I want 8 more kids...just like the one I already have.

As usual, the last couple of weeks have been full of fun & busy times. My mom, Makenzie & I took a trip out to Tenn. to visit with Jim & Joanne for some sitting, talking, & shopping...just us girls!!! The next weekend Pete & I went to Dan's wedding up in MI while Makenzie stayed with my mom and dad for the weekend. It was great to get some time for just the two of us and to relax with friends. Last weekend we went up to WI and took a WONDERFUL ride on the pontoon boat. The leaves were beautiful and it was so warm and breezy. I am almost enjoying the weather as it gets cooler and the chance to stay inside. We had our first fire last week and also went to the pumpkin farm. Makenzie is starting to get really active. I can tell that I am going to have my hands full soon!! Chris & Anne had their first baby.. A GIRL!!!! Audrey Suzanne is Makenzie's new cousin and we cannot wait to meet her!! We are all a little sick in the Jensen home so hopefully we will feel better soon. Makenzie is on some meds and is starting to act more like herself, but it's hard to keep up with life when you feel sick and tired. Another awesome thing, that maybe not everyone will appreciate, is that we got a Sonic close by!! Finding this out makes me really really happy. Anyone who has had a cheery-limeaid can understand. Timmy has been doing a wonderful job of potty training (which will hopefully make life a little easier...but right now it's a little bit harder). He has discovered that he loves to carve pumkins and to cook or bake. Also, our little baby is already 6 months old and is quite the chunk. She is in the 95% for height and weight at 28 inches long and 18.9lbs. We just love her soo soo much. I think it's time for another, but Pete has other ideas :)

And I thought things would slow down in the fall...

Well, once again I am surprised by how busy we are...but also actively trying to figure out how to slow us down. It might be saying no to some commitments or hiring a childhood education major from Northern to come in once a week to help me out at home. Either way, I'm keeping Mak, Timmy, & Pete my main priorities and "scheduling" time to relax...CRAZY... I know already. So, for now I'm just sitting back and trying to figure out what in my life I can change. My mom is a HUGE help with everything, but I don't want to take over her whole life, LOL. The last couple of weeks have been so my fun...going to the fair, canning salsa, freezing corn, going to the zoo, visiting Austin & Annette, etc. This week us girls (my mom, my & Mak) leave for Tenn. to visit our old neighbors (who are more like family) and take some time just to sit, talk, and shop!! Jeb is coming to stay with Pete for the weekend and the two are going to be busy putting gates up, locks on all the cabinets, and childproofing our little home (in between ball games and golf of course). We took some family & cousin pictures while the weather was still nice too. In addition to all of this, our family is considering to get a condo on the water in WI where we go boating all the time. While it is a scary time to buy right now..it is also an amazing opportunity to be close to Pete's family while having an easy and comfortable place to stay while we are up in the summer...and we would be able to go during the winter too!! It has an indoor and outdoor pool with hot tubs and is located only 10 min from Pete's parents, and is RIGHT on the water with a boat slip too!! It would be nice to not have to pack everything up all the time and to have a washer & dryer too. That way Mak & I (With my mom and Timmy too) could go up for a longer time and just enjoy the slower pace of Wisconsin, and Pete could come up after work on Friday. My brain is just going to fast for words to keep up right now. I'll stop writing and get some pictures up instead. Love you all!!

I LOVE THE KIDS IN MY LIFE

Well, I decided that I am a lucky girl. I know this may sound silly and a bit simple, but I walked into my kitchen last night and saw Timmy washing dishes with Pete and then looked over at Mak who was sitting in her swing and trying to talk over the boys!! It just made me smile and reminded me to appreciate the little things in life. We're getting in the fall mode (Timmy can't wait to get a pumpkin!!). He is really disappointed that the beach is closed now, so Randall Oak's sand box is his new love. Pete & I are going to be home for the next two weekends...and we can't remember the last time we've been home for a weekend since the beginning of JUNE! I'm really looking forward to some downtime at home with my little family. I'm not looking forward to the colder weather...but I am looking forward to seeing Makenzie wear all her fall clothes, LOL. Here are some more pictures to enjoy :)

Trying to Enjoy Every Day of Sunshine

Not much has changed here...we are still spending time in the pool, at the beach, and up at the trailer in WI. Catom has really picked up, which is WONDERFUL news. This winter is going to be a tough one but at least we already have some big jobs in progress. Makenzie is rolling all over and is eating rice cereal almost every night. I love her so much and I want 8 more kids just like her!! I could totally do it. Timmy got his haircut and has a lovely mohawk, LOL. I cannot get enough of the kid!! He is counting to 10 and we are working on his ABC's already!! We got to spend a weekend up at the trailer with Brad and Michelle, which was a BLAST. It was great going boating and staying up really late by the camp fire. Reminder to me: Mohito Mix is not for me!! We have been planning a trip to Mexico in the fall. I cannot wait till Timmy sees the ocean! He is going to love all the waves and the sand. I am all clear from all the fun issues that go along with labor and delivery. My iron count was way low, so the Dr. has been getting my blood tested to keep an eye on it. While it's not as high as "normal" people are...it's alot better. Basically, we have two of the cutest kids in our life, I have a wonderful and very helpful husband...and right now things are looking pretty good. We still miss Tammy all the time and talk about her as much as possible. I'm starting to read a book called 90 minutes in Heaven to help myself realize that she is much happier in Heaven right now than anyone is here on Earth.

Life's a Beach

Well... I finally got a new camera... so hopefully the pictures will not be blurry anymore!! Since I've updated, we discovered a beach that's only 45 min away that Makenzie & Timmy loves. Timmy enjoys to play in the sand and sit in my lap and laugh at the waves going over us. Makenzie has a little crab flotation thing that she LOVES. She cried when we took her out of the water!! We are already planning on going back this week. Mak has also decided that she was bored of bottles and has had a couple bowls of rice cereal. Timmy has discovered corn on the cob and is really good at eating the whole cob. He also is in love with his bike and Lego's. Pete and I got away for the weekend to Lake Lawn for our second anniversary. It was great to spend time together and have a real conversation. We were able to relax and unwind and look back on how much life has changed and talk about how we see the next couple years of our life together. We know better than to think that it will actually work out the way we plan it, but we can try.

July is almost over?!?!

Wow...where to begin...I guess I will start with Nascar. We all camped out for the weekend (without the kids, thanks to Kim & Ma Jensen) for the races in Joliet. It was a great time and I think we all needed the time to relax and party a little. The next weekend, we went up to the trailer to celebrate mine & Tammy's birthday and we went boating and spent alot of time at the beach. Timmy Lee LOVED the water and Makenzie even enjoyed sitting in the water with her feet in the sand. Both of them love being outside. We are always either in the boat, in the water, in a baby pool, or playing on a slip and slide. I can thank Timmy Lee for getting me back to my target weight! The kid never stops. Finally, last weekend we went to Tenn. to visit with the Turley/Garza/Duncan families. It was a blast seeing the kids run around and holding baby Caleb. I loved watching Abbie & Katelyn, which makes me look forward to seeing Makenzie grow up :) We even got to spend a little time with Jim & Joanne too. It's been a rough month because we really miss tammy, especially on her birthday...but we are trying our best to have fun and keep busy. The two little ones keep us going all day and night. Timmy asks "why" about EVERYTHING and he just adores "Unc" Pete. Makenzie laughs, and rolls, and is our little giant. She is 15 1/2 lbs and is in the 90% for weight and the 95% for height!! Maybe we will get some height in the family?? We sure need it. I adore our Maky. Work has really picked up, making both Pete & I very busy. We won't complain though. Pete is almost finished with the basement which makes me VERY happy since we need the space. This upcoming weekend we are going back to where we got married to celebrate our 2 year anniversary, YAY US!!! My mama and dad will have Makenzie all weekend, which I know they are looking forward to. She makes it easy since she sleeps 12 hours a night!!! Pete and I are looking forward to taking the boat out in Delevan and enjoying each other without having to think about anyone or anything else. I love him.

Long Weekend

Pete and I took off for WI Wednesday night, before everyone else got on the road! Kenzie is getting used to the drive up there and even sleeps through the night after being in the car for 3 hours straight!! We spent alot of time with both of our families and got some quality grandparent time in for Makenzie. Grandma Char babysat her Friday and Saturday so we could take the boat out to the beach and do some water sports. It felt GREAT to be able to just relax for a couple days at the trailer. She went on her first duck ride, which was driven by Aunt Lil's boyfriend Matt. Kenzie slept through the fireworks....even the giant ones Pete set off right outside our trailer. Timmy Ray's parents came up for the weekend, so Timmy Lee got to spend sometime with them in Cortland and watch the fireworks that "go boom". He is too cute. We are getting ready for another long weekend. Pete is taking off Friday and we are going to stay in the trailer at the Nascar race in Joliet with my parents and Timmy Ray. Kim is going to have a blast with Timmy over the weekend while Grandma Char stays at our house relaxing with the baby. I am excited to have sometime for just me and Pete...but not that sure about spending my first night away from Kenzie. I miss her when she's sleeping...so we'll see how I do being gone for so long. I know she'll be fine!! She sleeps like a champ (usually 12 hours a night) and even naps two times during the day. We have found a wonderful routine that makes life seem really easy right now. I'm enjoying it before the teething starts!!