This Week In Review...

http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/AlysonS1YearPhotoShoot?feat=directlink

First things first, I made a promise back in November to post Alyson's 1-Year Photo session. Just today, as I was going through a few things here at home, I realized I still had not posted her album yet! The above Album is just a few of the photos that were taken at the Studio. She did an exceptional job that day and we were and still are so proud of her!

Well, much has happened since we last posted. We have been through the Presidential change and are in the process of trying to stay positive in such negative times! No matter who sits in the White House or what their beliefs are or are not... GOD IS IN CONTROL! Like the song says, "I don't know about tomorrow, but I KNOW who holds my hand"!!!

On Wednesday, of this past week as usual, we were in charge of the children's evening activities at Church. We hosted what we called, "Southside's Super Servant Night". It was a great success... for our 'chat' (AKA 'lesson') that evening, we talked to the kids, about ways we as Christians can become a servant to others, just as Jesus was. Then in turn, following the meeting, the kids 'served' the congregation a special dessert. We had them make an assembly line and 'create' individual desserts made of cherry cake doughnuts, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, rainbow sprinkles and each one was topped with a cherry! YUMMY! The children enjoyed serving the adults and there's not much doubt, that the adults had fun being 'served'... for a change!

On Saturday evening, we were invited to a friends home, for a delicious homemade "Farm-Style" supper and had a ball laughing and telling stories! Of course, we ate entirely TOO much! Thanks, 'Aunt Nodi' for a cozy evening together.

All in all, it's been a wonderful week and today we're enjoying a little 'cabin-fever', being as we're in the middle of a freshly fallen snowstorm. By this time tomorrow, we are to have close to 12 inches or more of this white stuff on the ground! We plan to relax and just stay warm as possible until it clears up... we trust the rest of our Hoosier pals will do the same!

Happy Birthday, Mother!

Tuesday, January 20th, is my dear Mother's birthday... Greg, myself and Alyson want to take a moment to wish her a marvelous day and an incredible week ahead, as well!
Mama, you are without a doubt the best Mother any girl could ever ask for. A tremendous Mother-In-Law. A wonderful best friend and the most awesome 'Memaw' in the entire world!!!
Thank you for always being there for not only me, but for Greg and Aly, too! We know we could never make it without you AND Daddy... we love you both more than words can ever say!

(My Mama and I on the 2nd best day of my life... the birth of Alyson Dawn! Click to enlarge photo.)

"A Sonnet for My Incomparable Mother"

I often contemplate my childhood, Mama.

I am a Mother now, and so I know

Hard work is mixed together with the fun;

You learned that when you raised me long ago.
I think of all the things you gave to me:

Sacrifice, devotion, love and tears,

your heart, your mind, your energy and soul---

All these you spent on me throughout the years.
You loved me with a never-failing love

You gave me strength and sweet security,

And then you did the hardest thing of all:

You let me separate and set me free.
Every day, I try my best to be

A Mommy like the Mother you were to me.
By Joanna Fuchs

Our little family is more than thrilled to call you, our 'Mama' (and 'Memaw'), Happy Birthday from the bottom of our hearts and they are filled with love!

A Mommy's Invitation to "Tea" ~

http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/AlysonDawnAndGuestsAtTea?feat=directlink

As you can see... Aly's been busy with one of her Christmas gifts, a Tea Set, from her Mommy and Daddy. These photos were from just ONE, of many "Tea's", we've had so far this week! She even had one 'Tea' with Daddy!
We're trying to get back into a routine not only with Aly's schedule, but our own as well. We're also still praying about Greg's need of a job and believing God for a modern day miracle!
It's hard to imagine that Valentine's Day is barely a month away! WOW! Can YOU feel the love tonight? lol There certainly is much to do... especially at the office, to prepare for our Church Children's Valentine Party but, we're looking forward to another exciting evening together with the kids!
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR HOLIDAY PHOTO ALBUM POSTED (TODAY) IN OUR DECEMBER 31ST BLOG!!! (We hope to add several pix from our Holiday trip to MO. and a couple more from our New Year's Eve party, as well. Keep an eye out and we'll let you know when they have been added.)

The First Week of 2009 Behind Us... Already!

FYI: NEXT WEEK WE WILL POST OUR CHRISTMAS ALBUM INTO OUR DECEMBER 31st POST BELOW...

(Click on the photos above to enlarge them. #1Aly in the bath Christmas week /#2Aly at Nate's BD Party /#3Aly sleeping Christmas week)
It's hard to believe that we're already into the SECOND week of 2009! How time truly flies! We've had an exceptionally great Holiday season, even though a bit stressful at times! LOL
In the middle of December, little Aly became very ill with an infection, which wound us all up in the hospital on Friday night the 20th. She had become so dehydrated that the Doctor wanted to put her on IV's overnight. However, due to her dehydration, they were unable to find her veins... BUT GOD UNDERTOOK and 'aided' her Memaw and Mommy (with the help of Papaw that night and her Daddy the next morning) in getting fluid back into her little body. Without God (and Memaw!), I'm not sure what would've happened!
We then rushed into Christmas time... On Christmas Eve, Mama and Daddy hosted a 'Cajun' meal of Shrimp Creole' with all the fixin's. It was so fun to be able to 'pretend' we were once again in the good ole' South! The food was incredible, too!!! Thanks, Mama and Daddy for a great time and delicious food! The house was absolutely BEAUTIFUL and the trees were GORGEOUS, too!
Following that meal, we had everyone over to our home for a Dessert Bar. The menu included Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Pecan Tube Cake, Orange Slice Cookies, Party Mix, Nuts, Homemade Peppermint Hot Cocoa, Iced Vernors, Coffee with Peppermint Topping or a selection of Creamers and various Coke's. (Excuse me, for the non-southern readers, that would mean 'Pop'! LOL)
Christmas Day Morning, we had Gift time at our house with Aly, Memaw and Papaw. Aly LOVED opening her gifts, but as of now, she still prefers boxes, bags and paper! LOL Later that day, found everyone at Mamaw S's ("Who's") for a wonderful traditional Christmas meal and Gift opening. Another very meaningful day with those we love!
The day after Christmas, the Jewett side met together at Mamaw and Papaw's house in Dayton for Gifts and more food than the law should allow. We've been so very blessed on all sides of our family with a Godly heritage that we'll treasure always!
On Monday morning, the 29th, Greg went into work only to find out he was being laid off... indefinitely. Though this was and is not good news, we're believing God for a miracle and trusting Him to place Greg into the job He would have for him. These are very rough days and it would seem there are more ahead, but God is in control and knowing that, we are at peace!
The day after Greg lost his job, I was able to go to lunch with a dear friend and try to help her through a rough time and she in turn helped me! Later that evening, we were invited to our precious friends, "Uncle" Ray and "Aunt" Vickie's home for supper... it was not only very tasty, but Aly had her own nameplace and her own crystal goblet, too! She was a real Princess that night! Their home was also beautiful and very much in the Holiday 'spirit'! Friends are such a great thing to have, isn't God good to send us the 'gift' of family and friends? Where would we be without them???
New Year's Eve, Aunt Diane and Uncle Ron had everyone over to Celebrate the Old Year out and the New Year in... we were unable to stay through til midnight, but we enjoyed the time we spent there and were once again reminded what a 'gift' we have in our family! Their home was so pretty with more than 2 dozen trees to look at. Aly couldn't get enough and the fact all her cousins were there only made it better!
The next morning, we hit the road with Mama and Daddy to head toward Missouri and have a 'late' Christmas with Greg's side of the family. We had a great time there, relaxed as much as we could and TRIED to de-stress a little! (Don't think we accomplished that task, but we TRIED and that's the main thing! LOL) Mama and Daddy were able to go on into Kansas City and spend time with family and friends there and also had a very relaxing and fun time!
We are now home, mostly unpacked and trying to get back into our normal (if you want to call it that) routine! We wanted to update our BLOG before we had to write a BOOK to get it all in! OH WAIT! I think THIS is actually a book!!! LOL
Trust you've enjoyed the long read and we haven't bored you to tears, yet!
Have a great week and watch for our next weeks BLOG, plus the Holiday photos we will add to our Dec. 31st post...