It's that time of the year......busy!!!

Hey All- Sorry it has been a few weeks since I posted. A lot has been going on. To start I finished my first triathalon the weekend of the 8th & 9th.  It was here in Hattiesburg. Josh particiapted as well and did great. We had a fan club here to cheer us on!! A big thanks to Granny, Mima and Aunt Pam for being our sideline support!

That same weekend was fall break for Jillian and she went to Oklahoma to visit her Dad. She had a great time and hit the ground running when she came back. She joined Girl Scouts and had her first big school field trip to Mitchell Farms, a local pumpkin patch.  As many of you know Jilly decided to quit dance back in August. I told her she was welcome to try something new and she said she was really interested in being a Girl Scout. She had her first troop meeting last Thursday. They learned Daisy law (she is considered a Daisy right now) and then went on a community outing to the Fire Station. Madison tagged along and we all had a great time. As for the pumpkin patch I got to help chaperone and Jilly and I had a great time. We picked out pumpkins, went on a hay ride and went through the crazy corn maze. I do have pics on my camera from the field trip but have not downloaded them yet so I will post some of that fun day later.

As for this week we have been gearing up for Mimi and Papa Tom's visit-they arrive Wednesday. We are very excited to see them. I am busy planning the Halloween party for school. It is going to be great. The school does a whole day of "fall fun." There are individual class parties, an all school concert and a class door decorating contest. It should be alot of fun.

I almost forgot-last weekend we painted the girls room and got Jilly some new furniture. We also moved her to the playroom. It is the biggest room and allows her to play and have her desk in there-the back bedroom where she was didn't allow alot of room to play. I included some pics of their rooms. I am proud. (-: Ha.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Love,
Jess

 Just finished our triathalon!

 Jilly posing by the fire truck at her girl scout outing.

 Love this pic, she is a nut.

 Madie's room!

 Jilly's room-she says it is fancy.

Just this morning them snuggling on the floor watching their Saturday morning cartoons. (-:

Fall is here in more ways than one....

Fall came this week in many ways.  The positive weather change (fabulous) to more mild beautiful days.....but on the negative side the seasonal viruses have hit our home too.  Madie had a 24 hour stomach flu bug on Wednesday which sadly also was Josh's birthday. Despite the sickness we managed to have a fun dinner at home of homemade enchildas and one of Josh's favorite cakes.  He turned 27! The girls and I enjoyed picking out cards and presents. Even though Madie was sick that day she was such a doll. It was very rainy and she just snuggled on the couch and in my bed. She acted so grown up. I would ask her what was wrong and she would rub her tummy and say "oww." Then I would say I am going to go get this or that...and she would say, "ok." It was crazy bc for the first time I felt like I was really having a conversation with her.....hard to believe she is already that grown up.
Friday Jillian had a Teddy Bear and Tea party at school. The kids got to bring their favorite teddy bears and they feasted on Teddy Grahams and Tea. Jillian brought big bear-if any of you know big bear he is huge! The teacher ended up having the kids pose for a class pic with him. It was alot of fun for all.  Then sadly Friday afternoon the stomach bug hit Jilly. Here we are Saturday evening and she is still struggling. Poor gal. I was just able to get her off to bed. After many sheet changes, showers and alot of 7up she seems to be on the mend but not 100% quite yet. She was such a trooper today. At one point she said she wanted to pray to Jesus and ask him to make her better. I have never heard a more adorable prayer. I wish I would of written it down. 
We had planned to go to church tomorrow, but I would say that is out. So it will hopefully be a quiet day at home. We have a big week to gear up for-Jillian heads to her Dad's next weekend for a visit over fall break. Josh and I are doing a triathalon next weekend as well. His second one, my first.....yikes! Bob, Mary and Granny are coming down to take pics for the triathalon and to visit. We look forward to that visit. 
Well, I think that is it for now. Hope everyone is well. Have a great rest of the weekend!
Jess 

 Poor Madie bug when she was sick-she was such an angel snuggled up in my bed!

 Sipping on some PediaLyte

 Crazy Madie in the shower. She decided to lay down and take a break.

 Jilly at the Teddy Bear party!

 She was feeding her bear some Teddy Grahams too!

 They danced with their bears too, it was very cute.

Jilly is front and center sitting in "big bears" lap. Fun group!