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.

jack turns 22... wow

This past Saturday 

March 16

My Jack turned 22.

wow 

It's been almost a year now since Jack got home from his mission in Brazil.

So happy- so happy to say he is home.

Well- he is in the state & living in Provo, Utah where he attends Brigham Young University- which was his childhood dream. He is feeling good- mostly good. He came home pretty sick with malaria (it's inactive) and fierce stomach & headache problems, after spending nearly the whole two years of his mission service severely invaded by worms & other ailments (like several bouts of salmonella poisoning, dengue fever etc.) We've seen specialists, and frankly do need to see some more.

 But- he is much better & keeps getting better.

We are blessed.

He worked hard on his mission through it all- he has these amazing stories. It's so fun to have his companions  visit with us and to hear about it from their perspective- really amazing & crazy & scary & how did my boy get to be a man so fast? I love this kid.

So- for his birthday in true Jack style- he had an adventure.

His best buddy Corey & he were up with a group of friends watching a movie the night before his birthday & it got late-- they decided at this point- they probably wouldn't get up if they went to sleep. Instead of going to bed- they headed up to their favorite fishing spot. All they had on them was their poles & knives. They bedded down next to the fire they made, on the ground. 

When the sun came up & they could hear the fish jumping-

 they got up and within 15 minutes had each caught fish.

What else would you do with fresh fish on the morning of your 22 birthday?

Grill it on a make shift grill of course!

Man vs. wild has nothing on Jack & Corey.

A couple of months after Jack came home I was in getting my temple recommend renewed & I broke down & cried. I cried to the poor guy and said Why? Why did he have to get so sick in the service of God? He told me an amazing thing that has stuck with me-

He said, Jack has an adventurous spirit. He went places & talked to people other missionaries may not have been able to see. He wasn't afraid. He had what it took to put himself on the line. He will be blessed for being that missionary & he will be watched over by angels for the rest of his life. 

This rang true in my heart.

Writing this post reminded me of that interview & those words & yes-

 we all have different missions in our lives.

I hope I have the courage to follow through with mine.

Happy Birthday Jack