Center Of The Bible?

I got this email this morning & thought it was amazing. It came with beautiful pictures but for some reason won't let me copy them onto here but I will type out the email.

Q: What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?
A: Psalm 117

Q: What is the longest chapter in the Bible?
A: Psalm 119

Q: What chapter is in the center of the Bible?
A: Psalm 118

Facts: There are exactly 594 chapter before Psalm 118 in the bible and exactly 594 chapters after Psalm 118 in the bible. Add these numbers up (594 + 594) and it equals 1188.

Q: What is the center verse in the bible?
A: Psalm 118:8

Does this verse say something significant about God's perfect will for our lives?
Psalm 118:8 - "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in MAN"

Isn't it odd how that worked out...or was God in the center of it?

Sleepover

On Saturday Jacob had bowling in the morning & he did awesome. His first game he had 2 spares and bowled a 87! He had the highest score. His second game he bowled a 61 but by then he was tired and had enough. After bowling Ruben's mom, Jacob & I went to see Ruben's grandma, aunt and 2 cousins. They are in love with Jacob and are thrilled when we go over. We had a good visit then headed home. Jacob was so excited to go home...he's friend Aaron (my friend Gloria's son) was coming over to spend the night. Jacob's first sleep over. He was so excited. He picked out all the toys he & Aaron were going to play with...it was cute. Aaron came over and we ordered pizza. The boys played in Jacob's room and then they said they wanted to watch a movie. I got them in their pj's and brushed teeth and put on Cars for them. They layed in Jacob's bed and watched the movie. I went in to check on them and they were both passed out by 9:00 p.m. What kind of sleep over is that? They are supposed to go to sleep late. I guess I shouldn't complain. They both did really well. They woke Ruben & I up around 7:30 a.m. and we had breakfast and got ready to head out to the park. The boys played for a while and then we took Aaron home. Jacob was sad to see his buddy leave but they already came up with a plan for their next sleep over.

Jacob & I stopped at my parents house afterwards to pick up his Halloween costume and headed home and hung out with Daddy. After a while we stopped at Jiffy Lube to get both the Sequoia and truck an oil change. We came home an had Pei Wei for dinner. Ruben and Jacob played as I put together Jacob's Halloween treat cups for his Halloween party at school on Friday. I can't wait. I love their costume parade. All the kids always look so cute. For Jacob's teachers I found the pots at Hobby Lobby and then found chocolate covered pretzels at Walmart and for his friends I filled the Halloween cups with candy, a pencil and a few other favors.

"O" Is For Oreo's

Ever week in Jacob's class they have a "letter of the week" & on Friday's each kid brings something (like show & tell) that starts with that week's letter. Last week their letter was "T" so Jacob took his Thomas Train & Train whistle. This week their letter is "O". What starts with "O"? Orange? Octopus? Octagon? I know there are more things that start with "O" but those were the ones that stuck out. So Jacob & I kept brainstorming and he wanted a snack. He picked out his Oreo Cakesters and said "Hey O is for Oreo!" Heck yeah it is. I was proud he knew that Oreo started with "O". So on the way to school today we stopped at Kroger and bought a new package of Double Suff Oreo's for his class. His teacher thought it was cute & of course the kids would love it. Jacob was pretty proud of himself and excited that he got to bring cookies for his friends. I mean who doesn't love Oreo's?

Happy 24th Birthday Katrina!

Happy 24th Birthday BFF!!

Katrina, you are the best friend anyone could ever ask for.

I thank God everyday for bringing you into my life 13 years ago,

I don't know what I would have done without you.

You are an amazing friend, mom, and inspiration.

Thank you for always being there for me.

May God bless you on your special day & always.

Don't think of your birthday as getting older...it's just one year closer to our dream of living next door to each other and rocking in our rocking chairs exchanging "remember whens". I love you.

Great Friends, Great Weather, Great Weekend

Friday I picked up Jacob and Madelyn from school and headed over to my moms. 2 of my aunts and 1 of my uncles had come in from out of town. Yey family! We all had dinner at my moms and sat around and talked for a while. Jacob spent the night with my sister so I went home and hung out with Ruben. We both feel asleep early...boring...but we are ok with that. I woke up early Saturday and got ready and packed a bag for Jacob. I picked him up at my sisters house and we were off to bowling with my sister & Madelyn. My aunt, mom, and dad met us there. My aunt just loved watching Jacob bowl. Jacob got his very first strike...it was awesome! When he was done with his games my parents and aunt went to run some errands while my sister and I took the kids to a pumpkin patch. The Church was also having a Craft sale so we did a little shopping afterwards. We picked up some lunch and headed back to my mom's and waited for them to get home.

Halloween UT style (Ruben's parent's bought this UT Halloween shirt for Jacob when they were visiting Ruben's sister in Austin...she goes to UT.)

When they got home we headed out to do some shopping & guess what?...I started my Christmas shopping! I found great deals and couldn't pass them up. I found gifts for 2 people on my list...awesome! A little early but hey I am not a last minute type of person. At least I haven't wrapped them yet...haha. We went home and the weather was still just amazing so I set up Jacob's mini moonwalk for Madelyn & him to play in. They were wrestling in it and Jacob was popping Madelyn into the air. It was hilarious. Ruben came over on his motorcycle (which he hasn't ridden in a while...so he was happy he got to go for a little ride). My mom made us all dinner and then we headed home.

Madelyn spent the night with us on Saturday night and it was up early cause we were going to the zoo for Zoo Boo. We picked up my sister and met my friends, Gloria & Krystal and their kids there. Ruben took Jacob and Gloria's son, Aaron, all around the zoo....they looked like loose monkeys running around everywhere. We had a great time and the weather, thank God, was great! We left the zoo around 1:00 p.m. and headed to Gringo's for lunch.
My sister & I dropped off Ruben at home, dropped Madelyn & Jacob off at my mom's and headed to a friend of ours' jewelry party. It was a lot of fun. I can't wait for this coming weekend...I hope the weather is just as nice. C'mon fall!!

Halloween Crafts (Sorta) & 2 Years

Yesterday Ruben surprised Jacob & I by bringing home some pumpkins. I asked Jacob if he wanted to paint them or carve them. He of course chose to paint...he will never turn down an opportunity to paint. So we laid out paper and got the paints out. Instead of drawing a face on it he went for a little more "abstract" look. He was proud of it so that is all that matters. Here is his pumpkin:

I am not a very good artist either so I went for just writing Happy Halloween and Boo on mine.

After we painted our pumpkins I got out two Halloween trays I had. They are originally supposed to be ice trays shaped as a skull and pumpkin but Jacob & I thought putting jell-o in them would be more fun. We made the jell-o and poured it into the trays. We put it in the fridge to harden. Before we went to bed we checked out our project. Needless to say when we popped them out of the tray they didn't stay together or look like a skull or pumpkin. So we cleaned them out and decided to put coke in them and let them harden in the freezer. This morning on our way out the door we checked on our frozen coke pumpkins & skulls. We popped them out and they kept their shape. Finally. I don't know what we would have used next if it didn't work.

********************************************************

Ruben,

2 years ago was the first day of the rest of your life. You made a decision that day that was not only hard for you mentally but emotionally. That day you decided to change your life, to change all of our lives for the better and Jacob & I couldn't be more thankful and proud. Today is your 2nd anniversary of sobriety. Today continues your journey into healthy living. Today is not just an anniversary but the continuing promise you made to yourself and to your son. Jacob is so proud to have you as his daddy. He loves and looks up to you everyday. Thank you for all that you do for us. Words could not describe our appreciation. Please continue your fight and always know you have your 2 biggest fans, Jacob & I right there behind you cheering you on each and everyday. We love you Daddy!

Jess & Jacob Ryan "little me"

Accidentally On Purpose

Have you seen that show? I love it. It is hilarious! On Sunday Jacob & Ruben were taking a nap so I had some alone time but couldn't find anything on t.v. I looked on the OnDemand channel and came across that show. I had seen the previews for it and it looked funny but just forgot about it. Well OnDemand had all 3 of the episodes...I was excited because I would get to watch the show from the very beginning and not miss anything. I watched all 3 episodes and was dying laughing. I found out the show airs on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. so I set my timer. Well yesterday I took Jacob to the library because they were playing a movie at 6:30 p.m. We didn't get home until about 8:30 p.m. so I missed my show. I looked it up OnDemand but it wasn't up yet. I was a little bummed. When I got to work this morning I looked up the website and they had the full episode all ready up to watch online...yes! I just watched it and now I am hooked on this show. I am also excited my other show, Nip/Tuck, starts again tomorrow...FINALLY!

Magician & His Magic Bunny

Here are a couple of pictures I took yesterday of Jacob & Madelyn in their Halloween costumes.

VS.

Yesterday I went with Camille, a co-worker of mine that only works on Wednesdays, to lunch at her son's school. He is in the 1st grade and goes to Carleston Elementary. I haven't seen him for a few weeks so I was excited about bringing him lunch. He was happy we were there, it was really cute. Being in that lunchroom made me a little sad just thinking next year Jacob will be going to Kindergarten and he too will be eating in a cafeteria. My little Jakey is getting so big it's unreal. After lunch we stopped at Walgreen's to get some things she needed and we happened to stop at the card section. We were both looking at the cards and her other son, who is 3, wanted to look at the Hannah Montana card. Camille handed it to him and when he opened it, it started singing the Hannah Montana theme song. With out hesitation or realizing it Camille & I both start singing, "You get the best of both worlds, chillin' out take it slow, then you rock out the show, you get the best of both worlds, mix it all together and know that it's the best of both worlds" We both start laughing at ourselves.
Me: "Umm Camille we both have boys...how do we know the words to that song?"
Camille: "Because we both watch it, at least we aren't alone"
Crazy...no more Hannah Montana! After work I picked up my sister's birthday cake and then headed over to her house. We gave her her birthday present and then we were off to dinner. It was a great night.

Now to the "VS."

Temptation VS. Katrina's advice:
I thank God I have Katrina in my life to always set me on the right path. You know why Katrina. Thank you for your advice...you have no idea how much it means to me.

School VS. No School:
Ruben is going to school to be an electrical engineer. He has about 3 years left until he is done. His classes are tough and he is currently going to school 3 nights a week and is studying the other 4 nights. He feels bad he can't spend as much time with Jacob & I as he would like but we have adjusted to it and Jacob & I have our own schedule and time just seems to fly by. Well lately Jacob has been missing his daddy. He gets a little sad when we pull up the driveway and he doesn't see his daddy's bike or the Sequoia. He asks if we can send Daddy a text message to let him know we miss and love him. After bath time he has been asking to wear his daddy's tshirts instead of his own jammies. It makes me sad that Jacob misses Ruben and it breaks Ruben's heart he isn't there but I know he is going to school to better our lives. It's just hard to explain to a 4 year old. Ruben was considering dropping his classes so he could be home but he realized that wouldn't be the best idea for any of us. I just hope Jacob starts to understand and realize what his daddy is doing for us...I think he would be very proud of him.

OUR plan VS. GOD'S plan:
Babies?!? I see all these women having babies. I know God is in control of everything but our plan is NO more babies. Just our Jacob Ryan. Everyone keeps asking when we will have another but neither Ruben or I want to ever have another child. I couldn't picture us with a second child. I praise women and families out there with more than one child, bless you, I don't know how you do it. My life revolves around Jacob..he would be devastated to have to share the spotlight. In fact if you ask him if he wants a brother or sister he reply one of 2 answers: "My mommy and daddy only love me...no one else." or the mean one: "If I had a brother or sister I would push them down the stairs." I think he makes his point load and clear. What do you think? He also says Mommy and Daddy are the only ones that can be on his "team". A friend of mine says I have to much energy for just Jacob and others say that he is old enough to start adding another. Sorry I don't think so. I love kids but I only love one kid for Ruben & I. When I was pregnant with Jacob the Dr's saw what they thought was a cyst on Jacob's head. I was about 7 months along and they told me that if it was what they thought he would be mentally retarded. They then gave me a list of Dr's in other countries that do "late term abortions"...are you kidding me. Obviously Ruben & I were going to love him no matter what but who are you to give me names of Dr's that would "fix the problem." More test were run and showed that there was nothing wrong with him. When he was a few months old they had to do cat-scans to make sure there was still nothing. Going through that was very terrifying and something I never want to have to go through again. Call me selfish but it was just to much for me to handle. I thank god everyday Jacob is healthy. I know everything is in god's hands but our plan is to not have any more kids.

"If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans."

Happy Birthday Sissy!

Elis,

Happy 28th Birthday big sis! I thank God everyday that I was blessed with an amazing big sister like you. I pray today and everyday God continues to bless and enrich your life. I have always looked up to you...from your dorky glasses as a kid to the beautiful women and mother you have become today. I will always cherish our memories growing up and look forward to all the new ones we will make in the future. You are my sister, best friend, and hero. We have been through a lot but have always overcome everything with a smile. From pushing my stroller down the stairs, ribbons in our hair, jamming New Kids On The Block on our cassette player, teaching me my prayers and how to use words in sentences, eating lunch by candlelight, learning how to drive on the 5 acres, to make up, motherhood, always being there for each other...those and all those in between I would never trade for anything in the world. Thank you for everything you have ever done for me. Jacob loves his Tia more than words could ever explain. You are always the first one he asks for & I pray that never changes. I admire the way he stares at you and hope Madelyn has the same love for me as he does for you. We all love you and couldn't image our family without you or your attitude...haha! God bless you on your special day! Happy Birthday!

Jess "Sister", Ruben & Jacob Ryan

Just A Bug

Wow do I feel great today...a total 360 from how I felt yesterday. Looks like Jacob & I just had a 24 hour bug. Jacob started to feel better around 1:00 p.m. yesterday and I started to feel better around 8:00 p.m. We lounged around all day watching movies and cartoons and ate crackers and jello. Poor Jacob was hungry by dinner time so I made him chicken noodle soup. I was still to scared to eat anything so I only had crackers. Then my mom calls and tells me that she thinks she has the bug too. My poor mom, she even left work early. I washed all of our sheets and "Lysoled" everything cause I didn't want Ruben to catch it. That would be bad. He can't miss school. Jacob and I crashed early and Ruben got home from taking his calculus test around 10:30 p.m. I pray he did well...he studied so hard. This morning I woke up like I had never even been sick. I am still to scared to eat anything so for lunch it's jello and soup again. My mom called this morning and she is feeling better too...thank goodness. I hope the "bug" stops there.

Race For The Cure & Sick

On Friday I went and ordered my sister's birthday cake and ran a few errands. I also stopped at Mardel's and got Jacob a couple of learning posters, calendars, and stickers. I went home and cleaned and Ruben picked up Jacob from school on the way home from work. They picked up dinner and we had a dinner and a movie night. After the movie Jacob & I went to my mom's to spend the night. In the morning my sister & I were leaving early to go to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and my mom was taking Jacob to bowling league. I was up by 5:00 a.m. on Saturday & got ready for my sister to pick me up at 6:00 a.m. We went to pick up our friend Brandi and we were off to downtown. We didn't know what to expect since we have never done this run before. There were tons and tons of people! It was amazing. Walking around waiting for the race to start my eyes just filled up with tears...seeing all those shirts of people walking/running in memory of their loved ones. It was very emotional. Our race started and it felt amazing to be apart of all those people walking for a cure. We did a run/jog and thankfully the weather was great. There were people people on the sidelines cheering for you and that would just pump you up even more...thank God for them. The race was a 5k and we completed it in about 50 minutes. That was with stopping to take a picture at each mile marker. We didn't take a camera so we used my sister's phone. I will post them when she emails them to me. At the end of the race they had a "survivors path" where only the breast cancer survivors would run through and people would hand them flowers and such. I just lost it. My eyes filled with tears as I admired those brave women. It was incredible to be apart of. Running in this race was honestly one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done. It was a great cause and seeing all these people come together was just amazing and an indescribable feeling. I am so thankful to have been a part of it. We went home and took a short nap...much needed. Jacob & I went home and hung out with Ruben for a while and then I got ready to go to Glor's birthday/passion party. I had never been to a passion party but it was hilarious. Hahaha! On Sunday we hung around the house since it was such a yucky day. Then after Jacob woke up from his nap he started to feel sick. he threw up a couple of times but had no fever. We lounged around with him and watched some movies. Ruben had to study for his calculus test, which it today, and we all went to bed early. In the middle of the night Jacob threw up again and so did I. Ugh. Still no fever we just couldn't keep anything down. So here we are today hanging out at home not feeling well. We have been eating crackers and jello and drinking Gatorade. I hope we feel better soon...I hate being sick esp. seeing my little man not feeling well! Pray for us!