Saw the little peanut today...

Ok, so I won't be one of those people who blog all about every step of pregnancy, but my doctor's appointment today was really amazing. My doctor offered to do an ultrasound (even though it wasn't scheduled) since I was there so early this morning. I got to see the little person forming complete with a head, eye sockets, arms and legs. While she was showing me all the different parts, the little person was doing summersalts and jumping jacks. It was amazing to see this little person moving around and watching it's heart beat. Can't wait to find out what it is!

The Jenkins are having a BABY!

For those of you whom I haven't talked with in a while, I wanted to let everyone know that we are officially pregnant! I'm ten weeks and feeling great, no morning sickness yet (knock on wood). Just really tired and REALLY excited. We were really suprised since I was told over the summmer that I have a condition, PCOS, that can potentially be a big cause for infertillity. We are so thankful that God is allowing us this little blessing! Please pray for a safe seven more months!

The ORIGINAL Gingerbread champions...

As you can see, "The Jenkins Gingerbread Contest" started many years ago, before Brad and I graced the family with our presence. Here is Blair and Lee Anne sometime in the eighties. They've had a lot of practice...

And the winner is....

Drum roll.......

SUGAR SHACK by Diane Jenkins and Tara Jones! (They pulled it off by only ONE vote over Spot's retreat, submitted by Blair and Cara Jenkins). Chris and Caroline McGlade, first time contenders, came in third with their very creative "Last Chance Christmas Trees." When we get back home, we'll post the picture of the winners with their trophy that they will keep this next year.

We're very glad for the new champions (plus, I think Diane needed this win). Stay tuned for more posting...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Gingerbread house contest 2008!!! PLEASE VOTE!

Alright friends and family across the USA, the "Jenkins Family Gingerbread House Contest" is ON! We have a new contender this year representing the great states of Texas and Colorado: Chris and Caroline McGlade (loud stadium cheer). We NEED you to vote by making your selction and LEAVING A COMMENT at the bottom of this entry. We will announce the winner next Friday December 18th. Remember, there is a trophy at stake so don't forget to VOTE! Past winners include Brad and Lee Anne Porter (2006) and Blair and Cara Jenkins (2007). Good luck to all contestants! May the best house win!

HOUSE #1: "Sugar Shack"

House #2: "Spot's Winter Retreat"

House #3: "Last Chance Christmas Tree Lot"

The BIG Announcement...

You would think pigs were flying in our household because we

FINALLY GOT CABLE AND INTERNET! I can't tell you how much I realized how out of touch with the world we have been until the cable man came and hooked everything up. All of a sudden my eyes were opened to instant communication! Here's just a few ways that technology has already changed our lives.....

1. I don't have to check my e-mail at the public library anymore (I don't think the Librarian liked me very much and I had a 55 minute time limit)

2. We don't have to put foil on our antenas to watch March maddness

3. ABC is no longer our only source of news (I'm still mad a Charlie Gibson)

4. NETFLIX!

5. FACEBOOK (not yet, but coming soon)

6. We don't have to drive to Atlanta Bread to finish papers and e-mails late on Sunday nights.

7. Skyping (not sure how this works, but sign me up with a webcam)

8. We aren't limited to Hannah Montana on Saturday mornings (Blair knows the theme)

9. We don't have to tape "Friends" anymore

10. We can keep up with friends and family!

"We deserve to win..."

Check out this video on You Tube that showcases the men in our church plant here in Asheville playing the game madgab, it's hilarious....

Off to Washington DC for the 4th of July!

That's right, I will be watching the fireworks along side one of my best friends from college, Tara, at the WHITE HOUSE! She has some crazy job that none of us really understand and works in The Pentagon. So excited! I will post pictures when I get back!

Ballet classes are for little girls...

This past semester, I thought it would be a good idea to start taking ballet class again. I danced for almost twelve years until I had to choose between dance and music (there's only so much a girl can do!). I absolutely LOVED ballet when I was little. My mom and dad took me to see the Nutcracker every year. I guess you could say that signing up for this class really showed me that 30 is just around the corner. I had a great teacher, Lyle, who seemed to have the ability to make me think I wasn't that bad. I know the truth, even Lyle can't hide that. Those days are long gone. Check out the old pictures in my "glory days." I still have the same legs!

Blogging begins again...

Thats right! Now that summer is here and I'm not planning on working more than a day a week of teaching oboe lessons, I will have lots of time to post pictures and thoughts that I have been wanting to get on line for a long time. Things coming soon will include...

1. Charleston trip 2008
2. My thoughts on turning 30
3. Fellowship Asheville
4. Our plans summer plans and adventures

ATLANTA!

So, my sweet husband decided that after a long year, we needed a weekend get-a-way. He planned this fantastic trip to Atlanta this past weekend where we relaxed, we talked, we ate, and we hit the big tourist attractions. I highly recommend this same trip to anyone looking for a good mix of a kicked back but well-planned weekend. Here are the highlights...

Here's the view from our hotel room. We stayed on the
65th floor!

Atlanta Braves game! They won in the bottom of the 9th!

Centenial Park: Home of the 1996 Olympics! It was hot!

Coke Museum, Blair's favorite beverage...

Saved the best for last: Georgia's new aquarium. This
harkens me back to the days when my family would go
to the Monterey Bay Aquarium every year...

Can you see the tiger shark in the midst of the fish?

Here's a better picture of him. There are four at this
aquarium and were transported from Thailand...

Jellyfish...

Sting Ray...

We finished the weekend with dessert above our hotel
at the Sun Dial restaraunt. The top rotates around in
a full circle so you can see the city. It was amazing!

We're coming up on three years this month. I can't believe how time flies so quickly. I feel like the luckiest woman to be married to my best friend. I'll be posting more about what's going on in Asheville this coming week. We're at my sister-in-law's house and have internet (a luxury for the Jenkins).

Bell Elementary 4/5 Program

OK, so as many of you know, I do things 110%. I hope you enjoy watching one of my 4th grade classes performing "Thriller" for our program last week called, "Music Through the Decades."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rZPgtz6CFc

Back on line...

I know it's been several months since I've blogged, no internet. So, here's a quick overview of the past two months. My kids at school have a big program this week, so I'll be sure to past pictures of that soon....

Blair and JJ - brothers!

New Year's Eve at the Grove park with Caroline, Chris, Jay and Kate! Check out BLair's beard!

Ah yes, we DID take the trophy!

Snowshoing with John Besio...OUTSTANDING!

Have you ever seen a sign like this in NC? Only in California...

Christmas with the cousins, Emily and Colleen...

AND THE WINNER OF THE GINGERBREAD CONTEST 2007 IS...

#3 Santa's Chateau, created by yours truly, the Jenkins! I think it was the Christmas tree and the reindeer that made this one the clear winner. Thanks for everyone voting online and making our crazy contests even more crazy. We'll post pictures of the official gingerbread trophy that Diane made for future contests! I do have to say that it was a close race between us and Diane and Tara's house: Gumdrop Paradise. Until next year, Merry Christmas!

Gingerbread houses 2007, YOUR VOTE COUNTS!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!! The trophy is at stake for best gingerbread house 2007, so cast your votes now. Here's all you need to do: take a close look at each house and leave a comment with your vote for the best house;
#1 Santa's log cabin get-a-way, #2 Gumdrop paradise and #3 Santa's Chateau.
VOTES will be taken all this week and the winner will be announced next week.


THE THREE CONTENDERS.....DRUM ROLL PLEASE.....
#1: SANTA'S LOG CABIN GET-A-WAY#2: GUMDROP PARADISE

#3: SANTA'S CHATEAU

THE T

Thanksgiving 2007!

Here are some highlights of Thanksgiving 2007; by far our favorite T-giving!

Wayne making cookies (we were all responsible for one dish and
he didn't want to be left out, notice what great help he has...)

The classic T-giving picture...

The NOT so classic picture, common, we had to play with the leaves!

The whole gang! Notice two addition: the McGlades and Tara Jones, we had a blast!

Why I Teach...

Last night my school had their annual "Holiday Night" which included a performance that I coordinated with the 2nd and 3rd grade classes and the chorus. In addition to teaching music at Bell, I also teach an afterschool chorus comprised of approximately 50 4th and 5th Graders. I recieved a letter yesterday from one of my students whom I have had since she was in 3rd grade. She is now in the 5th grade and has been one of those kids I really had a heart for from the beginning. Here's what she wrote:

"Dear Miss Jenkins, Thank you for the great job in the show. You did a great job of telling and teaching us to do. I enjoy being in chorus because of your work. I just wish I could be a kid forever so I could stay here in chorus. You can make everything fun and that's just what you do. I hope you can do more with the little kids becuase they did great. I hope we did great too. I'm looking forward to music class. Thank you for coming here. It is an honor to have you. You are the best music teacher I've ever had. Your student, Pamela"

A Belated Fall Overview......

Okay, so we've been out of the BLOGGOSPHERE for a while, life has been busy! We thought we'd leave and overview of our past two months and what we're looking forward to this holiday season. I unfortunatlely have only purchased ONE Christmas gift thus far, way behind most of the family and Jenny Ford! Now that things have slowed down (October was crazy) Blair and I are looking forward to some downtime before the holiday rush begins. So here it is in a flash, the Jenkins fall overview.......

1. Jonathan and Ali North, who are planting a church here in Asheville (Fellowship Asheville) stayed with us for a night. We had great conversation and are REALLY looking forward to being a part of this church. By the way friends in Denton, it's official: Fred Baker and his wife Stacy will be moving here with Jonathan and Ali to launch this new church. More incentive to get you out of Texas and into God's country, NC!

2. Labor Day weekend: We celebrated Lee Anne's 27th birthday up here in Asheville. The whole clan came including Brad's parents, Nancy and Jeff. We had a great time visiting some well known Asheville sights including the Biltmore house. Here is a picture of Lee Anne loving on one of the goats at the farm house.

3. Jenny comes to visit! Jenny + Cara = double trouble! That's right, my sweet heart friend from Austin TX came out to visit. We tore up the town; ate good food, shopped, drank lots of coffee, ate more good food. I miss you friend!

4. Weekend getaway in Blowing Rock: Blair suprised me with a getaway weekend to Blowing Rock NC. Here is a view of the condo he rented for us, AMAZING. I woke up early and DEnton and I watched the sunrise over the mountains. We had a much needed relaxing weekend that included good food, 310 to Yuma (Blair's new favorite movie), cinnamon rolls, OJ, and lots of good talk time. He even came prepared with the most recent issure of People magazine (now that's love).
5. Blair's 10-year reunion: Can't believe it's been 10 years since Blair graduated HS. We had a great time seeing Blair's old friends...6. Cara turns 29: Can't believe it, only one more year from 30! We enjoyed the B-day weekend camping with Denton. Blair bought me a great clock for our hallway (he has great taste).
That's all for now. I'll try to be better about updating our lives. Things to look forward to:
1. Thanksgiving: Chris and Caroline McGlade will be joining us this year in Greensboro, we can't wait.
2. Holiday Night 2007: Oh Yes, Cara's big program this year is entitled "Dancing through the Holidays."
3. Wearing sweaters and postponing leg shaving!
4. Blair's trip to Florida in mid-November with students...

RA People Hunt...

WHO ARE THESE TWO FINE ASHEVILLIANS? CHECK OUT THE NOSE RING! Blair's staff at UNCA had a people hunt for the 60 RA's they have working for UNCA this coming year. It was hilarious, no one recognized Blair since he had the fine wife and dog on his side...

Blair or Axle Rose?

Check out this funny picture of Blair at his end of the year party with the RA's...I meant to post this earlier, but forgot. He sang "sweet child of mine" to everyone's surprise! It was hilarious!