Week with Brylee!

As many of you know Brylee spent the week with T-ma & Poppy recently. Since we knew it would be some time before we had the chance to play & have a good time we centered everything & everyday around her. Here are a few things we did that week: Saturday: Went to Ham & Eggs to have breakfast with Jennifer & Cary before they started on their long road trip. After the tearful goodbyes we started to get thing ready for the day. Sarah (a friend's daughter from the fire dept. Sarah is very special to us & we love her!) came over to bring us our Girl Scout Cookies. She played with Brylee & even read a book to her. She was wonderful with Brylee & she enjoyed the time. We went shopping for some cooler clothes since she had winter clothes but we are in Texas & the weather was going to be in the 70's most of the week. We played at the Vista Ridge play area & the a couple older girls wanted to play with her. We stopped to play in the Mom's Lounge, for just a minute. Since this area had no one in it & she could enjoy herself. Went to the grocery store. Read with Poppy. Sunday: Enjoyed breakfast & tried to feed self. Of course we shared our orange juice with her. Played with Giggles on the computer. Went to the Grapevine Mall & played on the interactive screen. The interactive screen had scenes of balloons, cocoa with marshmallows, peacocks plus 4 more. This took up about 20 minutes as we entered the mall & as we left. We went to Build a Bear where she did not care about a stuffed animal but wanted to run out in the mall & be free. Now once we picked a bear & started the process she was okay except the stuffing of the bear. The special reason for going to Build a Bear is so Bryan & I could record a special message for her. The message was "Go Brylee, Go Brylee, Go Brylee, T-ma loves you!" then Bryan recorded "Remember Poppy loves you too!" We wanted a special outfit for it & found the best one, a Stars Player uniform. Perfect. We had the chance to Skype with her mommy & daddy that evening. Monday: Poppy & I took her to her last Mother Goose Time at the library. Not only was it due to the move but the class is for up to 15 months old & she just turned 15 months old. We went to the mall & played in the play area for a little while.
Playing around the house & chasing each other around the house. Tuesday: We, including Poppy, went to the big girl class of Toddler Time. She was not impressed with it because there was no parachute time. But she did try to participate the best she could. We ran an errand to Tom Thumb to pick up the Turkey steaks & she got an Elmo "boon" Amy dropped by to deliver more Girl Scout cookies & to see Brylee 1 last time before she moved to Maine. Went to Fry's to pick up some monitor screens for Poppy's Corporate office. Ran around the house with a picture of Chester. I had to take it away from her a few days later when she started eating the paper.
Was playing Giggles & sneezed this time she hit the table across the bridge of her nose. BIG OUCH!!!!!! Poppy & T-ma taught her the Super Chicken song & yes she is still going around saying it. Wednesday: Went to the Play Area @ Vista Ridge Mall. Ate spaghetti be herself. A little messy but she ate & feed herself. Played with the instruments that we have in the Study. Lots of singing & dancing going on. Thursday: This was a quite day. Played with her jewelry & a lot of Valley girl talk going on. Reading of books. Playing with Giggles. Chasing and being chased around the house.
On Friday I woke up @ 1:45 going through a check list in my head, did I have everything for Brylee packed? Did I pack everything I needed? Do I have the animals cared for while we are gone? So I finally got up @ 2:15 & Brylee got up at 2:30. So we started getting everything around & a good friend Jeff came @ 5:30 to drive us to the airport so we could take Brylee to her new home. The week was the best I have had in years. I LOVED reading to Brylee. To play with the jewelry & talk "Valley Girl" with her. Chasing her & she chasing me around the house. Bryan & I teaching her Super Chicken theme & 123 UGH! Getting the instruments down & enjoying the time to play, sing & dance.I did notice that she began to get clingy earlier in the week. This could be good or bad.
I had always hoped & dreamed that being a grandmother would be a lot like this. I want all of Brylee's visits either living close or far away to be just like this....FUN!!!. Looking forward to our next visit!!

As many of you know Brylee has been a JOY for Bryan & I. She is the sweetest little girl. On Monday Night the kids came over and had supper with me. Jenn cooked so I came home & was spoiled! Well I was following Brylee around & we went into the bathroom, one of her favorite rooms in the house. She loves to sit on the scales. I tell her to quit showing off! She weights 17.8 pounds, light weight. Well she started just talking & chattering suddenly she had this expression on her face & she took her voice up higher & her hand jester changed. She had me laughing so hard! I'm just not sure what she was saying but she got really into it. Her mama came to check out the laughter & Brylee did not do as much once her mama can to watch.
Well we made our way to Jenn's room & she pulled out a couple of juggling pins & started hitting them against each other then would hit the floor,then do a little dance step or two.(It reminded me of the group STOMP) She was really getting into it. Her mama came in & she sort of stopped performing.
So I decided that she was just entertaining me that evening.So with Jennifer cooking supper for me. Brylee providing the entertainment. Cary & Chester being themselves & being there enjoying the evening, it was a PERFECT evening!

God's Hand

Wow what a 24 hours! We had bad weather come in on Tuesday Feb 1st. Even with the sleet hitting every window in the house I went to work. I put some cat litter in the back of my car "just in case."

I got to work and finally found the parking space lines to park my car. I walked up to the doors & got blown to the side twice before I got to the door. The front door was hard to open due to the snow/sleet/rain build up. I finally got in. We had to watch the front door because of the build up, but we got everyone in & out.

Work went well & 6 of the office employees showed up. The RSR were sent home because it was too icy to be out. The phones were basically dead except from the calls forwarded from our East Texas office. (They did not have same weather we did)

We decided to go home @ 2:00. Yes! I will get home, put on some comfortable clothes & relax. Well just getting out of the parking lot I had to put out cat litter 2-3 times. Maria noticed we were not behind her so she tried to call, but I was working on getting us out of there. (Dawn & I carpool on the way home) As we came out of the parking lot Maria came back to check on us.

We did good on the main streets, slow & easy. As we entered the apartment complex I had a thought to let Dawn out in the front, but I did not want to make her walk in the cold. She later told me she had the same thought. Well guess who tried for an hour and a half to get out of the complex? ME!

It seems the complex did not think to put out salt & sand for the inclines at the exits of the complex. Yes there are 2 exits & you could not get out at either end. I was not the only one having problems. 2 Verizon vans & a pizza delivery guys was having the same problem, along with other vehicles. I slid so close to parked cars. I slid sideways. I had to go in reverse so many times. I finally gave it up & went inside Dawn's apartment, shaking from the cold & relief of being safe.

The thrill of the night was not watching everyone else slide around trying to get out but a pick up truck that slide into the complex & barely missed a park car. Once he got stopped he could not move at all. After a lot of work & apartment staff & neighbors they got the pick up truck to move BUT then I saw STUPID!!! come out. The people helping were standing between the pick up truck & parked cars trying to guide the pick up away from the other cars. I was a nervous wreck watching. I only could imagine someone being pinned between the vehicles.

Well, God was watching over everyone & they got pick up truck moved but not parked correctly. After shaking from cold and/or relief I was able to get a plan together. I called my neighbor & asked him to take care of Vader @ 5:00 if I did not get home. I asked Dawn to ask her husband just to part in the front of the apartment complex so we could walk up & he could take me home. I wonder if the 2 Verizon Vans & 1 pizza delivery guys ever got out. They were still there when I left @ 4:45. Well, the plan can together. I got home to be with my children (the 4 legged ones).

I also discovered that the pipes in the kitchen froze up even with the cabinet doors being open. So since I'm home I have the faucet fully open so that maybe once they thaw out there will not be too much pressure & the pipe will not bust.

When Dawn & Craig went home they decided not to park out front but into the parking area. (I wonder if part of the decision was made because there were no parking spaces in front of the complex) Well they can not get out now.

So what did I learn from all this? This was God's work. He knew I would get out this morning & get to work as early as I could. God wanted me to stay home today. Taking away my car was the only way he could do it. He wanted to keep me safe & sound!

I did get up @ regular time this morning. I knew we would be going in a little later so I took the time to washed 2 loads of clothes. Took care of the flowers Jenn gave me for her birthday. Prepared some mail to go out. Have my lunch really to throw into my lunch bag. Well I'm still here. So I guess I need to warm up some lunch & maybe a nap this afternoon. Enjoy the day that God gave me.

Thank goodness the Ground Hog is predicting an early Spring!!!!!

Maine or Bust!

Well, as many of you have heard, Jennifer, Cary, Chester & Brylee are moving to Maine. Those of you that read my Facebook at the first of the year saw the post of "lots of changes & challenges" are coming to the Jarvis Fun House". Well this is one & probably the biggest.

This is something we have expected for a long time. Moving out of Texas has always been a dream of Jennifer's so when Cary had the same dream it was bound to come true. Some friends & family were very surprised that when Jenn & Cary announced they were expecting I did not completely transform a room for the baby. Nope, I knew they would be moving & for me to have a room for the baby would have made it even harder for me once they leave. Actually one of the first questions I asked after they told us they were having a baby I ask, "will you be here or up north?"

Oh believe me Brylee never needed anything when she came to visit. She had her bed, high chair, toys, changing table, etc. Brylee took over the WHOLE house, not just a room. So who needs a room when you have the house!?

We are also losing our support team. To turn around & not see Jenn or Cary when Ashes & Petunia are doing appearances will be a little different.We will miss our newest member,L'ashes. The upside to this is that they want to take the LAFS program up north. Since the area has more Volunteer Fire Depts then paid this would really benefit the area. Of course Bryan & I will now help support them in this effect & do what ever we can to help them.

We are still facing a lot of changes & challenges. So while we take care of things here Jennifer & Cary will be getting us a "Closet" for the times we need to get away to catch our breath. What better excuse than it's time to visit the family!!

We are looking forward to the Fall beauty. A White Thanksgiving. A White Christmas. Visiting the New England states. Visiting Canada. Us planning a road trip one Summer. We plan on going one direction to get there & a different direction for the trip back. What a wonderful way to see our beautiful country! Who knows, we might even have a special little person with us!

We have also talked about when we order gifts online for Jenn, Cary and/or Brylee we will just have it shipped straight to them. Most of them offer gift wrapping. We might even talk with Brenda & Gary to see if we can ship things to their place so prying eyes can not peek.

Bryan & I have talked about the ways we can make Brylee's visits here even more special. Dessert First Wednesday. Picking out flowers for the yard. Making tu-tus. Staying up late. Visiting with family & friends. Visiting all the attractions that D/FW can offer. We hope to make a tradition while visiting Maine by making bird feeders out of pine cones and/or string fruit or making shortbread cookies for our little feather friends.

I think the hardest part will be missing the physical hugs & kisses we love to share with Brylee. Or just holding her while we read to her. Of course is not like it was 100-125 years ago that when family left & you might hear from them once a year. We are now in the 21st Century! We have phones, e-mails, blogs, Facebook & SKYPE. I think SKYPE will be my favorite!

So as you can see we are trying to approach this with a positive attitude. Yes,there have been & will be more tears.

All I can say is that the Jarvis FunHouse is now on the move. Not only will we wreck havoc in Texas but now in Maine! Watch out Maine here we come!

So do I like the Refection in the Mirror?

Wow can you believe it is the end of 2010?!?! Where has the time gone. Well a lot of you know a few months ago I wrote some post that I called Brylee's Eyes.
I sort of analyze myself through her eyes. Believe me I do not know what she was thinking except that I was a familiar face. I was someone she saw often. Someone that loves her. Someone that takes care of her & her needs. She felt safe. I mean what can a infant/toddler think at this time in their life?

What I did find out about myself is;
That God has me here for a purpose. I'm not to ask why but to follow his will.
I have learned I do make a lot of lemonade out of the lemons that life throws at me.
I am STRONG!
That I LISTEN to what God has to tell me.
I have more conscience than some people.
I learn from others' mistakes in life.
I keep my promises.
I am a leader. I can follow when I need to, but if you are not able to lead effectively I will step up and take the lead.
I care a lot for everyone around me.

So how do I feel about the reflection in the mirror??? I like what I see. I can still make improvements, but can't we all?

I hope everyone has a very Blessed 2011...........

Christmas Day 2010

We do hope you had a wonderful Christmas! We had a load of fun. I can not believe I forgot my camera for the Jarvis Family Gathering.

I was able to take a few pictures on Christmas Day. We had our little family gathering, then my parents & siblings came over. Mom J & Amy, Mike, Steven, Spencer & Stacy were able to join us a little later.
Brylee had 9 gifts under the tree from us. Let's see, she received a Tunnel & Tent, Elmo Videos, 4 outfits, Interactive pot with spoon & veggies and a Radio Riding Turtle. We could not get the tunnel unwrapped fast enough for Brylee! We were having some trouble & Brylee was already crawling inside it as we were working on setting it up! The Riding turtle is nice as well. Most of the sounds it has are very familiar. How many of you remember the Flintstones? Yabba, dabba do!!!! Let's not forget her stocking, she receive a new sippy cup, spoons, Veggie Tale CD, Butterfly car & of course a fire truck. Let me tell you I think we did a really good job.

Brylee wearing her her mother's Christmas dress from 1978




























Mom J gave Brylee a Cat House that we joined up with the tent. So now Brylee has her very own Mini Jarvis FunHouse!
We all had fun with it. Yes Bryan & I did play in it with Ms Brylee. To be honest I think almost everyone had to try it out. Bryan told me a story about him & Brylee playing in the tunnel. The story is, that he was looking into the tunnel while Brylee was crawling through it & he said Boo! Brylee crawled away down the tunnel then stopped, took her bo out of her mouth (her pacifier) and said, Boo! back. That is now in the memory box.

We had what seems to be our traditional Christmas lunches, BBQ Brisket with all the fixings. I also introduced a few to Jalapeno Jelly. I first tried it about 8 years ago & a friend from work gave us some for Christmas & it was perfect with our meal.

Yes, we did get gifts to. This year we did not do as much as we have in the past. I would have loved to shower Bryan, Jennifer & Cary with all their wishes, maybe next year. One we will treasure is a book from Jenn & Cary's "Life As a McFadden" blog. Brylee's First Year. It is most of anything that they blogged about Brylee in her first year. We did get a chance to go through it last night & oh the memories & the thought of all the new ones. Perfect gift!

After everyone left we played a couple of new games we received for Christmas. We will have to be sure to bring them out at a game night.

So as you can see we had a wonderful Christmas & are looking forward to next year.

We hope you had a wonderful & memorable Christmas too!!!

Christmas Past

Since 1988 we have been doing theme wrapped gifts. Do you remember some of the wrapping themes we had?

1988 Plastic Snow flakes on glossy paper and sprayed with glitter

1989 Paper Santa Claus cut outs with red ribbon on white paper.

1990 Blue Poinsettias wrapping paper with silk blue Poinsettias

1991 Stain Glass design wrapping paper with Shiny Gold Ribbon and Bows

1992 Snowflake stamping on white paper

1993 Gum drops

1994 Painted gold sweet balls on brown Kraft paper

1995 Tree Paper. Green Bows & Ribbons

1996 Little miniature toy figures Soldier, doll,

1997 Peppermints canes and disc

1998 Reindeer pins made from clothes pins (boy and girl) We made.

1999 Angel Pins with gold trim on white paper

2000 Cat paw prints across brown craft paper with Not a creature was….

2001 Gold Instruments and music notes on Brown Kraft paper

2002 Honey Comb Snowmen

2003 Penguin Bells (Jennifer and TJ put together)

2004 Marshmallow Snowmen on sled (Jennifer and TJ put together)

2005 Doves (Peace, Joy, Love) on white paper

2006 Stockings Brown with dark country maroon or green tops with rustic looking bells, w/ green graham ribbon.

2007 Snowmen in 2-4 designs. Jenn & Cary were married.

2008 Laser Cut Rustic Angel, snowman, reindeer, snowflake, bell and tree with brown twine and brown craft paper and green ribbon

2009 4 styles of Crosses. 3 with a verse on it and one with roses. Silver Ribbon with hand tied ribbon. Silver paper with white snowflakes.

2010 Paper was red with retro type candy canes & stars or snow flacks. Red ribbon & bows. The docorations was also the name tag. Your name with 2010. Here was a Santa, Reindeer, Penguin & a Bear. Very cute.

2011 Yes we have already have a theme in mind. Would you like to know what it is?? Well you will have to wait another 365 days to find out............

We have pictures but thought it would take up too much room. If you would like to see a picture of a year let us know & we will post it.
What was your favorite theme? It is really hard to decide, but I liked 1988 or was it 1991? or was it 2006? I guess you can say I liked most of them.

This is what memories are made of!

Merry Christmas!

Wow, what a crazy past couple of months!

We had to have the some repairs done to the house. Those of you that own a home know what it takes to get estimates scheduled. Meet with the contractor & make the decision. The type of repair we had to have done of course leads to other repairs that need to be made, then you must go thought the scheduling of those contractors to get those estimates. Believe me the house is secured for the winter with more repairs & work to be done early next year. Oh & don't forget Bryan had the LAFS School Skit in October he was scheduled to do.

We have always felt very blessed with a wonderful daughter & son. When Bryan or I could not make a scheduled meeting she/they was here to help out. Thank you Jenn, Cary, Brylee & Chester for being so flexible with your schedules to help us.

We also had to make a prioritize the repair list. One because of trying to schedule time around the important work that had to be done & holidays coming up. Two MONEY!!!! With the type of repairs a lot of inside work now needs to be done. Well while you are doing those you might as well do this, we want to change that. As you can see a domino effect starts in.

Well I'm not going to go through all the details of the repairs but touch on some FUNNY comments/sights that happened while the repairs were going on.

Last year we went from Halloween/Game Night to Thanksgiving /Baby Shower in 15 hours. Well this year we went from Game Night to getting ready for a leak. Everything in the Dining room had to be moved out.
The living room had furniture & other boxes similar to this 28 years ago on Halloween. We had just moved in a few days before.

This is what happens when you do not move vacuum under the China Cabinet for 20 years......you have a mound of dirt.

Chester trying to dig a hole deep enough to get rid of the mean old cats!!!

Jennifer wanted to put Brylee's hand prints in the fresh concrete. Looks like the cats thought they deserved the honor!

As you can tell we kept our sense of humor while we went through the repairs. So far the west side of the yard took the worst hit. Looks like I will need to get out & do a lot of therapy next Spring!

Home Sweet Home!

The Christmas Dinner

And it came to pass on a Christmas evening,
When all the doors were shuttered tight,
Outside standing, a lonely boy-child,
Cold and shivering in the night.

On the street every window
Save but one was gleaming bright;
And to this window walked the boy-child
Peeking in saw candlelight.

Through other windows he had looked at turkeys,
Ducks, and geese, and cherry pies;
But through this window saw a gray-haired lady
Table bare and tears in her eyes.

Into his coat reached the boy-child
Knowing well there was little there
He took from his pocket his own Christmas dinner
A bit of cheese and some bread to share.

His outstretched hands held the food and they trembled
As the door it opened wide
Said he "Would you share with me Christmas dinner?"
Said she gently, "Come inside."

The gray-haired lady brought forth to the table
Glasses two, last drops of wine.
Said she "Here's a toast to everyone's Christmas,
And especially yours and mine!"

And it came to pass on that Christmas evening
When all the doors were shuttered tight
That in that town the happiest Christmas
Was shared by candlelight.

Performed by Peter Paul & Mary