Our latest family pictures

Birthday Pictures

Last Sunday we had Caden's birthday party at the golf club. We intended on it being a swimming party, but the weather didn't cooperate. All day long I watched the clouds build and just as soon as the kids jumped in the pool, the thunder and lightening began! That's the last outdoor party I plan! Here's some pictures of the party:




For Caden's actual birthday we had a birthday breakfast, complete with a birthday donut-cake. That's a huge donut!

Hopefully he enjoyed his 6th birthday! :)

~jen

Happy Birthday Sweet Caden!

My baby turned six today. How time passes too quickly. We had a birthday breakfast this morning, complete with a birthday donut "cake" (pictures to come later... it's been a terribly long day!). Hopefully Caden thought today was special even though it was a crazy day crammed full of errands and what-nots! :)
~jen

What else??

I'm afraid to even ask the question. One would think that we have had enough with the AC saga. Now lets add a broken garage door and a shattered window. Both happened today within 30 minutes of each other. I don't have a clue on how either one happened. All I know is that I can't shut my garage door and one of our beautiful double-pane windows with blinds in-between the glass is completely shattered. I can still hear the tiny crackling of the glass. What else?
~jen

The AC Saga Has Ended!!!

We finally have a working air conditioner. I could have cried as I walked into my house from Cody's golf tournament realizing that it is a cool, 71 degrees right now... which, honestly, it is down-right chilly! I guess since we've been living with indoor temperatures hovering around 86 for 14 days, it's going to take some time to adjust!

I am so thankful that this is behind us and that the issue was finally resolved. It should have never lasted as long as it did, but it's over now. For those of you who live close by, be sure and call me so I can tell you who not to use to service your AC or heating units! :)

Thank you for your prayers and calls. Dad, thanks for answering my many questions about air conditioners. Rebecca and Toby, thanks for your offers to stay the night. I really appreciate everything.

~jen

Happy Father's Day!

A Father means so many things...

A understanding heart,

A source of strength and of support

Right from the very start.

A constant readiness to help

In a kind and thoughtful way.

With encouragement and forgiveness

No matter what comes your way.

A special generosity and always affection, too

A Father means so many things

When he's a man like you...

~Author Unknown~

Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love you so very much. Thank you for being such a wonderful father to BJ and I. Thank you for being such a wonderful grandfather to Cody and Caden. But most importantly, thank you for always loving Mom and taking such good care of her.

~Jennifer

All is ...not... well

The AC guy arrived with a new compressor. However, after installing it, he discovered that it was only part of the problem. After running the AC for 30 minutes, he noticed that part of the line was freezing up. According to him, this is due to shoddy workmanship on some duct work from the previous owners... that we now get to fix ourselves. It's not covered under the home warranty. AND... if the compressor goes out again because of the current duct problem, a new compressor won't be covered under our home warranty.

So... basically that leaves us with still no air conditioner. We can run it for 30-40 mins at night only, but each time we run it we take a chance of freezing up the line and blowing out the new compressor. We can't afford to take that chance. I could literally cry right now. We have endured a temperature of 85+ inside our house for over a week now. For those who live here, you know how hot and windy it has been lately. I haven't gone to bed earlier than midnight-1:00 since last Monday. My stomach aches. My head hurts. The kids complain that it's so hot. My house has a musty smell now. I can't cook at night, the laundry room is like a sauna whenever I do laundry. I'm going to cry.

I know there are so many other "wrongs" in the world right now, much worse than us not having a working air conditioner... but please say a prayer for us.

~jen

Prayer Request

My cousin and his wife had a baby girl 8 weeks too soon earlier today. Please remember them in your prayers. A long road is ahead of them.
Thanks,
jen

First Major Issue with the New House

Well... it happened. Something within the house broke. 56 days into the American dream... we haven't even made a payment (making that check out tonight)... and a major appliance within our home goes kaput. You might be wondering to yourself... what could it be? What valuable, much-needed appliance could it be?

Here's some hints...
It was 106 degrees yesterday (which by the way was 2 degrees from the hottest ever recorded high temp for the city; according to Doppler Dave).
It was 100 degrees today.
It is supposed to be 102 tomorrow.
This appliance provides much needed relief from 100+ degree temps.
This appliance causes our electricity bill to skyrocket during 100+ degree temps.
This appliance is well-missed right now!

Are you figuring this out?

Yes... you guessed it. That major appliance that decided to go kaput during the hottest first few days of June in history is our air conditioner.

The compressor is ruined... no longer with us... cooled it's last house. The kicker is that the AC repair guy tells me after a thorough diagnosis that it will be A WEEK TO A WEEK AND A HALF until he can get a new compressor in and installed. I know my jaw dropped to the floor when he told me that. I looked at him with what I am sure was a dumbfound expression of "WHAT?".

After he left and I slowly began to process what he had just told me, I called and complained to the home warranty company. Hopefully we will have this resolved tomorrow and will be able to find another contractor who can install a new compressor much sooner.

Please think of us as you sit in your comfortable homes cooled to a crisp 72 degrees (or lower), while our thermostat reads 82 degrees at 9:20 at night!

:)
~jen

Random Post

It amazes me how certain smells can take me back to a certain time or place...

Here's my favorite (and peculiar) smells and memories...

-Fresh Tar: Reminds me of Six Flags

-Super Bubble Bubble Gum: Sunday mornings on the Joy Bus in Electra, Texas

-Tabu Perfume: A hug from my Great-grandmother, Wylie

-Fried biscuits shaped into donuts: Sunday mornings before worship at Grandma and Pa's church in Electra, Texas

-Hawaiian Tropic tanning oil: All those summers laying out by the pool

-Perm: My granny's beauty shop behind her house

-Moth balls: Grandma's toy closet in the spare bedroom in her old house in Electra. (Grandma is a firm believer in the power of a moth ball!)

-Lake water: All those summers at Lake Diversion

-Old Spice: A hug from my dad. (Not sure if he still wears Old Spice!)

-Fresh Mint: Our first house in Amarillo. There were mint plants on the side of the house.

-Mountain air: Many summers at Pine Spring Christian Summer Camp.

-Noxema: Sunburns

-Apricots: Mom's apricot pie

This list could probably go on and on. It's amazing though how a certain smell can take you back years! Love those memories!

~jen

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

Home safe...

Cody arrived home safely Sunday afternoon from the Lakers/Nuggets game. He said he had a blast. He and his friend had a great weekend together. A big thank you to Russell for taking them and bringing them home safely.

Cody brought a few things home. He bought a new Lakers shirt, they got a T-shirt and headband from the game, and then he also brought home... pink eye. Lovely.

Mike took him to the doctor yesterday. He started on some drops and also got an antibiotic for his respiratory infection.

I'm watching Caden pretty closely. Pink eye usually makes it's way through all the family members! I had thought this morning that Caden may have the start of the infection, but his eyes are clear this afternoon. I decided to keep him at home with me today instead of possibly spreading the infection to his pre-K classmates.

That's all the latest for now... :)

~jen

Prayer Request

Russell (Mike's brother), Cody, and a friend of Cody's will be traveling over the weekend to Denver to attend a Nuggets and Lakers basketball game on Saturday afternoon. Please pray that they will have a safe trip.
Thanks...
~jen

Revenge of the Bird

Mike called my cell phone 3 times in a row yesterday afternoon. I had it on vibrate and if it's in my jacket pocket, I don't always feel it vibrating. On the third call, I felt it vibrate and once I could get away I noticed he had been trying to call a few times. He knew I was at work, so I knew he would only call if it was something very important... like the kids are hurt or something worse.

I called him back and immediately asked "what's wrong?". He responds-somewhat out of breath- "I just about had a heart-attack!". I'm thinking... a real heart-attack, do I need to call an ambulance... what's going on!? I asked him if he was ok and his reply... "yeah, after almost being attacked by a bird in our house... I'm ok!". My response... "WHAT??? WHY IS THERE A BIRD IN OUR HOUSE? PLEASE DON'T TELL ME THERE IS BIRD CRAP EVERYWHERE!!!". His response... (much calmer now)... "I got the bird out, but -yes- there is some bird crap (he didn't use the word 'crap') in the kitchen.". My response... "how much bird crap?". Him... "just a little, which by the way... I can't clean up right now because I have to get back to work.". Me... "no, no, no... you need to clean that crap up now.".

Well... guess what I found when I got home.... bird poo (I'll stop using the word 'crap'). But I will confess last night I called it something worse than poo or crap once I discovered just how much "poo" was in my kitchen! (Anyone ready to come over for dinner now?) Then I immediately started thinking about my cream colored carpet... wondering... why is there only bird "poo" in my kitchen? Did the bird magically appear in my kitchen and only poop in there... or is there bird poo elsewhere... blending into my carpet... that I can't see. Believe me, I will probably vacuum my carpets 10 times today!

We have no idea how the bird got in the house. Hopefully it was just a one-time deal and there will be no more unwelcomed guests (of any variety!)

Welcome to home ownership!
:)

~jen

Craft Project

I took a trip to Hobby Lobby this afternoon. I wanted to just look... but you know how that usually turns out. Looking turns into putting something in your basket to think about while you continue to look. Before you know it you're standing in line with 10 items checking out.

I decided to find something for my kitchen wall. I love pictures. I have boxes of pictures. Nobody ever sees them because they are in boxes. I decided to make a quilted photo board. I don't know what they are really called... that's just what I am calling it. Here's some before and after pictures of my newly decorated wall in the kitchen.

I am planning on re-doing this photo board later. I'm one of those who hurries through the project because I am so excited to see it finished. I need to use a different type of ribbon. This ribbon is very sheer and I am noticing that it is starting to fray where I inserted a tack. Also, I think the next one I make will have a solid back. I used a canvas art frame to stretch the material around. It worked well, it just doesn't give much of a quilted look and the pictures don't stay in place very well. I have too many pictures in this one... I just had a hard time deciding which ones to put in there!

Joys of Home Ec.

Cody had to make some oatmeal cookies for his Home Economics class. It's not called "Home Ec." anymore... it's called Life Management. I wish they had a Life Management class for adults. :)

Here's some pics of him baking away! By the way... the cookies were a little... different. Not horrible, just not a good 'ole oatmeal cookie. These had whole wheat flour, dried apricots, and walnuts in them. I spent $15 on the special ingredients. He made 9 of them. 2 went to his teacher for his grade. I tried one. Mike said "no thanks" after seeing the apricots in them. The other 6 went into the garbage along with the $15 in cookie dough. :)

~jen