Welcome Baby Jack

Baby Jack was born this afternoon at 12:04. Everyone is doing great...just tired from a LONG night and day. I can't wait to meet you cutie pie!

James "Jack" Billig
7 lbs. 3 oz.
21 inches
1.28.2008

Baby Jack is on his way!

Jamie is getting ready...Baby Jack is on his way...

Date Night

We babysat for some friends of ours. Brennan was so excited to have McKayla come over...they had their own "date night", complete with dinner and a movie.

These are a few of my favorite things...

I hosted a "My Favorite Things" party tonight. It was a great turnout and everybody got a few great things. I took pictures of everybody, but they just weren't the best, so I only posted mine. I hope everybody had a great time. I know I did. The party started at 7, and no one left until 11:15 or so...I guess that means it was good, right?

1 2 3

4 5

So here is a bit of what's been going on at the Remington's...

1. Jessica and Kris at the Mom's birthday. Thanks Kris for introducing me to the group and for being a great Omaha friend!
2. Jackson ready to go outside the other night and try out the sled we borrowed from neighbors...it was -3 degrees...oh, and sorry I forgot to rotate it!
3. Jackson playing with the 'shaving kit' he and Brennan got for Christmas.
4. Bart's dorky 'do
5. Jackson trying on Bart's snowboots...FYI, they are too big for Bart.
   

And finally, a video of Brennan as I prepared dinner last night...two nights after the "fire" that freaked him out so much. He still gets nervous if I walk out of the kitchen while cooking.

"If our hearts are right before God, adversity will school us, help us overcome our carnal nature, and nurture the divine spark within us. Were it not for adversity, we would not know to “choose the better part.” Adversity helps us see where we need to repent, to bring into subjection baser instincts, to embrace righteousness and enjoy peace of conscience."
--Keith B. McMullin, "Be Prepared … Be Ye Strong from Henceforth", Ensign, Nov. 2005, 10

Read about my evening here.

MOM turns ONE!

Last night was MOM's first birthday. I am so glad that Bart and Mick actually followed through with the whole, "We should take our families out to dinner so our wives can meet" conversations they had when we first moved here. Without Kris, I'd have no MOM's. Without MOM's, I'd have nothing to do and WAY few good friends. So, thanks Hubbies, Kris, and MOM's for helping me find a group to fill in the gap left when I left all my wonderful friends in Baton Rouge(see all their blogs over there...>)

So, at the party, there was a HUGE raffle...I mean HUGE! The following is a list of items raffled, $1 a ticket or 6 for $5. All money raised (almost $400!) went to the local food bank.

One hour massage from Massage Envy
$30 GC from Red Lobster
$25 GC from Brewskies
MyOmahaMommies License Plate Frame
Jar Candle Trio from PartyLite
Regeneration Chemical Peel from BeautiControl
Doll House from Arts and Minds
Two passes worth $40 each for pizza, drinks and tokens from Chuck-E-Cheese
4-$8 Appetizers from TGI Fridays
$30 GC from Mimi's Cafe
My Gym gift certificate
2-To Maternity and Beyond $25 GC
$20 VIP card from the Classy Gourmet
$25 GC from HYVEE
$25 Box of Chocolates from The Omaha Chocolate Co.
4 Girls Hair Bows and 2 Picture Frames from Jessica R
Neclace, Bracelett, Earings and Ring from B. Accessorized
Justin Thyme Cafe $25
Fantastic Sam's free haircut and free bottle of shampoo and conditioner
Olive Garden $10
Floral Ceramic Box with Lid from Unique Accents
$10 GC from The Afternoon*
5 Free Pies from Village Inn*
Passes from OCM
$100 GC from Gloss Salon
Gift basket from Creative Memories
$25 GC from Pampered Chef
Stardust CD from Cher
*=I won

There was an "awards show" in which I won the "Martha Stewart" award. True in some ways, I guess, but WAY off in others. For instance, the cake I baked. AWFUL! The top layer just WOULD NOT BAKE!!!! It was a mess. Oh, well. At least I can make my children happy with chicken nuggets and peanut butter sandwiches...

Wednesday evening, we braved the snow to go out to dinner with some great friends, Mick and Kris and their too cute 18M daughter, Joss. We ate at Brewsky's, because Kris is about to be leaving there and it would be a shame to let some of her food allowance go to waste. :)
As you can see, Jackson and Joss are fast becoming good little buddies.
After dinner, we went back to MKJ's house for some Wii Guitar Hero. Let's just say I'm not so coordinated. We had a blast, though, and are anxiously waiting for the invite for WiiFest '08.
It has been snowing a lot here, so I put the boys to work shoveling the walk. Hey, they have to earn their keep somehow.
Not too sure the proper angle to view this photo...
Brennan trying to convince Jackson to go on the sled solo...he did it, but that doesn't mean he liked it.

A picture from a few weeks ago during the BIG GAME!!!!

a video of the little buddies at dinner...pay attention around 15 seconds.

Just another reason I love this little guy

"Aunt" Jamie decided to buy the boys a present as a thank you to them for being away from me while I was in FL. We saw Word World Moon Sand in Target and she loved it. (sand from FL)
Brennan's response when he saw the box (he had no clue he was getting a surprise, nor did he know what was in the box)
"Whoa! This is what I was thinking of all day long."

So, Jamie, I'd say the present was a hit.

This past weekend I flew to Tampa Bay, FL, to surprise Jamie Girl and attend her baby shower. Diana, everybody's best wedding friend, flew in from Germany as a surprise, too.

All these surprises actually caused Jamie Girl to have some major contractions and go to the hospital after her shower on Saturday, but I think the surprises were totally worth hanging out in the waiting room until 2 a.m.

I had a blast and can't wait to see Jamie and Jamey again. We've planned a trip for our 30th birthday, but I hope to see her before then.

The Billig's are going to be great parents and I am so excited for Baby Jack to arrive...hurry up little guy!

Friends in Low Places

Nicole, Jessica, and Burgundy at one happening New Year's Eve party!A bunch of us at Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro...not the best service, but the best friends.

I really have some great friends. I am so grateful to have you in my "circle". It's a good thing I don't have a cell phone, because I don't know how I'd pick my "Fav. Five". Thanks for always posting nice comments on my blog and being so much fun when I get to "come home". Wow, there's lots of "*"in this post-at least it isn't my traditional "..."
So, thanks for helping me have a wonderful birthday. I love you all dearly and can't wait to see you again.

LSU 2008 National Champions

Baby It's Cold Outside

It's cold outside.
That is not fair.
I came to Louisiana for some warm southern sunshine, not a cold, windy winter day. (Est. low for tonight: 24 degrees. Still warmer than NE, but still cold)
Oh well, at least it's been nice this far. And the cold will pass quickly...but not fast enough for us to enjoy anymore of the wonder of warmness in the winter. (Est. high Monday: 75 degrees)