new year

Does the beginning of a new school year feel like a new start to you? It really does to me & I love it. This school year I have two children in school--- not the typical school but still--- school.

FIRST - Jack
Jack is 27 & is in his second year at the University of Virginia Law School. He started this past Wednesday & says he can already tell that the second year is going to be great! None of the 1L jitters or newness-- and he has his internship for the summer of 2019 already set up. Lots of stress off the shoulders for that.
He has applied for a chance to enter the Masters in History program which would be congruent with the law degree & he is hoping to hear if he got in by January. He has such a deep love of History & where else is better to learn History than UVA?! What an opportunity- I'm hoping he gets accepted.

SECOND- Trent
Trent is 19 & although he "walked" at his High School graduation - he did not receive his diploma. This was on purpose, because he qualified for a wonderful opportunity in our school district for special ed. students. He will be going to school (on the bus- which picks him up AND drops him off in front of our house each day!) five days a week. Three days a week he goes into the community & learns life skills- Two days a week he is in class type instruction where he also learns practical life skills. This program is set up so that each individual student has an individual plan. They are in groups of 10 with one teacher & one aid. This is a fantastic opportunity for Trent and he LOVES it, especially the bus.

I have had a couple people ask me- what i do all day? HAHAHAHAHAHA oh i love that question! Because really? What would there be to do?

So- some goals for me:

1. I am working on my YW Medallion  I earned mine when i was 17, but this one is a little different so I want to earn it before the program changes in 2020
2. Blogging twice a week at least
3. I volunteer as a Hosting Missionary at the RSB on Fridays
4. YW calling
5. Starting a new scripture study program. More on that later---

........ and you know-- the same things everyone does everyday!

jack gets married

One week after Grandma's funeral-

we had a wedding!

Jack & Dolly

decided to get married & didn't waste any time.

Realizing his last semester of school was starting, knowing he would be super busy as a senior, wanting to go on a honeymoon.....

they gave us 40 days notice.

ya-

you read that right...

40 days.

I was okay with it- I just felt bad for her mom- until I learned that Dolly- she is a gem & she literally did all the work. Every bit. She worked her tail off getting this wedding put together & she did a beautiful job. The pictures here are just snapshots- someday I will get better ones but for now the snapshots are great.

They chose the date-

12-13-14

It was a popular day to get married & so fun.

They are a beautiful couple.

Perfect for each other....

On their- 3, 4, maybe 5th date they went sky diving.

At least that's what they tell us- no pictures= no proof. 

I tell him I went sky diving that day too- but didn't take pictures, ya right.

She is fearless & loves adventure like Jack. 

I routinely remind him that life is not just about adventure, but that life is a gift from God. 

The greatest adventure is being true to what God would have you do in this life- that also takes courage. So adventurous & courageous they are & I hope they will always be.

Some other fun pictures from the day-

not many... ugh... but some.

You probably don't know this-

but Jack loves weddings with dancing. LOVES DANCING

He is a dancing fool & so are all of his buddies.

They made up a play list & had a D. J. just for this part of the night.

Unfortunately most of the guests had left when the full on dancing started- it was quite the show. 

Jack & his college buddies have the tradition of having a special dance for the groom at each of their weddings. it's down right hilarious! We have it on tape & someday I hope to post it on YouTube so I can retire. 

I love this picture because Dolly's friends are looking at Jack like... 

um.. Dolly- this is who you married??

ha hahahahahahha! I love it.

Having Dolly as a daughter has been a huge blessing in my life.

I don't worry about Jack as much (big load lifted) because I know when his malaria symptoms start up she lets me know. She helps take care of him & he here. They are good for each other & she is a dream. I hope they have a load of red headed grandchildren - just for me. 

Dolly & Jack

12-13-14

more adventures of jack

Jack O' Jack

As you may remember- Jack was having some real health issues at the end of 2013 & has had some real health issues for a while... We have had test, after test, after test...  basically to find out that nothing is seriously wrong. That's great news! Still- he has had a lot of annoying little health issues since he contracted Dengue Fever & Malaria & lots of Salmonella poisoning on his LDS Mission to Brasil.  

Sounds fun huh!? Anyway- he has been much better. He had his last test- an MRI in February and is learning to listen to his body (this is sarcasm)- eat better (more sarcasm)- get better sleep (ya you should know by now) All the things his mother tells him. So he can build up strength & his body can heal from the trauma it went through. Ya- he is doing all that.

(Jack on May 29, 2014- a good ol' fashioned American Breakfast of sausage, eggs, toast, oj & milk)

Then he & his buddy Corey decided - life is short- let's do something grand.

The two of them made a plan. They planned & planned & bought a map. They studied it out, planned some more - then did it. Bought two tickets to Europe for a FIVE WEEK BACKPACKING TRIP. You know- the kind of trip the rest of us talk about taking, but very few do it.

They bought just the right clothes. Only one pair of shoes- can't carry extra shoes ya know. One pair that could take them all over Europe, but still to church on Sunday & a trip here.

The bought just the right backpacks, sleeping bags- shoes etc.

They could only take 22 lbs.

Jack is a senior at Brigham Young University. 

A history major. He has taken a couple of European history classes & was so excited to really see all the things he has been learning about.

We drove to the airport in the morning & I dropped them both at the curb.

People would ask me if I was worried, or nervous?

HA! Corey was a missionary in Columbia- Jack in the most dangerous city in Brasil.

(As long as they didn't run into hoards of mosquitoes) Europe- piece of cake.

For the next 5 weeks we lived on the edge of every email & Instagram post.

Half way through his trip we found out about a free app called Viber - then we could call & text.

They started out the adventure in London, England. 

Next Paris, then Rome, Florence & Milan.

From there they met another friend in Switzerland, and went to the Czech Republic, Germany & last but not least they flew home from Poland.

It was an absolute thrill to see all of their photos!

So fun- they are still up if you want to check them out.

Brett's family on both sides come from Switzerland-

so here is is in the Swiss Alps.

Corey is an amazing photographer- if you want to see some excellent photos of Europe and other places..- check him out. REally- you'll be glad you did.

On June 3, 2014 

after Chloe had gone to prom, finished & graduated seminary & high school, both sets of grandparents visited, his dad celebrated his 50th birthday.... a lot happened in those 5 weeks

we got ready for him to come home. 

We got his room all put back together & Trent made this sign out of wood...?

Wood- he nearly took down a few people with this huge wood sign- dear me!

He wrote:

"Kill all the pirates," in the corner.

Me: Trent, why does it say kill all the pirates?

Trent: Well I started to write - kiss the ground then wrote kill on accident. The only thing I could think of with kill - was kill all the pirates.

Okay then?

These two stayed mostly in Hostels & with friends in Germany etc. 

But also- spent a few nights on the streets & at least two nights in a cave off the coast of Italy, with the beach at their feet. Oh my- it's a good thing they are young! It's so fun to hear about all their adventures.

It was a long 5 weeks of not showering regularly- and he hadn't shaved or had a haircut since a week before his last final in the testing center. Let me tell ya, he is pretty darn proud of it at this point too.

Not gonna lie- 

I was thrilled for him.
Thrilled he got to go on this trip.

It's for sure a trip of a lifetime! While he was there he found out his last year at BYU he earned an academic scholarship! So happy- can you tell I'm just a little proud of this kid?

Still- I'm glad he's back- was back. He's off to work & his internship & this weekend another adventure to see one of his roommates is get married here on Saturday. 

Christmas season 2013

This year for me-

Christmas meant extra hours at work.

Which frankly I was very grateful for.

Still- I have deep regrets for not getting my education. 

My constant lecture to my two sweet girls at home: get an education!

Education is power- it's freedom.

Freedom to choose what you want to do with your time.

Don't get me wrong- I LOVE my job- I really do!

I just don't love the pay- and I am not free to choose what I would like to do.

I know there are always exceptions, etc. But the facts are the facts & women need an education.

Apologies to my dear parents who offered it to me and... I didn't take the opportunity.

now I am old with too much responsibility to go back to school - women need something to fall back on- I wish I had more legitimate skills.

end of the lecture- feel free to move on

I set up a hot cocoa bar- thank you pinterest-

just after Thanksgiving.

It's so pretty under the microwave I think I will leave it up all winter.

I honestly don't drink hot cocoa- don't like it- but the kids do and I love this display.

I love our Christmas tree- I love that Chloe & Trent put most of the decorations on with Jack, Cory & Hailey. It was so much fun & I didn't take pictures of people putting on the decorations... oh my goodness. 

At work we started a Cooking With Kids series & it has been VERY successful.

I have been teaching it once a month on Saturday mornings- corporate had this big idea to do the same thing every Saturday in November- so we jumped on board of course. It was really fun. Then in December we decorated cookies & gingerbread houses. We have a pretty good following now. I gotta say- it's so fun when the kids run up & hug me. My own at home Cooking with Kids classes start up again next week. I have a full - cooking with kids schedule! I'm always looking for ideas for things- parents want kids to know- so feel free to comment with suggestions.

The down side- I am always wishing I was at home doing this with my own kids & grand kids...

I just can't seem to find balance right now.

I love snow in winter.

It's been so pretty here!

Our chickens our surviving since Brett digs them out & makes them a walk way. 

They are down to only producing one egg a day- one egg between the two of them?

Don't really know why & I haven't made it a priority to figure it out.

We continue on with medical tests AKA: waste of money- no one knows what to do for him-- for Jack. warning: DO NOT SEND ME SUGGESTIONS.

 I am up to my throat and about to drown in them-

thank you very much.

 We are working it out- not really- but we are trying- do not send me your ideas or give my number anonymously to anyone. Sorry but really- it's that bad. I don't want to know what super healing power you got from eating chicken soup or oil pulling. I hope all those things are successful for you -I really do- and I am not opposed to nontraditional medical ideas- I am opposed to getting them from people at this point. Truthfully- I swear- SWEAR - I've heard it all.

Jack & I on this day went in for a hydrogen breath test & MRI for his migraines. 

He is on leave from work & misses classes on a regular basis now. Thank goodness for understanding & wonderful professors. AND- it's not that bad because he got all A's

ALL A'S ON HIS FINALS!!

this kid- gotta love him- or be amazed

What I do love to hear from people- is that they are praying for him & for us to figure it out.

I know that prayer will probably be the key to this. 

Grateful for a loving Heavenly Father & for this Christmas Season.

More on Christmas to come.

adventures of a not-so-common fellow

Jack!

Oh my son Jack-- 

He is quite the adventurer, as you should know if you are a regular reader here.

The week before last, he took on another adventure and had his first 

Endoscopy

aka: Colonoscopy

This Kid Knows How To Party!

(Jack as he started his "colon prep." By the way- he will not be drinking blue gatorade again)

Jack has had severe gastrointestinal problems since 6 months into his mission.

We didn't know...

Didn't know he was going to the poorest state - in the poorest section of Brazil.

Brazil- where the sewage runs free. 

Heaven knows I was better off not knowing.

He certainly didn't tell me.

 Neither did his mission presidents.... no comment here on that.

I guess Jack is right, what were they going to say? 

 This guy is no stranger to the hospital-

and let me just say

AMERICAN HOSPITALS

I love you

I love your doctors & especially your nurses.

I love your hospital gowns & clean pillows.

Your machines that tick away working diligently. 

I love your mostly private rooms- and clean blue gloves.

I know you are not perfect... but oh the difference. 

If we knew what other countries know-

we would pray with thanks to the All Mighty God for what we have!

Jack writes all about his Brazilian hospital adventures & much, Much more in his new blog:

The Adventures of a Common Fellow

check it out

Let me know if you do & what you think?

the week before last- just some summer journal writing

The week before last

Brett's parents came for a couple days to visit.

I was a little nervous....

My sweet mother in law has Alzheimer's.

It's a cruel, cruel disease.

It's starting to run it's course & she is now forgetting people who she loves & it is heartbreaking.

But- she remembered us all- for now & it was a great visit.

 (like father, like son)

Sunday we went down to Utah Valley to attend church with Chloe & then headed out to Megan's new home to see them. It was so fun & so nice to be together. 

Super Jack & Super Charlie- like to show their muscles.

Trent & the boys played this game - 

Trent threw a ball up the stairs & Joey would throw it back down & Nana was worried Joey would fall down the stairs I she was a wreck.

Jack visits Chloe twice a week & they like to play cards.

They showed us the game they play- it is fast moving & fun to watch! 

Megan made cinnamon rolls & they were SO GOOD!

Joey had one just his size. 

He is so cute I just want to scoop him up.

Brian, Laura & the twins went with Laura's family to a reunion & sent home these pictures.

They crack me up!

Summer is going too fast at our house!