Clean the freezer day

Some of you know how when you're working 40 hours a week there are other things that don't get done, right? For the last year-ish while I've been working full time there are many, many things around my house that have not been getting accomplished. In the two and a half weeks since I've been home again, I've been a veritable whirlwind of activity.

Today, I cleaned out the freezer. Not the extra one in the garage, though that needs a good defrost and clean as well. I cleaned out the freezer in the kitchen. I've been waiting until it was almost empty to get a chance to clean it out. Today was the day! And it wasn't even on today's to-do list.

Also, this is how our kitchen looked before we moved in. I know you're jealous of that brown carpeting on the floor. And that really awesome wallpaper on that back wall.

The first thing I'll say is that sometimes, wallpaper can hide a multitude of sins. When we removed that wallpaper and painted that wall, it was no easy task.

And - look at what my fantastic husband, Jon, did while I was out of town in February. He refinished the floor in the kitchen! It is fantastic. It's amazing how much brighter the room is now that the floor is done. 

With such nice improvements and now a clean freezer you would think I would just love cooking in there, eh? Unfortunately, cooking is not one of my loves. Maybe I'll pretend it's crafting while I cook dinner tonight! 

Loves

Have you ever looked around and realized "there is absolutely nothing I can do to show these people what they mean to me?"

Ok. I might be feeling a little overly emotional tonight. Or this might just be who I am.

Stop and look around.

Those people. Think for a minute about what they really mean to you.

Now go and find a way to show them.

Loves.

Today

Happy Birthday to Jon!

Jon had a birthday.

He's 40 now.

Go ahead, sing if you want to.

Days before the party I told him I ordered a cake with a vulture and black frosting.

But I didn't.

We had Notre Dame birthday cake.

And cupcakes with the Chicago Bears 'C' on them made by Liz. Apparently they were very well made, because the server won't let me load the photo. It says I don't have permission to use "this item". Well ok then. Anyway, they looked great and they were delicious. Thanks again, Liz!

There were many, many grown up friends, but apparently I failed to take many photos of them.

But we did get this shot of the pyromaniac clan of boys burning marshmallows in the fire pit. 

The theme for the party was food. Jon is a big fan of food. All kinds. So rather than bringing gifts, I asked friends and family to bring food that was special to them. Something they are famous for, or something they especially love. Also, Jon really loves spicy food so many people took advantage of this fact and brought deliciously spicy delights.

Jon also hung a white sheet in the garage and projected the Notre Dame game onto the "big screen." Thankfully, the team got the birthday memo and racked up a win for our big party day.

We had such a great time celebrating Jon's 40th birthday.

We may just have to do all of this party stuff more often around here.

Here's to 40+ more years with my Jonny.

:: This Moment ::

A Friday series of posts inspired by SouleMama.

Heaven on Earth

Many moons ago, Jon and I attended a Valentine's Day dinner at our church.  The organizers of the event asked the men to write something for their wives which they would have the opportunity to read throughout the course of the evening.  I may be biased but I think Jon's was the best that night.  For my Valentine, I want to share with everyone how wonderful you are.  Below is what Jon wrote for me.

Heaven on Earth

To my wife, Jennifer

On Earth, there is nothing I hold higher than you.

Until I met you, I had heard about love.

When I married you, I had found true love.

Now, I have life transforming love.

God used you in powerful ways to change my heart.

When I accepted Christ,

And I placed God at the center of our marriage,

A new Heaven on Earth appeared to me.

That Heaven is our love for one another,

Pure, in the image of Christ’s love for us.

Every day, I see us getting closer to being of:

One mind,

One heart,

One soul.

Without your love, I am incomplete.

Our love is a journey, not a destination;

It will continue to grow, to change,

And to move in new directions.

Our hearts will always show us the way,

If we will only listen together.

Thank you for traveling with me to

Heaven on Earth,

And beyond . . .

Wordless Wednesday

Time Flies

Ugh. It's been too long. Really. We should talk more often.

So, we have participated in four Christmas celebrations, a birthday party, Christmas Eve church service, a trip to South Dakota and back and various other activities since we've updated here. And since then we've been doing laundry, laundry, laundry, and laundry. Oh yeah, and I forgot, Jon finished painting the kitchen and putting up new trim near the ceiling. It looks wonderful!

I've also been knitting since we've been back. I decided I would just make my favorite items as I have time throughout the year so they would be available when I wanted to gift them or have opportunity to do some selling.

I accomplished some holiday scrapbooking this Friday as well. I get much more done when I focus on current events and then go back to the ancient history when I have the time or the interest. For example, vacation from this summer is already complete and I'm almost done with Christmas for this year. However, lots and lots of previous birthdays and other stuff have yet to be even thought about. All in due time.

Oh yeah. The boys return to school tomorrow. Ahh. Yes, that is a huge sigh of relief. It is time. They need to hang out with some other kids. They are about to tear each other apart and I can only say "knock it off" so many times and still have it work.

The photo above is the dads and the kids walking on the lake after the big snowball fight. It looked like fun from inside the warm house where the moms were. They're great dads. And really good picture for being taken from inside the house, eh? We had a great time in South Dakota. More on that later.

Sarah puts e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g in her mouth now. Don't get your fingers too close. She will put them in her mouth. Really. I'm going to have to step up the vacuuming around here.

Oh, I also helped some folks with some organizing projects. What fun that is. I finally found the thing I would do even if I didn't get paid to do it. Maybe some day I will get paid to do it. We'll see.

Guess that's it in a nutshell. We've been busy. And it's been great.

Jon the Tool Man

My husband is the best. He fixes things. He finds lost things for me. He can handle the kids by himself so I can go out. And don't let that look on his face fool you. He's a nice guy.

I love my Jonny. I am thankful that he is mine and I am his.