I'm Back!!

We'll,  I was only away 3 months this winter instead of 4 so I guess that's progress.  So why so long?  We'll I've been a single lady for the last three months (not really single, just home alone).  My love has been in Texas, which leaves me a little busier than normal, and spending a lot of time talking on the phone to him or Skype!  He will be returning just in time for Valentine's Day.  I am so excited to be off work that day and able to create a special and relaxing day for my Love.

Well since I left off.  I was able to spend time with my Mom she was here for a month and a half.  It was nice to have her company.  She really enjoyed being here and attending my church with me.  She helped out with a lot of the Christmas giving the church did.  Thanks Mom!

I also got to hang out with Marie.  We went to see former President George W. Bush on Veteran's day.  We went shopping together for something... can't remember what.  We had tea several times, made christmas ornaments, and I got to help her out by caring for little Zane while she was in labor with Ezra.  It was so much fun.  He is such a joyful little guy, I love him so much, and his little brother Ezra too!

For Thanksgiving I went to Texas to be with my Love.  He came home for Christmas and after a little "adjusting" :) we had great Christmas together.  He got me new dishes; out with the bachelor dishes!  sewing tools, and new perfume.  I gave him some money to go towards an IPOD he's saving up to buy.

In early January I went down to Texas with him again and left him there until he comes on Valentine's Day.  After that he'll be staying for a while until he heads off for Chaplain Officer training for the summer.

On MLK Jr. Day my oldest sister and her family came down and we went to the AF Museum together, ate Pizza and also ice cream.  We had a very nice time and my 4 year old nephew said it was "really awesome"!  Too cute.

Here are some pictures from the last few months, enjoy!

Darling Marie and an Airman she found along the way. Hehe.

Pammy was here two times this fall/winter.  I love her being here!

President George W. Bush

My battery died after this pic. : ( At least I got one!

My Love!  So handsome.

Have I mentioned, I love him!! Being apart allows us to be newly weds longer. ; )

These last three were from the Bird Conservatory on South Padre Island.

 My Love was able to baptize his sister Clari in January.  

What a blessing.

 "This is really awesome!"

 "Hi Aunt Jodi"

 The girls' favorite part of the Museum

I also tried out Pam's(Where Your Treasure Is) potato soup recipe.  

It was so delicious!  I left out the ham and fixed my toppings like a loaded baked potato. 

Creamy Potato Soup

Ingredients

8 large potatoes, peeled and chopped

1 large onion peeled and diced

2 cups diced turkey ham or ham

  3-4 cups chicken broth or potato water or both

1 4 oz stick of butter

1/2 cup of flour

2 cups cream, half and half,  or milk ( I usually use mostly milk with a little cream)

1 1/2 Teaspoons Salt

2 or 3 Green Onions Chopped

Croutons (homemade are easy and taste the best)

Instructions

Place potatoes in a pot of water and boil until tender. Drain desired amount of water and add broth to potatoes.  Add chopped ham and onion. In a skillet, melt butter, stir in flour and then add milk to make a roux.  Gradually add the rest of the milk over medium heat until you have a thickened sauce.  Slowly pour into potatoe soup.  Simmer gently for a few minutes.  Spoon into bowls and top with croutons and chives.  If you like a thicker soup, increase your flour in your roux, if you like a thinner soup, increase your broth.  Mmm Mmm good. 

Note: you can add cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and sour cream to this recipe and it would be delicious.

God Bless and Take Care!

Love,

Jodi

Bridal Shower

Saturday was my bridal shower!  It was put on by my matron of honor, my sister Jayna.  My mother and my darling friend Marie helped too.  I had a wonderful time driving to the shower with Marie.  We drove from Dayton up to the church my parents and sister attend.  It was a 2 hour drive.  Marie and stopped at a wonderful Gourmet shop!  It has all kinds of wonderful tea china, gourmet tea, cookies, coffee, spreads, lotion, candles, wine, and lots of other things too.  I found it a couple of weeks ago after an appointment with the wedding photographer and just had to take Marie and show her.  We also stopped by President Harding's Memorial and a yard sale too!

The shower was a wonderful tea party! We played games and enjoyed watching my neices and nephew be silly.  My nephew just 2 insisted he wear a hat too and was drinking out of a tea cup. It was so cute. 

My parents and 
me after the party marie and I were visiting my daddy.

My friend Patty I was truly blessed by how excited she was to be at my party.  My sister Jayna and i both babysat her children. 

Next I am sitting between Miss Kitty and Karen.  Miss Kitty is a wonderful lady from the church.  She is so excited about everything and is such a blessing to be around.  She makes you feel like the cherry on top of ice cream and she'll tell you you are too!  Karen was like my second mother growing up.  I baby sat her daughter full time while I was in Junior High school and When I turned 15 I started working in their family Pizza shop making Pizza's.  Karen always knows how to make me feel special and stay a little longer than I had planned. I love being with her and talking to her.  She has such a personality and is so funny.

My sisters and I are the beautiful ladies in Pink!  My sister Kelly is the one with the glasses and lovely crochet top;  and Jayna is the adorable garden girl who threw me the party and made the hats.  What a wonderful time we all had.  

Last but not least Marie and I are in the very bottom picture.  She is 35 weeks pregnant.  I am so excited for her and the little guy growing inside her.  She is such a wonderful friend.  I believe God placed us back together.  We lived together a few years ago before I joined the AF.  She then Got Married while I was in Germany, then she and her husband moved to Dayton in January and I received orders to come to Dayton in Mid February and arrived at the end of March.

I am so thankful for all the wonderful people God has placed in my life.

Ps. I miss and love you Elizabeth.  I wished you could have been at the party and was missing you.  Hope to see you soon!

Love, 

Jodi

Blessings

We'll say that's me on my walk(minus the baby). ; )

Honeysuckle!! It smells delightful!

Cardinal pair

Yellow finch

Mr. Beaver

Ma'dam Blue Jay

Tuesday I took a beautiful walk.  I walked about 3miles. I was out for 2 hours and didn't even realize it. It was such a blessing.  I couldn't help but sing, How Great Thou Art, while walking and taking in the beautiful scenery God has given us. And all his wonderful little creatures as well.  Here are some things I saw..... I didn't see the turtle on Tuesday, but I almost hit him with my car on Thursday!

...Your Works are wonderful, I know that FULL well.  Psalms 139:14