Well, another Valentine's Day has come and went....I was going to make us a nice dinner last night but it just didn't happen.  My husband did get me an awesome gift though....he bought me a plane ticket to go see my sister Andrea in South Carolina.  They are actually going to be moving when I'm there so I get to help a little.  I guess Jill will go with me and Jackie will stay with his Dad at home.  I am ready for a change of scenery and this will be a nice little vacation for a Mom with cabin fever. 
Jackson got his first Valentine card yesterday from a cute little girl that lives downstairs....he is still trying to understand what all the fuss is about.  The poor boy is stricken with pink-eye again.  I guess a trip to the doctor is in order this time.  The last time he had it we didn't take him in right away because we thought he would just get over it...well that ended in a trip to the ER with his eyes swollen shut.  Josh and I were sure that we had blinded the poor boy.  Today I told him that he's not allowed to play with his friends because he's sick and he said, "Is it because I have a pink eye Mom?"  Yeah, something like that.

The MEN in our household are great!

This is the guitar that I got for Josh for Christmas...sometimes he tries to teach me how to play it (sometimes that causes some stress in our marriage relationship).  I think I pushed to hard on the string with my index finger because I lost feeling in the tip of my finger for about two months....it seems to be close to normal now.  I don't think this "Menno Momma" is cut out to be a bass guitar player....that thought makes me laugh for some reason.  My next purchase is going to be a drum set...that's more down my alley.  Hey, Josh tells me I have a sense of rythm.....that's about the only thing I have in the music world.  How did I ever get with Joshua Good?  Maybe it was my brains he liked. =)
 

Jackie, Jill and I are trying not to get the wintertime blues...actually it's probably only me that thinks such thoughts.  I absolutely cannot wait until spring.  The other day I took the kiddos outside because I thought it looked so sunny and warm....well, looks were definitely deceiving....it was frigid. (Jackson started using that word).  Today we had a little extra time on our hands so we took pictures.  I've decided it's way to much work to go to a studio and the kids usually scream and cry anyway.  (Josh hates it too).  These are far from professional but they will do in a pinch.  I must admit I got a little uptight with my three year old...he thinks it's just to funny to make faces and do all kinds of moves. 

Well, I have managed to put the same pair of shoes on this week.  Some of my new years resolutions are going fairly well and my house is cleaned up.  My children are in good health...thank you God.  My husband is hard working and honest. (He just had a birthday....31 years young).  I love my family and friends and church. God is faithful and good.  I thank God for times like this. I so often feel like I'm a complainer....God help me look on the bright side of life.
Have a blessed day,
Tonya

Last night we had our weekly cell group at church.  I did something very out of character for Tonya J. Good. (I think of myself as very detail oriented) I was so busy "thinking"..does Jill have enough formula to last at least 3 feedings (just in case we get stranded), did Jackie go potty, and on and on....that I had a I don't even know what to call it moment. Anyway, we got to church and were well into our meeting when a fellow mom said "I like your shoes Tonya" (she was kind of laughing too).  I looked down and said "Thanks, what's the joke?"  After hearing lots of laughter I took another look and to my surprise I had two different black shoes on!  After analyzing myself for awhile I have come to the conclusion I am going to have to pull myself together....oh, wait a minute I forgot I have two kids.  It was good to have a hearty laugh with our friends but the next time we do that I prefer not to be the object.  Yikes.... has anybody ever done things like this?  I will admit it was kind of humbling walking around with two different shoes on all night.  I vaguely remember thinking that something felt odd when I put my shoes on, and I kind of remember walking down our steps and feeling odd but I thought maybe I was a little dizzy. (The shoes were even two different heights)
Moral of the story....mmmmm....always try to put on matching shoes.  My husbands conclusion is that I have to many shoes....how can that be?

We took a walk to the park yesterday and she loved it...Jackson did too for that matter...that kid is about to bounce off the walls in this apartment (and make his momma climb them).  He always asks me if he can jump on the bed....sometimes I just say yes.  This morning he pulled about half of the tissues out of the box....said he was trying to wipe his nose.  It seems the three year old is reverting back to one year old ways.  Gotta love him though.

This little girl is growing up way to fast....she is sitting up pretty well and started eating baby food.  She loves to watch her older brother and always has a smile for her good lookin daddy.

We had a great Christmas in IN despite the fact that we had sick kiddos.  I love to be with family and friends but I am always ready to come back to Home Sweet Home.

I must give credit where credit is due....my friend Anne S. took these photos up in the park....she's good!

I'm afraid Christmas is well on it's way and I don't have anything done.  I thought we were going to take a family picture this year and it doesn't seem to be happening. So maybe I will just make some prints of these pictures of each of us holding our kiddos (notice one escaping).  Would that be to dysfunctional?  Spell check just got me on the d word. 

 
At least Jill and I have a little holiday spirit....notice the drool on my sleeve.  She is really liking her Daddy these days, she always smiles at him and he can make her laugh out loud.  
In other news, I actually won a game of Checkers against my intelligent husband.....yeah for me.  
We are preparing to leave, once again, on a little trip.  This time it's to Lancaster to drop off our kids at a babysitter and then on to a wedding in Maryland....sounds strange right.  I always look forward to weddings.  Of course, I usually have to sit by my lonesome since my husband is usually "The Wedding Singer".....I am proud of him.  Well, I should find something to do that's constructive....maybe write out Christmas cards?
That's all folks,
Tonya

Sometimes life just plain gets too busy....I don't like that. 
Last night was great, our little family of four took time to just play together.  We played Checkers, Mancalla & Memory. Jackson's attention span isn't very long yet and baby Jill is well, just a baby.  Her newest trick is blowing bubbles which we all found to be humorous. I love family time.
We were to Josh's parents for Thanksgiving and enjoyed lots of good food and fun times.  Although, when you have 13 children with 11 of them under 5 years of age it's loud, to put it mildly.  Jackson had a grand time playing with all his cousins and is now bored out of his mind at home with his middle aged mom.  I tried to stimulate his brain by teaching him how to make a paper chain but he instead used the red paper strips to make a car wash....pretty creative if i must say so myself.  We hung the chain up in his room and I am pretty sure he's going to try to hang on it.  So much for the paper chain.  Maybe we will move on to paper snowflakes, they are my personal favorite.
I feel sad for my family right now, they all 3 have colds....I'm not sure how I got exempt...or maybe it's yet to come.  Poor baby Jill is suffering from her first cold.  I have always wanted to be a nurse so I do enjoy taking care of them.
I don't have one Christmas gift purchased yet. I hate the rat race at the stores this time of year. Being 1 in 8.5 million I feel like a dust mite. And besides all that we don't really need anything.
Well, I must run along...have a blessed day.
Tonya

Wow, two posts in one day.....these pictures were taken by my good friend Anne S. yesterday.  Josh and I had to take Jackson to the doctor to get his elbow put back in place....painful.  Anyway, Anne babysat for Jill and got some great shots of her.  
 

All 14 of em.....

Benny and Jackie....best of buds

Eve Barnhart and her lovely Mother

What a classic...Pin The Tail On The Donkey.....Jackson proceeded to pull the blindfold off so he could "see"
where to put the tail.  I think 3 year olds aren't quite old enough for such advanced games.

Dad getting involved....the pinata was a huge hit....although baby Eve was terrified that the kids were hitting
poor Nemo so she had to leave the room for a little.  She still benefited from the all the sugar inside Nemo.

Jackson getting ready for his turn

Nicole Swartzentruber and Jackson....our neighbor girl. =)

And last but not least....our 3 month old Jillian taking it all in.  (I can't figure out how to flip the pics)