Well, here I am...starting a blog...

I guess I'll make my first blog post about myself, as a little insight to who I am, what I do, and maybe what to expect. Go ahead and get comfortable, maybe grab a drink, I like to talk, and I tend to get wordy.

 I'm Jennifer, but most often go by Jeni, and get called Jenn a lot, too. I am the wife to the absolutely most amazing man there ever was and ever will be, Ryan. I call him sexybeast hubbyman often. He is my high school sweetheart, and my best friend. You know how they say "when I say I won't tell anyone, my best friend doesn't count"? Well, that's Ryan...he's the person I tell EVERYTHING to. We are the parents to 6 wonderful and super fantastic kiddos. I used to homeschool them until Sept. 2010, and then I made the decision to put them into public school. There's a million reasons why I made that decision, but at the time, it was what needed to be done. I miss them, I wish they were homeschooled again...and maybe one day they will be, but for now, it's just not in our deck of cards.

There's Saphire- she's almost 11! I just can't get over the fact that I'm old enough to have an 11 year old, but whatevs. We call her Saphie most often. She has an amazing head on her shoulders, and is wise beyond her years. She is quite the social butterfly, and has such a kind and caring heart. She gets very defensive of those who won't defend themselves. If you need someone to be your advocate and stand by your side, she's your girl. She's also your girl if you need someone to cry with, laugh with, when you need a hug, or to have an ear to lend. I think she's started to pick up on my sarcasm. Crap...and awesome, too! She loves to laugh, and is quite humorous at just the right (and unexpected!) times.

Aubrey recently turned 9, and still...even though she's the second oldest...she's STILL "baby" Aubrey to us. Maybe because she was the original baby? She is super smart, she carries all A's in school. She's also VERY athletic, and runs the mile in under 8 minutes now., her goal is to do it in 5...that girl cray! She loves basketball, soccer, and cheer leading to name a few. She likes to keep us busy! ;) She is quiet, and super sensitive...she's far too serious sometimes, and I think having a mother who just can't be serious all the time might get on her nerves from time to time. It's taken me some time, and I still have a lot to learn, but I think I've finally figured out the right ways to handle my little introvert.

Amelia will be 7 in just a few short days. She's pretty excited about that, because her and her younger brother are only 10 months apart, and for 6 weeks out of every year, they're the same age. She is our little ar-teest! That girl LOVES art! She's an eccentric child who marches to the beat of her own drum, which she created. Like the rest of her siblings, she is very smart. She's also quite athletic and likes to run with Aubrey, and has been cheering since she was 2 years old. She's a happy-go-lucky kind of girl who requires a little time to herself every now and then. She is a very loving child, but don't let that fool you! That girl knows how to hold her own! I have no idea where she gets her hot-head from....

Gabriel- our first son! We most often call him Gabe. He recently turned 6. As mentioned above, he's only 10 months younger than Amelia. We were actively avoiding pregnancy, but he happened anyway...he is meant to be here, and I fell as though he is destined to great things. That boy is FULL OF LIFE! He has the energy of a million boys. He is also one of the most kind, caring, and gentle people I know. The way I feel about his dad? Yeah, someday there will be a VERY lucky girl who will feel the same about him, for this I have no doubt. He is extremely outgoing, and most definitely our extrovert. He asks a million questions a day, and he isn't trying to be annoying, he's just genuinely curious and eager to learn. Yep, he'll have a brain like his daddy in NO time. He is a fabulous brother, too. Not that any of his siblings aren't, he's just that person...the one the you know when you're long gone, will still be holding the family together. He's definitely special.

Julian is soon to be 4! Gabe's only brother, and inseparable best friend! He is technology obsessed! In fact, he can operate a computer, my phone, and the tv better than I ever could! Once he's focused on something, it's hard to take his attention away from it. He's so super smart! He knows his alphabet, how to count to 20, and how to beat me in any game he's ever played! He loves to play outside, and race. He's a very competitive little guy! Even walking to the bus stop to pick up his sibs turns into a competition over who will get there first! He's also very loving and sensitive, and loves long snuggles on the couch with plenty of hugs and kisses. The biggest thorn in his side, and his biggest competitor....? See below.

Brenya, she's 2.5, and the baby of the family...FOREVER! No, there will be no #7, and I am 100% a-okay with that! Besides, little Miss Diva couldn't handle not being the baby. She is all that, plus a bag of chips! We call her Bennie most often. She is funny, and lovable, and oh so adorable...which is what keeps her standing most days, lol. I would like to take credit for her knowing how to count, knowing the alphabet, being smart, but nope...that all stems from competing with Julian, and always trying to one-up him. They act like they don't like each other, but they are lost without one another. Bennie is a momma's girl for sure, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

My family is my life. They are my sunshine, my everything, so this blog will probably focus mainly on my life with them in it. I'll do a lot of posting on my opinions on things-things that are irritating me, or that make me smile, definitely food and recipes...because that's just how this Martha Stewart rolls, crafty things I make here and there...it will be a mod-podge of things that are affecting me at the time.It's just how I work. ;) Enjoy my insanity!