Women of Faith/Girls weekend

I had a great time celebrating my birthday this weekend at Women of Faith since it fell on my birthday. My friend Jennifer and I went early on Friday morning to the Bliss spa at the W and had a relaxing massage and facial. This hotel opened two months ago and was right across the street from the American Airlines center so it was nice to not have to fight traffic.

We were then joined by our good friends Nicole and Gina and had a quick late lunch in the living room area of the hotel where the walls would change colors. The motto for the hotel was WHATEVER WHENEVER. Pretty cool if that would REALLY be possible. We tried to see if the bellman would give Jennifer his socks since she forgot to bring some for Saturday, but they were sweaty and he said no. We wanted to eat at the Craft restaurant, but they weren't serving at 3 in the afternoon. So I guess it's a good thing we didn't get too spoiled to whatever whenever, or life would've been harder to return to once we got home! NO really it was a lovely and a very mod kinda hotel. The bottles of water were glass and cylinder-very modern and different looking. The pool area was neat as you may be able to see from the pictures.

The conference was fun and inspiring as always. I love to laugh, but after about 24 hours of it you are just PLUM exhausted! The same awesome ladies spoke that do every year, but this year was neat to also hear from Max Lucado, Sandi Patti-loved her song WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM with a precious angel from heaven, who had down-syndrome, who signed the song while she sang, Natalie Grant...an amazing singer, and Robin McGraw (Dr. Phil's wife). This was only Robin's 2nd time to speak in front of a large crowd like this so she did pretty well with reading the prompters, but seemed to be pretty surface and general. I was hoping to really hear her heart, but was pretty sad that she wasn't more real and on fire. The coolest part was when DR. PHIL came up on stage and surprised Robin (she thought he wasn't there) and said a few words to us. It was hilarious to see all the cameras start flashing when he came up there. He said that since she had walked him off the stage from day one of his show for the last 4 years that he had to make sure and walk her off. Pretty sappy sweet! I hope that if she does begin to speak on this women of faith tour that the original women will rub off on her and help her acknowledge the real power of Jesus and get off the worldly, politically correct, nambie pambie subjects. Man God could really use their huge platform in a mighty way!

Well happy birthday to me and 40 is coming in loud and clear with each day! Thanks to my good buddies, and my awesome hubby who helped me have a relaxing day and great girls weekend!

Love, Sweat, and 15 YEARS!!!

Happy Anniversary to us! It's been 15 years now as of August 24th. What a hot day that was back in '91! I'll never forget all the fun, sweat, family, sweat, friends, sweat, and precious memories (sweat) made on that day! It was a day for having my hair up for coolness-which I did not- and for having my train pinned up in the back after the ceremony-which I did for all of about 10 seconds! Marv accidently stepped on it and ripped the snaps off, so I had to wrap it around my arm so that I could get around to try and see everyone. I also was reminded by one of my college buddies, Audra, about how her mom had to sew me into the dress after she tried to zip it up and the zipper broke. She found Marv and asked him if he had a knife with him cause he would NEED it later! Let's just say that birdseed... when stuck in a wedding gown full of SWEAT... isn't a pretty thing! : )

I think looking back that I was suppossed to learn from all of the experiences that day that marriage can be full of joy, sweat, and little set backs in life that can either be scoffed at or laughed at. We try to enjoy every day to it's fullest, and I can say so far every day of the last 15 years have been worth it. Good and not so good! I love you Marvin Jolly and will shout it from the roof tops in this bloggers world! I'm so thankful to God for blessing me with the best hubby in the world!

'Gooder' English

Okay now for those of you who know me I like to have fun with the English language and it's just funny to me the way some words come out with different accents. Well there is one thing about emailing and blogging and that is trying to get your tone, voice, and correct attitude across to the person, or in this cases persons who you are writing to. I got to see my mom at the Women of Faith conference this weekend in Dallas, and when we got to the American Airline center I immediately called my mom and did one of those stand up and wave my arms like a crazy person while we were talking on the cell phone trying to eyeball each other. IT WORKED, and was so neat to be able to look out across the stage area and crowd knowing right where my momma was the whole weekend. Well as we were chatting on the phone after finally seeing each other and confirming where to meet at the next break my mom says, "Oh hey Tiff...Dad and I were reading your blog and just noticed that you said 'Got my nails DID three times instead of got my nails done.' Did you mean to do that?

I grew up in a family full of educators, and married into a family full of educators, so for all you educators out there who probably wondered the same thing if you could hear the WAY that it's said then you would get it, but I assured my mom that I would just send out an FYI that I do know the correct way to say it...done....and that I like to say I'm gettin' my hair and nails did for fun! :)

Something else that's funny with communicating is in my birthday card from my mom and dad I read the little notes that they wrote in the card and my dad wrote....You are the lousiest wife and mom in the world! Well I thought maybe he was just trying to be funny and then I read the next two sentences and realized that in fact he was being serious, so then I thought hopefully I was reading it wrong! I just couldn't make out what other word it might be and man it sure did look like lousy. I called them up and asked for an explanation and a verification and found out after much laughter on my mom's part that the word was busiest! Communication is such a luxury to us all now days, but man it can get messed up!

I'll try and make myself clear, but please don't grade me on spelling, etc... cause this is usually done early mornings, or late nights. That's gonna be my excuse anyway and I'm sticking to it!

Gettin' my nails did with PRIMETIME!

Well it started out an ordinary day just doing the usual...breakfast dishes, startin' some laundry, picking up here and there, helping out with some pta stuff, and then running around doing some errands when I decided that with meet the teacher night, anniversary, and a birthday girls weekend at Women of Faith this week I should go get a long over-do pedicure. So I head to my normal place Nails Now and slip into one of their nice new massaging chairs that make your body stick out all over the place as it rolls up and down your back (not real flattering!) and close my eyes to enjoy just sitting for a little while. It was a fairly slow day, and just a few other ladies coming and going around me when I notice this black dude come in with a white bandana on his head. Now I have seen a couple of men there before, and even a couple of teen-age guys(what is this world coming to you ask-well it's worth hiding your manly pride for a few minutes of relaxation!) I immediately recognize him and wanted to say hey Michael, but instead I texted Marv who I knew was in a lunch meeting and let him know that I was getting my nails did right across from Michael Irving. He called me back fairly quickly and asked me what swank place was I in to be sharing such company and as if he was gonna come in there himself and stick his toes in the water with me just so he could see. He then asked me if it wasn't Michael, but Deion...of course that's who he was. I all most snapped a picture with my cell phone, but didn't want to be a paparazzi-type stalker. So I just sat there gazing and watching as all the little workers were surrounding him. Needless to say I was hoping he would pay for all our tabs as a kind Dallas Cowboy gesture, but it didn't happen. By the way he wasn't as big as I thought he would be, but for sure had super long fingers for catching the football. He lives just north of Frisco and is often sighted all around town. Next time I will try and ask for an autograph reminding him that I didn't bother him the first time I saw him! Think it will work?

Slippin' AWAY!

This past week has been a huge mile stone in the Jolly family with Jeffrey going off to Jr. High. I sent my precious little boy off to school on Monday and he returned a young man. So many great things are happening for him right now, and it is a bitter sweet time for me. He was also promoted to the youth group in Sunday school last Sunday and HAD to sit with the youth since Marv and I were helping out in the nursery that day (what a great reminder of how far we have come!). Well today he decides that he would like to sit up with the youth in the front section again...EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SITTING IN THE SERVICE!!! I started to not let him, so we could still be a precious little family of five, but I know that it is very important for him to create bonds and friendships at church, so I let him go. I could see him with no problem and even threatened that I would come up there and get him if he played around....oh yeah I would have too! BUT he did awesome and it was really fun and interesting to watch him worship our Lord today as an independant young man. He even took notes and listened during the sermon...I think?!

I remember thinking as a young mommy with 3 kids under the age of 4 that I would never see the light of day again, but with each step from crib to big bed... diapers to undies...sippy cups to normal glasses...bath time to savoring the clean wet heads every night when I go in to kiss them good night...I see them slipping slipping away oh so quickly. These past few days I just can see him physically starting to slip away into the teen-age years, and it hurts my heart to know that the first 11 1/2 years are all most done. I feel such a peace for getting to stay home with him, and still be here when he gets home. He loves to share his days with me, and loves to interject his humor in such a way that can make me belly laugh! I can't believe we only have 7 more years until he goes off to college! And then there will be four.....

One week down...

Only about 36 more to go!

Man the homework has started today in middle school. Did I mention how much I hate this part of back to school. Especially MATH!!! If anything ever happens to Marv I'm doomed cause I just feel so dumb and couldn't help Jeffrey with some of the fifth grade math much less middle school math! Oh well like I always told my math teachers in high school when they would get frustrated with me for not "getting it" after the third time that they had to explain it to me....IN THE REAL WORLD I'll be able to use a calculator! Little did I know that there would be one right on my grocery cart handle, and on my cell phone in case that one didn't work! If I ever go back to teaching I promise I will make homework parent friendly!


Looking forward to the weekend!!!

Back to School

Well they're off and we all made it with time to spare this morning. I got back from boot camp a little late this morning, but Julia was already up with hair washed thanks to my dear husband! As I'm sitting here writing this I still have yet to wash my own hair, so that's the next thing on the agenda of my first day of starting another bitter/sweet year. Even our dog DeDe was sad to see them go this morning! I love so much having my little ducklings all around me here under feet, and even off playing in game room by themselves...it's good to just be able to hear them (well most of the time when they aren't in a squabble). Sometimes so much that I think I should be homeschooling. I just know that they are thriving so much in our wonderful public system, and as long as I can be there and be involved they are gonna do great. I really think I would be just too laid back and they wouldn't get the Stellar EDUCATION that they need. I think the friends and moms in my life that I know that do homeschool are very brave, and are doing a great job. Anyway I'm looking forward to picking them up and hearing all about their new teachers, friends, and schedule. Especially from Jeffrey who will have experienced the Jr. High world. I'm just soooo proud and thankful that God has blessed us with 3 amazing, thoughtful, and loving kids.

On another note...it's been a fun morning catching up with my sister Michelle as she spends her last day with the girls before heading off to school, and then lo and behold I got an email from my best friend in the world saying she has just started a blog too! This bloggin' thing is gonna be so fun to keep up with friends.

Well I've gotta get some major laundry, housecleaning, and probably try and fit in some time to get my nails did!

Summer is over

Here are some pictures from our recent vacation in New York City... Kids being sweet while walking through the Natural History Museum. The Today show...we got on with Willard the weatherman! Ground Zero cross of steel...it landed like that and they kept it in the exact spot that it landed. Kids with fireman right across the street from ground zero. They were some of the first men to arrive, and they lost 6 from their station. Fun with the piano at FAO Schwarz toy store.

The kids enjoyed a surprise ride in a limo from the airport to our hotel. Our first night in NYC we went to see the musical Tarzan on Broadway. It was amazing!
The original flame that the statue of liberty held. Our family photo at the base of the lady. Our first go on the NYC subway system-not bad! Grand Central Station. ABC Good Morning America studio. We had Sunday picnic in Central Park.




Well it's all most the end of our summer, and it's been such a fun, memorable, and relaxing summer for this Jolly family. It was nice to not have all the drama that we had last summer with Marv's knee. And the kids really enjoyed not having to live in the game room while mom became a nurse and dad healed and had to work(bless his heart) on the couch. NO this summer was full of visitors, trips to grandparents, swimming, sleeping in, jumping on the new trampoline, training our dog DeDe with the doggy doors so we could take a fabulous trip to New York City, and I got to finally start Boot Camp training on July 3rd. Whew! It just makes me feel a peace inside knowing how blessed we are to be able to have the summer together making good memories. I can't believe it's time for school to be here again. I've heard my friends and lot's of other moms say how glad they are to send their kids off to school again, and usually by the 2nd or 3rd day I can come around and get used to the idea, but I really love having my kiddos home. It's fun to sleep in, hang out, play, and just do whatever we feel like doing. I've never been a big studious type person, so the homework, projects, and just all the paper work that comes home every week in the Thursday folders has never been something that I am fond of. It will be good though to get back into a routine and see the kids grow and learn. Jeffrey starts trombone in band and private guitar lessons this year in 6th grade. Jacob will have 1 1/2 hour piano lessons that will hopefully continue to help him with his love of the piano and writing music. And Julia will also be taking piano and be in a jazz/hip hop dance class with all her friends....how fun is that gonna be for us moms to visit during the lesson!!! It's gonna be a good year!

Up Up and Away!

Well after reading and enjoying so many other blogs I thought I would try my hand at it...even if it ends up only being for myself. I've never been one to want to write down my thoughts for fear of everyone knowing all the silly stuff in my head. I have learned though that sometimes getting my thoughts out of my head can actually be helpful and maybe even help those around me understand all of the silly stuff in my head!

Already I've written and deleted so much that who knows what will come out of this. Maybe a chance for me to learn the art of writing again! I can tell you this about where I am at this point in my life....

I have 3 wonderful children who are growing up much too fast with an amazing husband who I will have been married to for 15 years this month, and I am currently in my fifth week of trying to get my health back and get down to my pre-baby weight (from 12 years ago!) I have enjoyed my journey with all the ups and downs so very much, but I still have so much to learn, do, and experience. I hope to be able and share my journey in a fun way and that I leave each blog feeling a little happier with my thoughts.