Of Course I'll Do Anything for Her...

Fall Family and Friend Fun

2009-11-02T20:26:00.000-08:00

I do an event every year where the Tumwater Community comes to paint luscious pumpkins. And of course I had to have Jadyn there, but for an added treat my friend Jill was visiting WA from NYC and stopped by the event for a visit. I know she took a picture, but I didn't. Maybe she will share. It was so absolutely fantastic to see her. It had been too long. Sometimes I feel like a terrible friend. The reality is I probably am, but I love when you see people that you haven't seen in awhile and you can just pick up from where you left off...you don't have to try to brag or fill the time with little things, you just hang out and enjoy each other. I knew she was coming, but when she walked up behind me and I saw her...me the big baby started bawling! Well I wasn't really bawling, mostly a dainty tear or two was shed, but it had been too long. I think I will take a trip to the Northeast this spring.

My visits from far-a-way friends didn't stop there, my friend Mirza was in town visiting from Miami and was able to come down and visit me too. We had a great time and great talks. It was so good to see these friends after literally years of not seeing them. Anyone else up for a visit to the Northwest?! I am not sure there is much to recommend this area in the winter, scratch that there is me, I am up here...GET UP HERE!!!! Let me stop pontificating...here is a couple of shots of Jadyn at the most fabulous event...Pumpkin Painting!

We went over to my parents house on Saturday to take my dad a talk that I'd burned for him for his lesson on Sunday. We arrived and Michelle was out front raking leaves. Jadyn decided to stay and help and here is an action shot of the beginning of her hard work. She also managed to earn $2. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa, she had a great time. I wish I could make housework this exciting, not to motivate her, but to motivate me. Mom and Dad, can we start allowance up again? No? OK....

And here is a Sunday Dinner shot! I guess I should add some of the pictures that Jadyn took. One was of the dining room light, one was the blinds...she liked the juxtaposition of the black outside and the tan blinds...or the extreme closeups of Aaron and Adelyn, and of course the side shots of Jadyn's face because she 'just really likes her eyes'...but how about I just post one I took of Aaron, Adelyn and Jadyn...too cute.

It is so great to have family dinner. I love my family extremely, and it is kind of silly, but I like that we live so close (probably about 5 minutes from Mom and Dad, Jenn and Rebecca. - and yes they all live in different edifices.) Elizabeth needs to get back down here from Bellingham, and Ben complete his mission - then it would be perfect...I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful family. I am thankful everyday. We had some challenges getting along there growing up, but it looks like we made it...I guess all that fighting made us that much closer.

Trick or Treat

2009-11-02T20:05:00.000-08:00

So...Halloween or Trick or Treat as Jadyn calls it...yep it's getting more and more exciting in our household. This year - a Ballerina Kitty Cat, a look insired by the great composer Mozart. No small order, Jenn did the fabulous hair and make-up. Jadyn and I created the look and my mom helped in the construction. She actually did more than help, but I did manage to cut it out and sew two seams! I am so out of practice. And, drum roll please...here she is...

Of course we had to get the nieces together for a photo shoot! I love how Jadyn is eating a lolipop and Adelyn wants to try it. I think Becca got a picture of Adelyn putting the non-candy end of the lolipop in her mouth for a taste. She discovered that is not the tasty part!!!

Kindergarten revisited...

2009-10-20T22:30:00.000-07:00

Jadyn is now well into her Kindergarten experience. She has already gotten 4 yellow frogs. These frogs tell me that Jadyn is quite the talker in class. Which truth be told, I am not surprised by at all. I finally unloaded the pictures from my camera and have a couple more from her first week of Kindergarten. This is the first day I took her to school. How hard is Kindergarten, I mean seriously. Two and a half hours? She is off every other Wednesday, and next week doesn't have class from Wednesday on. The school district makes life so easy for working parents. Thank goodness for Rebecca and Michelle. She loves hanging out with them. Rebecca tells me some really great stories, things that you never hear about your child from a day care or even school. I am really enjoying these. I get some good ones too though...for example.

I have the radio on in the mornings during our drive to Rebecca's. Most often it is on Sports Talk Radio...but Jadyn typically does not like the radio on...grrr...but sometimes she will want the music on. Her request is usually something she can groove to or classical those are her two favorites. If classical is playing she is like momma can you turn it up please? Well the big thing on her mind these past few weeks is Halloween, more specifically her costume. So we are travelling, listening to Mozart, volume way up, when she says to me: Momma, this music just gave me the best idea. Oh really Jadyn, what? Momma, instead of a cat for Trick or Treat (what she calls Halloween) I could be a ballerina. Oh Jadyn, I said, that is a great idea, you will be a beautiful ballerina. She is quiet for a few more minutes. Momma, this music made me think of an even better idea, for Trick or Treat I could be a ballerina kitty cat! Isn't that a great idea. Why yes Jadyn, that is simply fantastic. That will be the perfect costume. A few minutes later we arrive at Rebecca's, and she has realized that she has forgotten her movie at home and wants to turn around and get it. Needless to say that answer is no...well she didn't handle that very gracefully and had a hard time making the decision to go inside. I said to her, Jadyn why are you acting like this? You were having such a great morning. You came up with that great idea for your costume...She stopped me right there...Momma, I didn't think of that idea, the music did! Well they say listening to Mozart can make you smarter and according to Jadyn it definitely does, at least when it comes to getting her creative juices flowing! You should see the pictures she draws that the music tells her to draw. they are quite beautiful.

I had to share this picture, because this outfit is all her...I was taking her to the doctor to get her last immunization before school started and she saw this area of foliage and wanted to take some pictures. Where does she come up with these poses? Today was picture day at school and she told me she practiced her smile and when I picked her up she gave me the different looks she had given the photographer. But I should note, that today, even with all the smile practice, was a yellow frog day... :-P

My Brother & Jadyn

2009-10-20T22:19:00.000-07:00

My brother Benjamin recently left for a mission (in July to MTC). Before he left Jadyn and he had a photo shoot. These pictures are from his last day in Washington. That was July and yes, I am just now posting them. Elder Baria is now serving in Tijuana, Mexico. I should insert link to his mission blog here...but I will have to get the link and update later. I know he has one...

And It Begins

2009-09-30T23:01:00.000-07:00

Jadyn started Kindergarten on September 9, 2009...9/9/9. (I hope that is a good sign.) I was in a training that Wednesday and Thursday so Becca was meeting me at school for Jadyn's first day. I barely made it on time, but I did get to see the moment it all began. Becca took a few shots of the magic moments and uploaded the pictures. I am sharing - of course. I have a couple on my camera, but I can't get the computer to recognize the SD card is in the slot, so I will have to find the cord...it's around here somewhere...grrr...

She is in afternoon Kindergarten. And as far as I can tell she is loving it. I think she loves hanging out a Becca everyday more though...They have flower trimming, frog chasing, princess blanket, lava monster games...school...not quite so exciting. I really appreciate The Andersons help with watching her. She loves spending time with you guys...now if I can only find away to get her to be more gentle with Adelyn.

She rode the bus for the first time last week too, and man she loves it. Michelle watches her aftershool, and takes great care of her...but when she saw Michelle afterschool the day she rode the bus she freaked out...she wanted to ride the bus again...Am I crazy or do I remember detesting the bus??? Or was that only as I became older and more jaded?

Giddy Up!

2009-09-30T21:14:00.000-07:00

What would you say to a camel? Jadyn went with Becca, Aaron and Adelyn to the Pt. Defiance Zoo. And for the bargain price of $5 she got to ride a camel...how fun. Who knew it would be her "most favorite day ever"?! Becca uploaded the pictures, so I am sharing. She talked and talked and talked about it...Thank you guys for taking her! She is very comfortable up there. Why is she scared to ride a horse? Camels are gobs bigger. I think Becca is right...she just had to walk out onto the camel not stand next to it, and with horseback riding you have to heave yourself up there! She had a blast! I love her smile in the last picture.

The Obsession is Justified

2009-09-30T19:58:00.000-07:00

About a million posts ago (OK slight exaggeration I think I have only 32 total posts) I mentioned by new favorite TV show. I had picked my song of the day, Metro Station's - Shake It, I wrote at the time that the song reminded me of the show BONES (I had seen a youtube video highlighting the show)...well now, finally I am going to talk about it - it being my favorite TV show - BONES.

I am not sure how many people understand the exciting life of a single mother. I wish I could say that I spent my evenings after Jadyn was in bed improving myself or cleaning like a maniac, but when you work 40 hours a week and work as a mom and dad, it is hard to come home and well - work. At least for me it is. (Don't worry - I do make time for the housework! Maybe I should use some of that time to update my blog...hehe) I am not a big TV watcher, mostly Football or movies or reading, but one night I tuned in to BONES, and the rest as they say is history. It was the end of season three and I had to watch every single episode, in like a week. I love it and now I follow blogs and twitters and youtube fan videos, I have even read a few fan fics (but I haven't written any)...I am obsessed. I know it. The first step in addiction is admitting you have a problem...well I admit I am a fan(atic), but I am not sure I would call it a problem...

I have tried to think about what is it in this show that I like so much? Yes, the whole will they won't they aspect of the show is there. Booth and Brennen need to get together already. But if they did would I lose interest? I have to think that I wouldn't. I am interested and invested (clearly) enough in these characters, that I want to see more of their life than just the dancing around each other. I want to see them dancing with each other, and I know I could stick around for that.

So what is it about this show? I have never seen one episode of Buffy (still haven't ) or Angel (ok, so maybe since BONES I now own all 5 seasons) so I wasn't following David Boreanez. Is it the writing? The chemistry? The angst? The great acting? The forensics? The mystery? I like to think it is a little of everything. You want a show to be smart - frankly because you are smart. You want to show to have connections between the characters - because frankly you have connections with the people in your life, including co-workers (I mean heck we are with them more that we are at home, right?) You want a show that isn't just dramatic, or funny, or romantic, or just one thing...because life isn't just one thing. I think we can see ourselves in similar settings, okay - I can't find killers based on people's bones, but what exists in this show is something we can relate to. We can find something to connect to, and I love making those connections.

The other thing that I think really draws me to the show is the arguments. I know that might sound kinda silly. But usually in life there are different ways of looking at things. To me BONES does a good job a presenting two sides of an argument. There are some instances where clearly we know what the writers want us to think, like dog fighting is wrong, and other times they are just saying...here look at both sides and talk amongst yourselves...I like a show that makes me think with out feeling like I am being reprimanded for the way I think.

I could go on. I could probably write a paragraph or two about why the character Booth is so appealing to women (at least me)...but I will stop there. Just buy the DVD's, rent from netflix, watch hulu and tune in Thursday nights at 8pm/7central on FOX.

Plus, you can check out the website: http://www.fox.com/bones

The reason for this wonderful post's title...last week on the BONES website, there was a contest...a contest to name what was on the USB drive in the briefcase. (Watch Season 5 episode 2 'The Bond in the Boot.') Well I submitted two entries and was lucky enough to be one of the winners. I am not sure which entry is a winner - I will find out tomorrow. They will post the winners on the website, so check it out! They asked for our picture so if there is voting...VOTE! I will update tomorrow with any link. And I can't wait to see what I get in the mail...

I will pick the song of the day Oingo Boingo "Dead Man's Party." It was the BONES promo song...thought I would pay a little homage (as if the entire post wasn't one already!)

Montage

2009-07-13T21:31:00.001-07:00

So here are some random and lovely pictures of my precious...this might catch us up...just a little bit.

This picture was taken at Spaghetti Warehouse. It was Benjamin's going off to Ricks, I mean BYU - Idaho, family dinner. We also celebrated the one year anniversary of Becca and Aaron's lovely nuptials and kind of ate a little of the top tier of the wedding cake. On the way to the restaurant, we told Jadyn that she wouldn't see Ben for awhile and she started sobbing uncontrollably...Ben was of course flattered that he was going to be missed so much. I wonder how her saying goodbye for two years is going to go???

So of course my daughter, the lover of pink, had to be something fabulous for Halloween. Jennifer and Michelle just happened to be on their merry way on visit to Texas...can you say pink cowgirl boots? Anyone? Well Jenn called me up from the western store and told me how much the boots cost - I was like...what????? Jenn said, no Kathryn she has to have them. I was like how many times could she possibly wear them. Well Jenn, being the favorite aunt, purchased these fabulous pink boots, for an early Christmas present. They of course completed the outfit. And she ended up wearing the boots almost every single day. She wore them today in fact. She loves them. One time when she first got them, she tried to wear them in the bathtub...she wanted to jump in puddles...well that is one big puddle...My parents are headed to Texas next week, and another pair of pink boots is on their to do list...are you reading this Mom?I just had to include this picture, because really, what is she doing. Is she miming a hat? Her imagination is fantastic. She found a pair of gloves and did a magic show.The fantastic five year old birthday celebration....speaking of the number five, Rebecca told me that she was talking to Jadyn and she was saying her numbers...and the number fivety was mentioned...not fifty, fivety. Cause really, ok ten, makes sense, twenty - well I don't know why it's not twoty...well maybe I do, but they thirty not threety, and then forty...ahh, that one makes sense, so then it must be fivety, because I know it is sixty, seventy, eighty and ninety...why would they switch back after forty and before sixty...it's gotta be fivety! I have no idea why she does it, but it's cute.One Sunday, after family dinner we all walked to the park. Was it a Sunday? No probably not. We were walking back and she wanted to pick every dandelion. The great part is, she didn't have a container, so she started looking through all the debris along the walk for the perfect container for her flowers...this was not her first choice. The first one I told her absolutely not, that is filthy! I guess it is true, one man's trash is my little girl's treasure. The next two pictures are on our mini-vaca to the beach this past May. We stayed in a Yurt. It was fantastic. You just walk right over the dunes to the freezing cold Washington beach. The first picture cracks me up. It reminds me of Kanye West...maybe it is just the glasses and the straight face. The second picture was from the next morning...she woke up at 6am and wanted to go to the beach, well it is freezing and all the clammers were out there, so I told her we needed to wait. So we waited until 7am...hehe...girl loves the beach. We were so cold even with all are blankets. I finally had the idea to dig down in the sand and make us a buffer...it helped immensely and we just hung out building castles in the sky, well no, we built them in the sand...but I get song lyrics stuck in my head...and I also ramble. We had a great day! Can't wait for the Beach this weekend...yippee!Just one I thought I would throw in...her hair is always so great. I had french braided her hair and it was starting to fall out and she decided she would fix the straggling pieces of hair by cutting them. She waited till I was in the shower, got the scissors and sheared her bangs, then cut the ends of the braids off to where the pony tail ended, and cut the hair that was hanging out by her ears...this was in November I think. It always looks so great growing out. Needless to say, she couldn't touch scissors for quite a long time. Even now, when she asks to use the scissors, she promises me she will not cut her hair...I say you better not...with a very scary face...and she hasn't...yet. But I just love her sweet look in this picture.

The pre-school she goes to has a program every year with fantastic pomp and circumstance. There is a Kindergarten graduation, and all the classes perform. Last year Jadyn didn't even attempt to sing the songs - even though she knew them all. This year, she moved her mouth and her body to the songs...I feel that is some serious progress...she is shockingly shy about somethings, and then she converses with complete strangers everywhere we go...it's a mystery. This is her pre-performance...no jitters. Calm, cool, and collected.

And the last one for tonight, cause frankly...I am tiziered...for Benjamin's "Farewell" aka speak in church on Sunday, sometime before he leaves on his mission, all us girls wore brown, and the grandchildren both had on yellow...this was completely un-planned, can you really see me trying to set up matching outfits, needless to say we had to take a picture. Aren't they the cutest?! Jadyn loves her baby cousin, often that love is so powerful, she forgets Adelyn's name...mostly she refers to her as "my baby cousin"...she will get it one day. Jadyn has been sick this past weekend and when we went to Sunday dinner at Mom & Dad's, I told her she can't hug or kiss the baby. She was devastated and it took her about 15 minutes to even talk to the rest of us...she was having one of her infamous dramatic episodes...it wasn't a fit of despair, but a nice calm and quite devastation.Ahhh, so precious...nighty night...until next year! LOL! I promise to be more dilegent, and at least get all my painting done so I can post some truly terrific after shots!

The Gauntlet

2009-07-13T20:05:00.000-07:00

Yes...it is past time, way past time that I update this wonderful blog of mine. My parents have a blog now and they have posted more recently than me so I figured it was time to get back to my highly informative and not to be underrated updates. So strap into your seats and enjoy the ride!

So much has happened it would be ridiculous for me to try to attempt to fill in all the gaps. I think my last update was more than a year ago...hang head in shame...so the highlights...well I bought a house. That is a big one. Sept 2008 I signed my life away to usbank...for a reasonable fee over a few decades. Here is she is:Three bedroom, 2.5 bath, garden tub, walk-in closest, gas fireplace and all. I have procrastinated in posting pictures because I wanted to do before and after pictures...but after pictures seem to take a long time...there is always a list...but the outside looks the same, so there ya go.

Since September, myself and the numerous worker bees I call my family, we have painted every room, but the second upstairs bathroom (and the very hard to reach wall in my landing - hence no after pictures, that darn stairwell.) Jadyn's room is, shockingly, pink. (and I don't mean that sarcastically it is actually SHOCKINGLY Pink) Actually, two shades of pink. She loves it. Loves it. We did that before we moved in. Then we put tile in the laundry room (thank you Dad and those fabulous knees and the kitchen floor) painted it...new base boards (in most of the house)...my room is a luscious green *actually called - Bayou Shade* and it is marvelous absolutely marvelous (you better be saying that like the old Pepsi commercials - cause that is how I am writing it...hehe...) And of course, put new flooring in the kitchen/dining area and added a new island cabinet section. Actually the island/cabinets are just floating in the kitchen, you can slide them anywhere and the top they have is my old ikea table top. I am nothing if not resourceful and it provides me another (convenient) place to put stuff in and on. Clearly it is still on the to be completed list. But life is busy and we must work and play and take care of the day to day...so my extras often fall by the way...side. I had a little rhyme going there for a second...go me. I must have a lyrical soul deep down in me somewhere...well I know I have a rambling one...that one is not so deep. Let me refocus.

So here are a couple more pictures...the before pictures...and some kinda after...

Yeah, so this is the kitchen...

This is the kitchen after the new floor.
See my shiny new table back there...so fun!

I threw in this picture of Jadyn chillaxin at the new dining room table...check out those fab pictures behind her...Pictures of Jadyn eating...with various members of the fam...and of course a little African safari thrown in - I love it after all - so appropriate for the eating room!

This lovely shot is the Living Room!OK - this is a different angle of the living room, but you get the idea. Check out those amazing curtains my momma made! She is awesome!

Jadyn's Room! Get ready for it!

Bam! Pink! I made her name pictures and they are above her bed, she takes them down all the time so it is difficult to keep them straight. Well that and I hung them crooked...

So that is a peek at the lovely new abode. It is a different duck, home ownership...when I plugged up the garbage disposal...I couldn't call maintenance...I had to call my dad. He is better than maintenance anyhow, for a lot of reasons but mostly because he taught me a new skill - how to unclog the garbage disposal...and yep, I have already had occasion to practice this said new skill.

Jadyn & Song of the Day

2008-08-19T22:08:00.000-07:00

I need to write down what she says as soon as she says it, because she says some great things, but as usual - I am forgetful. Dang...but here are a few things:

1. She is sitting on my exercise ball, and she closes her eyes and says, "I have to do my ohmmms." and she starts chanting...ohmmm...what? Where does she get that from?

2. We are in the car on the way to school/work and she says, "I am tired of school, how about we take a break." Like what Jadyn, a vacation. "Yep, thats a good idea mom, a vacation." Amen baby girl, sounds perfect. But I am a little worried that she is already tired of school and she is only in pre-school - 13 more years to go baby girl!

3. So we are looking at houses and we are driving through this one neighborhood and I show here this yellow house that is for sale and ask her if she likes it, she says no, I like that one...pointing to the one that is painted light pink...of course you like that one...thank goodness she didn't see the purple house.

4. We pull up at home and she releases her seatbelt, reaches around to the front and gives me a huge hug and says, "Mama, I am your snuggle bug." - yes you are indeed my love, yes you are.

I will add more as I remember...and I need to upload some of her artwork...the are hilarious. She makes up all kinds of creatures...her imagination is amazing.

I have to include this picture. She was in my bed and started jumping...even though we have discussed this MANY times...she still choose to hop hop hop...fall out of bed. She got a good knock on the head and a busted nose. Check out that beautiful scab. She was ok, and she hasn't jumped on my bed since...the couch, but not the bed...I need to get her in gymnastics I guess...

Song of the Day - instead I updated the entire playlist! Go me!

OK one more post...

2008-08-19T21:47:00.000-07:00

In case you wondered what a recreation professional does...I will give you a little insight to my summer. Please remember that summer is the most beautiful time of year here and remember that I spend it WORKING. Be jealous be very jealous. So one thing I do is Day Camp, not just Summer break but Spring and Winter breaks also. I also added a Counselor-in-Training program to Summer Camp three years ago - I love to create more work for myself - but it is a great program. I am also responsible for the Free Summer Food Program, providing free breakfast and lunch for Tumwater children. We have a huge event on the 4th of July - Parade, Festival, and Fireworks, and I do a little for that (mostly advertising and set-up). It is hard - as it is usually the week or closely thereafter that summer camp starts, so I stay busy...then I am responsible for the creation and production of our quarterly brochure and the Fall Brochure preparations begin in July, whew! Now for August...I take the lead on our Outdoor Movie Series which are Friday Nights in August. Last one is this Friday - Enchanted - I am really looking forward to it, mostly because after Enchanted - the event will be over for this summer. I make a 'commercial' for each film, this summer I made one...too busy. Then this year we decided to change our fundraising - Glow in the Dark golf tournament to August...and that was just this past Saturday. It worked out, but I was not able to do all the promotion and begging for money that I had done the previous year...so hopefully next year we can move it to September or back to May...please...anyway, just a small little glimpse into my life. And a poor justification for the lack of posting and updating this blog...it's a pretty lousy one, I know. But I have to say - it's a great job. I love it and I love the people I work with, even if I miss summer. Camp ended last Friday and Screen on the Green is over Friday...looking forward to Labor Day, maybe Jadyn and I can get out and enjoy the sunshine a little...can't wait!

Home Sweet Home...Maybe!

2008-08-19T19:54:00.000-07:00

Do I want to be rich mom or poor mom? Look out world, most specifically Donald Trump, because I am about to become a real estate mogul. So I have started looking for a house. Well more than started, I actually made an offer on one. It's a short sale (yes, I now know what that means - thanks to my wonderful Real Estate Broker, Phil Harlan - and I can explain it reasonably well - but will refrain as it is not that exciting and actually kind of boring...)anyway the house I offered on also has two other offers, so we'll see. It is the hardest thing to get out of my head...$210,000 for this - in this area - it is actually a great house for the money, you should see some of the stuff I have been looking at - I am kind of a snob...this house is awesome - but do you know what I could buy in Texas for that? But I am not in Kanas anymore, or Texas for my example, and I can not think about that. But I do, I even look at what $70,000 less will get me in Texas, and you know what - I need to stop that. Let me think...living up here in WA, am I going to make $70,000 more dollars in say 30 years than I would living in Texas? It's a close call, but a house here will appreciate so much better, but will I be able to live the minimized life style home buying will require of me? Sure. But it is definitely going to leave a mark! But I am paying more that $1,000 a month to live in this apartment so why not be able to paint my own walls for at least $400 more dollars a month? It's so totally worth it.

I am not a rich girl by any means, but I get compensated fairly for my job, which rocks by the way. I just have a single mother's income...which is sometimes hard, but we have plenty. I celebrated a great deal the day we no longer had to buy diapers, the celebration will also be great the day we only have part time day care...that will save me serious coin. This time next year Jadyn will be in kindergarten...I think it would be nice to be settled somewhere. Yep I just wrote that - kindergarten and me settled. I have lived in Washington almost 7 years and I have lived in 7 different dwellings...commitment problems? Maybe. More likely, no place feels like home. With the purchase of a house it will be home for at least 3.5 years, so it better be something I love. Hopefully this place will work out, because - I think I would love to make a home there. I posted a picture, but nothing else...I don't need anymore competing offers...

Summertime - and We're Living BUSY...

2008-08-05T21:56:00.000-07:00

Jadyn, Aaron & Becca (and baby) - Crater Lake

Man, what a long time since I have posted. Well the good news - we've been busy, the bad news - we've been VERY busy. It will take me a long while to update this adequately. May, May is seriously the last time I posted I think...Can I even remember that far back? Four year olds change so much in three months I hardly can believe it. She is officially a little girl no longer a toddler. So onto the skinny...

Memorial Day Weekend:

As has become tradition in our family now, we take a trip together somewhere nice, sometime between my Mom's birthday (May) and my Dad's brithday (June) - these dates nicely coincide with the holidays that celebrate both mom's and dad's so we figure it is density, I mean destiny - so in the past few years, excluding one year I think, we have spent time, in some exotic locale (well within driving distance) together. This year's Destination: Sunriver, OR. (Past trips include and are limited to: Whistler and Yachets which was a Beach house...anyway...) Once again procuring a lovely vacation home we travelled with glee to first shop in Portland and then second vacation in Sunriver. There is lots of golfing in Sunriver, but we didn't do that. Instead we went bike riding, went to visit Crater Lake (which you will see was covered in snow and NOT like the pictures I'd seen, but was nonetheless a lovely (and very long) drive.), some went rafting, we enjoyed an nice winter storm, and visited Sonic. Yes there is a Sonic in Bend - it was wonderful. I would like a route 44 Diet Dr. Pepper - thank you very much. It was funny, it was the grand opening weekend for the Sonic (we don't have these in the Northwest yet - in case you were wondering why Sonic made the list of things we did - and my dad thought we were crazy for going on a special drive just to get a drink - but I am ok with being a little bit crazy. That crushed ice is over the top wonderful - anyway I digress...where was I??? let me end these parenthesis first.) so we definitely had to stop there, but let me just say - it was crowded and had a wait - Sonic, the heartbeat of Bend. Then it was time to go home and we stopped at the Silver Falls State Park which was really cool and did some hiking - at which I sucked at - the straight paths are ok the vertical paths - I need to get my butt in shape. These falls were amazing and worth a trip. Then it was back to Portland for more shopping - have I mentioned our love for tax free shopping - if not you might have discovered our vicious little secret - we love Portland and tax free shopping. Tell the world...but in addition to all the dry goods we bought - I have some great shots of the trip. On the way down, Jenn gave Jadyn the camera to play with I guess. I have about 50 shots of the sky and 10 shots of this red truck, not to mention the countless pictures of Jadyn's feet (she is obsessed with them - or it would seem from the quantity of pictures she took). One morning when she was up at 6:15 and the rest of us (me) were still trying to sleep, Jadyn snuck into my purse, took out the camera and went to the bathroom to take pictures of...you'll never guess...her feet. I was dying. At least the bathroom floor of the vacation house is now immortalized, because I can't delete that picture....sneaky sneaky Jadyn.

Thought I might include a picture of Jadyn's hair in the morning - this is the same morning as the feet shot...love it!

10:30 on my birthday eve - I gotta get to bed, going to a baseball game with 35 kids tomorrow...need my sleep! Much more later?! Or much later...

Oh, and I need to go back to my song of the day or post...really diggin this song...check it out! So Summery, ya'll feel me? (Metro Station - Shake It.) It also reminds me of my favorite new TV show, but I'll save that for another post!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpU78IeTx_c

All Caught Up...Maybe

2008-05-04T15:25:00.000-07:00

So that brings me to today...but first - yesterday we took Jadyn to see a movie in the theatre - Nims' Island...it was good, she loves going to the movie...and today is one of those super pretty days...I decided to get a few shots of Jadyn being silly playing...Enjoy. Hopefully I won't have so long between post...Notice Jadyn is rockin her inner Deb - the side pony - classic....

Where did April Go?

2008-05-04T13:59:00.000-07:00

So now we are officially in May, I guess it is safe to tell you about all the many things we did in April...

In my life as a recreator I am responsible for the Day Camp programs and we have a Spring Break day camp. That was the first full week of April this year, so needless to say I have had a big chunk o' super-busy time. It just gets busier (worse) from here though...but in between all the work and all the rain, and well - all the snow (because it did snow here in April - so bizarre) we did make time to play...of course. The new ride needed to be unleashed on Washington!

We finally made the trek to visit my sister & bro-in-law at their home in Bellevue. We have been there before, but not when there was stuff in it! Rebecca made some deliciously spicy Chipolte Chicken Cashew number - and I discovered the only kind of rice that I am willing to eat - I guess that is a lie I do eat rice occasionally - but not by choice - this rice was actually tasty. It was so good. Aaron was nice enough to set up the camping tent in the living room so Jadyn could play camping or crocodile or whatever game she created from that vivid imagination of hers. And then we went up Cougar Mountain for a look at the ginormous houses and the beautiful sunset and a panoramic view of the Seattle area...it was very very lovely...

The Saturday after my spring break camp - it was absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous outside - it got up to 85 - so we all went on a picnic...windows down - music playing - picnic overlooking the water - it was fabulous. We went out to the sound to eat and bask in the beautiful rays of sunshine...I got some pictures of the event but not many...see how pretty it was...the next Saturday was when we got the snow - so crazy. After our picnic, Jadyn I just cruised around town, just driving. Went to the car wash and just had a fantastically lazy Saturday - I didn't even clean the house - lazy!

Then I went out of town for a conference the next week. I didn't take any pictures, but it is worth noting that there was a Sonic there (I may have indulged in three - yes 3 Route 44 Diet Dr Peppers - it was divine)...and we did stop in Portland on the way to go shoe shopping at DSW - tax free...wheee!!! I missed Jadyn and she missed me, but my family took good care of her. I was ready to come home and get some Jadyn kisses that is fo' sho'...the Saturday following my return we had another picnic at the park because it was once again - GORGEOUS!!!! But kind of chilly. We went to the park and had KFC and Jadyn played on the playground, she loves the slide - and having Jennifer swing her...before we left we got a couple shots of her, she has moved into 'posing' for pictures...and occasionally I get some really hilarious shots. This one isn't one of the funny ones, I need to get one of the pictures that Jenn took where she is hugging a tree - we are nature lovers here in the Northwest, afterall...plus in that picture you can see her cute dress...my girl LOVES dresses...she would wear one everyday, but we compromise and she wears them all weekend...I guess that about sums up April. Well except for the story about accidentally puncturing my foot with a fork, going to urgent care, getting a booster of tetanus, and soaking my foot three times a day (how else would I be able to find the time to write these informative posts...) but I will keep that story to myself...

The Beat Goes On...

2008-05-04T12:59:00.000-07:00

The beat goes on...Drums keep pounding a rhythm to the brain...so here I am to continue the update of our lives over the past few months. I have woefully neglected this site and I am doing my best to catch up right now...I know people are truly invested in our lives and want to stay current...hehe.

So one BIG thing that happened in our world, is the purchase of a new vehicle...it was a long time coming, that is fo' sho'. I appreciate all the cars that I have driven over the years...but this one is by far my favorite...one very un-exciting part of a new car is the car payment, but she's worth it...

I know it may sound silly, but I feel happier, more excited, more joyous since the purchase. It is nice to feel free. I know I could load up the car and go ANYWHERE and there is such excitement in that. Granted I don't know if I could afford the gas to go anywhere, but knowing I can make it there, and in comfort is a blessing....and as silly as it may seem - my soul delighteth...

So you may be asking yourself, so what kind of car did you get already...I will include a picture and you can guess. Before making your guess you may need to consider the following: my car buying criteria...four doors (car seats are a pain when you have to get inside the car to buckle up), automatic (I think unless you are driving a sports car - standards are unnecessary and frustrating and tiring - and make it hard to talk on your cell phone - ya feel me?! I know that I should go blue tooth, but frankly, those people look silly and they really do look like they are talking to themselves, and I look crazy enough in the car as it is - you know with the dancing, so....), and an auxiliary jack (or even a tape deck) so I could play my ipod (I know it is a seemingly silly requirement - but I dig tha tunes - ya know?) in the car and bring back one of my favorite activities - car dancing! Yessssss.....

So here is a picture...I need a name I am having a hard time deciding...maybe Razzbaria...I know we have Bluebaria already...something royalty related like - Princess Sangria...where is all my creativity???? OK, yeah tha picture...

Notice how I have the sun gleaming on my new ride...I am not a big car washer, you wouldn't believe how many times this baby has been washed...and we are not allowed to eat in the car. Jadyn loves it, and is now ready for me to buy a red house...she points them out as we are driving - all the other red cars and all the red houses...she is so cute!

Yep Another Post

2008-04-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

So March was full of Madness...and I am not even finished yet. I really dig college basketball and every year I dutifully enter my one or two brackets in the office pool...and every year I lose, well not this year baby! I rocked my group bracket this year. Yep that's right first place & since I like to brag - third place. Out of 81 entries...won myself $560. Here is the link if you want to check it out...

http://msquared.mayhem.sportsline.com/opm/standings

I think this is enough catching up for today...I will update through the end of March tomorrow. Idol is on...did I mention it is Neil Diamond night?! Awesome!

The Next Day - Easter

2008-04-29T18:36:00.000-07:00

I need to think of funnier or at least more griping titles for my blogs...it is hard when you are playing catch-up though.

So the Day after the Easter Egg Dash...that would be Easter Morning, and boy did the bunny treat her good this year...at this point in her life she was still in the phase of "I refuse to take this picture thing seriously." I took like one million shots. And she was really trying not to look in the camera and smile...frustrating...

I try not to get too much candy, as one - it's not good for you and two - she doesn't really like it...except whoppers, she loves whoppers. So she got a swimming suit and a cover-up from Costco (have I mentioned my love for that store) cause she love swimming...she saw that dropped her nightgown and put on the bathing suit...the movie Annie - which she loves...um stamps, a dress, let's see oh a giant coloring book (also from Costco) and on and on...maybe she is spoiled...maybe...

One where she is actually looking & smiling at the camera...

Rocking the Bathing Suit & Smiling...almost at the camera!

So then it was off to church with the fam...after I tried to get some pictures in her Dress, but again - she was resistant to the demands of my photography but I did get some super cute, well in a mother's opinion, shots of my bug...

Smiling - check, looking at the camera - check, tongue out - double check...killing me!

She makes some really funny faces sometimes...

Can I just say I loved her hair...Cut little ringlets.

Again with the Drama...that face is priceless!

I have to tell a story about that balloon...she got it for her birthday and LOVED it...not only was it a princess balloon, but it also sung happy birthday. Two fabulous things in one balloon, how could she not love it?! There were occasions in fact, that we had to take the balloon with us when we left the house...it was such a treat stuffing that ginormous balloon in the front seat with me...well the Sunday came when we were celebrating Jennifer's birthday (also Easter Sunday) and Jadyn wanted to bring something for Jennifer, so she gave her her Singing Princess Ginormous Birthday Balloon (read: annoying). Although we all found the balloon all kinds of annoying that was one of her favorite things, and she loved it. And she wanted to show how much she loved Jenn, by giving that balloon to her. She was so happy that she got to share with Jenn, I am sure she figured Jenn would love the balloon as much as she did. She is such a good kid.

Jadyn Loving the Monkey!

She made that monkey at Build-a-Bear on one of our visits to UT. She loves that little guy. One day recently she discovered and undid the stitching in the back and took the hearts out...we happened to put two in there, and she gave one to me and kept one for herself. But now the monkey is broken ('him's broken, mama.') and 'him don't have a heart.' And no I don't correct her grammer, not yet - it's too cute...

It's Almost Embarassing...

2008-04-29T17:30:00.000-07:00

Jadyn & Michelle

Wow...it has been a long, long time. Sometimes life just get's super busy and you stop for a second and look around and realize summer is over and the rain is beating down again. No we haven't moved that far ahead, but sometimes it feels like it. I will post a couple of updates today...let me go back to March....

As many of you may know, I am a professional recreator, and yes it is as fun as it sounds, but it is also a lot of work. I am in charge of our city's Easter Egg Event, and besides celebrating Jadyn's Birthday (Jenn & Liz's also) I also get to plan, coordinate, and 'make the magic happen' for about 1,000 eagar children the Saturday before Easter. It is a blast, but as Easter was March 23, I had to get my butt and gear early this year. I had a little bit of trauma at the event, in regard to a Thank You note I sent, but you can't make everyone happy, I just figured no one would complain about a Thank You note - I was wrong, but that is another story...In addition to all the smiling children of Tumwater from 0-10, of course Jadyn was apart of the magical day.

Jadyn at Easter Egg Dash 2007

I have to share with you how how she picked up the eggs last year, before I share this year's experience. We divide the age groups into 0-3, 4-6 & 7-10. We spread the 9,000 eggs (3,000 for each age group) out in these huge sections on a soccer field. The 0-3 age group can have a parent go with them, the other groups are on their own. When the cannon fires it is a mad dash to scoop up as many eggs as you can. So last year since I was working, Jenn came and escorted Jadyn through the Pandamonium. Isn't it always funny how the child of the person in charge is somehow neglected? Well Jadyn came, but she was without a basket to put all her treasure in, so she had to make do with a plastic bag. My poor neglected child. Anyway, the cannon fired and they kids were off, the 0-3 age is not a mad dash but you do want to get as many eggs as possible...not Jadyn, she took her time. She gingerly, and I do mean gingerly bent down and picked up her eggs with only the fingertips of her index finger and thumb. If there was a piece of grass on the egg (and they are in a big FIELD so you can imagine there was some grass) she refused to put it in her bag until the grass and rain was no longer on the egg....I mean come on, it is WA how many eggs were dry...that would be NONE...it took forever. I am going to try to find that video, because it was hilarious! Anyway, all the eggs were eventually scooped up and it was time to see what prizes she got, I have some really nice prizes in those eggs, and she managed, even with her careful handling to pick up about 15 eggs....and as I was watching them open and dump the prizes in her plastic sack...I kept saying "please win the Red Robin certificate..." over and over...it was a $40 gift certificate so of course I wanted that...then Jenn pulls out one of our prize vouchers and turns it over...Red Robin...she found the Red Robin certificate...Awesome! Her method for picking up Easter Eggs will never be laughed at again...my baby brought home a sweet prize...so I thought we were on point for this year...um...yeah...that would be a negatory ghost rider....

Jadyn REFUSED to go pick up any eggs, not one, I was trying to coax her, the parents all around us will trying to coax her...in fact what she did was run out with her basket (that's right she had one this year. I learn from my mistakes...) and drop the basket and run back to Mom & Michelle. In fact her little basket was just chillin out there on the field, the parents that were staying back even picked up eggs to throw them in her basket. If they hadn't have done that she would have scored no eggs. Sometimes she is so silly...but at least I have some pictures, even if she didn't take home any fabulous prizes...

Getting ready to dash (or not) with Mom & Michelle...

Pictures and Links...

2008-03-15T09:33:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it is hard to get her to smile for the camera (she likes to be silly), but when she does...b.e.a. - utiful...the horse was one of her Birthday presents...Kya braided her up!Aren't oversized sunglasses the thing right now, Jadyn is so fashion forward...especially with the sequin and heart, pink and purple - hair accessory. She has two of them, because she loves them so much...this is the very most recent picture, unless I take one now....hold on a second, just kidding!
Here are three video's of her throughout her birthday. I need to do some editing, but a mother loves even the boring stuff, not that any of these are boring...I think all you have to do is hover and click. Happy viewing, of the Happy Birthday!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7621835579812975673

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7432865305458253511

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-364744589674802949

Happy Birthday Jadyn!

2008-03-09T20:56:00.000-07:00

Well, what a day. Today we celebrated Jadyn turning four. Amazing. In honor of her birthday, it was decided that daylight savings time start early this year - and boy did that through me off...but that is a different story.

Over the last four years I have seen this amazing little girl blossom. My life is blessed everyday because she is part of it.

This picture says it all, we are exhausted. Jadyn and her monkey...2006

March 9, 2004

Sleeping when you are pregnant and uncomfortable is never easy, even though you are always tired. I had a little more than a month left and I had just been put on bedrest...bedrest, seriously, do you know how hard that is? Not to mention that allowing other people to take care of me, that is impossible. So my bedrest, luckily for me, only lasted four days. Then Jadyn decided she wanted to come. And come she did. Having your water break is a very unusual sensation, waking your family up at 3:30 in the morning because of it, is sureal. I was not ready to have a baby a month early, not at all. And the thing that keeps running through your head over and over....it's too soon, it's too soon, she's not 37 weeks, are her lungs ready, it's too soon....I had had at least five sonograms, we were going to the doctor three times a week, so I knew she was progressing fantastically, but all I could think about was - it's too soon.

I tried to be strong, my mom was with me and she had six kids without drugs (I don't know how that is even possible), I broke down and said GIVE ME SOME DRUGS!!!! We went to one of the two childbirthing classes and I said this is a joke and didn't do the second. My mom told me that day she had been very concerned about that, but saw that I knew what I was doing. (Those classes were a joke...) I can't tell you how much I read, but you are never prepared...it hurts like the dickens and then the drugs and I could actually sleep through them. AWESOME.

So Jadyn was born at 8:57 p.m. after a long day that started at 3:30 a.m., and I remember the first thing I said - how are her lungs...my doctor sweetly replied, "They don't cry like that if there is a problem, she is fine." Oh relief, I have to say, clearly my question wasn't logical, but that had been my biggest worry. It was like she did as much growing as she needed to inside me and said listen I gotta get outta here for my mom's sake - I can finish the rest on the outside. And she did. "Premies are this, premies are that", they kept her for a week pretty much for observation, because she never had problems. She had jaundice, but I did too when I was born, they didn't keep me in for a week...she quickly packed on the pounds as she was a measly 5 lbs 7 oz when born and then lost a few oz before we left the hospital...but that didn't last long. Our bodies are amazing...even though I still have not yet recovered...the way my body provided what she needed and she just grew and grew and grew. She is in the 96% for height, weight is average, so she is tall and trim. Her feet were big for awhile, but now her body had caught up to them...they grow so fast.

It was funny when we did our exit the hospital interview...those questions, I was dying...I finally said to the nurse...I am the oldest of six children, and babysat countless others, I have got this...and if I had any questions then I will CALL MY MOTHER! Wow. Either the hospital has been sued a few times, or they really have some unexperienced parents...

So now tonight, four years later I reflect on that day, they day Jadyn came into this world. She is fantastic and I am grateful for her. To know her is to love her. She lights up not only the room, but your life. I know all parents think so, but she is amazing! I have a few videos of today, but as she is the greatest child, I am still trying to be up to par as her mother. I went to take pictures, and the battery was dead...talk about unprepared. Hopefully these videos will give you a glimpse at the wonderful little girl that she is. Happy Birthday Jadyn.

There is no song of the day, only Jadyn. She is the music and the melody yet to be written.

OK, I will have to post video in the morning. They are taking forever to upload, and our day has been full and I am tired! Click to view movie:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7621835579812975673

So I finally did it....

2008-03-03T22:21:00.000-08:00

I bought the 80GB ipod classic...my first ipod. It felt good! And I made a new playlist. I am addicted to itunes, only gripe - play more than 30 seconds and charge less money - hehe. I didn't budget that much money for music in my budget - whoops!

So I made a new playlist...fun. I put my blog song...I couldn't find the one I was looking for - Honor & Harmony, from the Thicker Than Water soundtrack...but that ok because I freakin love this song! My Baby's Got Sauce - thanks Jill for introducing me to my love - GLove.

I will have to come back later and add a picture of my new baby...

Through Jadyn's Eyes

2008-02-19T18:41:00.000-08:00

I love this picture of Jadyn. It was taken at the 'Princess Temple Castle', aka the Mt Timpanogos Temple...

I picked up Jadyn from school today. She was coloring a picture and was VERY excited to show me. "Look mom, it's a heart and a one-e-corn." See to her a unicorn is a one-e-corn, and honestly I think I might like one-e-corn better.

As I was driving Jadyn to school the other morning, she told me, "Momma, I want your sister to pick me up." Well as I have four sisters, I went through the list - Jennifer - "no", Rebecca - "no", Elizabeth - "no", ok Michelle - "no". Your other sister, man Jadyn those are my only sisters. "No, the one with the long hair." I finally figured out who she meant - Jill. "Yeah, momma. Her, I want her to come with you to pick me up." Sweet Jadyn, Jill came with me during her visit to pick up Jadyn. And she must have liked it...and yeah she is kinda my sister, true? Love you Jill.

Jadyn was taking her bath the other night. She has a lot of bath toys, she happens to have two dolphins. She was on her belly pretending to swim, she loves to do that, and I came back in the room she lifted up her dolphins and said, "Look momma, I am swimming with the dolphins." Where do they get this stuff? They pick up everything...so cute.

I was doing Jadyn's hair the other day before school, and we were talking about how her birthday is coming up and I asked her what she wanted. She said quickly and with a huge grin, "Sprinkles!" Perfect, I can handle that...

...Speaking of sprinkles, we were in the kitchen one day and she saw the muffin tins. She says, "Mommy, I want to make some hupcakes." I was like hupcakes? Sweetie, they are called cupcakes. "No momma, they are hupcakes." Interesting theory Jadyn, why would they be called hupcakes, when they are shapped like a cup? What exactly would a hup be? She got tired of trying to convince me, but she still calls them hupcakes.

For the longest time, she refered to my mom and dad both, as 'Gampa', my dad loved it, I am not sure my mom did though. Although, my mom embraced it towards the end and even put her name on her cell phone as 'Gampa.' Beautiful.

My grandma passed away this past December, and Jadyn often says to me, 'I miss your grandma.' She met grandma only a few times, but it is so interesting to me that she thinks about her and misses her, that she has an awareness of what happened. It shows me we are more connected than we understand. We were able to visit my Grandparents this past September and Grandma and Jadyn had a great time playing with all of Grandma's necklaces. I wish I had taken a picture...

She has a ton more, and I will keep sharing them...Enjoy.

Pimpin' People's Blogs...

2008-02-19T18:23:00.000-08:00

This blog was not intended to be a religous blog, although my faith is a big part of my life, I am trying to have this blog as friendly and religion is often a very sensitive subject, and while I wrote a blog with my testimony, I was doing it for me and my family and friends that may have wondered over the years where my mind was at.

Additionally, I wanted to express to Amy my love. I don't love someone based on the decisons they make, so no mater what she does - I love her for who she is. I loved her before she was Mormon, I did not love her because she was Mormon, and I don't stop loving her when she is not. If you would like to express your thoughts about Amy's decisions and your love for Amy, I am sure she would love it, her blog is: http://www.dampenningtons.blogspot.com/ I know she would love to hear from you.

Secondly, my brother-in-law (it's cool to have one - finally), has a great blog that talks about all kinds of things. And it is faith based...and a perfect place to learn more and express your opinion. He loves it, he welcomes it. Aaron, has a great perspective of the gospel, and his journey has been atypically. And I appreciate and value his opinion, check it out: http://graceforgrace.com/

I include the picture to illustrate that he is very easy to talk to (yes he is running in a mullet wig), so write some of your thoughts and opinions on his page. I don't think Becca will like that I put this up...so I will put up a nice one...

Random

2008-02-18T12:46:00.000-08:00

As is it president's day and I am currently enjoying my day off I thought that I would share a little thing I just learned from yahoo.com, yeah I learn stuff from Yahoo sometimes, the are worth way more that 15 billion or whatever obsence amount Microsoft devalued them by offering...

Anyway, according to yahoo.com Abraham Lincoln is the most requested president for quotes. Can't say I am surprised. Number two is Thomas Jefferson, etc...here is the list with links.

Abraham Lincoln Quotes
Thomas Jefferson Quotes
Theodore Roosevelt Quotes
Ronald Reagan Quotes
George Washington Quotes

Anyway I thought I would share a few...quotes that is...

Lincoln -
"Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it."

"I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day."

"I am rather inclined to silence, and whether that be wise or not, it is at least more unusual nowadays to find a man who can hold his tongue than to find one who cannot."

Jefferson -
"When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, an hundred."

"Delay is preferable to error."

"Bigotry is the disease of ignorance, of morbid minds; enthusiasm of the free and buoyant. Education & free discussion are the antidotes of both."

"I cannot live without books."

"Religion is a subject on which I have ever been most scrupulously reserved. I have considered it as a matter between every man and his Maker in which no other, and far less the public, had a right to intermeddle."

Have a great President's Day!

Pondering

2008-02-17T20:27:00.000-08:00

One of my friends recently sent me an email to read her blog, and on her blog it said she was leaving the LDS church. I have been wondering how to respond, if she wants my response (she did after all just email me to look at her blog, she choose not to tell me herself – so I am not sure if she is interested in my opinions), and what exactly my feelings are about the situation are. I thought this gave me a chance to bear my testimony, so here it goes...

First, I love a person no matter what they believe. I have many friends from a wide variety of backgrounds, a wide variety of lifestyles, a wide variety of beliefs. I would like to think that they know that regardless of their personal choices, I accept them and love them although I might not love or agree with everything they do. That is not my call, they have to be ok with their life. They will be accountable for their choices, not me.

Second, I have thought in the past, how much easier things would be if I wasn’t part of the church. I have considered choosing a relationship over my beliefs. Putting aside my upbringing and being more open to different ways of life, to be more ‘worldly’ and have less argument and discord in my relationship with Jadyn’s dad.

Third, there is something I know that keeps me from doing that. I have read the Book of Mormon and I have prayed about the Book of Mormon, and I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. There are many people and churches that believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I believe that too, with everything I am, but there is only one church that has the restored gospel, that has the Book of Mormon. That is the LDS church. I cannot deny that I have received a testimony. And I knew I could not live with myself if I made that kind of compromise.

My hope is that when my friend was choosing to be baptized, she wasn’t doing it to please me, but she was doing it because she had a testimony – that she believed that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Had she not been baptized I would have loved her with the same strength and fervor that I do today. She is my sister regardless. And now all these years later I wonder, Why? Sometimes, being a member of the church is hard. It is hard if two people in a relationship believe in different things, I know I would have never been happy compromising myself. I didn’t take the sacrament for 5 years. I was starving myself from my relationship with my Savior. I knew what was right, I knew I wasn’t living like I needed to, and it is a daily effort to put off the things of the world and embrace what I know is right.

I wish her happiness in her choices, that she can find the peace she is looking for. I know personally the only way I feel that peace is when I am living the gospel. My thoughts for investigators of the church - if you do not have a testimony of the Book of Mormon, then don’t get baptized. You need that testimony to help you be strong in your faith. To keep connected and not leave the church. That testimony is what has kept me connected even in the dark times, and I am grateful everyday that the Holy Ghost bears witness of the truth and that I was able to receive that testimony. I challenge anyone – if you don’t know, or if you have ever wondered – read the Book of Mormon and pray. You will receive an answer. And that answer is what keeps me from talking myself out of my faith. I know, and I know that God knows that I know – the Book of Mormon is the word of God.

Amy, I love you the same as I did that day. I love you no matter what choices you make, I love you when you doubt yourself, I love you when you remember that you love yourself as much as everyone else loves you, I love you as my sister. I will always love you, and I pray from the bottom of my heart that this is going to bring you the peace you are always looking for. That is all I ever want for you. To love yourself as much as you are loved and too be comfortable being who you are - my very precious Amy.

So I'm saving all my love, yes, saving all my love - For You! Yes, You!

2008-02-12T22:32:00.000-08:00

These pictures are clearly from our dress up day last week, ok I am lying - it was Halloween, but she was a Pink Princess and it screams Valentine's Day appropriate to me (thank you grandma for making the dress!). Just think of her wand as a bow and arrow and she is a little pink (fully clothed - cause it can get COLD up here when it's not raining) cupid. We have pink everying, btw. What color dog do you want Jadyn? - pink. What color car should we get Jadyn? - pink, What color of Princess dress do you want? - of course - PINK! (Even this blog is pink - in her honor. Ok, you are right, I like pink too.) She even picks out all the various shades of pink to color with, and she only colors with them. I guess more accurately she only colors with shades of red, as orange and purple are also included...

On to the message:

Every year I go to the store and dutifully buy Christmas Cards to mail out to all my friends, family and associates – and every year when I am packing up all the Christmas paraphernalia, I pack up the un-opened and unsent Christmas Cards (I have about 4 packages right now – I need to stop buying them). Because once again I have failed to do my duty as a friend and family member, and sign my signature to a card with it’s corny and sometimes sensitive ‘Christmas message’ and mail it out. I think that the last time I even mailed a few Christmas Cards out was in 2004 – I purchased the ones that I could put a picture of Jadyn in, so there was some new motivation for me.

Last year I decided that I was just going to email everyone and I was going to create a playlist of some of my favorite songs from 2006 (it is very personal to get blind copied on an email I know, but at least it was something) but I didn’t do that either. So this year my new goal was to start a blog and email everyone the link so if people wanted to they could keep up with Jadyn and me throughout the year – not just at Christmas and I was going to send out the 2006 playlist because I didn’t have time to make a 2007 one, but guess what – I didn’t do that again this year. I created the blog, I am using last year’s playlist and I still didn’t send it out. I must have some sort of mental block about Christmas correspondence.

I thought my new tradition is Valentine’s Day Cards – reminiscent of elementary school when we had specially decorated brown (or white) paper bags – and everyone showed you some love. Maybe I can keep up this new Valentine’s Day tradition and you will get blind copied on an email once a year – reminding you to have a great Valentine’s Day and a Happy New Year (conveniently Valentine’s Day generally coincides nicely with the Chinese New Year.) And I can share an outdated playlist.

So now for my chessy Valentine message:

Near or Far,
Old and New,
My Life is blessed,
Because of you!

Happy Valentine’s Day! And have a great Year of the Rat!

Kathryn

No song of the day – instead a whole playlist. SWEET! Some really old songs, some special Valentine's songs (hint - Chris Brown he he), a little of the dirty dirty - ok I took those songs out - but here they are if you wanna listen - Wood Grain Wheel, Slim Thug & Independent - Webbie, and of course some of my favorite songs from last year - that would be 2006. So behind....

10 Things I Really Love – At Least Like a Lot

2008-02-07T12:06:00.000-08:00

Jadyn’s Laugh – it is seriously the greatest, and she isn’t stingy with it so I get to hear it all the time.
Football – This time of year is very sad for me – only 7 more months till we gear up again.
March Madness – please let me win the pool this year!
Ice Cold Diet Dr Pepper – I think I drink this stuff more than water. My favorite is when it is so cold that it has a few ice crystals in it – yum.
Noggin – yes a pre-school TV channel. But I love it because Jadyn loves it and there are NO commercials.
A ‘Sunbreak’ – unfortunately it rains frequently here, and yes the sun goes down early in the winter – but it is wonderful when the sun comes out. ‘I want to Soak up the Sun!”
Psych – a hilarious TV show. It is really a lot of fun. (I also enjoy The Office.)
A Good Book – I can be about pretty much anything – as long as it is something that I want to finish and finish quickly.
Lasagna – Garfield and I have that in common, and for all the years of my life that I can remember anyway, it has been my favorite food. Hand’s down. For some reason only the way my family makes it – I do not like lasagna at restaurants.
Music – pretty much all kinds, but not quite. And I love watching Jadyn dance, sometimes with music, sometimes she dances without it – that could technically be number 11 but the title says 10 things, so we will leave it at that.

Song of the Day – Beautiful Skin – Goodie Mob – for some reason this popped into my head this morning. I really love the song, and although he is writing to black women he says at the beginning – “This is out of common respect, for all women period” so I feel like it also applies to me. Here is the Chorus: (Cee-lo sings it): Well, I say you're my, beginnin my end – You're my sista lover and friend - God is, your light from within - It shines through your beautiful skin - What they, say bout you ain't true - There's no me if there is no you -I hope, that you understand - You got to respect yourself before I can. – Love it.

February - Presidents and Love

2008-02-04T20:00:00.000-08:00

What a month. It seems that I have missed January entirely on this blog. I am doing really good at the so far. Right? I had to include a picture from almost four years ago - Jadyn's birthday. 3/9/04. I guess I should have saved it for her birthday, but the way I keep this place updated I didn't want to risk it. She was 5 lb 7oz 19.5 inches long and a little more than four weeks early - and screaming her lungs off. I was so proud. Anyway on to the juicy stuff...

January, let's see, what did we do? For some reason my mind is mush right now. I know we had some scary times - my sister Elizabeth was in the hospital. She is good now. I got new tires for the car. Ummm, listen there has to be something this is ridiculous. My friend Jill got to visit from NYC - we had a nice trip to get pedicures, one of my favorite things, why did I deny myself that rich treat for so many years. Don't worry I am making up for it now.

Let me do like Jadyn "Think, Think, Think" Of course - Benjamin, my one and only brother turned 18. Can you believe it?! This is why you write more than once every 35 days - so things are fresh and you can keep it snappy.

Which brings me to February, we are only 5 days in so let's see what remarkable and monumental things have happened to us. Sadly, Gordon B Hinckley passed away. He lived a long full life and we are blessed to have had his voice of guidance in our lives for so long. We watched part of the Prophet's funeral on Saturday morning. Thank goodness for DVR so I can watch it later. Uninterrupted.
Also on Saturday, we got to experience one of life's special treats. I have been missing out on this one for a long time, I am so happy that I have finally been able to experience it. - Chuck E Cheese on a Saturday afternoon, a four year old birthday party no less. Oh my, you think it is crowded on a dance floor - you should have seen this mamma jamma. Insane. Grease nasty pizza and a giant rat in a restrauant. But some how it works and kids love it, you just can't consider what is going on too closely. But if I can hold out - Jadyn will not ever have a party there. It's magical and all that, but WOW. No words can adequately describe...

Oh yeah and the Superbowl...I have to be honest even though as a Cowboy fan I pretty much detest the Giants - I was glad they won and I was rooting for the the whole way. And I just have to think come on Cowboys, you beat them TWICE - why did you fall apart on me?

Song of the Day - Well I don't have a song today, but an Artist. Lionel Richie. I really love that CD "Truly- the Love Songs." Listened to it all day, well not all day (also snuck in The Carpentars & Harry Connick Jr), today at work. And it was music to my soul...love it. More later and much sooner than later.

Oh and speaking of giant rats - Happy Chinese New Year! The year of the rat.

One more thing...

2007-12-31T20:59:00.000-08:00

Well besides HAPPY NEW YEAR, because it is now officially 2008 in NYC. Saw a movie today that I loved. I Am Legend. I loved it. Of course I sobbed and screamed. I get way to caught up in movies, but it was really good. Maybe it is just cause I think Will Smith doesn't know how to pick a bad movie, and I didn't see Bagger Vance so I can't judge his performance in that movie. But it is one I will recommend and one you should see in the theatre...

It inspired me to pick another song for today: Bob Marley - Three Little Birds...

Adventures in Straightening

2007-12-31T20:36:00.000-08:00

Last night after Sunday dinner Jennifer and Michelle went on a quest. Their goal - straightening Jadyn's hair. She loves taking baths and leaning her head back so her hair is long, but when she gets out is it curly (and shorter) again. So they bribed her to straighten her hair. I have to say that I can't let her do it again until she is much older, because she looked older to me and I wasn't ready for that.

Jadyn hates hot things by her head, she is very impatient about brushing her hair, and she has very clear ideas about what she wants. And she didn't want them to do it. But after much distraction and much bribery (yes that is ice cream as her reward - her favorite is plain vanilla - I don't get it myself, anyway) the results are in... and yes that is makeup - like I said they pulled out all the stops - and glitter in her hair, but she loved it. So I am sure she will be up for it again, next time though we will have to start with freshly washed and dried hair so maybe it won't be so puffy by her scalp...

Song of the Day - The Sweetest Thing - U2. I love it and it just popped into my head the line "Blue-eyed boy and this brown-eyed girl..." Ben's comment was - she is going to have a lot of boys wanting to date her when she is 16. Heaven help me, she will need a daddy before then to keep those young men in line...maybe I can borrow some of my dad's scary mojo for when that day comes...he was quite frigtening back in the day. ;-)

Wow

2007-12-31T19:40:00.001-08:00

It has been a very busy week for sure. I have been neglecting my online journal for too long...good it forgives me. So we pretty much had another wonderful Christmas. Which reminds me I need to write in Jadyn's journal about Christmas before I have to play catch up and my memories aren't fresh. It is a week later and already I am hazy on how things went down...ha ha.

We had the usual Family Talent Show, only this year we actually practiced. We were amazing. We had the added talents of Aaron our new brother-in-law and he really enhanced the program. The Girls sung a song that I had them listen too at the last minute and we didn't have any sheet music, but I think it sounded semi-professional. It was 'Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.' It was a breathtaking rendition, of course. :-)

The next morning we slept in until 7:30 it was incredible. I don't think in my 31 years we have ever slept in longer than that on Christmas morning, but we (Benjamin) were under strict orders not to wake up until Jadyn did. I was almost well rested on Christmas - it was crazy.

Having a 3 & 3/4 year old there is so fun. We open presents in reverse baby-act order (it is a word we apparently made up, but only means youngest to oldest, but in a much cooler and more hip way!) And Jadyn was so patient at waiting her turn and very good at throwing the wrapping paper away while unwrapping her present. She hit the jack pot Christmas morning for sure. A dollhouse, a new crib, highchair and stroller for her babies, and a new bicycle. My mom made her some flannel nightgowns (pictured above in her "I am going to hide from the camera" pose) that she LOVED, she got a barbie phone, The Friend, a cash register, movies, a new CD player (she loves music and singing and dancing and Jenn was nice enough to bedazzle the play button, so I am not constantly having to start it for her.) And I broke down and bought her a barbie. It was hard to do.

Funny story about the bicycle...everytime someone asked her what she wanted for Christmas she replied "A Bike." Well I bought her stuff in October at Costco, (because you have to buy it when it is there otherwise it is gone when you go back - random sorry.) so she reached her limit with me already, so I passed this info on to my mom. Mom said she was too young, and I aggreed she could wait. My mom also said that it would be good for her to not get everything she wants. It will be a good lesson about waiting. So I am totally fine with this, no pressure was applied by me - well that I am aware of anyway - and so I thought we would wait till her Birthday or next Christmas. So my mom calls me on Christmas Eve and asks if they should get the bike. "Mom, what about teaching her about waiting and her being older?" My mom so beautifully replied, "She is the only grandchild, so why not?" Why not indeed? Hence the Limited Edition Disney Enchanted Princess 16" bike that she loves. (but doesn't like going outside to ride - when it is cold and rainy I guess I can understand.) BTW - I love her hair in the morning!

Go Cowboys!

2007-12-22T21:51:00.000-08:00

Another victory...a good day - do you know me well enough to know that my stocking is a Cowboy stocking from 1994 - that is a true fan. How 'bout them Cowboys! BYU wins in a crazy finish, another good day - although I now only have 36 points in the Bowl competition - not so hot...Finished my Christmas shopping - a fantastic addition to the day. The only thing I can say about today, the shortest 'day' of the year, was of course it rained and of course it was not sunny, but besides that - it was a really spectacular day.

Song of the Day - "Mary, Did you Know." Now there are about 1 million different versions of this song, but today's winner is Donny Osmond. Only because in my effort to create a game of Christmas Name that Tune for Monday night's festivities I try to find songs that are not only difficult to name (which as far as Christmas songs go - that is pretty hard to do) but I also try to find hard to guess artists...do you think they would guess that? Donny Osmond? I will let you know how the game goes...

2007-12-22T00:45:00.000-08:00

BTW - in case you wondered, who I would do it all for - she is pictured above. My girl. Who is of course, nothing less than spectacular, not unlike her mother. She is a new adventure everday. And the joy of my life - Jadyn Elise. This is her school picture - it is hard to believe not long ago she was a tiny little 5lb 7oz baby...now she is a little girl.

Sunshine on My Shoulders

2007-12-22T00:30:00.000-08:00

Guess what - today is the shortest day of the year...at least the sun will shine. The Pacific Northwest offers limited sun viewing in December, and I miss the Sun so very very much. The sun comes up late, sun goes down early, sun is hidden by the rain clouds. I moved here in Decmeber 6 years ago. They tried to tell me that the rain was just little drops of sunshine. I didn't fall for it then, not falling for it now. But guess what, the sun was out and not behind the rain clouds...two days in a row. Fingers crossed for three. I have been a very good this year, so I am pretty sure it 's going to happen for me...

Song of the Day for today: Dolly Parton doing a live cover of "Shine"(Collective Soul). Let me be honest here for a second - I don't like much country music - but for some reason I really love Dolly. I LOVE her cover of "Stairway to Heaven." I cry ever time I hear it (and no I don't listen to it everyday so maybe that's why it still holds that magic for me.) I think I express such emotion - because I am a softie and because it is freaking awesome!

Five Days Till Christmas...

2007-12-20T22:32:00.000-08:00

I was walking in the mall today and saw a sign in a store window - 5 days till Christmas. I don't know why that sign shocked me into the reality of Christmas being so close, afterall there were millions of people in the mall that I had been bustling through. But I can say I had an awakening moment when I saw that sign. Maybe it shocked me because this year had gone by so fast. Or maybe it just put things in perspective, a microcosm of my life's experience, time goes by - quickly. I asked myself whether it is five days or five years are you wasting your time? Are you just letting time pass and not leaving your mark on it? For me this year has been tough, I am not a complainer and you won't often hear me talk about diffuculties or tell you when things aren't perfect, but it has been a challenge and I feel like I am just getting by. As my boys would sing it - "I'm running to stand still." And they way I figure, if I am going to do all this running - I need to get moving...I am glad I saw that 5 days till Christmas sign - hopefully it will be a catalyst for change...Yep, that's right, a sign in a store window in the busy Christmas season - the fulcrum of Kathryn's life journey. Wouldn't that be a great story to tell when I am 82 to the great-grandkids around the Christmas tree..."One day, a long time ago, I saw a sign..." I should have taken a picture! :-)

PS - SongOfTheDay "I'm About to Come Alive" - Train