San Antonio, TX

Well Im back from San Antonio, alive, and missing my family already. I really did just have such a good time! My flights there and back were wonderful and Jesus really is so cool. Once Justin dropped me off at the airport i was totally calm and ready to just get on and go see my family. It was amazing! And Justin was so sweet, he called me about 10 minutes after he dropped me off and was crying because he said he just hated to see me scared and didnt want me to feel like that and wished he could go with me to make me feel better. I love him for that! Anyway, well I got there and the whole fam was there to pick me up with signs and all. Taylor immediately ran up and jumped up on me and stayed that way the remainder of the trip pretty much, right up on me, but i loved it! I thought maybe they have forgotten me! We went to the Rainforest Cafe to get some food first and I just was in heaven being with all of them. It was so good to see my dad again and talk with him. I love how everywhere we went when we couldnt find him, he was off talking to somebody, he always finds someone to listen to him. haha. After lunch we walked around the Riverwalk and then headed home to go to the opening of the new pool in their neighborhood. The kids really wanted to swim so we all got our bathing suits on and went back up there and i played in the water with them. it was sooooo fun!

Well while was there I got to sleep with Taylor every night in her little bed, and it was so awesome. She would always throw her little arm across me and get real close, not that you could help but be really close in a twin. It was just the sweetest thing. In the morning she would wake up before me, but she would lay there until I woke up, sometimes just staring at me, or playing with her baby doll. My mom said after I left she said she missed me and wanted me to come sleep with her again. I always thought I was a bad bed partner but she loves me! she really loves me! haha

Well Saturday we lounged around and got stuff ready and ran errands for the birthday parties on sunday. We went up to my Bubba's work too for a BBQ and met lots of people there that he works with. My mom and I also did a little shopping which never hurts, i like shopping with my marms! That night we grilled out and played games outside and watched basketball. Tanner is an insane jock. He plays it all, hockey, golf, baseball, football, soccer, its nuts. He is so hardcore about it too. I was playing paddle ball with him and he stands like he is ready for andre agassi to hit to him, all positioned correctly and whatnot. its really funny. He's only 5!

So Sunday was the day of birthday parties. There was one at 2 and one at 5. It was so neat getting to see the kids with their friends and meeting Bubba and Chris' friends too. I ate way too much cake though. Diets are not in affect for vacation though, thats what I say!

Monday morning I woke up and was sad because I knew I had to leave later that day =( My brother really wanted to take my dad to a car show, my dad just loves that stuff! Whenever I couldnt find him on a Saturday night I always drove to BK on 9 mile and there he was talking to a bunch of people. He really loves cars. We had a good time there, me and the boys, and I was glad me and bubba were able to hang out with dad. We got home and I packed all my stuff and we went to a good burger place before heading to the airport.

When I got to the airport I found out my flight could be delayed over two hours! That stunk. However, Jesus rocks and we left only about 30 mintues late and so I made it to my connecting flight two minutes before it took off! YEA! perfect timing! I actually realize that I love flying alone. I like to talk to strangers and what better place to meet one than on a flight. I had such fun people sitting next to me on every flight. On two of the planes I sat next to a pilot and he told me all about flying and planes. And I sat next to a pastor of a church here in Cincinnati and he was coming home from a Mission trip in Guatamala. I liked talking to all those people. Well when I got in Justin was standing there with a sign that said "Hey Jill, You didnt Die." haha, i love him! I knew Id feel ridiculous for worrying and Im hoping to remember this next time. I really did feel just so close to Jesus through all of it because I would pray when I got nervous and it was incredible to see the peace that passes all understanding calm my heart.

So Im home now and back at work and all, and cant wait for my next trip to Pcola to see all you gals that I miss so much! Oh yea, and Justin finished his HOLE! did I spell it right that time Jo? haha. It is now a beautiful patio and we went and got some furniture for it last night at Target. I cant wait to cook out and eat out there on it!

oh yea, i put all the pictures on our website, the link is to the right and says Our Photo Albums, I know you will be looking for it bubba.=) hope you all are having a wonderflastic week!

blessings

just a few things im so thankful for today,

first, my dad's voice last night on the phone. im so glad he's back, i called my mom as soon as i knew he was off that plane and probably with her.

also, the gap distribution store, where i bought a dress for 10 bucks whereas it is still at GAP stores for $70, and i love great finds, i also got a great pair of running shorts for $2, and lots of other great deals, but i wont bore you with all of it.

next, the sunshine, i love sitting outside, playing with alex, reading a book, taking a walk, all with the sun on my skin

and my favorite thing of all, this mornings kiss. i usually wake up when justin gets up and get ready, but this morning i didnt because he woke up earlier and i guess i was just still so sleepy. but then right before he left i felt him kiss my skin on my back, it was such a great feeling. i really love him

funness

I had such a good time this past weekend. It was nice and relaxing and I was able to spend a lot of good time with Justin. I mean we always hang out but we are usually in groups every time we do anything or if we are at home we are both working on our own little projects. I just like feeling very connected to him and I need our one on one time to do that sometimes. Here is a little recap of our weekend!

Friday night we of course went to Roy Rogers and then Starbucks spending countless hours cracking one another up, being completely retarded, and I then shook my toosh for complete strangers that I did not see sitting on the patio outside of Starbucks. I could have sworn we were the only ones there, but apparently I was wrong and ended up putting on quite a show. Oh well.

Saturday, Justin had to work for the circus walking on stilts and juggling at a little after party for the Cystic Fibrosis walk at the Levee. I went with him since it was only an hour long job and I sat at Barnes and Noble looking at magazines and books. I love doing that! I did go down and see him for a bit and took pictures since all of you seem to be confused when I say Justin is in the circus! Haha. I posted a couple here so you can see what he does. We had lunch on the deck at Moe’s and then took a walk over the purple people bridge. It was a really nice day and I didn’t want to just leave and go sit at home so I figured a little walk would be fun! Afterwards, we stopped at the Mariemont Carnival on the way home to see all the kids Justin subs and the teachers he works with sometimes. It was so cute watching them all do the cake walk, and bounce house, I just loved being a kid and doing that.

Ok, so you all hear me talk about Justin and his whole. Well, here is a picture of the whole he dug, LAST YEAR! It is finally getting finished. We went to Home Depot Saturday afternoon for like three hours and got everything we needed to finish our patio. Ridiculous. Anyway, he started laying the stone last night with one of our youth kids and its about halfway done now. I cant wait til its all finished and we can eat outside under a cute little umbrella and I can lay out on a chair on the patio and not in the grass.

Also last night, after the patio laying, the JR’s and SR’s had a banquet to raise money for their mission trip to Jamaica that’s in July. I really really love our kids and just the connection we have with all of them and the relationships. They just love on us and make us laugh and make us feel cool. It was a silent auction/dinner so when you got there you got a number and were able to bid on stuff. I only bid on one thing and it was only to counter-bid kyle and make him frustrated and wonder who was doing it! Haha, im sneaky! Neither of us got it though. Hehe. After the bidding there was dinner and the kids served us and everything was black and white with a splash of hot pink! I LOVED IT! Just my style! When we walked in Jenny was like, “Jill I know you love this!” I love how my friends know me so well! After dinner there was also a live auction. That was so exciting! I loved how everyone was just nuts about getting what was up for bid, and just when you thought it was SOLD someone else would raise their hand. Haha, I know it sounds silly, but it was so thrilling! Some of our kids did some singing, they are just so talented and Im so proud of them, and so proud to know them and be able to pour into their lives whatever I can. I know they are all going to have such an impact on those children in Jamaica.

Usually I am sad the weekend is over but this week has so many fun things planned so Im not too sad about it! I have softball tonight, tomorrow some of us girls are going to the gap outlet. Wednesday is patio finishing, and LOST season finale. Thursday is small group and we are having breakfast and that’s my favorite! And Friday I leave for Texas and I cant wait for that and to see me family and my dad will be there and back from Kazakhstan! I hope everyone else has a really fun week ahead too!

Ciao =)

i love the fishes cuz their so delicious

i basically just have random thoughts, feelings, stories, and pictures to share

first, im addicted to goldfish! i dont know how this happened. i guess i just started eating what I feed alex and well, that happens to be goldfish. however for me, it is somewhat of crack/coccaine. on the days when im not at work i feel that these are good times to not eat goldfish since i eat half a carton everyday, however i walk into target and am like, hm i guess ill pick some up. i have a problem!

well, we have been back from our mini vacation for about 4 days now and i really did have such a good time. you all of course know how much i LOVE justins family but the thing i loved other than that was the hotel room. dont worry, no raunchy stories will be told. so, the bathroom was huge! im used to our little bathroom with a countertop big enough to hold a curling iron barely, but it burns the other things because everything is so close, and a shower, and an old toilet. well this past weekend we had a huge counter with TWO sinks, which i loved, (no looking down to spit out toothpaste and seeing justin loog) and i got to take a bath! because there was a shower and a big tub! also, we had the AC on as cold as we wanted, our huge bed was made when we got in and we had a clean bathroom and more towels. i just like the way it feels to be on vacation! i really wish we could have a honeymoon every 6 months or something. also while there, we went to Bristol, its a racetrack for those who didnt know. anyway, i think my husband becomes a little more redneck everyday. wanted you to know.

as most of you know, i have talked about it a lot so you proabably all know, i am afraid to fly. i am going to texas May 25th for my twin neice and nephews birthday and im really happy about seeing them, but anxious about flying, well more like anxious about crashing and dying. dont make fun of me, everyone has their irrational fears. well, i have decided that i am going to go for sure, with a smile on my face because i look at this like something me and God are doing. i have been reading stories in the bible lately about certain characters situations they went thru with God. i have began to see this as something God is doing in me and with me, to get me over a silly fear and let all worry go and let him have control. it may sound weird to you, but its hard to explain. its like me and justin working through something, but its me and God working through what i am seeing as a trust issue. so, now i just wish it were here already so i can do it, get it over with, and see how cool it will be to have God do this in me. im sure many of you are glad to hear that after my psychotic break downs.

also, next weekend most of my girlfriends are all going to be in pensacola and well, im sad i wont be able to hang out with all of you! jo, emily, kristi, heather, danielle, have a good time and call me when you are all together and know that i wish i was there, but will be in june for the summerford nuptials! YEA!

ok, im going to take alex on a walk! have a GREAT weekend everybody!