Sunday Fun-Day

I was totally going to do it. 

I was going to bring my camera along this Mother's Day, take lots of pictures and post them all here. Buuuuuuut... I forgot my camera. Bummer.

So. I took a couple of pictures on my phone to substitute. Not the best... but eh, better then nothing.

Oh. And looking through all the pictures just now, I realized that 50% of these are selfies. I apologize.   They are also quite random. I apologize.

This Mother's Day we went to church, saw some of our favourite people, ate lunch with the family at DQ and ice cream at Charley B's, went to the park so the mamas could play tennis (they really like tennis), went to Iceburgs to eat more ice cream and then ended the day with a home movie watching party. It was a good day. And I'm not even a mother. ;)

Speaking of mothers, my mama is the best! She is most definitely one worth celebrating and I love her to bits and pieces!

That is all.  :)

One more thing, this picture sums up what life is like in a family filled with little boys. Lots of crazy and lots of fun.

Mom's Day

Today we celebrate the birthday of a very special woman.

My mom.

Any person that really knows her, would acknowledge how privileged they are to have her in their lives.

She is a treasure of grace, strength, compassion, wisdom and has one of the biggest hearts of anyone that I know. She holds so many close in the love that she is ever willing to share.

As a child I loved, adored and looked up in admiration to her. 

Those feelings do not diminish with each year that goes by, but rather become stronger as I gain the knowledge that comes from the passage of time.

Then my mom. Someone I went to for the love and comfort that only one with that title can provide.

Now, not only mom, also my inspiration, confidant and best friend.

I love you mom, and hope that you have the happiest of birthdays!

Mother's Day/Giveaway Results

Today I will reveal the results of the giveaway.But before I do that, I want to take some time to love on my mom (seeing as it is mother's day! :).
This woman... wow. She is just amazing.

She gives her life to her family, selflessly serving when she sees a need.Mother of thirteen, a farmer's wife.She can drive tractors, show up her daughters while working out, play basketball with the best of them and score a touchdown.

She is a friend to all, her inner beauty shining on everyone that she comes in contact with.

I get to call this beautiful face not only my mom, but also my best friend.

I LOVE you mom!!!! 

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Now for the giveaway.The winner is.....
I could not for the life of me figure out how to put the image of the results on my blog this morning. But I used random.org.Mandy!!Congrats Mandy and thanks to all those who participated!

Today I did the happy dance....

Those were the words that my mom spoke to me this morning. And I immediately knew what that meant. 

This amazing mother of thirteen has reached her goal weight.

She has lost a total of 40 pounds!

I knew that she would never brag on herself, probably wouldn't have even mentioned it to anyone but us (her family) but I also know that she deserves more then that. So I have taken it upon myself to give her some recognition for all that she has accomplished since March of last year.

Mom has worked SO incredibly hard. 

She had every excuse to say "I can't", but chose instead to say "I can". 

She pushed through the daily toil of mothering a multitude, the distractions and unsettled routine of being a farmer's wife, the stress that homeschooling children can bring, the emotions of giving a daughter away in marriage, the pregnancy and birth of her thirteen child, the discouragement of the dreaded plateau, and the pain and sorrow of loosing a child to miscarriage.

She had worked through it.

Now she is reaping her rewards in full. 

It is not uncommon for her to be mistaken for her daughter's sisters, and she has lately told tales of people barely recognizing her. (which really isn't hard to believe considering she is smaller then her pre-marriage weight). 

I know all of our family members beam with pride each time we hear her being complimented as she runs into people she hasn't seen in a while.

I'm proud of her.

She is an inspiration to me, and I know that she is an inspiration to many others. 

(Before)

(After)

Congratulations Mom!!!

You did it!!!

(Installment 11) Dear Mom and Dad,

We are glad

You are home.

(Installment 10) Dear Mom and Dad,

I can feel the excitement rising in the air as we all realize that our days with you away from home are about to come to an end.
WE ARE EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today was a nice relaxing day, in which we didn't do much. Therefore, I don't have much to write about :)
So this may more or less be a very boring post. But that's ok... right?!?!?! :)

We had church at home, did some reading while the kids played outside and played Wii, aaaaand Ker made icecream and popcorn treats for the kiddoes this evening.

Ya, anyhooooo. I hope that you are having a good trip home!!!
Love you and miss you MORE!!!!
Jennifer

Caleb says:
Yes, my headache is better. I can't wait until you get home!!! Love you!

Zachary says:
This morning we had muffins for breakfast. And then we cleaned up and went outside. After that we watched a video of Lindell Cooley. Then ate lunch, went outside and played sled races, and came in to play Wii. We ate chocolate covered popcorn, and went back outside. Now I'm writing. I love you very much! xoxoxoxox Love Zach

Jesse says:
Yes, singing Christmas carols was a lot of fun! Thats good that you are having a safe drive! I have 133 eggs. Second place has 39. Third place has 2. Fourth and Fifth place have 1. We can't wait until you come home!! Today some snow melted. xoxoxoxo Love Jesse

Nathan says:
The chickens are doing well. Yes, it was the chicken that was laying under the box most of the time.
Watch out for school buses! Travel safe! I hope you are having a good time on the road. Love you! Looking forward for you to come home! xoxoxoxo Love Nate

Brooke says:
I didn't know that it wasn't slippy, thats good, I don't you to crash or anything like that. I hope you are traveling safely. We had popcorn with chocolate chips and smarties and chocolate and whatever sauce. It was good! I hope you are having fun. I love you. For lunch we had an apple and a piece of bread with peanut butter and honey on it. It was yummy! I like my brothers and my sisters. We went out once in the morning and then we went out tonight, we just came in. We had a good day today. It is fun when you have brothers and sisters. I hope you are having fun. xoxoxox Love Brooke

Mikaya says:
I HOPE the weather is not bad. I REALLY miss you! We got some popcorn and some stuff in the popcorn. Smarties and chocolates, they were sticky! Did you have anything that looks like dessert for supper? I got 3 eggs. I wish I was on a team with Jes because he got the most eggs. Joey had been really good at Megan and Henry's and so did I. Today Joey was sitting by me and kept hugging me and kissing me. I'm glad soon your coming back home. You keep asking on the phone for Jen and Kerri. Jen and Kerri are my best big sisters. I like all of the other kids. I hope your having a good time! I almost have 4 eggs. I hope someday I win it! (egg contest). I love you!

Josiah says:
We go outside. We played outside. I hope you are having a good day! Your having fun outside? Your having a good day at Henry and Megans? Are you watching froggy? We like snow! We go and play with snow. I eat snow. We make supper. We make supper at Henry and Megan's. I love you!

Jaden......... is sleeping :)