tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85929074417587485872024-02-21T01:47:48.298-06:00Our Davis FamilyJen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-15460403089235102122013-04-09T13:22:00.002-05:002013-04-09T22:59:47.264-05:00a solid foundationit has been quite some time since i have taken the time to share on this blog. life has continued. my children continue to grow, bringing joy, laughter, purpose, focus, and humility to my life. we have been busy working and growing as a family.<br />
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we have had some frustrations, stress, and setbacks in the last few months as we have been trying to move forward professionally. money has been tight and i have felt that for each step we have taken forwards, we have taken two steps back. now, for those of you who know me well, i am not by nature a very patient person. not having immediate answers to what we are going to do and how we are planning for our future has been really hard for me.<br />
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but, i am learning. i know and understand that we experience hard things in life so that we can learn and grow. and i am trying to learn and grow. i am learning to take a step back and wait. i am learning that taking my frustrations out on my amazing husband does nothing to help the situation but only divides us and prevents us from working together and supporting each other. i am learning to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. i am learning that you can be happy in the midst of uncertainty and stress. and i am learning that being happy is always a choice.<br />
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we watched this mormon message for family home evening last night and i wanted to share.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=2176618422001" target="_blank">mountains to climb</a><br />
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i know that my own struggles and trials pale in comparison to many. i also know that if we turn to the Lord in all things, He will give us peace and strength to weather any storm. our trials are most often not removed from us - not because He doesn't care about our hurt, pain, confusion, or fear. on the contrary, He cares very much about us. but He loves us enough that He wants us to learn and grow in strength and knowledge. He loves us enough that He experienced literally all the hurt, fear, pain, sorrow, confusion, and worry that we feel. and that is why He is our Savior. He has promised that we never have to walk alone down our long and hard paths. we can always turn to Him and find the peace, hope, and strength to weather all storms.<br />
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and that is the solid foundation that i have built my life on.<br />
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<br />Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-51537553423873900332012-09-23T21:00:00.007-05:002012-09-23T21:02:12.446-05:00it's officialas of yesterday, summer is officially over....boo!! don't get me wrong, i love the fall - it really is one of the most beautiful times of the year. i love the cooler days, wearing all my favorite jeans and sweaters again. but i really do love summer. i love long, hot days at the beach, camping, boating, sleeping in, and having a tan. i already miss the days of waking up and asking the kids which beach they would like to go to today. it really was a great summer.<br />
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and it ended with a bang! we headed to red deer for the last few days of august to welcome my brother robert home from his 2 year mission to the scotland/ireland mission. oh, what a moment it was, watching him run through those doors at the airport. we all jumped up and down and screamed with excitement as we rushed to give him hugs. there wasn't a dry eye amongst us. we were all so VERY happy to see rob, hug him, hold him, touch him, and listen to him after 2 years away. . i won't ever forget the joy i felt when i first saw him. and watching my kids squeeze him so hard....they really missed him a lot. i am grateful for his faithful service as a missionary but i am also so grateful that he is back home, with us, his family. i am grateful for all 3 of my brothers and the selfless and faithful service they have all given as missionaries of the Lord. i love them all so much.</div>
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my brother steve and his wife andrea also had their little baby boy while we were in red deer. i was SO glad to be there when little spencer was born. after the heartache and loss of their sweet baby stephen, we were all so very grateful that little spencer was born healthy and strong. it was so special to hold spencer and to welcome him in to our family. i am grateful for the miracle of birth and that steve and andrea have a little boy to hold and raise in their family now. he is so sweet.</div>
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such a great way to end our summer holidays.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">waiting for rob to walk through the doors.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">andrea and grace with rob</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mom and rob</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">burton really missed rob</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the wrestlers for life reunited</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spencer and i</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">jess and i having a giggle as rob teases andrew:) i love my family!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">on a side note, brent and i completed our first ever triathlon at the beginning of august in coeur d'alene. it was a really, awesome experience. sometimes i find it hard to believe how fun it was to work so hard and push myself to finish something that challenging. i finished in 3 hours and 17 minutes, only 8 minutes behind brent (which isn't saying much as he really didn't train very much for it at all!). here's to beating that time next year!!</span></div>
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Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-68972325093507500432012-08-12T23:51:00.000-05:002012-08-13T00:05:39.054-05:00who's teaching who here?in all our summer travels and busyness in the past 6 weeks, i have been humbled and taught by my wonderful and precious children several times.<br />
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we had a davis family reunion at the beginning of july in idaho. burton got a pocket knife for his eighth birthday and was really excited to bring his knife camping. the saturday before we left, burton misplaced his knife and couldn't find it anywhere. he was really quite worried that he wouldn't be able to find it and bring before we had to leave. I sent him to bed and told him we would look for it later. well, we didn't find it before we went to church on sunday morning. It was fast sunday and in primary, the kids learned about the importance of fasting and how fasting strengthens our prayers. when we were walking home, burton walked beside me, he'll my hand, and asked me if we could say a prayer that we would find his knife before we ate and stopped fasting. i was touched by his faith in what he was taught and told him i thought that was a great idea. we prayed together before we ate and burton prayed that we would find his knife and i said my own private prayer, asking for our Father in Heaven to bless burton for his simple faith. sure enough, not long after, i felt that i should retrace burton's steps through the garage from the night before and sure enough, i found his knife sitting in the bottom of our recycling bin. needless to say, burton and i were both grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord in hearing a little boys prayer of faith that he would find his knife.<br />
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we were at the lake last week with our boat. i was hanging out on the water with jensen and paige, playing on our tube, when i jumped in the water and asked paige if she wanted to come in and swim with me. as she joined me in the water, her favorite purple bracelet that she happened to be wearing slipped off her arm and started sinking. as i watched it sink deeper and deeper i thought it was gone for good and told paige as much. she was understandably distraught until jensen said, "it's ok paige. mom can get the goggles and dive for it. she'll get it." i shot jensen a look, thanking him for giving paige false hope, grudgingly got the goggles and started looking for her bracelet. the lake that we were at has a steeply sloped bottom and i was pretty sure that the bracelet had sunk too deep to find. when I surfaced for the third time, i was about to give up when I thought that I should maybe try one more time. and sure enough, just when I was running out of breath, i saw here little purple bracelet and was able to grab it . later jensen told me that he was sure I would find Paige's bracelet because he said a prayer that I would be able too. again, the simple faith of my son touched my heart and reminded me that our Heavenly Father does hear and answer even our simplest prayers and I was once again grateful that my child's simple faith was rewarded.<br />
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burton taught me about selfless service on our trip to the west coast oaf vancouver island. during the week, my mom started looking for sea glass instead of shells, which was a fabulous idea as it gave my boys and I something else to collect besides hundreds of shells as sea glass is much harder to find. it was our third day at the ocean and we were all walking together down the beach, doing some beach combing. my mom, burton, jensen, evan, and I had all found several small pieces of sea glass and were ready to head back to our cabin when my sister, jess, sadly stated that she had yet to find any sea glass. I told her not to worry, that we had several more days of beach combing to look for some and that I was sure she would find a piece some time. not thinking much more of it, I started heading back. I was a bit ahead with jensen and Evan when I heard jess say that she had found a piece. A few minutes later, burton caught up to me and pulled me aside. He quietly told me that he had taken one of his pieces of sea glass and placed it where we had been searching. He then told jess to come look one more time with him. She looked over it a few times and burton made sure that he kept moving it around until jess finally found it. It brought tears to my eyes to see the look of joy on Burton's face as he knew what a good thing he had done for someone else when the rest of us were too busy looking for our own treasures to worry about someone else.<br />
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i love my children so very much. i am often reminded of the things that are important by the experiences that I have with my boys and paige. I am so very grateful for the amazing responsibility and opportunity I have to be a mother and raise such special little people. as much as I teach my kids, I know that they are teaching me so much more as they continue to enrich my life with their faith and love.<br />
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I am so blessed.Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-17418066204116406592012-05-28T22:13:00.001-05:002012-05-28T22:56:28.301-05:0010, 6, 3....35well, here i am, finally sitting at my computer, typing a much needed update!!! our month of birthdays came and went. i must admit i did get a bit teary during the birthdays of my 3 of my children....really, do they have to grow up so fast??? we celebrated jensen's 10th birthday, evan's 6th, and paige's 3rd (gasp!! is paige 3 already??), all in april, followed by brent's 35th at the beginning of may.<br />
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because it was jensen's 10th birthday (i know, BIG deal!) i decided to go all out with a big party. i planned a surprise harry potter party for him and it was so much fun. as i was thinking up all the little details, i couldn't help but get a little giddy about it as i knew how much jensen would enjoy it; he is a huge harry potter fan! we had the party at the church gym. i decorated it like the great hall - complete with house banners, potion jars with potions and gross ingredients on the tables, house colours everywhere, a sorting hat where everyone got sorted before they could join the party, butter beer, and even a candy "kiosk" straight from honey duke's candy shop. there were bertie bott's every flavour beans, fizzing whizbees, chocolate wands, drooble's best blowing gum, and chocolate frogs - complete with wizard cards and featuring a special jensen wizard card. again, it was SO! MUCH! FUN! as it was also easter weekend, we were lucky to have family come for the party.<span id="goog_1858478594"></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">jensen when he saw the great hall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">waiting at platform 9 and 3/4 for the party to start.</td></tr>
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jensen’s birthday was the first in our whirlwind month of
birthdays. we celebrated evan’s 6<sup>th</sup> and paige’s 3<sup>rd</sup>
birthdays on the same weekend as their birthdays are only 5 days apart. we were
so happy to have family come in to town for the weekend and celebrate with us
again. those of you who know me know how much i like to make my kids birthday
cakes. i put a lot of thought and effort in to making “cool” cakes for them. i have a few very talented friends who make amazingly beautiful cakes. just to be
clear, my cakes are nowhere near the baked artistry of my friends' cakes but i still
really like to make them. so for evan and paige, i wanted to make a layered
rainbow cake. i found out the hard way that making a huge layered cake is much
more than just baking and stacking layers. the type and density of the cake as
well as the way you layer it are definitely things i should have taken in to
consideration. even with the help of my awesome sister in law, my rainbow cake
was more of a leaning tower than a cake. it was on the verge of tipping over
when brent came up with the brilliant idea of propping up one side of the plate
so the cake appeared more level. well, thank goodness for brent because his
idea saved the cake; it remained standing until after we cut it! i was feeling
somewhat depressed by my cake disaster until evan came in to the kitchen, saw
the cake, and said, “awesome!” at least he liked the cake! and paige did too –
it tasted good, just was a complete mess<span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDyjddleV8rrJcnOGEzSmE2332INsm6-MoAoYXiNAKSaa8n9gzcbarNxrvYbEvEUsOjzULfQUWz69xzDtOGYvgRq_sPoSc1ZKTk9M0o-FHcblhqCq0uD0k8tcjcDVNXUsscUzDFjGYow_/s1600/IMG_4869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDyjddleV8rrJcnOGEzSmE2332INsm6-MoAoYXiNAKSaa8n9gzcbarNxrvYbEvEUsOjzULfQUWz69xzDtOGYvgRq_sPoSc1ZKTk9M0o-FHcblhqCq0uD0k8tcjcDVNXUsscUzDFjGYow_/s320/IMG_4869.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the other 2 birthday kids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Jd1wkHDAa6DmMC4mcCQLHAKVZjUpwUN36Ib1LAAOG8FwUmhU9gzJMB7pfGEQY9udLKJh18EU0J8-ShMTjy_ksOTPIfgs1o9y2KLKVpnpW-YwiPYo0ASOmfwdjJM5ae2jATZRxuR09niQ/s1600/IMG_4897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Jd1wkHDAa6DmMC4mcCQLHAKVZjUpwUN36Ib1LAAOG8FwUmhU9gzJMB7pfGEQY9udLKJh18EU0J8-ShMTjy_ksOTPIfgs1o9y2KLKVpnpW-YwiPYo0ASOmfwdjJM5ae2jATZRxuR09niQ/s320/IMG_4897.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">paigey liked the cake a lot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ91rs1EDeSBSTGhz0e3TjFypRjVo4f4HmPMKRylwUf04Ss9DGnbAyN7wbp9yo8awTrgXXPpCWtZppKLY6H_52rtlsp5NNmxtTukYEwS26w3nxenjGWFYlLibZDyIPTWmW6P0rdy9kWKbA/s1600/IMG_4859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ91rs1EDeSBSTGhz0e3TjFypRjVo4f4HmPMKRylwUf04Ss9DGnbAyN7wbp9yo8awTrgXXPpCWtZppKLY6H_52rtlsp5NNmxtTukYEwS26w3nxenjGWFYlLibZDyIPTWmW6P0rdy9kWKbA/s320/IMG_4859.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the leaning cake<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Wingdings;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAttB0RV2uk75n2oywRkbj6ISWKGDEbQLugn0dJhschPZHpXZCr5bCUGUJPLsGWi2meiU4Ylk0AwIcPhmTZx0ClDcT8ZiMFtvzvJGWwfg-5TFJJqRce94OSWhsZz2yOzAlIl2G_x5gQ05q/s1600/IMG_4838+9.04.59+PM.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAttB0RV2uk75n2oywRkbj6ISWKGDEbQLugn0dJhschPZHpXZCr5bCUGUJPLsGWi2meiU4Ylk0AwIcPhmTZx0ClDcT8ZiMFtvzvJGWwfg-5TFJJqRce94OSWhsZz2yOzAlIl2G_x5gQ05q/s320/IMG_4838+9.04.59+PM.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ev was just a bit excited</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN5Q13ynHruXS6SRyEpK7oMe2H5B_FRyjOHWwk4a_ZEqcXGf9hg94Wu7YCarbU1q2_zIF6tjzx2KiEHWsttVk45gtImgk1R3hF-UG6-3cJZDtKvnEd96yxrLDbY4WGUL7__hs2uaUQtuK/s1600/IMG_4876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN5Q13ynHruXS6SRyEpK7oMe2H5B_FRyjOHWwk4a_ZEqcXGf9hg94Wu7YCarbU1q2_zIF6tjzx2KiEHWsttVk45gtImgk1R3hF-UG6-3cJZDtKvnEd96yxrLDbY4WGUL7__hs2uaUQtuK/s320/IMG_4876.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my beautiful birthday girl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
birthdays always remind me of how fast time is passing. my
children are growing way too much!! and with 3 birthdays in 1 month, i have
really been feeling just how quickly my kids are growing. i love being a mom. that was always my ultimate goal – to be a wife and mother; to not just be a
“stay at home mom” but to be a home maker. that is my favorite title for what i
do; i am a woman, i am a wife, i am a mother, and i am a home maker. i make our house a home, a safe haven for my family. and
i have been blessed with wonderful children in my home. of course they have
their typical kid moments, but at their core, they are good kids. they are
innocent and pure, untainted from a some times scary world. they want to be
good and try so hard to do what is right. my fervent prayer is that they will continue to have this desire to do good, that they continue to be clean and pure as they are exposed to more and more in this world that is tainted and unwholesome and some times scary. i pray that they remember what brent and i are teaching them about who they need to be - what kind of people they need to be. <o:p></o:p></div>
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i wouldn't trade being a mom and raising my kids for anything. almost everything i do every day is for brent and our children. they are my whole world. that being said, i find myself sometimes complaining about all the messes and work that come with raising children. i recently came across a quote by the prophet of our church, president thomas s. monson, that said.....</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"if you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the piles and piles of laundry (and the dirty floors, disaster bathrooms, untidy rooms, shoes at the door, clothes strewn everywhere, etc.....!!!) will disappear all too soon and that you will, to your surprise, miss them profoundly."</div>
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<br /></div>
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one of my new favourite songs by hilary weeks also reminds me of how precious each moment with my growing children is. the song is called "stand still"</div>
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<br /></div>
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"fingerprints all over the sliding glass door and i can barely see underneath the toys on the floor. i have wished away the sleepless nights, the noise and the messes made. but my heart reminds me i'm going to miss those days."</div>
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<br /></div>
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i really do cherish each and every moment with my kids. each hug, kiss, smile, laugh, and "i love you mom!" jensen and i were walking the other day and he easily slipped his hand in to mine so we could hold hands. little does he know how very much that means to me! i hope that i can continue to raise my children so they never doubt for a second how much love i have for them. and i hope they are never too old or too cool for hugs and kisses.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
raising children is so bittersweet!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eCjDadZhMO0ipSFAHR5mJGHR9AyNIjarj0vyA-PTcc_TJhbUU7es0xhME_k0WpygAUvk-dKUjSKXcd7uzAtRdMb1QTE3bHBxgOik__p63-VNDHo0Go9NwIoV2_CRHF2cZE1C3tDwGbbO/s1600/IMG_4971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eCjDadZhMO0ipSFAHR5mJGHR9AyNIjarj0vyA-PTcc_TJhbUU7es0xhME_k0WpygAUvk-dKUjSKXcd7uzAtRdMb1QTE3bHBxgOik__p63-VNDHo0Go9NwIoV2_CRHF2cZE1C3tDwGbbO/s400/IMG_4971.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
they are so very precious. my greatest treasures.</div>
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</div>Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-24837255075111741752012-02-20T19:38:00.004-06:002012-02-20T19:46:41.950-06:00pj's love affair<div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnDqQUmoD01U7dTNz-d9Ak1vyzEcxaH8_w8uYUuClq1cS-ttcBodBBfA6FXl_9vNRcEIzI6QkVb8Fj1KbOlAuWytgbxbbRJ89sy0JiEIAeIP5oLPjQODqKp3MZOo6racmAPYvYDQy24BZ/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color:#ffffff;" >paige has really discovered her love of snow this winter. she loves sledding, making snow angels, going for walks, and just playing in the snow. however, her most favourite thing about snow is making snowballs. and no, she hasn't yet learnt the projectile nature of the snowball. paige's deep love of snowballs stems not from a passion for snowball fights but from her desire to eat them. as long as paige has a snowball in her hand to carry around for almost the entire time she is outside sledding, making snow angels, walking around, and playing, she is happy.</span></a></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YrAXc-Ji0a20jayKPTJYyiJ6K76rVQYX8wJdxGZZc4EALoP2sKMSJLhuMeN3oh1V4qmkYsQzG1QNQeSa6X10EZK_7E6k18t-6zUeGSNpvOcDWb2aJo0voep41kM0tixvoSSKgNhaEsyK/s400/IMG_0014.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711397611570252322" />normally the snowballs paige carries around are MUCH smaller than this one. but when her dad made this one for her, paige was in heaven.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnDqQUmoD01U7dTNz-d9Ak1vyzEcxaH8_w8uYUuClq1cS-ttcBodBBfA6FXl_9vNRcEIzI6QkVb8Fj1KbOlAuWytgbxbbRJ89sy0JiEIAeIP5oLPjQODqKp3MZOo6racmAPYvYDQy24BZ/s400/IMG_0012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711399031779445570" />she makes me smile:).Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-21215468053295547032011-12-31T23:54:00.006-06:002012-01-01T00:26:15.828-06:00my Christmas baby<div style="text-align: center;">our family was truly blessed with a beautiful bundle of boy on Christmas day 8 years ago. and that beautiful boy has grown in to my handsome, kind, caring, sensitive, intelligent, intuitive, often wild 8 year old burton.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzKvLbLjKWtfWqOujO9YWbFQqTQNElIa-3Di2YKyQg5Ow0c-ubQVNJZo9j0wwAwpYym-xzj7NaauinSq3n3tZpTw2m2LlAZCpK1S4nvpWbNXSvsXsxhJEQxA-4y4rv1B_MFEQKWozm4Nz/s400/IMG_3525.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692539075646104514" /><div>today was a special day in our family as burton was baptized. we had almost out entire extended family come to cranbrook for the weekend to support burton in his decision to be baptized and to celebrate the new year with us. i felt the spirit of our Heavenly Father touch my heart as i sat with those i love most and watched my burty burt enter the waters of baptism. how i love my family. how blessed i feel to have parents, brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews, both mine and brent's, that i love so much and who love me and my family too. what a blessing it was to be able to join together today and let burton know how much we all love him. and how much more sweet and special it was to have my little brother, andrew, baptize burton.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFq5F5X-PFv4OPLm6GRwO62kPvlZblZBLrjF-IgLteUWPTSK5FenN5ZZplUCyRo0aD4bWuzYxXv7IaLAd6uK0mEbsMcQ_patXG86YOfz1nvNpcCWUiZULMGoIgH-ymQ5biBVdE70YLc_U/s400/IMG_4076.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692543547114319554" /><div style="text-align: center;">and as i sat loving my burton, i felt a glimpse of how much our Heavenly Father loves him too. burton is a special little boy. as crazy as he can be at times, maddeningly so even, he is also very sensitive to the things of the spirit. he has a testimony of the gospel. he knows that Jesus Christ is the Savior. he is a brilliant not so little boy with so much potential for good.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzETI-e9-UAom68ULAUvCPZQBVqGL5fuS0o1hNbDkh9NjAlfP1VNZmuyzI1IKbYTfq4cVt0NL82sX4AmHdbUpKPpbIVa_MoUI9xMQV8h1DAdvxEVfRCB7mrDp91hFJ4jDnaqxyRZFrD3I/s400/IMG_4079.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692544288826855154" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">when i had burton 8 years ago, i was grateful for the strong and healthy addition to our family. i felt that instant, heart filling love that all mothers feel after they labor so hard to have their babies. little did i know, as with each of my children, how much i would love that little boy as he joined our family. i was reminded today as i watched burton of how blessed i am to have the opportunity to love as a mother loves. to have the all encompassing love that begins as your baby grows inside of you and carries on in to forever.</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9dL4mJHgkmwhy7iKxqOMPSad9GUi2xM_0-wTrho8LoMlHKhNHnvSgXlPIXBhB58lIwHj-XJCcsaYgkKRAlv6VUL_D5QbNloPUZzccyu7ju6h2_R7NBf1Ynaf-NSRNBNGwtYpATuLBEyz/s400/IMG_4098.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692545564669536130" /></div><div>what a good day this last day of 2011 was.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-62370591302030581272011-12-08T21:33:00.003-06:002011-12-08T21:45:15.891-06:00from the mouths of babes<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>our boys had the chance to act out the nativity scene at our ward Christmas party last weekend. jensen was joseph and burton and evan were 2 of the 3 wise men. a few days after the party, we were talking with our boys about the true meaning of Christmas, etc., and asked them to think of how it might have felt to actually have been in bethlehem to see the Savior after He was born; we asked jensen how he thought joseph might have felt to be the earthly father of the Savior of the world. we then asked burton and evan how they thought the wise men might have felt after travelling so far to kneel before Jesus. evan thought for a second or two and then said, in all seriousness, "tired."<div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhQzFfZn8BFkkE9S6tuMkrDy4JWKj-e3D7daR-pnYEhX86zC8KQX-93DYRgeb5F0STAhimGr8x90LACQB11ARyA8Do26KHvxSLFzeKKFBvu5KnYh_f4xFsSVvDEYRxMrLKIrjWERz0-JF/s400/IMG_3752.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683968411512805922" /></div><div>well, not quite the answer we were looking for, but still true, i am sure!!</div>Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-6341241493670381662011-10-30T17:24:00.011-05:002011-12-01T22:16:11.057-06:00the big 3-0<div style="text-align: center;">so, it has been a long while since i have last posted. not much has happened and i really haven't had much to say. but a few things have come and gone and i thought they were worth mentioning.</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Z7C6rhJtWN_OLBAs5aUFJzdfs50nQpRbdJFKvc94gGJo1JshU9tZhsf3NnJ3qoHxNKwsDEiLsof-u3z6xE0gK_x30HpRxb4WpOgRsfH0YlYAwKFHG_X-wlndKWLU1tJUa9Wonvx048YC/s400/IMG_3602.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669415906806063362" /></div><div>i turned 30 at the beginning of the month. the big 3-0. i remember being in high school, thinking that 30 was so old and so far away and now, bam, here i am, living it. never has the old adage "you're only as old as you feel" meant more to me! the fact is that i have been married for 11 years and i have 4 children aged 9 to 2. so one must deduce that one is getting up there in age. although this "one" still feels 19:) i have decided that 30 is the new 20...that's the truth and i am sticking to it.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBNasU7UYA0ye2NaIy7oaR_gKb0WPpsHM7FzBl_tfu5_D23Ak9CuBzQQB2vj97vgL_cZ0DCE7P8dWGETwfBThv5ENgMRCh-sk3mNEwmbcOEQE0Bzo9_Vf9sUkIFNgLdD0MG5Ra9dqu6s8/s400/IMG_3733.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669420332882424082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div>summer is by far my most favourite season. however, fall is a very close second. i love the fall! i have always found a great amount of joy in and appreciation for the world around me as i watch the trees change their faded summer clothes for more vibrant and varied fall frocks. what beauty surrounds us in the fall!! and what a beautiful fall we have had. the nice weather has allowed for many fall bike rides, walks, trips to the park, and lots of giant leaf piles to make and jump in. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtiWywpADu_l3e3oYhWyVlqkBz_-OPrTOCeo4ybpAQ3L58gnWPirPk88qjK_PovKWudxkfrVIhSUkNRu7TYdcv07_1HFYKF1oPd_00bMEvVIUWDz9wd6jovOwJETnC7JZEk6sDNGSOm3b/s400/family+pic+2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669424674285427362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px; " /></div><div>fall is also my favourite time to take pictures. since brent and i started having our kids, we have taken a family picture every fall. anyone who knows me knows i LOVE to take pictures. i jokingly told brent the other day that by the time we are old and gray, we will have thousands of photo albums full of pictures...i think that is more truth than joke! here are some more of my faves from the last month.....</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwQgKoIHjXqRI3TEMru4uqR9qGtDLkahpDvggFvUW1-JLpnJXo5yWXfp0_Rt1lo7iJ6X4B4xrMFo_UN4cnZU6Un8EtcsqHjjQUfKIi6_8oaRZrZwcZvuQ6dzbj53cx7v-4oS_Nkml_U0W/s400/IMG_3553.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669428945715397954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJso-McLa0wYYRdjg9nGWd6UP0339wjxZ4E6y2HY1krV9F49_xKMG41fVbs4X4yT56jSLxEG7VrmQKY_SIUXtaOMh__7g9UIL7C8r8kXqumLy1YM8IYBV1FfpXo0_KeqYYjXcDqxTqitr/s400/IMG_3589.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669428935480205938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zJL9OP7K8i-m1AlODA_vTt4O9rzmH0oeRLym7EPtAj_sO87sMOlwqqV0Ef5P9xdvQ67VjRcBRQq2IXosZkid26iJX3bcpx9mbvDyZLTtQVjHxqs99KlgNH_1x_V9-3QFlClufyr-ofcw/s400/IMG_3596.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669428926800236834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOk3X3PFuaIB5VBjs1LFDLSEKrZ9h13E9nFbke5rU1itB4AH30QF9ghMQbP8vU7BAnTv1Qd6_ckbp-dD4UTi9EHecT9Y-hgIRHOLAsP9S0X5OoJLSaiU2bItmqo6_G0yln5OCJZGGfoqCE/s400/IMG_3607.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669432239265424930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVGXeWdtDqnGjfG8jIw9FrgiLHRAro8oPSqlOhLsPzA-nIH8Y_2s5o46VcNEOrWgJc1CCl-ijfOeZbINLbC36uHiRtVFy1T9HaFjwc4uUsBnfu-feEPfAaGzS-Z2WbcZBVFNO1MQFw5yN/s400/IMG_3467.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669432229640525634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtf0Gb07A7YhJqgjUtRdJUovDJznl2fyc7g8hqHzJNeDXKSn3weV4qyl4V63HfdUPFmHMzgjHViidt3OoqCrKT3ZhXCA7wB6VFwVLW0gjygfGP3LUcxrrFxTtIIMX3lLbK_AYulX2ETJj5/s400/IMG_3464.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669432224812543218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></span></div><div>i could go on and on with the pictures, but i will only add a few more. we went to my mom and dad's farm for thanksgiving, as we do every year. it was a beautiful weekend and we had a lot of fun playing and visiting. perhaps the funnest thing we did was something that i have never done before. my dad called it his version of cow tipping. we pushed round bales down a hill in one of the fields by my parents' house. it was awesome. the kids loved it and i am so very glad we have that memory. here are a few pictures of cow tipping, dad/papa/big steve style.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOOHApRt6xNdVtCHpAjeui2FiKHqJUTeZHiSYmZybGfhxkp-NOnjaNs5Ipbg5lvSdEK6wzw1y9M1KloW8hm-R-LBHEBrdGOVb5DvdvySNO44hYDZKBTtB5VR1G8J5El6XAEvEnu9UB846/s400/IMG_3465.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669438038893026834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYnRjl4D-2UcfglC0S72XqmDJMEG55VSYj948tCoDVDPPTX09dN7kyFHWyeXEkIaXoUea8_-LBt1G8Y8Sdu1Kqgf1gVQTvrg6lkaHjx3mVlhQSpxlQ0Pnm5IXqv2wRjtNXzZJKldzecxn/s400/IMG_3480.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669440334424007234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfrrRHEWExdU5U4uJmDxovWlAVdHnFmJcxzddjgUt13cg1DFyokWpL4Wic_eZrS5Dwg2Sr0q50uQ5nx3SQDtJCfnevzSj4S68IW9VExsmCDR4Z8as0K3YBA_T6vcomxvQutd6wk3rsScQ/s400/IMG_3477.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669440328606634258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoYjKzTp4W8_4OqMmysxMzIsV7ZOHMKMjGUZFmplAA785B4ITycFIfrG_q-JB_yk8OWNAQpq6T0lmIBIbEAAToltNWwcOCpkon3wqCpJPpQvU-tmtIzLBt-9l5yt7WoDbxq22F-7ycFHr/s400/IMG_3475.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669440316434958690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div>Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-10180752039961104362011-08-24T23:24:00.004-05:002011-08-24T23:39:35.864-05:00my wish<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7i1ovYErbNmLtSrg6GHk1ruetmsrdBGva4wU20Pwg8Eyrb-h29tbzC8It9SNIqrmnjCCXn9PTpgMFS32nOl7E8q362JmoeD-IpsSHYs5Jugz6YrkDhhUsD-O1gP1o5JXnq2FxbspgIsDK/s1600/paige+2011.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7i1ovYErbNmLtSrg6GHk1ruetmsrdBGva4wU20Pwg8Eyrb-h29tbzC8It9SNIqrmnjCCXn9PTpgMFS32nOl7E8q362JmoeD-IpsSHYs5Jugz6YrkDhhUsD-O1gP1o5JXnq2FxbspgIsDK/s400/paige+2011.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644645247803346418" /></a>raising a daughter in today's world sometimes seems frightening to me. will i be able to safeguard paige from the onslaught of what the world's view of beauty is? will i be able to foster in my daughter a love for herself? a positive self image? will paige love herself because she knows that she is a daughter of God? or will she wonder where her value is and define herself by other's standards?<div>
<br /></div><div>my wish for paige is that she will always know how beautiful she is. that she will never doubt her self worth. that she will love herself as much as i do. that she will be comfortable in her own skin and know that the beauty of her spirit is what matters most. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>being the mother of a daughter has opened my eyes to the importance of loving myself too. of setting an example for paige of what is important. of learning to love my own body and self image. of being aware of what i say in relation to my body so that my daughter doesn't learn to worry about those few extra pounds or whether or not she exercised today or how many calories she has eaten or whether or not she should be dieting. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>because in the end does it really matter? does my sense of worth rely on what i look like? and if it does, should it? or should i be more focused on what my Father in Heaven thinks of me? i am certain that when i see Him again, He won't notice if my hair is perfect or if i am a bit flabby or a few pounds heavier than i would like to be. he won't notice if my eyelashes are long enough or if i chew my fingernails. He will love me for me...He does love me for me. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>and i want to teach my paigey that simple truth too.</div><div>
<br /></div>Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-51408371827554680332011-08-14T20:42:00.004-05:002011-08-14T21:05:16.576-05:00hopeit has been a long while since i have blogged. can i say that we have been busy!? because summer in our house means lots of busy! traveling, boating, beaching, more traveling, more boating, and more beaching! at least the house has stayed fairly clean as we have not been inside much to mess it up! we have been having a lot of great fun with family and friends. click here if you want to see some pictures.<div>
<br /></div><div>it has been almost 2 months since my brother and his wife had a stillborn baby boy. they named him stephen james swainson, jr. he was named after my brother. he was to be the 3rd stephen in our family - my dad and brother being the first 2. they were going to call him little steve, my brother would be big steve, and my dad would become old steve. my brother and dad were called little steve and big steve when we were growing up. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>my sister in law, andrea, went in to labor a few days before her due date. she had a normal and healthy pregnancy. little steve died during labor because of placental abruption, which means that the placenta detached too soon. how my heart has ached for this little nephew that we never had the chance to meet. how my heart has ached for steve and andrea and for the sadness and grief that they feel over the death of their son. i won't say loss because he is not lost to them, or to us. he is still part of our family and i know that we will have the opportunity to be with him again. as sad as this has been for our family, we have all felt some measure of peace and hope that we will be with little steve again; that he is with our Father in Heaven, waiting for us to come home to him. and when we see him, i feel as if we will know him and it will be almost as if he was here with us all along. i look forward to that day.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>that gives me hope.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>i also wanted to write about one of my most dearest friends who has been bravely battling breast cancer since march. she is almost done with her chemo and then will be doing some radiation and taking oral medications for awhile. i know that i embarrass her when i tell her how much i admire her in person so i thought i would write about it here. my friend has gone through the difficult chemo process with such grace, dignity, and strength. she has lost all of her hair and almost all of her eyelashes. her eyebrows have thinned. her skin is dry and red. her face is swollen and puffy. and yet i see such beauty in her when i look at her. she is beautiful because she is strong. she is beautiful because she is brave. she is beautiful because of the strength of her spirit. she is beautiful because of her faith. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>she is beautiful in all the ways that matter. and i love her.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>i love her sense of humor. i love her sarcasm and wit. i love that she understands my struggles and comforts me even when mine pale in comparison to hers. i love that we don't have to talk every day to know that we care about each other and are thinking of one another. i love her smile. i love her laugh. i love the light that she shines. i love her for the hope that she gives me, knowing that we can be strong in trials and that we can do all things in Christ.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>i am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and the plan that He has for us, His children. i know that there is always peace in sadness and hope in hard times because He loves us. and He has sent His Son to help us along our way. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>and that gives me hope.</div>Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-54851096347840094892011-06-13T22:26:00.006-05:002011-06-13T23:02:11.074-05:00life - a metaphor:)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoZv2cnm4AYhytc9y_GjApPB7PvkzNkgNQHNdf1u0mw1Q8l-vOEME-S-Ui9THIBUyUWJEI40qjqkIyq-mL3n93pwnHcnYewa8kLGtgy94YXONQqsuvGxUsSEKsPRs9uYo0zkZWLF8JDBa/s1600/IMG_1232.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617919139463718562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoZv2cnm4AYhytc9y_GjApPB7PvkzNkgNQHNdf1u0mw1Q8l-vOEME-S-Ui9THIBUyUWJEI40qjqkIyq-mL3n93pwnHcnYewa8kLGtgy94YXONQqsuvGxUsSEKsPRs9uYo0zkZWLF8JDBa/s400/IMG_1232.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfdYW2basFZ8nAxLGy411M_ElBfui3-_fFdziX9MW1KJiXFTSddnS4gpbxLdzJekcHRz1yz0TjicgoaebGFuLSfUK0jU2_4IdOqOoWiqEz288QL5bTnZCgc__upY6cKLqrj3uozrUWAkr/s1600/IMG_1230.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617918684126322146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfdYW2basFZ8nAxLGy411M_ElBfui3-_fFdziX9MW1KJiXFTSddnS4gpbxLdzJekcHRz1yz0TjicgoaebGFuLSfUK0jU2_4IdOqOoWiqEz288QL5bTnZCgc__upY6cKLqrj3uozrUWAkr/s400/IMG_1230.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>my 3 boys participated in the wasa lake kids triathalon on saturday. this was jensen and burton's second time and evan's first time and, like last year, we had a great time. i wrote about it to my brother, robert, who is currently serving a mission in the scotland/ireland mission. because i did such a good job rehashing it for him, and even managed to make a "profound" (ha!) comparison to life, i am just going to share what i wrote to him....i don't think i could manage the same brilliance (again...ha!) that i managed a few nights ago, so here it is (it also happens to be rob and andrew's 20th birthday today. hence the birthday wishes):<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>hey rob - </div><br /><br /><br /><div>first off, i hope you had a good week - the last one in your teens!! when you get this, you will be 20!! and a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! to you:) any special plans for your birthday?</div><br /><br /><br /><div>the 3 boys participated in ther second (ev's first) wasa lake triathalon yesterday. it was a great day! it was so much fun to watch the boys push themselves and do something hard. it was a decent day, but as the weather has not been stellar so far this spring, the water was still freezing!! evan's age group went first. now, as you know evan, he can some times be a bit of a boob. but did he let the freezing cold water stop him? no!! it was so awesome. when the race started, he was one of the first kids to just dive in the water. they weren't in very deep water but they still weren't supposed to run to complete the swim - they had to either swim or dolphin dive - and evan kept diving in the water the whole time. after 2 or 3 jumps in the water, he came up crying. but again, that didn't stop him. i had a moment of "oh crap!" when i saw him come up crying - again, you know what evan is like. once he gets upset it isn't easy to console him. so, when i saw him start to cry, i thought that that was it - he was done. but no. he powered through it, finished the swim, biked with ease, and did his run. it was so awesome to see my little evanator complete his race and be so proud of himself for doing it! he already can't wait until next year. you would've been so proud of him rob!!</div><br /><br /><br /><div>burton and jensen were in the same age group this year. they swam 150 meters, biked 5 km, and then ran 1 km. jensen did it without too much difficulty but it was really quite hard for burton. last year the water level in the lake was quite a bit lower so it was much easier for him to complete the swim. and he was also at the head of the pack when the race started. he kind of got lost in the shuffle this time - he was more at the back and couldn't touch the bottom well enough to really push his way passed anyone. as i watched him try to start the swim, he looked so lost out in the freezing cold water - almost panicked. my heart, as his mother, hurt for him! he even tried doing the back stroke just to get things started. but every time he "came up" for air or turned around to see where he was headed, he still looked panicked. so i muscled my way through some of the parents so i was closer to where burton was on the shoreline and just started cheering as loud as i could - saying, "you can do it burton!!" once he heard my voice and saw me on the shore, he didn't look so lost anyomre - the look of tears and panic disappeared and he was able to dig deep and finish the swim. after the 5 k bike, the run was also tough. when i saw burton rounding the last corner, he looked close to tears - like ke was trying so hard to keep it together. so again, i ran back to where he was and started just cheering for him. i even ran beside him for a bit. again, once he saw me there with him, cheering him on, he was able to regroup and pour on a little bit of speed to finish the race.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>it made me feel so much love for my boys to be on the sidelines, cheering them on, encouraging them to do their best and to see them visibly lifted by my cheering. writing this just now, to you, made me think that this is really what life is all about. we are running our own race, trying our best to run it well. it is really hard some times. at times we want to just curl up, cry, throw in the towel and quit - because the water is too cold or the run is too long and hard. but then we hear and see our family and friends, cheering us on from the sidelines and even running beside us some times - encouraging us and reminding us that we can do it. and then there is our Savior - who is our biggest fan, who wants us to finish the race and finish it well. and he is not only cheering us on but he is always there, running beside us. the whole way. he not only ran his own race but is running our race with us too.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>so, rob, when you are over in scotland and ireland serving your mission and it gets hard, remember that we, your family, are there for you. look to the shoreline and you will see us there - cheering you on, encouraging you, and reminding you that you can do this. and we will be there, running beside you and helping you finish your race - always.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>i love you my brother!! have a great birthday and know that i am thinking of you today and always!</div><br /><br /><br /><div>love jen</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegQXq7WpluJ96QnLQXbWrkoQ2V9rirVIJqHMRQyMsEe-vi41ccBoWz_tjCeIgZfoLeg9Un7fl3FBEKO3ZM3mMHVcXHDg_9D-LTc5s5LjgkBdHEu222HXHJG6Q4IrTHkmeEvl1i4quSL7P/s1600/2010+1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617917943075687026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegQXq7WpluJ96QnLQXbWrkoQ2V9rirVIJqHMRQyMsEe-vi41ccBoWz_tjCeIgZfoLeg9Un7fl3FBEKO3ZM3mMHVcXHDg_9D-LTc5s5LjgkBdHEu222HXHJG6Q4IrTHkmeEvl1i4quSL7P/s400/2010+1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-27854524666382370052011-06-09T19:27:00.003-05:002011-06-09T22:40:48.001-05:00brotherly love....?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUWi9g5IcctQ8rIhXuQeuG-LZhyphenhyphenybSyDAF9vxbI9sUZjxCGK2SQLoRDK6fkmCrBHbiAUioEBWa4pNjTH8G1X3D5d6w4c9nOpJJ8TNEqWkwNRgZ94K3wukYhw98380sJqPdjQyq6uURkxI/s1600/IMG_0726.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616381775340827394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUWi9g5IcctQ8rIhXuQeuG-LZhyphenhyphenybSyDAF9vxbI9sUZjxCGK2SQLoRDK6fkmCrBHbiAUioEBWa4pNjTH8G1X3D5d6w4c9nOpJJ8TNEqWkwNRgZ94K3wukYhw98380sJqPdjQyq6uURkxI/s400/IMG_0726.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>this is jensen and burton and yes, they are holding hands. but, before you get the wrong idea, maybe i should tell you that..............</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>they were in trouble.</div><br /><div>we were hiking up by fairmont and i was tired of them being snarky and impatient with one another. after jensen pushed burton and burton shoved him back, i made them hold hands for part of the walk. then i made them look at each other, say "i love you," and hug.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>funny how making them love each other was a punishment:)</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div>Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-14486729465145085792011-04-17T11:19:00.006-05:002011-04-17T12:30:55.059-05:00ponderingsone of my closest friends was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. she will be 31 next month. i admire her strength, her beauty, and her courage in the face of this scary diagnosis. although her prognosis is good, she has a difficult path ahead of her. and i know her faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ, will carry her through this trial in her life. i am grateful for her example of faith in the atonement of our Savior. it has led me to reflect on my own faith and testimony. i have always enjoyed general conference. and i especially enjoyed conference just a few weeks ago. i found the talks very inspiring and listening to the speakers made my own testimony burn within me. and i was very thankful for the powerful assurance i received that i do know that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. in sharing my thoughts, i would quote the words of one of my favorite talks from this month's general conference. it is a talk given by elder kent f. richards. he said... "i have pondered about the purpose of pain. none of us is immune from experiencing pain. i have seen people cope with it very differently. some turn away from God in anger, and others allow their suffering to bring them closer to God...elder orson f. whitney wrote, 'no pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. it ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility...it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire.'" elder richards also said... "opposition is part of Heavenly Father's plan of happiness. we all encounter enough to bring us to an awareness of our Father's love and of our need for the Savior's help. the Savior is not a silent observer. He Himself knows personally and infinitely the pain we face...president henry b. eyring taught, 'it will comfort us when we must wait in distress for the Savior's promised relief that He knows, from experience, how to heal and help us...and faith in that power will give us patience to pray and work and wait for help. He could have known how to succor us simply by revelation, but He chose to learn by His own personal experience.'...as elder dallin h. oaks taught, 'healing blessings come in many ways, each suited to our individual needs, as known to Him who loves us best. sometimes a "healing" cures our illness or lifts our burden. but sometimes we are "healed" by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us.' all that will come may be 'clasped in the arms of Jesus.' all souls can be healed by His power. all pain can be soothed. in Him we can find 'rest unto our souls.' our mortal circumstances may not immediately change but our pain, worry, suffering, and fear can be swallowed up in His healing balm." this talk by elder richards really struck home with me. i struggle. i worry. i fear. and although these things have not always been taken from me through faith and prayer, i have always, always been given the strength and peace to work through them and learn and grow from them. i have never been left without the comfort of our Savior - comfort that will come to all who call on His name. with easter weekend coming soon, i also wanted to share the poem that president monson shared in his closing remarks of this april's conference. it is a poem written by emily harris: the linen which once held Him is empty. it lies there, fresh and white and clean. the door stands open. the stone is rolled away, and i can almost hear the angels, singing His praises. linen cannot hold Him. stone cannot hold Him. the words echo through the empty limestone chamber, "He is not here." the linen which once held Him is now empty. it lies there, fresh and white and clean and oh, hallelujah, it is empty. just thought i would share.Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-11581878788210496532011-04-01T23:47:00.008-05:002011-04-02T00:13:58.603-05:00murmuring<div><br /><div><br /><div>that's what i have been doing a lot of lately - complaining, griping, and murmuring. as i was sitting here, reading other people's blogs, i started feeling ashamed and embarrassed for my lack of gratitude and thanks for the plethora of things that make my life wonderful. i thought it would be beneficial for me to take a few minutes and think about things in a different light.</div><br /><div>i am grateful for an untidy house because it means i have kids to clean up after.</div><br /><div>i am grateful for dishes that never seem to get done because it means we have food to eat.</div><br /><div>i am grateful for laundry that doesn't get folded or put away because it means we have clothes to wear.</div><br /><div>i am grateful for a husband who helps and serves others because it reminds me of our Savior.</div><br /><div>i am grateful for giggles and hugs and kisses.</div><br /><div>i am grateful for i love you's and thank you's.</div><br /><div>i am grateful for unconditional love and the promise of forever.</div><br /><div>i am grateful for good friends even when i am not one.</div><br /><div>i am grateful for the beauty that surrounds me.</div><br /><div>i am grateful for my mom.</div><br /><div>i am grateful for my dad.</div><br /><div>i am grateful for good books that give me a break for a bit.</div><br /><div>i am grateful for my sewing machine.</div><br /><div>i am grateful for my camera to capture all those moments in time.</div><br /><div>i am grateful for a husband who lifts me up and makes me stronger than i am on my own.</div><br /><div>i am grateful for a husband who loves me for who i am (and in spite of it!)</div><br /><div>i am grateful for this</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLY6kSx-MTbpJrPKmhVBi20Hf8yX59OT4fXiPUM2dw-WxECuXARNkh5cJzVlOI3Wzk0w7mVFpwsF04i4onb_fA0LMAChI_H-b5CVbbA71BdJXHNCXBH6zsSXC68CsWSSwiXWYGaaHh32m/s1600/february+021.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590846627302717650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLY6kSx-MTbpJrPKmhVBi20Hf8yX59OT4fXiPUM2dw-WxECuXARNkh5cJzVlOI3Wzk0w7mVFpwsF04i4onb_fA0LMAChI_H-b5CVbbA71BdJXHNCXBH6zsSXC68CsWSSwiXWYGaaHh32m/s400/february+021.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div>and this</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrxdOlaIO6IZ6EYuFax-guBoS-HRtZ8A6jGGMTFPhRfqMTohOM9OG8zf5I3jlURQ_tqgFch81H7eT82uBbqXNxm1OV4b1Hi2m4Ij3P3089MOiXd3zcNTkQwPgQ15yAT6K7HnDlGeiW5Ir/s1600/february+032.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590847195396838034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrxdOlaIO6IZ6EYuFax-guBoS-HRtZ8A6jGGMTFPhRfqMTohOM9OG8zf5I3jlURQ_tqgFch81H7eT82uBbqXNxm1OV4b1Hi2m4Ij3P3089MOiXd3zcNTkQwPgQ15yAT6K7HnDlGeiW5Ir/s400/february+032.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div>and this</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rfKRJZ3vGXaoBF8siBYVo_NK_QqaMPhrN7yLFOwxWm_HWGA9RzA0b6TXOAHNTlm97xSDV8pwIsp5yTsxEIqZiRUlzKMILDKbUQ6xWEfcsd2u1OoBtW1_MtNVffToxorNDBAWKcb-fbAJ/s1600/IMG_4218.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590847908617260946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rfKRJZ3vGXaoBF8siBYVo_NK_QqaMPhrN7yLFOwxWm_HWGA9RzA0b6TXOAHNTlm97xSDV8pwIsp5yTsxEIqZiRUlzKMILDKbUQ6xWEfcsd2u1OoBtW1_MtNVffToxorNDBAWKcb-fbAJ/s400/IMG_4218.JPG" /></a> <br /><div>and this.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnThN-JSdwVNt5EsldHcbe2rAQ1BvuAvSaYW7TMFDTn26Rb5t2q9g4ejijC-2KFgx258OjqI1fB2EgavoBgnzUxqI7ncQvRWNp6JuRimUTlDsBH6rPlwRw02O1P0TUNCSaWUSXfsAL7uih/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_3971.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590848418130334002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnThN-JSdwVNt5EsldHcbe2rAQ1BvuAvSaYW7TMFDTn26Rb5t2q9g4ejijC-2KFgx258OjqI1fB2EgavoBgnzUxqI7ncQvRWNp6JuRimUTlDsBH6rPlwRw02O1P0TUNCSaWUSXfsAL7uih/s400/Copy+of+IMG_3971.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div>i am grateful for tender mercies.</div><br /><div>i am grateful that i can try again.</div><br /><div>and i am most grateful for this</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIm6B5fS9JNAaFgQw2Xbl3brJVMx9pKeO-5_rNosAZ8o4648Da6KqGcs9-1zJRBOUWd8tHgOAz-apdchVPvtiWMtR8Os3CABClOjUW7PjJ0JKbrLZisUCs8gmB-733GDCpY5Flfy-tqX8/s1600/IMG_5462.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590849081036029362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIm6B5fS9JNAaFgQw2Xbl3brJVMx9pKeO-5_rNosAZ8o4648Da6KqGcs9-1zJRBOUWd8tHgOAz-apdchVPvtiWMtR8Os3CABClOjUW7PjJ0JKbrLZisUCs8gmB-733GDCpY5Flfy-tqX8/s400/IMG_5462.JPG" /></a></div></div></div>Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-34287823178539052792011-02-20T22:29:00.005-06:002011-02-20T22:51:37.616-06:00good for a laughso, i found this little tid bit online the other day - i think it was on a friend of a friend's blog - and had to share. i must admit that my mothering life is not quite this hectic (yet!!!)...but pretty close! i often say that if our husbands only knew........<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">THE NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES: 6 married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 2 kids each for 6 weeks. each kid will play 2 sports and take either music or dance classes. there is no fast food. each man must take care of his 2 kids, keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, complete school projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of "pretend" bills. in addition, each man will have to budget enough groceries for each week and purchase said groceries - looking for deals, sales, and coupons in an effort to be as thrifty as possible. each man must remember the birthdays of all friends and relatives and send cards out or make a phone call on time - no emailing! each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a hair cut appointment. he must make 1 unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the emergency room. he must also make cookies or cupcakes for a school function.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside, and keeping it presentable at all times.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">the men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all the chores are done.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">the men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, adorn themselves with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails polished and eyebrows groomed during 1 of the 6 weeks.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, backaches, headaches, have extreme, unexplained mood swings, but never once complain or slow down from other duties.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">they must attend weekly school meetings, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">they will need to read a book to the kids each night and in the morning feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 8:30.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">a test will be given at the end of the 6 weeks. each father will be required to know each child's:</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">birthday,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">height and weight,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">shoe size and clothing size,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">doctor's name,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">child's weight and length at birth,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">time of birth and length of labor,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">favorite color,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">middle name,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">favorite snack,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">favorite song,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">favorite drink,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">favorite toy,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">biggest fear,</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">and what they want to be when they grow up.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">the kids vote the men off the island based on performance.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">the last man wins ONLY IF....</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">he still has enough energy to be intimate with his wife at a moment's notice.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">if the man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18 to 25 years, eventually earning the right to be called "mom."</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br />now that i am done laughing, i must say that i wouldn't trade being a mom for anything in the world. and my wonderful husband really does do a good job of sharing the load that is our's, as parents. but still, if he only knew......Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-47236497053996664932011-02-13T21:52:00.005-06:002011-02-13T22:01:26.098-06:00my not so baby girl<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjIxQmYv2O573yLoT8vFoBCwjRwYWCHpjcnwMnlbDhiUj85U8ucZ3s-6Bcc_-P-OS1EQz5RYYZZoo6Ty9hru2fy0EpqY-eJXSoHsOrnJlT696hj42GRbt7tFSd1yg3bsCZATZlGxdYfpX/s1600/february+023.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573388583125609058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjIxQmYv2O573yLoT8vFoBCwjRwYWCHpjcnwMnlbDhiUj85U8ucZ3s-6Bcc_-P-OS1EQz5RYYZZoo6Ty9hru2fy0EpqY-eJXSoHsOrnJlT696hj42GRbt7tFSd1yg3bsCZATZlGxdYfpX/s400/february+023.jpg" /></a><br /><div>dear paige,</div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>how do words express the amount of joy that you bring to my life? your big smile, with your crooked, thumb sucking teeth, the way you look at me when you say "mama," your hugs and kisses, your beautiful hair, the way you run, your zest for life and love for your family, your laughs and giggles, dancing with you, playing with you, snuggling with you, and loving you fill my heart with such gratitude that Heavenly Father sent you to be my little girl. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>i hope that as you grow, you will always know just how very much i love you. and how i treasure you, my one and only daughter. </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>love,</div><div>your mama.</div>Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-27057299217803286332011-02-07T21:42:00.003-06:002011-02-07T21:55:38.732-06:00from the mouth of babestonight for fhe, jensen was teaching us a short lesson on the first vision. after he was finished, i asked the boys to think about how they know that joseph smith really saw Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. i asked them to really think about it and give me an answer. burton said he knew it really heppened because he has felt the holy ghost when he has been taught about the first vision. jensen said that Heavenly Father has answered his prayers so he must have answered joseph smith's prayer as well. and then evan piped in with his answer. this is what he said, pretty much word for word:<br /><div></div><div> </div><div>"remember in that movie where the guy hadded enough faif to see the Lord's finger? then joseph smith hadded enough faif to see Heavenly Father and Jesus."</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDihLRCcLPrQVM0IfKoElFxVYo8UGF7_qr470GpobeWFWG060Qb4U5hWFZVpLIQgp4dYjXdie6RFOwKgdCSZEdtqKrCcn4nWiXvKevO1qFUPTdI7RoJv5Zt0WEngzRw_ZbnCPJFRlQIN3p/s1600/summer2007+005.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571161829446212354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDihLRCcLPrQVM0IfKoElFxVYo8UGF7_qr470GpobeWFWG060Qb4U5hWFZVpLIQgp4dYjXdie6RFOwKgdCSZEdtqKrCcn4nWiXvKevO1qFUPTdI7RoJv5Zt0WEngzRw_ZbnCPJFRlQIN3p/s400/summer2007+005.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><div>how humble my kids make me feel! truly i have so much to learn from my kids. their simple and sweet testimonies of the gospel bring such joy and peace to my heart. they remind me that the gospel - and living the gospel - really is simple. i am grateful for such wonderful children who are gaining their own testimonies bit by bit. </div><br /><div></div><div>i sure love them and love being their mom!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-16573798548361556172011-01-06T21:57:00.003-06:002011-01-06T22:26:19.926-06:002011 babywow! another year come and gone - how cliche, i know. but really, has it already been 11 years since the whol Y2K deal?? am i really getting that much older!!?? (don't answer that - it was a rhetorical question) the last 6 months have been go, go, go!! and as my lack of blogging shows, it has been busy! so, what has made it so busy, you ask? here, in random order, are the busy but FUN moments of 2010: <div>-swimming lessons and soccer! with 3 boys all in swimming and soccer, we had lessons 4 days a week and soccer 4 nights a week. with brent coaching both jensen and burton's teams (yep, they were on separate teams) and evan having his own soccer night at a different location, we lived, ate, and breathed soccer this spring. as fun as it was, we were relieved to get a break during summer vacation....only to start it all again in the fall!</div><div>-my younger sister, jess, went to the temple for her first time in june. what a special opportunity it was to travel to the edmonton temple to experience that with my family.</div><div>-my brother robert was also ordained as an elder that same weekend and brent and i were happy to be in red deer to witness and participate in his ordination.</div><div>-brent and i celebrated our 10th anniversary (what!!!???)</div><div>-camping with friends in july was fun, even though the weather was LOUSY!! needless to say, i am so happy we purchased a tent trailer this fall so that when the rain pours, we won't be sleeping in our leaky tent anymore.</div><div>-staying in a lake house for a week with my family at hayden lake (idaho) was SO MUCH FUN that we have already booked another trip for next summer. evan is already asking when we will be going to the lake house:)</div><div>-we adopted an additional family member for the summer and early fall. it seems my brother rob was out to visit us in cranbrook almost every weekend during the summer. i even took to calling it "the summer of rob." we had rob boating with us, camping with us, hanging in cranbrook with us, cliff jumping and hiking with us....i would like to think he was here so much because he loves me, his big sister, so much but i'm pretty sure it had more to do with my kids than anything. he sure loves them!</div><div>-boating, boating, and more boating...any time, any where, as much as we could! WE LOVE BOATING. jensen, burton, and evan all learned how to knee board and wake surf (with help), and jensen and burton discovered a new love for water skiing. i think we spent 2 weekends of the entire summer at home!</div><div>-young women's camp...my first one as a leader. LOVED IT!!! i love our girls here in cranbrook. what wonderful young women they are. they have truly inspired me to become a better "older" woman:)</div><div>-planning and organizing my mom's 50th birthday in september. how fun it was to have her whole family there! i love the coopers!!!! and my mom, a whole lot.</div><div>-then it was time for my other brother, andrew, to get ordained as an elder. as brent was already going to edmonton for an orthodontics course, the kids and i tagged along and had him drop us off in red deer for the weekend so we could support andrew and let him know how much we love and appreciate him.</div><div>-thanksgiving in red deer came next. always fun to go home for thanksgiving and spend time with the fam. we were also able to go to the temple with rob for his first time - again, a truly marvelous experience!</div><div>-followed a few short weeks later by meeting in calgary to send robert off to the preston, england mtc to get ready for his mission in the scotland/ireland mission. tears were shed by all, still are sometimes by me!! but happy tears - we all love him so very much! he is doing awesome and it was so great to be able to talk to him on Christmas day. we love getting emails and letters from him and to hear about his experiences teaching the gospel. what an example he is setting for my kids...and for me too! and to think we will have to do it all again for andy soon....emotionally draining sums it up pretty good:) but i wouldn't want my brothers to be doing anything else with their lives at this time. their missionary service and experiences will be invaluable to them and to those they serve.</div><div>-then...change!! being called as the new primary president in our ward threw me for a loop and it took a bit for me to get my feet back under me. but things are going well and i am really enjoying my new calling. it keeps me busy! i am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Lord.</div><div>-and then the hustle and bustle of Christmas. we actually stayed home for Christmas this year - we didn't travel to spokane until the afternoon of Christmas day. it was really very nice to wake up in our own home on Christmas morning. i sense a new tradition in the making:) it was fun to spend a few days in spokane with brent's family as we have not seen them too much in the last 6 months...what with all the major happenings in my family!</div><div>-and then back home for a few relaxing and LAZY days over the new year's weekend. my mom and sister, jess, came to spend new year's with us and it was so fun to just do nothing with them. just to have them around to talk to, play games with, watch movies with, and just hang out. i love my family.</div><div>phew....reading all that made me tired again. really we did have a fabulous and fun 2010. as busy as it was, i wouldn't change any part of it. i love making memories with my kids and spending time with our extended families. that is what growing up is all about. it is fun to see our kids learning and growing - trying new things as they are getting older. it is rewarding as a parent to start teaching my kids things that i learned and loved as a kid, and seeing them start to enjoy these new things. i only wish that they wouldn't grow quite so fast....it makes me realize just how much more i need to take a step back, focus on the most important things, and treasure every moment i have with my boys and paige. they are so precious and i love them so much.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVCWC2SZj8vKikFXGKZj-1miz_wFUfur4KHQlw0s2hvFwsnzHcDCAK6uc4JxuufWPmLP0OIyZmSUwqzOIHp9lz77DIEA1Ktx61AqN4kn4vMLi35qghYz8NJCBkHjzpxC0t44cM6KEePuS/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_4130.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559294904497369122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVCWC2SZj8vKikFXGKZj-1miz_wFUfur4KHQlw0s2hvFwsnzHcDCAK6uc4JxuufWPmLP0OIyZmSUwqzOIHp9lz77DIEA1Ktx61AqN4kn4vMLi35qghYz8NJCBkHjzpxC0t44cM6KEePuS/s400/Copy+of+IMG_4130.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>so, with that being said, here's to 2011! may it be as fun and exciting as the last 10 years!</div>Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-20646090834635262312010-12-12T21:09:00.002-06:002010-12-12T21:25:04.307-06:004 thingsso, one of my bestest friends ever (even though she is now a distant and not often seen but still very much loved friend), sharon, "tagged" me on her blog. so, here it is:<br /><br />four shows i watch:<br />1. the mentalist<br />2. survivor<br />3. canada's worst driver<br />4. food network challenge<br /><br />four things i'm passionate about:<br />1. my family!!<br />2. reading<br />3. fabric<br />4. strength training<br /><br />four phrases i say a lot:<br />1. really?<br />2. hurry! we're going to be late<br />3. sleep tight (every night, without fail, to evan)<br />4. i love you<br /><br />four things i have learned from the past:<br />1. being able to laugh at yourself makes life easier<br />2. i am never alone in my fears or challenges<br />3. good friends are priceless<br />4. worrying is a waste of time....still learning this one:)<br /><br />four places i'd like to go:<br />1. italy<br />2. paris<br />3. disneyland with the fam<br />4. hawaii<br /><br />four things i did yesterday:<br />1. slept in<br />2. finished Christmas shopping<br />3. made a delicious chocolate cake for our ward Christmas party<br />4. visited with friends<br /><br />four things i am looking forward to:<br />1. Christmas holidays<br />2. seeing and spending time with sharon at the vancouver dental conference in march!!<br />3. camping this spring with our tent trailer<br />4. an email from my missionary brother robert tomorrow morning!<br /><br />four things i love about winter:<br />1. Christmas!!<br />2. skiing with my boys<br />3. snowmen and sledding<br />4. hot chocolate after skiing and sledding<br /><br />four things on my wish list:<br />1. books, books, and more books<br />2. to pay off our school debt asap!!!!<br />3. a trip somewhere warm with just brent and i<br />4. motivation to wake up early and exercise before the kids get up instead of trying to fit it in during the day<br /><br />four people i tag:<br />1. Erin Cahoon<br />2. Laura Neilson<br />3. Andrea Salmon<br />4. Maja Russell<br />.....i hope all these people actually read my blog! although they do leave comments once in awhile so i would think so:)Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-51596223952879637092010-10-31T20:15:00.004-05:002010-10-31T20:51:16.158-05:00happeningssince i have last posted, a few major things have happened. things that have tried and tested my emotions, in mostly good ways. things that have been planned for a long time and things that were definitely unexpected! first things first.<br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GxWIzTp6KsGP_u4jwJgOzOdbM6gk83FliFeyfyRvEE8yRoONNW9Yaa0-4LyGTZN5etr9KAu1LlNUjedcVD6UBQMFAlHyOx8Myt6PZecsv2OyocAYaCtqHUoiX_VgKJ8qTYOoCj2xqLhp/s1600/IMG_4228.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534384546849917682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GxWIzTp6KsGP_u4jwJgOzOdbM6gk83FliFeyfyRvEE8yRoONNW9Yaa0-4LyGTZN5etr9KAu1LlNUjedcVD6UBQMFAlHyOx8Myt6PZecsv2OyocAYaCtqHUoiX_VgKJ8qTYOoCj2xqLhp/s400/IMG_4228.JPG" /></a><br />one of my youngest brothers, robert, left to serve his mission. he has been called to serve for the next 2 years in the scotland ireland mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. he is currently in the preston enlgand mtc and will be until november 11 or 12. he left from the calgary airport on october 21st. let me first say how excited i am for rob! and (forgive me for saying it!!) how proud i am of him. i know that he will be an amazing missionary as he is an amazing young man. i am so glad that he made the decision to serve the Lord as a missionary. i am so grateful for the example that he is setting for my boys (as they think rob is "the man!") and the growth and strength he will gain from this experience. he is so happy where he is and i couldn't be happier for him. now that i got that off my chest, on to the more selfish side of me. I MISS HIM!!!!! i already miss him so very much!! i have been lucky these past 6 months to be able to spend so much time with rob. we jokingly called this summer our "summer of rob." it seems that he was out here, in cranbrook, boating with us, or camping in the states, or just hanging out with our family almost every other weekend all summer. i had many opportunities to have some real heart to heart conversations with rob and really appreciated the level of trust and love he has for me as his sister...but also as his friend. he is not only one of my younger brothers but one of my bestest friends, as all my siblings are! my kids also have a great love for rob and it was hard for them to say goodbye. my whole family were able to meet for dinner in calgary before going to the airport together to send rob off. it was good to be all together for one last hurrah! to share our love for each other and our great love for rob. there were tears shed as we said goodbye...mostly by us, not so much by rob (which was a good sign:). he was so ready to go!!) not only was i crying for my own heartache but also for the heartache of my boys. i think burton (who really has a special relationship with rob) hugged rob about 10 times and held back his tears until rob walked through security and was really gone. evan didn't really realize what was going on but started his crying once he realized that we really were saying goodbye. and jensen cried hardest of all - my little sweetheart. i think that he was crying for everyone else as much as he was crying for himself. as i already said, it was hard to say goodbye!<br />needless to say, my emotions have been very close to the surface since he left! we got our first letter from elder swainson last wednesday. it was so GOOD to hear that he is doing so well. he is on top of the world and is so happy that he is serving a mission. it makes missing him not as hard when i know that he is where he wants to be, doing what he wants to be doing, and enjoying it so much. i am again so very grateful for my little brother. and i love him so very much!!<br />now, on to the unexpected part of my week. i have been serving as a councillor in the young women's organization in our ward for just over 2 years. i got called shortly after we moved to cranbrook. i didn't really know anyone yet and was excited to be able to serve with girls and women (paige wasn't yet born and i was really looking forward to some girl time). as i have served in yw's, i have made life long friends that i love and cherish - with the other leaders as well as the girls. i came to love the women i served with and the young women we served. things were going great. and then the bishop called and wanted to meet with me. any time you accept a calling, you know it won't last forever. but, i must say i was not expecting a change yet - especially not the one he gave me. i have been called to serve as the new primary president in our ward.<br /><br />ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!<br /><br />i must admit, with my emotions being so close to the surface as i previously described, i started to cry after the bishop released me from my yw's calling. not because i am sad to be moving on to primary, but because it means leaving my yw's position behind - working with such wonderful women, spending so much time with such amazing young women, and having so much fun as we strengthened and taught eachother. i felt embarassed for crying:) but i think the bishop understood. anyways, the last few days have been filled with LOTS of self doubt mixed with a few moments of thinking, "i can do this." it is a big calling - i have never been the president of anything before!!! but i have been given some great councillors to work with and, after talking to them, i feel much more able to fill the big shoes that are before me. i am grateful that i have a testimony of callings in the church - that i know they come to the bishop through inspiration and prayer. i know that this is the Lord's church, and if he thinks i can be the primary president, i will be.....i just pray i am a good one:)<br /><br />so, that's it for now...really. atleast i hope that this is it for now. i think i have had enough major changes to last me for a little bit. now that i am finished writing this novel of an entry, i will finish with this.<br />I LOVE YOU ROB!!! and i will be the best i can be - just as you have asked us to. you are awesome, amazing, fabulous and i know you will be a greater than great missionary.Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-11888410728874373622010-09-21T16:01:00.005-05:002010-09-21T16:22:42.839-05:00back to normalsummer is over - boo! school has started - yay! and things are back to normal - somewhat! we had such a fun and fabulous summer! as busy and hectic and tiring as it was, i wouldn't have changed a thing about it. jensen and burton have been back to school for 2 weeks and are loving their new teachers and being back in touch with their friends. jensen is in 3rd grade and burton is in 2nd...where does the time go!!!??? fall soccer has started and i must say that with soccer 4 nights a week, i am counting the days until it is finished! only 2 more weeks!! we will have to make sure to have the boys' soccer on the same nights in the spring! and maybe brent will only coach 1 team instead of 2??? as fun as it has been to watch the jensen and burton improve their soccer skills and really enjoy playing, it has been crazy! i really have become a soccer mom - washing uniforms, filling water bottles, driving to practices/games, and cheering from the sidelines. it has begun!! and i really do enjoy watching the boys excel and grow in their abilities.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJm9AiE_qRge2vUq5vQD_KNb6Hc-NWr-7zTymK_OX64AuLIqC1VT5FEqWHnEW-aMaK7J9dOAIvqCCnrnLWoiYEM7KkBaRlUtE686qCmTHzcYeXKhDkdxIUK9x_K3jWIHWaQS2ce3U_yNV/s1600/IMG_3919.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519478834378682674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJm9AiE_qRge2vUq5vQD_KNb6Hc-NWr-7zTymK_OX64AuLIqC1VT5FEqWHnEW-aMaK7J9dOAIvqCCnrnLWoiYEM7KkBaRlUtE686qCmTHzcYeXKhDkdxIUK9x_K3jWIHWaQS2ce3U_yNV/s400/IMG_3919.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div>evan started preschool this fall. he goes on tuesday and thursday afternoons and is really liking it. he is such a confident and social boy and already loves his teachers and classmates. and everyone loves evan! with his big brown eyes, cute little grin, and adorable personality, it is hard not to love evan! his preschool teacher has already told me what a special and wonderful little boy evan is and how much she would just love to take him home. and all i can say to her is, "take a number." really, that seems to be the response he elicits from just about everyone he meets. i am just glad that i DO get to take him home every day and keep him forever and ever...because i am his mom.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrWtvmRzc748A93At8doFi3k8QoemBcOrJwIyCR9lmv6J_LqWG07mhxK_J5MUlxrn1kF3gLE239oGpLVqaenVppdNEHsWp82diyMFe2c2NT2rAm-VbhG1b4Xp4DlgQhpZKVLbMHU5CcwH/s1600/IMG_3484.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519479566084779970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrWtvmRzc748A93At8doFi3k8QoemBcOrJwIyCR9lmv6J_LqWG07mhxK_J5MUlxrn1kF3gLE239oGpLVqaenVppdNEHsWp82diyMFe2c2NT2rAm-VbhG1b4Xp4DlgQhpZKVLbMHU5CcwH/s400/IMG_3484.JPG" /></a><br /><div>paigey continues to be a delight in our home. being the only girl makes her that much more special and we all love her so much! she loves to dance, play hide and seek, play with her brothers, and be a part of everything. her hair has lost most of its curl and really bleached out this summer. she loves to explore! and she is my little shadow - she follows me around the house, helping where she can, and gets the biggest kick out of throwing her diaper in the garbage. all i have to do is look at her and she smiles. and as much of a mommy's girl as she is, she is always SO excited to see her daddy when he comes home from work at lunch time and at the end of the day. paige's giggles and smiles bring such joy to each of us. and i love her little, or rather BIG, personality.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6onDpu-_INP_icqiUNBVG55-jBMvgQ6ed12SzvZgYOq-B_adddp0-7JcqxMVR8lfuMiGQuEbTjOM5_Ez5IjNUFa4nzkU-bfiS_1qqXpnoVcEz40I0Rm5nxHq4E_bJLIaFx8HbJVTIir9/s1600/IMG_4421.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519480007608866690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6onDpu-_INP_icqiUNBVG55-jBMvgQ6ed12SzvZgYOq-B_adddp0-7JcqxMVR8lfuMiGQuEbTjOM5_Ez5IjNUFa4nzkU-bfiS_1qqXpnoVcEz40I0Rm5nxHq4E_bJLIaFx8HbJVTIir9/s400/IMG_4421.jpg" /></a><br /><div>things are good. life is great. we are happy!</div></div></div>Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-40169903106028937832010-08-19T22:10:00.007-05:002010-08-20T23:44:20.346-05:00phew!<div>so, i am finally sitting down and updating our blog. we have been busy!!!! of all the weekends we have had since the end of june, we have only been home for 2 of them! although the summer has been a blur with all the traveling and activities, it has been G!R!E!A!T!! first and foremost, we have spent so much time with our kids. waterskiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, wakesurfing, tubing, and dancing it up on our new toy - the one that has been sitting in our garage since last november, waiting to be used, our best purchase to date, totally worth the scrimping and saving, and so much fun!!!!!!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsrNQgNaKKCROPX2VXtiy8DOP9ULQVhTuh1RLiL8HZKhKecVmtCSpazjDGzv1DNVtU8uFCAX6NCk2XO80OPLjhhlWHn-hYW8HxtZwaj58mYM12PheaMgJG7A9CztsJvHGi2DvCRLyFXwq/s1600/IMG_3437.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507325416231371650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsrNQgNaKKCROPX2VXtiy8DOP9ULQVhTuh1RLiL8HZKhKecVmtCSpazjDGzv1DNVtU8uFCAX6NCk2XO80OPLjhhlWHn-hYW8HxtZwaj58mYM12PheaMgJG7A9CztsJvHGi2DvCRLyFXwq/s400/IMG_3437.JPG" /></a></div><div>our new boat. we love it! we have put so many fun and fabulous hours on our boat. with friends and family. jensen and burton have both learned how to waterski and kneeboard this summer and get better every time they go. even evan goes out on the kneeboard and has found a new love for tubing. paige loves to "shake it" when we crank the tunes and loves cheering her dad on when he is doing his sweet tricks.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Ws21_JTKfogUc8EtNxP8ImNz7xtzc8NKdS2ZT3afk9x1VBQc6VaC6LaGyruLzQYgRuEk4JU3pZPcV5OIBe2xZHwJLk-ii6TEIMX3e5WBywTG-jHymQ9CBQLYpd7zo3r2Cd5KIugzPHtY/s1600/IMG_3275.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507326640127341058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Ws21_JTKfogUc8EtNxP8ImNz7xtzc8NKdS2ZT3afk9x1VBQc6VaC6LaGyruLzQYgRuEk4JU3pZPcV5OIBe2xZHwJLk-ii6TEIMX3e5WBywTG-jHymQ9CBQLYpd7zo3r2Cd5KIugzPHtY/s400/IMG_3275.JPG" /></a></div><div>brent continues to amaze and impress me. yes, even after 10 years he still does it for me! i love to watch him wakeboard, pulling flips, spins, twirls, and superman's left right and centre. he really is amazing to watch. and he assures me he loves to watch me ski...</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixj6z3X94yhm2kJe9z_VQcV3bLFdMnF7KSTE9oWk2rHgCWFBY_zBnkW1lrLM1nnmkrAFgd6h2tdwU1-JBr_d7d_m_tkGicCUcCOUD2gF5rNNBRI2bRxQ2mnD2Qxs77otZO3j4t8niFBiyF/s1600/IMG_3146.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507327651482297762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixj6z3X94yhm2kJe9z_VQcV3bLFdMnF7KSTE9oWk2rHgCWFBY_zBnkW1lrLM1nnmkrAFgd6h2tdwU1-JBr_d7d_m_tkGicCUcCOUD2gF5rNNBRI2bRxQ2mnD2Qxs77otZO3j4t8niFBiyF/s400/IMG_3146.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><div>i sometimes wonder if he is just being nice because he is also a brilliant water skiier! regardless of my skill level, i do love to waterski! there is nothing like throwing rooster tails on a lake, skiing across glass like water. seriously one of my most favorite things to do!!!!! </div><div>we camped with friends, stayed for a week in a SWEET lake house on hayden lake in idaho with family, welcomed a new niece, gretchen, in to the family (and a nephew, jasper, in may!!), went with my beautiful sister jessica to the temple for her first time, spent a week at the farm with mom/gran and dad/papa, had my brother rob out for a camping trip that turned in to just days at the lake while sleeping at home, went camping again on lake pendorielle<br />with brent's brother jeff and his family and my brother rob tagging along (again!! i swear it has been the "summer of rob" around here...and i love it!!!!!!!! he is leaving on his mission in october and i LOVE all the time we have been able to spend with him!!! i love him a lot!!!), found a new favorite local spot to cliff jump in to crystal clear water - a truly beautiful little mountain lake!!, not to mention all the day trips to the beach with the kids while brent is at work. </div><div></div><div>we really have been going and going and going! i must admit that i am starting to feel a bit worn...but i wouldn't have it any other way! we have been able to have so much fun and make some lasting memories this summer with those i love the most - and i wouldn't trade that for anything. it is worth being tired for!! even as i type this blog, my younger bros are coming out for the weekend. i am glad that andrew is able to come this time!! he has been busy working all summer and i have missed hanging out with him! i am grateful for any time that i get to spend with my siblings! so, another weekend of the lake and boating, followed by YWs camp next week, then another week at the farm with my family, my mom's 50th birthday party on labor day weekend and then back home for a while.....just in time for school to start again.</div><div></div><div>like i said before, PHEW!!!</div><div>click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=193078&id=551121446&l=029a97e8d5">here</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=199572&id=551121446&l=2a1d2f9de6">here</a> for a photo representation of our summer of fun!</div><br /><div></div>Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-66371273718592218712010-06-14T23:00:00.004-05:002010-06-14T23:09:35.899-05:00rewind<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVczTpa3SM7C-mUYWPMVtE8AcYUEknyJygfwNmRvk8mJwPckc7HS3TSYg1FfP8WbonEXU58jymJbt_mhzkJX3Szw1aj0xQv9_K44mDnBnzxcYkC2NLKhlhGS3hBbx9qh5O-CPg9AODK6y/s1600/New+Image.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 257px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482845729267571474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVczTpa3SM7C-mUYWPMVtE8AcYUEknyJygfwNmRvk8mJwPckc7HS3TSYg1FfP8WbonEXU58jymJbt_mhzkJX3Szw1aj0xQv9_K44mDnBnzxcYkC2NLKhlhGS3hBbx9qh5O-CPg9AODK6y/s400/New+Image.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>this is a picture of me roughly 27 years ago. i am standing on the stairs at my gran and papa's house.</div><div>here is a picture of paige, taken a few weeks ago, on those same stairs.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7YsYWFENgWQvjoxX5kVHPiRvSwAHPq9q-rXRVt8PqkBodzV43zFF1dbKS9o-gykJP5h7T7u07x7AeRdE_HbF6QwBT8LRSCfhgnT3ktqHTEoNOhqMP-GPbfmZbymBGepTrLkJ9GNsjESs/s1600/01.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482846240265821442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7YsYWFENgWQvjoxX5kVHPiRvSwAHPq9q-rXRVt8PqkBodzV43zFF1dbKS9o-gykJP5h7T7u07x7AeRdE_HbF6QwBT8LRSCfhgnT3ktqHTEoNOhqMP-GPbfmZbymBGepTrLkJ9GNsjESs/s400/01.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhh-smtIFaxAns7lpHDM1YdSKbzYMrtFUWDNTfPlaCU7GTKbnbSCgkXxUiDRuqm479E_lfGYuMOwtoXB2QE5q_6v3uU45T9QgHFD3VfQVrpcoa0uICB1YKiVpIJjO6ptAZq3f1OxPtHQD/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482847614785775506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhh-smtIFaxAns7lpHDM1YdSKbzYMrtFUWDNTfPlaCU7GTKbnbSCgkXxUiDRuqm479E_lfGYuMOwtoXB2QE5q_6v3uU45T9QgHFD3VfQVrpcoa0uICB1YKiVpIJjO6ptAZq3f1OxPtHQD/s400/02.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div>i love the feeling that these pictures give me. kind of like things coming full circle. i love my grandparents and cherish the relationship that i have with them!! how it warms my heart to have them so involved in my life and the life of my children - that jensen, burton, evan, and paige have a relationship with them and have been able to feel of their love as i have.</div><br /><div>looking at these pictures also makes me realize (yet again) how much i love and adore my little girl. how precious is my paigey! how beautiful is my daughter. how blessed i am to be her mother.</div><br /><div></div></div>Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-35471546670011956772010-06-07T21:21:00.001-05:002010-06-07T21:22:59.719-05:00Nuts for Bolts etc now open!so, this post is a few weeks late but oh well! our online fabric store is now up and running. check us out at <a href="http://www.nutsforboltsetc.com/">www.nutsforboltsetc.com</a>. also, we have our own blog for our store so add it to your blog lists! it is <a href="http://www.nutsforboltsetc.blogspot.com/">www.nutsforboltsetc.blogspot.com</a>. we are so excited to FINALLY have our website up and running!! we have some really great stuff and i encourage you all to check it out....and, all subjectivity aside, we really do have some great stuff:)Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8592907441758748587.post-85593461849844109722010-05-09T19:47:00.005-05:002010-05-09T20:08:01.792-05:002 birthdays and a baptismwe ended our birthday month with paige's first birthday last friday, april 30th. with 3 kids all in april, our house was full of balloons and decorations for weeks! it really was the party house. jensen turned 8 at the beginning of april but we weren't able to get all the family together for jensen's baptism until the last weekend of april. as it was also paige's birthday that weekend, we were also able to have a fun party for her! paige was in good form for her first birthday - charming the crowd, "saying" cheese for pictures, laughing at everyone, and just being her regular happy, delightful, and adorable self.<br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVp288Cr7zkatwQoAAEEmsepvrkdYghbQOu1DbdiWYLGbsZ-xRKsMbmnptD4OZDeipCez-uYYsW4a1_hc3ALtqfsCp6U7GTVLq6fHOw0N0ORgHvEPYEOTnty77-zP05RgvgdC1BlWDAVz3/s1600/IMG_2581.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469437969764775586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVp288Cr7zkatwQoAAEEmsepvrkdYghbQOu1DbdiWYLGbsZ-xRKsMbmnptD4OZDeipCez-uYYsW4a1_hc3ALtqfsCp6U7GTVLq6fHOw0N0ORgHvEPYEOTnty77-zP05RgvgdC1BlWDAVz3/s400/IMG_2581.JPG" /></a></div><div>how we love our paigey cakes!!! what a wonderful addition she has been to our family. i can hardly believe that it has been a whole year since she was born!! i LOVE having a little girl - i love having a daughter. she definitely holds my heart in her hand. one look with those big blue eyes and i am all hers - and i think she is starting to figure this out!! not good. i think this will eventually catch up to me but for now i can't help but spoiling her with all the attention she asks for and more! paige says a few words - hello, hi, daddy, mom. i think it is funny and somewhat telling that her first word was hello and she always says it when the phone rings...indicative of things to come!? this girl will never be getting her own cell phone! unless she smiles really sweetly at me with those baby blues. then i just might change my mind! seriously, we are all so in love with our little paigey!</div><div>moving on, jensen was baptized on may 1. i found my self questioning whether i was even old enough to have a son getting baptized!!!?? and, yes, sadly i am! actually, not sadly as it was a wonderful weekend with my oldest son! how touched i was by the spirit as i looked at my oldest boy, all dressed in white, with his dad, waiting to be baptized and then entering the waters of baptism. what a sweet and special boy he is and i am so thankful and feel very blessed to be his mother. it really was a wonderful day, filled with family and the spirit. how i love jensen! and how thankful i am that he is gaining his own testimony of our Heavenly Father and His plan of salvation.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9nzLd0uldIA52OMWcYONw4Y6NR2_s0nGJrgOgJr-eNXZTj6aHbWlzER9dIPjPrzCS_BP_1s5WasvgDsUGz5D5DiEoSI_R2uSSo2LKi_Hf5HGoBlw2oYm92tCwvLNkXwnu5elZc-zNeaX/s1600/IMG_2621.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469440273310743698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9nzLd0uldIA52OMWcYONw4Y6NR2_s0nGJrgOgJr-eNXZTj6aHbWlzER9dIPjPrzCS_BP_1s5WasvgDsUGz5D5DiEoSI_R2uSSo2LKi_Hf5HGoBlw2oYm92tCwvLNkXwnu5elZc-zNeaX/s400/IMG_2621.JPG" /></a></div><div>i feel very blessed.</div><div>and last but not least, we celebrated brent's 33rd birthday a few days after jensen's baptism. i am so in love with my man and am fully convinced that he really is the world's best husband. after all, he has to put up with me and all the angst that i must cause him! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55kbWqvyIJAI3Rim86VQVHbqnD8D8_IuLH875Rjgr01fhiNpGeBPoRTsxBR-u-daypiKU8DA8mIlV0X4ZwV4BOVXtorE4pTw9ZQXdZDQSoWWAh7MUil9SIDACn_e0faoNQjmtBfqRS_mk/s1600/IMG_2636.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469441083260164050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55kbWqvyIJAI3Rim86VQVHbqnD8D8_IuLH875Rjgr01fhiNpGeBPoRTsxBR-u-daypiKU8DA8mIlV0X4ZwV4BOVXtorE4pTw9ZQXdZDQSoWWAh7MUil9SIDACn_e0faoNQjmtBfqRS_mk/s400/IMG_2636.JPG" /></a></div><div>and poor brent - all i "made" him for his birthday was drumstick ice cream cones! really, i was so birthday caked out that i just couldn't muster the energy to make another one. with 3 birthdays and a baptism in 4 weeks, can you blame me?? the kids and i made up for it by taking him out to dinner on the weekend. the birthday dessert they brought for him was WAY yummier than anything i could have made!! we sure love you brent - even if you are an old fart!</div></div></div>Jen - the momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033222117634976891noreply@blogger.com2