Happy Birthday to my one and only Sis!

Darolyn,
You are beautiful in every sense of the word...you define beauty inside and out. I am so lucky to have you as my one and only sister. Here are the top ten reasons why I love you...but if I had time and didn't have to load up the 4 kids-2 cats and drive around town in my suburban (even went to a carwash!) while my house is being shown and hopefully has sold....rambling....then I would write 1000 reasons and have to stop myself...because I love you so much...you are incredible, you get on my nerves and I would do anything for you....you have taught me so much about love, kindness, generosity, and patience(sometimes!). We are really good at laughing together and you were the one that lead me to my love-Paul. Thanks for being in my life Dar and thanks for who you are....you are beautiful....now let's stop wasting time and get you married in the temple so my kids can babysit your babies!
Top Ten Reasons:
1. If I fell off the face of the earth my kids wouldn't mind because you would be the best replacement and they absolutely, 100%, without any hesitation, adore you....you are the best Auntie in the entire world and you love my kids like they are your own....you are family to them...you are pure love to them...thanks!

2. You have compasion like no one I have ever known...you really do put others before yourself (reason why you dated someone for 9yrs and believed in him...good for him...not for you!)

3. You love to laugh and boy have we needed that in our lives.....laughing till we cry and pee our pants....you are the only one who keeps me going like I do when I am on my "comedy act" and you stay and keep listening...well until I embarrass you...as usual!

4. You think of me all the time and want me to be pretty, fashion forward, and cool...and send me clothes and make me dye my hair....I'd wear a ponytail or have my Hawaii bun everyday if it were not for you

5. You love Paul like a brother and it means the world to him. You are also always thinking of him and your support makes him feel like a million dollars...you love him more than me sometimes and that's ok 'cause he needs it...you really are so cool to him and I could never thank you enough for all the encouragement you give him.

6. You are soooo adventurous it kills me....I wouldn't eat squid or go hang gliding but off you go...bring it on is your motto

7. You forgive faster than anyone I know...or quicker than I think is humanly possible...you really just see the good in everyone....I mean everyone....I used to tell you I didn't think you should hang out with "this person" in high school and you would come back with "don't worry Jen they are good"...I couldn't see it but you did

8. You will hate me for this...but I am so in awe of how you keep your head up...because I know it is hard....and I know you want to find someone to share your life with and have a family...HE is missing out until HE meets you....they are going to get one awesome deal when He gets you as a wife and mother!

9. You love your Dad, sister, and brothers....you worry about us and would put your life on hold to help us out...and you have....you have big brownie points with the Man Above for all that you have done for Dad!

10. You shine....and I shine when I am with you....people love you Darolyn....you are the best sister, friend, boss, neighbor, dog owner - I know Mollie is not a dog...she is part of you...she's your baby!...o.k back to shining....you do.....and everyone who knows you is better because of you.....
I love You - Sister -Auntie-Mollie's Mommy-Friend
Happy Happy Happy Birthday and we'll celebrate together soon!

Darolyn and I around 1973

Adventurous D -after this picture the raw squid juice fell in your mouth...worth the photo?

Cruising the Carribbean-how much fun was that!

The Dancing Queen....boy were we rocking on that ship

I should of put all the food in front of you...you can out eat me and be a size 2

The BEST Auntie EVER!

What did I say....YOU are beautiful!


Have a great Birthday!

my kids are the youtube generation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKU3aHd7CFA


I thought I'd blog this video clip for some summer laughs....my kids have been quoting this for months and I finally watched it and I can't stop laughing....customer service at it's finest! It's too hot here to go anywhere....we melt at the pool......and Stef's latest blog is a peak into my life...seriously it is scary! I tried to download the video but am a computer retard.....so just click away at the link above....it really is funny.....and I need funny!

Read to your children!

I am a blogging maniac! Today I took Kai to her 14yr. old check-up. On the way there I told her I could wait outside in the waiting room and she said she didn't mind if I was in there. I know this is small but I was just thinking...she still laughs at my jokes...she hangs out with me....she talks to me and is a teenager...I am one lucky mom.
I think back to when she was little and how I would read to her for hours each day and night, fill up a pool with water and hang out in it-9 months pregnant at our condo while the workers would drive by, and how I do my best to show interest in my babies. I feel so torn with time to give all 4 of my children the time they need individually....but one thing I will never regret is reading to them, listening to them, and being there for them. It is true that you blink and they are teenagers...but I am glad that Kai is the teenager she is. She is honest, motivated, happy and loves her Savior....so here's to you Kailee....thanks for picking me as your mom/madre/mommy!

Let's play a game so I can be cool!

I have seen this on a few other blogs, and I thought it was so fun. I loved reading about the memories of others, so I decided to do it also.Here's the game:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot-- or just from blogland-- anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.Can't wait to hear from you!

Invitation to my pity party...wanna come?

I have decided that life is not a bowl of cherries for me today...and so I am going to have a pity party....really...I want balloons, a cake, and streamers....and I want to mess up my house. Where did all of this come from....here it goes:

1. Trying to sell our house is no fun....it is a big house and people are cautious...so everyday I stress that "someone might come" and no one comes and looks

2. If we don't sell this house I'll be "husbandless" till we do.....work will take him away

3. All I do is cook and clean everyday....I don't have time for friends/fun

4. I worry about my aunt that we are moving near...she needs family near by....she needs joy

5. I want to lose weight in 5 minutes....20year high school reunion....and I am not the size one I was in high school

6. My kids tell me daily that I embarrass them....well some do...the others just laugh....let me have fun you life-sucking kids~!

7. I keep looking at houses where we are moving and they all look like something from Bonanza...or a western show.(and these are the homes in the 700's...you should see the lower priced ones...I'll have to put up cow horns or whatever you call them....I am an east coast girl now...I have style...I have class.....I don't want a barnyard kitchen with blue ducks all over it!

8. Sadie went to Atlanta with a friend for a week...I miss her....I am glad she isn't asking me for something every 5 seconds....but I miss her chubby cheeks and her contagious smile...and she just left 5 hours ago....long week

9. I can't stop organizing and I am sick of it!

10. I can't think of a ten....but I am sure there is one out there!

Did you have fun? Maybe I'll have this kind of party again. I am usually bursting with positivity...but today I didn't want to ....and while writing all of my "reasons" I decided life isn't that bad....I just wish I could make everything happen how and when I want it to

11 wonderful years with Shelby Lynn

My Shelby is 11 today. I cry every birthday...I celebrate the blessing these children are...I pray for 11 times 11 more years with them and hope to be worthy to enjoy the eternities around these precious children I have been entrusted with. I am a big sappy mommy :)

I must of done something pretty good in my pre-life to of been given this time with the 4 (and one lost) children that I have....I have tasted happiness with a wonderful husband and doubled it each time we have welcomed a child into our family....I am me because of them....
I watched my best friend lose a toddler this year....I am forever changed and though I didn't take my children for granted ( I hope I didn't) before....I do see things differently....I still ache for my friend- Gil- and for me because I would do anything to take away someone's suffering....but I see each minute with our precious children differently....each year will feel like a different milestone to me....more of a gift then it even did before. And because I know Gil will read this...and I know I am making her cry because I am crying while I write it.....Gil....you have made me a better mother....we have had all our children within months of each other....and I have turned to you almost daily since our parenting began.....I was scanning these pictures and I remember Justin and Shelby watching teletubbies together while Lauren and Kai were probably putting peanut butter all over your couch! I celebrate Shelby today....but I give credit to an amazing Heavenly Father from whom all is given....and the blessing of friends who help us on this journey of joys and sorrows....my blessings are incredible!

Cottonwood Hospital, Utah....day Shelby was born!



Kailee and Shelby 1st day home



Shelby at 5 months old




Shelby's 2nd bday...see the teletubby hat!




Shelby 3yrs old



Shelby's first day of preschool



11 years old......11 wonderful years!


Crepes for the birthday breakfast



Momo and Carolina were in on the festivities and pulled up a chair



A make-over at Nordstroms and lunch at Cheesecake Factory

The trying on of wigs...a right of passage into middle school in our family!

Shelby got the cash register....a realllllll one....that she wanted more than anything (when I was her age I wanted an adding machine....genetics in full force!
They'll be ringing me up for every foot massage and back rub from here on out!

And mommy's homemade strawberry filled whipcream cake.....a great day for an amazing daughter!

they won't go to bed!.....updated version with pictures

Shelby and Sadie are on this late night kick....you know how when we were young and our parents would tell us to go to bed and stop goofing off....it's pay back....they don't even fall asleep until 1am or later...laughing....talking....making potions/lotions....creativity really takes off for my girls after midnight! The other night I was talking to my sister on the phone and I could hear the giggles coming from Shelby's room...so I went in to find them "playing dentist". Flossing teeth...squirting water in syringes and making bibs out of towels and hairclips....creative - Yes....able to wake up before noon the next day - NO! I get flash backs of my sister and I giggling...her telling me "really Jen...this is the last thing you can say" and then I think of something funny and crack her up even though she wanted to be sleeping...it all comes back when you see yourself in your daughter's eyes.

Shebly & Sadie- 18months apart

Darolyn & I -16 months apart

Christmas 1973....me blonde & 3...Darolyn 4 and the black coat

Darolyn and I at the BYU newsroom....around 1990...good ol college days

my 1st birthday....Darolyn by my side.....did you know that she introduced me to Paul....and we still stay up late and laugh and talk....poor Paul is even kicked out of the bed so we can hang out!

Freedom & the 4th of July

I decided this year that the 4th should be all about FREEDOM...freedom from kids and a family (except for Shelby...I needed a spa partner!) Paul headed to Virginia beach with 4 kids (taking kai's friend taylor home) and shelby and I decided to do some much needed cleaning....of our feet! Pedicures and a day at the spa was just what we needed. The spa was worried I would never leave...it was heaven. We have had a great weekend...the house is clean and quiet...we have been scrapbooking and eating out...and though it is nice...I miss the gang and am ready for the craziness again...so until tomorrow...ring in your own freedom...from dieting to housework to stress....give yourself a break too!

3rd of July 2008

We celebrate the 4th around here on the 3rd and the 4th....more time to blow up fireworks I guess! We had a great time at the festivities and it is so cute to see the kids...at least the 2 youngest...run from ride to ride or balloon thingys to the next...the older 2 run to groups of friends...to boys...to food...oh, well!

"HE" went golfing and I went to Pf Changs

The Group....see how Jake is in his element with all the ladies around him!

Paul has had many "golfing dates" lately and so I decided to take any and all kids hanging around my house to dinner. McDonalds wouldn't do....because I knew that Paul was eating well...so off to pf changs we went...me and 5 girls and one boy!

Shelby and Jake (both mine) were paired....well if you can really "Pair" anyone with my nutty boy....but abusing chopsticks is o.k. 'cause technically he is quarter Japanesse!

Kailee (mine) and Taylor (not mine) came to the car dressed up...they wanted to celebrate their bdays...only 6 months late!

Sadie (mine) and Carolyn (not mine) 2 very giggly and cute 9 year olds!