Locks of Love

Jordyn has had long hair for most of her life, but lately she's been wanting to cut it off. She hates having me brush out the tangles every morning, she hates letting me curl it or straighten it, and most days we just do a ponytail. She finally decided a couple of weeks ago that she really wanted it cut, and so one day after school I was going to take her to get it cut. Well, she wanted Kari to cut her hair. So, we called Kari and it was going to be a few weeks before we could get in. Finally it was THE day. Someone had suggested locks of love, but I didn't think she had enough to do that. When we got there, Kari asked if we wanted to do Locks of love. She said that she had enough, so yay, we could do it! Jordyn thought it was pretty cool that her hair would go to make a wig for some poor child with cancer who lost her hair. Her hair came out super cute, and we both love it!

Matthew and Basketball

This is a little late getting posted, but better late than never, right? Matthew had a great time playing basketball this year. He had great coaches who really helped him improve and gain more confidence. His team finally came together for the last few games and started winning, but what was more important was that they had fun and learned a lot. Matthew was definitely the big kid on the floor, and his coaches helped him learn to use his size to his advantage. He learned to be more aggressive, and was great on defense. He also got tons of rebounds and gained the confidence to shoot. He scored in almost all of their games, and really helped his team when they needed him. Way to go Matthew!!

Wrestling 2010-2011

This year, Ammon made the big move from junior high wrestling to high school wrestling. Although he is only in 9th grade, and in junior high, he was able to wrestle as a freshman for the high school. The problem is that Ammon is 6 feet tall and weighs about 185 pounds. Most freshmen are significantly smaller than that, so most of his opponents would be juniors or seniors in high school. We all knew that this was going to be a hard transition. We truly expected him to get beaten pretty badly every week. Well, Ammon quickly proved us wrong, and he was able to hold his own with all but the toughest of kids. He ended up wrestling both varsity 189 and 215, depending on the needs of the team. There were some very difficult times, but overall, Ammon had a great season. He ended the season with a 30-19 record with 27 pins. He placed 5th in the region, 7th in section, and qualified for state. Ammon was able to win one match at state before being eliminated. Now on to the freestyle season, and getting stronger for next year. Go Ammon!!

Christmas 2010

We had such a great Christmas this year!! It kind of snuck up on us, and I wasn't quite as prepared as I hoped to be, but I was good, took my meds, and didn't stress. I guess part of it was because we had been having really warm and dry weather, and it didn't seem like Christmas. Also, with the new house, I wasn't sure where everything went, and I had to find out how this house needed to be decorated. :) I had done some shopping, but no wrapping, no baking, and no Christmas cards or letters. Oh well! Then about 2 weeks before Christmas it started snowing, and it felt like Christmas and I was in super prep mode.

I was actually calm and relaxed and completely ready on the 23rd!! I think this was the first time I wasn't wrapping on Christmas Eve. We had our traditional, nice Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. Everyone was here: Jenn and Adam, Dad, Scott and his kids. It was a great night. After dinner and dessert, we read scriptures and opened pajamas. Then all of the kids went upstairs to watch a movie and wait for Santa.

Christmas morning started at about 6:30 when Jordyn came bopping in to announce, "It's Christmas!! Wake up! It's Christmas!!" We opened presents, ate breakfast, and went back to bed for a nap. Michael was supposed to call at about 12. They had permission to use skype, but we don't have it, so I said we'd just do a normal phone call. Well, Adam came to the rescue with his computer and web-cam, and we were able to skype. It was great to actually see Michael while we were talking to him, and we were able to show him some things too. We talked for 2 hours. It was great to talk to him, and the two hours flew by. He is doing so well, and we are so proud of him. You could tell that he didn't really want to hang up though because he kept saying, "what shall we talk about now? does anyone have any questions for me?" It was a great talk, and we covered just about everything.

Then it was back to bed for another nap.

Everyone just kind of hung out, relaxed, ate and played games. One of the most fun games we got was Dance on Broadway for the WII. Everyone could play, and we all had a ball! Jayme and Jenn were a little put out that Jordyn and Dennis were beating them though. After all, they have danced all of their lives. It was so much fun, we had to go and get the Michael Jackson dance game too.

Sunday, we went to Jeremiah Jackson's homecoming in our old ward. It was great to visit with friends. Then we went to our ward to teach primary/deacon's quorum. After church, more food and games.

On Tuesday we had the Jackson's, Amundson's, Budd's, and Lorrie over. We ate more and played more. It was really fun! We all got passes to Trafalga/Seven Peaks, so we went to Trafalga on Thursday and played mini-golf. It was New Year's before we knew it, and the holidays were over.

It was just so nice to have everyone, well except Michael, here. Jenn and Adam were able to spend a lot of time with us, and Jayme isn't working right now so she was here lots too. I really enjoy my adult and semi-adult children. We are at a really good place with our family right now, and I think it will only get better!! Jordyn is fun and reminds us of the child-like joy and excitement of the holidays. Matthew and Ammon are mostly old enough to play games with the family and behave well (mostly, I said). We missed Michael, but we know he is where he is supposed to be, and it makes it easier knowing that he is doing well. I just see our joy increasing as the other kids get married, grandbabies start to come, and our family just increases along with our love and happiness. Ok, starting to get sappy, I'll stop now.

I never did get Christmas cards or letters written, but then again, we didn't get many this year either. Maybe everyone is just letting them fall to the wayside. I guess with blogging and facebook, no one feels as much need to send cards and letters. I may still write one, just for our own history. School started back today, so it was back to real life. Now I guess I need to de-decorate and get rid of all the crap food so we can detox now.

Snow Day!!

Last Monday, we woke up to at least 4" of snow, and at least that much fell throughout the day. We got the driveway, sidewalks and porch cleared, and it looked great. The next day, we woke to find another foot or so had fallen overnight, and it was still snowing!! The power had gone out during the night, and so none of the alarms went off, and we all woke up late. I couldn't believe how much snow had fallen. We checked the news, and they were saying buses weren't running, but schools would still be open and to use our own judgement whether to send our kids or not. The next thing we knew they were announcing that all schools in our district were closed!! In all the time we have lived in Utah, we have never had a snow day. The older kids were pretty jealous that they never got one, and thought it was really unfair that they still had to go to work when the little ones didn't have school.

The snow was so heavy and wet, the snow blower kept getting jammed up, so Dennis pulled out the tractor to clear most of it away. The kids had a ball sledding, and making sugar cookies. Let the Christmas vacation begin!!

Stocking Completion!!

Several years ago, my mom began making Christmas stockings for all of the children and grandchildren. That's 20+ stockings if anyone is counting. Well, we have loved them, and the kids won't even consider any other stocking. When Jennifer got married, she told me that I would have to make a stocking for Adam. Haha, ok, no biggie. I looked a little to see if there were any clearance ones I could pick up, but never did get one. Then about October, she reminded me again that I needed to make Adam a stocking. Ok, ok. So I found one that would be great for him and ordered it. Finally the package comes and when I opened it, I wanted to cry! There were so many little pieces, sequins, beads, embroidery floss! I needed a magnifying glass to read the instructions. There were over 145 pieces to the stocking, all of which needed to be embroidered, beaded, sequined and/or stuffed. Where was my mom when I needed her??

The longer Mom has been gone, the more I realize I took for granted. First of all, I assumed she would always be here. Secondly, I assumed she would always do all of the things that she always did. If you didn't know my mom, she was wonder woman. Well, now I am trying to fill her shoes, and more and more things keep popping up that mom always did, and now it's my job to do them. I am so lucky to have had her teach me all of the things she did so that I can carry on some of these important traditions with my family.

I finished Adam's stocking today, I think Mom would be proud.

Thanksgiving Gratitude

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. It was a little quiet, but it was so nice to have our family with us. With Michael on his mission, and Scott's kids at their mother's, we were a little small this year. It was still nice though, and we have so much to be grateful for. We are so blessed, and sometimes the feelings are so overwhelming of how much my Heavenly Father loves me and blesses me.

I am so grateful for my family. I was raised by wonderful, loving parents who taught me the gospel, and taught me to love and serve others. My mom is gone, but I am still grateful for her influence in my life. I am thankful that my dad is still with us, and still able to do most of the things he wants to to. I am glad he lives close by so that we can spend time together. He's always been my favorite lunch buddy! I'm thankful for a wonderful husband, who loves me and our children. He is a great provider for our family, and takes good care of us. I am grateful he puts up with me and loves me just the same. I have been blessed with six (seven, eight?) terrific children, and I love all of them with all my heart. They are all different and they all bring a special blessing to my life. With their unique personalities and qualities, I am constantly amazed by the fact that Heavenly Father trusted me with them. I am thankful for my brother, Scott, and that we can be such good friends. We weren't particularly close as children, unless you count when I beat up the neighborhood bully for picking on my baby brother, but we have become close as adults, and he brings a special joy to my life to have him nearby. I am thankful for extended family. We are blessed to be able to re-connect and remain close because of the technology of the modern world. I have always loved spending time with Aunts, Uncles, cousins and nieces and nephews, and I am grateful that we still can and do. I am grateful that they care enough to stay in contact. They are a blessing to me.

I am grateful for the gospel, for my testimony of it, for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and for his redeeming love for me. I am thankful for the calm assurance I have that He lives, and that through Him, my family can be together forever. I am grateful for the peace of the gospel and the many blessings it brings into my life. I am grateful for my son Michael, who is serving a mission to the people in Ohio. I'm thankful for his strength and testimony and his willingness to bring others to a knowledge of our Savior and His gospel.

I am thankful for this free land we live in. I am thankful for the freedoms we have, and for those who fight and have fought to keep me free.

I am grateful for good friends. Friends who know me, and love me anyway. Friends who we consider family. Friends who will always be there for me, and friends who will let me be there for them. Friends who know what I need, even when I don't and friends who tell me the truth, even when I don't want to hear it.

It seems so inadequate to try to put these feelings into words, but I would feel even worse if I didn't try. I know that all good things come from the Lord, that He has given me all this and much, much more. Sometimes I can't comprehend all that I have, but I am grateful for it all.