Boy do I miss Northwestern IL today

We finally had a decent snowstorm this weekend, which in this part of the state anyway has become pretty rare. It was cold, but was good to see the kids outside playing in the snow. As I was running an errand this afternoon with Jaclyn, on our way out to the lake, we saw a couple of people on a snowmobile. All of a sudden it dawned on me...there are absoultely NO snowmobile trails around this part of the state. That was a thought that sent me back to growing up in northwestern Illinois and the great winters I remember growing up. I remember having very easy access to the snowmobile trail as it went right through our front yard. I can't say what it is like these days, but I know while growing up, the trails in that part of the state were laid out similar to a highway system in that there were trails that took you to many of the local towns and villages. I remember the late snowy nights (since my bedroom faced the front of the house) watching the lights and listening to the snowmobiles drive by on the trail out front. It was a time where we often had enough snow to travel by snowmobile most of the winter. I think the thought that really got me today was realizing that Robert is approaching that age when I would talk my parents into starting the snowmobile for me and they would allow me to make a few laps around the neighboring field, and then make a trip through the yard every now and then just to check in. A friend today pointed out yet another memory of those times which was the distinct smell and sound of those snowmobiles. Most generally I'm very satisfied and happy with where my family has decided to call home; however there are those times like today when I get disappointed in myself in the fact that my kids are perhaps missing out on some experience that were so great for me growing up.

'Tis the season...

'Tis the season to look back on the past year (and take a few minutes to catch up on posting here since it's been sooo long!) We've struggled through the usual sickness going around off and on this fall. With seven of us in the house, it's pretty difficult to find a time when at least one of us isn't under the weather at least a little bit.

Most recently Jo and Rob had quite the experience recently. On the way to take Robert to youth group, they hit a slick spot in the road and after a few twists and turns ended up in the ditch. The van didn't have much noticable body damage and was able to be driven home, but has a coolant leak of some sort so can't be driven to the shop for service. With the confusion of the holidays, we are still trying to figure out how this is all going to play out. We do have rental coverage, but finding rental vehicles that are available to hold 7 people is a job in and of itself. Luckily we didn't have a lot of vacation plans here over break, but are still working on arrangements to get our travels arranged.


The kids are really enjoying school this year. Thomas and Jaclyn are in the same class again as their grade level has lost enough students that they are a single section grade. Avon is actively looking at options with neighboring districts, but more than likely any sort of reorganization is a few years away. Robert is up in Middle School now and is really enjoying the change of pace. As he put it last night, there is a lot more freedom.

Jo is still doing a fabulous job as church secretary (and organizing many other things around church), while balancing all the other activities of the kids and taking such good care of all of us (which is beyond a full time job in and of itself). She is also charged with trying to help me keep my sanity as I still keep adjusting to my position as a 7-12 principal. That poor woman deserves any awards and accolades given. Along with the constant trips to the doctor to keep everyone healthy, Ali has also started physical therapy to try and correct some muscle imbalance that they believe may have been there since the birth process. This muscle imbalance is causing some of the plates in her head to be slightly misplaced, and her spine is somewhat out of shape; however, she has made incredible progress through exercises over the past few weeks.

Outside of that, this time of year brings us the usual hustle and bustle of the holiday season like many of you. We look forward to getting any updates on how you and your family are doing. We are sorry if we don't take enough time to keep in touch regularly, but we like many others sometimes get sidetracked in the day to day dealings of life.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours!

Trick Or Treat

The Janssen household has been like many others in the area the past few weeks in battling all the sickies going around. Jac has been doing most of the fighting here and actually was very disappointed she had to miss her class Halloween party last week. However, the fever broke and everyone was well long enough to safely go out and Trick or Treat on Halloween night.



The costumes this year featured Jo as a loyal Illini fan (with the way football season has gone this year I asked if she was going as the village idiot), Benton as the black kitty, Chris as the mad scientist, Ali the ladybug, Jac the rockstar, Robert the StarWars bount hunter, and Thomas the zombie. Many of you know that Halloween has always been a favorite holiday at the Janssen household (probably stemming all the way back to Chris's teen years and love of the holiday!)

We hope you enjoyed this year as much as we have!

Mary Poppins - Spoon River Style

We marvel again at the wonderful talents with which God has blessed the young people of this area. The first two weekends of October is set aside as Spoon River Drive - a time when folks peddle their wares in their front yards, in roadside stands, or in booths in the park. One could make an entire weekend or two just driving the expanse of highway throughout a couple of central Illinois counties, taking in the beautiful scenery & the scents of hot cocoa & bonfires to match. But nothing compares to the nostalgia of a 100+ year old Opera House brought to life again by the laughter of folks far & wide being entertained by mere children, ages 1- 14.

Our crew took to the stage & left no one disappointed as they joined their friends to dazzle & amaze with Mary Poppins. Ben was the rookie this year & by far the youngest Rascal yet, at age 23 months. He joined The Wee Ones after their portrayal of The Three Little Pigs. He was to sing & dance to The Big Bad Wolf. Overwhelmed by lights, action & audience, he made an awful cute addition to the stage; end of story. He did, however, ham it up between shows! Thomas was yet another Michael (last year, he played Michael in Peter Pan) and Jaclyn played Michael's sister, Jane. (How convenient!) Robert stole the show with his portrayal of the ludicrously hilarious Uncle Albert. Not a straight face could be found in that Opera House!

Some worry that kids miss out on opportunities by living "in the middle of nowhere" but the truth is, so much can be found right here in the heart of Spoon River Country - so much more than meets the eye at first glance. Friendship for sure; laughter is another given; but true community - a family, if you will, made up of those who gather around, that's what we treasure here in the valley.

Ali's 3 month pictures have arrived!

Finally caught up...Ali's 16 weeks old today!

This outfit was a gift from a special friend...notice her name embroidered on the collar.

15 weeks with Ali

Ben just loves, loves, loves, loves, loves, loves, LOVES his little sister!

More of Ali...

Here she is, our little Miss Ali...she's three months now.

Mr. B...such a great big brother - just can't wait for her to wake up in the morning to give her kisses & hold her. Thankfully, she's becoming accustomed to this little ritual of his & some mornings, like this one, she even seems to enjoy it a bit. She's 14 weeks in this one.

Ali - 12 & 13 weeks

12 weeks

I'm a bit behind, but sorting through the pictures & will get caught up...but not tonight.

13 weeks

First Day of School & Ali at 11 weeks (both a bit late)

Robert Wilkie, 6th grade

Amazing...Rob seems to have undergone this metamorphasis this summer taking him from boy to well, I don't know...he's not a man, but he's not a boy...is this what they refer to as "man-boy"? His voice hasn't changed, but his demeanor has. He's beginning to think before speaking, not always mind you, but the occassional act of courtesy is much appreciated. He offers to help (sometimes) instead of grudgingly agreeing after ignoring simple requests. It's as if he's beginning to realize we're all in this together. These are great milestones which make a parent's heart proud, however, it also tugs at a mommy's heartstrings.

Here's a Rob funny to let you in on his growing personality...He & I took Ben & Ali to join Chris at North Fulton's football game last Friday night. (Tom & Jac were livin' it up at a sleepover.) Rob headed to the concession stand, so I asked him to get some popcorn for Ben. When he hadn't returned in a considerable amount of time, I wandered over to check in on him. He was around the corner at the door - it was taking too long at the windows :) (You seriously wouldn't believe the line unless you'd been there!) I joined him there just before his popcorn arrived. Much to my pleasure, he was being complimented on his patience. About that time Pam (Chris' coworker) delivered his popcorn & laughed saying, "Jody, I didn't know he was yours. I told him I appreciated his patience & he said, 'That's okay, it takes me 15 minutes just to ask if I can watch tv - there's 5 of us kids in our family!' " and that's our oldest boy...

Thomas Garrison, 2nd grade

Jaclyn AnnMarie, 2nd grade

Benton Alfred, 21 months

I almost felt like I must have been running my own preschool for one just trying to keep Ben entertained while the big 3 were gone that first day & it was only until 11:30! And to make matters worse, they had play practice that night so they were off without him again...poor guy! Enter color wonder paints & sidewalk chalk!!

3

monkeys in a tree, what you don't see is the 4th one reaching up & laughing hysterically

traditional 1st day of school cake - yep, graffiti - nope, Jac didn't get it...

And now for Ali at 11 weeks ...

Another Successful & Very Fun Steer Show

Where to begin?? The kids have always enjoyed making cakes & getting creative with numerous art entries, which is great considering we have no animals...oh how we'd love to someday have a few cattle if for nothing more than giving the kids the experience of showing. But they do so enjoy the excitement of getting ready for "the fair" as they call it, not to mention participating in the scrambles & tractor rodeo and checking out all the rides. This year was no exception. As we packed up to take the cakes to town, I told Rob if we were all still doing this when he's 17 & Ali's 6 (youngest cake division), he'd have to drive just to help me haul cakes in!

Rob made his debut in the scratch division of the cake contest with a white cake & marshmallow fluff icing - he said he never knew how much it hurt to use a mixer, especially for that long...I actually wondered which would go first, him or the motor, as it took a really long time to get to that peaks stage for the icing. Not sure we'll be doing that one again, but he did win 2nd place. Tom & Jac both stuck with the decorated contest. Tom made a white cake & decorated it to look like an OREO cookie, while Jac made a strawberry cake to honor her favorite kind of shoe: the flip flop - it was really cute! Can't see it too well in this picture, but the flip-flops are on a graham cracker/brown sugar sandy beach. Special thanks to McGrew Feed Lot, Jim & Sally Lock, and Ludlum's Food Mart/Batson's Ace Hardware for purchasing their cakes. These three brought in nearly $600 to help support the Avon Fat Steer Show.

Rob has reached that pinnacle of being too old to participate in the scrambles & the tractor rodeo, but he was great help in keeping Ben calm while mom was in the ring taking pictures. Tom & Jac moved up to the pig division of the scrambles this year. Neither one caught it, but both gave a good run. Jac did come close, laying hands on it a couple of times...quite a surprise as she's the one who just last year said, "I ain't chasin' no pig!"

All three of the big kids did a fantastic job in the art/photography show, earning several 1st, 2nd, & 3rd placings. Jaclyn even won the Sweepstakes award for having the highest point total in the a/p show. This was only the second year for that award & Rob won it last year. Perhaps next year it will be Tom's turn...

And then there's little Ben & Ali. Ali did very well & slept through much of the excitement, but the cool night air made it perfect sleeping weather & it really didn't even seem to effect her much at night. She won the title of 2009 Most Patriotic in the baby photo show with the picture of her in her stars & stripes from the weekend of the 4th of July.

Ben was a real trooper & sat in his stroller almost the whole time we were at the rides with the big kids. Each of the kids received 4 tickets as a gift from a friend when Ali received her baby gift. Not knowing how Ben would take to it, I purposely held his until towards the end of Saturday night. OH MY WORD - GOOD THING!!!! He went on the cars with our friends Zane & Ella and did seem to enjoy that, but WOW-WOW! The big slide was SO FUN!!! He started giggling about 1/2 way down & didn't stop until he was standing at the bottom. Less than a second after getting up he was showing his "happy feet' (this unbelieveably cute little dance) and saying and signing MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was just too cute. He was so disappointed when the tickets ran out, but quickly distracted with the promise of popcorn, which -sadly- wasn't being sold that night, so chips had to do the trick. Those of you who know Ben know that was little to no sacrifice. :)

Steers sold very well again this year & a good time was had by everyone in attendance. All in all, another successful steer show.

10 weeks & weekend fun!

What a great way to spend a day...zoo, picnic at a park & perusing the Lincoln Museum. Living so far apart, we don't get to see our extended family near as much as we would like, so we really treasure the time we are together - even if just for a day as was the case on Sunday. We met Dad, Linda & Bailey at Henson Robinson Zoo near Springfield - what a treat! Nice & clean, made it through in a couple of hours. Plus, there's a coupel of nice picnic/park spots right across the road. Such a treat to spend some time with them!

Here she is at 10 weeks already!