thismomrocks

The past two weeks I have been living in the great

"Shawnee National Forest"

at Camp Ondessonk!

Last year I went for one week and it just wasn't long enough!  So this year I decided to go for two!  My oldest daughter is a counselor there and my youngest went as a camper!  The Elbe women enjoyed time in nature and totally in our element!  It was by far the best experience I have ever had at camp! 

I worked in the trading post where the kids go to get drinks, food, and fun Camp O goodies!  I walked 3 to 4 miles everyday and saw "God's country" at its best!  I hiked everyday and enjoyed the peace and quiet of nature!  I can't wait to go back!   Those of you that have visited this place with me know what I'm talking about!   I thought about the fun times we had while we were there and the great memories we made!  Looking forward to more! 

Have you ever been to a place where it literally changes your life? How you think and feel about who you are?  Well, it's hard to put into words, but I feel so blessed to have found this place and I encourage everyone to get out and connect with nature!  

I put together a slide show of my two weeks and some of my favorite places at camp!  I know it's hard to grasp if you have never been there, but we are going back in September and again in October so let me know if you are interested. 

I missed you guys!

Peace, Love, & HEEPWAH!

Jana

Well I can tell you this......

I'm so ready for the weather to change.....Oh wait it does that every day!!  How about Spring.....What's that?  Im sitting here with my hubby home from work, all three kids home from school and wishing I was on some tropical island laying on a beach sipping on a wonderful drink with one of those little umbrellas in it!  

Yes sitting on a beach and listening to the waves sounds like a dream come true!  How about walking barefoot in the sand and feeling the warm wind blow your hair!  OMG that sounds amazing right now!!  I look out my window and all I see in snow and ice!  AGAIN!! 

Isn't there a condition for this, where you get all down and blue because you miss the sunshine?  Well if we took a poll right now I bet most of us would have it!! 

Let's go on an adventure.........Show me where you would rather be............I know right now it's not here!  Time to pack up and go on a vacation.......Where we going???

Monica Adams at her best!!

Most of you know Monica as the “Traffic Lady” on Fox2 in the morning.  Well Monica has been training me since April in fitness boxing, and she is a blast!

 As a trainer she is tough and very determined, she has taught me to keep a positive outlook on life and live for today.  As a friend, she keeps me laughing, and she has a wonderful fun spirit! 

 Ok sit back and enjoy!  Monica if you see this..... no pay backs!!  Anyone interested in having fun let me know, new classes are starting soon!  You know I’ll be there baby!

If you have any pictures of monica you want to share or if you have any questions about the class feel free to ask! 

Peace, Jana<3

Last night a group of us went to the Westport Playhouse to see “I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE!”  A comedy about dating, marriage, romance, and everything in between!  This show was hilarious!  I swear one moment I would be laughing so hard, and the next really thinking about the scene and how it pertains to daily life.  A rollercoaster ride of emotions, but I must say I laughed the majority of the time!  Erin was on my left and I swear I thought she was going to fall out of her chair.  I had to laugh because the lady in front of her kept giving her a dirty look!

 I thought “lighten up lady……..This is a comedy so laugh why don’t ya!”   Then I had Stacy to my right and all I can say is some of the things she was saying had me laughing harder than the play itself!

 We had an opportunity to meet the actors after the show, asks some questions, and pose for some pictures.  Honestly I can’t remember the last time I laughed that hard.  The event was sponsored by Artzipper.com & Image works and I must say they were amazing hosts.  I would like to thank them for a wonderful evening!  Looking forward to the next time ladies!  If you get an opportunity to see this play I recommend it highly!  Laughter is amazing medicine!

 Peace, Jana

                                                    
 <3 Harp & Timmy<3

          ~Head to Camp Ondessonk and reconnect with your daughter~

October 12-14, 2007
This is a wonderful opportunity for Mom and daughter to getaway and enjoy an amazing weekend in the forest!
The connection between mother and daughter is a powerful thing. We all tend to get swept up in the current events of life, and that special time seems to be a chore more than a gift. Each fall women get together at Camp Ondessonk, located in the beautiful Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois, and enjoy time together.

During Camp Ondessonk Weekend Getaways, the traditional summer camp activities are open (weather permitting) for campers of all ages to participate in. Some activities, such as guided hikes, are scheduled throughout the weekend, while others activities are open to come and go as you please. Activities include: Nature hikes, Canoeing and Kayaking, Archery, Handicrafts, Swimming (weather permitting), Climbing wall, High Ropes Course (additional fee),
Horseback riding (additional fee), Pony Rides Sunday (additional fee), Campfires and much more!

Saturday evening they host a Mass followed by a all-camp campfire. All faiths are welcome!
Lodging can be rustic as a cabin in the woods, or a room in the Noel Center. Please go and look at the website Ondessonk.com and you can see the different units that are available. All the information you need will be found on the website. Give them a call and reserve your spot today!!

So head to the forest this fall and enjoy the beautiful foliage, the amazing waterfalls, and a night sky that will blow you away! Hope to see you there!

You can also email me and I can help you with any questions, myfoxfamily2@yahoo.com

Jana

WOW........What a night!

First of all I have to say....."That was the best birthday party I have ever had!" 

Thank you all for coming out and celebrating with me, and for all the hard work you put into making it amazing!  I had a wonderful time, and I have to say that my friends rock!

I think the photos show the amazing time we had, so here are a few of mine.  Look inside and the night continues here!  LOL

Peace, Jana<3

What puts a smile on your face?

We all have times in our lives when we are feeling sad and alone in this big world. sometimes tears out weigh the smiles & laughter. When you are feeling down, look to your friends and happy thoughts to turn that frown upside down. You know you have amazing friends when they keep pushing you to find that happy place! :)

Frown and you frown alone, but smile and the world seem to smile back! Laughter, smiles, happy thoughts keeps us looking forward and thinking positive.

Laughter helps us roll with the punches and unleash that unwanted stress. " It heals the soul to laugh!"

So.......What makes you smile, laugh, or just feel happy? Share your story, or simply pictures. Let's make each other smile and start the weekend off with "Happy Thoughts".............Ok here goes!

Peace, Jana

     With summer coming to a close, we decided to take a trip to Meramec State Park and become one with nature yet again!   This wonderful place to visit is home to Missouri's famous Meramec Caverns, in  Stanton MO.   Located in the foothills of the Meramec Valley. 

We were surrounded by forest, bluffs, and the beautiful Meramec river.  I haven't been to the caverns since I was about 12, which is Hannah's age now.  We took a tour and it was like seeing it again for the first time!  Learning about the great legands of Jessie James to the Indian tribes that found shelter, I was totally breathless & found myself in awe of my surroundings!  I have photos to share of the beauty within.

Activities include  camping, canoeing, cave tours, fishing, lodging, picnicking, swimming, hiking - backpacking trails there is so much to do here!

Floating the Meramec is an experience in iteself!  We met some wonderful people while we were there, and had an amazing time.  I suggest this place highly as a fun family place to get away and make some great memories!  Perhaps next year we should all take a trip to the Meramec!  Check out the photos, and enjoy the tour of Meramec State Park! 

Peace, Jana<3

We all have so much fun when we get together!  I'm sure there will be more opportunities for all of us to spend time together again in the near future.

If you would like to be put on the mailing list for future events please forward your email address to Bloggetteshirts@yahoo.com   

Ok so lets hear your ideas for some fun party ideas!  Several suggestions have been put out there, so lets hear what ya got! 

Until next party.....

Peace, Jana<3

Once again Thank you all for making this day a great one!  This is a little long, but I think it captured the day!  Looking forward to the next event!

Peace, Jana<3

I started my weekend off visiting Mr. Wildflower, Michelle, lilmomma & Randy, and Asmerelda at the Eagles in High Ridge for a night of fun and singing. Wildflower brought the ladies up and gave us this song to sing....."We are a family!" We laughed and tried our best to sing! It was a wonderful night, and we all left to get ready for Saturday! Looking forward to the wonderful day ahead!

Satuday we heading off in the bus to the Villa. The day was hot, but the sky was clear and the sun was out, a day we all prayed for! As people began to show and the music started to play I looked around and thought to myself what a wonderful group of friends we have all become. People were fishing, swimming, chatting, dancing, eating, and just enjoying some conversation. Wildflower once again called up the girls and he suprised us with the song "We are a family....Again!" As I "Tried" to sing the words here is what I heard.

We are a family, Life is fun and we've just begun to get our share of this world's delights. High hopes we have for the future and our goals in sight. Have faith in the things you do......You won't go wrong. "Make this our golden rule!" Ok this may sound corney, but its so true! Look at the photos from everyones pages! We had so much fun! A Big Fun Family Day! I honestly am looking forward to many more family events with all of you. The more we get together, the more we learn about each other and become an even closer group of friends. I have added some of my photos, so stop by and say hi, I have more to say inside! Come on in!

Peace Jana<3

IT'S TIME TO PARTY PEOPLE!

Tomorrow is the day!   

How about a Hawaiian Luau theme!?  I'm sure some of you have a crazy hawaiian shirt in your closet somewhere!  If not, we will hook ya up with something fun!   We found some hawaiian decorations and thought, "what the heck!"  LOL

The day is suppose to be beautiful according to Ms. Angela Hutti, and the response has been wonderful!  Perky will be behind the grill, and all I can say is "Good Friends, Good Fun, Great Time!"

For those of you who are seeing this for the first time, just check out the other blogs on my page and you will see the details "Where & When."  Hope to see you all there, and looking forward to some amazing memories!

Peace, Jana<3

4  More Days!

Time to come out and meet your Fox2 Family! 

Come on out and spend the day meeting and greeting our family here at Fox!  Party is at the Villa Magnolia in Cedar Hills, (directions below), July 28th and will start at 1:00pm - ?   Activites will include: Swimming, fishing, beach volleyball, music, food, and great family fun!

We all hope that the Anchors, staff, and fox friends will all attend.  Come on out and REPRESENT!  We all would love to have an opportunity to get to know the people behind the scenes at Fox!   Everyone is welcome!

Please remember to bring some lawn chairs, a side dish, sodas or water.  All alcohol beverages will have to be purchased at the Villa, please be respectful of that rule.  They are giving us a wonderful deal on the rental because of that small detail.  Thanks so much for honoring that<3

Ok, so now that the details are out, the count down has begun!  If you have any questions at all please let me know.  If you are planning on coming please stop by and let me know so we have an idea of the count.   Looking forward to seeing all of you!

Peace, Jana<3

It was a wonderful day!

I was talking to Marmee54 the other day and she was talking about this craft show she was doing for the 4th in Steeleville IL, and the jewelry that she makes.  So I picked up Erin and we took a little road trip to make a new friend! 

It took us about an hour to get there, but with good conversation time flew by and we were there before we knew it!  The parade just got over, and we went on a search for Marmee!  We saw here booth, went over and asked if she was Marmee!  Wow she has such beautiful stones!  I bought 2 pieces of Jasper, and a wonderful piece of Petrified Wood!  I can't wait to wear them!  I wish we could have visited longer, but she was very busy!  Marmee thanks for the "First Bloggette discount :) !"

Erin and I headed back to Mascoutah to spend time with Drew and the kids!  Drew was busy playing baseball, and I swear it was like a highschool reunion.  I was telling Erin who everyone was and how I knew them from school!  It was a hoot!  The storms came through and the sky was amazing! Luckily the fireworks were a huge success, and the night ended with a bang!

Enjoy the photos of the day, and please share what you did to celebrate Independence Day!  If you have photos I would love to see them!  Thanks for stopping by!

Peace, Jana<3