Having Fun

I'm not sure I'll call it a midlife crisis so much as just a desire to splurge on myself a little (I know, that goes against everything I was ever taught) but I splurged on ME a little bit this week. Baby J is sporting my new cowgirl boots and showing us how to really get down and boogie - they've gotten a little bit of mileage and I'm surprised at how totally COMFY they are. Why didn't someone tell me about these long ago...I may not go back to flip-flops (HAH - some things will never change...besides, I also got a nice pedicure so how can I hide my toes all the time?!)

One Year

This is a picture of us at the cemetery this past Tuesday, August 12th. That was the 1 year anniversary of Ken's death and I am so proud of how well we did. I had several weepy days leading up to it but after a sweet blessing from Jared on Sunday I felt like I could face it as more of a celebration than something to dread.

It was a beautiful day. I did a session in the temple then met with Ken's family at the cemetery where we shared some peaceful moments. Mom had us over for dinner afterward and then shared with us some FABULOUS scrapbooks that she had put together for each of us. She had taken boxes and boxes of pictures, sorted and organized them and created copies for us. It was fun to go through the books and share tender moments and laughter.

Looking back it's hard to believe it has been a year - in some ways it seems longer, in other ways it seems like just last week... we have all made it through a year of firsts and I so appreciate all of my family and friends for their support during this time (and before). I'm doing great and the kids are, too.

One of my goals is that Jenelle will know her daddy through our memories. I look forward to looking forward while I carry loving tender memories in my heart and share them with the kids.

Love Ya!

SHE DID IT - YOU WOULD BE SO PROUD

Yep, your good old Aunt/Friend/Sister Jackie went on a date! It was actually very fun and proved that I can do this - and ENJOY it...now I've got to figure out how to make that happen again!

Oh, yeah, and Jenelle's pretty much potty trained

now, the seat has found other uses - she doesn't even worry about falling in anymore.

It's been a week of great accomplishments and we're all very proud of ourselves ;-)

Potty Training and insomnia

So it is 3:13 am MDT and what am I doing up?! Just updating my blog while things are quiet around here ;-)... typos are excused in this blog. I don't usually suffer from insomnia so this is a rare thing for me!

Last week I had a couple of days off and thought it would be a good time to get started with the joy of potty training! I have to report that I am pleasantly SHOCKED at how well it is going. She has not had wet pants in about 4 days with the exception of 1 overnight diaper...and I thought Big J was easy. That brings me to why I'm up - she woke up about 2:00 am crying "potty", I thought it was just a bad dream and she'd go back to sleep but after a few minutes I went in and she was wide awake and needed to get up. She did and went right back to sleep... does this mean it's time for a big girl bed so Mommy can sleep through the night? Seems like I had just enough sleep (a nap) that now I can't get back to sleep...and now the odor of fresh skunk is permeating the house - too late to close it up (YUCK). Maybe I'll try folding some laundry then another quick nap before Jazzercise at 5:30.

Sweet dreams!

A Tender Story

As I approach the 1 year anniversary of Ken's death I think that I'm doing quite well emotionally... until Jenelle pulls something like this.

We were helping with cousin Chris' Eagle Project up on Y mountain the other day. I had paused to look up at the mountain and just above the mountain the sky was a beautiful, incredible blue so I commented about the beautiful sky. Jenelle the looked up also and after taking a moment to also enjoy it she said: "Daddy paint sky"... yes, Daddy probably did paint that sky special for us to have that tender moment.

I have been so blessed to have her to bring me a little bit of her Daddy every day.

Happy Pioneer Day

I know this isn't celebrated much outside of Utah but it is our version of "statehood day" and a pretty big deal. Last year our neighborhood started doing a Patriotic Parade the night before the 4th and this year we switched to the night before July 24th. It was a lot of fun, I had a hand-me-down from Aunt Camie that Baby J wore- what would a parade be without cheerleaders. Big J and his buddies we the lawn mower brigade. We all had a great time, and got to be at the park for hours...the first time (since she's cared) that she didn't pitch a fit when it was time to go home - success!!

Her first plane ride
On the Concord bridge where the first shots were fired
Below deck of the USS Constitution
coming up for air (I would NEVER make it in the Navy)
Showing the very stylish bowling shoes