Cardboard Testimony

Last week I received an email from our church. Included was a link to a video posted to YouTube. This video was from a service a few weeks ago. It was an amazing video that brought me to tears. We were not in attendance that Sunday because Caden and I were not feeling well.

After watching the video I was disappointed that we were not there. I can only imagine what it would have been like to see this part of the sermon in person.

Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ

So after watching the video again this afternoon (I received an email from a friend with the video attached) I began thinking about my own cardboard testimony. What would mine say? I’d have several, but here are the ones that stand out the most:

Pregnant before marriage…. Forgiven thru His mercy and grace

Failed my family, my children, and my friends… making a commitment to renew my spirituality

I don’t know how to end this post. I don’t know what words to say. I hope the video was worthy of your time. Hopefully it will help us all grow in some way.

~jen

Last days...

Where to begin…

Last Wednesday Crockett held its 8th grade Awards Assembly. Cody was awarded the President’s Educational Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement. I am also proud to tell you that he received a “Commended Performance” on 3 out of 4 of his TEKS exams this year. We are so proud of how Cody has excelled this year; not only academically, but in football, basketball, and golf as well. As this school year comes to a close and Cody graduates from Middle School, I still can’t believe that he will be entering high school this fall. Wow. Where has time gone?

Last week was Caden’s last week at Kid University Pre-school. I can’t believe how quickly a year passes. We’ve seen such tremendous growth in this precious child. We watched him write his name backwards (nedac) to being able to write perfectly, Caden Thomas Conrad! He’s learned so much at school this year and we are so very thankful to his teachers, Ms. Keri and Ms. Teresa. Never once did I worry about Caden while he was in their care. I knew he was going to be taken care of, loved, and that he would be treated like one of their own. Thank you, Keri and Teresa for a wonderful year. We’ve loved every minute of pre-school!

Last Thursday night Caden graduated from Pre-school. It was an emotional evening. The tears started as I walked into the auditorium 10 minutes before the ceremony even began! It was a special ceremony, one that I won’t forget. It’s hard to believe that my precious baby will be 6 years old next month. It seems like it was just yesterday that we were preparing for his arrival. Now we are preparing for Kindergarten! How time flies….

Here are some pictures of the graduation ceremony:

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday dear Mom,
Happy Birthday dear Mom,
Happy Birthday dear Mom,
Happy Birthday to you!

I love you and wish I was there with you!

Love,
~jennifer

Here's the latest with us....

Sorry for the delay in posts. It's been a crazy few days/weeks lately. Here's the latest:
Mike took his trip to San Diego last week and made it home safely Saturday evening.

I am doing a little better from my recent illness (bronchitis). I'm still not 100%, still coughing quite a bit and still run down. Hopefully I'll get better soon.

Caden seems to have caught my bug. He's coughing, running a fever, and looks like he doesn't feel too well.

Cody's doing fine. Itching for summer to get here. Only 3 more weeks until school's out!

Here are a couple of prayer requests...

-My mom has not been feeling well for some time. Mom, I love you and I hope and pray you are better soon.

-My grandfather (Dad's side of the family) had a heart stent today in Denton. Everything went well and he should be going home from the hospital tomorrow.

-Mike's grandmother is in the hospital here in Amarillo.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's day yesterday. I received some roses from Mike and the boys earlier last week. It was a wonderful surprise. (By the way, that's 2 years in a row for flowers on Mother's Day! I'm liking the trend that's being set!!) Thanks, Mom and Dad for the purse. It's really cute.

Guess this is all for now. Nothing too exciting going on here. Just trying to get well and keep everyone well.

:)

~jen

New Job Day 6

Well... it's been 2 weeks since I started my new job and I have to say... I love it! It is a crazy, fun-filled, exciting, learn something new every day kind of job! The 12+ hour shifts are hard. We stay until the last patient is seen and on most nights I have been home by 8:45. Tonight, it was 9:15... but that's ok because I am off tomorrow! The good thing is I just work 3 shifts a week... so it's not that bad. Everyday I see something new. Everyday I say a prayer for both my boys when I see a teenager or small child come in because they've smashed their fingers, or stepped on a nail, or flew off their bike and skid across the pavement. Today I had to give a little 6 year old a shot... today was her birthday. What a way to spend your birthday! We both were in tears by the end of it! All was made somewhat better with a snack and juice box, though.

I learned today that my fellow co-workers have a bet as to when I will break. They seem to be waiting for me to snap at a patient, doctor, or even one of them! Well, I'll show them. I'm stronger than they think! I'll just keep smiling... :)

I am really excited to continue to see these relationships form between my co-workers. There are some really great, fun, love-their-job, people working in this office!

All in all... I really have enjoyed these past 2 weeks. It's been hard, but a great learning experience. Everyday I see something new (and totally out of my comfort zone), but each day it's getting a little easier.

The boys seem to be adjusting to the change. Cody's accepted more responsibility at home and has done a great job of watching Caden a few evenings.

Everything seems to be going well so far!

Our biggest challenge will occur next week as Mike leaves us on Wednesday for a business trip to San Diego, California. He will be gone until next Saturday. He is going to the Honda Car Show with the owner of the dealership that Mike works at. I would really like to go with him (which is not an option) because the entertainer of the car show is Reba McEntire. Man... would I love to go to one of her concerts! He's already told me twice how excited he is to go! (Not really... if he could find a way to skip out on it he would, but since the boss is there... he'd better not!)

2 weeks later he has a 3 day trip to Dallas. He's going to be super busy this month. Hopefully we will be able to survive while he's gone. Luckily, I've been able to work my schedule around his so that I will be home to get the boys to and from their activities while he is away.

Guess this is all the latest with us. It's so late. I am so very tired... I'm going to bed. It will be morning before I know it! Maybe a nap will be possible tomorrow afternoon! :)

Bye for now....
~jen