Pictures of Christmas Morning

Patiently waiting his turn...

Two of the "must-haves" that I was able to pick up at Target the day after Thanksgiving!

Realizing that he get an XBOX 360 from Santa!! Total shock on his face? I think so.

Oh boy! A Leapster from Mimi and PawPaw!

A marshmallow shooter from Aunt Janet and Uncle Stacy! Thanks you guys.... I find marshmallows around my house on a daily basis! :)

A Guitar Hero III for a Play Station 3??? Oops... Mike ordered the wrong one!

What? A box of macaroni and cheese? That tricky Mimi....
Here's the "real" gift... money!

The "infamous" coffee mug from Caden!

Merry Christmas

I just want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! To family who is reading this from a far... I wish we could all be together for the holidays. Please know that you are thought of not only at Christmas, but each and every day.

With much love,

Mike, Jennifer, Cody and Caden

Random Thoughts

Christmas
Here we are 6 days away from Christmas. I have just about finished up all the shopping. I was at JC Penney's last night until 10:15. I asked the poor sales associate what time they closed and she said midnight. Ouch. I am so glad my retail days are done! All I have left to do is wrap a few gifts. Yea! There is a light at the end of the tunnel!
This is the part of the holiday I don't like. All of the running around, getting frustrated, trying to get everything ready... sometimes I think I lose the true meaning of Christmas in all the hype. I am really hoping that Mike and I (and possibly the boys... I haven't decided on them yet) can get away this Friday evening and spend some quality time together. As much as I would like for it to be a family event... I can't even remember the last time Mike and spent an evening out by ourselves. We'll see what happens...

Reality Time
Well as you may (or may not) have noticed, I haven't posted any weight loss updates over the past couple months. I had hoped to have lost 30 pounds by Christmas and since I am quite sure I won't loose that much between now and next Tuesday... I'm not going to make this goal. There has been so much stress over the past few months... from 2 kidney procedures to changing jobs (Excuses?...probably, valid excuses?... maybe.) that I've lost my focus. My will-power is still there and I am sure it will be greatly renewed as we get closer to the new year and the ever-dreaded New Year Resolutions. So... I'll start over and make another goal and see where I end up!

I hope everyone is well and able to enjoy the holidays with family and friends. Hopefully those who still have shopping to do will finish soon so you can relax a little!
I'll post again soon...
~jen

Full Ride Project

My husband just called me and told me to check out http://www.fullrideproject.com/. I am so proud of Southwest Honda and all of those involved with this wonderful project. It brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful opportunity for one High School senior in our area! Please pass along this website to any seniors you know so they may apply for this awesome scholarship!
~jen

Caden

Christmas Caroling

Today Caden and his pre-K classmates performed a few Christmas songs for the parents. I couldn't be there because of my work schedule. I am so sad that I missed it but Caden kindly obliged my request for a private showing at home! He was so cute! Mike was kind enough to take a couple of pictures for me. Since he hardly ever takes pictures... only one turned out. I'm not complaining though! He did his best!

*Mom... remember this sweatshirt?

This was once Cody's when he was Caden's age! The front reads... Who needs Santa... and the back reads... I've got Mimi and PawPaw!

There is a Traitor Among Us

Caden has crossed over to the dark side. He's now an OU fan. I don't know where Cody and I went wrong. But somehow Caden has turned his back on his beloved Bevo and Longhorns. He still sleeps with his stuffed Bevo, though. So maybe all is not lost! I am sure that if I listen very closely... I'll hear my Papa yell Boomer Sooner once he hears that Caden has become a Sooner's fan!


Imaginary Friends

Caden just announced that he has 6 imaginary friends. 5 boys and 1 girl. What a imagination this little one has!

~jen

Lost

I’ve been thinking about this post for a couple of days now. I haven’t been feeling too well. I’m really tired, the cold weather seems to be affecting me more these days and I guess a little of the “holiday blues” are setting in. (Please… don’t worry… I’m fine… it’s just been a rough few weeks with adjusting to my new job, Dick’s passing, the kidney thing, the stress of all the holiday shopping, missing my family… etc.)

I feel so lost right now. I don’t seem to understand this world we live in. Between the mall shooting last week, the church shootings on Sunday… and I just read about another shooting that happened yesterday in Nevada targeting junior high and high school students while they were coming out of a school bus.

What in the world is wrong with our society? How does someone think that they have the right to go out and shoot and kill innocent people? Why does this continue to happen over and over? Even as I ask the question… what is wrong with our society… I know what’s wrong with our society… it’s the “world” that so many live in. It’s a world without morals, without the Golden Rule, a world where kids as young as Caden are exposed to guns and violence, and it is a world without Christ.

But where are we safe? Is there any place that’s safe anymore? How does one survive this world that we are living in? How do I send my kids off to school this morning and know that they will be safe? How do I know that my next trip to the mall… or the grocery store… or the post office… or church will be uneventful?

I know that faith in Christ is the only answer to these questions. I know that He is the only safe haven in this messed up world we live in. I know this. But why is it so hard at times to have faith? I know that I have failed Christ so many times. I have not been the person that I was raised to be. I have failed my children by not setting the best Christian example for them. I know all this can change. I know that faith can grow. I know that I can turn everything around and try to do what’s right.

I believe that there is power in prayer. I’ve seen it work in my own life. What this world needs is prayer.

Prayers for a better tomorrow… prayers for a better world for our children… prayers for understanding and peace.
~jen

Cadenisms 1 and 2

Cadenism #1

Last week Caden went on a field trip with his pre-school to go Christmas shopping for all of us (Mike, Cody, Boomer, and I). I had been reminding Caden before the shopping trip that he has to keep his gifts a secret. He can't tell us what he got us. Mike said when he picked him up from pre-K last week that Caden started telling him what he got me, Cody, and Boomer. But he didn't tell what he got Mike. Mike said that Caden got really quiet for a few minutes and he asked Mike all serious like... "Dad, do you drink coffee?" Mike asked "why do you want to know?"... and Caden said... "I just want to know if you drink coffee... that's all." Mike said "no" and Caden replied with "oh" and nothing else was said about the coffee issue.

Caden brought home is wrapped gifts today. He was so excited to place them under our tree. He began telling me that he got Boomer a bone. He held up my gift and said "this one is for you" and smiled. He then brought me Mike's gift and asked... "Mom, does Daddy drink coffee?". I told him no, that Daddy doesn't drink coffee. The saddest look came over his face. "But I got Daddy a coffee cup for Christmas." I assured him that Mike could put his pens in it or even some candy in it and keep it on his desk at work. This seemed to make Caden happy. Boy... I swear Mike better make the biggest fuss over that coffee cup on Christmas morning!

Cadenism #2

Mike and I have been "warning" Caden a lot lately that Santa only comes to see good boys and girls. We've even had to take it a bit further because Caden has been going through a very stubborn streak lately and we've had to "warn" Caden that Mommy and Daddy will start taking his gifts away (yes... I know it's horrible... but one can only deal with Caden up to a point before you start using the threats... aka "warnings"!)
Today Caden brought home his gifts for us and placed them under our tree. This afternoon, I overheard Mike getting onto Caden about something he was doing. Of course Caden became upset and replied to Mike... "That's not nice, Daddy." (This is Caden's new response when someone is getting onto him... "you're not nice".) Caden finished the comment with... "If you are not nice to me, I am going to take your gift away!" He was so matter of fact and very serious. I guess what goes around comes around!

Tagged

I've been tagged by Renay. I had to come up with an adjective for each letter of my middle name that describes me. It wasn't easy... but here's what I've come up with!

Mother; I love being a mom to my boys. I am such a cheerleader mom and I love supporting everything that the boys are involved in!

Indecisive; This is probably the one trait that Mike dislikes the most. As hard as I try to be in control of everything, I usually don’t know what I am doing until the very last minute and I’ve usually changed my mind at least 5 times before the final decision.

Caring; I think I am caring. I hope it shows to those who know me (and those who don’t).

Hugger; I am a hugger. You’re getting a hug whether you want one or not! I make sure to give both boys a hug everyday. Cody puts up a fight, but usually I can sneak one in!

Emotional; I tend to be very emotional at times. It usually occurs at a certain time of the month (if you know what I mean); but can occur at anytime, too! I'm one of those that has to have a good cry every few months... just to get it out of my system!

Loved; I know that I am loved by many.

Love to talk; I love to talk. I can talk to Renay 5 times a day, about nothing. I need details, though. Thank goodness I have Renay, because Mike and Cody are not detail-talkers!

Eager; I am so eager for Christmas to get here. I love the holidays. I love making all my favorite snack-foods for our Christmas Eve get-together, decorating cookies with my boys and my nieces and nephews, the laughter of family, the games, the twinkle of Christmas lights, watching Christmas Vacation for the 100th time, and watching everyone open their gifts.

Now, I am supposed to tag someone else... and since the only 2 people I know who have blogs have already been tagged.... I guess the game ends with me! More of you need to start blogging! :)

~jen

A Very Sad Day for the Conrad Family

Yesterday Mike and I learned that his uncle, Dick Conrad, collapsed and was taken to the hospital. He had been ill for some time now. He passed away late this afternoon.

My heart aches for this family… for his wife, for their children, and their spouses and children. I cannot even imagine the hurt they have right now. As sad as I am at this moment, I know it does not even compare to their pain.

When I became a Conrad, I gained another family (a very large family). As the years have passed, the relationships that I have with Mike’s family have grown stronger. I love each of them as much as my own family. To the Conrad’s reading this… I hope you know just how much I care for you and for your family.

Dick will be missed by many. I will miss his smile and his laughter.

Prayers for the entire Conrad family would be appreciated.

~Jennifer