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About Me
I am a wife to the man of my dreams! We've been married for nearly three years now and I couldn't imagine my life without him in it! I am also a mom to a seven month old daughter who I absolutely adore! I love the Lord with all my heart...without Him in my life I would not be where I am today! I am enjoying the balancing act of being a stay at home mom and wife and, together with my husband, am enjoying our wonderfully blessed life!!
Motivation For Moms
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Basement Remodel
Posted by jennasue
As we get ready for our big remodel project in our basement, Scott and I have begun moving things around and trying to make room for the things we will be doing. We were moving some of the things to our storage closet which still has a lot of moving boxes from when we moved. I couldn't believe that after 9 months we still haven't unpacked everything. It's crazy how in just a few short years of being married we've accumulated so much to fill a house and still have boxes left over. We went through the boxes and most of it was just junk...however there were some items for our kitchen that we had completely forgotten about.
New Phone
Posted by jennasue
I have had the same cell phone for a very long time, and recently it began acting up a lot! Not only was I not receiving calls when I should be, but it was also not holding a charge and not working correctly in other obvious ways. In telling Scott about this, who knows a lot about cell phones...he convinced me to use my eligibility to get a new phone. We looked through the list of phones that I could choose from and found one that I think will be really nice and hopefully work a lot better. I'll have to post an update when I get it.
Father's Day Gift
Posted by jennasue
Scott has been talking a lot about watches and how his has not been working for quite some time. Over the past month or so I've written how I'm contemplating what to get him for Father's Day...as it will be his first official Father's Day!! Since I know a watch would mean a lot to him, I'm thinking this could make the perfect gift this year. I was thinking about getting a Hublot and then maybe getting it engraved from Kaelyn and I?! Not sure what I would engrave in it yet, but really think it would make a good Father's Day present. He'd really appreciate it a lot. I'll have to look around and see what I can find.
Landscaping Update...
Posted by jennasue
Well, the day has come to an end and the landscaping is done!! I am so glad that my parents came up to help us...it turned out great! I will post pictures very soon. It turned out better than I had even thought it would. We found some really neat plants and flowers for extremely reasonable prices! We not only found some for the front area in yard, but also the side of the house and the back. I didn't even expect to get that much done...but it just worked out that we had enough plants to work with! Unfortunately it began raining very hard while we were trying to plant them...but we finally ended up getting them all planted after the rain and moved on and it's looks wonderful!
Update: Scott and I added some rock which changed the appearance even more...we love it!
Need a Car Loan?
Posted by jennasue
Getting a car loan can be a very stressful time. Finding the right loan for the right rate is hard. Scott and I just recently went through this, and so did my little brother. It's amazing the deals you can find if you just look. The only problem is it takes a while to find that right deal!! Recently I just came across a great resource that others can use when in this situation. It's the National Car Loan service. They offer online services to customers with both good and poor credit! I think it's great that lots of people can benefit from their services. Not enough companies are like that. If you're looking to get a Car Loan or Used Car Loans
, check out this site today to learn more!
Landscaping Project
Posted by jennasue
I am really looking forward to today! My mom and I are going to go shopping for some plants for our front yard. Right now there's nothing out there and it looks pretty bare to say the least! We already took out the hosta that were out there. I am hoping to find some green plants, as well as some with a little color...it will really look nice. Hopefully we can find some good deals and some of the plants we are looking for. I'll fill you in on how it all turns out and may even post some pictures!
Birth Announcements
Posted by jennasue
When Scott and I had Kaelyn things were so hectic around here that we didn't even get the chance to send out a Birth Announcement. This is something I often think about and feel bad about...especially knowing that there are so many wonderful and easy ways to do them right online. Even though we didn't send out a birth announcement, I would still like to send out a custom photo card of her to everyone in the family...just so they can see an updated picture. As I was looking online, I found Photo Affections, which is a place to find affordable birth announcements, photo cards, designer announcements for weddings and more!! They have a talented and creative team who want to help you find something that's just perfect! I'm definitely planning to go with them, and you may choose to as well?!
Homemade Baby Food: Pears
Posted by jennasue
I've been trying to update on how solid foods is going for Kaelyn. So far she is doing very well with most everything we've tried! Pears is what we're doing right now and she really loves them! It seems like she's eating more and more each meal which is great!! Next we may do carrots or peas...haven't quite decided yet. It's weird how quickly the time has gone and how many new foods she has tried. No matter how many times I introduce a new food, my favorite part is still always the first expression she makes when trying it for the first time...so cute!! I'll continue to update on this topic as we begin to try more foods.
Taking Care of Your Teeth
Posted by jennasue
Growing up, taking care of our teeth was something that was very important. My mom worked, and still does, for a local dentist. Being involved in this occupation has made her very knowledgeable about teeth and why it's so important to take care of them. I'm so glad that she instilled this in all of us kids.....teeth really are very important and something we need to take care of daily. This is definitely something that I want to teach my children as well!! Our little girl recently got her very first tooth, and we are already doing what we can to make sure that it is taken care of. It's never too soon to start! A smile is something that gives a first impression, so you want it to look it's best. It can help someone have a higher self esteem...I know it did me! I hated having braces at the time, but now I am so thankful I did!! There are wonderful dentists all over who want to help you with your smile. Like Dr. Maddahi for instance! He is one of the Beverly Hills dentists and does complete smile makeovers for people using different advanced techniques with painless air drills, cameras and digital x rays! Are you someone who wants to makeover your smile? If so, you should check out his site and see all that he can do for you!
Daddy's Little Girl
Posted by jennasue
There's something to be said about the relationship a daughter forms with her Daddy! I don't know about other parents out there....but the bond between them is just precious! For us this bond began in the hospital. I remember the first time that I saw Scott holding her it almost brought tears to my eyes. She would cry, and the minute her Daddy held her she was comforted and would stop! As she gets older, Kaelyn gives me lots of attention, but there's something about her Daddy that just makes her grin ear to ear. When he gets home from work at night we can always hear the door open. At that moment she smiles so big and turns her head towards him, looking intently until he comes into view. Each evening Scott tries to spend some one on one time with her...since he is at work during the day. They have so much fun playing and laughing together. It's fun to watch! I think Kaelyn has her Daddy wrapped around her little finger already ;)
Service Intelligence: Become a mystery shopper!
Posted by jennasue
I often browse the web for information on new companies and products. Recently I learned something about Service Intelligence...a company that has been around since 1992 and is a well known when it comes to business intelligence, customer experience evaluations, and training. Some of the services included are mystery shopping services, customer surveys, a customer satisfaction survey, audit and compliance evaluations and more! I found this to be really interesting...specifically because I have had experiences with many of these things! How about you? Would you like to learn more about Service Intelligence and how you could become a mystery shopper? If so, head over to their site today and see what you think!
The Importance of Family
Posted by jennasue
I am someone who really values time with family. I enjoy stay caught up on what everyone is up to in the family and staying in contact with them as well. That's pretty easy to do between e-mail, social networking sites, the phone, and seeing one another. Thankfully most of our family lives very close...within a couple of hours anyways. Unfortunately I do have a brother whose family lives in Texas. That is quite a ways away, and we are really hoping that someday they are able to move back here, closer to family. Since they live so far away, it's fun to receive pictures of them and all the things they have been up to. They have a son the same age as Kaelyn, so I always enjoy seeing updated pictures of him too!! He's such a cutie, as you can see...;) They're supposed to be coming home for a few days this summer so I'm really looking forward to seeing them!
Buying a Home
Posted by jennasue
Buying a home is probably one of the biggest steps someone can take financially in their lifetime. For us it was anyways. We did not go about it impulsively...we put much time and thought into our decision to buy our first home. We wanted to find something that would be perfect for us and our growing family. Thankfully we had a great realtor to help us throughout this very overwhelming process. I think that's the one piece of advice that I would give to others...to find a good real estate agent! For instance, I've heard great things about Prudential real estate professional, Douglas Elliman's New York services! If you live in the New York area...maybe Manhattan, Montauk or in between then he is the person you want to contact when looking to buy or sell!! This is the largest real estate company in New York...which really says a lot since New York is huge! Look into them today if you're embarking on the wonderful journey of buying a home and wanting to learn more about Long Island listings!!
My Brother's New Car: Mazda RX8
Posted by jennasue
We had such a nice Memorial Day Weekend. My parents were up here, as well as my brother and his girlfriend! When my brother arrived he had a BIG surprise for us all!! He pulled in the driveway with a new car! I knew that he was thinking about getting something new, but didn't know when he was going to do it for sure. It's a Mazda RX8 and really nice, inside and out! It has features I didn't even know a car could have. :) I'm so proud of him and his accomplishments. He has such a wonderful job with John Deere and it's great that he is doing well for himself and able to get some of the things he enjoys...like this beautiful car! This is the site we saw as he pulled in our driveway...
The Couple Spot
Posted by jennasue
Over the years I've known several people who have used online dating sites. For some it has been a disappointment, and for others it has gone very well...even resulting in marriage for one couple!! The internet is a great thing, as it can bring people together for love or friendship. I'm sure many people have heard of the dating sites, but have you ever heard of couple sites before? This was something new to me, but really a very neat thing. TheCoupleSpot.com is a site that helps couples find other couples who have similar interests. It helps you make friends with people who enjoy some of the same interests. It's great if you're looking to make friends with people from a country you may be traveling to, or simply finding friends who share the same interest in music the same Faith, etc. I thought it was really a neat site and something many others might find interesting as well. Check it out and see what you think and make friends with new couples.
First Tooth
Posted by jennasue
As Kaelyn nears 7 months old....it got me thinking about the last few months and how much she's changed. Not only has she changed in appearance and size, but also in her ability to do new things. She's jabbering like crazy, copying things Mommy and Daddy do, moving around all over the place!! Recently, one of the biggest changes was getting her very first tooth!! We knew this tooth was coming for quite some time now, but this weekend it happened...it finally poked through! On Saturday I saw the spot where it must have poked through and then gone back down and Sunday I saw the actual tooth and it is here to stay! These little teeth are much sharper than I thought they would be...I learned this quickly as I was feeling for it this weekend!! Although hard to see with her little mouth, I will try and post pictures as soon as I am able to get some. Isn't it funny how the smallest things make us parents so incredibly proud?! I just love it!!
Need a Handicapped Accessible Van?
Posted by jennasue
Every time I got to the Drs with Kaelyn for her appointments, I see people getting dropped off or picked up at the front entrance. Many of these people are in wheelchairs and much older. They often struggle to get in and out of their vehicles, needing assistance from several people who work at the hospital. It got me thinking that they could really benefit from having a handicap accessible van of some sort. I believe this would definitely improve their quality of life and make things much easier for them. What got me thinking about this recently was MobilityWorks, a website that I happened to stumble across. They offer a wide selection of handicapped vans...both mini and full-sized. Whether it's a new van or used van..they have it all. I thought it would be helpful to post information about this company, as I'm sure there are many people who would benefit from their services. If this is you, check out their site today and see what you think.
Work at Home as a Stay at Home Mom
Posted by jennasue
Being able to stay home with my little girl is the absolute BEST job in the whole world...and the most important! It's a job that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. When I was pregnant with Kaelyn, Scott and I had NO doubt that we wanted to make sure I was able to be a stay at home mom. We were going to make it work whether or not I could make money from home or not. The Lord is good, and ended up blessing us with an AWESOME opportunity to make a little extra money online. Now, financially things are more comfortable than they probably would have been...as we are able to go and do some fun things as a family. If you're at home and wanting to earn a little extra money, I strongly urge you to check out the different legit opportunities available online. The work is there, it's just waiting for you to come find it!
Making Healthy Choices
Posted by jennasue
I don't know about you, but when I became pregnant with Kaelyn....my whole perception of health and taking care of myself changed. I mean, don't get me wrong...I tried to eat healthy and exercise before I got pregnant every once in a while...but when I found out I was pregnant it all changed. Taking care of my baby was my priority and I was willing to live a healthier lifestyle to do that. As I became more educated on living healthier during that time, I found that there are many different things one can do to achieve this. There are all kinds of quality natural products out there, like progesterone creams for instance. No matter what your age there are definitely natural ways to take better care of yourself. This is something I learned while I was pregnant and continue to educate myself about even now after having her. Making healthier choices definitely enhances ones life in so many ways!
6 Month Old Milestones
Posted by jennasue
Not only did Kaelyn recently get her very first tooth, she also became an "official" crawler. What do I mean by this? Well, over the past month or so she has been army crawling and scooting all over the place. She's gotten up on her hands and knees and taken a few strides, but until today was not crawling very quickly that way. I set her down this morning on the floor with her toys, and the next thing I knew she was crawling towards her pacifier. I was thankful to have had my camera right by me so I could capture this on film!! She was a little wobbly in the beginning, but with each time she begins crawling now...she gets faster and faster...not to mention that she's now into everything in sight.:) It's so much fun!! Now that she's crawling all over on her hands and knees I am watching her like a hawk to make sure she is always in my sight. I can't wait for her Daddy to see her doing all of this...he's going to be SO proud of her! :)
Shop for blinds at NoBrainerBlinds
Posted by jennasue
When we moved into our home last Fall, Scott and I decided that the first thing we'd do is put blinds up on most of the windows. We went and spent a lot of money on blinds, but now realize that maybe we could have put our money into a little bit nicer window coverings. In doing some work on our house, this is one of the conversations that has come up. Wood blinds are a lot nicer looking, and something we would really like to invest in at some point very soon. One room that is very important to do this in is our bathroom. Right now we have one of those very cheap shades up. What we'd really like are those plantation shutters that you see so much of these days. The golden oak wood would look terrific in our "palm tree themed" bathroom!! As we make some much needed changes around the house, I have been searching online for the different items we would like to purchase. One of these items were wood blinds and the plantation shutters. As I was searching, I came across NoBrainerBlinds!! As I searched through their site, I knew that it was a "no brainer" to purchase from them when we are ready to!! Their prices are super low and the selection of blinds that they offer is outstanding!! I was really excited to come across a site that makes it so easy to find custom blinds and order them. For a stay at home mom like myself...I couldn't ask for an easier and more convenient way to shop for name brand products with lifetime warranties!!
First Time At The Park
Posted by jennasue
We had such a nice weekend. Scott didn't have to work at all...so we were able to hang out with my family and just enjoy our time together. On Monday Scott did some work in the yard, but also made sure to spend some quality time with Kaelyn and I!! We had such a nice time together. It was so beautiful out that we decided to go to the park just down the road from our house. Kaelyn had never been to the park before, so it was a lot of fun being able to take her there for the first time. There were a lot of kids there and she enjoyed watching all of them as they played. We pushed her in one of those baby swings and also went down the slide with her a couple of times. She thought it was pretty neat! I'm looking forward to more nice days that we can all go to the park together again!!
Affiliate Marketing
Posted by jennasue
Now that I'm a stay at home mom, I do what I can to make a little extra money here and there. I do a lot of work online, primarily through different advertising companies. Recently, when browsing the web about this subject, I came across the Pepperjam Network. They allow advertisers and publishers to create relationships through communication. Publishers are an important part of affiliate marketing, and Pepperjam knows this! They make it easy for publishers to learn more through the resources and educational materials that they offer! If you would like to learn more about Pepperjam, you can check out their site today and the affiliate programs on there. They are truly one of the best when it comes to affiliate marketing and have a large and respected internet marketing agency to prove it. Check out their affiliate program and see what you think!
Making Homemade Baby Food: Avocados
Posted by jennasue
In the past I've discussed making Kaelyn's baby food, and the different foods we are trying. I read how good Avocados are for their bodies and brain...so I thought, even though Scott and I don't eat them, that I would try them with her and see how it goes. They were a very easy thing to prepare and store...but the actually eating thing...well let's just say the faces Kaelyn made were priceless!! :) I thought that it was just the initial faces of trying a new food, but turns out...these faces are here to stay. Each time I feed her the avocados, she makes the same faces telling me "mom, what is this and why do you keep feeding them to me?" haha I have decided that because they're so nutritional I will continue to give them to her every once in a while, but we will also continue to introduce new foods that she will hopefully enjoy a bit more. I think next will come carrots...yummy! I have a sneaking suspicion that carrots are something she will thoroughly enjoy. What do you think?!
Anniversary Gift
Posted by jennasue
I always have enjoyed jewelry. Scott has always been so great to get me all kinds of nice pieces throughout the years. I've looked at a lot of different types of designer jewelry, as he'd like to get me something for our anniversary next month. I'm not sure what to tell him I'd like more....a ring or a necklace. These are probably my two favorite pieces of jewelry...I mean what woman wouldn't like this, right?! I'm gonna have to do some more searching around with him and see what we find before I make a set decision. I'm happy that he came up with this gift idea though....what a great guy!
Neverending "To Do" List
Posted by jennasue
Do you ever feel like a "woman's work is never done"? I know guys have a lot to do as well...but sometimes I feel like a woman's work is never ending. I always have something to do! Whether it be laundry, bills, cleaning, running errands...it's just a neverending list. I used to get stressed about all of the stuff I had to get done in a day, but since Kaelyn was born I realized a while ago that I must take time just to enjoy life and if the "lists" don't get done...there's always tomorrow to do them! Spending time with Scott and Kaelyn is far more important than making sure the house is immaculate. I'm so happy I learned this lesson early...otherwise I would be a workaholic most days.
Fun Filled Holiday Weekend
Posted by jennasue
I don't know about you, but Family Time is something I really value. I'm so happy, because we're going to get a lot of that this weekend. Scott has the entire weekend off, including Monday which will be great! Our weekend started off great yesterday, as Scott was able to get off from work early and we got to do a little shopping. It's mainly browsing, but just a chance to get out of the house and do something as a family was so much fun!! Today is a busy day, as I have a lot of work to get done, and so does Scott...but we still get to be together as a family which is great. Maybe we'll get to go on a walk or something, that would be nice. Tomorrow my family is coming up to spend the day with us. The guys will go golfing, and us girls will relax at home. Monday is a completely relaxing day....I don't even know what we'll all do. Gosh, I don't get to say that very often. How nice!!
Summer Vacation
Posted by jennasue
Scott and I have been talking a lot lately about trying to plan some sort of family vacation for this summer, but we don't know where or when yet. The one thing that I think is hard is trying to find the time to plan where where going to stay and a place for the price we want to pay. As I was looking around though, I came across Hotels.com. This is a great site for people who want to easily book their hotels and find the price that is right for them. They even have a site for Spanish-speaking travelers who are looking to book motels online, espanol.hotels.com. If you're like us and looking to go on a little vacation this summer and want to find great ofertas de hoteles, check out their site today to learn more. You can even give their dedicated customer service reps a call at 800-316-4145.
Today is the day!
Posted by jennasue
Well, today is the day we get Kaelyn's 6 month pictures...talk about cutting it close as she is almost 7 months already. The important thing is that we're getting them done...and I'm so excited. Now that she's a bit older she's smiling a lot more and just more photogenic, so I think we should get some really cute pics!! We had considered getting a family picture, but I think we're going to wait until 9 months to do that. That will be a fun pic to have also. I'll post an update as to how the photo shoot goes today...should be fun :)
Security Cameras at Work
Posted by jennasue
Ever since my husband began his job working for the agriculture business here where we live, he's been in a charge of a lot of the technological stuff including phone systems, computers and internet issues. Last night when he got home from work, he was telling me about IT Planet...a site that he recently came across which offers discount hardware for businesses. They offer things like barcode label printers, barcode scanners and even touchscreens. Although these are all great products, the one thing he was most impressed with, was their large selection of security camera systems. You see, not all that long ago, one of their plants got broken into. Unfortunately they didn't have any form of security so they had no way of knowing who took their computers, etc. It was definitely a bad situation, but one that gave them a wake up call and introduced the need for security cameras around the plant. That's when Scott was put in charge of looking for the very best system for their business. He's excited to take advantage of the security systems they have to help deter future theft. Now, if there is a next time...they will not only help to prevent the situation...but find out who is doing it as well. If you have a business and would look more information on these types of products, I suggest you check out IT Planet as well.
The Safety of Childhood Vaccinations...What Do You Think?
Posted by jennasue
Having just had Kaelyn's 6 month Dr appointment, it got me thinking about the topic of vaccinations again. Mainly because every time we go, they still ask us if we're going to get her shots...even though every time we tell them we are opting out of vaccinations at this point. As I sat in the room waiting for her Dr to come in, I was reading over the vaccination reading material that they give us every time. It makes me sad to read fact sheets about the vaccinations that she would have gotten....to see that there are clear warnings of the possible side effects...such as coma, brain damage, etc. I know that some would argue that getting the disease is just as bad...but to me the risk of getting the vaccination outweighs the risk of not getting them. Not to mention that realizing she would have gotten 20+ shots by now at 7 months old had me thinking even more on this subject!! I know that this is an extremely controversial topic for many parents today....but really feel that people should make sure that they're well informed before making any decision regarding vaccinations given to their children. The following is part of a post that I had written a while back, but one that I wanted to be sure and share with those who may not be aware of the debate surrounding vaccinations and their safety....or lack there of...
In my opinion, one of the most controversial subjects out there among parents is that of Vaccination Safety. Since becoming a mom I have become increasingly aware of the debate that goes on between those who back giving vaccinations to our children and those who do not. When my husband and I began researching this topic during my pregnancy, we definitely were very confused as to where we stood. I mean...it's a big decision to make! There are many points made by those that back vaccinating our children that kept us on the fence. For instance, many health organizations claim that vaccinations are the best choice to help keep our children healthy and safe from diseases out there. Overtime, after doing extensive research on the matter through the web and the book, "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations", we came to the conclusion that as responsible parents we must be advocates for our baby, that being and remaining our top priority. We feel that we are responsible adults who take much care into the decisions we make for ourselves and our daughter and have decided that at this time we are not willing to risk the side effects that can be brought on by the administration of many of the vaccinations out there.
It is my belief that vaccinations are not a cure all. They cannot guarantee immunity. In fact, children who are vaccinated continue to come down with the sicknesses that they are supposedly vaccinated against. So what is the point in risking our children's health and well being on a hope that vaccinations will keep them well?! It's hard for me to back vaccinating our young children, when it seems that with the rise in the number of vaccinations given over the past 20 years or so there has been an increase in childhood conditions such as autism, SIDS, leukemia, allergies, diabetes, and many others as well. To me it is much more than a coincidence and a decision I'm not going to take lightly when it comes to the well-being of my precious daughter. Vaccinations are not "one-size-fits-all" either. Every child is different...just because one can handle a certain vaccination does not mean another will be able to. We are all different, predisposed to different things like allergies for instance. If I must give my child a vaccination (that may or may not work) only to find out that she has a life-threatening allergy to one of the many additives in them like mercury, formaldehyde, or aluminum for instance...my position is going to be ABSOLUTELY NOT!
I have nothing against the medical profession, as they do many things to help us each and every day. I believe that they do many wonderful things to help prevent diseases and keep us safe. However, vaccines are not something I can support at this point until there is further evidence to support their effectiveness and safety for my child. I don't want to ride the fence on this subject any longer. My main objective is to do what's best for my daughter. I can't do something that goes against what I feel is right for my child just because our government or health care providers advise it. I realize that all are entitled to their opinions, just as with many other issues surrounding our world these days, and I completely respect that. This is simply a decision that we have made for our children. All are allowed and welcome to their own thoughts on this issue as well as the stance that they ultimately take.
Handy Car Accessories
Posted by jennasue
With my husband working a lot lately, he's always wanting to make sure that Kaelyn and I are safe in everything we do. Particularly when we are traveling to visit family out of town. He was recently discussing the importance of finding a flashlight that we could keep in the car, as you never know when you'll need one, as well as a digital tire gauge. Thank goodness for his thoughtfulness...because these are two things I never would have thought of! As he looked around, he came across a great site that offered the Nightstar Shake Flashlight which charges up after shaking for 20-30 seconds....a great product without having the hassle of dead batteries. This site also offered a Digital Tire Gauge that was exactly what he was looking for!! He thought that this would not only help ensure our safety, but also was a good purchase to make with the increasing gas prices. I'm so glad that we found the things he was looking for. If you're interested in buying things like this, I suggest you check out this site as well. You won't be sorry you did!
God's Beautiful Creation
Posted by jennasue
Lately the weather has been so pleasant! It's been perfect outside in the afternoons to take Kaelyn on a stroller ride around our neighborhood. She loves it, as she gets to look around and take in everything around. I love it, because it's not only great exercise, but also a time to enjoy all of God's beautiful creation!! This is one of the most pretty times of year here in the midwest. It's just begun to get nice enough for flowers to start blooming and trees to begin changing as well. We have some beautiful colors around, and I enjoy taking it all in as much as my daughter Kaelyn!! Sometimes life gets so busy that we forget to stop for a moment and just enjoy all that surrounds us. This is something that I'm learning and want to be better at doing...even when things seem too busy.
Piano Restoration
Posted by jennasue
One of the things I was most excited about when buying our first home was getting my piano from my parents and having it in my home. It's something that is very important to me...as it was the piano that I grew up learning to play on. My parents were kind enough to find a piano, refinish it and ultimately give me a wonderful instrument to practice and learn on!! I knew someone that had an old piano much like the one that mine started out like, an old Steinway grand piano I believe, and they trashed it. I was shocked that they would do this. Anyone who has a piano, even if it's old should definitely look into piano restoration. I was looking into this for a friend of mine recently and came across Lindeblad Piano Restoration. What was most impressive about them was that they have been in business for more than four generations...so you know that they are knowledgeable in what they do. If you'd like to learn more about getting your old piano restored, check out their site today!
American Idol Finale
Posted by jennasue
I don't have an awful lot of time to watch TV during the day or at night, but one show that Scott and I try to never miss is American Idol. I'm sure there are other fans out there as well...knowing that I figured I could bring up the finale last night!! What did you think? We were very impressed with the talent this season, and thought both David A and David C were very deserving of being in the top two. It really didn't matter to me who won....they both did very well and I know will go far. David Cook is a little bit older and maybe a little more ready for all that comes with the title of American Idol. David A can now finish school and then do great things with his outstanding talent. Overall the finale went very well. My only complaint was that I wish they would have announced the winner a little earlier, rather than 5 minutes before the show ended.
Jobs in Agriculture
Posted by jennasue
As I've mentioned in the past, my husband works in agriculture. They do work for farmers, sell seed, etc. Over the past year or so that he's been in this business, I've learned a lot about i t. One thing I learned is that Scott is in charge of doing a lot as far as equipment maintenance is concerned. Most nights when he comes home, he is just coming from taking a pickup or agricultural piece of equipment to get worked on for something. It's important that they keep everything working properly...as they depend on them to do the job each and every day. Scott was recently looking for accessories for the equipment and trucks at work and came across Agri-Cover, Inc. I thought it was great that he found this company because they offer market leading accessories for pickups and the equipment that he works with. Whether you're looking for tarps, truck bed covers, or something else...they have it all!! One thing that his company wanted to make sure of is that it was a trustworthy company that had been in business for a long time. Luckily this is the company that fits that criteria and has outstanding service!!
Steven Curtis Chapman's Daughter Died
Posted by jennasue
I don't know about you, but Steven Curtis Chapman is one of my all time FAVORITE Christian artists. I grew up listening to his music and still do to this day. Cinderella is one of his newest songs which he wrote for his youngest two daughters. I think it's probably one of my favorites right now, especially since it's easy to relate to now that we a daughter of our own. Sadly, one of the little girls that he wrote this song for died last night. It just broke my heart when I heard the news today:( I think for everyone this is sad news to hear, but especially being a parent now...it's just heartbreaking! For anyone who hadn't heard about this awful tragic accident that happened yet, his youngest child died yesterday evening after she was hit by an SUV that her older brother was driving down the driveway. I can't even begin to imagine the pain that they must be feeling, including her brother who was driving the vehicle...and can only say how truly sorry I am to hear of their loss and that my thoughts and prayers are with them during this terribly sad time!
New York City Vacation
Posted by jennasue
I was very blessed to have gone on many family vacations while I was young. My parents made it a priority to take us kids many different places and for that I am very grateful! I want to be sure to give Kaelyn the same opportunities that I had, so I've already started looking at the different places we can travel when she gets a bit older. There are many, but one place I've actually never been is New York. I wouldn't want to take her here when she's too young, but as she gets older I think it would be a really fun place for our family to visit. Since it is such a big place though, I think that I'd want to take advantage of personal New York tours from the company, Family In New York, that I've heard so much about. They make it possible for tourists like us to see the city and the beautiful sites it has to offer. If you've never been to New York City, or would just like to book a tour, this is a company I suggest you look into.
Teething Pains
Posted by jennasue
After taking Kaelyn to her 6 month appointment on Friday, we learned that her teeth are VERY close to poking through her gums. We figured this was the case, as they have seemed to be bothering her a lot more lately. Unfortunately it is Wednesday and still no teeth. I'm actually looking forward to them coming through, as I'm hoping this will relieve some of the pressure on her gums for her. I feel so bad, because there's only so much you can do for your little one during this time. Hopefully they'll pop through by the end of the week...poor baby:(
Staying Healthy
Posted by jennasue
Thankfully, I have never found a need to diet or look for dieting options. It is something that I know I may need to do as I get older though. Knowing this, I have begun to take better care of myself...making sure that I exercise several times a week and eat healthy food. It all started when I was pregnant with Kaelyn. As with many other women out there, I wanted to make sure that I gave her the very best start in life...so I made sure that I ate healthy and did what I was supposed to do to keep her healthy as she grew inside of me over those 9 months. After she was born, I wanted to continue this healthy lifestyle since I was breastfeeding. I want to continue doing this, even after I'm done breastfeeding as eating healthy and staying fit makes me feel great. Hopefully, even with age I'll never have to depend on dieting or diet pills like Orovo. That's my hope anyways. I'm determined!
Skin Care
Posted by jennasue
I am not even out of my 20's yet, but I was looking in the mirror the other day as I got ready for church and realized that with each year that passes, my skin is aging a bit. I know, I know...this is natural and something everyone goes through. I never really used to notice this before just recently. I'm not sure if I'm noticing this more now that I'm at home and not wearing make up every day or what it is, but it got me thinking about the different options I have to take better care of my skin so that it looks the healthiest it possibly can. I need to be better about finding a moisturizer that worse well, as well as even finding the best wrinkle cream when the time comes for a need. Any suggestions?!? I'm going to do some research and find a product that would work great for my skin.
Update: Kaelyn's Appointment
Posted by jennasue
I wrote last week that I would post an update as to how Kaelyn's 6 month appointment went this past Friday...so I thought I'd take a moment to do that! Her appointment went great! It's quite the job to get her to the doctor by myself while Scott is working so much lately, so my Mom was kind enough to come along with me which was great! We found out Kaelyn had gained 2 1/2 pounds and grew one inch!! She's grown so much...I can't believe what a big girl she's becoming.:) I also enjoyed the appointment because I was able to ask the Dr many questions I had concerning Kaelyn starting solid foods, as well as some other things and it all went really well. She said that Kaelyn is doing very well and is meeting all of the milestones she should be and more. We'll go back to see her when Kaelyn is 9 months...so I look forward to that.
Do you have a credit card?
Posted by jennasue
Do you have a credit card? Most likely the answer to that question is yes. Why do I say that?! Well it's all too easy to get a credit these days, and it seems almost everyone has one. Some of us use them for more emergency situations, while others use them for everyday expenses and pay them off when the bill comes. Since there are so many of us who have credit cards, I think it's great that there are sites out there with a wealth of information about credit, free credit tips, and credit cards. Isn't the internet great?! Free-credit-reports.com is a site that I came across not too long ago, and it's one that has a lot of helpful information on these topics, as well as answers to commonly asked credit related questions. Whether you're looking to learn more about how to make APR lower, or something else...you're sure to find it on this site. I was happy to find something that was so user friendly. As a mom whose home I don't have a lot of time to research things...so it was nice to find a site that I could use easily and find the answers to the questions that I had. If you'd like to learn more, I suggest you take a look at their site as well. You won't be sorry you did!
Press Release:
When people decide what type of credit cards to choose, first of all they pay attention to APR. The fact is that it defines the cost of a loan. Everyone knows that the lower interest rate is the better it is for you. You will pay less in interest and therefore save money.
So, if you are sure that you have paid too much, it's time to take actions. Unfortunately, many people don't know that interest rates unlike a credit limit don't go down automatically. And the reason is evident, as the larger the credit limit the more profit banks will get from you and the lower the APR the less profit they get. Nevertheless, there are several ways of making your interest rates lower. First of all, credit card users who have proved to be trustworthy customers can negotiate a better APR with their credit card company.
So, if you always make your payments on time, have had credit for quite a long time and don't exceed your credit limit, then you have a chance for lowering interest rates on your plastic. All you need to do is to contact your credit company and ask them to reduce your APR.
At this site each credit card users will get more useful information about the world of credit cards. They will have a chance to read credit articles, ask credit related questions and get answers to them. My press release is about making APR lower. PLEASE USE ONLY MY LINK BUT NOT YOUR OWN ONE. AND DO NOT USE MY LINK TWICE.
Talking Baby
Posted by jennasue
We've been having so much fun watching Kaelyn as she learns new things. It seems every day she is doing something new and different!! Lately she's been saying a lot of vowel/consonant sounds, especially dadadada and babababa. She's not only saying them on her own, but also imitating us when she hears us saying them. So if we wave to her and say byebye, she'll raise her arm and say babababa. It's just fun to watch her!! It's amazing all the things they learn in just a short period of time....I can't wait for all of the stages she'll continue to go through.
UsedPrice.com
Posted by jennasue
Have you ever heard of UsedPrice.com before? It's a great site that makes it easy for you to find fair market value on things like appliances, stereos and so much more!! They offer online pricing guides as well as used equipment calculators that are really user friendly!!! The greatest part is that these tools are accurate as well. Who would want to waste their time on something that wasn't accurate, right?! I stumbled across this site today and thought it would be something many people would find of interest. UsedPrice.com is a site ideal for lots of people...especially those in pawn stores, retailers, appraisers, insurance agents, manufacturers, repair shops, etc. I thought it was great that it was geared towards so many people. If you'd like to learn more about them...head over to their site today and see what you think.
Need Photo Editing Software
Posted by jennasue
Last night, after Kaelyn went to bed, I finally had some time to sit down and check my e-mail. I also took a moment to go through some recent pics that I had downloaded to my computer from our camera. As I did this, I realized that many of the pictures needed minor touch ups...mainly cropping and red eye fixes. I searched my computer for the correct software, and from what I can tell, it doesn't have a great photo editing program for me....what a bummer! In the past I've downloaded different programs and tried them, but none have compared to the programs I had on my other laptop...which stopped working on me a couple of months ago. I'm continuing my search, but have a feeling that I may end up having to buy software to meet my photo editing needs. If anyone has any ideas as to what kinds of good, free photo editing software are out there...I'm all ears!
Congratulatory Gift
Posted by jennasue
Our whole family is so proud of my little brother! He is young and just out of college and already has the job of his dreams with John Deere as a Manufacturing Engineer!! He's been promoted several times already, and so far I haven't given him any sort of congratulatory gift. I would really like to think of something that he could actually use with his new job. I think I heard him discussing the need for a briefcase this weekend, so I thought I'd get online and start looking. The Zero Halliburton briefcases are probably my favorite so far...but I will keep looking to see what else is out there so I'm sure to get the very best for him.
Doing Bills
Posted by jennasue
This weekend has just flown by! Kaelyn and I had a graduation reception to go to and had a great time today with my parents! Tomorrow is already Sunday, which means I have a lot to get done before another week begins. One of these things is my most dreaded job....bills! Does anyone else dislike doing bills as much as I do?! I don't know if it's the tediousness of writing out checks, or watching our checking account balance begin to dwindle, but I do not like it at all! I would like to get some sort of budget software...or something that would make the process less stressful, and basically less work for me. As a stay at home mom I have many other jobs to fulfill...so decreasing the amount of work I have to do where I can is always a good thing!
Why Baby Dedication and Not Baby Baptism?
Posted by jennasue
As I have mentioned recently, our 6 1/2 month old daughter, Kaelyn, was dedicated in church this past Sunday! As this dedication grew near, I began to think about it's true meaning and the commitment we would be making as parents. It also got me thinking about Baptism as well. Why you ask? Well, there are many churches, and people who believe that an infant should be baptized to ensure Salvation if they would die before they can consciously make the decision to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior and live for Him, or that they will be condemned to hell. This is not what I believe and does not align with what the Bible teaches. "Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." (Matthew 18:14). Although born into a world of sin, infants do not have the ability to consciously accept Christ's gift at such a young age or consciously sin. Only through rejection of Christ's love and unacceptance can lead to one being unsaved, and that is not possible until conscious sin is possible.
So, what do we believe? Well, according to the Bible we are saved through Faith in the Jesus Christ...not through being baptized. It is an act of obedience, but again...is not what saves you. Baptism is a way for Believers to publicly acknowledge their Faith in Jesus Christ and desire to live for Him! To identify ourselves with His Church, and Him through Faith and Trust, and accept all He has done for us. To do this, one must consciously be able to make that decision...an infant is not able to do this.
So, since we do not believe in the infant baptism, we decided to take part in a dedication for Kaelyn. It is not an ordinance of the church, but a time for us to commit ourselves as parents to the responsibility of raising her in a way that she will one day come to know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and live for Him. It is our promise in front of the Lord and His people to offer her every opportunity to do this throughout her life. It's a wonderful opportunity to not only do this, but also to receive the prayer support of our church family and family members that we will be able to bring her up to have a love for the Lord and desire to personally know Him. So basically there are three main purposes...the dedication of us as parents to our job of parenting, the dedication of Kaelyn to the Grace of God and his watchful care, and the dedication of the congregation to love and support us and Kaelyn through example, support, and prayer.
It was such a wonderful day...one we are so thankful we had the opportunity to take part in.
Configure One Software
Posted by jennasue
Have you ever heard of Configure One before? If you're a manufacturing company who needs to customize and configure your products on a larger scale...this configurator software is for you! It's helpful for those who need to get client's their quotes quickly and accurately. Isn't that great?! Basically it helps to increase the money made and decreases costs because of the convenience and ease it allows for quickly coming up with quotations, bills of material, routings and more, when needed. If you'd like to learn more about them, head over to their site today and see what you think of the Configureone.com products I've mentioned here! It's very user-friendly and easy to navigate...so you'll find it's easy to find whatever it is you're looking for.
Spending Time Outdoors
Posted by jennasue
Wow...what a beautiful day out there today!! We've been getting some cooler temps, and lots of rain...so to have a beautiful warm day was great. Kaelyn and I hadn't been able to enjoy any time outside yet, so I thought today would be a perfect opportunity to do that. She and went outside and sat on a blanket with some of her toys. She was so cute as she looked around at the birds in the sky and squirrels in the yard. Seeing how winter pretty much just ended here...this was all new to her. It was precious! I'm looking forward to even warmer temps so we can get out her little pool and enjoy some water fun!