the DVD recording. (I sang in the musical, which meant I had to schlep the kids up to church every night one week, but we’re glad that’s over with… bedtimes were completely ridiculous that week and it took us awhile to recover.) Kevin also just got his Christmas bonus, and I’m extremely proud of him. We are so blessed that he works for such wonderful bosses that give credit where credit is due. As a result of the bonus, Kevin says we’re going to Hawaii this summer to celebrate. Seriously.
Kevin wins the update.
December 23rd, 2007
Our church just finished the 40 Days of Community campaign. Tonight we had our Celebration Service. Kevin and I were part of a (not-so) small group that had 17 members, and we met weekly to discuss the readings of the accompanying book, Better Together.
If I had a nickel for every time our pastor said “small group”, I could put both Colby and Kennedy through college and grad school. It is important to him and to our church body to be involved. We have been part of small groups before, and I’m a part of several small groups right now - CBS, MOPS, handbells, choir, mentoring/discipling, etc…. I think, though, that it is “easy” for me to be involved in that because I stay at home. I have heard before that it’s hard for men to get to know other men and be involved in any group, but I don’t think that’s because of a lack of effort. (At least on Kevin’s part, and he’s the only man I talk to.) I think it’s because of a lack of time. If men are supposed to work 40+ hours per week (and it’s always more), and THEN come home to be husband and father to preschoolers, where’s the time to spend? And, when you add on Kevin’s responsibilities at church, he’s completely strapped for time. How could he possibly have the energy to go and bare his soul?
I say all this because we are truly praying about our involvement in small groups. We love the idea of doing one together, but maybe we should do separate ones? We’re also struggling with the time commitment. We liked our 40 Days small group because they were incredibly respectful of our time, but that particular day of the week is not too conducive to our other ministries.
Right now I’m writing this and I’m about to fall asleep. We have had an incredibly busy early Thanksgiving weekend with Kevin’s folks (and we’ll post pictures at a later date), AND we just got home from church and got the kids to bed. Yes, it’s almost 10:30 pm. I’m not sure how much more we can bend our time before we break it.
November 18th, 2007
This year I was a little weary as to what our plans would be for Halloween.
First, the weather wasn’t cooperating, because a week ago, we had record low temperatures in the 40s. (Yes, I realize it’s common for the weather to get colder in the Northern Hemisphere as fall arrives, but we do live in Texas.)
Second, I didn’t know what costumes the kids were going to wear because of said weather conditions and because Colby is going through a “scared” phase when it comes to dressing up as anything else besides Colby. He doesn’t like playing dress-up, nor does he like seeing anyone he knows in any sort of dress that is different that what is normal. Imagination is not his plaything.
Third, I wasn’t sure what activities we were going to take part in, because Colby’s abnormal napping schedule and Kennedy’s feeding schedule don’t allow for much wiggle room.
Now, with all that said, let me just tell you how great God is and how He will work things out, if we just let Him! What a wonderful day we had on Halloween.
First, the weather suddenly got warmer and it was so pleasant on Halloween day and Halloween night. I almost wanted to go swimming, on October 31st!
Second, I borrowed several costumes for both kids, in case Colby decided to change his mind. (Thanks, G.) Also, in talking with some friends, I was given the idea to dress Colby up in his pajamas, instead of dragging him through the trauma that was Halloween, in his mind. (Thanks, Jill!) So, it was a lot easier to say, “Colby, let’s put on your Lightning McQueen pajamas and go get some candy!” instead of “Let’s dress up like something you’re afraid of and drag you through the town, kicking and screaming.” We kept the costumes in the car, but he really liked his pj’s. We did too. (Although, he moved so quickly all night that we never got a clear picture of him looking at the camera!)
Kennedy was the cutest punkin’ pumpkin I’ve ever seen. This is Geralyn and Evie (dressed as a strawberry!) and me holding the girl. I think her hat looked more like a gladiator’s helmet!
Third, let me say that I’m incredibly in favor of the move toward Fall Festivals/Trunk-or-Treats instead of the “traditional” ringing the doorbell ritual. When Kevin and I were younger, we went door-to-door in our own neighborhood and we really got to know our neighbors better. They enjoyed seeing our costumes each year, and we liked that they liked to see us. (Plus, the Bowers always gave out $1 McDonald’s coupons, and the Dr. Birdwell (a dentist) gave out toothbrushes.) But, things have become unsafe, and kids now walk in the middle of unlit streets in droves. Parents drop them off to scour the neighborhood, and then they’re left waiting on a street corner for someone to come and pick them up.
*stepping off soapbox to continue*
In light of that, Kevin’s work had a tremendous idea to trick-or-treat around the office. Most everyone decorated, and the kids were able to get candy from the cubicles! It was so cute and everyone had a great time.
This is Colby and his friend Bella (dressed as a fish), getting candy!
Oh, and if you haven’t seen Kevin’s hair lately (or lack of), he used it for his costume…. he was a stick of Secret Deodorant. Get it? He also rubbed powdered sugar on his head and then stuck his head in his co-workers’ armpits all day. Yum.
After stopping by Capsher, we went up to church and took part in the Fall Festival. Colby’s favorite part was the jump tent/bounce house. He loves sitting on them and letting others bounce him into the stratosphere. (Pictures are on my camera, we’ll get them up hopefully soon.) Everyone at church loved the kids’ costumes, and Kevin’s as well.
Look at these eyelashes!
And what about Colby’s nap that day? He didn’t take one, but we were able to get around that. At 8 pm, on our way home for bath and bed, he and Kennedy were sacked out in the back seat. Colby then slept until we woke him up at 8 am the next morning. I was a very happy mommy.
November 1st, 2007
…I never really realized that we were moving to the east side, but we are…
Anywho, First Baptist, Bryan, has a new location! 1400 Cambridge Drive, on the bypass just behind Lowe’s and Wal-Mart. Right now Kevin is somewhere between there and the “old” church, making sure all the media equipment made the move ok. There’s still a ton of work to do, but I am confident things will look great for Sunday, our first in the new building.
This past Sunday was a little bittersweet, in that we had to say goodbye to the only building I have ever known for a church. The sanctuary where we worshipped was actually dedicated the year I was born, and I never changed churches when I went to A&M, so I truly have never “been” to another church in my lifetime. Besides all the church programs we did there (Living Christmas Tree, other Christmas and Easter programs, etc.) I got baptized and married there, we dedicated Colby there… lots of memories happened in that building.
BUT! It’s just a building! I am so glad that we were able to sell that thing (the building) to the county, because all the downtown buildings seem to belong to the county anyway and we were getting landlocked. Plus, after you’ve been in one location for 140 years, things start to fall apart. Kevin’s prayer for the last few months has been for things to just stay the way they are… he has had to fix many a power point machine and projectors lately and was getting tired of it. Now he has to learn how to run new stuff, but it’s much cooler and works much better.
Our children’s minister has had to reiterate to the kids that the people will be the same, but we’re just relocating to a new building. (Some have a fear of moving and losing all their friends.) Nancy says, “We’ll have the same tables and chairs and friends and teachers, but new glue!” She’s not kidding, either. Lots of new supplies.. just like the first day of school.
So, please pray for our new church; we are super excited but we know that only the Lord will fill it - both literally and spiritually. Pray that it will be ready for this first Sunday and pray that people would be drawn to it. We love our centralized location, so we are hoping that it will be a beacon of light for those searching for a church home. Also, we are having an official dedication service in one month, on March 25th, so please pray for all that to come together too! (Oh, and pray that I don’t have a baby on that particular day.. she can come much earlier or a day later but not on that day.) 
February 22nd, 2007
Has anyone ever heard that saying? Mom has some cross-stitch of this (I think it belonged to her Mom.) but it says, “When it rains, it pours Morton Salt!” So, I never really understood the saying until I figured out that this was actually a commercial cross-stitch and not some profound saying.
Anyway, the title of the post is totally true…. it seems like this week has been the busiest we have had in a long time. I know we all get busy from time to time, but usually things are a little more spread out. Not true this time. We have so many things cram/jam packed into this week that I don’t even want to take time and explain them all.
The one you need to know about, however, is that right now Kevin is working on a video production for our church’s 140th anniversary. We’ll be celebrating on Sunday, so he has to finish the video tonight. Yes, I know it’s only Thursday night, but this weekend also happens to be Thanksgiving with the Grubbs Family. (Every year, the weekend before Thanksgiving is reserved in Bedford for turkey & dressing. It works like a charm, usually.) So, we’re leaving tomorrow (Friday) to make the trek, and then Saturday is the eating day and the coming back day so that we can have the 140th on Sunday. I’m sure this all makes perfect sense, especially since it’s about 11:30 at night…
So, please pray for Kevin to finish this video rapidly.. I know that most of you won’t read this until after he’s done, but you can still remember him and all the work that he is putting in at our church. He doesn’t get paid near what he’s worth, and he still does his job without complaining. This is a mark of a true servant. I am so thankful for his leadership.
Colby is doing great, as is our little girl, for those of you that didn’t know I’m having a girl. More on that later.
November 19th, 2006
Okay, Kevin has made it super easy to post, and I’ve seen other people update their myspace pages or their own blogs. But, none of these people have children. So, if we don’t update our blog every once in awhile, it’s not because we don’t want you to know what’s going on! It’s just that there’s always something when you have a little one at your heels.
Anyway, I wanted to update and let you guys know what’s been going on in my world, a little separate from Kevin’s and Colby’s, but not much. I have a new job! I am now a Group Exercise Instructor at Aerofit Health Clubs in Bryan. (Both locations, for you B-CoSta residents.) Right now I teach 2 circuit classes a week. Circuit involves going to different stations and using a body bar or weights to work upper and lower body. In between these stations, we do some cardio segments. It’s a lot like interval training, which is a great way to lose weight. Then at the end we work on abs. I’m in the midst of getting trained to teach step aerobics, which will be a great mental as well as aerobic feat!
Another thing that’s happening is that I’ve joined our church’s MOPS group. (MOPS = Mothers Of PreSchoolers) I’m going to be the Publicity Chair for this next school year, which is keeping me very busy right now. Later I’ll have to put together a newsletter for each meeting, so if you have any funny quotes or comics for me, I’d appreciate them. [shameless_plug] Oh, and if you want to join our MOPS group, we meet 2nd and 4th Tuesday mornings from 9:30-11:30. (Check out mops.org for even more info.) [/shameless_plug]
Okay, I suppose that’s it for now. Don’t want to spread myself too thin and give out TOO much info in this first post. Otherwise you’ll be expecting way too much of me.
If we haven’t heard from you in awhile, send us an email!!
July 8th, 2006
so here it is, the second week of may, and i’m wondering how many of you really do check what we’re writing up here? (and well lately it’s been just me, but kevin’s been busy.) anyway, i just wanted to let y’all know that this is my last week of work at mitchell and i’m going to start working at our church CDC (child development center) next monday. i’ll also be working at my dad’s office a bit; my mom wishes for me to help her with some files that need to be appealed and such.
how are y’all doing? may is always such a busy month. happy mother’s day today! we are excited that we are going to have a little nephew soon so we can say happy mother’s day to kristin!
this summer we are looking forward to going to dallas and san antonion and seeing alicia and my best friend amanda march with their drum and bugle corps. they will be travelling the country this summer, and we will miss them a lot! 
but we know they will have a wonderful time and a great experience with what they are doing. AND it will be hot.
i guess that’s about it for us; we have been busy every night of the week between church activities, katrina’s programs, and aggie baseball! hope y’all are doing well!
-jenna
May 11th, 2003
hello everybodee! i just wanted to tell you all that despite the fact that it is february and the middle of a semester, i got a job! whoop! i am going to be tutoring 1st and 2nd graders on their reading skills at mitchell elementary here in bryan. the job is monday through thursday each week until the first part of may or so. (so that i can still sub on fridays.) kevin and i are really excited and i will be making twice what i make subbing every day! my first day with the kiddos is tomorrow, and i can’t wait to meet them and see what they will learn.
guess that’s all the news! aggie baseball season started and so those are our weekend plans from now until hopefully june! talk to everyone later!
February 23rd, 2003
