2 Days and Counting!!!

The perks of having a husband that is on the road constantly is that sometimes we get to take really fun trips for free!!!  33Miles will be singing on a 5 day cruise starting at the end of the week!  We are so excited to get out of this dreary Nashville weather and experience some warmth and sunshine for a change!  The boys are going with us as well as my parents and Jason's parents and sister.  We have told Jake and Jonah that we are going on a surprise vacation this week.  They are so pumped!  I can't wait to see their faces when they see that big boat!  I think we will show them a pic before we leave for a little preparation.  We can't wait to make new memories with our family this week!!!

Those Eyes!!!

Look that those eyes!  I have to brag a little and say that my baby is growing up to be quite a sweet (and handsome might I add) boy!  His hugs and kisses make my day just a little bit (or a lot) better!!!  You gotta love the hand in the pocket too!

Family...the pic sums it up!

This picture from Christmas is of all of the little cousins.  It is impossible to get one of everyone sitting still and smiling at the same time!  The pic includes my two boys, my sister's 10 year old Jana, and her 7 year old Josh, and my cousin Laurie's 3 little ones...Jack 4 (him and Jake are big buds!), Camille almost 2 (going on 20), and baby Henry almost 4 months!  Yes, my cousin had her last two very close together.  I was not about to keep up with that!  Anyway, they all love each other very much, and it is such a blast to be home and see them all together.  It always makes me sad that we don't live closer to them.  I grew up playing with Laurie and her brothers and sisters (well mostly babysitting them since I am so old), and I cherish the memories I have with them!  My sister...well, she is the best and so are her children!  They love our boys and miss them so much!  But, even though we are so far away we keep in touch often and are giving each other advice on a constant basis!  There is nothing better than family, and I am so thankful that I have such a wonderful extended family too.  My cousins are just like brothers and sisters, and my aunt is like a second mom to me!  Last year was a rough year for our family with the death of my grandmother, and the ailments that it brought on the daughters that bore the brunt of it,  but I think it has all brought us all closer together!  I am looking forward to a new year and making new memories with my wonderful family!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wow, I can't believe it is the beginning of another year.  The time is flying by!  This year was a crazy one that consisted of lots of travel and 2 boys growing up way too fast!  It has been exciting, exhausting, and fulfilling!  Looking back as I approach a new year I have to sum up last year in one word "Survival".  I do feel like we did have a great year, but I feel like I was running in survival mode.  This was the first year that Jason was traveling consistently on average of 4 days a week.  For those of you who have a traveling man understand that IT IS HARD!!!  Meeting the needs of two small children, and taking care of the day to day needs of a household 24/7 gets very demanding at times!  I also am very blessed to have a husband that is very involved, and takes a lot of the load on when he is home.  It is amazing, but makes it a little difficult when he leaves! lol!  All that being said, I am moving into a new year and desiring to move into a new mode.  I don't want to be in survival mode anymore.  I want to feel like I am accomplishing things, and helping my family accomplish things as well.  I would like the word that sums up 2009 to be "Consistent".  I am hopeful that our family and friends will grow together, and love each other well this year!  

TAGGED!!!

Ok, so I got tagged last month by my friend Bethany and am just getting around to posting this.  I have been a slacker!!!  Here it goes...questions about MY MAN!

1. Where did you meet?  We met in college at Louisiana Tech University doing the musical "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat".  Technically we met before then, and I had already said that he would be my husband one day! LOL!

2. How long did you date?  Well, in college we dated for a year after being best friends for a year.  Then broke up our senior year, and got back together 2 years later when we both ended up in Nashville and then dated another year before getting married.  Crazy drama people!!!

3. How long have you been married?  in April it will be 9 years

4. What does he say that surprises you? You are beautiful...it still catches me off guard sometimes

5. What is your favorite feature of his?  His eyes they are the most beautiful brown eyes you have ever seen (other than my son's who has the same eyes).  I tend to still melt a little when he looks at me! I really like his physique too! hee hee!

6. What is your favorite quality of his?  His passion for life and love of his family!

7.  Does he have a nickname for you?  Baby, babe, Jen

8. What is his favorite color?  I would say green.  He says that red is his signature color! HA!

9. What is his favorite food?  I good burger and an ICEE if it's an eat whatever day

10. What is his favorite sport?  College football, but he likes to play basketball

11. When and where did you first kiss?  My dorm room

12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?  Everything!  We just love being together

13.  Do you have any children?  Jake - 4 and Jonah - 2

14.  Does he have a hidden talent?  Yes, but it may embarrass him...let's just say that he is very creative!

15. How old is he?  34

16. Who said "I love you" first?  He did.  

17. What is his favorite type of music?  Pop 

18. What do you admire most about him?  His heart.  He is such a genuine person that loves God and loves people!  People are just drawn to him.

19. Do you think he will read this?  Yes!

Ok, so now I am tagging my friends Joy, Laurie, and Dana.  You are IT!  Can't wait to hear about your men!

We Are Ready!

The Barton house is decorated for Christmas! What's that you say???  No judging people!  We decided to decorate earlier that usual because #1 The hubby/daddy was home to help (he actually does most of the work), and #2 we leave on December 17th from our home in Spring Hill, TN to make the trek to Louisiana.  33Miles is doing a little Christmas run of shows in TX up until the big week so we are heading down with Jase to see family.  Long story short, we wanted to enjoy our tree for a while!  Jake and Jonah have their own tree this year in the playroom (the pic shown above).  They are pumped, and actually did quite a bit of the decorating!  It is exciting to see their little faces light up!  They have their own nativity to play with too!  Maybe it will sink in!  It also helps that they won't be getting into mine!  Needless to say, we are excited about the season and for the Reason of it all!!! 

The Cricket Toy

For those awkward moments in life, our friend Jeff Anderson has come up with the idea of The Cricket Toy.  When you have one of those moments, just press the button and crickets will chirp!  Check it out!!!  www.thecrickettoy.com  Great Christmas gift!!!