A glimpse into our christms....

I hope everyone had a wonderful christmas!! Jonathan we sure did miss you and can not wait for you to get home so that we can have christmas all over again :) Twice in one year, aubrey will be sooo confused :)

Our christmas was WONDERFUL... but extremly busy.... we woke up early and opened presents and rushed over to mom and dads house.... we all got to talk to jonathan on the phone before and after opening presents. We all have so much fun with mawmaw, pawpaw, mamaw, brantley, ronnie, julia, mom, dad, andy,me, aubrey, and emmy. Mom always has all of the stockings laid out with our names on them and filled to the rim! How sad and such a reminder it was to see jonathans stocking still hanging up.... waiting on his return home. Then we all hand out the presents we bought for one another and enjoy each others company! Aubrey still doesnt know what happened yesterday all she knows is that there are toys all over our house and they are ALL for her :)

Andys parents house was nice and relaxing as always. We opened presents had a wonderful lunch and then.....aubrey, oh aubrey :) This may get alittle descriptive so skip to the next paragraph if you have a weak stomache :) You see for about the last 2 weeks we have had to put aubrey on a laxative.... we will just say things have not been working properly. Well at lunch we could all tell that aubrey was "doing her business" and well it started to stink so MarionLynn started to get her up to go change her when my sister-in-law Aby said "I think something is coming out of her pants leg" and HOLY COW was it ever! Attention everyone MiraLax WORKS :) Aubrey just as sweet as she could be just sat in her booster seat as Andy and Jason carried her still strapped in to her booster seat straight to the bath tub where we then SLOWLY peeled her pants off and her socks and shoes which were also contaminated with poo and proceeded to scrub her! We put her pajamas back on her and sent her off to take a nap while the rest of us tried to finish up our dessert and sit back and watch some classic hallmark movies :)

When Aubrey woke up we went to Mamaw's house where my moms side of the family gets together every Christmas Night. We play dirty santa and I have to say it can get PRETTY vicious but that is when it really gets fun ;) We came home put aubrey straight to bed and she did not make a peep until about 9:30 this morning, I was already out shopping but andy was very thrilled with the fact that she let him sleep in as well! I can hear her now waking up from her nap so it is time for my blogging to come to an end! I will try to post some more christmas pictures soon!
Jen

Love you & miss you Jonathan :)

Christmas

It has been quite a while since my last post...... I have gotten in trouble by Jonathan for not posting often enough. So I will try to do better but no promises :)

For the last month Aubrey and I have passed back and forth an awful sounding cough and a runny nose. We are staying inside all day today and trying to get better before christmas....I have a few errands I am going to run this afternoon while she takes her nap and andy is home with her. We are just so busy there is no time to be sick so instead of resting and getting better we just stay busy and sick! We have either gone to someones house or had someone at ours every night this week including tonight we are swapping gifts with Glen and Amy at their house. Now that I have typed all of that out I realize that we are not staying home today and resting :) Oh well, there is just too much to do! I have about 4 more gifts to go buy including andys which he keeps telling me he doesnt want anything! He does it every year and every year I go buy him random things at the last minute that he doesnt even want.... so why will he not just give me a list and let me buy for me!!!! He is such a tight-wad!

I am really excited about christmas day!! I love going over to mom and dad's house we take emmy (our dog) and it is just a mess..... but so much fun and so many memories are made and remembered! Then we will go to andys parents house and make a pretty good mess there also :) And then we will probably all relax and watch tv while aubrey takes her nap, then it is off to Mamaw's house!! I can not even explain what all happens at mamaw's house.....

The day after christmas I will get up VERY early and go to walmart and get all of my christmas supplies for next year! I did that last year and it has been so nice not having to buy 1 roll of wrapping paper or ribbons or boxes. I shouldnt give out my secret... but it is just to good to not share!

But the whole reason for christmas is baby Jesus and sometimes we all get so wrapped up in presents and parties that we forget its not all about those things.... Yes they are fun but the reason for the season is Jesus! Mom has a nativity scene that is aubreys and she loves to carry "bby jsus" around and give him love. It is so sweet and I can not wait for the next couple of christmas's when she really understands who He is! I have to say it is so nice to know that while I am at work all during the week she is still learing about Jesus from her Momma Dee & also from ther Granna. That is priceless! And the best gift of all!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas full of fun and full of lots of lasting memories!

Love you all,

Jen

Photography

For those who do not know mom and I took a photography class not to long ago.... I enjoyed it so much I went out and bought a camera over the weekend. I would love for one day to be a photographer.... but first things first.... :) So I have already taken pictures of my bestfriend amys baby and I have taken pictures for someones christmas cards so..... hopefully I will be able to start a business after I learn alittle bit more! If anyone knows anyone who would like to have there picture made, send them my way :) I thought I would share a few of the pictures I took of Jenna the other day..... I have also been playing with photoshop as you will be able to tell with some of the pictures!!! Feel free to let me know what you think!

Jen

Christmas Card

We had our Christmas Card pictures made last night. We decided to have them made at home and the photographer wanted it to just be natural shots of us getting ready for christmas as a family. I LOVED the idea but I can not say that Aubrey cooroporated (sp?) that well. If our christmas card looks good at all it is all because of the photographer and NONE because of our "natural family"! I am a perfectionist and I knew exactly what pictures I wanted I had all of aubreys wardrobe changes laying out and ready..... we didnt even make it to the last outfit! Maybe next year will be better :) It was fun and it was a memory.... I am thanksful for that :)

Aubrey is learing to sing, you have to understand she is OBSESSED with the tv. It is quite embarrasing when we go to someones house and she runs to the tv and cries when it doesnt get turned on to what she wants to watch. I guess because when she is home she has her veggie tales and Jane and the Dragon and at both sets of grandparents she has her videos, she feels like everywhere she goes ought to have her videos! So anyway.... mom has a kids sing praise video that sings the "Everymove I Make" song.... well the chorus is "na na na na na na na" and aubrey sings that and mom thinks it is precious so she turns it on for her to watch it! At home her favorite is a show called Jan and the Dragon it comes on, Saturday mornings and has a catchy tune so she LOVES it well in the beginning song is sings "hey now hey now now" she has also learned to sing that and expects when she sings it to be able to watch it! I dont know WHY she thinks that when she does something cute she gets her way..... but I do know that her momma dee and papa love her so much and thinks she is soooo cute ;) Coincidance.... I think not

I have been sick the last couple of days, monday I came home from work and I felt all achey like I had been hit by a truck and I was just really sore... So I got home from work at 3:30 and got out of bed the next morning at 6:30..... mom and dad were nice enough to let aubrey spend the night with them because we didnt want aubrey to be around me and catch whatever I had over the holidays. I went ahead and got up and went to work and by the time I got there I thought that I just might fall over dead.... I know alittle dramatic but that is how I felt so I called my Dr. and headed off to see her. I get there and they tell me I have the "crud" did I mention I hate it when Dr.s do not give a diagnosis?!?!? I have just spent and hour in the waiting room, 30 minutes in the operatory and now you are going to tell me to take ibuprofen and get over it! So I drove myself home and crawled back in bed for the rest of the afternoon.....and now here I sit Wednesday morning still not back at work but feeling a little bit better..... with NO thanks to my Dr.! Maybe tomorrow I will post the token thanksgiving post but today I am bitter.....
Love to you all!!!!
Jen
p.s. julia the boiled peanuts are in the crock pot waiting on ronnie.... I hope he likes them :)

Better Hands

I was driving in the car tonight and heard this song on the radio.... I have heard it a million times but tonight I really heard it! It is amazing how all of the sudden God just decides to speak.... Read the lyrics but you need to listen to the song so look it up online and listen it just isnt the same when you are reading you really need to HEAR it!
Natalie Grant
In Better Hands

It's hard to stand on shifting sand
It's hard to shine in the shadows of the night
You can't be free if you don't reach for help
You cant love if you dont love yourself
There is hope when my faith runs out
Cause I'm in better hands now

It's like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down
It's like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground
So take this heart of mine there's no doubt
I'm in better hands now

I am strong all because of you
I stand in awe of every mountain that you move
Oh I am changed, yesterday is gone
I am safe from this moment on
There's no fear when the night comes 'round
I'm in better hands now

It's like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down
It's like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground
So take this heart of mine there's no doubt
I'm in better hands now

It's like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down
It's like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground
Its like the world is silent though I know it isnt true
Its like the breath of Jesus is right here in this room
So take this heart of mine there's no doubt
I'm in better hands now I'm in better hands now

Personal note to Jonathan again : I really thought of you while I was listening to this song.... You are in better hands now! Here at home we have to believe this and over there in iraq you have to believe it! Love you bunches!!!!!
Jen

I have decided that I am not a very good blogger.... I am what most people refer to as a "lurker"
I do not really comment on peoples post but I can assure you I read blogs all day long! I just never really know how to comment or what to comment but I am there.... lurking around every corner! I am much better at just posting some pictures and calling it a day so once again today I am going to share my most recent pictures with everyone. Some of you may not like them very much but if you look past the shirt there is a beautiful little girl :)



I can not believe how fast she is growing up..... I look at these pictures and compare them to just a month ago, she is totally different! She can say her own name.... it is so cute, you have got to hear it she even gets the "brey" I was always afraid it would be aubey but it is definatly aubrey! Her little personality shows so much independance but at the same time so much need. I know she is only 18 months old but if you spend a day with her there are times you would think she was so much older. When we tell her it is time to say the blessing at the dinner table she reaches out to grab our hands it just makes me melt! "Holding hands was always a Warren tradition at the dinner table" She can say amen at the end..... so much I could tell you that she has learned but you would probably get pretty bored! And just so you know julia.... when you come next week you are STILL Aunt DooDoo so you have alot of work in store for you :)
On another note, Jonathan you are in my thoughts and prayers ALL the time, we miss you and can not wait to see you! Please remember to be careful.... I know I shouldnt have to remind you of that but hey you are the guy that blew your eye up with a potato gun so I really dont think you could be reminded to much :) Remember also, "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord "plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all you heart." Jeremiah 29 11-13 Never stop seeking.... pray without ceasing! We love you SOOOO much and can not wait to talk to you soon!
Jen

My little bug :)

I just thought I would share some of my pictures of aubrey in her halloween costume :) I have to admit she made a pretty darn cute bug :)

Excuse This House

Excuse This House

Author: Unknown

Some houses try to hide the fact

That children shelter there,

Ours boasts it quite openly,

The signs are everywhere.

For smears are on the windows,

Little smudges are on the doors

I should apologize, I guess

For toys strew on the floor.

But I sat down with my child

And we played and laughed and read

And if the doorbell doesn’t shine,

Her eyes will shine instead.

For when at times I’m forced to choose

The one job or the other,

I’d like to cook and clean and scrub,

But first I’ll be a mother.

Sick....

So, aubrey has her first fever EVER! She is 17 months old and has never been sick besides a stuffy nose or something..... so I know it is a total blessing to not have a child that is sick every other week but at the same time I am not prepared! AAHHHH!!!! I ran to get the ibuprofen, GONE so then I ran to get the tylenol, GONE! WHAT!!! Andy is now at walmart looking for both so I can wake her up and give her some medicine. I know this will probably come back to bite me in the butt but she was acting like such a snuggly sweetheart tonight and as much as I do not want her to be sick I could have just held her forever! Now at 2 in the morning when she wants me to hold her it may be another story..... I will fill you in tomorrow on how the night goes :) I just wanted to share aubreys milestone with everyone!
Jen

Rascal Flatts

Me, Andy, Mickey ( A girl I work with), and Rob (her husband) all went to see Kelly Pickler and Rascal Flatts last night! It was a GREAT concert! Andy and I will be married for 4 years on November the 1st so we decided to use that as a excuse to buy the tickets with money that we dont have :) We have never really bought presents for each other for that very reason so it felt kindof good to splurge alittle on ourselves. Maybe for the 5 year anniversary we can go on a fun trip or something!
Andy is such a sweety though he is not a music guy AT ALL! But he went along with me and stood up with me and clapped and acted like he had a good time ( I really think he enjoyed it although he may never admit it! ) I am pretty much crazy for Rascal Flatts I have all of there cds and aubrey and I like to listen to them REAL loud in the car! I sing and she stares at me HaHa I am sure one day she will sing right along with me! Anyways speaking of Aubrey!
She is really starting to talk alot more she tries to copy alot of what I say some of it comes out right some of it is TOTALLY wrong but she tries so hard. It is so neat to see her growing up and growing into her own little personality! I think my whole life my mom and dad prayed that I would have a child just like me and so I have aubrey who is an anwer to my parents prayers! Thanks mom and dad! :) One of the things that we really are working on is JuJu for her Aunt Julia well.... right now it is coming out DooDoo which julia LOVES by the way.... personally I think it is darn cute but julia doesnt want that to stick as her nickname, I can not imagine why! She is really getting Jon-Jon down pretty good which is so sweet....
Anyway enough rambling, andy is at the Calera football game tonight I went out to eat with mom and dad and now I am back home aubrey is in bed and there is nothing on tv so I thought I would blog alittle.... sorry if I bored ya!
Jen

Photography Class

Mom and I are taking a photographing children course at Jeff State and our home work for this week was to take a close up pictures and pictures with simple back grounds. I have had a really hard time getting close ups just because it is hard to get a 17 month old to sit still long enough to get the picture but now that I have sat down and started editing my pictures I have realized that I was so focused on getting the close up, I do not have any simple back grounds! So I need to get started on that now I guess since my class is tuesday! Anyway I will be sharing my photos from week to week and I would really like opinons on what everyone thinks! Since I do not have simple back ground yet today will just be of my close up shots!

Hope you enjoy!

Jen

Tired....

Aubrey was up ALOT last night..... alittle bit of a reminder that I am not ready for a new born :) Anyways.... so since she got up a million times she was tired and cranky this morning and so was I! The two of us butted heads half the morning until andy and I decided to clean out our front bed room and then it was like a magical world up in the spare bed room! She played in a cardboard box and found her old toys that she had outgrown, ie. her walker. As much as I love my little me I really hope that God blesses me with a little andy next.... one of my personalities is enought around here and now God has thrown in my sweet little aubrey who acts just like me and who I can not communicate real well with yet! I think that is our biggest problems these days I know what I want to tell her but she doesnt understand and she knows what she wants to tell me but I do not understand so she winds up screaming at me! It is a continuous cycle that I hope comes to an end very soon. Poor andy he is just stuck in the middle getting orders from both of us now :) All that to say aubrey is now down for her afternoon nap and so I think I will go curl up in bed and watch a movie while andy watches his football. I pray she naps better than she slept last night!
Jen

Our Soldier

A Soldier

There is discipline in A Soldier

you can see it when he walks,

There is honor in A Soldier

you hear it when he talks.

There is courage in A Soldier

you can see it in his eyes,

There is loyalty in A Soldier

that he will not compromise.

There is something in A Soldier

that makes him stand apart,

There is strength in A Soldier

that beats from his heart.

A Soldier isn't a title any man can be hired to do,

A Soldier is the soul of that man

buried deep inside of you.

A Soldier's job isn't finished after

an 8 hour day or a 40 hour week,

A Soldier is always A Soldier

even while he sleeps.

A Soldier serves his country first

and his life is left behind,

A Soldier has to sacrifice

what comes first in a civilian's mind.

If you are civilian -I am saying this to you.....

next time you see A Soldier

remember what they do.

A Soldier is the reason our land

is 'Home of the free',

A Soldier is the one that is brave protecting you and me.

If you are A Soldier -I am saying this to you.....

Thank God for EVERY SOLDIERThank God for what YOU do!

Just getting started

I figured since the rest of my family is getting into this blog stuff I might as well... I mean I am just as interesting as the next person right? Well you will find out soon enough!