The Jolliff Family

At the end of last week, I felt the overwhelming need to get together a room for our new baby.  Realizing that the house could sell but also wanting to make sure I felt ready for the baby.  So, we just changed a few things up and it is ready for baby.  However, we found out today that our house is SOLD, so baby will only spend a few short days in his/her new room.  (More to come on the house!)  Anyway, here is the room...  The boys bought a teddy bear for the new baby.  The baby is sure to love it and Sam wanted it in the crib.  We have two going home outfits all ready to go.  Sam asked if we were having two babies... I assured him NO!!  My favorite item in the room is this rooster and flower pot.  It is really for cream and sugar but I love it.  Suzanne gave it to me a few years ago and I just adore it! Like I said, baby will only be in this room for a couple days but the baby will enjoy it in the meantime!  I also pack...

We celebrated Andrew turning 2 years old today!  Of course, as with any birthday, it seems hard to believe he is one year older!  He is such a joy to us and keeps us laughing everyday. This morning, he received a surprise when all the kids at VBS and Red (Hap's puppet) sang "Happy Birthday" to him.  I forgot my camera at home, but he was thrilled.  He had a huge smile on his face and put both hands over his mouth.  It was precious. Tonight, we celebrated with Andrew's favorite foods, cake and presents.  It was a great evening of celebrating!  Here is the birthday boy himself:)   Andrew likes to watch "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" and will say 'mouse, mouse' or 'hotdog, hotdog' while he is watching the show, so his cake is appropriate!  Andrew's meal tonight was pork chops, corn on the cob, green beans and strawberries.  Andrew did a great job blowing out his two candles and Sam did a great job singing to him.  Sam knows all the wo...

36 weeks today... only 4 more until my due date:) So it is your turn to guess the sex of this baby.  Will it be a baby BOY or a baby GIRL and how much do you think Baby J3 will weigh?? Have fun and I can't wait to see what you all think!

Half way through VBS week and it has been a wonderful week so far.  It is a tiring week, since we have to be out the door around 8:20am but I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve through VBS and for Sam to be in a class learning with friends.  Today Sam held the Bible during the pledges that start the day.  He did a great job, he was very excited and proud of himself! Hap does a great job every morning welcoming the kiddos and ending the day.  I have said it more than once this week, but Hap has a great committee that has done hours of prep work before this week.  This group of ladies works so hard with Hap to make sure VBS is a great week for everyone and both Hap and I are grateful for their service! "Jesus is God's son." John 20:31

Today in missions, Sam learned about a missionary dog and his owner.  They made paper dog ears to remind them to pray for Andrew and Proof as they minister in the Bronx, New York City!  His class looked so cute during missions time! Sam is learning alot!  Andrew, well he just comes to VBS for the snack time:)

This cab driver may be taking a break... but don't let that fool you because Vacation Bible School is in full swing at church starting today.  There was a great turn-out and we are looking forward to more fun this week as we Here It!  Believe It! Connect It! "So faith comes from what is heard and what is heard comes from the message about Jesus Christ." Romans 10:17

Some say at seven years you start to get the "seven year itch."  Well, I'm just itchin' for more!! Happy 7th Anniversary to my sweet husband!  I love you, Hap! "We love because He first loved us."  1 John 4:9

Yesterday, Becky and Ethan came over to play and spend some time with us.  We are glad they did.  Since it has been such a scorcher around here, we headed to the Children's Museum yesterday afternoon.  It was busy, but they boys had a great time exploring and playing.  Sam spent a large part of the time we had in Playscape building with wood.  I really enjoy seeing his mind work and creating what he wants.     He also enjoyed the water table for a long time.  Such a sweet smile!  Ethan and Andrew mainly hung out at the sand station.  The poured and poured and poured their sand.  The boys played pretty well together, considering they were tired and they are 1, 2, and 4 years old!!  We closed the place down and this is the best picture I could get!  We managed to grab some pizza and avoided any meltdowns during dinner.  Becky and I considered it a success!!  Today, we went to the pool for a refreshing ti...

These two precious boys are back home!!  They spent the last three nights and two days with the Jolliffs back in Illinois.  Reports have it that they were busy playing with cousins, bailing hay, checking out the baby kittens, riding the mule and getting some loving attention from the grandparents.  No doubt they had a blast and are apparently worn out:)

There are many reasons to celebrate in the month of July for the Jolliff Family, mainly being that there are 5 birthday's in this month!  Carl, Sam, Beau, Gigi and Andrew all share July birthday's.  This weekend, we headed to Illinois to celebrate a special birthday, Evelyn's (Gigi) 85th birthday.  All she wanted was for everyone to be together for her birthday, and it worked out!  We didn't know if it was going to work on on Saturday when we got stuck in a major traffic jam west of Indianapolis.  A trip that should have taken us 3 hours ended up taking around 8 hours!!  We made it early, early morning on Sunday and glad we did! Evelyn's house is close to the church she attends, so we all walked over to the church to worship.  It ended up being Family Day at church and we all enjoyed watching Beau sing with the other kids on stage,  he did great.  The entire Jolliff Family for a picture after church!  Since it was so hot yesterday, inst...

Nathan and Heather welcomed our new nephew and cousin last night into the world.  Caleb Nathan was born July 14th and weighed in at a tiny 5lb 14 oz! Andrew kissed his picture when he saw it, unprompted, and Sam declared he "looked friendly!"  Stamps of approval here in Indianapolis:) I certainly wish I were going out this week, but Dr's orders will prevent that!  I look forward to loving on him over Labor Day:)

1. We have finally figured out baby names for this sweet baby of ours to come!!  We have both the first and middle name lined out for both a boy and a girl, I'm excited!  I am 34 weeks today, meaning only 6 weeks until my due date!!  I forgot to have Hap take a picture today, so maybe a late picture to come, we shall see. 2. I have lots to do for the new baby yet but since the house is for sale, have this feeling like I can't get anything prepared.  Ultimately, the baby isn't going to care but I do!  I plan on finishing up washing the clothes in the next week or so and getting some things together for the hospital stay for the baby.  We do have going home outfits for baby, so I guess what else do I need?  We are supposed to take a tour of the hospital next week but I need to change it for the following week. 3. Have you tried the new Fazoli's Pomegranate Frozen Ice?  They are so yummy and some days that is all I think about, like today!  ...

I have had to work the last two days.  It is certainly a baby boom at ole Methodist Hospital- whew!   My mom came over on Monday night to help watch Sam and Andrew.  They have been busy and have had a blast together.  They have enjoyed the Children's Museum, the Zoo, a playarea and prepared the house for two last minute showings!  She had a blast and the boys were sad to see her go.   We certainly appreciate her help over the last couple days.  However, I have missed my boys and look forward to the next few days being home with them :) "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord."  Psalm 127:3 Happy Wednesday!!

My mom brought over a great gift for us last night!  A friend of my mother's was cleaning out a storage shed and found this fan from Jolliff's Hardware and wanted us to have it.  My mom framed it and it is such a special addition! Hap's great-grandfather, Harold Jolliff, owned a hardware store back in Illinois.  Harold Jolliff was nicknamed Hap, who Hap was named after!  (Sam was named after his great grandfather too!!)  This was a fan given to customer's who shopped in the store.  We don't know the year this fan was given away, but according to Hap's grandmother, Harold Jolliff died around the year 1940, so the store was in operation in the 1930's.  Whatever the case, this is sure to become a treasured piece of our home!  Back:  Front: 

How in the world can Sam be four years old?  Four years ago, Hap and I marveled at the new life given to us and we are still marveling at the gift Sam is to our home! Today was full of things Sam loves.  Cinnamon rolls for breakfast and playing with Hap in the morning.  Then Andrew, Sam and I went swimming for the afternoon.  Sam loves to go down the slide, swim under water and sit on the fountain.  Then tonight, we had a small family party in celebration of Sam's life! The birthday boy... Sam wanted a Buzz and Woody cake for his birthday...  How can there be four candles???  We also ate everything Sam likes for dinner... hot dogs, mac and cheese and strawberries!  A delicious meal for a four year old:)  Then it was onto the presents!  Andrew was so patient while Sam opened up all his presents.  Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you.  Happy Birthday dear Sam!!  Happy Birthday to you!  Andrew g...

Sam and Andrew have been sleeping together at night for the last couple of nights.  I thought we would wait a few weeks to transition Andrew, but both him and Sam love to be together at night! Snug as a bug in a rug, together:)