Organizing!

Here's what I spent my afternoon doing today! Organizing bills, taxes, insurance, warranties, manuals, and other important documents! I wish I had a before picture, but I wasn't thinking quick enough. I'm so happy to have this job behind me. I haven't gone through all of our "important" documents since we moved into this house. I think we are good to go for another year now! Yea!

Happy New Year!

Ok - so I've realized how much I've neglected this blog in 2008. Shane laughs because I was so excited to have this blog, and to have a online documentary of our life, however I have miserably failed at actually utilizing it! I'm usually not one to make "New Year Resolutions" however, I do enjoy setting new goals and dreams throughout the year. I find that I'm usually motivated by by trying new ways to achieve my goals whatever they may be at the time.

So with that being said, one of the things I would like to achieve this year is updating this blog more. Here is a list of some other interests for 2009! I don't want to call these goals or resolutions for the new year, however I find that living intentionally usually helps me stay focused on what really matters!

Jackee's intentions for 2009:

1. Bible Study/Reading: I would really like to find more time to get into the Bible and really let God speak to me through his word. I don't do this nearly enough right now. I absolutely love to read, however usually it involves reading books, magazines, and Internet articles. It's time to dig into some Bible study!

2. Cooking: I'm going to try really hard to learn new recipes and cook better dinners. I've found that just planning ahead really helps me in this area. Even though planning a "menu" for the upcoming week seems a little obsessive, it really helps me have plenty of options in the house when we get home at 5:00 and ask "What's for dinner?" What's even better is that Shane and I enjoy cooking together!

3. Running: I want to get running again. I've never really stopped running for an extended period of time, however I have taken a few weeks off after doing a challenge with some friends this winter. I want to become more consistent in my running and possibly start running in the mornings before work. This would help me with routine and accountability. We will see about doing any races. I don't have much of a desire to do a marathon at this point...I'm not all that competitive when it comes to races.

4. Sewing: I know, I know...a little dorky. I've had a bit of an interest in sewing for a while now, and my parents gave me a sewing machine for Christmas this year! I've started sewing an apron and I'll be excited to finish it finally. I also want to make some pillows and some kind of blanket. We are starting small and see how I do!

5. Debt Reduction: This has been something Shane and I have been working on consistently for a while now. It's something that isn't easy, but will be so worth it when we can be out of debt! Although, I don't see us completing this goal for many years, it's still something that I like to focus on and never forget.

6. Simplify: I love trying to clear the clutter out of my life. Whenever I simplify, it feels like I can focus on everything else better. I'd like to continue to go through our house and get rid of the things we don't need or use.

So I was sharing with Shane the items that I would like to strive to achieve in 2009 and he agreed to let me put his list on here too! It's great to have discussions about what we want to work toward together and there are a few we left off, however we will probably devote some other posts to those! For now, here is Shane's list!

1. Bible Reading: I want to continue to grow my faith and learn more about what God's will is in my life.

2. Serving: I want to find where God would use me and my story to help others.

3. Running/Lifting & Eating Healthier: I'd like to find a balance in working out and life. Spending the right amount of time to stay in shape while not letting it consume my life.

4. Career Promotion: I'd like to find ways to continue to grow in my career and possibly get promoted. And a nice raise to help with everything above! :)

5. Home Projects: Multiple projects around the house that need to be done! ie: lighting in basement, crown molding, new fence, paint porch

Dream big this year - and do something about it! Happy 2009!

World Vision African Village

Shane and I recently attended an exhibit at our church that was very enlightening. We went through the life of a little girl named Mathabo. She was abandoned by her mother, abused by her brother, threatened by those who could harm her and rape her. She eventually was responsible for taking care of her dying mother, who was assumed to have AIDS. This was extremely eye-opening. One thing that I've continued to think about today is the phrase: child-headed households. I can't even imagine what life is like in these communities, where children are not safe from anyone. We can't even imagine leaving children under the age of 10 alone for a few hours. Could you imagine having a house full of children that have to find their own ways to survive? Obviously Shane and I were both inspired to look at our life and how we can identify and help those less fortunate in this world. We have two little boys that have joined our family through World Vision and Food for the Hungry. How blessed we are to have organizations that do such great work and give us the oportunity to help.

Mathabo with her mother

Weeding

Today I finally did it...I finally spent the majority of my afternoon weeding the flower garden in our backyard. This has been a chore that I've been dreading for a LONG time. I'm a little embarrassed to say that I did not touch our flower garden one time last summer. Just looking into our backyard overwhelms me! And weeding is one of those chores that truly weakens me. I wish so badly I could say I enjoyed it like both of my next door neighbors, however I am beginning to think it's never going to happen. And I am certain there is no hope for my husband, therefore I will continue to do it because I have to...just like cleaning the bathrooms. :) Our yard has so many beautiful flowers and the landscaping was done so nicely...however since I hadn't touched it in a year, it was overgrown and out of control! Although I still wasn't a 100% sure the difference between some of the flowers and weeds, I thought I better give it a try before our backyard turns into a jungle!

Piles and piles of weeds!

Not perfect...but better.

And so, I will continue to battle with the weeds...But make no mistake: the weeds will win; nature bats last.

Friends!

Sorry it's been so long since our last post! Summer seems to take up so much time! Shane has been enjoying golfing and playing basketball. And I've been busy with sand volleyball and trying to keep my running up...:) We also have enjoy a lot of trips over to my parent's house on Lake Delhi.

In June it was nice to get together some high school friends! What a great time! I miss hanging out with these girls!

April Celebrations!

I thought it'd be appropriate to post something today...3 years ago today Shane asked me to marry him! It's been a great 3 years since, and we are fast approaching our 2 year wedding anniversary in June! It's crazy how time flies! April is also very busy for the rest of our family! Here is a glimpse of everything going on.

Happy Birthday to...
April 1 - Tyler (Jackee's brother)
April 2 - Susie (Shane's brother's girlfriend)
April 5 - Bruce (Shane's brother)
April 6 - Andrea (Jackee's sister-in-law)
April 11 - Izzy (our niece)
April 13 - Jackee :)

Also Happy Anniversary to my parent's - April 9!

This past weekend we had another great visit from our friends Erin & Aaron. They can up and we were able to go out to eat at Texas Road House and then enjoyed some drinks downtown Cedar Falls.

These pictures were just too funny not to post!! Hope you enjoy!

Wine & Dark Hair

This past weekend we went to Summerset Winery in Indianola, Iowa for a Murder Mystery Dinner. We had a great time catching up with our friends Erin & Aaron. And the wine was tasty as well!! Here are a few pics!

Also, here is a picture of my new hair - no more highlights!

The 4 of us.

Erin & Jackee

Running...

This past weekend Shane and I purchased our first treadmill! We are so excited to have it in our basement! We've been looking at treadmills since we got married and finally found one on sale that we couldn't pass up. How exciting - let the running begin!

Projects!

Couple of weeks ago I painted our basement stairs. Here are the end results! :) Next project -- painting the living room!

Doggies

Naughty Dogs!

This is the scene we returned home to a couple of weeks ago! After cleaning the entire basement, we decided our dogs could handle free reign of our unfinished basement. Boy were we wrong!

Here is Bailey - she found a new fantasy with toilet paper. I made her sit in the middle of her disaster so I could take her picture. Not one roll untouched!!

While Bailey was busy with TP Bongo discovered he was tall enough to get to the real jackpot! He ate until he practically had to roll himself out of the house.