the verdict is in...

...to the beach it is!

This will be the first time my mom, both brothers and I will be taking a trip to the beach in years.

I am very excited about spending time with all of them.

I have had a lot of requests for more “jen-jen videos” lately and I will promise to do my best and bring you a little entertainment from the ocean.

(click here to see our last trip to the beach).

The above statement could not be more true for me. I am very pleased to report that I did make all A’s on my tests last week. Thanks to everyone who was pulling for me and cheering for me and praying for me.

Enjoy this beautiful spring weather!

See you in a week, Jackson!

life without facebook

After my leave of absence from facebook, I can tell you a few things that have drastically changed:

1)     I get WAY more school done during the day (and evening)

2)    I’ve gone to bed almost an hour earlier every evening

3)     I pay almost 100% more attention in class. I’m not tempted to get out my phone and mindlessly fidget with it wavering back and forth between facebook and/or twitter.

4)    All the “chatter” in my mind is more calm

5)     I’m glad that I don’t know what you’re doing today. And I’m even more glad you don’t know what I’m doing or where I’m going.

6)    I’ve had many more phone conversations and made more attempts to be fully present with the people that are actually IN my life (not on a screen)

7)     I feel less dumb

8)    I’m reading a lot more at night

9)    I’ve had more time to pay attention to what’s actually going on with me—instead of ignoring or evading things I need to be looking at.

10)                         I feel more “healthy” all the way around

I don’t know why it took me so long do to this. I’ve known I needed to do it for a while.

I hope your Lenten journey is one of thoughtful reflection and focus on why you do what you do. Why you believe what you believe; what changes you want to see in your life long-term; what’s keeping you from living the life you’ve always wanted to live.

In other news...

I made a brief trip home over the weekend—literally less than 72 hours but it was so wonderful to see my mom and dad—and of course my little nephew—who is almost 2!! This time I could really tell how much he’s grown. He’s talking more and his little personality is blossoming and let me tell you—he is ALL boy! That boy could play outside for 24 hours if we let him. He loves all our animals (by the way, we are now back up to 3 dogs and 3 cats! We haven’t had that many animals in years. My poor mom and dad)!

And now it’s back to the real world for me. The next two weeks at school are going to be the most hectic yet. We are getting ready to cram in a second round of tests before Spring Break—and while I’m maintaining a very B average this semester, I need to do well on these so I’ll have a little leeway going into our finals.

I have to tell you, I’m really ready to be done with this first year. The past few weeks I’ve realized how tired and worn-out I am of just my regular routine. My daily routine starts somewhere around 5:30am every morning and I usually never get into the bed before 11pm. But the end is in sight. Thank goodness. 

Blessings to you and yours!

With a full heart,

Jennifer

Christmas 2011

This Christmas was one of the best ones I can remember. Certainly the best one in the past decade.

It was so much fun this year mainly because of this little guy….

As usual, when we woke up we all gathered in the living room and before we open any stockings or gifts we have a tradition……to find the green pickle hidden in the Christmas tree!

 And I always win (I really do). It’s really disadvantageous to my brothers who are both color blind….but oh well. The winner always gets a Mrs. Prindable's apple.

This is the same stocking I’ve had for 29 years.

This is our original Santa plate we’ve had since Caroline’s birth in 1989

I hadn’t asked for anything this year besides money to go to a holiday retreat….and lo and behold I racked up this Christmas! I was absolutely shocked to find that my sweet brother bought me a new computer! I had been using one that my friend was about to throw out in the trash but graciously let me use for school and it served all my needs—internet and word (for school and writing). It never occurred to me that it was slow. But my brother obviously caught notice! Thank you, Brian! I screamed like a little girl upon opening it.

My other brother, Clint, bought me this gorgeous set of books…..after seeing the movie (and thinking it was kick-ass) I can’t wait to read the rest.

My little sister got me this gorgeous ring!

 And these super hip Toms. I guess she’s trying to keep me in style.

One of the more funny gifts this year was this gigantic boom box my mom bought for my dad. I think she intended it to go in his medical clinic…..it could not be more ghettolicious! Way to go mom!

It was so fun watching Irwin open his gifts…he loves his new work bench!

Fun with the family…..

After last years absence, I am happy to report that the entire Maranto family was here for this Christmas! All 18 of us enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner. My mom works like a slave every Christmas and I don’t think we could ever give her enough credit. THANK YOU MOM!!!!

Our kitchen and dining room were set beautifully….due to mom, of course…

And our deserts were super yummy. Especially the 3 day old coconut cake..and my second batch of spicy pecans turned out really tasty

and no Christmas would be complete without Mrs. Maranto's puppy chow mix...

 I know I’ve mentioned this before but the Maranto family and my family have been doing Christmas and Easter together since 1987. The only year we were not all together was last year and that was due to Claire having her baby boy—who is now  one year old! It was so awesome to have them all here this year. The babies played so well together. I’ve loved growing up and spending our holidays with this family. They mean so much to us.

Claire (Maranto), Mark, and Nathan Kolvites joined us this year from Jefferson, NC

Claires’ little boy, Nathan. Such a cutie!

After dinner we all enjoyed a family game of Catch Phrase. We played 3 rounds. In the end the guys won…but us girls put up a good fight. We had a good many laughs….

The “magic” of Christmas that we often feel as children and lose as adults was certainly felt this year. I am happy to report we had zero Christmas melt-downs. We all got along famously. We were all grateful for our gifts (especially me!). and in my house, we are always reminded of the real reason for celebrating this holiday---the birth of Jesus Christ.

As I sit here propped up on the couch watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas! with my nephew, I am reminded that there are those out there who are less fortunate; there are those who are sick, hungry, tired, lonely, broken, angry, cold….the list goes on and on. I don’t know why God has blessed me and my family so much. But I know that it’s my responsibility to shed love and light to all around me….to spread the message of Christmas to everyone I meet. I don’t have to do this with words, but by my actions. May we all remember to take care of our own and also remember that everyone is our own.

From our house to yours,

Merry Merry Christmas!

to view last years Christmas click here