Christmas Shopping

I started my Christmas shopping last week...I KNOW, it seems crazy doesn't it?! But, Christmas is just over 3 months away!!! :):) AND...we have 12 people to buy for in Wyatt's family and then my family and extended family!! I LOVE to give gifts, and in order to give exactly what we want to give, we have to start early!! Also, I have ideas for EVERYONE, which is totally rare, so I am trying to be really smart and thrifty and buy gifts when they go on sale!!! I am REALLY excited about Christmas presents for my family this year!! For the ladies in my family we are doing "My Favorite Things" (you know, like Oprah's favorite things...only there will be NO car's or trips to Jamaica involved...SO sorry sister and mom!!:)) So, I have already found and purchased a few of these gifts and I CANNOT wait to give them out!!! I love my family SO much, I am looking SO forward to our traditions starting up!! WHOO-HOO!!!!!!!!! :):)

Days like today! :)

We have had a really busy week this week!! So... earlier in the week, I told my kiddos if they would be patient with mommy the first four days of the week, we would do something SUPER special on Friday!! We went right t our calendar and marked off our end-of-the-year-BIG-celebration day! :) That is TODAY!! :):) My M and Z have been AWESOME this week!!! :) I am SO proud of them!! My kiddos are definitely flexible and I am so thankful for that!! :)

As we were putting our kiddos to bed last night I began to chat with them about what they wanted to do on our BIG special day! :) Well, on Tuesday I had talked to my dear friend Amber Grider (her boys just happen to by my kiddos' besties, so it always works out well!!!:)) and we set up a day to play!! We were going to have one last BIG FUN SUMMER DAY before life gets REALLY crazy!! :) So, we all woke up early this morning in eager anticipation!! We met our Griders at 10 a.m. and off we were!!! We went all kinds of places and we had a BLAST!! :) {We actually just got home! :)} It was the perfect last summer day!! Of course we will still continue to have lots of fun this fall...but there is just something special about summer, you know!?

I must give a shout out to my sweet friend Amber!! :) We have known each other for a LONG time, but God has really blessed our friendship in the last year and a half!! She is a lot like me which is a LOT of fun, and our husbands are very similar also!! It is awesome to have a family of friends that is so much like our family!! We enjoy hanging out together so much, it is a true blessing!! Grider family, we are SO thankful for you all!! :):)

I am really looking forward to our weekend!! Tonight, we are headed to Founders's Park for their free kids movie!! Tomorrow, I am meeting some of my favorites girls for an early lunch and then shopping (to plan our BIG weekend away in October!:)) and then on Sunday is CCH's outdoor worship!! We are beyond EXCITED!!! :):) ENJOY your weekend friends!!!!

School

Yes, I said it, and it is true!! My kiddos are going to start school this fall!! Well, actually on Tuesday!! I am EXCITED for them, because they are so excited!! But at the same time, it is a little sad!! I love my babies!! I have enjoyed most every moment (let's be honest folks, with two kiddos 12 months apart, it isn't ALWAYS fabulous!!:)) they have been home with me! I have gotten to watch them learn EVERYTHING and it has been a JOY!! :):)

We never thought we would send our M and Z to pre-school, simply because we do a LOT of learning at home!! But, as we began to pray about school for them, God totally opened our hearts and we began to feel at peace with sending them two days a week!!! They are both so ready for some different kids interactions and I am SO excited to see how they will handle themselves when challenged!! I know they are going to be AWESOME!!! :):) (ok, maybe I am a little bias, but they are great kiddos!! :))

You know what is even better...? :) I get to go to school with them! :):) Whoo-hoo!! :) When I went in to talk to the director about sending my Maddie, she said, "Why dont you send both of our kiddos, then you could teach the 2 year old class!!" Hmmmm, not exactly what I was expected to hear, but I told her I would pray about it!! When I told Wyatt he was pretty unsure of the idea, but again, as we prayed about it, we both felt an unexpected peace and excitement!! So this week has been FULL of meetings and meet the teacher days!!! I think we are going to LOVE all being in school together!! This is going to be AWESOME for my kiddos, and I KNOW that God is going to BLESS our year!! It is going to be a crazy busy fall, but I think we are totally up for it!!! Watch out pre-school, the 3 Jenkins are on our way!! :):)

So, I don't usually post about things like this, but it is so heavy on my heart, I almost can't not post about it!! And...since this is my blog...I guess I will open my heart up a crack and spill some of the feelings that I have been having!! If you aren't one for emotions, you might want to STOP reading now, because this could get a whole lot of emotional, kind of fast!! :) I am a pretty tender hearted girl, I think I always have been, so somethings just hurt me to the core!! If I could not be so sensitive, I would be, but I have come to realize that God has made me this way for His Glory! So I try to run things by my husband when I feel like I might be feeling too tender hearted about something, just to be sure I am not totally way off course!! He is pretty good about gauging me, and I am SO thankful for his love and compassion! But that is a whole other blog!! :) Ha! :) Soooo, if you are still reading, remember I warned you! :)

*This is my disclaimer! I am not a perfect person! As I type this, I am reminding myself of who I want to be and who I stand for!! It is so easy to get sidetracked in the busy-ness of life!!*

Friendships are hard, aren't they?! People's seasons of life are always changing (mine included)!! People are always having babies, moving to new houses, trying out different churches, moving away, starting school, etc! It is hard to keep up with people!! I have always believed that in order to HAVE good friends, you must BE a good friend!! I have tried so hard to be a good friend to people!! Of course, it is so important to know that all friendships look different, and it is fun to see what works is each friendship!! But, none-the-less, friendships are hard!!! I hate that many people, girls especially, are ok with gossip!! REALLY!? Don't we realize that gossip HURTS people, and that eventually it will get back to the person that it is about?! I have had my fair share of being a gossip, and I am not proud of those times!! But once I became an adult, I starting thinking A LOT about the words that I say to people...and about people!!! I wouldn't ever want to hurt someone intentionally!! I may have a venting session with my bestie or my husband, but I pray that those hurt words that pour from my mouth will be held in confidence and prayed over, NOT spread around!!! As I was thinking and praying through this today, I found these verses!! I love what these verses say!! Wow!

Proverbs 11:13

"A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret."

Proverbs 16:28

"A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends."

Proverbs 20:19
"A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much."

Don't we realize that GOD hates gossip!?! My dad always used to tell my sister and I this when we were younger and I never understood what it meant! NOW, I get it!! I have been hurt by gossip lately!! I know that this chatter was never meant for my ears, but be assured!!!!!! If someone is willing to talk TO YOU about someone, KNOW that they are willing to TALK ABOUT YOU to someone else!!! And, sometimes you are on the side of being talked about!! We never expect for things to be on the other side, do we?! And, usually it is just one or two people that are unhappy with where they are at that enjoy chatting! Well, I am DONE!!!

I really have a great group{s} of friends!! I am surrounded by love and encouragement!! I am SO thankful for where God has led us over the past few years!! I am really careful about who I trust! Getting hurt time and time again, makes for a pretty thick skin!! So, when I find those dear friends, I stick to them pretty tight!! I have to say that one of these women is my mom!! I am amazed at God's graciousness in blessing me with her!! She knows me and understands me so well!! She lets me talk without interruption and is always willing to gently tell me when I am wrong (or right for that matter!!:)) She is SO precious to me and I am so thankful for the friendship we share!!!

So, ALL of this to say!! I am thankful for a God of grace and peace!! Without Him, I would be a mess!! (Well even more of a mess!:)) I am thankful for His promise of new mercies each morning and of forgiveness!! I am so thankful for a loving husband who knows me SO well!! I am thankful for dear, sweet friends!!! Friends that have been, and will continue to be there for me NO MATTER what!!

{And, as I hit the send button, my stomach hurts!!}

VBS Comments

We are enjoying VBS SO MUCH this week!! My kiddos have been awesome and we have made it to VBS on time every day...almost!! Ha! :) They are SO EXCITED to go to "PBS!" I love that they are teaching my kids to serve and have compassion and love on others!! Maddie and Zack are especially excited about giving to the kids in "Sadie" (Haiti!:)) I LOVE that they are learning how to love others!! :) Here are some of my favorite quotes from my little M and Z this week! They are too funny not to share!!

Maddie: "Mommy, I LOVE PBS!!" (That is what she calls VBS! I think it is SO cute!:))

Zack: "WE GOT A SNACK and it was soooooooo good!!!" :) (My little guy LOVES to eat!:))

Maddie: "Mommy, why is Mr. Wayne dressed like a cowgirl!?" (Our awesome minister leads the kiddos in the Praise time during "PBS" and he is always dressed "in part!" Except he isn't dressed like a cow girl, just a cow boy, she gets confused! :))

Zack: "WE HAD A CRAFT!!!!! :) My Hayden sat by me!" (Hayden is one of his besties, so Z has to give me a full report on Hayden also each day!! :))

Maddie: "MOMMY, did you know that the kids in "Sadie" don't have ANYTHING!?" (Here she is referring to the mission for VBS this week!! They have been collecting money for the kiddos in HAITI so they can have shoes and such! Apparently they did the BIG presentation on this on Tuesday because both my M and Z came home telling me about the kids in "Sadie!" And they haven't stopped! They even hit up their Ga-Ga and Mze for money for these kids! A-dorable! :))

Zack: "Mommy, the kids in "Sadie" don't have a refrigerator or a fan! Can you believe that?" (TRUE story!! :):) He must have heard that somewhere!!:))

Maddie: "My favorite times are snack and craft time! Oh, and I love the sing and dance time!! Do grown ups really dance like that?? (referring to the adults acting goofy on stage!) Did you KNOW I get to sing and dance ON STAGE on Sunday??!"

Zack: "I don't "yike" to sing and dance on stage!"

Maddie: "Bye-bye mommy, have fun in your BIG girl class!! And don't forget to learn stuff!!:)"

Zack: "Will you stay with me?" (He said this in my ear very quietly on the first day!! He was SO precious!! He wasn't crying or throwing a fit...he just needed some reassurance from his Mommy!! You can BET I stayed for a bit!!:))

I know I say this a lot, but you can NEVER say it too much, and they can never HEAR it too much!! I LOVE MY KIDDOS!!! They are so fun and so sweet and so funny!! They are just the perfect mix of Wyatt and I! I LOVE to watch them learn!! What an incredible privilege!! I am enjoying my time with them so much, because...the next time VBS rolls around, I will have a 5 year old and an almost 4 year old!! Time is FLYING, so we are ENJOYING every moment!!

SO BLESSED!!!!!!

A Love Letter to my Zack

Dear Sweet Precious Baby Boy,

Are you REALLY 3!?! As I look at your precious face, I can hardly believe the BIG boy you are becoming!! You have such beautiful blue eyes and a smile that totally light's up your face (and anyone's else's that is around! :)) Your smile is totally contagious!!!:))!! You are sure spunky and stinky, (in all fun ways of course :)) but you are so cute and fun loving also!! You love trains and fire truck's... throwing balls and jumping off of EVERYTHING...you are our true little boy!! We love you SO much!!

Of course I feel like I know you the best, since we get to spend every day together and I love it so much!! :) You were challenging to me at first, son, I simply didn't know what to do with a boy! But, you have been so patient with your mommy and I am so thankful for your life and for God's perfect timing in giving us YOU!! I love the way you hold my hand each night as you have your last "dink" (drink) of the day and how you snuggle up close to me when you are feeling sleepy or just need some encouragement!! I love the way you dance, brother bear's got some rhythm! :) I love hot proud you are of being able to spell your name and knowing ALL the letters in the alphabet!! You have a tender heart and I pray that God will use that for His Glory!! I love the way you love all of the special family members you have in your life...you adore your Mze and your Daddy!! You think your Ga-Ga is pretty special and you enjoy the presence of your Tre-Tre, Unk and Maddux so much! BUT, above ALL, you L-O-V-E your sister!! She is your favorite and your best! I pray that you two will continue forming the amazing bond you share!! Precious!! :):) I love the way you say "Mommy" and how you ask the sweetest questions!!! I love the way you want to learn!! You LOVE your big sister, and want to know everything that she knows!! You are my little lovey!

My prayer for you son, is that you grow to be a man that loves, serves and fears God!! I pray that He will dwell in your heart and that you will find your identity in Him each day!!! I pray that you will seek Him and find Him in each situation that you have in life!! I know that days seem hard at times, but God is ALWAYS there and He loves you SO much!!! I pray scripture over you a lot son...you can be so strong willed, but I know that God is doing a work in your heart and I CANNOT WAIT to see who He makes you and molds you to be!!! Never could I have imagined how much I love you and how precious your life is to me!! Happy Birthday my precious child, mommy loves you SO much!!!

I LOVE you Zack!!!

:) Christina

VBS

Today was our first day at VBS at Northside and it was a huge SUCCESS!! :):) This is our second year at VBS and my kiddos have been talking about it ALL month long!! :) Maddie and Zack were SO EXCITED to go and be with their friends and learn about Jesus!! They were also quite excited to learn a new theme song and just enjoy being with their friends! I grew up going to VBS, so it is very special to me too! I am SO excited that my kiddos get the chance to be blessed by all of the time and energy our church puts into this program!! They realize that for some kiddos, this might be their first {and only} chance at learning about the Bible!! We LOVE VBS!!

As I mentioned previously, this is our second year at VBS!! Last year looked MUCH different that this year!! At this time last year we had just started attending our new church and we were so anxious about the new-ness that it was!!! I had gone to many activities with Northside growing up (my family attended a sister church throughout my childhood:)) but it was different going as an adult!! I was so worried about whether we would like it there, or if anyone would talk to us...you know! If you have ever left a church and gone to a new one, you know exactly the feelings I am describing!! It is {SCARY!!} BUT, God is SO gracious and we have found so many new and dear friendships! Wyatt and I feel totally blessed!!! God's hand really has been in our move, and we are so thankful for His leading and for His perfect timing!!

Today, as we walked into VBS, instead of feeling nervous or anxious, we had friends waiting for us to go to class! :):) As we walked down the hall, different friends hugged on us and told us how excited they were that we were there!! It was an incredible blessing!!! I hope that we, The Jenkins family, will be a blessing to others who just need to be loved on!! :)

AND, we can't WAIT for the rest of this week!!!!! :):):):)