Nearly ONE YEAR LATER....

HELLO!!!!!!!! Long time no blog!! I know...I really need to get with the blogging program ;) I thought since I'm up and at em' this morning I would try this out again!....not really sure where one starts when recaping a full year, but I will do my best to fill you in! *Starting with the Mr. Jeffers---he is only a few weeks away from completing his MBA!!! I can't describe how proud I am of him!! I also can't tell you how excited I am to have a partner back in my life on Tuesday and Thursday nights again!! He is still working as the Program Coordinator at BSC and recently purchased from what I've been told--some pretty sweet new golf clubs! Even with golf on the horizon, I'm still READY FOR SPRING!!!! His special gift for Anna and Zach for Christmas were their own clubs---so they are as anxious as he is!! *Mrs. Jeffers--that's ME! I'm staying super busy with my home daycare! It was such a good move for me to come back home--Addy, well actually all of us--have been much healthier and less stressed this fall! Although I miss working with other adults, I have a super group of kiddos right now and it just feels right being at home! I still do the Uppercase Living--although it has taken a back seat to working out....it's amazing how much you CANT STAND the thought of working out until you do it!? I'm now addicted and feel gross if I can't get to the gym 4-5 times a week! Other then that I'm looking forward to our trip to VEGAS in 5 weeks! We are blessed with the company of two great couple friends and I'm sure with their help---it will be a trip to remember!! We are going to Vegas to celebrate Josh's completion of his Master's Program and also our 10 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!?! Isn't that amazing!!! Me and my Mister have come a lonnnnngggg way and although our road wasn't always smooth, it's our road that we are proud of :) Mamma also got a new set of wheels, which I love! It's another mini van--I know I know....why a van--cause I like it! That's why!! It has a built in DVD player which is the best invention ever and makes trips much more enjoyable! *Anna Marie---is a wonderful, fun loving, 3rd grader!! She is going to be our 'thinker'...always worried about something! When they talk about fires at school she is concerned that we should change the batteries in the smoke alarms more---or if someones parents are going through a divorce she assumes that could happen to her and her family! She has a heart the size of a watermelon and I am so very proud of her! She is still in Just For Kix dance here in town and we were able to watch her perform in the Civic Center this year!!! She has a BFF Rachel and together you can't hear anything but giggles---ahhhh to be young :) *Zachary Xavior---is our amazing 1st grader now! He loves to read and of course play video games! He always has something funny to say and is very impressive with school! Anna will get mad once in awhile when Zach will shout out the answers to her 3rd grade questions before she has a chance to answer :) He is definatly his Dad's son when it comes to the attention span as well--his teacher has said at both parent/teacher conferences 'Sometimes when I'm explaining directions I will look over and it just looks like he is not one bit interested or listening---so I wait to see when I'm done explaining what he will do---but the funny thing is he has heard everything I've said and does exactly what he should...' Like father like son! I think school is going to come very easy to Zach, just like Josh where poor Anna will have to work for her grades as I did... *Addyson Grace--our engergizer bunny! This girl keeps me on my toes all day everyday :) There is never a dull moment when Addy is awake! I do believe that God gave me Addy to keep me young forever! She is 3 now going on 11 and wants to do everything Anna does! This last year her brother decided he would try to be helpful and give her a first hair cut---it was VERY short and I was VERY mad! But the haircut started to grow on us all and now it fits her to a T as she as just as sassy as her hair :) But she can be the sweetest little love bunny and I treasure those snuggly moments as they are few and far between! If your little and love to play she will tell everyone that you are her bestest friend or buddy! Well I think that about covers it---I know one year in one blog--kinda sad, but it's a start!

It has been sooo long since the last blog--I'm not sure where even to begin!?! So I will start with this--HELLO SPRING TIME AND WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE!?! Winter is gone--we hope and we are enjoying the great outdoors! The countdowns are on and we are down to 5 weeks left of school...well at my work anyway! I know this because I absolutley CAN NOT WAIT to be home again this summer! The kids and I have some HUGE plans already....sun, swimming, parks, walks, and JUMPING!!! Tonight we put together the family trampoline and let me tell you---it was a hit! All three kiddos loved it and finally at 7:30...I had to drag them in for baths and bed :) I plan on staying home with the kids this summer and being a 'sub' daycare lady for my friends who need it...like I said before I CAN'T WAIT :)
The kids are doing great! We just spent the weekend up at Josh's mom's house in Powers Lake where they are spoiled with love :) RuthAnn put on a wonderful tea party and invited all the cousins...11 showed up and the girls served fun named treats, drinks, goody baskets, and flowers for all the moms/grandmas. They also decorate with streamers and balloons and dress up in elaborate dresses...tooo cute!!!
Josh is trucking right along in his Master's program! We are so proud of him!!! Along with that golf has become a daily word in our spring vocab---new clubs, memberships, and golf balls, oh my!
I have been hitting the gym and I'm down a few pounds...ok 40+!!! It's crazy how much better I feel...but I still have a longgggg ways to go on my weight loss journey...why is that it can sneak on so fast...but is such a pain to come off...ugh!!! Tara and I have started with our personal trainer twice a week and while she is full of good ideas, we are both feeling we can be pushed a little harder! Cardio fusion at the YMCA is a new class we have started--and that is leaving me more tired then the trainer!?!
Well, the kids are in bed...the laundry is almost done and tomorrow is Monday...sigh. Is it summer yet.....

2010

Happy New Year!!! Where in the world did 2009 go??
As I look ahead into yet another chapter of our lives, I cannot believe at how very blessed we are. We have a great home, close to our family and most of our closest friends. We both have good jobs--and most of all--three great healthy(most of the time) kids :)
I say most of the time as the last three days have left me at home with a sick Addyson again...it's been a horrible fall/winter for her health wise: ear infections, swine flu, brochitis(on Christmas Eve), and now the good ol' seasonal flu!! This fills me with so much guilt and concern...more to come on that later ;) Anywho...so the flu came in with Addy on Tuesday(she seriously started puking in the van on our way to work/daycare...ick!) and sweetly passed it onto me Wednesday night, Josh late Wednesday night, Zach at 4:00 am, and Anna by 7:30!?! Can you say laundry!?! YUCK! But as I'm sitting here writing this tonight--I think most of us are on the mend...Addy still has some massive diareha(which means no daycare again tomorrow-sigh).
Back to my previous statement--guilt. For the first time in my life I feel torn. Now being the working outside of the home mom--it's so hard to divide work/home!! I feel just horrible leaving work--finding subs is not an easy task!! And it puts so much on my partner in crime at school--it's so hard to make that call and them know that you will be letting them down that day...this fall has just been so bad. When we all had the swine I missed 5 full days and now this week I will more then likely be out 4 of the 5. :(
But on the other hand I feel so guilty as a mom!! Did I make the right choice going back to work and putting her in daycare!? She has never been so sick--and while I trust fully that my daycare lady(who is one of the best out there ;) ) has a very clean and tidy home--there is still more exposure to her there then at home! Even just the fact that we are going in and out in this freezing weather is different then staying in where it's warm. I've also been told that your first year of teaching is the worst health wise--so who knows what I'm bringing home with me either--not to mention Zach's first year of full days....ugh! This has been on my mind a lot lately....
Wow...this is a long one!! Anywho---Josh started his masters program!!! YEAH JOSHY!!! He will go to school from 6-10pm on Thursday nights. For Christmas this year-when asked what to get our kids--no toys really popped to mind--so Anna recieved DANCE LESSONS from Just for Kix and Zach is signed up for GYMNASTICS!!! Along with that the Jeffers--and Tara ;) have started weight watchers and we plan on hitting up the YMCA at least two nights a week--it's going to get busy!!
Christmas was great by the way--we made it to Dickinson before the big snow hit! We ended up going to Rhame the weekend after New Years and had a ball!! It's so nice for the kids to have someone their age to play with down there---but seven kids under the age of 12 gets a little loud ;)
All for now---the kids are sleeping and I hope to be shortly :)

Merry Christmas :)

I have to admit--it's getting harder to make myself get on these days and update our little family blurb--but this is what's new in the Jeffers' home.
Work is busy-busy--but I love it. We are off for TWO WEEKS right now and I'm ready for the break. I knew it was going to be a lot to juggle--being the working mom with three kids and then topping it off with school!?! What was I thinking!!! Unfortunatly--school is taking a backseat for now and come summer time, I plan on diving back in. We will be traveling for the holidays--down to Dickinson, down to Rhame, and then up to Powers Lake...have I told you all how much we LOVE LOVE LOVE our dual DVD player in the car yet? It's a lifesaver :)
Josh is going great--this next semester he begins his MBA classes!!!! Not sure if I was supposed to share that one or not...but I'm SO EXCITED and PROUD!!! He's still up working at BSC and will be taking classes from the University of Mary.
Anna is great! She loves school and really enjoys it this year....her teacher is amazing and I hope every year can be as great as this one :) She has really enjoyed babysitting our school pet Tinkerbell--a small rabbit over the holidays and a couple weekends this year. I think Tinkerbell is getting pretty spoiled!!!
Zach is a ham...he also enjoys school and his best friend is a girl--Bailey! That is all we ever hear about---Anna teases him...but he says, we are just best friends!!
Addyson is almost two and it breaks my heart that our baby is no longer a baby :( She seems to find something new to do to me everyday to remind me of that lately!! She is working on potty training at daycare and screams DORA at me everytime we enter the car---I swear the lady at the bank is going to think I'm the lamest mom on earth when I pull up and there sits Addy in the backseat watching TV!?! She is working on a good cold or something right now and isn't feeling the best...you know she's down for the count when she curls up on the couch and watches more then two minutes of anything!!!
I hope you and yours have a blessed holiday and can spend it with the ones you love :) Pictures to come soon....
Jenn

Oink...Oink...AHHH!!!

Hello--I know, it's been WAY too long and I'm sorry for the lazy blogging. The kids are in bed and we are finally feeling better around this place, so I'm sitting down to update.
It was a nasty, gross week last week around the Jeffers' household. Last Saturday--the 24th I started to feel like I was coming down with a cold. The kids were gone and poor Josh had a wife who was in bed by 9:30 on the weekend....well a couple days later and two sick kids later I finally go in and low and behold--Influenza A :( It was a miserable week for me, Anna, and Addyson. Zach the lucky dog has kept his health--Josh came home sick on Thursday. TGI TAMAFLU!!! Everyone was on it except me---I was too far in timewise...but so far so good we are fever free tonight and heading back to work/school tomorrow!!!
Let's see what else I've missed out on....so Halloween just wasn't the same this year. This was the first year in the last...oh I don't know 5 that we didn't carve pumpkins with Rick and Tara :( This has become our annual tradition, but we were still in quarantine mode around here and didn't want to spread the plague. So we did carve 2 pumpkins with the kids and I have to say--I am up to a level two...no more triangle eyes for this gal ;) We had the best costumes and babysitters lined up before the plague hit and I was so bummed as we NEVER EVER have went out all dolled up for Halloween. So we did decide if we were feeling better, we would dress up and enjoy the day a little...boy am I glad we did! We were the Flinstones and went with our friends the Rubbles....also Anna was black cat, Zach a transformer, and Addy a ladybug! It was great!!
The kids are great....Anna was so down about missing a WHOLE WEEK of school! Her fever did get pretty high a few times--103/104 and she was on a motrin/tylenol diet for almost the whole week--so she is so excited to head back to school tomorrow!
Zach is funny....he is just a funny kid :) Always says things like, 'I love you Mom...'which melts my heart everytime. The other day he said, ' I love you more then video games...which to anyone who knows Zach...that is A LOT ;)
Addy has recieved a new nickname...the gray hair! She is such a two year old and she isn't two until January!!! She loves to get under her brothers skin and does everything in her power to gain full attention of whoever is here!!! She is starting to talk so much and her latest is 'Hi Babe' too funny and cute. She too had the fever and cough--but not as bad as Anna!
Josh is good. It's Sunday, so football was on the TV all day. He's feeling better tonight, but the Tamaflu makes him feel very dizzy...so that stinks!
All for now---have a good night :)

Denver and Back....

Wow--it's been awhile since I blogged!?! I blame some of this on the lack of camera we have had at the Jeffers. We had our old camera for over 5 years--and then it got a little milk spilt on it in the bottom of our diaper bag and was no more. So a new camera was in store for us before our Jefhalter trip to Denver---boy oh boy--did we have fun!!!
The trip began on a Thursday after work--we all took off--Josh, Rick, Jenn, Tara, Anna, Zach, and one Sassy Addyson--let me tell you it was a FULL VAN! We did drop off miss Addy in Dickinson and continued on our way. Friday brought the outlet mall and Chucky Cheese. Saturday was an Uppercase Party for me @ Dusti's sisters house--and the Coors tour for the others....Sunday was the big game-we had great seats and a wonderful time (even if the Browns lost).
We took off for home early Monday morning and made it back to Bismarck by 8 that night. We had so much fun down there--we might have to make it a semi-annual event!! The kids had a great time with the Mogrens...and Buddy the kitten :)
The kids are great. They love school and their daycares are wonderful! We headed out to the Pumpkin Patch on Saturday and had a great time. We can't wait for our annual pumpkin carving event with Rick and Tara!! The guys spend hours perfecting their pumpkins, while Tara and I stick with our triangle eyes and mouths :)
I'm liking work, but it's hard to find 'the balance'. I'm sure school isn't helping with that right now either...I think I've met my match with 40 hours a week @ Head Start and 12 credits online!! Uppercase has also picked up a lot lately--which I love!! We are hoping to take in a few craft shows coming up--they are always fun!
Fall for now...get it...it's fall, instead of all...tehe.... ;)

Why is it so quiet here??

Oh that's right!?! We are missing two children!!! Anna and Zach have flown the coop and are attending Vacation Bible School up in Powers Lake at Grandma's house!!! They left on Aug 2nd and won't return until Aug 16th--for an evening!?! Then they are spending the following week in Dickinson with Jenn's parents!!! Addy is starting to think they are REALLY good at hide and go seek :) Miss Addy will also be going on a mini vaca(well, mom doesn't think it's so mini, but....) she leaves this Monday and will be gone until the following Sunday as well!?! What are the parents going to do you might ask...WORK!!!
That's right--as of next Wednesday I will be back in the working world again!!! I'm so excited and getting more nervous as it gets closer too. For those of you who don't know--I will be working 32 hours a week at the West River Head Start in Mandan--I am also working on my Bach degree and will have a full load of 13 credits this fall as well!! Two of the classes are online, but the others require evening classes up at the college--so Mon/Wed/Thursday I will work 8-4, pick up the kids from daycare--more on that later--then when Josh walks in the door from work, I will run out and attend class from 5-8!?! I keep telling myself--I CAN DO ANYTHING FOR A SEMESTER!!! But really...keep me in your prayers--ha ;)


DAYCARE!?! So I always thought that once you have a majority of your kids in school, daycare becomes a more reasonable option!?! Anna will be in the 2nd grade this year*tear* and Zach will be in all day kindergarten*wait WHAT?*!!! So Addyson is the only one left at home and her Mom is ditching her and going back to work...thinking that we can pull this off with only putting one child in daycare--sure we would need someone for after school for Zach and Anna, but that shouldn't be an issue right??? WRONG O!!! Blast (our after school program) is overflowing and no room was available there--and between the YMCA, ECLC, and AFTER SCHOOL PLACE they were asking between $300-$370 for both kids!!! Now this is just to pick them up from school and keep them for an hour!!! OMG! But as luck would have it, I have an old ECLC co-worker who now does daycare at home---THANKS RHONDA :) Josh will just take his lunch when the kids are getting out of school so he can drop them off---whew! Addyson will be going to a cute home daycare right across the street from my work in Mandan!! Her name is Tracey and she came highly recommended from a friend---good luck with this one Tracey, I think you'll have your work cut out for you ;)
Wow--Tara was right---it has been awhile and now I feel like I'm rambling!?! A few other tid bits...Addy has had massive diarrhea!?! To the point where they want to culture it---not going to go into great details on this--but trying to collect a 'sample' from someone her age is not fun or easy!!!
Zach also had to see the doc while at Grandmas! He was wheezing to the point where they put him on a nebulizer treatment 4-6 times a day and said he will probably be blessed/cursed with some sort of asthma!! Poor guy! He is already allergic to so many foods and has to carry around benedrill everywhere he goes *peanuts, peas, watermelon, fish, just to name a few*. He is every teachers worst nightmare when it comes to snacks!!! All for now, hope you all are enjoying what is left of this summer :)