Blizzard....it's not just a dessert at Dairy Queen.

Thunderstorm Warning. CHECK. Flood Warning. CHECK. Tornado Warning. CHECK. Blizzard Warning. Wait...never been under one of those kind of warnings before! Last week, parts of Wisconsin were hit with one of the worst Winter Storms in 15 years. A Blizzard, in fact. De Pere, the town where Matt and I live, recorded over 14 inches of snow! Matt and I were ready to head to the local Wal-Mart, stock up on Rotel, Velveeta and Brownie mix and hole up in our apartment for a few days. But...that is not how they do it here in "the bay." Matt and I actually worked on the worst day of the Blizzard! Needless to say, last week was an EXPERIENCE for us both. Here are just a few pictures of the biggest snowstorm WE have ever been in (the last one is from the Green Bay Gamblers Hockey game that we went to on Saturday night)! Oh, and it has snowed 3 more inches today! Crazy Life!

The First Thanksgiving...

Our national holiday really stems from the feast held in the autumn of 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag to celebrate the colony's first successful harvest...GOTCHA! And you thought you were settling in to hear about the origins of the first Thanksgiving. :) Actually, today was our first Thanksgiving to celebrate as a married couple! We were unable to travel home ( a decision not easily made since THIS girl has never spent a Thanksgiving anywhere else but Arkansas) but we made the absolute BEST of it and even started some Thanksgiving traditions of our own. We started the day at Lambeau Field (home of the Green Bay Packers). Each year, the Ecumenical Ministry of Green Bay serves a HUGE Thanksgiving dinner to the elderly and less fortunate. It was a wonderful sight to see. The guests were ushered upstairs to a worship service beforehand and then brought back downstairs to enjoy lunch. Each table was formally set and had its own attendant to serve the Thanksgiving meal. There were phones set up for people to call their loved ones. It was just really special. Matt and I were greeters. We said, "Hi Ya'll" to everyone who walked in. Afterwards, we headed home to prepare our lunch! Not really knowing how to scale down the recipes to be for two, we had a 13x9 of Sweet Potato Casserole AND Dressing! We were able to find a "cute" three pound turkey at the store and so not much leftover there. Other than that, we have leftovers to last us awhile. For dessert, we enjoyed a yummy homeade Cheesecake! It was a wonderful day, full of phone calls from family and friends and much to be thankful for. What a wonderful holiday...a day solely for giving thanks for our blessings. And there are so many. Praying your day was wonderful as well and that WE are thankful today, for YOU!

Hannah Grace Crumby

My heart is burdened for a little girl in Arkansas tonight. Please keep little Hannah Grace Crumby in your prayers. To follow her story, see the link below or go to caringbridge.com and type in hannahgracecrumby.

www.hannahandcaleb.blogspot.com

GO PACK GO!

One of our favorite parts about living in Green Bay is of course, the Green Bay Packers! I never thought I could love a team like I love the Arkansas Razorbacks but I am quickly becoming a bigger Packer fan all the time. Packer fans are similar to Razorback fans in their devotion to their team but the similarities pretty much end there. Matt and I have had the priviledge of attending three Packer tailgates this season. Our sweet friends Michelle and Rob invited us to join them at their tailgates before the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and the Dallas Cowboys games. While there we saw everything from folks decked out in green and gold overalls, cheeseheads, cheese ties and cheese bras to bagpipers and five man bands mingling through the crowds. And people are not just enjoying burgers and hot dogs. Brats are a STAPLE at any Packer tailgate. We hope to attend a game or two next season, as there is a raffle each year for tickets for residents of Brown County (Green Bay and surrounding areas). Go Pack Go!

SLOPPY MATT'S

Last night, Matt and I made what I like to call, SLOPPY MATT'S! We had both recently expressed a desire to make some SLOPPY JOE'S and so last night we headed to the store, grabbed some Turkey Meat (in an effort to be a tiny bit healthier), a SLOPPY JOE Packet and Diced Tomatoes (in lieu of Tomato Paste-which we don't particularly like) and last BUT certainly not least, some buns. These are not just your ordinary buns, these are Green and Yellow, Green Bay Packer Buns! On game weekends, the store is full of Green and Yellow---Hamburger Buns, Hot Dog Buns, Cookies, Cakes-you name it! Anyway, I just had to post on our yummy dinner last night and the ever so unique buns on which our SLOPPY MATT"S were consumed. ENJOY!

I HEART FALL!

To me, Fall is the MOST wonderful time of the year... Football (Go Hogs! Go Packers!), Sweatshirts, Chili, Fayetteville, Thanksgiving (Cherry Cheesecake), the Pumpkin Patch at Vanzant Fruit Farms, preparing for the Christmas season, Caramel Apples, Spiced Tea

I have been looking forward to THIS Fall in particular---our first in Green Bay, our first as a married couple, the cooler weather coming on quicker. I could not wait to decorate our home for the "Harvest." And, to top it off, we just spent the day making Chili in the crockpot, watching the Razorbacks, enjoying a Caramel Apple and now, a fire in the fireplace and a cinnamon/apple candle burning. LIFE IS GOOD.

From the song, Every Season by Nichole Nordeman

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn

Green Bay Farmers' Market

Every Wednesday from June to October, Broadway Street in Green Bay transforms into an INCREDIBLE Farmers' Market. The streets are lined with vendors selling their wares from cucumbers to kohlrabi, from beef jerky to doggie treats, from honey to freshly baked cake, from earrings to recyclable bags. We had a blast walking up and down Broadway, purchasing cucumbers, jalapeno peppers, sugar snap peas, tomatoes, key lime rum cake and flowers. Before we headed home, we grabbed some food from among the many restaurants represented. It was a wonderful night!
Check out their great website at www.farmersmarketonbroadway.com!

Hear HIS Breath.

Today's service at Green Bay Community Church was all about the word of God. How the Holy Spirit spoke to the prophets and writers of the books of the Bible. How strong and true the word of the Lord was and is. Near the end of the service, the pastor called on the audience to share scripture. It was a powerful time. After each scripture the congregation responded with Hear HIS Breath. One in particular that stood out to me was Psalm 73: 25-26. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. I want to invite you to post the scripture that is on your heart today. The best encouragement and strength for each day is the word of God. Hear HIS Breath.

Saturday In The Park, I think it was the Fourth of July....

One of the wonderful things about living where we do is how close we are to SO many places! The Twin Cities, Upper Michigan, Canada, Milwaukee, Chicago... Did I mention CHICAGO? Matt and I spent the Fourth Of July weekend in Chicago! We headed on down to the Windy City on Friday evening and spent the weekend eating at wonderful places and best of all, cheering on the Cubs at Wrigley Field. I mean, can you get more American than spending the Fourth of July watching America's favorite past time and eating a Chicago Style Hot Dog? I DON'T THINK SO! And, Saturday night, we walked down to Navy Pier and watched the fireworks! It was truly a great weekend.

From the Natural State to America's Dairyland

You know you have officially moved and settled in somewhere when you change you LICENSE PLATE!!!!! In Wisconsin, you get not one but two plates, one for the front and one for the back of your car! We were sad to say goodbye to our Arkansas license plates (especially Matt, as he had an Arkansas Alumni Hog plate), but we will have them again one day and my tags had to be renewed by June 30th! Scratch (the name I affectionately call my car, due to its many scratches) is adjusting well to the change. I have really tried to culture her with her trips to Florida, Colorado, Texas and the like. :) She is enjoying her time in the Dairyland as are we.

Understand Them

Shed a little sunshine into the heart of one, that one is cheered to pass it on, and so My vitalizing joy giving message goes. Be transmitters these days. Love and Laugh. Cheer All. Love All. Always seek to understand others and you cannot fail to love them. See ME in the dull, the uninteresting, the sinful, the critical, the miserable. See ME in the laughter of children and the sweetness of old age, in the courage of youth and the patience of man and womanhood.

This is just a little excerpt from one of my favorite devotions, God Calling. I was inspired and encouraged by the passage above and wanted to pass the blessing on to all of you.

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Minnesota Twins

Yesterday, Matt and I traveled to Milwaukee with his parents to see the Milwaukee Brewers play the Minnesota Twins. It was truly a BLAST! Miller Park is incredible and it was fun to see the Brewers in action. I am developing an enjoyment for Major League Baseball and loving it! Go Brewers! Go Prince Fielder! Next stop, Wrigley Field! Gotta root on those Cubbies in honor of Matt and my Dad!
To follow, more in depth posts on our wonderful visits from Erin and Matt, my Mom and Dad and Matt's Mom and Dad!

HOME

What a WONDERFUL Spring it has been! This last month has been a crazy one for us. Matt and Erin (Matt's oldest sister and her husband) came into town over Memorial Day weekend. We had a BLAST! Then, Matt sent me to Northwest Arkansas for a surprise visit with my girlfriends for the weekend. It was good for my soul. My parents came to visit last week! We had a great time exploring Wisconsin with them. Sweet time with the family. And...I got a job! I started working at Haven Salon and Spa last week as a Guest Services Representative. I love it! All of these events and happenings have given me different reasons to continue to appreciate this season in life. Having visitors and hosting them in our home and showing them our surroundings has definitely increased our love for the area in which we live. Going back to Arkansas was so special and made coming back easier after getting to spend some much needed time with friends. But most of all, I have been made aware of just how much more I love Matt everyday. He will probably kill me for posting this on a blog but...... I honestly cannot imagine my life without him. Everyday brings new challenges, new things to learn about each other. We have more fun together than I could describe. We have been in this together these last three months, navigating thru the beginnings of marriage, moving to a new place, missing family and friends. He is strong and sweet and patient and kind and I love him. As most people know, I love music and I love listening to the words of songs and finding those that touch my life. I just love the song "Taking You Home" by Don Henley.
To end this blog on a funny note, pretend I am a DJ (with a voice like Barry White) sending out some love from Jenny to Matt with a song dedication of "Taking You Home" by Don Henley. :)


I had a good life
Before you came
I had my friends and my freedom
I had my name
Still there was sorrow and emptiness
til you made me glad
Oh, in this love I found strength I never knew I had

And this love
Is like nothing I have ever known
Take my hand, love
Im taking you home
Taking you home

There were days, lonely days
When the world, wouldnt throw me a crumb, no no
But I kept on believing
That this day would come

And this love
Is like nothing I have ever known, no no baby
Take my hand love
Im taking you home
Im taking you, home
Where we can be with the ones who really care
Home, where we can grow together
Keep you in, my heart forever

Oh and this love
Is like nothing I have ever known, oh no no baby
Take my hand love
Im taking you home

How could I ask for more?

How Could I Ask For More by Cindy Morgan

There's nothing like the warmth of a summer afternoon
Waking to the sunlight, and being cradled by the moon
Catching fireflies at night
Building castles in the sand
Kissing Mama's face goodnight
Holding Daddy's hand
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more

Running barefoot through the grass
A little hide and go seek
Being so in love, that you can hardly eat
Dancing in the dark, when there's no one else around
Being bundled 'neath the covers, watching snow
Fall to the ground
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more

So many things I thought would bring me happiness
Some dreams that are realities today
Such an irony the things that mean the most to me
Are the memories that I've made along the way

So if there's anything I've learned
From this journey I am on
Simple truths will keep you going
Simple love will keep you strong
Cause there are questions without answers
Flames that never die
Heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise
So thank you Lord, oh thank you Lord
How could I ask for more

This last weekend was one of those "how could i ask for more" kind of weekends. From beginning to end.
I really enjoy looking for healthy, yet TASTY recipes to try and so on Friday night I whipped up some Mexican Lasagna (it really is healthy-let me know if you are interested and I will send to you) and spanish rice for dinner. Matt made Margaritas and we just enjoyed a quiet night of Ace of Cakes episodes and catching up on our favorite shows. Saturday, we headed to Appleton with some movie passes I found and saw the movie, The Soloist. What a wonderful, beautiful movie. So inspiring. And it is a true story which I just love. On Saturday night we headed to the Cup of Joy Coffeehouse in Green Bay. Ginny Owens was playing a concert there for FREE and so we went! She was wonderful. And...I made new friends! Matt and I sat behind Kate and Hilarie, two sweet girls from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (about an hour and a half from Green Bay). Hilarie owns an organic foods store in Iron Mountain and Kate has a day job but her passion is really singing and being in ministry. It was so great to connect with these women and to make new friends! Yesterday afternoon we headed to the Fox River Trail for a walk and then to a park by our apartment where Matt kicked the soccer ball around while I read Shakespeare (JUST KIDDING-I read PEOPLE !). We finished up the weekend by watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. A long movie to be sure but good and thought provoking.
It was just a great weekend, coming off a great week in just a sweet season for Matt and I. Don't you love it when the Lord does not just give you one but like a million reminders of His love and care for you and how wonderful this life is?

Lost in YOUNKERS!

Yesterday, Matt and I were LOST in YOUNKERS! You see, the day after Matt and I moved to Green Bay back in March we purchased a new bedroom set at the local department store, Younkers (this would be like Dillard's to folks in the South). We were SO excited. All we had for our bedroom at the time was a box springs and mattress. We were told that the furniture was already in route and would be delivered in the next 3 to 4 weeks. We got used to our floor bed and the convenience of just grabbing the clothing we needed off the floor! Seriously, it was kind of fun! A little over two months later, our furniture arrived! We were thrilled! I thought I would show you the before and after pictures of our bedroom. We really are so thankful!

Home Sweet ARKANSAS!

Last week, Matt and I were able to travel back to Arkansas for a visit! Matt's job will most likely take him back to Arkansas around once a quarter and fortunately this time I was able to travel with him since I do no yett have a job:) I spent the first half of the week in North Little Rock, where I enjoyed precious time with my family and friends. Time on the deck sipping coffee with my Mom and Dad, playing with my nephews and chatting with my sister and brother-in-law. I was also able to catch up with my friend Pamela and spend the afternoon with my friend Emily and her kiddos.
On Wednesday, my parents brought me to Northwest Arkansas. We met up with Matt and grabbed a quick lunch so they could see their son-in-law! The rest of the week was spent with sweet time with Matt and his family (not only his parents but his oldest sister Erin and her husband Matt AND Grandma and Grandpa Vanzant) eating good food, shopping, playing golf and getting pedicures! We were also able to get much needed time with more friends. Matt saw his good friends Patrick and Christin while I had one on one with my friend Angie, had lunch with my friend Jenn (who moved to OKC this past weekend so it was good to spend that time with her) I spent an afternoon with my friend Kristin, had lunch with my friend Janell, had an afternoon with my friends Lee and Cassie and their kiddos, we had night out at one of our faves, Common Grounds.
Though Matt had to work, we both agreed that it was a great week and so wonderful to be home with family and friends. We have come home feeling rejuvenated and ready to go again! Me, with my job search and Matt in his busy role at work. And...SPRING is here! We arrived home to green grass and sunshine! It is already a great week in "the bay!" We are so thankful for the opportunity we had to go home last week and we both look forward to what the coming weeks have to bring here in Wisconsin! Above are a couple of pictures from our time in Arkansas. As always, I never took enough. I really hope to get better at capturing more of life's moments! Love to all of you!

BAYWATCH

This is our brother in law, Matt Propst giving his amazing Baywatch "Beach Run" impression at the beach last year. Thought I would post this as a celebration of the warm days ahead this Spring and Summer!

NEW YORK CITY 2008

At this time last year, I was in NYC with my dear friends Cassie, Milton and Sarah. I thought I would post some pictures in remembrance of that trip! Cass and I at the Today show, Sarah and I eating cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery (well worth the walk and wait), Milt and I chowing down on a "classic" NYC hot dog and then a group picture of me and the girls at a park outside Magnolia Bakery. If you know these girls then you know that the laughs outnumbered just about anything else on this adventure. From getting lost in Hell's Kitchen to good times at Stanford Social it was a trip to remember. I look forward to many more trips with precious friends in the future!