FRIENDS!

Last night we had a "leftover" party. A bunch of our friends brought over their Thanksgiving leftovers and we had dinner together. It was so much fun just sitting around the table and being together. Aaron and I are so blessed to have these special people in our lives and we treasure each one of them and their amazing friendship. We all "do life" with each other and in many ways have become family. We celebrate birthdays and holidays, help decorate each others houses, go to church together, play poker together and even do service work with each other. We root for each other's teams even when we don't want to and sit through many football games on pins and needles! We babysit each other's kids and even bring them home when early morning "throwing up" occurs. We take part in career counseling as well as marriage counseling at times. From moving days and hospital trips to organizing pantries and tough love when we need a little push, we are always there for each other. Always! I love every one of them!

Having true friends that you can live life together with is such a blessing.

Friends are the family that you get to choose!

Waking up to SNOW!!

This morning we woke up to some beautiful SNOW!! We only got about an inch but it still made everything look so pretty. We even found deer tracks in our front yard. Olivia was biting at the bit to get outside and play even though there really wasn't that much snow to do much, but that didn't stop her. She suited up and headed out with her beloved dog Sonny. I think it took her more time getting ready than the actual amount of time she spent outside!

I am thankful...

This Thanksgiving was one that I will remember for a very long time. We celebrated for the first time in our new home and welcomed quite a crowd of around 25 people. We had guests ranging from a few months old all the way to 90. This year as I was preparing our Thanksgiving table I began to get a little sentimental and decided to let all of my family know how special they were to me. I made placecards out of leaves and on the back of each of them I wrote a personal note letting each of them know why I was thankful for them. We all gathered in the family room prior to our dinner and each person read them aloud. Needless to say there were many laughs but also many tears. I am so thankful that our day was so special. I am thankful that my family and Aaron's family can all celebrate together. I am thankful that Aaron's grandma "G.G." was able to come. I am thankful that Jeff and Jen and the boys were able to travel from Chicago and that we were all able to meet Baby Lucas. I am thankful that my mother-in-law did most of the cooking and I just wore the cute apron! I am thankful that God has blessed my family beyond measure and that we all have such a strong love for each other. I am thankful that Thanksgiving 2008 was such a success!!

Christmas of 2002

I have been digging through boxes in the basement this morning starting the process of decorating for Christmas. I know that Thanksgiving is Thursday but I just can't control myself. I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I came across this picture and it made my heart flutter. My babies are getting so big I can't even believe it. I love Rachel and Madison in this picture. They loved the fur trim on their shirts and wore them everyday! Jordan looked sassy in her leather black pants (ok, they were pleather!) and Olivia is checking Santa OUT! I have many pictures that year of Livi screaming when she saw Santa. How times change. Last week, on an impromptu trip to the mall Livi hopped up on Santa's lap and rattled off her list in 5 seconds flat...not scared anymore!

My First Cover!

I did a photo shoot a few months ago for several stories in a St. John's Mercy publication and the magazine is out and I have the cover shot! Yeah! I love how the magazine turned out and just remember how much FUN I had taking all of the shots. I took all of the pictures in the magazine with the exception of one. I took pics of everything from fire departments (and a big fire truck) to a little boy, his family and the Director of Pediatrics who had a remarkable story to tell. I love incorporating my nursing degree and my love of photography. I am so blessed to have this opportunity. Thank you Shelley Powell for trusting me!

Missing My Friend

Well, I am back from Houston and I am missing my friend. We spent 3 great days together full of shopping, eating, laughing, driving, acting silly, watching our favorite shows, trying on wigs, just being girls! This picture is of our tearful goodbye at the airport...not fun! Isn't it ironic that you miss someone more after you have spent time together? That is how I feel today. But they will be back for New Years and our whole family is counting the days. My girls LOVE her boys and vice versa so we should have some rowdy nights with the Rays. I can't wait. While in Houston, I kept saying "I can't believe you live here." It is just so weird that she isn't in St. Louis anymore and I can't call her and have a "spur of the moment" lunch or shopping trip. Things change in life but true friendships will stand the test of time (and distance). I still talk to her every single day and thank God that He has chosen our paths to cross in this crazy life. She is like the older sister I never had! Much older! (Just kidding Shannon) Thank you so much for everything and I love you! Check out her blog since she took all of the pictures. http://www.raisingtherayboys.blogspot.com/

PS I also got the added bonus of hanging out with Evelyn one day. She is my friend that moved from St. Louis years ago and I haven't seen her in a long time. I love her family so much!!

Houston Here I Come...

Tomorrow morning I am flying to Houston to visit my dear friends the Rays. Chuck, Shannon, Phillip and Peyton moved from St. Louis to Houston this summer and I miss them sooooo much. Shannon was the friend I shopped with, ate lunch with and talked to on the phone 50 times a day (well, we still do that!). And so, I am heading South hopefully to warmer weather since St. Louis is terribly cold right now. I am so looking forward to shopping, eating and just catching up. Aaron will be holding down the fort until Tuesday night. May the force be with him...ha!

Musophobia

Most people have fears or even phobias to certain things...heights, snakes, the dark, etc. My phobia is of MICE! I am terrified of mice. I know, people think they are furry, cute little creatures but I am deathly afraid of them. And so tonight I happened to go out to the garage and noticed that Rachel had left the door open to the fridge. I bent down to close one of the drawer doors that she left open so that the big door would close and as I am reaching down a MOUSE literally jumped across my face!! I screamed so loud I am surprised that a neighbor didn't call the police. A MOUSE WAS IN THE REFRIGERATOR!!! I ran towards the closed garage doors and just froze for what seemed like an eternity but then I realized that the door was open to get into the house and I knew I had to protect my children inside. The mouse was between me and the girls. And so I ran so fast the mouse probably couldn't even see the bolt of lightening striking through the garage. You would have thought I was being chased by an axe murderer. I made it inside and quickly called the girls. And after scolding my dear Rachel for leaving the door open I told them to stay inside that the mouse was still in the garage. I soon realized that Jordan and Livi are NOT scared of mice when I caught them laying on the ground in the garage looking for the mouse. Livi was saying " Come here little mouse. We love mouses. We don't want to eat you." They are much braver than their Mommy.

Happy Birthday Ang!

Today is one of my very best friend's birthday...Angela Atwell MacBryde and I just wanted to wish her the best birthday ever. Although I already talked to you this morning I wanted to share a few memories of our friendship that has lasted over 26 years. I met you when I was 10 (Jordan's age...crazy!!) and you have been a constant presence in my life ever since. How about being roommates in Chicago for our 8th grade trip... we were soooo bad! How about the time you came over immediately after my mom was diagnosed with cancer. How about a million conversations about boys, clothes, fiances, weddings, husbands, kids, books, recipes, stress, breastfeeding, LIFE! How about the lesson on trying to correctly insert a tampon...thanks Joyce! Oh, the list goes on and on and I hope it goes on forever because you are a friend for life and I love you!

SURPRISE!!!

We had a surprise birthday party for Jordan this past Saturday after their championship soccer game (they won 3-2!). I was hoping that they would win the game because it might have been a somber party. But they did and they were all pretty fired up to say the least. We went to America's Incredible Pizza Company ( on their opening weekend...so we shared the restaurant with about 5,000 other people!) and went into our private party room and waiting for "J". Aaron was bringing her and she just thought we were going out to dinner. But to her surprise her entire team was waiting for her. They yelled surprise and I honestly thought she was going to cry! Jordan is a very organized and anal child that doesn't like anything out of the ordinary. After a few minutes she pulled me aside and said "Don't EVER do that to me again!" Ha! She had a wonderful party and I am sure that this is a moment she will remember the rest of her life!

Jack spends the night...and Louie too!

This weekend my brothers went to K.C. for a fraternity brother's wedding and Aunt Jenn got to keep Jack and Louie. One is a 2 year old and one is a dog. We had a very busy weekend but had a blast. Jack loved playing with the girls' dolls (sorry Dave). We are trying to get him ready for his new brother or sister coming this summer. He also spent some time in the car with Uncle Aaron. Jack loves sitting in a car and playing with all of the buttons. We also introduced him to sidewalk chalk which he loved! We also took a trip to McDonalds where he went all the way to the top of the tubes and down the slide all by himself. Not to brag but this kid is advanced. He doesn't get scared at all. We then went to a soccer game and then a surprise party for Jordan. Needless to say at the end of the day he was wore out. I was too since I completely forgot how busy two year olds are! Holy Cow! Louie loved playing tug of war with Sonny and Sonny loved stealing all of his cool bones and toys. Sonny is jealous that Louie is an only child and is spoiled rotten! Great weekend...looking forward to some rest tomorrow!

Double Digits!!

10 years ago today I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Jordan Yvonne Crowell. She weighed in at 8lbs 10oz with a head full of black hair. She was my biggest baby but my easiest delivery. I only pushed twice and one of those times I was laughing because Aaron couldn't believe that she was delivered so fast! I was so much more relaxed having her because I knew how to be a mother and I knew how much this child would capture my heart. She is still that wonderful child and I am so blessed that God chose me to be her mother. Jordan has a great personality and beats to her own drum. She is very independent, quirky, determined, hard working, tender hearted and inquisitive. She has such a heart for babies that they automatically gravitate towards her and she loves them all. I can see her having 10 kids someday and she will do it amazingly well. She is the child that keeps me together. She always knows where I am supposed to be, where my keys are and what I am thinking and feeling. She is so special to me. We have a very close relationship which is evident because she usually makes it down to my bed in the middle of the night. Ha! So Happy Birthday sweet girl. I wish you much happiness in your life and I can't wait to see who you will become. I love you so much!!

I am sad...

As this election day draws to a close I wanted to share my thoughts on this election night and why I am feeling so sad: 1. I am sad that we do not have an objective media and outside of a few programs on Fox most people have no choice but to receive information from liberal leaning outlets with a clear agenda. I thought the media was supposed to be an unbiased voice to Americans. I thought this only happened in other countries. I am sad that impartial journalism is a thing of the past. 2. I am sad that this country is moving into a system of entitlement where the more a candidate promises the more electable he is. Sure, I believe in wealth distribution...we should be able to distribute our own "wealth" to charities, churches, people that WE choose to give to. And honestly are we helping these people by given them government program after government program...NO.. we are forcing them to become dependent on the system and to need government more and more. 3. I am sad that the American Dream is a thing of the past. I am sad that my husband started a business over 10 years ago (with NOTHING given to him) and has worked more hours that many work in a lifetime and now he will be penalized for his success and will be required to give his income to able-bodied people who have made their own choices in their life. I am sad that there are Americans that think this is fair. 4. I am sad that my tax dollars fund organizations like ACORN that publicly endorse candidates when their job is to remain neutral. How can this even be legal? I am sad that there is no outcry in this country...on EITHER side. 5. But most of all I am sad that our new president has promised to re-instate the Freedom of Choice Act stating that this will be the FIRST thing he does in office. Most people have not even heard of this nor do they care. I am sad that by law my 11 year olds could get an abortion with no parental notification. I am sad that babies up until term can be aborted under this plan while using the "health" of a mother as the reason...this could mean ANYTHING! I am sad that babies are babies when we WANT them to babies. I am sad that people are more worried about drilling in uninhabitated places on our globe but yet they do not even blink an eye at the thought of a full term baby being murdered. 6. I am sad that our new president voted to allow doctors to deny medically appropriate treatment to infants born alive after a failed abortion (which has happened many times!) and actually during the debates he termed these infants "temporarily alive". I am sad that a vast majority of people on both sides of the aisle (including Hillary Clinton) voted against this while Obama voted for it. But above anything else I am sad that people that call themselves Christians do not see the harm in these practices and will vote for a candidate that will immediately put these barbaric laws in place. Mother Teresa said it best when she said "It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish." 7. I am sad that we have more laws protecting the endangered Hawaiian Crow than we do have for babies in utero. 8. I am sad that people have been sold a bill of goods and actually believe that their taxes are going to be lowered...these are obviously people that have not investigated and people that haven't turned their tvs from MSNBC. The Bush tax cuts are set to expire shortly and they will not be renewed. The average family saves $3500 from these tax cuts which will be no longer. He has also promised a whole slew of other taxes...401k tax, capital gain tax, small business tax from 35% to 55%. People will be getting their redistribution $500 check from Obama but then they will find themselves without a job. Spend it wisely! And so even though my "guy" didn't win I do have faith that I did the right thing and that my God is applauding my decision. I will always love my country and be proud to be an American (unlike our new first lady!...well...maybe she is now.) but on this day I am SAD. Tomorrow is a new day and I will be thankful for the incredible blessings that have been bestowed on the Crowell family. Life is short on this earth...the best is yet to come.

Baby on the way..

No I am not pregnant! But I recently found out that I am going to be an aunt again! David and Erin are expecting another baby in June and we are all thrilled. Jack will be a big brother right after his 3rd birthday and we are all so excited to welcome another baby into our growing family. Jack has brought so much joy into our lives that we can't wait to share it with another baby. Olivia is praying that Erin is having a boy so she can keep the coveted title of "Baby Girl". We may need to get her some counseling if in fact a new baby girl arrives on the scene.

Rachel and Madison learn to DRIVE!!

There aren't a lot of rules in the country so we decided to put Rachel and Madison behind the wheel and let them drive on my dad's long driveway at the farm. Aaron was the co-pilot and after a few incidences of whiplash they started to get the hang of driving. The rest of us stayed far out of their path with good reason. Rachel was a little heavier footed than Madison but her steering was superior. At one point Olivia ran across the path to get the Chips Ahoy that she was craving. And even though the car was far away she took off in a panic to cross before her sisters made it back. I didn't blame her! But when a girl needs a cookie... a girl needs a cookie! So after the first attempt at driving I have come to the conclusion that Aaron will be the teacher. Does that mean that they will drive like him? Maybe I will reconsider..

A Day at the Farm

Yesterday Aaron and I decided at the last minute to load up the girls and head to the farm. My Dad owns 110 acres directly across the street from Johnson's Shut-ins and it is a beautiful piece of land that our family loves spending time. He has two horses and recently just purchased 6 calves. So we headed to the farm to check out the latest additions. We thought that our Australian Shephard Sonny would naturally feel at home and start herding the cows but as it turns out Sonny is a big sissy and was petrified of the cows. Aaron was so disappointed in his "wussy" dog! We also took the 4 wheelers up to the top of the ridge where the autumn colors were so vibrant. Rachel and Madison pretty much read the entire day. My little book worms found some pretty ingenious places to read. Aaron and Livi even caught a nap. The fresh air and beautiful weather made for a perfect day!

Trick or Treatin'

Halloween night started a little crazy since Rachel and Madi's plans got messed up with their youth group event. Imagine that... pre-teens not getting all of their facts straight. Many tears were shed but the night was salvaged when they were able to hang out with some of their old grade school buddies. Jordan, Livi, Aaron and I went trick or treating with some friends and ended up at the Franks house where a rousing bubble blowing contest developed. Carly Rathmann was crowned the champion. As you can see by the pictures Olivia needed to take a few breaks along the way and would just stretch out in people's yards for awhile. She was more interested in the dogs in the neighborhood than in the candy. All in all we had a great night!