I miss her....

I wish I could see her...

But I can't, not yet.

So I'll just miss her more as the days go by...

As they say that Absents makes the heart grow fonder... 

so will my love grow for this DEAR friend of mine,

Till we meet again.

Love you MUCH Lizzy!!

Jennifer❀

Getting Antsy

I'm the type of person that gets really excited about simple things... and EXTREMELY excited about big things.
I guess to say that I'm getting antsy is an understatement.

I'm ready for spring. Really ready.
I can almost see the snow melting away and new life starting to appear.
I can almost smell the fresh smell and feel the "SO ALIVE" feeling that comes along with spring.

I'm not excited for the mud.
I'm not excited about the milking cows and the horses having spring fever.
And I'm not excited for the laundry load to double (something that automatically comes with the mud :).

But I'm excited for everything else.
The calving, the running, the rain, the planting, the green grass (that WILL eventually come... I just know it :), the riding, the thunderstorms... the list could go on forever.

Winter is nice, for a season. But I'm getting that antsy feeling for spring to come again.

The promise of new life.
The promise of a fresh start.

These are some pictures that I took of Mikaya and Joey the other day. 
I'm purposing to do more picture taking... cause I know that I have been relying on Megan ALOT to take most of the pictures for my blog (do ya blame me... she is AMAZING!). I know that one day... she probably won't be around as much, so I though I better start practicing!

Blessings all!

Jennifer❀

Happy Birthday To....

To my most amazing, bestest, most favorite big sister in the WHOLE world!!!

Thanks for giving me the experience of having a big sister.

I always wondered what it would feel like to have a big sis... and now I know. It is AMAZING.

You've inspired me Becks, in so many ways. Thanks for being a great example and the AMAZING person that you are!

I LOVE you Becka!!!

Love, Jenny

We had a blizzard last night...

This is the view from outside the milking barn, Kerri had to dig out the bale to feed the jerseys (which is supposed to be just to the right of the path) and my SWEET little brother Caleb shovelled a path for us to the barn door. 

This picture is from inside the barn...

Pretty impressive eh? :)

Around the Table

One of my favorite chores is setting the table. Usually we get the younger kids to do it, simply because it is something that they can do to help out. But every once in a while I'll have extra time and do it myself. And every time I do, the fact that we have a large family kinda strikes me!
Truthfully I don't think about it that often, the kids all come one at a time (duh! :) and I guess we all have just gotten used to it slowly. But every once in a while, like while I set the table or when I look at a picture of our whole family, I sit back and just have to say WOW.
We are SOOO blessed!

I've had people ask me in the past if I actully like growing up in such a large family, and I've had shocked responses when I have told them that yes, I LOVE every moment of it! Some people think that I should feel insecure, that I don't get enough attention and that I would get frustrated because there isn't much of "me time" going on. But who needs me time when there is so much FUN going on, and goodness... I get more attention then I ever would anywhere else!

And I think of these things as I set 12 places at the table. (hee, hee... I just had to count that out on my fingers, I never really count how many people actually sit at the table, I just name them all off as I pick up the plates and cups, lazy me. :)
4 people on each side and 2 on each end. Our full table is a constant reminder of all the blessings that God has given us. And what fun it is!

The people that sit around the table are the people that make my life. I can't imagine living my life without ALL of them.

As we sit around the table to eat together, we talk and laugh and be exactly what we were created to be...

One big HAPPY family!

Happy Sweet 16 Ker!

Ker is a one of a kind gal, and I love her to bits and peices. I'm SO very glad that she is my sister... and here are some of the reasons why...

She puts up with me talking her head off (most days :)

She is a goof ball, and has an amazing ability to make me laugh :)

She is BEAUTIFUL... inside and out.

She rarely thinks of herself, but is always looking to serve her family. (which has been a HUGE inspiration to me over the years)

She doesn't beat around the bush when she talks. She says what is what, and usually isn't afraid to say it.



She loves the Lord with all of her heart, and it is really evident by the way she lives.

She is an AMAZING singer.

She makes AMAZING food, like REALLY amazing.

And last but not least... she is an AMAZING friend, ready to listen when I need to talk, ready to make me laugh when I need to laugh, ready to taste my cooking when it needs tasting, ready to reasure me when I need reasuring... and so, so much more. 

I Love you SO much Ker Bear... and I hope that you have an AMAZING day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Your sis,

Jenny

Joey + Gooseberries

Have any of you ever heard of a gooseberry?
Well, this is what they are...



It is a fruit that grows on small bushes, of which we have 2.
They are SUPER, SUPER sour... and only taste good if you make them into jam, or bake (dad's fav.) gooseberry perishke (this link is not the recipe that we use, but it gives you an idea).
Well... that's my opinion anyway, but not Joey's....
This kid LOVES gooseberries. He never even makes a face when he eats them. (something I find next to impossible to accomplish... and believe me, I really like sour things!) 

 

He would eat the whole bowl if I would let him!

Whenever I make anything out of gooseberries, Joey's face lights up, and before I know it, he is stealing handfuls left and right.

Not sure how he does it... but here is proof,
Joey LOVES gooseberries!

Remembering....

One year ago today, as I was privileged to meet my little nephew for the first time....

Words cannot express the joy that we all felt that day, as we were able to finally hold and kiss Andy for the very first time. 

LOVE you ANDY!!