... And I said YES!

On August 22nd, 2009, I woke up on a typical Saturday morning, never suspecting that by about noon that day I would be able to call Jody my fiance...

Jody had mentioned that morning that he had this weird dream about the famous cheese fries at Huey's Restaurant and how it had made him really crave an order. I played perfectly into his subtle plan without even knowing that he was trying to get me back to the place of our first date... "OK, sure we can go to the one in Collierville, because I need to return something to Kohl's across the street". Jody didn't even eat breakfast because he claimed he was really excited about Huey's for lunch, I should have picked up on this as odd, because Jody has never skipped breakfast on a Saturday morning since I have known him, hmmm....

Anyhow, Reagan, Jody, and I (Madison was with her grandparents for the weekend)headed to Huey's for an early Saturday lunch. After eating the cheese fries "of his dreams" Jody asked Reagan at the table if he would want to go to our "secret park" (it's a great secluded park in Germantown that the 4 of us discovered & is almost always empty). Reagan hears the word "park" and "yes" is his automated answer, as he LOVES any and all activities outside:)So even Reagan, without a clue, played perfectly into Jody's plan for the day.

(Alright, I promise I am getting to the part you want to read.... I am just enjoying re-living this beautiful day in my mind...)

So about 10 minutes or so after we were at the park, I walked over to the far west side while Reagan and Jody went to the opposite side, last time I looked over, Jody was squatted down next to Reagan and looked like they were about to talk to me through the playground "telephones"....

About 30 seconds later, I turn around and Jody startled me because he was now standing right next to me. He began to talk about his love for me and "us" and at very moment it hit me... which in turn made me turn on the waterworks! haha

He then got down on one knee and asked me to become his wife, and in a moment that every woman dreams of as a little girl mine had a very special and unique difference.... my son reached out his little hand which held a small red box and said "Here Mommy!"...

Summertime and Reagan is half way to 3!

Well with each passing day I see my baby Reagan, become more and more of a "young man". Just last week he met his new peditrician, Dr. Fesmire (If you pulled out this doctor's records from about 20 years ago, you would learn that he was also Mine and Jeffrey's doctor growing up too:)It was just a well child check-up and Reagan is a perfect healthy little boy. He is well above average at 37 inches for height compared to others 30 month olds and is average for weight at 29 pounds. He is speaking in full (and mostly clear) sentences and along with that he is already showing his good manners... although has been known to demand something and when I remind him to ask me nicely, sometimes all he will do is throw a "please" in there as in instead of "Gimme that cookie" he will come back with "PLEASE gimme that cookie". He really is a FUN FUN little boy. He loves the water. He is in the swimming pool on a weekly basis and believe it or not, will walk out on the diving board all by himself and JUMP OFF! Sometimes, I think he is truly fearless, and as his Mommy, this scare me to death!

This summer we have stayed busy busy!!! Starting with Memorial day weekend, Reagan, Madison, my mom, and I enjoyed spending time with long time friends, The Hill family, swimming and grilling outside. Also that weekend, Reagan and Madison were also able to enjoy a ski boat ride this summer when visting Grandy and Pop at their Piney Grove campsite. In June, Jody's folks ("Grandy & Pop") invited all for of us along for a trip to Florida for a few days and I was thrilled for Reagan to experience the beach and ocean for the first time:) Also in June we celebrated Jody's birthday with a delicious dinner at Rendezvous and FedEx corporate suite tickets to that night's Redbirds game with Jody's dad, step-mom and brothers. July showed up before we knew it and obviously, with the 4th of July came Fireworks, which actually did scare him with the loud noises at times, but he was a BIG fan of sparklers. On a final note, Jody and I celebrated our first year together with a great date night.

It has been quite a busy summer and it will be over before we know it, but until it we are enjoying every minute!

Take Care,
Jennifer & Reagan



HERE ARE SOME FUN SUMMER PICS:

So happy to be at the pool on Memorial Day weekend...



Later that weekend on the lake...



Celebrating Jody's birthday...



The four of us in Destin at sunset...



Before our date night to celebrate our first year together...



You can't celebrate July 4th without JUMBO sparklers...

Visitors from Michigan...

I was so excited to hear from my Uncle Paul and Aunt Kathy that they (along with 2 of Kathy's very entertaining cousins) were venturing to the Mid-South! They happened to come to Memphis on, by far, on some of the hottest days we have had so far this summer(think 102+ degrees). Jody was in the middle of a very hectic weekend at work that involved MANY hours of overtime, but he was able to steal some time away for us to meet them downtown and enjoy dinner, a walk down Beale Street, and an introducting to the famous Silky O'Sullivans! We all had a fun time and I was thrilled for him to meet some of my extended family and am very hopeful that we will be able make a visit up to Ludington in the near future!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

I know it has been a minute since I have updated, and I promise I will quickly follow this post with a fun one that includes several pictures from the summer so far...
But, right now I just wanted to take this quiet moment to say: HAPPY 65TH DAD! Today, I imagine we would have had a great celebration, laughing and cracking jokes at how he was becoming an old geezer:) I still miss him so much, but am glad to say I am at peace with all that was God's plan for him. I do know without a doubt that his Reagan Wayne would 100% be a granddad's boy if he was still here with us.(although Grannie is more than happy to be wrapped around his little finger:)We all still miss you terribly, and once again, Happy Birthday Dad! Til the day comes to see you again...

Dad with his twins; Jeffrey & me- 1982

Jennifer got herself a J-O-B !!!

Just wanted to share with everyone that I am no longer UNEMPLOYED! I didn't really advertise it, but about noon on NYE I had the bomb dropped on me that I would no longer have employment as of January 1 2009. It was really hard to take, especially since I had never been "laid-off" before and had only worked there 3 months. These last 2 months have been difficult, but my faith remained that I would eventually find a new and possibly even better job... Anyways, on to the GOOD NEWS....

Yesterday, after two very intense interviews, I was offered a Paralegal position with the firm of Merritt, Flebotte, Wilson, Webb, and Caruso!!!! It is a North Carolina based firm with offices serving North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. I will be the primary professional support to the Memphis location (My office is in Southwind, which means no daily downtown commute!). I start Monday the 9th and I am soooo thrilled and believe that this will be a great fit for me:) Just wanted to share my HAPPY news! Hope all is well!

Love, Jennifer

Finally some SNOW!!!

Well folks it was the last day of February here in Memphis before we finally got some snow! It really started to come down about 2pm on Saturday and didn't stop for at least 12hours:) Overall, I think about 8 inches or so accumulated. As you will see, Reagan couldn't have been happier!

Love,
Jen & Reagan

P.S. To all my family in Indiana and Michigan who see this much snow all the time... this was like Christmas morning to everyone down south!

Reagan couldn't wait to get out there...
... he was so anxious the next morning that he thought he would be sneaky and get an early start in his jammies... he QUICKLY changed his mind! LOL
STOMP! STOMP! STOMP!
Finally took a minute to rest, but still smiling from ear to ear:)
As afternoon approached, quite a bit had melted, but Reagan was still in his happy place (this is really the first time he's ever seen this much snow!)

Reagan has a new cousin!

Jeffrey and Ann's baby girl has arrived!!!!

Amelia Ann Bromley was welcomed to the world this morning at 8:27am in Indianapolis, IN. She surprised everyone by coming 2 weeks early and weighed a perfect 7 lbs 6oz and is 18.5 inches long! "Granny" is flying up there soon to meet her new granddaughter and hopefully Reagan and I can venture up that way soon to meet her too!


The proud new Daddy with his daughter!


Only a few hours old!

What a sweet little girl!

Unfortunately, we could not be up there for her birth, but Reagan was able to see pictures of his new baby cousin through e-mail!

He can't wait to meet her!


Awww sweet boy... Here he is blowing Amelia big kisses!

A weekend visit

I had to plan a last minute trip up to Nashville this past weekend. My old friend, Jackie, and her husband were gracious enough to let me stay with them while Reagan spent the weekend visiting his father. Their son, Evan Robert, really missed his playmate/partner in crime Reagan (they are about 7 months apart- and soooo much alike!!!) Here are a few pictures from my visit...

Evan LOVES his Mommy!

Evan hanging out with his dad (and trying to avoid naptime!)



Jackie and I ...

... and here we are as teenagers in 1995!

25 Things you may or may not know about me

25. I was born in Atlanta, Georgia. The first house my parents ever bought was located in College Park. Yes, as in College Park Bubba Sparxxx... hometown of one Ludacris and Pacman Jones.

24. I am an almost completely different person in the morning. I'm a grump and a notorious hitter of the snooze button... it's not a pretty sight. Let's just say I will NEVER be a morning person!

23. I found out I was pregnant with my Reagan the night before my first day at brand new job in Nashville.

22. Anna Walkner and I have truly been best friends since we first met in 1989:) This year it will be 20 years... some kooky horoscope lady once told Anna that a friendship between 2 Scorpios was impossible.

21. I have pathetically big feet. Unfortunately, with pregnancy they got even bigger. I joke that if I ever get pregnant again, I will to start special ordering my shoes. I joke, but it really makes me nervous.

20. When I look at Reagan... I still get amazed that I created such a beautiful and perfect little person.

19. I have traveled to 26 states... most of them were before I had even graduated High School.

18. Plane crashes are weirdly fascinating to me.

17. I could eat steak for every meal.... even breakfast.

16. Whitney Hill and I have been friends for about 17 years.... and 75% of that has been spent just laughing together:)

15. Jody and I spent our 'first date' with at least 6 other people.

14. My first car was a 1988 Navy blue Honda Accord... the sunroof dumped a gallon of water on you when it would rain unless it was parked backwards. Everyone knew if they drove by my house and my car was backed up in my driveway that a rain storm was a'coming:)

13. About two years ago, I gave birth to a baby boy who was 3 ounces shy of 9 lbs... ummm and did I mention that he was born a week early?

12. Speaking of that, I have a new found appreciation for my mother who carried my twin brother and me... I was 7lbs 10oz and Jeffrey was 8lbs 9oz!

11. The best concert I have ever been to was David Gray at the Ryman. Hands down. Incredible.

10. One of my worst pet peeves is when a car is missing a hub cap. A few months ago I lost one on my car, Jody searched ebay until he found a perfect match.

9. I can honestly say I have literally seen my life flash before my eyes. Thankfully, Reese and I were both wearing a seat belt and, thus, I am still alive to tell you about it.

8. Growing up with a twin brother was soooo much fun. Looking back, I am thankful to my mom and dad for a great and amazingly normal childhood.

7. Jody and I like to watch biographies about serial killers and then google to read more about them. I know it sounds creepy, but they really are some facinating people.

6. My mom knows me better than anyone in this world. She never fails to do or say the perfect thing to help me feel better. Sometimes it is complete silence, but just knowing I have her in the room takes a world of stress off my shoulders.

5. Nicki Crafton and I first became acquainted in 8th grade while playing rec basketball... she pretty much threw to the ground and trampled me... to this day her mother is still talks about how such a rough meeting turned into a great friendship over the years.

4. Working in restaurants basically paid my way over the years (not to mention the great friends I met); The Italian Oven, Perkins, CiCi's Pizza, Bola Pasta, and Half Shell... (Jody reminds me often that Cici's is the most humorous to him)

3. I love to read, but never find the time. I tried to set a realistic goal for 2008; finish 2 books... as of today, I am still only halfway on that first one.

2. After twenty-eight years on this earth, I can finally say that I know what true love feels like. Thank you Jody.

1. I lost my father to brain cancer when I was 14. It broke my heart. I would give anything to have the chance to get to know him as an adult. I think about him everyday, but have found peace with it all... I know I will see him again one day.

Welcome 2009... a new year, a new blog :)

Well, less than a week into this new year and a whirlwind of change continues to surround Reagan and me! My New Year's resolution was to get more organized and keep in better touch with our family and friends...so with that I made Reagan and I an official blog!

2008 was definitely a year that started off much different than it ended. I am thankful for self-realization and personal growth that I acquired for myself; I was blessed with gaining the strength to move on from the negative aspects in mine and Reagan's life. It was long overdue to make healthy changes for us both! The second part of the year was filled with continous changes (job changes, losing jobs, and a bunch of moves!) and I think that Reagan and I finally have gotten ourselves settled down- back in good ol' Memphis! Oh my, does it feel GREAT to be back and surrounded by all the awesome friends in my life. I am thrilled that Reagan will get to know each of you more and more as he continues to grow into a young man!

I will be diligent in keeping this blog current with pictures and news of what is new in this lil' ol life of ours:) So please feel free to subscribe to our blog and, of course we welcome all comments:)

With love,
Jennifer and Reagan (a.k.a. my "Sneaky Pete")



Here are some pics from my New Year's Eve...

A group of 7 couples started off the last night of 2008 with dinner at The Majestic Grille in Downtown Memphis (The building was originally a movie theatre in the 1940's that had been renovated into a restaurant)... they showed silent movies on a big screen while you dined, it was fabulous!




Jody and I had a great evening together...

After dinner we all went over to Connor and Stephanie Richard's beautiful home in Harbor Town. This a great pic of some of the ladies of the evening; (l to r) Julie Mc Owen, Paige Cole, myself, and Whitney Hill.

Whitney and Terry getting ready to countdown to midnight...








...and it's officially 2009, Happy New Year's!!!