The Backyard Campout

Avery and Stetson were so excited to have a campout in the backyard! We snuggled and told stories, had some goodies, and then just laid back and watched the stars pass over the tent.


















The night started out with the three of us plus Grandpa, Uncle Scott, and cousin Katie, but when the morning rays broke half of our scouts had gone inside... that's right, Mom, Avery and Stet were the only ones tough enough to rough it!! YOU BUNCH OF SISSIES!!!

I Love To See The Temple...

Of course, we can't visit Utah without visiting temples. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE to take my kids to the temple? I LOVE IT!! Here we are outside the Salt Lake Temple, where it all started nine years ago.


Gage checking out the Reflection Pool.


Yes, I let my kids dip their toes in the fountains in the garden area. I'm a sinner.


OQUIRRH MOUNTAIN TEMPLE


(Thanks Michael Provard for the photograph!)


The kids and I had the special opportunity to attend the open house of the new Oquirrh Mountain Temple in South Jordan with Grandpa. They were really excited at the chance to tour the inside. Avery kept saying how beautiful it was. South Jordan is the only city in the world with two temples within its limits.




The other, of course, is the Jordan River Temple, shown here.




We ended the day with a Lime Ricky and some ice cream Cherry Dippers from Arctic Circle.

The Silver Lining

CLOUDS CLOUDS CLOUDS!!!


i LOVE clouds. They are beautiful, magical, mysterious, inviting, comforting, peaceful, full of life, and even sometimes a little intimidating. We have been soooo spoiled for the last two weeks!! Has anyone else noticed that it's the middle of June and we are still in the 80's?? Have you also noticed that we have had cloudy skies for 16, count them... that's 16 DAYS straight? What is this bizarre trend that I love so much?! I think living here it's so easy to overlook the good weather days in fear of the impending misery of heat that usually has hit by now. I'm sure once these clouds move on the heat will be on us in full force, but I've been so grateful for the unexpected break.

I remember as a little girl just lying on my front lawn, sometimes freshly mowed, sometimes still damp from the early morning sprinklers, but always as soft as a summer blanket and smelling like... well, summer. Don't you just love the smell of grass? I miss that so much. I miss lying on the grass and eating popsicles and watching those beautiful clouds dance across the sky, always taking on distinct shapes and telling a story before they disappeared over the mountainous horizon. To witness them cross over the mountaintop created a strange feeling, like the mountains were moving closer and closer to me... few things have made me feel so little and insignificant. Oh how I miss those great and grand mountains... MY MOUNTAINS...

It's funny that when I take a trip back to my parents house it just doesn't feel like home anymore... but when I see those mountains it all comes rushing back. They were there every morning I woke up, every time I looked out my window, they were the backdrop to every drive home, every walk to church with my dad, every hike, every soul searching drive through her canyons. They are a part of me, and I a part of them. As is anything else that has my childhood splattered all over it. For instance the road in front of my house that would burn my bare feet, the neighbors bushes that were the perfect hiding spot when we played night games like "Kick the Can" or "Sardines". The street light up the road where many teenage nights were spent talking and laughing and figuring life out, the big walnut tree that every fall displayed the most amazing dance of tumbling leaves after the first frost had snipped them from their branches. But mostly I miss my mountains.

I think that God created these simple things knowing the anchor they would become for us.

WARNING: Deep, Sappy post... Skip if you don't have it in you

I'm in such a strange place lately. Just when you think you're getting to understand yourself, your cycles, your ups and downs, just when you think you know your poisons and remedies, life happens. I feel like I'm just meeting me for the first time... again.

Hear me out on this, and I don't want this to come across like a warning signal that I need a huge outreach, everything's okay. Great really. I just don't know my next move and that's a very uncomfortable place for me.

Do you ever get the feeling that something is about to change? It usually occurs just as you're settling in to your latest adjustment. Well, I've got that feeling and in a way I'm so excited for what I'm about to learn in the upcoming trials; I know they're coming, they always do. And boy do I need them. Yes, I just said, boy do I need trials. I love them. I love being humbled, is that weird? I love being GRATEFUL for every breath I take, it's the only time I don't find myself wanting for more than what I've got, and I haven't really been there for a few months. I just feel like I'm ready to grow up a little more and that usually happens through trials.

Here it is, you know how during conversations people will throw out their random character flaws and weaknesses just for a laugh, like, "Man, I'm such a brat, I don't know how people live with me. ha ha ha." Or, "I know I'm loud, that's just me so deal with it." I have definitely offered my fair share of these claims that seem to somehow excuse the flaw. Well, I think I'm tired of that. I don't find it reasonable at all that those weaknesses should be excused, especially when I'm aware of them and flaunting them. I for sure have many MANY character flaws and some more than others have really been sticking out to me lately. So I guess you could say I'm commencing on a quest to overcome.

Let's get personal here, because any unspecified person may read this at any unspecified time... sounds like the perfect situation to poor my heart out right? Let's talk about how much compassion I DON'T have. This is one of those that I have joked about. I just don't get it. I don't understand the concept of compassion. How does someone acquire it? How do you come to understand and love someone else so much that you feel their joys and sorrows as if you were inside their bodies with them? How do you give it so freely? Or is it meant to be reserved, does it have to be earned, is it an elevated kind of love? Because don't get me wrong, I feel like I have a capacity to love others, I just don't care about everyone.

Hmmmmm. That last statement takes me right into my next flaw. How do you articulate yourself as to not offend others or come across as being heartless? I have a tendancy to just say it, whatever it is, and I can't tell you how often I've had to have my foot surgically removed from my throat. I'm terrible! How do you consider how anyone within earshot will react to what you're about to say before you even say it? I can't think that fast! Some of you are so good at being considerate, and I'm sure it comes so naturally that you wouldn't even think of it as a gift or talent, but as I sit back and observe that it doesn't come naturally to me, I think it's definitely a gift!

I guess I'm worried that these flaws, if not manicured will fail my friendships, and my friendships are my lifeline! Maybe I don't love the surroundings here, but I love the people who surround me. If I were half the woman that these women here are I could blink myself a golden ticket into heaven, but I have so far to go, I have so much to learn from them (you)! I think that's why the Lord put me here.

Anyway, I guess this should have been a journal entry instead of a blog post, but what's done is done. There's really no need for any phonecalls or extra emails, or even comments if you don't want. I think only five people read my blog anyway. I guess this could be considered a blog soliloquy. Lord, grant me the humility I need to grow.

Spontaneous Vacation!!

Danny called me Tuesday afternoon and said his company would be diverting all their flights to Mesquite the following morning (since President Obama was in town, and the airspace here was restricted) so he was coming home to pack an overnight bag and then he was flying up to Mesquite with some other pilots.......
So, wait a minute... your company is paying for your overnight stay at a hotel in Mesquite??? And you get your own room??? Um, yeah, we'll be there in 2 hours! Danny got the okay for us to drive up there and stay with him at the hotel, so we threw a bag together, filled up our tummies and gas tank and headed out!

The kids loved having something different. Avery said, "Dad, why did you fly all the way up here to another country?" After we wore them out jumping back and forth between the beds, we hit the buffet and then the pool.... aaaaaahhhhhhhhh....






Danny had to fly out early the next morning. The kids and I slept in, sort of. Then I figured, we're so close to St. George, why not take the kids there to see the temple? It's one more they can cross off their lists!


We enjoyed a picnic of chocolate milk, granola bars, fruit snacks and oranges on the soft grass that begged for us to walk barefoot on it, under a huge shade tree... it was perfect.


And then we hit the visitor's center. Here's a picture worth a thousand... missionary discussions.



MY FAMILY IS FOREVER!!!

Dog Days of Preschool

Avery graduated her first year of preschool... I can't believe we did it!!! Seriously. It was so much fun and pretty amazing to watch her grow socially and intellectually over the last nine months. Thanks to all you Moms (Jamie, Scarlet, Whitney, and Heather) for making it a success!

We had a pool party here for the last week that I taught. Here's Gage lounging... soaking up some sun.

Avery eating a popsicle...


And our awesome friends, Aspen, Cody, and Jesse.


For the last day we had graduation party at Scarlet's! Avery LOVED it, as I'm sure all the kids did. They splashed and played and we BBQ'd some hotdogs. It was a great finale to a great year.








THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!

Nana and Papa Ron are here!!

Danny's Mom and Dad have been on a month long road trip touring the western States, and we were lucky enough to get them twice- we feel so spoiled!! First they came at the beginning of May and stayed for eight days.


I felt very lucky to celebrate Mother's Day with a woman that I am blessed to call Mom! Danny's Mother is a personal hero of mine, she is beautiful, classy and elegant, and embodies everything that makes up the kind of mother I hope to be someday.


We were able to attend the temple with them, it's been since we were married over nine years ago that we've been in the temple with them!


We also got to take the kids to the temple grounds on Mother's Day. I love to take them there and just let them walk and look and touch and ask.


Gage warmed up to his Nana right from the start. These two were inseparable!


Then we were surprised one day to see the Paramedics show up right across the street from our house, they were checking on our neighber, but the kids... and me (who am I kidding?) felt like we got our own show. It's okay for me to post this because Danny is well aware of my fetish with firemen. Let's be honest, they're friggin' HOT.


The firemen saw the kids (and again, me) googling out the window at them and waved for us all to come out and see the truck. They gave us some firehats and coloring books. We felt very VIP.





Anyway, they are here again with us for the weekend, giving all kinds of love and tickles, and giggles, and good home cookin'.... mmmmmmmm. They tucked our kids into bed for us while Danny and I went for a run together last night. It felt so strange, like we were being sneaky or something!! It's such a blessing to have them here, I wish they could stay FOREVER!!!

Gage's First Haircut

Awwww, so sweet!! My little babe-a had his first haircut a month ago. That mohawk had to go! Here it is:

BEFORE


DURING


AFTER


Looking good, little Stallion!!

Jaci-ology

Here's lots of those random, pointless facts about me, because I know you care:

What do you like to put on your toast? Peanut Butter and bananas, or strawberry cream cheese.
How many televisions are in your house? One
What color cell phone do you own? Grey, oh wait Gray. Don't you like it with an 'e' better? It looks smarter.
What does the first text message in your inbox say and who sent it? Um, I don't think the person who sent me their garage code would appreciate me publishing it. After that though is "Do you want to run after the temple?" from Val
Who was the last person to call you? The Dumpsta-Diva.
Are you right-handed or left-handed? Right
Have you ever had anything removed from your body? Um, three babies.
What is your salad dressing of choice? Bleu Cheese
What are your pizza toppings of choice? Mushrooms, Green Peppers, Olives, Onions
What is the last heavy item you lifted? Baby in carrier in one arm, and purse and bag full of books in the other.
Are you named after anyone? Yes, Lillian is my middle name and it was my paternal grandmother's name.
If it was possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? Absolutely not. How could you live every day like it was your last???
If you could change your name, what would you change it to? Peaches :D
Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? Is there a time limit? Can I drink milk between chugs? I need to know the rules here. I could do it... maybe.
How many pairs of flip flops do you own? I have one pair left and they are sad, so sad. I'm trying to make them last through the summer so I can hit all the after summer sales to restock. Or maybe I'll just fork out the $4.50 at Old Navy.
Last time you had a run-in with the cops? Run-in? How about the last time I 'talked' to a cop was four years ago at 3:30 in the morning when three thugs tried to kick in our front door. Oh wait, I almost ran over a group of recruits that were running along the road when I ran a stop sign. Good one.
Favorite Month? July and December
Missing someone? I always miss my Dad, and my girls Alyshia, Leslie, Kristina, Liesl.
Mood? Cooling off with some chill music, kind of a frustrating day with the wee ones.
What are you listening to? "Tinked_18's Playlist" on playlist.com, it's a really good one, I think I might copy it.
Watching? Me type, duh.
Worrying about? Getting Avery's preschool yearbook finished.
Whats the last movie you watched? "BBC's Days that Changed the World"
Do you smile often? I think so, I hope so. If I'm going to get lines on my face I hope they're laugh lines and not scowl lines.
Do you always answer your phone? Never. I'm notorious for it. I wish I had the gall to change my message to say, "If it's important leave a message, I'll call you back when I can fit you in."
It's four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it? Heather coming home from TAO
If you could change your eye color what would it be? I really like my eye color now, it keeps changing. The older I get the more green they get in them.
What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Mmmmm Cherry, or Vanilla, or both.
Do you own a digital camera? Yep, kind of a crappy one, doesn't record audio on movies. But better than 35mm!
Have you ever had a pet fish? NO. Thank goodness. I 'fishsat' a friends family of goldfish for a few days and the day she came by to pick them up I had just finished flushing one that was floating!
Favorite Christmas song? Away in a Manger
What's on your wish list for your birthday? Homemade birthday cake is my one and only birthday wish every year.
Can you do push ups? I think I can do three now. I'm a monster!!!
Can you do a chin up? Haven't tried that one for a while, I think I could do one followed by a huge charlie-horse in both arms.
Does the future make you more nervous or excited? Very excited. Bring on the end of the world, seriously, let's get it over with already!
Do you have any saved texts? Yeah, a handful of treasured pics or especially sweet ones.
Ever been in a car wreck? Yep, only one major one six weeks before I was married.
Do you have an accent? Of course I'm going to say no to this, but people have asked me all my life where I'm from. Note: These people are from Provo, asking me where I'm from (also Provo). I've concluded that I just talk weird.
What is the last song to make you cry? I thought for sure it would be when Avery sang for the first time in church on Mother's Day, but, not even a well-up. It was still sweet.
Plans tonight? Finish this really long blog post and snuggle with Danny.
Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? Of course, who hasn't? Rock bottom is all relative. I've heard of other's rock bottoms and think, "How is it possible that this person is still standing?" I'm surrounded with really amazingly strong people.
Name 3 things you bought yesterday? Hmmmm, new brakes, new battery, and a much needed tub of ice cream.
What were you doing 12 AM last night? Getting ready for bed.
What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? "That feels so good." (Stetson had come in to snuggle and was rolling his toy car along my back.)
Have you ever been given a rose? Yes, it never gets old.
Current hate right now? That The Biggest Loser Finale is nowhere online!! I don't want clips, I don't want blogs or forums, I want the whole 3hour episode so I can move on with my life!
Met someone who changed your life? My Danny boy.
What song represents you? Enjoy...

MIA!!!

My laundry is done, my dishes can wait, all the parties are over, my children are sleeping, my husband is... also sleeping, freezer meals has been post-poned, my journals are up to date, the black footprints have been wiped from the kids' bathroom sink, and I don't have any exciting movies waiting for me, so I'd say "conditions are perfect" for blogging.

Wow, seriously, we have been "Missing In Action!!!" When did my world get so crazy! I even tried weeding out the unsubstantial stuff (hence no blogging) after it took me three days to recover from my birthday Girl's Night Out! Corndogs at 4am? Really? (Sorry no pics, my batteries died... lame!) Anyway, since then I've turned off my ringer on my cell phone for all callers but Danny, and you know it's serious when I'm contemplating cutting Bunco and volleyball out. All I need to worry about right now is being mom. All the rest of my life can wait till I grow up.

Well, here's one thing that's completely worth every invested minute and effort:
................HaPpy BiRThDaY AvERy!!!.................

I can't believe my baby girl, the one who started this whole adventure called motherhood, turned 4 last weekend!


You'd think we'd be birthday'd out here, but not so. This party entailed it's fair share of planning and prepping. But completely worth every late night. It turned out so great!!


The theme? "Avery's Ice Cream Shoppe". After a light lunch we played "Pin the cherry on the Sundae", and musical scoops, then, of course, everyone made their own banana split. Thank goodness for all those extra hands the parents offered!!!


I think these were my favorite part of the menu. I wish I could take credit for these darling creations; they are cupcakes inside mini ice cream cones topped with swirly frosting (thanks Val!) I love how they turned out.


And, don't laugh, this was my attempt at a pinata. It was much more work than I thought it would be, (um, five nights worth) but in the end it turned out pretty cute.


On Avery's actual birthday we did it all over again, family style. The first thing she saw when she woke up were her family presents waiting for her.


Thanks Nana and Papa Ron for the package!!! She loved the game and asked to play it over and over!


After presents we whipped up some good ol' Birthday Sprinkle Waffles with all the ice cream toppings from the party. I wish I'd have gotten a picture of those, they were sooooooo goooooood!!! After church we came home and sounded one more rendition of the birthday song, blew out candles one last time, and finally cut the cake.