Day 138 of 365

A mere friend will agree with you, but a real friend will argue.

Russian Proverb

Day 137 of 365

I destroy my enemy when I make him my friend.

Abraham Lincoln

Day 136 of 365

America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.

Abraham Lincoln

Fill in the blank Friday/Friday Fill-ins/

1. Today I am wearing some capris since it is supposed to be warm again!
2. My favorite childhood food was probably my mom's chocolate chip cookies followed by my grandma heider's peanut butter fudge! and my favorite food now is probably baklava.
3. A day that I am too busy to have a devotional, hug & smoosh on my kids, and give my hubby a kiss is a day that I am too busy.
4. The last movie I saw was "The Blind side" (I think!) and the next movie I want to see is who knows! I want to see Nicholas Sparks "The Last Song."
5. My favorite smell is the kids after they get out of the tub or Ben also after he gets out of the tub!
6. A weird little quirk I have is I like to hang dry most of the kids and my clothes. (Even though it irritates my husband because the tag says that you can put it in the dryer!)
7. When I take personality quizzes they always say ???I have never taken one!
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Friday Fill-ins
And...here we go!

1. Today I will be at the pediatrician for Isaac's well-check and then home for our new gutters!
2. You say come with me and I say why not?
3. What do you think of red heads?
4. At my house, it's free Pastry Day til 1030 Friday!
5. People say that what we're all seeking is God's love.
6. The image I cherish most is the 3 faces that mean the most to me playing together.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to possibly ChuckECheese with the family then small group, tomorrow my plans include enjoying our last day with Benny by going to our little local zoo and clinging to family time plus starting our Saturday Services at church and Sunday, I want to stay in bed instead of taking Ben to the squadron so he can fly out!
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1. Have you ever had a celeb sighting? Yes. I was in LA on spring break visiting my friend & I saw the dad from the "wonder years."
2. What temperature do you keep your house? In the winter about 73 degrees and in the summer we usually set it to about 69-70 degrees. (I think!)
3. Do you notice dust at other peoples homes? Not really unless it is piled inches deep!
4. What's the worst job you ever had? Each job has bad qualities, I think that we can all agree. With that being said, I think that the worst job I had was using my Psychology degree as a TSS (therapeutic staff support) while I finished my nursing degree. The reason why I say that is not because I was mistreated but because I so think that the student that I was with needed to be pulled from the home & I couldn't get him out. I kind of felt like I failed him even though his behavior improved while I was with him.
5. What is your most sentimental possession? Oh gosh....if you really know me then you know that I am about the most sentimental person on the planet so I have ALOT of sentimental possessions. I would probably have to say the one of the most monetary value would be my great-grandma's high school class ring. (We went to the same high school and college!) I wear it every day and always remember her sweet little giggle when I have it on. I also have many cards that people have written me, drawings from the kids, different pictures, You Name It & I probably have it!

Friday Flashback

It's that time again!

Sorry to tap you out on wedding pictures but I found these last week when I was looking at the father/daughter & mother/son dance pictures.

I am incredibly lucky to have such great parents and in-law parents. I hear so many ladies complain about their relationship with their in-laws and I am so grateful that Ben and I don't have to fight with each other about that.

Here I am with my mom......

And here I am with my mother-in-law......

For more Friday Flashbacks visit Alicia at

10 of my favorite things (Ummm...ok how about 15?!)

I saw this at my friend Alison's blog and thought that it looked like fun so here you go in no particular order some of my favorite things.....

The Bible

Beth Moore.....just because she has helped me through so many things in the bible studies I have done with her

The United States and the Marine Corps

I would be heartbroken without my family

Friends definately make life worthwhile!

I LOVE Mustangs!

Chick Fil A is my favorite fast food place!

LOVE, LOVE, Love Baklava

Anything with chocolate and peanut butter combined is a blessing to me!

I love lip gloss/chapstick. This is one of my favorites from Victoria secret

My Favorite flower is the star gazer lilly

Favorite movie

Favorite Color is pink

I love to read!

Flip flops esp. fun ones are a definite must living in the south!

How can you be mad at this face?

Ben took a few days of leave to complete several household projects before he leaves for his detachment. That is why I have been MIA this week because we have been so busy! He did a fabulous job and got so much done! We were transplanting some shrubs and also planting some new ones. Kendall liked to help with the digging but Isaac on the other hand was more interested in eating dirt! Here are a few pictures of him with his dirtball face!

week 19 of 52

The kids and I playing on their snack table. It is fun to be inside on a rainy day sometimes :-)
For more fun visit Carin at http://wyomingbarnetts.blogspot.com/

Relaxing in one of my favorite comfy sweatshirts. (I can't believe that Ben got me this 6 years ago!) It is raining and yucky outside so we are focusing on some fun inside today. This is probably the last Thursday that you will see me with a full set of braces too! Woo hoo!!

Day 135 of 365

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra. ~Jimmy Johnson

Day 134 of 365 (Happy St. Patrick's Day!!)

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
~Irish Blessing

Day 133 of 365

May you have warm words on a cool evening, a full moon on a dark night, and a smooth road all the way to your door. ~Irish Toast

Day 132 of 365

A best friend is like a four leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have. ~Author Unknown

Day 131 of 365

To the lamp of love: may it burn brightest in the darkest hours and never flicker in the winds of trial. ~Author Unknown

Day 130 of 365

Let all thy joys be as the month of May,
And all thy days be as a marriage day.
~Francis Quarles

ABC's of Jamie

A - Age: 32 for a few more months!
B - Bed size: King
C - Chore you hate: Putting away the Laundry and cleaning out the litter box
D - Dad's Name: Well he goes by Bill but really his name is Leon
E- Essential start to your day item: Shower!!
F - Favorite actor(s) & actress(es): ??Hmmm....well I guess Matthew McConaughey and Sandra Bullock
G - Gold or Silver: white gold :-)
H - Height: 5ft 3in
I - Instruments you play(ed): clarinet
J- Job: SAHM/housewife
K- Kid(s): 2
L - Living arrangements: 1 husband, 2 kids, 2 dogs, 1 cat and an outdoor turtle
M - Mom's name: Linda
N- Nicknames: Mom, momma, mommy, Jamers, Jessica, Julierra, Buns, J
O - Overnight hospital stay other than giving birth: none
P - Pet Peeve: Smoking
Q - Quotes you like: check out my daily quotes!!
R - Right or left handed: Right
S - Siblings: 1 sister
T - Time you wake up: depends on the day but mostly about 0630
U- Underwear: most definitely. (And those of you who know me well know what kind they are too!!)
V - Vegetable you dislike: black beans
W - Ways you run late: The kids aren't cooperating, cleaning up the house, waiting until the last minute to get me ready, and playing on the computer.
X - X-rays you've had: Right and left knee, chest, & I think that's it!
Y - Yummy food you make: Earthquake cake
Z - Zodiac: Leo

The 365 Project/Project 365 a picture a day {Week 1 (Days 1-7)}

Check out http://workofheartandsoul.wordpress.com/365-project-2/ and http://thebowyers.blogspot.com/

I saw these last week at a blog that I follow semi-regularly and thought what a fabulous idea it was. I love to keep our family and friends up to date in what is happening with our lives but I am afraid that it gets too boring. I think that this is a creative way to keep you updated on our lives without the boring factor. (I Hope!!) Enjoy!
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Day #1....We spend a good portion of our Sunday at our church, First Baptist of Jacksonville. We normally get there at 0930 and leave about 1245 on any given Sunday. We also had our "Belong" class this Sunday night. (After you join the church they tell you a little bit about how to plug-in and some of what is involved about being a member.) Our church is GROWING very FAST! (I think that we had another record last Sunday that was near 1,700 people)We will be switching to the Saturday night services on March 20th to make room for new people at Sunday service. God is good!

Day #2....the first training day of the week for me. I ran 1.5 miles and biked 2 miles. I also trained on Wednesday with 1.5 mi run and then 1.5 mi bike. I am desperately afraid that I am not even going to be ready for our 3 mile race let alone the 6 mile run.

Day #3....The second and fourth Tuesday of the month is our MOPS group. This is where it is held. This also used to be the church where our current church used to be located. We did our service project today. We made memo boards from some of the residents of a local nursing home.
Day #4.....spring is in the air. We took advantage of the 75 degree weather and had our lunch on the back porch. Eating is serious business for Sir Isaac so I go no pictures of him looking at me!

Another big part of day #4 was shoe shopping....the warm spring weather lead me to try Kendall's sandals on....needless to say she went from a closet full of shoes to nearly none. We went and got some new shoes for our growing girl. The boots are for next winter but I can't pass up a bargain!
Day #5....Our little Bug took up most of the day. She has 2 cavities in her molars and deep groves in her lower molars (which is a big risk for future cavities.) We tried once at our regular dentist to fix them but it didn't work so we went to pediatric dentist. Kendall was to be put under moderate concious sedation to do the fillings and sealants. After demerol & visteral plus laughing gas and one of the staff holding her in the chair, Kendall still managed to roll out of the chair kicking and screaming. I guess if the cavity gets worse then she will have to go to the hospital to be put completely under for her dental work. Not a very fun day for anyone!

Day #6.....The hopathon at Kendall's school to benefit Muscular dystrophy.

Here is Kendall practicing at home to hop! Yes she is sporting her Penn State windbreaker outfit with a Texas A&M tshirt on underneath it!

This is St. Anne's. We come here Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays for the kids pre-school and parents morning out classes.

We also went to the Onslow County Library on Day #6. Normally, Kendall and I go 2 to 3 times per month as our mommy/daughter date but since we have something special planned for the 25th I took both of the kiddos today.
Day #7....we will be spending on our house. There is a growing list of honey-do's that need to be accomplished before Ben leaves on his detachment. I am also hoping to get another run in to work on my endurance!

Who knew?

A balloon in the tub can be so much fun! I love when the kids invent their own games.

Isaac has this thing with his tongue.....
They even squint the same! So much fun to see their similarities and how they are different!

Friday Fill-ins

And...here we go!

1. I am so looking forward to summer! (I love the school year for its various activites but I am kind of ready to do some other things that have to go away for scheduling purposes....what a blessing to have too much to do!!)
2. Housework can wait until later.
3. When you get this give yourself a big hug because I wish I was there to give it to you!
4. The Marine Corps is a big part of my life.
5. If you need anything don't hesitate to call me!
6. Soon I will be going on a trip. (I will be going childless GASP!! for a long weekend to Yuma, Arizona to explore it as a possible duty station. Ben will be there for work so we figured it was a perfect time to check it out!)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to taking the kids to ChickFilA since Ben has a work commitment, tomorrow my plans include a run, tackling household projects, and enjoying hanging out with the family and Sunday, I want to enjoy serving at the nursery desk at church!

Flashback Friday

This was at our reception. (After our renewal of vows on May 29,2004)
My dad picked the song "That's my job" by Conway Twitty for our dance. We shared it with Ben and his mom too!

For more fun Visit Alicia at

5 question Friday/Fill in the blank Friday

5 question Friday

1. How much time do you spend on the computer a day? On an average day, I will spend about an hour and a half on the computer. (Not all in one sitting of course but.....)
2. Will you pay for your children's college or raise them to pay for their own way? A combination of both. We have already started a savings account for each of them that we put money into each payday. They can use this and then whatever else is not covered is on them. We are definitely the "appreciate what you earn and learn" kind of parents.
3. Have you ever been in a car accident? Unfortunately yes. None of them were ever so bad that I was injured though Praise God!
4. What is your favorite book? Just one?! That is no fair! I have such a wide variety of reading material that I don't think that I could pick just one! Right now I am reading....."The Shack", "Romans", "Life on Planet Mom", "10 Minute Marriage Principles", "Breaking Free", and "Always looking up".
5. Do you make your bed everyday? Nope. I try to remember though because it does make the room look so much more tidy!

For more check out Mama M at

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Fill-in the blank Friday


1. The best day ever was actually 3 days. The first was the day that I married my Benny. God was really looking after me when he sent Ben into my life. The second was the day that Kendall was safely born. The third was the day that Isaac came into this world.
2. My favorite meal of the day is supper. I love getting creative with food. (I cannot wait to try more elaborate things when the kids are older!)
3. This weekend will be a blast. We have Ben to ourselves on weekends and we always have fun stuff to do! (Plus Ben has Mon/Tues/Wed off of work so we can tackle house projects before he leaves!)
4. Never in my life have I been sky diving. I wish we could have done that before we had kids. Now I fear that I will leave them mohterless!
5. The only thing better than donuts is a ho-ho. Recovering sweet-a-holic here!
6. I could really do with a cure for allergies. (Esp. since Jacksonville is so filled with pollen!!)
7. The most recent thing I bought myself was material so that I could sew a purse.
For more check out Lauren at