A feel of AcCoMpLiShMeNt!

I know it has been a while since I have posted...I need to get better at this!

First, I wanted you to know I will be teaching at Scrapista this year in September! I am so excited to be part of a special scrapbooking event / retreat. This will actually be my first time teaching a class outside of Archiver's and I am ready! I will be teaching a mini-album class and I am LoViNg the class sample....the sneak peek will be up soon on the Scrapista website. :o)

Well, since my Grandma has passed away some things in my life have changed. When Brett and I drive down to Warner Robins to visit family, we always go by and see my Grandpa. He is doing good since his wife passed away, but he misses her so much (we all do). I have realized and I know you are not supposed to dwell on the past, but I actually visit with my Grandpa more than I did when my Grandma was with us. But, when I am there, I can feel her pressence and I know she is happy that I am there with Grandpa. I believe God sends your loved ones in a form of something they loved, my Grandma LoVeD butterflies! Since she passed, I have seen more butterflies fluttering around than I have before. I miss you Grandma!

Other than that, I have changed one of my lifestyles, that is my health. My best friend, Tonya, and I joined a local gym by our office. They were having a special go to the gym for 6 weeks for $20. So, we decided we would go just for 6 weeks, this is me on Day One, March 16, 2009.

We had a couple of free personal training sessions with Rodney, he is GrEaT! After the couple of sessions and deciding what our goals were, we decided to purchase some sessions with him and continue to go to the gym. The gym fee is $30 per month and we go Monday through Thursday, so we decided it would be worth it, especially with swimsuit season approaching. We would meet with our trainer every Monday and Tuesday - Thursday we would do our fitness routine. Well, through all the sweat, tears, and hardwork, it has definitely paid off! We just finished our twelve week training on Thursday, June 4th. Here me at 12 weeks:

After twelve weeks, I have lost 7.5 inches, 5 pounds, and 2% body fat! Guess what, I am not done yet. Going to the gym has given me more motivation, confidence, and a lot of energy! It also helps when you work out with a friend because you are there to support each other.

Ok, I promise I will get better at these posts! Oh yeah, I just found I my little brother, the baby of the family, is getting married next year! I am happy for my brother and looking forward to having a great sister-in-law.

Later ~ Jennifer

My Favorite!

Grandmothers are blessings from heaven above
Each one is handpicked, only for us
They have special gifts, that bring a smile to our face
And we know when they're gone, they cannot be replaced

This place where they go, when they leave us on Earth
Is too beautiful by far, this place of their birth
God gave us this time, to share her with us.
But it's time to go home, to his place up above

No worries or woes to ever deal with
Just flowers and sunshine, complete total bliss
She'll watch from above, to make sure that we're safe
Always sneaking a peek, while you're asleep or awake

You'll never forget them, nor will they forget you
And they'll hold you your place, you know this is true
So don't mourn me too long, for I'm now safe at home
With my God, friends and loved ones, I'm never alone

Marlyn Jane Stahl Jackson

1939 - 2009

Remembering my grandma

Well, this past week was hard for me and my family. On January 24th, my grandmother, Marlyn Jackson, was called home. She was admitted into the hospital on Thursday, January 15th with low blood pressure and a kidney infection. On Tuesday, January 20th she was admitted into ICU due to her blood pressure was decreasing, even with her medications and IVs. The kidney infection had become septic in her system, meaning it started to eat at her organs. For someone to visit her, they had to wear scrubs due to the bacteria she had. She was put on a ventalitor, had tubes to her stomach and heart, and all kinds of medications. The doctorsventalitor said she was improving on papers as far as her blood pressure and blood levels on Friday, however she did not look good on the outside. I had left work early Friday and drove down to Warner Robins to see her. It was so hard to see my grandmother with all these machines and tubes hooked up to her. I did talk to her about our memories in the past and those we get to look forward to.

On Saturday morning, the doctors told my family they had to sign the papers to not recesistate her if she were to flat line (if they did recesistate her, she would bleed to death internally). Her infection was so bad, she had maxed out on the medications to help the infection and if you were to touch her she would start bleeding. My family did sign the papers, it was especially hard on my grandpa, but he has faith in the Lord. He told us the night before, if the Lord wants to take her home, he can because she has done all she was set to do in her life. During the day she was holding strong until around 6pm when we received a call from her nurse that she would not make it through the night. We had immediately rushed to her room and told her how much we will always love her. I was in the room for a while with my family, but grandpa wanted to leave the room. He told me as we were walking back to the waiting room that he did not want to see the doctors close her eyes. After being in the waiting room for 15 minutes or so, my grandpa and I decided to go back to see grandma. After being in the room for a few minutes and talking with our family, my grandma was called home. Her heart was so strong while being in the hospital, that truly shows how big of a heart she had. When my grandpa realized she went home, that is when reality hit him, but he did remain strong for her. My grandmother now rests in peace in Warner Robins. I know she is not suffering or in pain anymore, now she is in heaven with her parents and godchild.

As I sit here and write, I remember all the good memories of my grandma. The most recent picture I have of her, is from our wedding. She was sick that day, but she was going to be there no matter what. I remember staying at my grandparents house on the weekends and eatting "poke and grit." Brett and I took our first vacation together to Hilton Head with my grandparents. I will miss my grandma's good home-cooked meals, her sweet hugs, her unconditional love, her listening ear, her advice, and her sweet smile. But I know she will always remain in my heart and be an angel on my side. I love you grandma! :o)