Happy 1 Week Birthday Jaylynn!

Already a week old Jaylynn? In case you didn't get the memo, you aren't allowed to grow up. None of your brothers or sisters have listened to me about this. Maybe you will. Mommy can hope, right? For your 1 week birthday, your cord fell off! Yay! It was really bothering Jasmine and Jenna. :-) You are such a great baby. So relaxed and easy going. You don't keep Mommy up at night. Just eat once or twice and back to sleep. You are such a blessing in our lives. We love you Chipmunk! That's your nickname that Jasmine has given you. We'll see if it sticks. With those cheeks, I can't imagine it not!

July 4th, 2009

What a great 4th of July we had! We went to the mountains as usual. Love being there! Oma and Opa came with us for the weekend. Carl, Becky, Chad and Brandon came over. David, Michelle and Bradley all came as well. We grilled burgers and hot dogs and set off fireworks. Everyone had a great time. It was such a nice and relaxed day.

All of the kids loved the fireworkds. Chad enjoyed them from inside since he doesn't like loud things whatsoever. Somehow he did do some sparklers and really enjoyed those. It was great to see him do those. I'm not sure who had more fun ~ Jamie setting them off or everyone else watching.

Jaylynn Grace

Jaylynn Grace Combs
June 28th, 2009
Approximately 6:29 am
6 lbs 7 oz, 18 inches
Born at the Bergton Fairgrounds; Delivered by Daddy.




It says "home" but they said they always put home when it's outside the hospital, no matter where.

Jaylynn Grace is a true Combs. She came fast and furious into our family. 25 minutes from the first contraction and she was in this world, born at approximately 6:29 am at the Bergton Fairgrounds (that's what it officially says on her birth certificate as well). Bergton, VA is where her Papa was born. She was brought into this world by her Daddy. All by himself.

When I got the first pain that morning, I didn't wake Jamie yet. I didn't think it was a contraction. Just very uncomfortable. By the third one, I knew and told Jamie and he told me to get in the truck. The hospital is an hour away from our place in the mountains. We knew that we wouldn't make it. At the bottom of the mountain is the Bergton Fairgrounds, where the volunteer EMTs are located. Well we found out very quickly that no one stays there. Once 911 is called, they are dispatched there. So after we got there and found no one there, Jamie drove to a house next door. He woke up a very lovely lady (who actually knew Jamie's family) who let this crazed man use the phone. He told them what was going on and he'd meet the EMTs back at the Fairgrounds.

We drove back over and I had to get out of the truck. I couldn't be cramped up. I got out and went to the grass. My water broke and I laid down. Jaylynn starting coming on her own (my body just pushes them out). Her head was out and Jamie helped the rest of her into this world. He laid her on my chest and I cleaned her mouth out. He took his shirt off and covered her up.

The EMTs arrived about 2 minutes later (I thought it was 10 but Jamie assures me it was only 2 or 3 minutes). They loaded Jaylynn and I up in the ambulance while Jamie went into the building and cleaned up his hands.

We arrived at the hospital about 45 minutes later where everyone was in shock and awe of what just happened. I think I was the calmest throughout it all. Jamie was amazing. He wasn't scared. Just more worried that something could still go wrong with either Jaylynn or I.

Jaylynn was a little cold when we got there so they got all her stats, wrapped her up and put her under the lights to warm up. After an hour, she was nice and warm. Her blood sugar was a little low which concerned them but I assured them all of my kids have low blood sugar when they are first born. By the afternoon, her blood sugar was just fine like I told them it would be.

Jamie and I could NOT think of a name for her. You'd think only picking J names would make it easier. I don't know how the rest of you go through the entire alphabet! I was on the phone with Jamie and the kids. Jasmine got on the phone and started giving me her list of names. When she got to Jaylynn, something just sounded right. All morning, the middle name Grace kept coming to me and they fit together so well. I had Jasmine ask Jamie what he thought of Jaylynn Grace and he loved it. So Miss Jaylynn was named by her big, proud sister.

I should mention that Jacob has named her Venom. He calls her Venom, asks to hold Venom and loves his Venom.

She was and is perfect. She is a simply amazing and relaxed baby. Daddy couldn't be more proud of her and he should be. Welcome to the family Jaylynn!

Don't chew like a cow...

Jenna likes to chew her gum very loudly. Here is today's conversation with her and I....

Me: Jenna, don't chew your gum like a cow.
Jenna: MOOO!!!!!!

Everyone thought it was hilarious. Me? Not so much. OK, a little bit. Well maybe a lot but I can't let her know that, right? She's a Combs ~ would I expect anything else but a smart alleck (how do you spell that anyway?) comment?

It's Report Card Day!

I always love report card day in this house. The kids always do their best in school so it always shows in their reports.

Jasmine and James' report cards came today. They both did awesome!

Jasmine got all O's and 2 S's. Of course her behavior was perfect, as usual. She was actually disappointed that she got two S's. Little Miss Perfect! :-) She can't wait for 3rd grade report cards and "real" grades.

James got all A's and one C. The C was in Science. When we asked him before what he thought he did, he actually thought he was going to get all A's and thought he did poorly in Science. He said the end of the year was hard in Science. I'm so proud of his report card. He did great. His average for the year was all A's and two B's. He also brought up his behavior grades as well.

We aren't sure when Jordan's report card will be coming. We checked Culpeper County's website and it doesn't say when they will be sent home. I'm sure he did great as well. He is worried about his Science grade as well. He said it was hard.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Update: We finally got Jordan's grades from his dad. He got all A's and 2 B's. He got the B's in Science and Art. How exactly do you get a B in Art if you do all of your work? I guess Art in Middle School is objective. We're very proud of his grades.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

My daddy

My father-in-law, Richard ~ We miss you so much! Such a bittersweet day!

My wonderful hubby who is a wonderful father to our kiddos

In case you don't remember, that last picture is a drawing by Jenna. LOVE IT!

We had a nice day. Jamie actually slept in for once. He never does when he is off of work. He's usually up by 4 am. I made our normal Sunday morning breakfast ~ chipped beef gravy, biscuits, sausage, bacon, eggs and waffles.

The kiddos gave him his surprise when Jenna finally woke up around 10. We made him a big fleece blanket (just like Jacob's) ~ camo one side, hunter orange on the other. He was very happy with that. He's been asking for weeks for one for himself. Getting him gifts is really a pain actually. He HATES when people get him gifts and would just prefer to get it himself. I always try to give him things he uses as gifts like cologne so he doesn't get too upset. The blanket though ~ can't buy that and can't make it.

Jasmine made him a really cute card at school which he absolutely loved.

The kids had some friends knocking on the door asking them to come out and on their own, they chose to stay inside with Daddy and hang out. I think that meant the most to him. It's still a hard day for Jamie. He misses his dad so much.

James called. He's still in North Carolina with his grandmother. He's having a blast. It was so nice to talk to him and it was nice that he called Daddy today.

I grilled steaks, fried potatoes and made green beans. Jamie said it was all wonderful which is a huge compliment coming from the grilling king himself.

It was a nice quiet (well as quiet as Jamie and these kids are....ha ha) family day. Not much different than how we spend most Sundays or any day Jamie is off. Just how we love it.

Duh Mom!

I was bowling with Jacob on Wii today.

Me: Jacob, after this game, I can't bowl anymore.
Jacob: How? (He means why. He just always says how.)
Me: My arm is tired.
Jacob: *very matter of fact voice ~ you could hear him rolling his eyes too ~ that kind of voice* Use your other arm.

Well duh me. What was I thinking.

Happy 5th Anniversary to us!

Happy 5th Anniversary to Jamie and I!
(Or is it me? I was never good at remembering that!)

Did you think he'd put up with me for this long? He he he. Although I think he keeps me around for my awesome cooking abilities and my charming personality.



This is the most recent picture I have of us together. It's from Jason and Katie's wedding.

It's Summer!

It's official. School is out for the summer. All the kids finished up today.

Jenna may not be going to preschool next year. We only like to send them to the child development program at the high school and she won't be eligible because of when her birthday is. The director said she may be able to get her in the second half of the year since they normally have kids that don't return. I don't send them for the academics part of it anyway; just getting used to the classroom and listening to teachers aspect. We'll wait and see.

Jacob can't wait to start Kindergarten. I'm a tad scared. Well not really. He was a great student in preschool. The teachers absolutely adored him. I don't think Daddy is going to be able to handle his little buddy going to school though, as much as he likes to pretend he is a tough guy.

Jasmine is now a 3rd grader. Eek! Jazii can't wait for that report card either. She only got two S's and the rest O's and she wants all O's. She is actually more excited to get "real" grades next year. She is so excited for summer. We're going to Alabama for a week in July. The week before that, she's leaving with Oma and Opa to go down there early. The week after, she is spending with Uncle Steve, Aunt Jo and Hope. Oma and Opa are going to pick her up on their way back. Well that's if Aunt Jo lets her come back home. Everyone always likes to keep Jasmine! She's such a huge helper. Hope may not want her to leave either. I'm excited for them to get to spend some good cousin time together. I really wish we all got to see Hope more.

James had his last day yesterday since he left this morning with his grandmother and siblings to spend a few weeks with her in North Carolina. He is so incredibly excited to spend a few weeks with her. We're going to miss him around here. He'll be back 4th of July weekend so not too long. He is officially a 4th grader! YIKES! His next birthday will throw him in the double digits as well. Oy! He is anxiously awaiting his report card to come. His goal was to bring up his two B's that he got on his last report card to A's. He wants those straight A's so bad. We're so proud of him for his grades but I do have to say I'd love to see him achieve his goal. Can't wait for him to get back so he can come to Alabama with us.

Jordan is a big, bad 7th grader now. He'll be coming to stay most of the summer with us. He has a few parties to attend this week at friends and then he'll be here. He is also going down with Oma and Opa a week early to Alabama. He doesn't really have any other plans this summer. Just hanging out with us and giving his dad a break. He had a really great first year in middle school. I hated not being in the day to day of it but I'm really thankful Anthony and Jordan are getting this time together. He's got a good dad and it's not fair to either of them for me to be selfish. I don't stop being his mom. Heck, I got the good years. His dad can have the teenage years! Ha ha.

I am going to make a better attempt to share all the little things we do on a regular basis here and hope you follow along with our journey.

More Mountain Fun

Gorgeous weather this weekend for our weekend in the mountains. Honestly, it doesn't have to be gorgeous. I just love being there. The gorgeous weather is just the cherry on top!

Jamie had some trees to cut up with David and Uncle Frank at the home place. I always pull out the camera there because I'm usually just sitting in my fold-up sports mom chair watching all the action and relaxing. Here's some of the fun I took... Just thumbnails so click on them to make them bigger!



Jenna, Jacob and Jasmine are smart when it comes to racing!



Jenna and James were hiding from me and the camera.



Such a good big brother being the umbrella holder.



It wasn't raining at all. She just wanted to walk around with it.



Mountain moths

Jamie got so much done up there this weekend. He is actually off again tomorrow so Jacob and him are still up there. Totally not fair. I love being up there. Maybe some day soon we will live there.

Jacob, Jacob, Jacob

Jacob is definitely known for saying what is on his mind and doesn't really care what anyone thinks. He's pretty much the littler version of Jamie. Here is a funny one. Well Daddy thought it was funny.

Me: Jacob, put your PSP away.
Jacob: OK. *Walks away to put it away and comes back 3 seconds later*
Me: Jacob, you didn't put that away in your case. Go back and put it in the case so it doesn't get ruined.
Jacob: *sigh* How did you know?
Me: You weren't in there long enough. Go put it away.
Jacob: *Walks back to the room* ~20 seconds later~ *yells* Has it been long enough?
Me: *Slaps forehead and wonders what is wrong with the boy*

Testing something out here

I found this really cool plug-in for Firefox called ScribeFire on another blog to make it easier to blog. Just testing it out and seeing what it does.