Holidays Holidays Holidays

No one loved the holidays like Doug.  If you knew him you know what I am talking about.  Really all of our family knows that Doug was the center of all holidays.  Let's start with Thanksgiving; he wanted everyone in the family to be together.  We enjoyed having this holiday at our home.  I love to set a table and cook.  We would have everyone over and of course Betty Ann would bring 20 different dishes and 3-4 cakes with her.  The kids would run around like crazed animals while the men and Sissy watched football all day.  Good times.

Doug and Parker opening their stockings on Christmas morning.

Now Christmas was the BIG DADDY of holidays for Doug.  It was all about Santa Claus.  We would argue every year about how Parker would receive his gifts from Santa.  Doug would insist that all gifts come from Santa Claus and I was raised that Santa brought just a few and mom and daddy gave the rest.  Doug always won.  (I would always ask how his buddies felt when they would see Doug's 20 gifts from Santa and they got 2-3 gifts from Santa?  He would respond by saying "I guess Santa just likes me more.")

As I prepare to host my first Thanksgiving since Doug's passing I am excited and full of joy as I remember how much joy Doug brought to the holiday season.  His heart was always in the right place.  Parker loves his family and there is really no toy that he would ever want if he had to trade time spent with the people he loves.  I admire that about him.  I am sure that Brady will learn to love this time of year too.  

Steve grew up not celebrating holidays due to his families religious beliefs.  Boy did he hit the mother lode when he met us!  The past year had been full of firsts for all of us.   We have celebrated every holiday with Steve and his parents; Christmas, 4th of July, Birthdays, Halloween.  It has been awesome to see them enjoy the fellowship and memories we are making during these special times.  

 This is Parker with Santa on the Polar Express.  He thought we were really going to the North Pole and was so disappointed when he saw the trailer park at the end of the ride.  We laughed so hard.

Parker and Brady pose in front of the tree 2009. 

This holiday season remember to create memories with those you love by Living Life Out Loud.  Happy Holidays!

Seasons of Life

Well since my last posting I have celebrated another birthday.  I don't know why, but this particular birthday was different than all the rest. 

I remember some of my past celebrations...  like Chuckie Cheese's when my dad didn't come home on time and I mom walked the entire birthday party ,which was also a sleep-over, to Chuckie Cheese because she couldn't drive us all in one car and wouldn't leave some behind and make 2 trips.  We only lived a 10 minute walk away.  Or my 21st birthday which was on Easter Sunday and the only bar open was Black Angus and my sister drank more than me.  When we got home my mom said "You aren't even drunk."  Then my bestfriend, Danielle said "your mom is so sweet, cuz you are trashed."  4 days after my 28th birthday my dad died.  I remember asking him not to die on my birthday; thanks daddy.  The Waco, TX cult raid happened on my birthday.  So did the Oklahoma bombing.  I was born on my Great-Grandmother on my moms side birthday and my Grandfather on my dads side birthday. 

I have come to learn that around the 19th of April God gets real busy.  This year I feel as though I am entering a new season of life.  I am a widow and my parents are gone too.  I have 2 amazing little boys that fill my life with love and laughter everyday.  I am getting remarried to an incredible man.  To be a bride at 39 is a little wierd.  I am struggling with how I want to mark this season in my life.  I grew up as Jennifer Tootle.  I have lived a wonderful life as Jennifer Greenway.  Who will I be as Jennifer Taylor?

Seasons of my life remind me that there is only one way to 

LIVE LIFE and that is OUT LOUD.

"Happy Birthday to you whenever your special day is." -Jennifer

Compassion and Kindness

As we prepare for the Easter holiday, which signifies the death and rising of Christ, I am humbled by his compassion and kindness for others.  Especially those who persecuted him.  I don't want to freak out those of you who are not familiar with my faith by going "churchy" on you, just trust me and read on. 

I was asked to speak to the faculty of Ripon Christian School, Parker's school, a couple of weeks ago.  The theme for the year is Just Like Him and each month there is a subtopic.  The subtopic for March is Compassion and Kindness.  Here is what I shared with that day...

My parents were both educators.  My dad for 30 years.  My mom for 25 years.  So I grew up hearing the stories about all the rotten things that their students had done.  They put the fear of God in us about acting or doing the things that those notty children did.  (so we learned how to do rotten things without getting caught)  I also learned when I was pregnant not to share any potential names because they were alwasy associated with a previous student. 

Honestly, the most specific lesson I learned was not from my parents regarding their students, but from the students my parents taught.  Specifically after my dad had passed away, there where several of his students who attend his services.  One in particular came up to me and said "You don't know me, but I was one of your dad's students.  He was more of a father to me than my own dad.  I have always wanted to meet you.  You are one of the luckiest people."  Now at that time I was not feeling very lucky.  I just lost my best friend.  However, her comments changed my emotions.  I indeed was very lucky.

You see, my parents were compassionate.  They made people feel as they were family.  Students, friends, neighbors, collegues.  It was a wonderful way to grow up.  Holidays always consisted of many "family" members. 

Compassion as defined by Thomas Merton is

"the keen awareness of the interdependence of all things."

I think this really sums it up.  We certainly have an interdependence on each other.
Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to another forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Anytime that God gives us the opportunity to role model to children he is giving us the greatest gift.  Children depend on us to not only tell them how to act, but to SHOW them how to act.  How to be JUST LIKE HIM.

One of the leadership principles of Compassion International is "Demonstrate Godly Character"  (you can learn more about Compassion International at the link below)
www.compassion.com

Colossians 3:12 "Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humilty, gentleness and patience."

Doug, myself, Mom and Dad at the Opreyland Hotel in Nasville, TN 1997

I thank my parents for being such wonderful role models.  I am blessed to have many people in my life that are compassionate and kind.  Please remember our Savior, Christ Jesus, as you put out your Easter baskets and hunt your eggs.  Have compassion, kindness and Live Life Out Loud.

Tater Chips

Many months ago I wrote about my dear friend, Mayonnaise. I had more comments about how many of you enjoy my thoughts. You may not have agreed to loving mayo, but you supported my enthusiasm nonetheless. So I have decided to share my family's love of chips. Potato chips to be exact. One of Doug's nicknames was "Tater". He could eat a bag of Lay's Original Potato Chips in about 2 minutes flat. His best friend, Mark Russell, was called "Scoop" for his efforts in scooping salsa, onion dip or any substance that could be "scooped" up on to a chip. So Scoop, this one is for you.
My sweet little boys just love chips. Parker started at an early age with tortilla chips. Since I love Mexican food these are also the chips that Brady started his chip eating. Now we all have our favorite kinds. I love Twisted BBQ Fritos, Guacamole tortilla chips, Ruffles, Cheetos. Parker loves Salt and Vinegar, Funyons, BBQ potato chips. Brady likes Crunchy Cheetos, plain Lays and like his Uncle Mark, any type of dip; bean, salsa, ranch.
I want to know why we crave chips. They please us in so many ways. I have to eat chips when I have Subway. Chips and salsa are a food group for me. Kids adore them. Ever been to a cookout without them? I bet not.

Did you know:

• That the chip was invented by a Native American (shout out to my Indian friends) who was a cook at a lodge in NY.
• They were sold in bins in grocery stores first, then in a bag.
• Lay's was started in 1932.
• The potato chip industry is a $6 billion business

Visit http://www.catalogs.com/info/history/history-of-the-potato-chip.html for my information about my beloved tater chip.

Eat chips while you Live Life Out Loud. Happy Crunching!

Life in the fast lane

I am always trying to be as efficient as I can. Doug used to say "Jennifer gets more done before noon than most people get done in a week." So today is tried something that ROCKS!!!!! I ordered my groceries online from Safeway and they delivered them right into my kitchen! Yes, people, I said into my kitchen. Here are my thoughts on this fantastic service...

I always make a list before I go shopping. I plan my meals and make my list accordingly. So why not just order the stuff I need? I am sure that I saved a least $50 on impulse buys. I love to do things online. Obviously. I bank online, shop online, chat with friends online. Why not grocery shop online?

Wow this was a great day. I cleaned my house from top to bottom. (those of you who know me well, know that a clean house is my #1 obsession) (I am even watching "Clean House" right now while I am blogging) Sick and twisted; I know.

Look the bottomline is to be efficient with your time so that you have more time in the day to LIVE LIFE OUT LOUD!