Last Day of 2008

*the consequence of Jess not having our baby when we said ... she won't do that again, now will she?

Happy New Year everyone. i, personally, am excited about 2009. i just feel good about it. i know in my heart of hearts that all of our hard work will pay off in 2009.

Recently, we went back to Virginia to visit family and meet my sister's baby - we spent two days in the hospital, however it was not with my sister's baby. it was with my dad. he is doing better, but please keep him in your prayers that he makes a strong recovery from his complications with his knee surgery.

i am so grateful for my friends and family that continue to stand by us despite all of our shortcomings and faults. if there is one thing that i can reflect on being the main thread, or theme, of my 2008, it's: Family. family is so important to me, and means so much to me. we have been blessed in so many ways - but at the end of the day, none of it means anything if i don't have my family.

i wish you, my friends and family, a wonderful 2009 - may you all have faith in the future, stregth to press forward and health in your family.

love,

The Makin Clan

merry christmas.

i just wanted to tell all of my friends and family merry christmas. i am not sending out Christmas cards, because they are old school for non-bloggers. update on us: we are busy. i am a YEAR into my program just about! and my kids are just little bugs that i squeeze daily. sometimes they are naughty, and there is no squeezing, but most days there are.

i am grateful this year for my many blessings of 2008. it's been a roller coaster of a year - and i don't think that 2009 is going to slow down, but i love my life. i am grateful for my precious family (Bear, Chaser, Cookstas, Banana and Ms. Bai) & the rest (Roonie, Bex, Jessica and Mom and Dad - as well as the in-laws - my "other" sisters, my wonderful friends (Emilias Cristofferson, Cache Money and everyone else who makes me laugh), my learning team - Jana and Brandy - couldn't have made it through this year without you, and to all the of the people and places (Carols Copy Center!! David & Katie = my heroes) who made this all possible.

love you all so much.
have a hot cocoa on me (they are 3 for $5 at Harmons) ... i'll put a check in the mail.

Merry Christmas
-jen

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! almost.

i am so tired i can't sleep - sarah m.

that is so how i feel lately. i need to sleep but my head is spinning at night and so sometimes i don't crawl into bed until 2am. i am turning into my sister becky. it's only 11PM, there is still hope tonight. it's not like i don't fall asleep once i hit the pillow, it's just a matter of getting there. it's a bit like showering - so worth it, but quite a pain.

here is a classic pic for your enjoyment. night.

ms bai

bailee is already 9 months now and i just can't believe it. she is crawling, choking on food and laughing her head off. she is a joy - and it is so wonderful to watch her not only interact with justin and me, but her chase, brookie and bri as well.

she is her own self:

her eyes are blue & her hair is blonde

she does everything her own quiet way... although thanks to my mom (who she is pictured with) she screams. she has definitely found her voice. every day is a joy with bailee. she wakes up with a smile across her face and screaming "da da da da" ... i try to teach her "momma" or at least "ma" .. she refuses. she is her own self.

i look forward to watching her grow up - though it's going much too fast already ...

b & b

banana & princessrella.

brooke longs to be cinderella and is going to be "princessrella" on Halloween. she can't wait. she is so soft, precious and pure ~ i just marvel at her intuition as a sister, daughter and friend.

brianna lights up a room. she is so sensitive and is always there to offer compassion and understanding. she sometimes is coy, but then when no one is looking she lets her guard down ~ i cherish these moments.

brooke and brianna are not only sisters, but best friends .. they fight with and for each other.

i am learning that the bond of twins is something that i will always marvel and long for from afar. there is a connection that is deep.

untouchable.

here is me and my little man ... mr. chase. he is a joy and every day he learns something new. i strive to be like that. teachable. he is such an example of what i hope to be like when i grow up.

he is so resiliant as well ... he forgives quickly and doesn't let the little things bother or get to him.

every time i am less than perfect, and i have to yet again apologize he says "i know mommy."

one day i hope to be like him.

this is the man that balances me out. well .. half of him.

another crazy day

I just wanted to post that it's been yet ANOTHER crazy week here in the Makin Home. You think that having my kids back in school would help me have time to get my life more in "order" ... not so. Good thing I have wonderful family and friends to help to remind me to continually stay balanced. I am so grateful for the gospel in my life and for the joy that it brings to me. I just thought I would drop a note and tell all that I LOVE THEM, and you know who you are.

"You cannot spread the light of the gospel if you do not glow yourself"

-Pres Thomas S Monson

To all my glowing friends .. i love you

http://www.playlist.com/node/46378197

embarassing pic

this is the most recent pic of our family from our family reunion at the beach house .. it suits us:

i am looking else where, zoned out; justin is just happy to be there; bailee is sucking on her finger; chase is upset about something or other; brianna is smiling at the wrong camera; brooke refuses to smile...

us in a nutshell :)

this is my first post. it's intimidating, but people have been blogging since the dawning of time. most people that know me know about our family - justin. jen. chase. brooke. brianna. bailee. as my kids grow and start school, it's everything in me to not just become a puddle on the floor. but i seem to hold it together ~ at least i don't follow the bus. .. although i see the inticement. i think i spelled that wrong. and so it goes, my first blog.