A few posts below!

Sorry there are a few posts below! I haven't been organized enough to do it weekly! Thank goodness for a new year and new goals!

Grandma and Grandpa Schilling---Ozzy says "Hi and I love you!" He wants you to make sure you scroll down far enough and see his snowman picture! We hope all is well in Texas!

Leah Silly Banana!

I have to pay a little tribute to my sister! If you knew Leah and I growing up you would know that we did not get along very well! In fact, we did not get along at all! We have horror stories to tell of our loving (did I say loving?) relationship from our younger days! If you would have asked me 20 years ago if I would name my daughter after my little sister I would have laughed in your face.

Thank goodness we are best friends now and can have a good laugh sometimes about the stuff we would do and say to each other. However, I wish I would have been a better sister and friend growing up----it sure would have made our lives a lot easier!


10 things I love about my sister!

1-She is very creative and has and eye for color and decoration. (She is my decorator every time I move. I don't put anything up until Leah comes over!)
2-She is a wonderful mom to her children. I never hear her raise her voice and she would do anything for her kids. (I aspire to be the mom she is!)
3-She is great at writing silly poems for me on the spur of the moment! (Have you heard some of her poems. They will make you laugh till you pee your pants!)
4- She is so much fun! She lights up any room and can bring fun to the most boring place! (Leah and I can get kind of obnoxious together sitting in a corner!)
5-She is BEAUTIFUL!
6-She is a great LISTENER! (She has a great shoulder to cry on and listens to my ups and downs with out ever complaining.)
7-I can trust her with my most secret of secrets and know it will stay between her and me!
8-Did I say she is BEAUTIFUL! I would love to have her complexion and FRECKLES! I think my kids got those cute freckles because I teased her so much as a kid! She has been kissed by angels many times over. That's why she was blessed with freckles!
9-She is a fun aunt. Kolby calls her "Fant Leah". Therefore in our house we have all started calling her "Fant Leah"
10-SHE IS BEAUTIFUL! (I would love to have those long legs and her energy!)


I could think of a thousand more things to write. Thanks Leah for being my best friend and putting up with me growing up. I am glad I haven't scarred you to much and you didn't turn CRAZY on me! You are the best little sister anyone could have ever asked for! I am also thankful I had a little girl I could name after you!

Love,

Jen

P.S. I hope my little Aleah is as beautiful inside and out just like her Aunt Leah!

We're going to DISNEYLAND

Okay----I don't know if you all know this but I have the best little sister and brother in law in the whole world! They surprised Justin and Austin with a trip to Disneyland with their family from January 21 - January 25! What was fun was to see the boys reaction when they found out. First, Leah wrapped up some lanyards they were sent from the travel agent. On the back of the paper she wrote "3-day Disneyland pass" with the dates. However, when the boys opened the presents and looked at the lanyards they only saw the advertisement that was on the front. They looked at the gift and didn't know what to say. The continued to politely say "thank you" but was unsure why Leah gave them lanyards. Keaton and Parker couldn't stand it and screamed, "Look on the back!" The boys flipped them over and were in complete shock. I don't know who screamed louder---Justin and Austin or Leah and her boys! They are very excited and can't wait to go!

Thanks Leah and Todd and we love you all very much!

Justin and Ozzy opening their presents! (They just thought I was being a nerd taking pictures!)

Justin and Ozzy giving Aunt Leah the biggest hug!

Justin showing the front of the lanyard and Ozzy showing the back with the surprise on the back!

Tom the Snowman

Ozzy is my child who loves the simple things in life. We are staying at Papa's and the snow is deep and perfect for building snowmen. Ozzy got all his geared gathered up from around the house and set out to build the perfect snowman. We were all impressed and surprised at the materials he gathered up to complete his snow friend. We were sad to see him melt towards the end of the day. I am sure Ozzy will be out tomorrow rebuilding Tom and making a friend for him.

Slacker

Okay! I have been so busy with the holiday season coming upon me very fast that my posting has suffered! I am not a fan of Christmas and feel the grinch in me peeking its ugly head out at times.

With that being said--Here is a breakdown of what is going on in our life!

Justin: We have the next Michael Jordan living in our home. He made the freshman basketball team and I am his #1 fan. Don't worry----I don't embarrass him! He has his own personal cheering section. He is growing tall and I think he just might pass me up! I can't keep him in pants.

Rachael: She is very kind and loves her sister. She has a kindred spirit with her and anyone in the house is lucky if they even get to hold Aleah when Rachael is around. She is getting straight A's and is doing very well.

Ozzy: What can I say, the sweetest spirit. He would take the shirt off his back for his family. He is doing well in school and loves to make sugar cookies. He finally roped me into making them this weekend and we had a lot of fun!

Ryan: Ryan is a very imaginative boy. He is a great reader and can be a big help in my classroom sharpening pencils and putting away papers.

Kolby: AAAH! I could pull my hair out sometimes with his sweet spirit. He is all boy and 4 years old. He loves his family and doing homework. He is doing well in school and can't wait until he can come to school with mom. He is looking forward to Christmas.

Aleah: Sweet, Sweet, Sweet, Sweet! She is so lovable and brightens anyone's day. She smiles at everyone and is very mobile. I love to hear her coo in the morning and rock her at night while she sleeps!

James and I are trying to survive it all! I will get some pictures of Justin's basketball and more pictures of the kids!

Love,
Jen

Love Hand Notes

If life could be as simple as the love a 4 year old has for his family! I went in last night to give Kolby kisses after he went to bed. As I walked in I noticed he had his special Teddy in bed with him and was sound asleep! I was giggling at the way he looked. As I bent down I noticed marker all over his hand. I was rather upset at the thought it was permanent marker. Kolby lately has a thing for doing his homework ----- (Did I say it keeps him busy for hours! The babysitter is amazed he will sit at the table forever and write his ABC's according to Kolby!) So this morning I asked him what he had written on his hand. His reply was:

"I love Justin!"
"I love Racheal!"
"I love Ozzy!"
"I love Ryan!"
"I love Aleah!"


His love for his family is unchangeable. No matter how much he is teased by his siblings, he loves them unconditionally!

AARGH! My MAC crashed!

Okay! Okay! Okay! I love technology but hate it at the same time. My hard drive went on the fritz and I finally got a loaner computer! I was freaking out because it started going and I didn't have anything backed up. I am talking my itunes, school files, family pictures, etc. My sweet aid in my class ran to Wal-Mart and bought a thumb drive and saved the day! Did I say----I LOVE my aids! Therefore, my posting has went to the wayside! I never realize how much I like my computer, email, etc. until I don't have it anymore.

Then, to top it all off----my cell phone is broken. I have been pursuing new phones on E-bay but keep getting beat out on bids. Humph! I guess I am just going to have to push the "Buy Now" button and get my phone here!

The fam is doing well and we are all healthy and strong at the moment (knock on wood!)!

Monday's Memories-Ryan and Aleah

Today's memory only goes back 9 months. I don't have a scanner so until I get one the memories will be rather recent. Here is a picture of Aleah with Ryan when she was only a few hours old. Ryan wasn't sure he was going to like a new sister, but now he is always the first to go get her in the mornings and loves to take care of her! Aleah loves her big brother Ryan!

Monday's Memories-Holy Crap

Every Monday I am going to try and post a memory and/or event of a family member. This week's spotlight is on Justin. Since deer season is in full swing I thought I would pay tribute to Justin's first elk hunt. It was named "Holy Crap!"

Two nerdy Wanna Be Hunters!

It was his right of passage with Papa Joe when he turned 12. Justin thought he was just going along for the ride with Papa and some of his clients. Little did he know it would be a weekend of a lifetime!


After a few days they spotted a spike elk and Papa told Justin that it was time. Justin was shocked. All he had done through the last few days was target practice and just watch everyone else. Justin aimed and fired and shot the elk. Out of Justin's mouth came, "Holy crap, did you see how far that thing pushed me back!" He knew he had injured the elk but had to go track him down. It took awhile but they finally got him. The guys there were so awesome with Justin. He gutted and did everything. Now we have a set of spike elk horns hanging on his wall that Papa Joe had mounted. Justin wrote an essay about his trip and tells the story much more eloquently than I. (We have also enjoyed elk meat!)


Another thing about the trip was not only was Justin thrilled to be there but Rulond Gardner was there with my dad hunting. He is the olympic gold medalist in wrestling. Justin was beside himself. He had fun playing around with Rulond and wearing his gold medal. It was a trip of a lifetime and I am glad Justin was able to have it with his Papa Joe!


Here is a picture of Ozzy on Papa's horse Misty!


FYI---This disk with the cool pictures with him and the elk is corrupted. So when I get the originals files from dad I will post them!

P.S. I am glad I have boys that love the wild !

Song Selections

I have a love of music and so do Justin and Austin. They continue to tell me that the music I listen to is stupid (i.e. the 80's) Hey what do they know? I listen to the top 20 to on XM Radio! I probably know more of the words to their music then they think! Anyway, I thought for the playlist I would dedicate a song to each kid!

1. Justin Can't Touch This---He is at that stage were he thinks he is the bomb! I must say I have to agree! We have girls over at our house visiting Justin. (They say they are there to see Aleah, but I know who they are really there for!) He is so into his looks such as his shoes, clothes, sports, etc. He wants to make sure he looks very COOL everytime he leaves the house.

2. Ozzy (aka Austin) The Worlds Greatest and Fabulous----He gets 2 songs because I couldn't decide. First, TWG is for him because he is awesome! He tries very hard to do his best and is always willing to help and go the extra mile even when it is hard for him! Second, Fabulous because he can sing it by heart and do the actions from the movie and it is hilarious. I think I might be more excited for HSM 3 than the kids!

3. Rachael Crush----Okay! She has the boy glasses on. Her dad and I are beside ourselves trying to figure out how to keep the boys away and her from getting a broken heart----(Hummm! Anyone?)

4. Ryan Let's Hear It For The Boy----Okay! He is one who loves to be cheer on and loves the feeling he gets when he does what he should! Therefore, this is Ryan's "I Can Do It" song!

5. Kolby Wild Thing-----Need I say more? He is so fun and can brighten anyone's day with his funny Kolbyisms and big teddy bear hug!

6. Princess Aleah Catch a Falling Star----When I first heard this song on Never Been Kissed I loved it. I always think of "Josie Grossie, Josie Grossie" from the movie! Aleah is not "GROSSIE" she is PERFECT! Anyway, she is a falling star and when I am having a bad day or just need a smile all I have to do is look at her picture or imagine her smile and it makes the day much better!

Finally---We're All In This Together----is our family song! Blending a family is very hard and we have to remember each other's feelings and that it isn't easy!

Duh!

Okay! For starters I am technology ignorant! I have tried and tried to fix the font below to match. I am a very OCD and having it look retarded is going to drive me nuts. I am also trying to figure out how to have the text wrap the picture. Oh well! I will just have to get past the fact I can't change it!

Country Farm Fest

James decided the other day we were going to drive out to Payson and go to a Country Farm Fest----It was a lot of fun especially for Kolby. Kolby got to see a lot of farm animals and run around in the fresh manure filled air! His two favorite things were to get his face painted like Spiderman and jump on the trampoline and do flips. Rachael and Ryan also liked the trampoline! I couldn't resist getting Aleah's face painted. She was so good and the lady couldn't believe how cute she was! After that we went for a drive through Payson, Spanish Fork, and Springville. The only bummer is that Justin and Austin are with Papa for their vacation. Oh well! I know they are having A LOT of fun! I miss you boys!

New Goals

Okay, really this time I am going to get this thing going. It is so fun to read what others are doing in their families and I feel bad I do not keep in touch with friends and family like I should.

This post is more of an experiment than anything. I am going to post a picture as a test. The picture of Kolby and me was Christmas morning 2006!

As far as what is going on in my family----School is in and we are busier than ever. I LOVE teaching 2nd grade. I thought I loved 1st grade but this is better. I have the cutest kids and have already taught half of them. Aleah is growing so big and she is BEAUTIFUL! I love having a baby daughter. She is everything I could have wanted. She is especially happy---Her middle name of Joy fits her well. Even better she is as beautiful as her aunt she was named after (I love you Leah!) All of the kids are doing well. They amaze me with their talents and wanting to be good kids. James is still really having a hard time after his accident. Hopefully we will start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

P.S. Heather, I am going to come and raid your home this week and have you take some cute pictures of my family and get them on here! You are the best at that---plus it gives me an excuse to come see you! Maybe after our quilting class we will just need to get a treat, too! Oh---that reminds me I have to do last months before Saturday! I just need your quilting skills and talents!

Oops! Another test! I have to see if I can insert Strawberry Shortcake! My kids think I am silly!

Craziness

Okay, it has been to craziness at our house. First, I got a new car! James surprised me with a 2006 Tahoe to replace the family van. YEAH! We can now all go together instead of taking two vehicles. Plus, I hated that van. Justin now thinks when he is 16 he will get to drive it! Boy is he wrong. We always told him the van would be his. But alas, it is gone and we will just find him something cuter than the van! (HEE HEE HEE)

Second, Rachael went to girls camp and I just sent Justin off to scout camp. It makes me so sad to see him grow up. I kept asking him if he packed everything. He kept telling me "yes mom! I am a big boy and can pack myself!" Okay, so he can. But I still have to be his mother.

Third, James just got out of the hospital. He is still having issues from the accident and we are hoping that things will settle down. I freak anytime anyone gets on a 4 wheeler. Justin thinks I am a party pooper when I make him wear his helmet and slow down. Even though it was a freak accident you can't take life for granted!

Anyway, hopefully will school starting soon things will slow down. NOT!!!

Here We Go!

Thanks to my "wonderful" friend Heather I have started a blog! I also have some family who have blogs and they are so fun to read! Since Heather added me as her link I thought I had better put up a post. I had my camera stolen and will get pictures posted soon. I hope you all enjoy hearing about my family and all that happens in our everyday lives. This is a work in progress so look for more coming soon!