day THIRTY- someone you miss

every day.

day twenty-nine- something that always makes you smile

{It doesn't hurt that these flowers were blooming in France!}

day twenty-eight- something you are afraid of

heights.

Ethan at the top of the Stratosphere in Las Vegas, Nevada
August 2005

day twenty-seven- you and a family member

I told my sister, Kathryn, that I would post a photo of me and Nathan since she did and then it could be the trend, but I'm choosing to post a photo with her instead because she is so very far away and I want her to know that we miss her and think of her.

Jenn & Kathryn, June 2010
our last self-portrait before she left for China.

day twenty-six- something that means a lot to you

I made a lot of mistakes when I sewed this, but I don't think about that when I look at it.


I think about my Dad.
I think about the fun we had searching out Hard Rock Cafe's when we traveled. (I went to all four of these places with him.)
I think about all the history and stories he knew.
I think about how funny it must have been to people that he seemingly wore the same shirt every day, but really he just owned white polo's from every Hard Rock he visited.
I think about sharing a plate of nachos.
I think about how gracious he was to always pick up the tab.

When I look at this pillow, I think about my dad and that means a lot to me.

day twenty-five- your favorite day

SUNDAY!

Sunday is definitely my favorite day. It means going to church, being with family, eating good food and playing games. I love Sunday.

day twenty-four - something you would like to change

I would like to change the amount of calories in a piece of cake to zero.

day twenty-three- your favorite book

A favorite book?
Don't be silly.
How about two!



Jelly Beans for Breakfast, well, doesn't that just sound like a book I would love?!! I mean, who wouldn't want jelly beans for breakfast and to take pictures on the moon and to have upper bunks with ladders to get up and slides to get down... Kelly bought this book for me. It's out of print so he paid a lot of money for it. That he would do that for me makes me like this book even more!

The Clown of God was given to me by my Grandma Dot who was a librarian in Boulder City. The library was across the street from her house. I stayed with her once and remember quite clearly walking across the street to meet her at lunch time. She passed away just before my thirteenth birthday and this is one of the few things I have of hers. If that wasn't enough reason to love it, she also had it signed, "For Jennifer. With Love. Tomie de Paola. 1979."

Both these books are in a special place. If you come to my house, I'll let you read them so they can be your favorite books too.

day twenty-two- something you wish you were better at

The list of things I'd like to do better is quite long, but yesterday and today I REALLY wish I was better at sewing.


I've been working on a couple of skirts for Kate, a pillow for Emily, a baby wrap-blanket for a gift and planning curtains for two rooms, but I am so slow with no problem solving skills, especially when it comes to my sewing machine. Yet I love fabric and seeing how things come together to make a finished project. I need a teacher. Kathryn- when are you coming back?!!

day twenty-one- your favorite night

Date Night.

59 Whole Cents

There are two things you need to know to understand the humor of this post.

The first is that Emily and I have a tradition of writing messages to each other on her white board each night. She leaves a comment or question and I respond before tucking her in. I love this tradition.

The second is that we are trying to save money to go to Disney World in January. Kelly and I hope to run The Goofy (a half marathon on Saturday and a full marathon on Sunday) (yes, I have lost all sanity) and we want our whole family to be able to go. The price tag is steep, so we proposed the trip to our children and the ways we need them to contribute if this is going to be possible.

Here is a picture of Emily's white board on the night of this conversation:

{I already have 59 cents for Florida! 59 WHOLE CENTS!!! -I can just see myself, screaming on a ride in disneyworld. This is turning out well...}

day twenty- somewhere you would love to travel

Rome, Italy.

day nineteen- you, when you were little

An Historic Patriot's Day

Did you know history was made today?

The fastest recorded time for running a marathon occurred today in Boston, Massachusetts!

The course doesn't actually qualify for an official world record, but none the less- history was made!

Kenyan Geoffry Mutai ran the Boston Marathon in two hours, three minutes and two seconds.


It was unbelievable.

Ryan Hall finished fourth with the fastest time ever run by an American and Kara Goucher (my favorite) finished fifth with her best marathon time ever AND after giving birth in September!

Desiree Davilla brought me to tears as she took the lead in the final stretch but had to settle for second after Caroline Kilel overtook her at the finish line.

It was an amazing and historic day for running whether you run or not.

day eighteen- your biggest insecurity

That I will fail them as their mother.

day seventeen- something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

Kate and Megan are encouraging me to earn my Young Womanhood Recognition Award along with them which I am allowed to do as a mother of young women. My first project was to listen to and take notes for all the sessions of General Conference. There were so many speakers that spoke directly to things that have been on my mind and I can't wait to revisit the counsel on parenting, following the Spirit and strengthening our testimonies. General Conference definitely had a huge impact on me.

day sixteen- someone who inspires you

If being inspired means that you dream of having their creative genius and wish for their sense of style; if it means that you covet everything they make and envy their eye for interesting and beautiful things; if it means that you want just a pinky's worth of their talent and skill, then I'm totally inspired by this amazing lady:

{I stole the photo from her blog and it won't post any bigger than this. harrumph.}

Michelle- you don't know how amazing you are.
You inspire me as a wife, a mother, a friend, a believer, a cook, a photographer, a crafter...
in so many ways!

Thank you sweet friend for being an inspiration.

day fifteen- something you want to do before you die

Go on a Mediterranean Cruise.
Did you want to come too?

day fourteen- someone you could never imagine your life without

There is nothing that says you can't pick the same person for different questions, right?! I know I already posted about Kelly, but REALLY- I can't imagine my life without him.


Who would help me with my computer problems? Who would help me shuttle kids around? Who would warm my feet at night? Who would make sure the bills are paid? Who would fertilize the grass? Who would clean out the drains? Who would hang my pictures? Who would research the best appliances, find the best places to go on vacation and get me the best deals?...

I don't want to lose anyone, but REALLY- I can't imagine how I would get along without Kelly.

Happy Birthday Kathryn and Kristy!

{Jenn and Kathryn, June 2010, the last time we were together before she left for China; Kristy, David, Jenn and Kelly, September 2010, cruising the Caribbean}

My sister and my sister in-law share the same birthday. It's kind of freaky how many other things we have in common with my sister in-law, but that is not the point of this post. The point is to send HUGE Happy Birthday wishes to two amazing, talented and beautiful women who I am so happy to know and call sister.

Happy Birthday Kathryn! Happy Birthday Kristy!
We love you and are thinking of you today!

day thirteen- your favorite band or artist

Can you honestly pick one favorite? I can't imagine naming one group or artist over all others. Kelly went through a very long phase of loving Depeche Mode and he would buy every new album. I don't have anyone I care that much about. And I rarely even like a whole album- I am a song picker and opt to listen to just my favorite songs over and over. I also like many types of music. My i-pod has a moody playlist, a crooner's playlist, a dance playlist, a musicals playlist and a playlist of songs I am trying out. I honestly don't have a favorite band or artist.

My sister, Kathryn, stated on her blog that Maroon 5's Songs About Jane was her "go-to" album and that gave me another way to think of this challenge because I do have a "go-to" album:


I love this album. I never tire of listening to it and it always fits my mood.

day twelve- something you love

{February 2007}

I love fresh flowers and
I love good mail,
so what could be better than
fresh flowers in the mail?
Not much.

day eleven- something you hate

I hate Scarlett Johansson. Just in case she ever reads my blog, I did choose a photo where I am forced to admit that she can be pretty, but she is a terrible actress and kind of a skanky person in "real life." No- I haven't met her, but how she acts on Jay Leno or David Letterman is real- right?!

Whatever. I hate her.

I also hate when my kids make oatmeal or Ramen and leave the wrappers on the counter.

day ten- person you do the silliest things with

"I am not funny."

I say this often because I have a very underdeveloped sense of humor. I don't generally enjoy comedies. I don't laugh easily. I don't have witty responses.

Luckily- I know people who are funny and bring out my best silly:


Angela- it looks like you win because you made it into four of my photos! But I do have to say how happy it made me to find a photo with mom being silly.

Hooray for silly!

day nine- person that has gotten you through the most

I have wonderful parents, siblings and friends who I appreciate and love. Each of them has helped me in important ways and I have been blessed by their love, support and understanding, but there is no doubt that Kelly is the person who has gotten me through the most in my life.

{After church on a Sunday in March 2011}

His influence improved my grades and earned me dinner at Mulboon's after I beat his GPA.
At Mulboon's, he forced me to try shrimp and I liked it!
He endured pencils and books being thrown at him while helping me pass my math class and graduate from BYU.
He paid off my student loans.
He has driven thousands of miles, many of them through the night, so I could be with my family.
When he couldn't drive me, he bought my plane ticket.
He held my hand, rubbed my feet and fed me ice through the birth of our five children.
He led me to the finish line of a marathon, three times.
He has listened to more ranting and venting and screaming than anyone.
He has kept his cool when the ranting was directed at him.
He has taken off work so I could indulge my own interests.
He has never complained about the space I take over for crafting or the supplies I fill that space with.
More than once, he has made phone calls, picked up prescriptions and watched kids because I was suffering from extreme tooth pain. (I honestly believe it to be worse than labor.)
He wrapped me in his arms when my dad passed away and just like he has done for 17 years...

{photo by Jill, at Ethan's birth, August 11, 2004}

he offered me comfort and protection; he was my strength when I was weak; he loved me completely and unconditionally.

Kelly has gotten me through school, through childbirth, through pain, through loss, through sorrow and day by day he gets me through life. Thank you Kelly. You are under-appreciated in word, but you are always in my heart! (wink and smile.)

day eight- something that makes you laugh

My KIDS!!!

day seven- your most treasured item

I don't know that I would think to grab this if my house was on fire, but it represents the things that I treasure most- my family, my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ, my testimony of the true gospel, and the experiences that have strengthened my faith so that I can enter the House of the Lord.

There are many "things" in my home that I love and that make me happy, but I would give them all away if that was required to keep my family or my testimony because I truly treasure those things.

day six- a person you would love to trade places with for a day

How does this 'trading places thing' work? Do I get their looks, talent or wit while taking their place or do I simply go through the motions of their day?

I've thought about this one a lot and I really don't have an answer. There are trade-offs to any person's life. Even Wonder Woman, who has bullet fighting cuffs and an invisible plane, has to walk around in a strapless swimsuit and 2 inch heels. Is it really worth it?!


I wish the prompt was "a person you would love to spend the day with" because then I would have lots of answers.

Argggh.

I would love to trade places with...
Umm...

How about the school librarian?!
I would love doing that for a day!


You get to read and organize books all day and you get to interact with the students, without having to interact with the parents or assign homework.

And there are no disloyal thoughts like there would be if I chose to trade places with Stana Katic so I could spend the day with Nathan Fillion. (No worries. It's just borderline obsessive.)

day five- your favorite memory

Are you kidding? Who can pick one all time favorite memory?! If you have just one, I'm very sad for you because I have so many wonderful memories that I couldn't possibly choose one favorite.

Feeding ducks on Kitsap Lake...
My mom playing the piano on a Sunday afternoon...
Standing under a heat lamp on the deck of a ferry boat as the Seattle skyline grows smaller...
Kneeling across from Kelly in the temple...
Watching Kelly hold each new baby with tears in his eyes...
Seeing Kate's face when she put her feet in the ocean for the first time...
Sitting with Angela in the second row for So You Think You Can Dance In Concert...
Watching Megan hand her Dad enough money to purchase her own sewing machine...
Standing on the sideline when Soren made a big catch and ran it in for a touchdown...
Surprising my dad on what would turn out to be his last birthday... Listening to Emily crying in relief over making it into the accelerated program next year...
Watching Ethan lead the large audience at the first grade program in the pledge of allegiance...
Finishing my first marathon...

The list could go on and on.

Instead of picking one memory or continuing my list, for today's challenge, I want to record a new memory that will be added to my list of favorites:

Last Saturday I had planned on waiting in line all day for a seat to see Markus Zusak, author of The Book Thief, at the Provo Library. I really wanted to go and hear him speak. However, I changed those plans when Kate and Megan asked me to come to the General Young Women's Meeting with them. They had gotten three tickets to attend the meeting at the Conference Center and they really wanted me to go with them.

I'm so glad that I chose to be with my girls.



This simple event makes my list of favorite memories because in a day and age where teenage girls are embarrassed by and pull away from their mothers, my girls wanted to be with me; when I looked around at the young women's behavior and attire, I knew that my girls were choosing modesty and reverence over style and trends; at a time when I felt unsure of my responsibilities as a mother and daughter of God, it was my beautiful daughters who led me to answers and gave me strength. It was a blessing to be counted among the many that have been mine.

day four- the person you have "liked" the longest

The short answer is:

My Mom.

The details will have to wait until tomorrow...

Added later:

When I first read this prompt, I immediately thought of Kelly, who I have been married to for 16 years. Then the thought came to me, "I have loved Kelly for 16 years, but I have not always 'liked' him." You do not have to be scandalized for his sake, he knows this better than anyone. And I think all marriages are this way.

So, I thought harder.

I have had disagreements with my mother, but I can honestly say that I have "liked" my mom for my whole life. She is simply one of the most likable people there is. She knows how to let you be yourself and learn your own lessons while setting high expectations and teaching you how to meet those expectations. I have always appreciated her ability to listen with love and without judgment; her wisdom and advice that come from prayer, study and a sincere desire to follow God; and her willingness to let a person be and just sit in quiet if needed.

Mom-

I like you
And I know why
I like you because
You are a good person to like...

When I think something is important
You think it's important too...

And I like you because
When I am feeling sad
You don't always cheer me up right away
Sometimes it is better to be sad
You can't stand the other being so googly and gaggly every single minute
You want to think about things
It takes time...

I like you because
I don't know why but
Everything that happens
Is nicer with you

I can't remember when I didn't like you
It must have been lonesome then...

On the Fourth of July I like you because
It's the Fourth of July
On the fifth of July
I like you too...

Even if it was the
nine-hundred-and-ninety-
ninth of July

Even if it was August...

I guess I just like you
because I like you.
(from I Like You by Sandol Stoddard Warburg)

I like you Mom!
Like-ingly, Jennifer

day three- the cast of your favorite tv show

I love Castle. He is ruggedly handsome. And so funny. I can't pick a favorite movie, book or band, but this is definitely my favorite show on television. Bones is a close second, but it doesn't have Nathan Fillion. The rest of the cast is great too which solidifies it's pick as my favorite tv show, but really- Nathan Fillion. I don't think I need to say any more than that.

day two- you and the person you used to be close with

My closest and dearest friend for my entire teenage life was Marie. She started investigating The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 7th or 8th grade and I met her in our ward. She lived almost 30 minutes away, attended a different school and had a phone number that was long distance, but that did not stop us from spending as much time together as possible. And when we couldn't be together, we spent hours on the phone. (I cost my dad hundreds of dollars on his cellular phone, also known as "the brick.")

{Jenn and Marie at Youth Conference, 1991}

Marie and I went to BYU together and I don't really know what happened from there. Offense was taken on both sides and we went our separate ways.

I often regret that I didn't find ways to reconnect with her over the years, even though I had many opportunities- she made me a beautiful cross stitch for my wedding and I don't think I ever sent a thank you card; she invited me to her reception and all I did was show off my new baby to old friends; I ran into her once at the post office just after she had her first baby and simply congratulated her before walking out; and I saw her again a few months ago when she visited my ward. After a couple of emails and talk of getting together, I let life get busy and good intentions turned into more time lost.

I don't know how many times she can forgive me for being a slacker, but I know that I still think of her as my "best friend." She was the only one I ever gave half a necklace to and she was the first person I thought of when asked who I used to be close to. And it made me sad to have to say "used to."

day one- yourself with 15 random facts

{Taking a photo and downloading it was more than I wanted to do, but I was determined to not let that stop me from finding a recent photo for this post and actually posting today. This is what I was rewarded with. Nice.}

1. I am tempted regularly, but never convinced, that I should try digital scrapbooking.
2. I want to be a reader, but would be lying if I said I was.
3. I can't live without technology, but I really hate using it!
4. I'm considering another marathon.
5. The project I want to tackle, but keep putting off, is curtains.
6. One of my dreams came true when Hobby Lobby and Chik-fil-a opened right across the street from each other in my area.
7. I hate the smell of kids after they've played outside.
8. My daffodils are just about to open- that makes me very happy.
9. I have 5 boxes of Peeps that are open in the storage room so that they can get stale because that is the only way to eat a Peep.
10. I think I know a lot when really, I don't.
11. I did 70 handstand push-ups last night at cross-fit and my shoulder is killing me.
12. Yes- I will go back to cross-fit. It's a sickness.
13. Emily rearranged her room the other night while I was out and it made me a little crazy. Then I realized that I did it all the time as a kid and still do it all the time, so I should really relax. It did make me wonder though- why don't I drive myself crazy?
14. I feel really grateful that I'm not colorblind.
15. I never know what to eat for lunch.

A Challenge- from my 12 year old.

I don't know that this is how I wanted to return to the blogging world, but it seems like an easy way to jump back in and find a place in my routine for blogging again.

Besides- Megan said I should do it.

The challenge is to post for 30 days using these prompts:

day1 - yourself with 15 random facts

day2 - you and the person you used to be close with

day3 - the cast of your favorite TV show

day4 - the person you have "liked" the longest

day5 - your favorite memory

day6 - a person you would love to trade places with for a day

day7 - your most treasured item

day8 - something that makes you laugh

day9 - person that has gotten you through the most

day10 - person you do the silliest things with

day11 - something you hate

day12 - something you love

day13 - your favorite band or artist

day14 - someone you could never imagine your life without

day15 - something you want to do before you die

day16 - someone who inspires you

day17 - something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

day18 - your biggest insecurity

day19 - you, when you were little

day20 - somewhere you would love to travel

day21 - your favorite night

day22 - something you wish you were better at

day23 - your favorite book

day24 - something you wish you could change

day25 - your favorite day

day26 - something that means a lot to you

day27 - you and a family member

day28 - something you are afraid of

day29 - something that always makes you smile

day30 - someone you miss

It's also the first of the month (I'm in denial about what month) and that seems like a really good day to start. So, here we go...