Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Check out Summertime Designs for the "Giving" kit that I made this card from.
Summer is an awesome designers and better than that she is a very, loving and
caring woman. I don't even know her personally, but she has changed my life.
www.summertimedesigns.blogspot.com

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Haven't wanted to blog...alittle down in the dumps.

Just getting on today to say goodbye and fair well to our good friend Jack Watson who passed on this last week. We have a group of 4 couples who always go snowmobiling over every President's Day holiday weekend in February. Well he suddenly left us this a few days ago and it has been hard to deal with. Watching his family suffer. Knowing God's plan and knowing they don't know and aren't interested in knowing. I can't give them the peace I feel. Jack was a huge guy with an even bigger heart. He would give his time to anyone who needed it. He was the school crossing guard at Layton Elementary for years. He wouldn't take crap from any driver speeding thru his school zone. He would stand out there in front of their cars and slam his great big hand and stop sign on the front of their cars. The police would come and the people would get so mad because they would get a ticket for speeding thru a school zone and Jack would go right back to protecting "his kids" as he called them. We use to get together on Friday nights with him and his wife Ellen and the Ridl's and play Texas Hold'm. Thank Heavens we didn't use any money. That man has a really good poker face. Jack we will miss your loud booming voice and laughter and your jokes. We hope pray you are a healthy happy man now. May God bless you family with strength to get through this time without you. You are a great person and a good friend.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

A Time for Thought and Graditude


I haven't wanted to approach this because I didn't want to have to process the thoughts yet or deal with what has been happening in our family in the last week or so. I haven't even bothered stalking blogs.


This Thanksgiving was devastatingly miserable. My family was in pain as was I. I could do nothing but pray for Heavenly Father to be merciful.


Well Wednesday, Thanksgiving eve, we received a call from Craig's brother asking him to come to Lakeview hospital to give his mom a blessing she was in the hospital, because her heart beat had become irregular and they couldn't get it back to the way it was suspose to be. As Craig and his brother were talking to his mom that night, they found out dad wasn't doing to well, so Craig thought he would stop by their house to check on things (Craig's sister was there helping with dad and getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner) and found dad in a horrible state. He was laying in bed all crippled up and he needed help going to the bathroom and he was just lets say going down fast. So Craig stayed the night to try and help out his sister and his dad. Craig didn't sleep but about 3 hours and got home around 7am on Thursday morning I put him back to bed and went on working in the office fixing it up and he got up around 2pm and went back to Bountiful.


Well we got mom taken care of and home and they had Thanksgiving dinner and everyone went there own ways.


Craig and I got up Friday morning and had a great time fixing Thanksgiving dinner together, we always have fun cooking together! My folks came over and it was just a nice relaxing time and real good food.


So all week long 2 of Janette's friend's have been planning a surprise birthday party for her. So Saturday morning when Rachelle called to see if Nettie could come over and hang out about 4pm with her and Anna, I went and crawled in bed with Janette and pretended she couldn't go because we had stuff planned since her birthday was on Sunday. Of course I eventually gave in. Our evil plan was working....he he he....she fell for it hook, line, and sinker. Well we decided to go see a movie for Janette's b-day so I called up Julie and Lyndsey and asked if they wanted to go see Twlight and we all went and had a blast. Sappy movie, but cute! Well we got home in time for Craig and I and Lyndsey to sneek off to Rachelle's to hide while Rachelle's dad came and got Janette. It was cute to see Nettie's face when we all jumped out and yelled "SURPRISE!" and so many of her friends came. It was so awesome. Craig and I left because after a few minutes with a room full of 14 and 15 year old girls we couldn't hear anymore.


We were in the office working on a few little projects when we received another call from Craig's brother that evening saying dad is at Ogden Regional Hospital going into emergency surgery for a tooth that is absessed and the infection has spread to his neck and is almost into his brain. So they needed a neurologist because of dad's Parkinson's Disease. So we were on pins and needles all night waiting to hear how dad did during surgery. We finally got a call around 11pm saying he made it through the surgery, but it doesn't look good and to come up Sunday to see him.


First off it was Janette's 15th birthday and I was trying to keep the knowledge from her that her Grandpa Jensen was in the hospital and we could lose him at anytime, I thought let's just let her get through her day and then she can know he won't be coming home again. So we made her crepes with strawberries and whip cream and eggs and bacon and juice, and served her breakfast in bed and gave her her gift. So we finally had to tell her that Grandpa was in the hospital (we left the rest out). Craig called his mom and she said don't come by until later he is all drugged up andwouldn't know your here anyways so we went to our friends for snacks and we watched Get Smart and then all of us went to the hospital on the way home.


Dad was a skeleton of himself. He could barely make an audible word. His face was all swolen from the infection and surgery. he had a minor stroke so his left side was hanging. I just took hold of him and hugged him and told him how much I loved him and told him how good the kids are doing and when the nurse came in he signalled her with his finger to come here and when she came over he spelled "F - O - O - D!" it was so cute, he has a feeding tube in but he was hungry and wanted food. We all burst out laughing.


And that my friends is where the graditude comes in...I am so greatful and thankful for my father in law he is a strong and wise man. He is a man with integrity he is honest and true and does his best to be a good husband and father. He has been an amazing Grandpa to my children. I am truly greatful that when my children when very little and I had to work that Craig's parents were the one's who took care of our children. They nutured and loved our kids, but they also taught our kids. I can not put into words how I truly feel about my in laws, for they have gone over and beyond for my little family.


My husband, my anchor, my life, my night in shining armour, my hero...I love you more than the eternaties. I am greatful we found each other, I am greatful you have all the characteristics of your father! Most of all I am greatful just for you just being you!


My precious Nettie, my little red headed baby, now my grown up young woman, you are such a strength to me. You make me a better person. Thank you for your kindness, for seeking out those who are alone and need someone, thank you for your smile, thank you for singing in the bathroom so I can hear you everyday and be amazed at how your voice can shoot right through my heart. I am so greatful for Heavenly Father entrusting you with me.


My big hearted, loving Pher, my precious littler scooter, what can't you do....play piano, play guitar, sing, sports, you can do it all. I am so greatful for your laughter and your humor, I am greatful we have a special bond together, no matter how tall or how old you get you will always be my snugglable baby boy. You are so smart and amazing and you have so much ability to do what ever you would like. You have a very strong spirit. Share it!


My mom and dad....thank you for letting me have the freedom to chose who and what I wanted to be. Thank you for all the love and support along the way. Thanks for always listening. Mom we didn't get along when I was growing up, but I love our relationship now! Dad thank you for bringing stability into my life and teaching me about integrity and honesty and hard work and how nothing comes for free. Dad, thank you for becoming the dad I never had and always wanted.


Well, I could go on and on and I will in my journal.....




Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Any ideas from anyone for good books to read for our book group?


HELP...................
We need help finding good quality books with good writing and a few to throw in there that might just be a little but brainless just for fun books for those busy months.
Send any book names you might have.....we might or might not use them but we are running out of ideas.

Come on Pam, I know you like to read when you can get the chance......
My all-time favorite book is Sacajaweja, but it is long for me it was a quick read but for some it could be a difficult slow read.
I read a ton maybe 3 to 4 books a week. But they are usually quick reads, like mysteries or autobiographies, comtemporary fiction, with a little love thrown in. I mean I like the idea of love but I don't want it spelled out in detail for me.
So come on all you friends and bloggers and family....load me up with book ideas PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!! come on it is really sad for a grown woman to be beggin'

Friday, November 14, 2008

Can I Run Away? My Kid's Always Say They Are....

You ever have a week or month that you just need to escape from? I need an escape. A runaway if you will. Someplace quiet, serene, no kids, just me and my laptop (scrapbooking), with no interruptions. Lots of water to drink and fruit and cheese and crackers to eat. Am I being selfish....Damn Straight!...I mother needs to take care of herself as well as the family!!!!

Oh well, I will keep dreaming!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Oops Another One Down....



The Happy Couple! he he he




Christopher's Christmas Stocking




Nettie's Cute Frankenstein


Okay so I get this call from the Junior High last Wednesday; and I was thinking Chris is in trouble and finally beat up the kids who tease him for being a "big" kid. But I hear "Chris has fallen and hurt his ankle can you come get him. {If you saw my blog earlier about Janette.....I was on my way out the door to take her to a doctor appointment for her injured knee} So I called Craig and said "You need to go pick up Chris at school he is hurt." We were thinking sprained ankle and kept it iced and kept him loaded up with Motrin. Well he couldn't even walk at all. All weekend he was in bed and didn't move. So Monday we got an emergency doctor appt. and took him in and yes......it was fractured, torn ligaments, chipped ankle bone, severe ankle sprain, etc, etc.....So here is Chris in his cast, and Nettie in her knee brace. Aren't they a cute couple!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Digital Scrapbooking......


I am finally getting the hang of it!


Photoshop Elements 7 sure was difficult for me to pick up for some reason. Which isn't like me at all. I am usually really good at figuring out this kind of stuff. Anyway, I still have a lot to learn.


A big shout out and Thank You to Summer at http://summertimedesigns.blogspot.com/ for the free scrapbooking kits. She makes beautiful papers and embellishments. Plus she is just a very generous and caring soul.


So here is a page I did it is just my practice page, there are a few mistakes I haven't figured out how to fix yet, but am working on them. Thank heaven's for the help button.


Just having fun....

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Craig's new blog






Isn't he so cute! How can you resist?
Hey if you get the chance visit Craig's blog...

He will be adding lots of funny fishing and family stories and pictures; so stay tuned.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Good News Sunday!


Well, other than I caught Cameron's cold and I feel like my chest has been run over by a steamroller.

I recieved some great news today for my family. Lori (case worker) on my brother's murder trial called and told us the the man who is the one accused of killing my brother, gave in and finally pleaded guilty. So we don't have to have a long, drawn out trial after all. I guess when his lawyer saw all the evidence against him and all the witnesses they have, they decided it was in his best interest not to fight us anymore.

So, he will be sentenced for 10 to 16 years with no early parole.

Now, maybe my mom can be at peace and let go of all the stress.

We love you Clint!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Blog Book


A fellow blogger told me about a book you can make from your blog.

The website http://www.blurb.com/create/book/blogbook. It is a program that will take your blog and turn it into a hard back book! They did 112 pages, 2 years worth and was very happy with the results. I am not sure of the cost because I haven't been on the website yet. I thought I would share the good news!!

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Great Start to A Weekend With Friends.......NOT!!!










Well, had an great turn out at the Girl's Night Out Dinner Group @ Boston's last night. A lot of laughter and talking and laughter and eating.....I had 5 girls crammed into my Explorer, and we laughed alot more and told stories we probably should of kept to ourselves. Okay I told stories I should of probably kept to myself...HE HE HE HE HE HE HE!!!!!!!
{It is the little devil sitting on my shoulder!}
Anyway, we had our weekend planned out to do things with our friends the Ridl's at around 11am in Salt Lake. We received a call from the church, thinking it was Nettie to come pick her up from her Stake Young Women's Presidency meeting...but when Craig got there to get her she was crying and couldn't hardly walk. She had just gotten done saying the closing prayer and was walking to the back of the room to say hello to a friend and come home and she felt a sharp pain in her knee and it gave out on her and she fell. Well we take her to the emergency room and she has a torn medial meniscus. So after 2 1/2 hours in the ER she now has a knee brace and crutches until we can get ahold of our orthopedic surgeon on Monday. Nettie was in so much pain. Don't you just hate it when you can't take your children's pain away. I think my heart was beaten with a sledge hammer this morning. Well she is home now and resting and already driving me NUTS!!!!! But I really enjoy taking care of her....don't tell her that....she is so independent!!!
Well our evening is still planned.....we will be going out with the Christensen family, but poor Nettie will have to stay home. Chris will probably want to stay home with her now. He tries to act so tough, but he is just a big teddybear underneath. He is so cute with his sister. I love my kids!!!

Monday, October 20, 2008

4th File.....4th Picture in Tagged Again!






Okay this is to funny!!!

This is Nettie after she bought a new pair of shoes for $5.00 at Payless. She love's to dress up and sing and dance in front of the mirror. She is my drama queen. Anyway, this is a picture she took of herself down in her new room (with no carpet). Tell me why a 5' 10 1/2" tall girl {who is only 14} needs to wear 3 inch high heels. She is going to break her neck. But she is so dang cute!!! I really do love to hear her in the bathroom singing and acting out scenes from movies....most of the time when she sings it moves me so much it brings me to tears. So now if you would like to follow along it is your turn go to your picture files: 4th file in, 4th picture in the file. Post it and tell about it.....I tag Nettie and whoever else wants to join in.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Freeeeeeeeeeeddddddddddooooooooooommmmmmmmmm.........

Oh my gosh, I feel so much relief and like a heavy weight has been lifted off my shoulders!!!

Craig and I called the Junk Guys and rented a trailer to clean out our basement (which was filled with 20 years of CRAP) that we have collected. Which the kids had gone through several times and scattered everywhere. We hated to go down there, for fear of it eating us alive, getting swallowed up and never getting out of it, twisting an ankle, breaking a leg....

Well we started a 7:30 am and finished at 3 pm. We filled that baby to the rim. {4 feet high, 7 feet wide, 14 feet long} 1 ton worth of junk! Okay maybe it wasn't all junk, but by the time the kids stepped on most of it several times, it was smashed, broken, cracked or in someway ruined.



I had 43 years of pictures organized by year and occasion to scrapbook. I can't even tell you all the different places I found my pictures. Well they are all in one place now, but that will take me a good month or two to get in order again. I had a large plastic bin full of my materials for quilting scattered everywhere. I had 6 boxes of scrap booking supplies: papers, 2 boxes are Stampin Up stamps and pads, paper cutters, paper punches, all different scissor shapes, very expensive Stampin Up markers, embellishments, brads, etc, etc, etc.....scattered everywhere. I THINK THESE THREE THINGS SENT ME OVER THE EDGE YESTERDAY!!!!!



However, I didn't yell or scream or lose my temper. I just kept on working and gathered everything and put it away and then when I was done........I told both kids if anyone touches these things without my permission, well I won't repeat what I told them on the Internet, but I am pretty sure we would need to call child services.



I didn't take any pictures because I was to ashamed to let anyone see. Although I did let my friend Lisa down there to see Nettie's red bedroom a month or so ago. EMBARRASSING!!!


Really it was fun to get it all cleaned out and get rid of all that stuff, it really is freeing. I am a pack rat, I will admit it....but the older I get the more I feel less is more. I get really irritable when things are piling up. It makes me very frustrated now.



It was the best $150 we have spent in along time.

A lot cheaper than a visit to the psychiatrist....he he he he! okay I still have to go see him every two months too!

Now onto painting my new office/craft room upstairs and fixing up the spare room. My favorite things to do painting and decorating.

http://www.junkguys.net

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Poor Little Princess

My sweet little girl had the day from hell today. Poor thing! I felt so bad for her. Her iPod wouldn't work for the last week so I restored it night before last and she was so excited to be able to use it again. However, on the way to school it wigged out again and stopped working. So when she got home from school she thought she would turn on her laptop and plug in her iPod and see if recharging would fix it. Can you believe it....her laptop crashed!!!

Then she needed to make a dessert to take to Young Women's for a recipe exchange and she was making a cake and changing it up a little bit to make it her own (cause it was out of a box) and it was really good, but when she put it into the pan, I said something doesn't look right Nettie...did you put in the eggs she looked at me like eggs were suppose to go in it.....her dad just came home from work and said Hi!....and she burst into tears....sobbing trying to tell him about her day...(by now I was on the phone with the computer guy getting info to send Nettie's laptop in to be repaired and I couldn't console her, which made me feel horrible) so there is Craig with a 14 year old hysterical girl looking at me like what do I do, and while I was on hold I said fix the cake mix and hug her and tell her everything will be alright, daddy and mommy will fix everything.

So Craig fixed the cake and put it in the oven for her and made her sit down at the table next to me and I hung up after getting the computer taken care of and told her that they could fix it and they would try to save her memory for her, but no promises. Craig is letting her use his iPod until her birthday next month when we will buy her a new one, because of course the warranty on hers just expired.
The cake turned out perfectly.

So we got her all calmed down and situated and off to parent teacher conferences we went. Well she was waiting at the top of the stairs in the garage when we got home anxiously waiting to see if she was in any trouble from her grades. She figured with the way her day was going that would top it off getting in trouble for a bad grade. Then we told her nope, one teacher in Theatre wants Nettie to be the Student Director for the class. another teacher wants her to sign up for Honors Choir. She has almost all A's and a few B+'s. So before we sent her down to bed tonight we had her laughing and giggling and back to her normal (abnormal) self. I took the cutest picture of her with what was left of the cake after Young Women's and they had eaten half of it, so it must of been pretty good.

Don't you just hate it when your kids go through these times and you feel helpless and also trying to help them understand that this is life. This is how things go sometimes and it is okay. You just need to be able to handle it and ride it out. Because it seems no matter how well you live your life there will always be something to stumble on in certains times in your life. And you need to decide how you want to handle these things.

Nettie is so smart and wise and mature for her age that I forget she is so young still. So when I see our little Princess stubble I want to pick her up! And then say get back on the horse. You can do it! I love you Princess!

Friday, October 3, 2008

I Still Can't Believe You're Gone!



Robert Clinton Graham
October 9, 1957 to October 6, 2006

This post is a memorial to my brother Robert Clinton Graham, who was murdered in Phoenix on October 6th, 2006. We miss you so much Clint, but we are so glad you are no longer suffering and hopefully you are now with your dad, Granny Bell, Uncle Ned, Uncle Ted, and Uncle Jay. I can see you all playing cards. I would give anything to be able to fight with you one more time, after all I am your little BRAT! I remember so vividly going 4 wheeling with you in Uncle Ned's jeep and almost rolling it, so I got out and walked home, with you following behind me. I also remember always sneaking around in your bedroom and finding your special stash and telling mom so you would get in trouble. It was so worth getting beat up! I loved it when Reed, you and I would try out all the wrestling moves we saw on TV. I remember learning about love for the first time when you wrecked on your motorcycle on the dirt road behind our house and broke your ankle and I thought you were doing to die, and I remember thinking I love my brother. I was 7 and you were 16. I have so many good memories that I will cherish forever. I hope and pray you have found peace and happiness and your dad. My brother, I love you!

Monday, September 29, 2008

Damn, It Never Fails.....

It seems everytime we save a little extra money something breaks. We just saved up money for carpet for the kids bedrooms downstairs and damn if my dishwasher didn't catch on fire. If it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all. Then a week before that my microwave died. Thank heavens we already had gotten a microwave awhile ago, we just hadn't installed it yet. Plus before Craig got home our big screen TV went out and it cost $2500 to fix that. We can go get 2 new TV's for that amount. So its in the garage. Geeze I am afraid to get up in the morning... anybody every feel like that have a black raining cloud following them around... I guess I need to watch a funny movie or have Craig do his comedy routine to get out of this crazy mood................

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Tag I'm It....8's!

Okay I will do this but I am not tagging anyone else...okay I will tag Nettie!

8 TV Shows I love....

1. Dr. 90210
2. CSI:Miami
3. CSI
4. CSI:NY
5. Keeping Up Appearances (BBC Comedy)
6. May to December (BBC Comedy)
7. House Hunters
8. Gene Simmons: Family Jewels

8 Favorite Restaurants...

1. The Manadarin (Bountiful, UT)
2. 5 Star (Roy, UT)
3. Lone Star
4. Bajio Grill
5. El Matador
6. Spaghetti Factory (Trolley Square)
7. The Greenery
8. Market Street Grill

8 Things that happened yesterday:

1. Craig left for an overnight fishing trip
2. I won Pam's homemade Granola
3. I took a bubble bath in candlelight
4. I started digital scrapbooking
5. I played Lego Indiana Jones with Cameron
6. I did laundry
7. I went to Scouts
8. I took Chris to guitar and hung out with Nettie

8 Things I look forward to:

1. Finishing up the basement
2. Repainting the office
3. Getting new carpet
4. Getting new vehicle
5. Redoing backyard
6. Fall
7. Thanksgiving
8. Summertime

8 Things I love about Fall:

1. The cooler evenings
2. The (good) smells in the air
3. Leaves changing colors
4. Going for drives up in the mountains
5. Thanksgiving
6. Cooking Home made Thanksgiving
dinner for family and friends
7. The colors of fall
8. Fall Decorations

8 Things on my wishlist:

1. Pay off mortgage
2. To take away pain my dad is in
3. A cure for Parkinson's Disease
4. To go to Hawaii next year
5. New Carpeting
6. For Craig not to go overseas anymore
7. My family to accept the Gospel
8. My brother's murder trial to be over!

8 People I tag....

1. Nettie
2. Anyone Else who wants to be tagged!

Monday, September 22, 2008

Awesome Ward Members!!!!


Our sweet ward members had flowers left over from Stake Conference on Sunday and they brought them to Craig and I as a Welcome Home and Thank You for serving our Country. That was nice of them to think of us. The flowers are so beautiful! They have my favorite red carnations. We are so very blessed to live in this ward and this neighborhood. We love you Greenbriar Ward!!!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Antelope Island...






Well yesterday Craig and I wanted to do something different with the boys so we loaded up the car and headed out to Antelope Island. Of course we had to stop first and get a cool slush drink! We had so much fun. Cameron was a hoot. We saw lots of buffalo, antelope, a snake and horses. Cameron threw rocks and sticks in the water and then he was exhausted so we called it a day. Even Jaxson had fun hanging out. Oops we forgot to get pictures of anyone but Cameron....

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Our Little Fisherman...


Craig has been promising Cameron he would take him fishing since last summer. So he finally took him over to Jensen Pond today and let Cameron fish for the first time. Cameron didn't catch anything but he looks so cute. I think he had more fun throwing rocks in the pond after the fishing than he did fishing.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

I'm Back!

Well, after 123 plus days in the beautiful contry of Kuwait, I made it back. Thank heavens. I could not stand another day there. I sure love the US of A, warts and all.

My flight home was LONGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG! roughly twenty plus hours in the air is a long, long time to be sitting. Kuwait to Shannon, Ireland, Shannon to Baltimore, Baltimore to Cincinnati, and finally home. Left Saturday night, Kuwait time, and arrived home Sunday, just after 4p.m. I'm still suffering from jet lag.

Kuwait was HOT! the highest temp that I experienced was 126 degrees. It actually was hotter than that when we were working on the air conditioners. Most of the a/c were on metal platforms and add the reflective heat to the ambient heat outside, it was at least 145 degrees. Just walking outside was painful; eyes burned and your lungs felt seered. The whole month of June we had severe sandstorms. Visibility was limited to 150 meters at best, and the sand was in everything: clothes, living quarters, teeth, eyes, undershorts, you name it, it was in there.

Kuwait is the single most desolate and ugly place I've been next to Saudi Arabia. Flat, sandy, and for four months it never rained once. The Kuwaiti's are the worst drivers in the world, bar none. Their idea of a jihad is to get behind the wheel and drive.

It was the best feeling in the world to get off the plane and have Jodi and the kids waiting at the gate for me. I am thankful for the internet and email, because that was my lifeline to back home. I anxiously awaited Jodi and the kids' emails, seeing as they were what kept me going over there.

It's great to be home!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Wouldn't You Like to be a Slacker too....




Okay, I think I am a pretty crafty person: I love to sew, scrapbook, make homemade cards, garden, quilt, give me anything electronic and I can hook it up no problem, I designed our front yard layout, I love painting (walls), reading...I could go on and on! BUT....yard work not so much! Craig usually does all that because he really loves it and I don't. As my poor neighbors can attest to this summer. However, I got up early this morning and started on the yard work....and thank heavens for mother-in-laws who show up to help or I would still be out there....anyway Craig will be home in about a week and I had to get the front yard at least in tip top shape because I have been a slacker all summer long as far as the yard is concerned. Next up the garage.....YIKES!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

BAD MOM!


Am I a bad mom to wish school started today? I want my house back! My son has taken over. I love my children dearly and we have a ton of fun together, but I am going insane. Every morning when I wake up there are dishes everywhere and the livingroom looks like a hurricane went through it. If I hear the words "I am bored" one more time I might just flip out. Do I have to entertain every single minute! I want to climb in bed and get under the sheets and hide. Call maid serve and order in dinner (Oh I already do that).


Okay, okay I am done with my pity party...
I feel much better now.

Monday, August 11, 2008

My Second Set of Kids


Yeah, I start babysitting again tomorrow. I am so excited. I love ny second set of children Lyndsey, Cameron and Jaxson, as i they were my own. I am so lucky to be able to take care of them while their parent's work. They are so much fun to be with, but I get to give them back at the end of the day, and I get to sleep through the night. he he he

Friday, August 8, 2008

MY MOTHER by Janette Jensen


I remember as a little girl I'd wear my mother's shoes, the black heals she wore to work and some flats too. My mother cooked me dinner, she sang me to sleep, inside my heart she was a winner and at night I'd think...

I want to be like my mother, a woman strong, and kind, her sweet laughter fills our home all the time. I want to be like my mother, with her beauty and her love. I want to be like my mother, when I go back home above.

I remember as a little girl I'd see my mother's face and think of all the many things I'd do to make it smile, her love and joy fills our home with each passing day. I love my mother dearly in every single way.

I want to be like my mother, a woman strong and kind her sweet laughter fills our home, all the time I want to be like my mother with her beauty and her love. I want to be like my mother when I'm sent back above.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Just A Little Remodeling

I decided to redecorate, boy is this addicting or what?

Thursday, July 31, 2008

MEMORIES......

Now be nice and only leave good memories!


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, 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 cool (and 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.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Happy Birthday, Craig


July 29th is Craig's birthday he turns 42 years old. Wow, we have been together for 20 years. I can not believe it. Sometimes it seems like yesterday when I was laughing at his Rodney Dangerfield jokes on the phone and going on dates in the old golden truck to Dairy Queen to share a small butterfinger blizzard and driving up to the rocket park and swinging on the swings, because we were both so broke that is all we could afford to do. But we were always laughing and having a great time together. Craig you are an amazing husband with a kind and loving soul. You make me a better person. Thank you for loving me just as I am. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't fall more deeply in love with you. You are my HERO! I am so proud of you for the sacrifices you make for our family and for your country. It is so very difficult to be away from you, sometimes I can't function.... But emailing you back and forth everyday keeps me going. Thank you for always making me feel beautiful, even when I don't have makeup on, and my mom tells me I look horrible without makeup. Thank you for always having words of wisdom when I am feeling down or need your help with something. I can always count on your knowledge. Thanks for fixing dinner on those nights when I can't function and for not making me feel guilty about it. Thank you for loving my family even thou we are absolutely crazy! Thank you for being a man who isn't afraid to show his emotions. (That is one of the reasons I fell in love with you) We have made two beautiful children together, gifts from Heavenly Father, I am so grateful that we have an eternal family. Thank you for your testimony it helps strengthen mine and our family. I appreciate the sacrifice you are making working at a job that is unfulfilling because you can't make that kind of money somewhere else. You are my best friend, my lover, my white knight, my life, and you hold my heart in your hands. I hope you have a great birthday, even though you are away from us, I am sure it will be nice and quiet and that you haven't told anyone, just the way you like it.....All My Love Forever, Jodi

Saturday, July 26, 2008

YIKES! Two Teenagers now.....


Christopher turned 13 on the 25th. It was a little depressing for him because his dad wasn't here and he got to hang out with me, but we went to the movies and went out to lunch and then just hung out. We had a family get together on the 26th and Trey came over and Cameron (his best friend) came over, we had cake and ice cream and he was able to open his presents.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Red Robin

Just a shout out to thank all those who came tonight we had a great time and lots of laughter.
Friday night at 5pm a few girls from the neighborhood are going to Red Robin for dinner and to celebrate Craig's birthday with me, since he isn't here. Something we started last month called Jodi's Friend's. We are going to call it the Dinner Club now. If you would like to come we would love to have you. Please call and let me know so we can get a table big enough for everyone. It should be alot of fun.....

Monday, July 21, 2008

B-A-T-M-A-N M-O-V-I-E The Dark Knight






Awesome movie!!! Chris and I went with the Christensen's today to see the new Batman movie and out to dinner. The movie was the best movie I have seen in along time and the kids and I go to the movies 2 or 3 times a week. Very entertaining, good story line, good strong characters...I would go see this over and over. I won't say alot about the movie because if you haven't seen it I don't want to spoil it. Lots of twists I didn't expect. For an over 2 hour movie went by fast.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Weekend

Well, I finally slept, yeah. A whole 6 hours Friday night. Janette is gone for the week to her Aunt Monica's for a girl's week because Uncle Steve is out of town. I think they are having a Jane Erye Fest. Chris of course i stuck hanging out with mom. He is finally recouperating from two ear aches and the flu. He got his new laptop for his birthday so he is very busy with that. Friday was my dad's 82nd birthday so we had a party for him on Saturday. I made a red potatoe salad and it has a balsalmic dressing that goes on it so throughtout the day I would take it out of the fridge and stir it and taste to see if it needed more flavoring, well I had it in a glass bowl and about 3pm I took it out to stir it anddropped it on the tile floor and yes it shattered and potatoe salad went everywhere. Having to be at my folks at 5pm I decided to go to the store and buy potatoe salad on the way there, but then feeling guilty because your dad only turns 82 once in a life time and he requested potatoe salad. I boiled more potatoes and made more, Anyway, the party was alotta fun (of course I forgot the camera so there are no pictures).

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

American Idol Concert


First off I do not watch alot of TV, a few british comedies and that is about it, but my friend Julie got me interest in American Idol this year. I had never watched it before, but got interested because one boy was from Utah and another girl was LDS and from Arizona. Anyway Julie called me today and said I have free tickets to the American Idol concert do you and Nettie want to go. So we loaded up the van and away we went. We had a blast! I haven't been to a concert for a few years. I think the last one I went to was with Craig we went to see Van Halen with Sammy Hagar singing the lead. It isn't the best picture because Nettie took it on the cellphone but here it is anyway.

Monday, July 14, 2008

52 more days





We will start out our blog telling everyone that Craig (dad) is overseas in Kuwait and we are anxiously awaiting his return the first part of September. He has been gone for 2 months and it has been very difficult without him around. We have awesome neighbors and friends who are so willing to help us out and we are so very grateful to them.