A Quick Vacation and an update

Well 2 Thursday nights ago we took a quick trip down to Orlando. We decided at the last minute to pick a day that Jon was off to take Jack to Disney. We really needed a weekend away and were looking forward to going. We told Jack that we were going on vacation and didn't tell him where we were exactly going until Thursday night when we got there. Friday morning, Jack got up especially early. He was very excited about going. Around 7:25 am we headed out to the Magic Kingdom. What an exciting day we had! Jack was excited to see all of the characters and even ride some of the rides. Here are some pictures from that day:

We had a blast and are looking forward to going back again before I go to Israel.

We are all doing well. I am busier than ever at work. There have been many changes happening and many responisibilities have been added to my plate. We have also been having some problems with Jack's behavior at school and because I am the one that is the closest to the school I am the one that has to deal with them everyday. Needless to say I am getting worn out very quickly. The Lord is good and He will not give me more than I can handle. It is just figuring out to handle all that He does give me.

100th entry

Ok. So I just realized that this is my 100th entry on my blog. I guess it should be some profound post about the things that have been going on in our lives or some annoucement of some sort but I'm not. This post is going to be complete randomness.

First - I have apparently become a History tutor. If any of you are going to school and need help in any of your classes just let me know.

Second - We are taking a quickly planned family vacation next weekend to Orlando and Disney. Jack thinks that we are going once he is potty trained but we have decided to go early. He doesn't know and we won't tell him until we get up to leave for the park. Also on the agenda is a trip to IKEA!!!!!

Third - We are preparing for our first season of Tball in the fall. We have a glove, a tee and a soft bat. Practice will begin after we return from Orlando. He is excited.

Fourth - Jack got some hockey sticks. Apparently he wants to play hockey too.

See complete randomness.

My Funny Boy

So this 3 1/2 year old little boy that lives in my house is absolutely hysterical. Here are some of the things that he has said today:

We pull up to the ATM and he yells out "money, please." Well at least he used his manners.

While driving home from church today, he and my mom are playing in the back seat and he gets the hiccups. He then takes a drink of coke and proceeds to burp. His hiccups go away and he gets really mad. My mom asks him what is wrong and he says "I WANT MY HICCUPS BACK!"

We got home from church and I told him that he had to take a nap. He told me that he couldn't take a nap because it was morning time. I told him that it was afternoon and he said "uh-uh mommy. The moon is down so it is morning time." 

I am beyond blessed to have such a happy, funny little boy.

Here's to 2011

2011 is going to be a great year! Jon is away right now for 2 weeks for AT with his unit. This week is going to be a busy one for me at work. Jack has a pre-op appointment on Friday afternoon for his surgery next week. Also on Friday is PJs, Pigs and Pancakes at his school. It is going to be so cute. Friday night Jack and I are heading to Gainesville to watch the Gators battle Nebraska in their first gymnastics meet for the season. We are so excited.

For now -

A Look Back at 2010...

2010 was a busy but amazing year for the Kees Family.

January - this month started with just 4 months left on a year long deployment. Jack was getting excited about his dad finally coming home. I think that he was more excited about going to Disney World. A new book shelf and toy clean out. January went by so fast.

February - Pastors' Conference 2010 - I didn't have to work much this year. I spent lots of time with Jack and Jess and Will. There were trips to Savannah and Gainesville. 15 years since my uncle donated one of his kidneys to my dad. The Vancouver Winter Olympics and Jack being in love with all of the winter sports. Flowers from Iraq for Valentine's Day. A new TV. And a fabulous cupcake from Luli's.

March - A VERY busy month. To start the month off, someone abducted a little boy from a family down the street in my neighborhood. You can read my thoughts here. 2010 Passion Play - one of the best so far. I got to hold a little lamb! A trip to the zoo. New Chucks for Jack and a trip to MOSH.

April - 1 month!!! Jack's countdown chain. Easter - Christ the Risen Savior! Will's 2nd birthday! School pictures. Getting everything ready for Jon to come home and his welcome home party and my grandmother's surprise birthday party!

May - my 27th birthday, Mother's Day and our 5th anniversary. A surprise trip to Ft. Stewart to see Jon when he got off of the plane from Iraq. Eating our first meal (McDonald's). HE FINALLY CAME HOME!!!! Waiting patiently for him to be released - Jack telling the governor to "hurry up." A hug I will remember for the rest of my life. Going home as a whole family. A welcome home from our church family for a hero. A SURPRISE birthday party for my grandmother and Jon's welcome home party.

June - Family vacation to Disney: some one on one time with Mickey for a VERY excited little boy. Learning to ride his bike (with training wheels). Back to church as a whole family. A refurbished table for our munchkin.

July - Jack's THIRD birthday! Fourth of July celebration. Fireworks with great friends. Amazing family pictures by a sweet friend.

August - time at the lake with family. Jack starting FBC Junior Academy and LOVING it! Playing soccer!

September - More soccer. Spending lots of quality time with dad! Lots of quality time as a family! New IKEA catalog! Jon going back to school.

October - Air show - Blue Angels. JSO visit to Jack's school. Grandparent's day at school. Pumpkin patch with Will. Jess's baby shower for Reagan! Katie and Aaron's wedding!

November - Jacksonville Fair. Thanksgiving luncheon at school. 10 years since my dad passed away. Trip to Savannah - eating at the Lady and Sons! Thanksgiving with family.

December - Christmas parties. A sick little boy. A sick mommy. Reagan Hailey Braig born on December 10. Candlelight Christmas Eve service. Christmas! Lots of toys, food and fun!

Christmas 2010

Here is a look at our Christmas:

Jack and I at the Christmas Eve service - he almost made it through the whole thing (no nap for him that day).

Santa made a stop at our house - for Jack and for...

Stogey. Here is Jack's first look at all of his presents:

He was very excited about his bike. Here he is taking a test ride in the living room:

Jack had a great Christmas. We were really excited about Jon being home this year to celebrate with us. He cooked everyone breakfast. My mom, step-dad, sister and brother-in-law came over to open gifts with us. Here are some more pictures of the morning:

We are looking forward to what 2011 has in store for us.

Merry Christmas!!!

This Christmas, we are so thankful for the Savior's birth and that our soldier is here with us to celebrate this holiday with us this year. So Merry Christmas from the Kees Family!

A Rant on the Current Congress

Here is my rant for the year- I am sure that you have all heard about this Omnibus bill that Congress has been trying to pass in 3 days. If they do not pass it the entire federal government will shut down. Why am I writing about this? I am writing about this because Jon is a Federal Technician for the Florida Army National Guard. They were told today at work that if it wasn't passed by the end of Sunday that they were not to come to work. From next week until they pass the bill, Jon and all of the Federal workers will be out of work, not getting paid because some genius in Congress felt the need to wait until the last possible minute to bring this almost 2000 page bill to the floor of the House and Senate and expect it to pass in 3 days! Jon and his coworkers were told that they would be back paid for the time that is missed but it all depends on when those wonderful people that we elected decide to pass this unnecessary bill. What makes it even worse is that it is happening the week of Christmas! If this does happen, it is going to put us (not only us but many people) in a HUGE financial situation. The only thing that I know for sure during all of this is that the Lord provides not only in the good times but also in the bad. That is all for now.

A Very Happy Thanksgiving

Yesterday was an amazing day! Our best friend and her little boy came over yesterday morning to play. After they left Jon and I began to start cooking. We headed over to my Aunt Shirley's house. I officially ate way too much but it was soooo good. It was good to be around most of our family yesterday. The only problem was that it was almost 80 degrees on Thanksgiving. I usually don't complain about the weather but I am ready for some cooler weather. After we ate we all hung out and watched football and Mary Poppins. Around 5:30 Jon, Jack and I left to head home because I was going shopping with Jess at the outlet malls at 9:30pm. About 10 minutes away from our house Jack crashed in the car and stayed asleep even when he was put in his bed and slept until 6am this morning. I took a nap and then headed to St. Augustine for some girl fun. We had a blast and got home around 3 this morning. We got everything wrapped and then we crashed on the couch. I got up around 7 and headed home. Now it is time for me to get a nap for whatever is up for the rest of the day.

I love FREE stuff!!!!

Free – why yes thank you! I saw this on another blog and thought I could definitely use 50 free Holiday cards. I am so excited to do our cards this year because we have our Soldier home from the desert for Christmas this year! I have been looking for a good card design for this year since there will be 3 people in the picture instead of 2. I have looked everywhere but I finally decided on Shutterfly because of their different layouts and their many different designs. We use Shutterfly for their picture share site as well as picture prints. This will be the first time that we are using them for a picture card and I am so happy that I don’t have to do all of the printing and writing and finding envelopes. It will make this Christmas time much easier and allow me to get these cards out before Christmas. You should most definitely check out their card designs here. Be ready to look - you can sort them by color and number of pictures. Pretty awesome!

I can't wait to get them in the mail!