The "Super" Surprise Party...

JR's mom and I threw JR a Surprise 30th Birthday Party and it was a TOTAL success! I think it took JR about 5 minutes to figure out the party was actually for him! The loud "surprise" didn't get him, singing Happy Birthday didn't get him...but seeing that the people at the party weren't his dad's friends, they were his friends is when he finally got it! It was Great!!! I think JR has forgivin us now...

Here are a few pictures from the fabulous party!

Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated with us

and to those who could not make it, we missed you!

Baby Grupe Shower

My mom and I threw my brother and his wife a baby shower a couple of weekends ago. I just got my hands on the pictures because I forgot my camera so I had to use my mom's the entire day. I made the center pieces and found the idea for the clothesline online. It was a great day! Kevin and Angela received so many great gifts. "Abigail Dean" should be arriving at the end of June and I am super excited!

Here are a few pictures to highlight the day...

JR's Birthday

JR's 30th Birthday was on Monday, so we celebrated this weekend. Friends of ours took us to a Fire game. Deanna (my assistant coach for one of my U12 teams) and her daughter, Paige decided to take us for Paige's birthday. So Deanna and I had Paige and JRs names up on the screen saying "Happy Birthday Paige and JR, Love Deanna and Jen". I took a picture, but it came out blurry. I'll post it anyway. We had an awesome time! And I think JR enjoyed it because not too much attention was brought to him for his birthday!

This is all 4 of us in our front row seats at the game. (Me, Deanna, Paige, and JR)

JR and Paige are really into the game while I am testing the camera so I can get a good shot of their Happy Birthday wishes...

Didn't work out so well! Maybe I should have just watched the game too!

Me and Deanna

Grandpa's Birthday

We gathered at Grandma and Grandpa Paulsen's back in March to Celebrate Grandpa's 84th brithday. JR and I don't make it out to Illinois to visit my grandparents as much as we would like, but everything time we are there we have a fabulous time!

Gramps opening his gifts!

Mom, Me, Dad, Gma & Gpa

JR & Grams

Dad & Ang (& baby)

Mom and I

Living Room is finally done!

Okay, so it has only taken 8 months to finish this room, but I finally have finished the living room...now i have to make a valance or something for the dining area. Here is the pictures that show the drapery and pillows that made for the room. Enjoy!

JR says "Hello"

It was super bright outside the day I took the pictures!

BEFORE...

AFTER...

BEFORE...

AFTER...

Close up of the curtains I made.

Original curtains that I need still need to do something with!

Marriage Encounter

What an experience! We had an absolute amazing time at the Marriage Encounter with our church. We don't have any major problems in our lives. We don't fight. So people were wondering why we were going. For us it wasn't about healing wounds or asking for forgiveness. But it was about getting closer to God, becoming more one than we already are. To allow the spirit to lead our marriage. To show us where we can become closer, how to become closer, where our marriage is headed, what God's calling is on our lives and how he wants to use us. The encounter has showed a new way to love each other...and we are more in love now than we were when we were married just 9 months ago.

It wasn't all serious...we had the opportunity to play the "Newly Wed game". I had a fabulous Miss America hat on and JR had some crazy tie. Unfortunately we tied for second...and lost the tie breaker. Fun Times though!

Something to think about...

I've come to realize that I don't think to post unless I have pictures to share, so today there aren't any pictures. Valentine's Day wasn't anything special, just another busy day in our lives. I realized that the world doesn't stop for Valentine's Day. JR refuses to buy a card because it is a Hallmark Holiday. We went out to dinner along with every other couple in America, but we go out to dinner almost every Thursday evening. So, it's a day that people are suppose to express their unwavering love for their partner and do something special, which is great...but what I don't understand is, shouldn't we express that love everyday? Just something to think about.

We are going to a Marriage Encounter this weekend with our church. It is held at this beautiful resort about 1.5 hours away from our house. There are about 30-40 couples going. It should be a great time for us to become closer to God and have some time away from our busy lives. I'll let ya know how it goes. Peace.