Well, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I have so much fun stuff to post..pics and videos. Chloe has been quite a little entertainer lately. Blake and I are in Atlanta right now visiting our great Friends Allen and Mallory. I hope to post some new pics when I return! I wanted to wish every one a safe and HAPPY New Year!

Here's to a FABULOUS 2009 with lots of surprises and enjoyment! xoxo

Blog Makeover Giveaway!

I read loads of Wonderful (and wonderfully designed) Blogs on a daily basis...well, I would love to have a complete makeover to mine! Don't get me wrong, I think my blog is pretty fabulous, but, Fabulous K Designs could make it that much better! Go check out her blog HERE! Don't forget to enter to win! Happy Holidays!!

This weekend was pretty low key...which I have to say...I was A-OK with!! Blake and I have 4 Christmas Party's to attend this week so I wanted all of us to get rest before the craziness began!

Anyway, we stayed in Friday night. Saturday morning, I had a Junior Auxiliary event to attend--Our Annual Gingerbread Party--it was very moving to be apart of that event this year. Basically, we along with various other banks, schools, etc. in town adopted several families in Clarksville. These families came and enjoyed time with Santa, Breakfast, and Presents. It was great to know that we were helping them have a good Christmas. After that, I shopped around with Brittnye while Blake and Steve watched Chloe and some football :) We had a quick dinner at Outback, which was fun as always with Brittnye and Steven, and then we headed home.

Sunday, Cole (co-worker of ours) and Lane (one of our oldest friends) came over to have a shrimp boil. It was so good...shrimp, potatoes, corn, onions...YUM. Later that night, we went to Kevin and Ashley's house to have a play date with Addison and Jack! The kids had a great time and we got to have some fun girl time while the boys watched football. Does football ever end?? All-in-all--a great weekend :)

Picture 1--the kids enjoying some coloring time!
Picture 2--Jack and Addison
Picture 3--Chloe opening her present from Addison (they are 1 day apart so their birthday party's fell on the same day this year)...hey, we are only 3 months late in exchanging presents :) It could have been worse. Both girls got baby dolls...which they made Adrienne and I open immediately so they could play with them :) So Sweet!!

Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body~Elizabeth Stone

Fun Night with Friends

Over the Thanksgiving Holiday, several of our friends came in from out of town. We met them out for a night on the town. I love those kind of nights because it takes me back, if only for a few hours, to high school and college. I would not trade my life for the world, but sometimes it is nice to feel like we did when we were younger! Uncle Al and Aunt Mal, we love you both so much and can't wait to see you both soon! :) Wesley, Tasha, Libby, and Wade: it was great to see you all too! We need to have another fun night out ASAP!!

ELMO: When I Grow Up!

Okay, I know you all having been sitting at the edge of your seats waiting for this post...just kidding. Last weekend, Blake and I took Chloe to Elmo Live in Nashville. I am so glad we did. She had an amazing time. We had great seats too. We were so close to the stage that we could basically touch the characters when they came off the stage. We were seated in the middle of the row, which at first bummed me out, but then once Chloe realized that the characters would come close, she was not so happy. She liked seeing them on the stage, but when they would come down into the crowd, she would tense up. She did really well though. Those things with a 2 year old are always hit or miss. Next time they come, we will definitely go! Here are some pics from our adventure :) Oh, while there we, well I, thought it would be a nice gesture to get Chloe an Elmo balloon...this place knows how to work it. During the intermission, they brought out what looked like a 100 Elmo balloons...of course, the kids go crazy. Well, Blake takes Chloe up there to get one. When he comes back, he said "if they come out with Big Bird balloons, we are not getting one...this one was $8." $8 for a balloon...that is highway robbery! The things we do for our kids :)

Happy Turkey Day (WAY Late)

Well, the title of this post shows you HOW FAR BEHIND I am in posting. Thanksgiving was great...good food and low key...just how I like it. We headed over to Don and Sandy's in the AM to eat, watch football, and visit. My Dad came with us as well...which made me so happy. Chloe decided that day that her new favorite person was Uncle Scott. She just adores him. Every time we drive by Casey and Scott's house, she will say "KK and Scott's house...Basketball Game..." She loves going to Uncle Scott's Basketball games....I think it has something to do with the fact that her friend Jack is always there too! After lots of food and a few good naps, we headed home. My Mom came over that night and hung out for a bit too. All in all, a great day!

When the Music Stopped

I know we all get forwards on a daily basis. I got this one today and it really spoke to me. Hope you enjoy it too:

For those who are unaware, at a theater on a military post or base, the National Anthem is played before every movie.

When the music stopped: from a Chaplain in Iraq

I recently attended a showing of 'Superman 3', here at LSA Anaconda. We have a large auditorium we use for movies, as well as memorial services and other large gatherings. As is the custom back in the States, we stood and snapped to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature. All was going as planned until about three-quarters of the way through The National Anthem the music stopped. Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments; and everyone would sit down and call for a movie. Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place. Here, the 1,000 Soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again. The Soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. And again, at the same point, the music stopped. What would you expect to happen? Even here I would imagine laughter, as everyone finally sat down and expected the movie to start. But here, you could have heard a pin drop. Every Soldier continued to stand at attention. Suddenly there was a lone voice, then a dozen, and quickly the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off: 'And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.' It was the most inspiring moment I have had here in Iraq. I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you here. Remember them as they fight for you! Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. For many have already paid the ultimate price. Written by Chaplain Jim Higgins. LSA Anaconda is at the Ballad Airport in Iraq, north of Baghdad

I am WAY behind...

Okay, I have been WAY behind on posting. I have lots to update....mainly, we had a fun adventure to "ELMO: When I Grow Up!!" Chloe had a great time! I will attempt to post pictures and updates on Monday! Until then...have a HAPPY WEEKEND :)

My First Baby

Finally one that is different! Here you go mommies - a different kind of tag for a change - it's all about you and your first baby!

1. Were you married at the time? yes

2. What were your reactions when you found out you were pregnant? shocked and kind of scared (to be honest)

3. How old were you? 22

4. How did you find out you were pregnant? pregnancy test at home

5. Who did you tell first? Blake was with me when I took the test

6. Did you want to find out the sex? of course...have to plan!

7. Due date? September 11, 2006

8. Did you deliver early or late? 5 days early (I was induced)

9. Did you have morning sickness? none at all...I was lucky!!

10. What did you crave? salad (in the beginning..specifically Olive Garden salad)

11. Who irritated you the most? no comment :)

12. What was your first child's sex? girl

13. How many pounds did you gain throughout the pregnancy? 45 lbs (YIKES)

14. Did you have any complications during your pregnancy? my fluids got really low towards the end of the pregnancy, that is why I had to go on bed rest and ended up being induced

15. Where did you give birth? Gateway

16. How many hours were you in labor? 21 hours (give or take)

17. Who drove you to the hospital? Blake

18. Who watched? Blake

19. Was it natural or c-section? C-Section

20. Did you take medicine to ease the pain? Ummmm...YES!!

21. How much did your child weigh? 7 lbs 2 oz.

22. What did you name him/her? Chloe Elizabeth

23. How old is your first born today? 2 years and almost 3 months

I tag all Mommies :)

My Sweet Girl

Okay, I got this fun hat over the weekend...well, I guess Chloe really liked it. She wore it all over the house. It was the sweetest thing. She definitely wants to be just like Mommy!

As most of you know, Chloe has an obsession with Elmo. She recently found this Elmo stuffed animal. She took it riding on her horsey and also put him in timeout. When Elmo was in timeout, she kept telling him "NO" and "Sit Down"...I wonder where she learned that from :)

Last night, Chloe helped me put up our Christmas Trees. She was such a big helper. For our downstairs tree, I bought unbreakable ornaments so that she could help and it would not matter if they dropped. She is so gentle and sweet. She delicately put all of her ornaments on the tree and then would come and ask me for another! I love that she is now at an age where she can be vocal about her wants and needs!

Let's Go Titans

This past Sunday, Blake and I got the opportunity to go to the Titans Game with Blake's Parents and the Blackstons! We has so much fun. It has been quite some time since we have gone to a game. Unfortunately, we must have been bad luck for our home team because they lost their first game this season. I am not sure what happened...maybe Brett Favre got to them...who knows!?! We tailgated for about an hour before the game...thankfully it was not too cold that day. The Titans play this Thursday so hopefully they will show up and give us another WIN!!

Birthday Fun

This past Saturday, Chloe and I went to Cadence's 2nd Birthday. Her Mom and Dad (Lesley and David) threw a fun filled Curious George Party! The kids had a ball. They make little Curious George Puppets...so fun! Chloe loves to color so she was in hog heaven. Cadence definitely cleaned up...she got loads of fun goodies :) Here are a few pics to enjoy...

The last two pictures are of Miss Cadence. 1-Being cool with her shades; 2-Blowing out her 2 candles :)

Jekyll and Hyde...

I have a ton of new pics to post....life has been crazy as ususal at the Jenkins House. Here are a few pictures of my daughter being Jekyll and Hyde....seriously, this happened within a 5 minute time period. Toddlers are so funny. By the way, she is in time out in the second picture if you can't tell! :)

Yes! Another Tag...You Know You Love It!

type only one word for each answer:

1. Where is your cell phone? desk

2. Your significant other? working

3. Your hair? growing

4. Your mother? fun

5. Your father? strong

6. Your favorite thing? chloe

7. Your dream last night? peaceful

8. Your favorite drink? sweet-tea

9. Your dream/goal? SAHM

10. The room you're in? office

11. Your fear? tons

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? home

13. Where were you last night? clarksville

14. What you're not? mean

15. Muffins/donuts? donuts

16. One of your wish list items? ??

17. Where you grew up? clarksville

18. The last thing you did? meeting

19. What are you wearing? khakis

20. Your TV? off

21. Your pet? riley

22. Your computer? warm

23. Your life? blessed

24. Your mood? distracted

25. Missing someone? yes

26. Favorite pastime? reading

27. Something you're not wearing? socks

28. Favorite Store? target

29. Your summer? short

30. Your favorite color? red

31. When is the last time you laughed? today

32. Last time you cried? awhile

33. Who will re-post this? anyone

34. Four places I go over and over? walmart, J&W, riteaid, daycare

35. Four people who e-mail me? brittnye, mom, dad, casey

36. Four of my favorite foods? potatoes, dessert, salad, salsa

37. Four places I would like to be right now? ny, florida, california, home

38. Four people I tag? laura, casey, kelly b., shelby

Oh, the Drama

Well, a little update. Yesterday was Chloe's picture day at her Daycare, the Mulberry Bush. Well, I did not pick up Chloe from Daycare yesterday because I hosted my monthly book club at my house last night. Anyway, Sandy (aka Grandy) picked her up. Come to find out...when it came time to smile, she was not into it. They changed her into her pretty dress and hair bow, and she decided she did not want to cooperate.

Well, the great thing is that we have just recently had her 2 year old pictures taken by our favorite Clarksville Photographer...Lashonda McGregor. You can check out her work here. Chloe's gallery is up and ready to be viewed. I would love opinions on which one is your favorite. I will have to say that I am thrilled Lashonda was able to get these pictures...Chloe WAS NOT a cooperative child during our two sessions (well, she was better the second time around).

To view the gallery, go to Lashonda's link above and ENTER SITE. Then click on CLIENTS. Chloe's password is chloefall1. Let me know what you think! It is always so hard for me to choose!

Oh, just so you know, Chloe generally loves the camera....Can't you tell:

Hair Trim

Last night Chloe and I went over to our favorite hairstylists house for a bang trim. Bless Laura for always cutting my family's hair at odd hours of the night. (You can check out Laura's blog here. There is always something fun going on with the Richards' Clan). She is so great to us...she generally cuts Blake's hair after he gets off of work...at 8pm!! Now that is service! The whole way there, Chloe kept saying "Leila's house, Leila's house." She was so excited to go and see the kids, but once we got there, she turned into her shy self! Chloe had school pictures today so I had to make sure her bangs were nice and pretty. It has been a little while since she has had a full hair cut...I am currently trying to grow it out. So far so good!

I forgot to mention that Laura keeps Chloe still by letting her play with the squirt bottle. What this results in is a big wet mess. Thankfully Laura is relaxed and does not mind...yesterday Chloe gave the mirror and the floor a good cleaning...well, it was soaked anyway!

Murder Mystery Party...

Okay, I have been a slacker when it comes to posting...I was doing so good there for about half a minute :0) A few weekends ago, Blake and I went to a Murder Mystery Party. It was so fun. It was basically a live version of Clue. A few weeks prior to the party, Blake and I got separate envelopes in the mail with instructions and a character synopsis. I was the sister of the deceased and Blake was his life long butler. We arrived at the Party...in full character of course...and were given another envelope. This one had money to bribe with and questions to ask certain people (in order to get more information). The ultimate goal, of course, was to figure out "WHO DUNNIT." It was quite fun I must admit. During the evening, there was actually another murder committed, which provided a nice twist. In the end, the Chauffeur was the murderer. It was good times!

On another good note, I have almost all of my Christmas shopping done! Just so you know...this is a HUGE accomplishment for me. I am usually a late shopper...like the week before Christmas shopper :)

K-I-S-S-I-N-G

Here are a few pictures of Chloe and her Friend Jack. They are so adorable. Because we like to torture our kids, Ashley and I alway ask them to kiss! It is so cute.

Chloe is all puckered up!!! I thought this picture was so cute :)