Saturday, September 09, 2006
it's FOOTBALL season!!!!
Today we did a little school shopping for Madison...the SALES are starting...HOORAY! We also bought each one of the girls a long-sleeved
Hawkeye t-shirt to wear on game days! The girls love them and Tim was extra proud of us as we ran a few errands around town decked out in Hawkeye gear!
Overall we are all adjusting well to school! Madison LOVES school and when she comes home she takes great pride in emptying her backpack and sharing with us what she learned that day at school. The other morning as we were all eating breakfast Maddie informed us of something that happened at school the day before, "Dad, _______ (insert a boy classmates name) asked me to be his girlfriend...." Tim and I almost fell out of our chairs trying to contain our laughter....then we heard, "but I told ____________ we can be just friends because we are TOO YOUNG to GET MARRIED!!!" More laughter and almost snorting ensued! What in the WORLD???? THIS IS KINDERGARTEN??? However, we praise GOd that HE gave Madison the grace to gently let this boy down!!! :)
MOrgan is doing very well in preschool here at home with me. She knows all of her numbers (1-10), shapes, colors and we are working on letter recognition and counting skills now. Also, this week will starts some crafts (as I picked up some helpful preschool idea books and magazines at the Library) and seasonal activities! I cannot wait to do a scavenger/nature hike with her in the coming weeks! Morgan is speaking in sentences and it so cute..."Mommy, guess what...I love you mommmy!" That's my favorite! She is also an excellent shopper! She goes straight to the clearance racks at Target and she has a blast saying, "Look at this, MOmma!"
Tim's job is going great! He is now A SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE! Praise the Lord! It's a bit of a promotion witha bit of a raise! We rejoice in HOW AWESOME HIS new job is and we thank GOd everyday for it!
I am busy being a mom- A JOB I LOVE!!! I am subbing a bit here and there, just enough to pay for Christian school! I never really thought of myself as a homebody, but when I am gone I miss it sooooooo much!
Time to get back to the Hawkeye game.....GO HAWKS!
Monday, August 21, 2006
madison's First Day of Kindergarten
Today, I worked on a bulletin board here at home...I am going to be preschooling Morgan at home. Right now it is every morning from 10:00-10:30, but once Bible Study(tues am), subbing and tutoring (thurs ams)start up in September we will scale back to 2-3 days a week! We are working on calendar activities (days of week, weather, months, season, etc...), a number and letter a week, minor math skills, opposites& matching activities, letter, #, color and shape recognition, reading books and the writing of her name! Also, we will do seasonal activities: Sept= apples & school, Oct= pumpkins, fire safety, Columbus and so on....
Maddie had a great day at school and she was exhausted when she came home. She was bummed she wasn't going to lunch with almost the rest of her class (there are only 8- 1/2 day -kids and the rest go all day--parental choice). She did come home with a headache..I think she made need glasses b/c at her physical her vision came out 20/40 in both eyes and so I am in the process of getting her in for a thorough exam...PLease pray that this will go quickly and smoothly!!!
We are all back into the school year routine--I LOVE routine! I have my first sub day this Friday at Ankeny in elementary! I can't believe I am back to work and I praise the Lord for these opportunities to help us pay for Christian education for our kids!
Well- time to get to bed! Have a great week!
See this link for PICS....
http://www.xanga.com/private/yourhome.aspx?user=jonnastout
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Troubleshooting w/ Pics
http://www.xanga.com/jonnastout
Have a great day!
P.S> Anybody know why I can't get my pics to upload here???
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Exciting Eternal information...
This fall could be busy for me...I will be working more this fall subbing and doing some cleaning for a friend's business!
The girls are growing up way too fast: Madison starts Kindergarten in 4 weeks and on July 12 she accepted Jesus as her Savior..Here's the story written from Tim's perspective...AMAZING NIGHT!....
It was Wednesday night, July 12th, 2006. The girls and I were having our normal bedtime routine. We were reading a book by Max Lucado about the boy who through the little fish and the bread to Jesus to feed the crowd. After the book was read, we have a time of prayer. Before I could ask for prayer requests from the girls, Maddie said "Daddy, I just got done praying." I asked her what she had prayed for. She told me " I ask Jesus to come into my heart and save me."
Needless to say, I was a bit shocked and quickly said a prayer asking God for discernment and wisdom. I asked her why she prayed that prayer. She said, " Because I am a sinner and I want to go to heaven." I was so excited I had to think of what to say next. I asked Madison what she thought sin was. She told me, " Sin is when I do things that make God sad like pushing Morgan or not obeying Mommy and Daddy."
I then asked her what Jesus did to help her get to heaven. She replied, " He died on the cross for my sins." I asked her if she was good enough, if she could get to heaven all by herself and she told me no. By this time, I am trying so hard to keep it together. I tend to be a bit on the soft side, so this was really hard.
Finally, I told her that in the Bible it talks about "confessing with your mouth and Jesus is Lord." I asked Madison if she would be willing to pray out loud and invite Jesus into her heart. She bowed her head and she said this prayer by herself. "Dear Jesus, please come into my heart and save me. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I want to go to heaven to be with you. Amen"
At that point, I could not contain my joy any longer. Tears just flowed down my face and I was just overwhelmed by the moment. I told her to go tell her Mom and she ran from the room. The joy on Jonna's face was priceless and we just hugged her like she had never been hugged before.
pretty exciting, eh????
Tim's new job is AMAZING and God is so blessing! It feels so good to be out of the desert! :) We now officially have health, dental, and optical insurance! HOORAY!
I will post some summer pics soon....
Jonna :)
Monday, July 03, 2006
HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!
On June 23rd, we celebrated Madison's 5th b-day! We had a cowboy themed party, complete with balloons, cowboys hats, wanted posters and star cupcakes. I cannot believe my oldest is 5!
On June 30th, we watched some of our students from GSM get married and it was a beautiful day! I had the privilege of decorating a room at church for their rehearsala nd of course I have no pictures...sorry! The wedding was beautiful and They had a GREAT DJ at the dance. We had a blast shakin' it up and shocking some of our church fam with the fact that we can dance! Priceless! The biggest blessing was that these two families that were joined have become some of our dearest church family and it is truly an honor to call them family! Also, we were able to take the kids to the grandparents that night and so the after the wedding ended we headed out with some dear friends to Perkins nad just had a great VISIT! We love you Aaron and Sierra!
Also, this weekend our friends Jordan & Jessa are home from Nashville where they attend Belmont University. Yesterday they led worship at Newton Grace Church and then last night they did a concert at Grace Church here in DSM and it was a GREAT privilege to attend both! They are soooooo talented and it will be neat to see where and HOW God uses the musical talents HE has given to them!
Tomorrow, we are headed to Tim's parents for 4th of July party. Hopefully, I can make a better showing in badmiton tomorrow! and at the end of the week my parents, my brother & his family are some guys from my parent's church are coming down for the weekend. The men are headed to Promise Keepers and the girls are in for shopping!
Praise the Lord for His Love today and the blessings he gives!
THANK you for our freedom in our country, but also our freedom from SIN & DEATH through JESUS CHRIST!
Happy 4th of JULY!
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
A long overdue update...
1. Memorial day Weekend we went to Minnesota to spend some "quality time" with my family and we had a BLAST! We took the girls fishing and they loved it! Grandma nd Grandpa SHogren were right there when BOTH girls caught their FIRST FISH! My sister and her hubby took the girls for a night so we could celebrate our 7th anniversary...we putt-putted and go-karted...FUN! Sunday we spent some time with Phil, Heather nad Zaka nd the boys did more fishing! Who would have ever thunk TIm would become so outdoorsy???? Monday we came home and Maddie thew up in the van, but it all landed mostly on her and her blanket and not on the van itself! HOORAY!
2. VBS #1 has come and gone...the girls attended VBS with grandma nad Grandpa Stout at their church in Altoona. The theme was "Set Sail" and the girls loved it!
3. We attended Kylie's dedication 2 weeks agoa nd we had a great time with Dan, Amy, Mom and Papa Stout and Amy's parents...we went to service where they did a small dedicationa nd then we all went to the Machine Shed for dinner..YUMMY!
4. Father's Day we spent the morning sleeping ina nd had a family bruncha nd then we headed out to First Federated Church for a car show! The girls played in the bounce house nad then we ate (sno cones, hot dogs, & funnel cake) and looked at a bunch of cars: Corvette, Corvette StingRay, Dodge Viper, etc... The rest of the day we vegged at home nad then we went to Granny's for ice cream and our weekly trip out to the ranch to see the horses! We love it there. The girls got to pet a paint horse named cricket. The owner stopped by and we chatted for a while and he mentioned that everyone out there knows us by our vana nd they all think it's so neat that we take our girls there all of the time. However, the downside is that the girls WANT their OWN horses!
5. Tim's Grandma, Grandma Bonnet, is here from Montana. She is 92 and a HOOT! My girls love her and she lOVEs watching them play! She is a akiller at Triominos and her and Mom Stout are playing tons of Scrabble of which I TRY to stay away from b/c they KILL ME almost every game!
6. THis week is low key...Maddie's b-day is Friday and we are having a Cowgirl Themed party! Next week is VBS at Grace (HOOOOORAY!!!!) and Linser/Stewart wedding that I am decorating the rehearsal dinner for them. FUN!
THAt's it for now....pictures to follow soon!
Monday, May 22, 2006
Another weekend has flown past....
The girls are napping now and so I really need to hit the laundry! Otherwise we will have no clothes for our trip this weekend! One other exciting note...I get to get my haircut tomorrow night! Nothing draastic, but still a head massage and pampering is involved- Wa-hoo!!!! :)
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Post Mother's Day
awhile last night...Dan and Amy both got to eat their food while it was still hot...what a Mother's Day treat, huh???? I know I am the best Auntie ever! However, bummer No bonfirein our new firepit this weekend...too cold and rainy...maybe this weekend sometime!
The past two days Maddie has had Mock Kindergarten and she is loving it, she cannot wait for school next fall! Tonight we are all headed to Uncle Dan's softball games, weather permitting. I have almost everything coordinated for Senior/Graduate Breakfast on Sunday...HOORAY! Now all there is to do is make a few more phone calls, order the balloon bouquets at Nobbies ( I am doing this tonight on the way to dan's softball games), and then decorate and set up Saturday night!
Tim is busy with work and helping me with home stuff and the girls! he is a great dad!
He had a blast helping them shop for me for Mother's Day! They did also buy me a Puppy, a stuffed one, and his name is Mister Cuddles! Cute, eh???
Off to school we go for Maddie's Kindergarten entrance evaluation...she'll do great!
Monday, May 08, 2006
Overdue Update....

The Beginning of my Landscaping in the backyard- this will be a flower bed w/ hostas, tiger lillies, phlox and misc plants...I'll fill it a little each week with perennials so that I don't have to do anywork next year....
Today is Maddie's last day of preschool and then we have preschool graduation tomorrow night and next week she has 2 days of mock kindergarten and testing, etc...My oldest is going to be in Kindergarten...CRAZY!!!! Wow- time flies! Morgan is busy as ever and just chattering up a storm, except we just found out at church in her Sunday Scool class she never says a PEEP! Weird, eh???
We are immersed in Senior Breakfast Prep and end of the year subbing for me! This summer I will be doing some house cleaning with a gal from Grace and also pick up some part-time hours at new York Life with Tim's former boss...I will be filing, mailing , etc... Tim is busy with work and helping me with Spring Projects: cleaning, landscaping, fixing the backyard gate, reorganizing our storage area from the basement to the upstaiirs attic space.
Above and below you will see pics of some of the projects we are working on these days....

OUr fire pit/ BBQ Pit...My Daddy helped me with this...I still need to layer the bottom with some dirt and then get some charcoals, firewood and a baking rack thing... We also plan to put a few chairs around it, etc.... Fun Memories to be made and lots of S'mores!!!!! :)
Friday, April 21, 2006
Pictures....Pictures and More Pictures....


Monday, April 17, 2006
Easter 2006
Monday, April 10, 2006
Happy 3rd Birthday, Miss Morgan!



Here are few pictures from Morgan's 3rd Birthday Party last Saturday! We had a great time!
She chose, along withy Mommy's help, a Miss Patty Cake themed Party. I made her a Miss Patty Cake Playhouse (out of cardboard) and a Miss Patty Cake apron! We had a great time! I cannot believe my baby is 3!!! She is growing up way too fast!
Enjoy the pictures!
Saturday, April 01, 2006
The Madness.....
Well, it was an interesting THursday, the weather was all over the place! Thursday it was sunny and 65 in the am and then we had terrible thinderstorms that night. The girls and I spent about an hour in the basement b/c of a tornado warning and I was thankful there was a HUGE box for thethe girls to play with and I watched the TV/radar. and yesterday it was 42 degrees and WINDY! Brrr......
yesterday I went to the chiropractor and then to Target to pick up a few groceries. Maddie was off school today and after lunch we are stopped by thelibrary and then after Tim got off work we headed to the hospital to visit his co-worker, Linda, who is in the hospital with gall stones and we also stop by the Nursery to see a friend from church who just had her 4th girl, they were praying for a boy, but they are happy! It makes me want another baby even more now!!!! Maddie keeps asking when her baby brother or brothers is coming and we tell her to just keep praying! She has asked if she can have 2 brother or 2 babies come at once, "Mom, I really want twins!" and yesterday in the van she said, "Mom, when I grow up I am going to have a husband and we will have our own children...a son and a daughter & they'll be twins. " I asked what she would name them and she replied, "Michael and Sarah...of course..." Don't BLINK....THey grow up soooooo fast! Last night after our hospital visits we went to tHe Iowa Machine Shed for dinner & then to our favorite little ice cream shop, Granny's, for little sundaes! So FUN! After that we came home, and watched Lion KIng 1 1/2 & I totally crashed!
I am thankful that the subbing is picking up...I worked Thursday in Ankeny Kindergarten and mom stout watched the girls, I work next Thursday and Friday @ SEP High School, the following THursday is a 1/2 day and then I have 2 more days the first week of May...one at g-view nad one at SEP elementary. I am hoping to pick a few more days somewhere...we are trying to build up our $1000 fund again and save for a trip to California to see Tom, kristin, Sydnie and Evan! Tim is doing a GREAT job at work...he almost made his goal for March, he came up a little shy! He is totally bummed, but everyone else is soooooo encouraged by his performance....this was his first month on the phone and he almost made goal...that's amazing! He is going to go far and fast in this company! Praise the Lord!
On with the Madness!!!
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
The newest Stout family and other Misc. pics
Morgan, MaKayla, Hope & Madison
The girls with their friends on a play day!
Moving Day for Mom & Papa Bear StoutTom came from California to help, Martin helped and our family! It was a great day!
Friday, March 24, 2006
A New Niece...
announce the cesarean delivery of
Kylie Mattea Stout,
weighing in at 5 pounds 8 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long,
on Tuesday, March 21st, 2006
at 7:15 in the evening.
**Kylie (pronounced ky-lee) means full of grace and Mattea means God's gift.
Dan and Amy have brought her "home" to their hotel and will be flying hometo Iowa from Washington D.C. (where the birthparents are from). We will update more as we hear more...THIS HAS BEEN AN AMAZING JOURNEY for them and GOD has totally PROVEN HIMSELF to be FAITHFUL and AMAZING!!!**
Monday, March 06, 2006
Long time...No talky
Here's the update....
This past weekend we went to Minnesota for a Shogren family get together. We stayed at a Residence Inn about 1/2 mile from the Mall of America & IKEA. We had a great time seeing all of my family: Phil, Heather and Zak (4 1/2 months), Amanda (11 weeks pregnant) and Dan, and my parents. Friday we arrived in the cities about 6:00 and went to the 2-story Chuck E. Cheese and played a ton of games and skee-ball (sp??) and then back to the hotel for a dip in the pool and hot tub. Saturday we went swimming, ate breakfast, and to the MOA for lunch and shopping. The boys stayed until about 2:30 and the went back to the hotel for the kiddies' naps. We walked around and browsed a lot and Heather bought a shirt for $3.99 (no tax!) at Lerner and then we rode a Timberland Twister and headed back to the hotel. We all went to Outback for dinner and back to the hotel for more swimming. The other 2 couples headed home for the night and the grandparents and us headed to bed. Sunday am we slept in, ate breakfast and swam some more. After we checked out we headed to IKEA and WOWZA I could have spent OODLES OF MOOLAH! It was awesome and I cannot wait to go back in a few months- minus the girlies...that way we can take our time and really shop! It was awesome to walk through the showroom and I got tons of ideas for Christmas presents for my niece and nephews.
In other news....
Tim's job is going great...I am subbing a bit here and there....Madison is registering for 1/2 day kindergarten at grandview next year & Morgan will be going to preschool 2 days a week. FUN!!! Madison and Morgan are growing like crazy and they are SUPER excited for Easter and the egg hunt. However, before then I need to plan Morgan's 3rd birthday party (April 7th) and Tim's 30th birthday on April 18th.
I will post a few pictures later....
Jonna :)
Monday, January 23, 2006
this is fun!
| You Are a Frappacino |
At your worst, you are: childish and over indulgent You drink coffee when: you're craving something sweet Your caffeine addiction level: low |
Friday, January 20, 2006
life happens while you're making plans....
However, thank you Lord for teaching that there are times when REST and QUIET are much needed and sometime you just have to care for yourself and let LOVE do the rest!
Also, thank you to Grandma and Grandpa Stout for checking up on us frequently and taking the girls Tuesday pm so I could just rest! LOVE YOU!
Have a great weekend! Tim flys in at about 7:30 pm! Can't wait!
We ALL miss him VERY much!
Sunday, January 15, 2006
still gettin' into the new routine...
Tim is headed to Nashville tomorrow. He is going for training for his work. (no CT on Wednesday! Sorry Ryan!) His plane leaves DSM at 5:55 am and he will return Friday night about 8:00 p.m.. Should be good trip for him and don't worry about us girls I have BOOKED the schedule and we have plenty to do...see schedule above, plus I have sme playdates, I am teaching chapel on Friday at Grandview and some time at Grandma and Grandpa Stout's house.
We will miss Tim VERY MUCH!
Not much else to report...Tax season is rapidly approaching and we almost have all of our info to get the thing done! Praying for a good return...if any! Who knows!
Madison's sense of humor is really coming around...Yesterday I was making eggs and I asked who in this house eats eggs and she responded, "Mom, houses don't eat!" and she started laughing...she's a quick one! :) Morgan is spunky as ever and when she doesn't want to have rest time she says, "momma, I play on the porch, please?????" and of course I let her, but someday she will regret giving up "rest time."
Today Tim took the girls to the park- it's in the mid-50s and we have NO SNOW!!! HOORAY! but the forecast is for cold and 30 early in the week and a chance for snow---YUCK! I want to get away!!!
Jonna






