School Pictures & Pumpkin Spice Lattes....

Good morning to all! Today Maddie had her first school picture taken! So cute! She wore a red polo dress, with a Scottish dog print bottom, and her hair was half up with her curly locks (having a good hair day!) and a red bow! She is growing up! After Morgan and I took Maddie to school we headed to the back in Ankeny, my supervising teacher money, and we stopped at Target for throat drops for me because I have a killer sore throat and we also hit Starbucks and I got a Pumpkin Spice Latte- I LOVE THEM! I cannot believe tomorrow is September! Morgan PT duty is going okay- she doesn't care if she wets in her undies, but we still working on it! She loves to run around buck naked and she then peas on the floor, but our friends have a carpet shampooer that I will borrow again this weekend! We are making progress!

Tim was gone before 6:15 this morning- He is going to Crosstrainers. A men's bible study for business men. He goes with Ryan Anderson, his buddy from high school. Tim loves the speakers, the accountability and the friendships that he is developing there! GREAT!

Tonight is Fall Ministry kick-off at church and so we will be with the students on Wednesday nights and Maddie will be going to Awana! She loves Cubbies!

I love being home in the mornings with Morgan. She is spelling her name aloud all by herself and she will now tell you that her name is Morgan! We are working on colors and numbers! She loves to sing the Patty cake rhyme, the Bible, the Barney I love you song and Jesus Loves me! What a doll!

Well- Morgan and I need to get the toys picked up so that we can go pick up sis at school!

Please pray that we can get bids for finishing our upstairs quickly so that Tim can start working at home soon!!!!!!!!!!! This will save about 100 miles on the van a day and also with Gas prices on the rise this will be great!!!!!

a recap of the week and weekend....

Sorry it has been a few days since I have posted...Yesterday I had a whole post typed and I went to proof read it and voila- it was a gonner!!! So we here we start again! Wednesday evening I received a phone call to substitute teach at Delaware Elementary (southeast Polk school district) on Thursday--- a great place- except my room had NO AC and it was soooo hot and humid... I came home Thursday night exhausted! Tim kept the girls at home with him on Thursday and then headed out to appointments Thursday evening... Friday I went subbed again in the same room and it rained Friday am, but then the humidity sky-rocketed and we were back to the same old problem...NO AC. Praise the Lord their was AC in the new part of the building and for lunch and specials I spent my time in the teacher's lounge cooling off! Friday Maddie was back to preschool (this time all by herself b/c on Wednesday the only had it for an hour and mom stayed) and after preschool she and her classmates came BOUNDING out of school with neon pink SUNGLASSES because even though it rains outside it is always SUNNY in preschool!!!! :) Tim and the girls took Mom Stout to the eye doctor Friday afternoon and they also stopped by Tim's work so that Tim could pick up a few things and get a little office work done! They were able to take "phone messages" and play with tape!!!! FUN! FUN! Friday night we vegged out and ate at home, walked over to Grandma and Grandpa Stout's house and played in their front yard and visited. Saturday morning Tim went to a men's breakfast (7:30 am) at church with his buddy, Brad. Brad's wife, Dana, was at the women's retreat and so I watched Josh (2) and Trisha (7) and our girls while the men went to MUGS. The kids played and watched a little CBS Nick Jr. and I made scrambles eggs, bacon and toast for breakfast! Tim and Brad were home about 9:00 am. When Tim got home I ran to Target for a f we things and then I came home and crashed all day- we were all zonked! Last night Tim and some Grandview alumni played basketball up at Grandview and the girls and I watched, shot hoops, played a little volleyball, played at Defender Park (outside jungle gym) and then when we all done we headed to Hy-Vee to pick up a few groceries (MILK!)!!!! We came home everybody bathed and we were all in bed by 9:30! I love this going to bed early stuff--WA-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! This morning I was up at 6:30 b/c I chose to help decorate the student ministry table for our ministry fair today! I was also in the infant nursery today for the last time- I am taking a little break...Well actually a long break so that we can get involved and serve in Maddie and Morgan's classrooms!!! FUN! Tim said church was good! Tonight we have small group and then tomorrow is Monday and we start all over again!

Morgan starts potty training tomorrow! She is already telling us when she is wet and even today took her diaper off when she had done her "business." Tim made her help clean it up and she didn't really like that, OH WELL!!! Morgan is on a growth spurt too! She is eating me out of house and home and growing like a weed. She is up to Madison's shoulder! WOW!!!
Madison has been angelic almost- she is just so sweet spirited and she really is striving to please us and help her little sissie learn too! She is learning to lead by example and she loves it! She is loving school!!!

Well- this is a novel! Have a great week!
I miss vacation--- our next trip to Minnesota is in 2 weeks! We are going home for Heather's baby shower and the men are headed to Promise Keeper's in Minneapolis! I am soooo excited to get away again!

Madison's Preschool Picture...

Here is the picture that Madison & Mom colored together on her first day of preschool, August 24, 2005! She is doing a great job at writing her name! Notice that she writes her name as Madison not Maddie. I taught her it that way because if you ask her her name she repiles, "My name is Madison Stout."
We still call her Maddie and we told her teachers that was okay, but on paper she will be Madison!

Maddie's first Day of Preschool & Morgan is adjusting...

Maddie's first day at school went GREAT! The girls got up about 6:40 a.m. and we just let Maddie and Morgan veg and watch a little Clifford. At 7:10 we had breakfast: pancakes, sausage and milk. After breakfast Grandma & Grandpa Stout stopped in for pictures. Maddie brushed her teeth and put on her Ballerina denim jumper! About 7:50 Tim, Morgan, and I took Maddie up to school, but Tim and Morgan headed home and Morgan started screaming- she wanted to go to school also! Maddie and I had a great one hour (they go a short day to get them acclimated to the classroom & routine) day at preschool! Maddie painted pictures (i will scan them and post them later), played in the imaginary play area with her friends, Hannah and Madison, colored and read a few stories. After free play, we headed upstairs to play a game of Spread the Sunshine (yellow cottonballs on a little parachute) and then the kiddies played with balloons. We came back to the preschool room took our seats and grabbed backpacks and it was already time to go! Maddie cannot wait to go back on Friday- ALL BY HERSELF! We took a few pictures today, but camera ran out of film and so I will take more of Madison at school on Friday so that you can see her classroom! Tim and Morgan came home for a bit and Morgan was attached to her daddy's hip! I cannot wait to get some alone time to work with her!

The girls played very well this morning and now the are chilling out and watching Charlotte's Web! They should be asleep soon! I need a nap too! Tim and I were up at 6:00 (2 hours early for me) and so I'm tuckered out! I will get used to it! Other than that not much else going on...Wednesday night church doesn't really get going until next week and Tuesday am Bible Study starts September 6th so I am so excited about that! The ladies at my table are wonderful! I love them and they have taught me so much about the Lord and His Word!

have a great day!
Jonna

Typical Tuesday and gorgeous weather....

WOW! We are lovin' this 75 degree weather! The girls and I have been spending oodles of time outside. Last night we walked over to Grandma & Grandpa Stout's house, but we had to leave early because Morgan was having issues...Lately she doesn't want to keep her clothes on and at home that is okay, but in public that doesn't fly. She was throwing a hissy fit and so for her punishment we had to leave Grandma's house which is a bummer for Maddie, but a great teaching opportunity- sometimes our sin has consequences not just for us but those around us too! Today we were up by 8:00 (tomorrow maddie has to be at school by 8:00 am) and took baths, did chores, folded laundry, played soccer outside, watched Zaboomafoo and Thomas the Train and now the kiddies are napping while I catch up on e-mails. Many of you have asked how Tim's work is going and to be truthful- God has really shown up and it is awesome! We still have good days and bad days, but Tim LOVES what he does! Also, my hubby is a hard worker! Monday through Thursday he averages 10-12 hour days, but he takes Friday off (sometimes he works in the morning until ten) and then we get him all weekend!!! We love it!

that's about it from the homefront de Stout!

A new kind of Sunday...

Over the past the past 7 months the Lord has really rearranged Sundays for us and we are LOVING it! Isn't amazing how we think change is going to be bad and god has something completely amazing in mind and then we end up loving it! Our church (since January 2005) has 2 services on Sunday morning (we have chosen the 8:30 b/c we then get a longer afternoon) and we were going to an ABF in the evening, but now we have started a small group in our home and we are so excited! Last night we had our first meeting and it went AWESOME! It has been neat to see God orchestrating this for both couples. Right now it is just two couples (including us), but as we (our church) get into the 40 Days of Community Campaign we believe it will grow! Last night we had our first Sponsor meeting (we serve in the Grace Student ministry with teens- we love it!) of the new school year and we are so excited about how God is going to use the 40 Days of Community to encourage the students to care about and reach out to their peers who don't know Christ! Please pray for this area- it has been a huge burden on all of our hearts!

Well- it's Monday and the girls and I are trying to get our motors started- well Morgan is revved up and ready to go as usual, but Maddie and I are a little behind! Today I called the Ankeny subfinder and was able to get two half day jobs starting the first week of September! That pays for G-view preschool! I am so excited to be able to help my husband in this way! I remember about 7 months ago freaking out b/c I might have to go back to work a bit and now I love it!!! I love that the girls get quality time with Grandma Stout or some good social interaction with other children when a friend of mine watches them!

Well- it's time to finish making beds and start the Monday morning laundry!
I still can't believe Maddie is off to school in 2 days!!! AGGHHHH! However, she is ready and very excited and that just thrills my soul! I plan to do some preschoolish activities with Morgan and also e ill be potty training too! Fun days! No more diapers-- HOORAY!!!!

Weekend update...

WOW! What a weekend so far.... Yesterday we were up and out the door by 9:30 ahoy (that's a miracle for all of us except for Sundays for church) and headed for the Iowa State fair! It was a hot one- about 90 degrees, but the girls were GREAT! Maddie has finally mastered the potty training gig and We are so thankful to Uncle Dan and Aunt Amy for their help with that! First e started at the Little Hands Farm and both girls loved planting and harvesting their seeds, milking a fake cow, riding a pedal John Deere tractor and taking all of their items to market where the purchased some peanut butter crackers as their snack! Secondly checked out the modular homes and they were gorgeous!!! Thirdly we checked out all of the campers and RVs and Tima nd I were drooling over the possibility of someday owning one and taking the girls to Minnesota and other destinations! Then it was off to the horse barns- Maddie and Morgan were so in awe of these horses and some them were HUGE! The were able to pet a colt (he was born 3 months ago at Iowa State), named Cy, and they loved that! Before lunch we also took in the small petting zoo and Maddie rode a pony (they have a live pony carousel). Morgan said she wanted to, but in the end she chickened out! That's okay maybe next year! Ohhh- and of course we did a lot of our favorite thing to do at the fair- EAT!!! We had mini-donuts, cotton candy, a lunch of hamburgers and fries, lots of water, a fresh-squeezed lemonade and a Dutch letter! It was a great time- we left at about 2:00 and came home for naps. The girls napped from 3:00 until 7:00- I guess we wore them out! Tim went into work for a few hours and then I did some shampooing of the living room and hallway carpet! After naps and dinner (homemade pizza and breadsticks) we took the girls to Defender Park and wore them out some more!

This morning I slept in until 8:45 and Tim went out & cleaned & gassed up the van! It looks so great now! After he came home he took the girls on a date to a picnic at the Park, to petsmart and the library! While they were all gone I finished the dishes, worked on laundry, sorted through the girls' toys and finished shampooing the bedrooms and the porch carpet. All the while jammin' to a Kelly Clarkson CD- I think that workout was equivalent to at least an hour at the gym or so I am hoping it was! Now we are all vegging out!

this is a novel, but we are looking forward to church tomorrow and our first home small group meeting! Wa-hoo!!!
ta-ta!!!

Orientation @ G-view

Tonight was a big night for the Stout family...Our first Grandview Park Baptist School Orientation as PARENTS!!! (Tim has done it as a a student and I have done it as a teacher) WOWZA! This Wednesday Madison starts 4-year-old Preschool! Time is a flying! After orientation we stopped over to our friends, Brad & Dana's, to pick up their carpet cleaning vacuum- what a blessing that is and will be this weekend! I bought the cleaning solution at Kmart tonight for $10!!! I cannot wait to clean my carpets! Also, while we were hanging out at the Sills' house their kids, Trisha (7) and Joshua (2) played with the girls! Morgan came out upset about something and she said, "Bubba....blah...blah..." It is so cute b/c my girls call every boy they know Bubba (their cousin Evan, a friend's little boy Isaac and now Joshua). It's so adorable.

We are headed to the Iowa State Fair tomorrow! Should be fun!
Have a great weekend!

Pictures from August traveling: Lake Michigan and Jordan & Jessa Anderson's Wedding

Tim & Jonna @ Michigan City, Indiana











Our rental car for the weekend: 2005 Ford Mustang











The Anderson Family










Tim & Jonna @ Woodside Bible Church in Troy, Michigan

It's back to school shopping....

Today has been a good day, except that Morgan was up at 7:00 a.m. and Maddie slept in until 9;30! These girls could not be more different! This morning I did housework, laundry and hung out with the girls- they helped do the dishes and make beds. Tim came home about 1:30 and I ran to Wal-Mart for a few supplies (computer paper, dish towels, & tarts for the tart burner) and to get some more pictures developed. Tonight I have chicken & carrots in the crock pot because Maddie has a haircut at 5:00 (with Miss Amber Kain) and then we are out the door to Merle Hay Mall (they have added a Target & so now it is the perfect Mall) for back to school items: backpack, clothes, paints, kleenexes and baby wipes!

gotta get going!

Here is a picture of the wholefamily at my sister and brother-in-law's, Amanda & Daniel Johnson, wedding on July 9th, 2005 in Brainerd, Minnesota.

Let's Get it Started....

Hello everyone! Okay...I have done a TERRIBLE job at this whole blogging thing and now I am going to try to get better at it. Madison starts school next week and this will be a great way to update everyone on her progress! Also, Morgan will start potty training and so this will be a great way to vent and keep y'all up to date on that too!

We just return from Jordan Anderson's wedding in Michigan. For those of you who don't know Jordan or his family- we know them through our church- and they have become very Special to us all! My girls love Jordan, Meredith and Kara! Anyway, we (just Tim and I- the girls were with family) drove to Michigan in a 2005 Ford Mustang (a rental from hertz) and had a BLAST!
I am getting pictures developed and I will post them later tonight! It is weird to think that Jordan and Jessa are married and all grown up now! We are so Happy for them! it was a beautiful wedding: fuschia bridesmaids dresses, pink roses, hyrdrangeas and cala lilies, reception on the marina of Lake Eerie and a GREAT dance! the best DJ ever!

Today it is back to normal-- Maddie is fingerpainting and Morgan is all over the house, I think she is just glad to be home! I am going to get some laundry doen and then it will be NAP time for ALL of us!