Years in Review
All the news from our past! Click on a year for all the haps:
Kevin Patrick Leeney...1958-2007 Live Laugh Love
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Welcome to John & Jenn's Website
Page last updated on: 7/16/2020
Happy January Dates to...
Gpa Steve | Kelly & Terry | Stephie | Joselyn | Stephen
Happy New Year, Everyone! So wonderful to see you all on this side of the holiday season =) Our New Year started pretty quietly with Mom & Steph ringing it in with us. Steph's birthday was on the 6th. Mom took the day off and they came over for Chinese food and I made cupcakes for her 'cake', from sratch, including the icing :>. On the 8th, we had our Leeney Christmas gathering. I had a terrible allergic reaction to my Aunt's cats I had to take 2 benadryl and 2-1/2 days later, I'm stll feelin' the affects of that dang medicine! As you know, if I can avoid taking something, I absolutely do but I had to take 2 bens because my lips were tingling and puffing up and I was having some difficulty breathing :( Before we even left, my eyes itched more than I have felt in a looooong time! When Mom turned about 40, her increasingly worse allergies turned into asthma and she now even carries an epipen around in case she has a bad reaction to something (especially bees! Thank GOD she hasn't had to use it so far!) So, since I'm in my late 30's, I figure I better get to the doc and start discussing things on record. Besides that, I am still trying to get Christmas down but have been so tired it's dragging on. Hopefully by my next update things will finally be back to normal! :^>
My goal for this year is to be more mindful in my relationships, my home, and myself. I don't want to take anything for granted anymore and I want everyone and everything around me, especially including me, to know how much I value, appreciate, and love them!
Happy 2011. May all that you want for yourself this year be yours!
Tuesday, January 11th 2011
What a great visit we had yesterday with Jimmy Pace! It's the first time since we moved that he was able to come out and also the first time we've seen him in just over 3 years!!!! He was in town because he was visiting his new girlfriend, Judy, who is a real sweetheart! Jimmy's planning on moving to Chicagoland in the near future and though he'll be 70 miles away, it sure will be a heck of a lot closer than Boston or New Hampshire =)
Jimmy, John & the Kids
Glenwood, IL | Jan 29, 2010
Happy February Dates to….
Happy Valentine’s Day | Us (11yrs together) | Jake | *Me* | Johnny Fox | Alan | Carlos
Hello, February and thanks for bringing this blizzard with ya :> They've been reporting for the last couple days that we could expect 18-24" of snow and gusting winds. Well, we DEFINITELY got the wind thing going on! And we've already got quite a bot of snow so we'll see what the morning shows us. It took John 2-1/4 hours to get home today (usually takes around 1hr) and he's planning on staying hoe tomorrow so that God for that! Hopefully the weather will be calmed down and we can all head outside for some fun snow time before lunch :)
On a more personal not, I've decided to stop beating myself up about my weight. I can finally admit to myself that my weight is not who I *am*. Who I am is a loving, caring person with a lot of talent. All beating myself up does is make me more depressed and feeling like I'll never get this weight off,. It's definitely gonna be a lot of work and feel like a struggle more than not but I am sooo worthy of being the person I truly am. My children are worthy of the mom they are meant to have, the happy, playful mom who doesn't care what people think of her when she's being silly with her children. My husband deserves the me that is expressive and calmer and not so angry and sad all the time. Yes, my journey is a long one but I can do it!
Happy March Dates to….
Kendra & Michel | Deb & Rob | Jay | HeathER | Happy St. Patty's Day | Carol | Kiki | Claudia | Fred
Hi March! I hope you're bringing Spring our way SOON!!!!
Wow, the month sure went fast! Well, I'm sure that was helped along by me being sick for a MONTH!!!! It started with allergies/sinus the day before my birthday and the next day I woke up with laryngitis that lasted for 2 solid weeks and a horrible cough that literlly took a month to clear up! Looking back, I bet I had bronchitis or something like that.
So anyway, what else happened since the last update? Well, we did end up getting that blizzard! About 23" in some spots! Also, Jamie conquered his insecurities about the play place at McDonald's and now climbs ALL over that bad boy :) Catie cut her first 2 teeth just after my birthday and now has nearly 6 (the top two are coming in now). It's so unny, usually the first 2 teeth to come in are the bottom middle but Catie got her bottom right middle and the one to the right of that! then the mirrored ones came in (yes, both sets two at a time!). At least the top 2 are coming in together :)
I think I finally have my plan settled for the upstairs bedrooms as well. Jamie's room is gonna become a playroom/computer room and they'll both share Catie's room. I am hoping to have everything squared away by Jamie's birthday but now that everyone - yes even my Er!!!! - I really want to get it done by Easter. Wonder if I can??!!
Our Website: A 2011 Retrospective
Last up date was March 31st 2011!! So, I’m looking back through all our photos to finish out 2011, as well as catch us up to date to the present. The 2011 Retrospective will be here on the 2011 page and everything 2012 will be on its page. I feel TERRIBLE that I got too busy to stay updated at least until Catie’s 1st birthday :( What a bad mommy…. But, at least I take pix every day (haven’t stopped since Jamie was born!) so I can fill in all the blanks with every day stuff as well as the big stuff :) Ok, here we go:
First things first: No, I didn’t get the upstairs rooms ready for Easter. I got the kids moved in together but that’s about it! So much for that plan!! ;> Now on with the retrospective, written in present tense :>
What a fun week it’s been! First on the 10th, Jimmy and Judy stopped by for another visit. It’s always so great to see them. And Judy always brings something fun for the kids. This time it was a bubble shooter. She, Jamie, and I went out front and had fun shooting and chasing bubbles!
Tuesday, our gorgeous girl turned ONE!! I made her a Sesame Street sign and card. We celebrated as Mom’s house, as per our tradition, with all of us and Kikidee, just like when she was born :) The cake we got her was COVERED in icing!! I literally scraped off enough icing to frost another small cake and it all came just from the top!! BOY did she love her cake!
We had a small party for her on Saturday the 16th with us and the Rogers clan. Catie was just ADORABLE! This rotten little girl was even going around stealing pizza off of people’s plates! Just as pleased as punch with herself! :) Much too cute!
Yesterday we had our big Easter Saturday celebration with the ENTIRE FAMILY home together! ALL the cuzins with ALL the babies ALL TOGETHER!!!!! We got some great pictures (how could we not with all the cameras around!) or the CuzinsTNG together although I missed the main photo session :( Fritz is just MUCH too adorable an I couldn’t help shedding a tear or two as I posed for a pic with Alan and his boy.. My heart is full to bursting with gratitude and love for Alicia.. She is everything my Alan should have had from the beginning and I am so passed happy that they found each other and have now started an amazing family together. I always knew Alan should be a Dad, and that he’d make a terrific one!, and I’m so happy he’s getting the chance. Praise be to God for all the new and wonderful members of our family.. Only regret is I didn’t get a family picture of all of us together… Hopefully we’ll get another chance one day..
As for Easter Sunday, we just had a quiet, leftover day with Mom & Steph, who spent the night.
Birthday Girl!
Glenwood, IL | Apr 12, 2011
Catie's 1st Birthday Party
Glenwood, IL | Apr 16, 2011
Easter Saturday
Glenwood, IL | Apr 23, 2011
Hoppy Easter :)
Glenwood, IL | Apr 23, 2011
Sunday, January 30th 2011
Tuesday, February 1st 2011
Thursday, March 3rd 2011
Thursday, March 31st 2011
Sunday, April 17th 2011
Sunday, April 24th 2011
Catie has developed a very stubborn, AWFUL looking (but apparently not-as-painful-as-it-looks) diaper rash :( I think we’re gonna take her in as we’re on day 3 already and it really hasn’t cleared up.. Thinking it may be yeasty..
Thursday, April 28th 2011
SUNDAY, MAY 01
Family day out to the park then Fuddruckers for dinner
SATURDAY, MAY 07
Mother’s Day Saturday with my fam
SUNDAY, MAY 08
Mother’s Day
SUNDAY, MAY 15
McDonald’s PlayPlace with my fam
May 2011
TUESDAY, JUNE 07
Steph’s headshots with Stephen & Elaine Folker
SATURDAY, JUNE 11
Jamie’s 4th Day and Birthday Party
SATURDAY, JUNE 18
Catie moves into new carseat
SUNDAY, JUNE 19
Quiet Father’s Day
SATURDAY, JUNE 25
Mom’s 61st Birthday Celebration
June 2011
SATURDAY, JULY 02
4th of July Party
SUNDAY, JULY 03
Swimming in the new pool Jimmy & Judy got the kids
MONDAY, JULY 04
Park fun just us
TUESDAY, JULY 05
More pool fun, just me with kids!
WEDNESDAY, JULY 13
Night before Daddy left for Boston to go to ST convention with Billy & Fred
THURSDAY, JULY 14
Mom and Steph stayed with us till bedtime
FRIDAY, JULY 15
Visited the cemetery, swam at Mom’s house, and spent the night
SATURDAY, JULY 16
Back home
SUNDAY, JULY 17
Just hung out; Daddy went to ‘Breakfast with Klingons’
MONDAY, JULY 18
Daddy back home; dinner at Fuddruckers with my fam
TUESDAY, JULY 26
More swimming at Grandma’s and park time; Jamie was playing with a kid then got really scared when kid wouldn’t stop
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27
Got an announcement in the mail today: NEW CUZIN TNG COMING!!! Due February 2012
SATURDAY, JULY 30
Spent the day at Grandma’s (more swimming!) as Steph headed to Iowa for another shoot (alien movie)
July 2011
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 03
Catie’s (super late) 15mo checkup; Jamie taking pics with my camera
FRIDAY, AUGUST 05
Another park day; cute pics
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10
Finally started making pillows for the playroom
FRIDAY, AUGUST 12
16th anniversary of Grandma’s death..
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13
Daddy/Daughter napping pics
TUESDAY, AUGUST 16
Catie’s first ponytails
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17
First time I didn’t make it to the train on time. Had to call Steph & Mom to pick us up!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20
First anniversary of Agnes’s passing, 3rd anniversary of Kevin’s passing; lunch at Baker’s Square with the fam cuz Steph’s leaving for Iowa (or was it Michigan this time?)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27
Steph’s back, Kids attack
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31
Jamie plays with playdoh
August 2011
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 01
Another pool day
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 02
First family movie night?
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 05
PlayPlace fun
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Dropped kids off at mom’s for the first time?
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Catie in a headband
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
Billy & Fred arrive to go to the ST convention with Daddy
September 2011
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 01
Daddy stays overnight at convention with Billy & Fred; CUTE monkey hats arrive from Alicia!
SUNBDAY, OCTOBER 02
Last night in town for B & F. Get home *very* late but have a yummy White Castle dinner
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 09
Finished my first crochet scarf (orange)!
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11
Jamie helps Mommy make pancakes; Finished Jamie & Catie’s scarves!!
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17
Catie & Jamie sick Catie drippy; Jamie HIGH fever..
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19
Catie’s 18mo checkup; Jamie checked out.. High fever again..
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23
Visit to Kiki’s new house in Alsip
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25
FINALLY started Halloween costumes!!!!!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29
2nd Annual Day at Bengtson Pumpkin Farm!; That night, John and I surprised Steph at her play (first at Cornservatory)
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31
Halloween! Finished costumes *literally* 10 minutes after we should’ve already left! Turned out pretty good but I didn’t get to do Jamie’s makeup so Mom did for me; Kids didn’t win costumes – this year they put everyone under K in one group!! Ugh! Maybe next year… Funniest moment? Catie walking up to all the moms giving hugs and saying hi
October 2011
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Mommy/Kids lunch out then park fun
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Followup for Jamie with Dr. Irizarry
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24
Thanksgiving Day; Small group as usual; Started new tradition of writing on ‘leaves’ that for which we are most grateful; Gonna start a family holiday scrapbook
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26
John’s 45th BDay celebration
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28
Daddy’s Birthday, just us
November 2011
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 01
Followup for Jamie? with Dr. Irizzary
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 09
First snow
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10
Bethany’s (and Dennis’s) Baby Shower, plus 33rd (D-today) and 30th (B-14th) birthdays!
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17
CLARZ Christmas
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18
Our Christmas photo
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22
Finally finished the squares for Evelyn’s blanket… Not so sure I like it anymore…
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23
Christmas visit to JuiceTyme; painted ornaments for Jamie to give as gifts.. Don’t think we’re gonna have time to finish..
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24
Christmas Eve; went to Mom’s; John left early to get the house cleaned up so I forgot to get my annual group shot
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25
Christmas Day!! Jamie had to have a time out (ugh) and made Catie cry all through trying to take our family picture (double ugh); Made it to Barb’s (sans ornaments or combed hair!), Beth looks like she’s about to *explode!*, brought blankets to work on, had a FABULOUS time with the White Elephant!! Fritz is SOOOO cute!!!
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30
Completed Evelyn’s blanket… Don’t like it at all, especially with Monica’s which is so beautiful! Gonna have to START OVER AGAIN!!!! Hopefully 3rd time will be a charm!
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
New Year’s Eve! Kiki spent the night along with Mom and Steph Played trivia till the clock struck 12 to try and keep our old butts up!
December 2011
