Simmons Says...

Loving a day like today

jenetsimmons — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:05:52 +0000

I miss having a white Christmas. The snowball fights – making an angel – building a snowman – watching iciles grow. The big coats, ear muffs and mittens. I loved it! We took Carter and Colton up north to cut down a Christmas tree this year. And it was amazing! So much snow! Beautiful trees that went on for miles and miles! So we hunted for our perfect one.

Carter loved it. He grew tired quickly since he was having to work the hardest to walk with the snow up to his knees. Colton went running and running and running, all the while with his big doggy smile.

I loved every minute of this day. Singing songs with Carter on the drive, reading a good book while he napped, having lunch at a sweet little diner, running in the snow, having a snowball fight. JOY. Thanking the Lord for my sweet family. I am so excited to decorate the tree! Mine, Carter, & Trevor’s first real Christmas tree! I’m so excited to have pictures of my Arizona baby in snow!

William teaching Cartie how to make a snowball.

My mountain man, hauling away the perfect tree!

Tiny Prints – A Favorite

jenetsimmons — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:02:15 +0000

I have a fascination with all sorts of cards! I love to write them and receive them. My husband knows I’m usually way more excited about the card he’s written me than the gift! (although the gifts are great!) Tiny Prints is a favorite company of mine for cards, invitation, and stationary. A favorite product I purchase as gifts and for myself is day planners by Erin Condren. Also, see previous post about my two year olds notebook I write for him to give to him when he’s older.

Of course for the 2011 Holiday card line they’re just as amazing as before! I love the multiple styles and bright colors! Even with a big company you can still achieve a unique Christmas greeting look. So, if you’re like me you’ve been thinking about your holiday card lately, pop over to Tiny Prints.

Love the cards with rounded corners! I’m most tempted to go with these. I’m one who even keeps my Christmas cards and the ones I receive year after year!

And, who doesn’t love a gift?! Tiny Prints is offerring up to 50 free holiday, of your choice! All you have to do is write about Tiny Prints on your own blog this week. Then fill out this form and wait for them to contact you! How sweet!

William’s condition, update 21

jenetsimmons — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:59:44 +0000

Surgery went great! The doctor is very pleased with the results thus far. I’m so thankful that the Lord’s given us an amazing doctor who takes wonderful care of my loving husband. In addition to cleaning the infection and removing polyps, the doctor looked at the previous surgery repairing the CSF leak to make sure it healed correctly and no longer leaking CSF. It all looks good!!! YEAH!

Thank you to all of you who have been so considerate towards us. For loving us, praying with us, and just living the past six months with us. Your prayers, words, and concerns have impacted us so greatly. It’s been glorious to see the body of Christ come together

William’s condition, update 20

jenetsimmons — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:06:23 +0000

It’s been a long time since I’ve written a ‘William’s condition’ post! So much to be thankful for in the time the Lord’s given us.

William is having surgery this week, 11-16-11. After the main surgery this summer to repair the hole leaking CSF, we knew there’d be a good chance to go back for more “clean up” (if you will.) Our wonderful doctor will be cleaning an infection on the side surgery was perfromed. Then, he’ll be removing polyps from the other side. “Just a spring cleaning”, said William.

Please pray that all will go well! We love you all.

Love, William’s wife

My 3 boys. My 3 loves.

My Mam

jenetsimmons — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:30:17 +0000

How much better does it get than my aunt Sabah coming to visit from New Jersey. Crying as she meets my boys, tears of joy. I love her being here. Her & I are very close and there’s never anything left unspoken about. She was one of those pillar women in my life who stepped up as a mom to me and my brothers, after my mom passed. I adore her and am cherising my time with her.

As I told my friends, adopted mom Tracy, and my mother in law that she was coming in; They all replied with the same response, “Aunt Baklava?! Oh, yeah!” She loves that story. I call her “mam” – in arabic, meaning, “my aunt.”

Carter’s Loves…

jenetsimmons — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:00:28 +0000

This is my Carter story.

Carter loves many things and people. He has this innate ability to take *joy* in everything he does. This is part of his character. This is part of who our amazing Creator has made him to be. Full of joy. I’m not dreaming of a fairy tale life or anything. I fully know his childish behaviors and tantrums but they’re short lived. Partly because of who he is and what we allow in our home. It’s something I, his mommy, am learning from him as well. He’s taught me how to laugh more, to fully live in the lego-coloring-power drill using-jump off the couch, moments. (I must stop myself – but know I could write for a long time about this one.)

He loves getting the mail.

Loves to talk. Overnight he went from saying one word at a time to sentences. How fun! How scary! I’d really like for him to stop growing so quickly. I want him to stay a, bleach blonde – bright hazel eyes - buddah belly boy - contagious laughter, cutie-pie forever! How do you stop the days from going by so fast?!

Loves to help me garden. Loves to ride his bike. Loves to imitate Daddy.

Just for my own, record-keeping, sake. Carter’s sentences:

“I want some milk.”
“I want my bike.” (bike = beek)
“I want to go out.”
“I want a bite.”
“I want my doggy.”
“I want Momma sit up.” (This is the best one! He’s playing and wants me to join. He says this, as he is patting the ground for me to sit next to him. How do you say no to that?!)
“I want my books.” (yes!!!!)
“Bye Bye, Doggie” (everytime we leave the house…usually as he’s giving Colton a hug and kiss.)

From near and far

jenetsimmons — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:41:20 +0000

I love when we get to catch up with friends & family who live far away! Recently friends of ours, Alexis & Shane, got married and our sweet, lovable friends, Blake & Katelin came into town for the wedding! YEAH!

Here’s my handsome husband & I dressed up for the wedding reception! They had a private ceremony a few weeks earlier and a backyard reception that was drizzled with love and personal sentiment! I loved it!!!

I must explain this picture … goofiness, included. I set the camera to a timer and forgot to tell everyone that it was going to take 10 at a time. One’s bound to turn out of all of us, I figured! As the camera kept snapping, everyone got more relaxed and started laughing. My favorite pictures are totally candid and usually when someone is laughing! I love the *joy* that is in someone’s face and body when they’re laughing!

And, for another sweet surprise. My cousin, Danny, came into town. He’s holding Trevie looking so affectionatley at him. I adore Danny. Always have. He’s got a heart of gold and reminds me of my brother, Chris, in that way. He always makes me laugh and is so darn handsome!

Top right, my cousin, Elias also came to town and I haven’t seen him since I was about 14.

Thank you everybody for visiting with us! We’re honored to know you and the 4 Simmons’ had a blast seeing you again!

Inspired

jenetsimmons — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:51:17 +0000

Often I think about how to capture memories for my family. How do I record those everyday, scrumptious things they do that bring us so much joy? I love hearing how other moms do this or have done it. So, if you have an idea, share it! After all, we are the record keepers for our family! And, I couldn’t think of a better job!

You’ve heard me say, Carter is funny. He is. He’s a funny little dude. And, best of all, he has one of those contagious laughs. He smiles and laughs with his whole body. He jumps around with joy. I love that boy. I made this book for him in which I record all the funny things he says and does.

Bonuses to the book:

We’ll have sweet memories recorded we probably wouldn’t have otherwise. They’re just everyday stuff that gives me the chuckles.
He’ll always have a piece of me. My memories of him, my thoughts and prayers, (a separate journal), and my handwriting. For me, I cherish anything that still has my moms handwriting on it. In fact, I used to have a cookbook of hers that she wrote a few recipes in. I haven’t seen it in years. After our wedding and we moved into our home, Will & I, scoured all our boxes for it with no avail. So, if you’re reading this and you know where it is, please send it back to me. I miss it!

I wanted to tell you about the little book because I’ve been so inspired by what my friends do to celebrate their children. Not because I think the book is genius or anything! So, what do you do?

Check out another amazing treasure my friend, Steph, does for her girls. She calls it a birthday blessing book. I love this idea and have high hopes of incorporating this as well. Hey, when you only have to write once a year, it’s pretty easy!

Just Another Day

jenetsimmons — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:48:52 +0000

The progression of Trevie’s sweet smile. This reminds me of when Cartie boy was a couple months old and gave the world, what I called, his “perfect, crooked smile.” (Smiling from one side of his mouth.)

How do you make cleaning fun? Get this goofy, little guy involved!

My heart overflows.

1 Month Old!

jenetsimmons — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:25:28 +0000

Everyone asks me who Trev looks like. I say Carter, they say me. What do you think? Here’s their brotherly, side by side, 1 month old, comparison.

If Trevie look’s big, it’s because he is! Trevor’s 1 month stats:

height: 23 inches = 98%
weight: 12lb 12oz = 98%
head: 15.5 inches = 95%

As a friend said this week, “He’s a bruiser!”

And, finally…Trev will make serious eye contact. So during yesterday’s eye flirting time, he gave me the sweetest smile. Ahh…the Lord always knows what we need and is ready and willing to provide!