Seeing and Believing

Ive heard from others, that Kelsey is a sweet, outgoing, fun, respectful, great all around teenager. I for one have not seen this in her, for many years. So you can imagine my surprise when I got a letter in the mail informing me that Kelsey was nominated as Student Of The Month at school. I think I was more excited than she was, because as her parent I got to accompany her to an award breakfast! It was awesome!!

This is more like the Kelsey I know. Actually this is her dressed up in some 80's get-up for spirit week at school. Really? I mean REALLY? Hey I'm straight from the 80's and I don't quite remember looking like this. I told Kelsey she only had to wear an "I LOVE MICHEAL JACKSON" t-shirt or button, and that would be good enough. I do remember however, the Big Permed Hair-Do's, baggy sweat shirts, stirrup pants, Layered socks with converse, and tapered pants. Florescent came and went really fast, along with mini skirts. But if you had a Member's Only jacket, Op shorts, IZOD pollo, or Jordache jeans, you were really cool!

Of course there weren't cell phones, in fact not even cordless phones. Everyone just had LONG cords so we could go into other rooms if we wanted privacy. Talking on the phone was a favorite pass time, I can see that has somewhat stayed the same, except that it's texting now.

Yes! I had many of perms, and used lots and lots and lots of hair spray. Oh and you can't forget the "wrap-around" braces that most of us had to wear for 2 or more years. Kid's today don't even know how good they have it!!!

Easter Break and Break Easter Traditions

The day of matching Easter Dress is now in the pass. I grew up having to match Easter Dresses with my sisters, and having girls myself, carried on the tradition. Yes, some years were difficult finding matching dresses, but I did it! Today........NO MORE!! My teenagers REFUSE to match anymore! What?!!? I was heart broken, yet if you have teenagers, you know that some things are not worth arguing over, so yes, I gave in. In fact I gave Kailey the car keys and credit card and said "take your sister's and go pick your own dresses this year!" Hum...I've got to say it was one less thing I had to worry about, and kinda nice!

Dying Easter eggs too has kinda changed. Yes all the kids had their eggs, and decorated them the way they wanted, however, again the teenagers changed the tradition, of letting the "Easter Bunny take the eggs to hide, so they could find their own decorated eggs in the morning. Instead my two teens decided to cracked their eggs open as soon as they were dyed, and made egg salad sandwiches. I was miffed! Why did they even bother dying them? I know I too, was a teenager, yet I can't seem to understand my own.

For one day of our Easter Break, We decided to go up to Daddy's stomping grounds. He showed us all around the campus of the University of Utah. We went to the History Museum, and then to a favorite student hangout, "The Pie" for lunch.

porter running from the dinosaur. (he thought that was way funny)

Natalie inside a bubble of an aquarium

Kelsey and Kailey next to a Wolf. (they were hoping it was Jacob from Twilight)

Kailey and Kelsey sitting on a large Dinosaur Bone.

"Ketchup" Anyone?

Ok It's been a month since my last entry. So I'll try and "Ketchup" (hee, hee, hee).

I'll be serious. What a month. Not too exciting, just busy, busy, busy!! So I'll not bore you with endless reading, I'll just "reader digest" the high lights!

March 15th-18 I went on a Girl Friend Retreat! BFF's

since 2nd grade, Wendy, Laura and I drove down south to St. George for our 2nd annual get away. We stayed in Wendy's Condo, and Relaxed! No cooking, No cleaning, No Time table. Just pure relaxation. We went to an all day spa and got massages, facials, and pedicures. We ate out, laid by the pool, swam, shopped, and even hit the movies. Money was running out, and we soon realized we'd have to come back to reality. I can't wait until next year!!

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

The weather has been crazy. One day it is 70 degrees, next day it will have snowed. March was quite unpredictable, however, there was one warm, breezy Saturday that was perfect to fly kites. Of course Porter was the only one that had a kite. Kelsey took charge, and Porter and her went out to the field behind us, to fly the kite. It went straight up, Flew, and ran out of string quickly........then flew away! The whole kite-flying experience lasted almost 5 minutes!

When It rains, you paint!!

Yea! One of my Goals this year was to paint my up stairs. I did it!! well...I painted the Living room, foyer, and hall way. I didn't get the kitchen, or my bedroom, but after the Living room, I think those other rooms will be next years project. Special thanks to Jared and Biffy for all their help, although I still think I need to paint the front door. They both voted against that. Ellie the dog, decided to be a cat and observe the painting while laying on the back of the sofa. Weird Dog!

Rare Moments!

that's all I need to say...

Lived, Laughed, Loved

In Loving Memory of My Sister Bonnie

May 1, 1975- March 15, 2008

Never Forgotten

May the bond we shared as sisters

Bring you peace when days get long.

May the love you heard in my voice

Be a warm and soothing song.

May the memories of our childhood

Fill your heart with strength and love.

May God's promise of the future

Bring warm assurance from above.

It's been one year since Bonnie died. It has been a difficult year. Anyone who has lost a loved one will know the feelings of the "First____________" without them. I have felt Bonnie's love and closeness many times. I have known she has had her hand in many decisions and situations. I am comforted to know that she is in a happier place, she is where she needs to be and doing much work. Because of my testimony of the Gospel, I know I will see her some day and will have a much anticipated and joyous reunion with her.

I love you Bonnie!

There has not been a day this last past year that I have not thought of you! Slowly my heart continues to mend. I have tried to replace the memory of that tragic day, one year ago, to random memories of happier times spent with you. A long journey still faces me and those who are left behind, I know we must endure and carry on without you. It uplifts me to know that you are here with me in spirit,

Living with, Laughing at, and loving me always,

until we see each other again.

Should It Stay Or Should It Go NOW?!

Tuesday's Top Ten

Reasons why Winter must Go!

#10 reason why winter must go....I can't Wait to change heavy coats for jackets,snow boots for regular shoes, and no more wet melted snow on the floors, from them both.
#9 reason why winter must go.....I don't snow ski. I don't care about "FRESH POWDER"!
#8 reason why winter must go.....I hate driving in it.
#7 reason why winter must go.....Ugly debris on the sides of roads, that was covered up by the snow.

#6 reason why winter must go...maybe it will get warm enough for occupants of this home to venture out and take down not only Christmas decor, but also last year Fall Decor! (HELLO! it's now march!)

#5 reason why winter must go....People who opt. to keep their Christmas lights up, yet let them come loose, thus having to watch them dangle and sway in the wind. (unkempt, hung Christmas lights)

#4 reason why winter must go....Dirty, ugly side snow, that just won't melt!

#3 reason why winter must go.....Pot Holes!!

#2 reason why winter must go....Being toilet papered in the winter really SUCKS to clean up!

#1 reason why winter must go....My spring Flowers are coming out!!!

Wednesday's Words

Words With Jared

Setting: Janalynn sitting in her favorite chair reading a book. Jared walks in and suddenly stops.

Jared: "Stop doing that, you're turning me on."

(Janalynn looks up with a confused look on her face)

Janalynn: (replies with annoyance in her voice) "I'm not doing anything!"

Jared: (in a serious voice) "I know, and it's working!"

(Jared then leaves the room. Janalynn goes back to reading, smiling inwardly.)

Yes! Really, this is how Jared is. I think one of his goals in life is to make me laugh or at least smile. He is seldom in a bad mood, and is always quick witted, with sharp, funny or make you think, come backs. For example if he happens to call me on his way home from work, he'll ask me how my day was. If I say it was awful and I'm in a bad mood, his typical response would be, "YES! I can't Wait to get home!" (in a serious and excited voice). If I ask him if if he loves me, he'll sometimes respond, "For the moment." or something along those lines. People who don't know him, don't know how to take his humor. But those who do, either avoid his sarcasm, or try to out wit him. You would never guess that he was very Romantic and writes the best love poems and letters. Of course I'm the only one who knows that!!!

It's Great Being "8"

"It's Great Being A Girl"

Natalie Turned 8 this month. What an exciting age! She is at an age where dressing up, doing hair, and dreaming about make-up is always happening. So I decided to throw her a "Make-Over" party. First the girls ate pizza, then decorated make-up bags with hearts, flowers, jewels and their names.

Afterwards the mirrors were brought out, curling irons plugged in, make-up was divided up and the show was on. When all the girls hair done, nails and faces, painted, a game was played like musical chairs. If you were left without a star, you chose a number, and dressed up according to that number. (The dress-ups were bagged with numbers).

Their final number was was a fashion show, lip-sinc, dance performance all in one, to the song "So What, I'm a Rock Star" by pink. What a sight to behold. I was proud and entertained at the same time. It was a fairly easy party to do, and I think the girls enjoyed it!!

(special thanks to Linda Ford for providing the props!)

You Say It's Your Birthday....

It's My Birthday Too!

Jared sent me on a wild scavenger hunt for my Birthday! He loves surprises and making me work for them. Too be honest it's really frustrating, not to mention I'm not too good at puzzles. I scanned his clues. If you could figure them out without help, I'll consider you a genus. All I can say is that I'm grateful for cell phones. I had to call Jared at every clue, except #4.

Clue #1 was the library
Clue #2 was the Book title "flower children"
Clue #3 was Jared's Aunt Lorna
Clue #4 was Smith's Grocery Store Customer Service Booth
Clue #5 was the home of our good friend's the Turners.

It was a fun and eventful night. First, because I took so long figuring out the clues, we had to RUSH to Pei Wei to eat. We snarfed our food down only to run out to the car and find out that we had locked our keys in the car!! We had to call Kailey to come bring the extra set to us. Afterwards we drove to Hale Theater to watch the 2nd half of "Cash on Delivery". Last but not least. We stopped at Leatherbys for Ice cream. All in all it was a fun Birthday! Too bad we locked the keys in the car and missed the first half of the play, however, memorable night and great company made it all worth another Birthday!!!
(side note: I told Biffy NOT to let Jared throw me a Surprise Party...she did her best!)

Super, and Not So Super!

Super Bowl Sunday (Church got out at 5:30, so we DVR-ed the game)

Super Friends (2nd annual party, I think it will be now a tradition)

Super Dinner and Snacks (Biffy made dinner, the rest brought snacks.)

Super Games (gals played board games, stopped for commercials, while the men watched the Football Game)

Not-So- Super Bowl Game (we were all rooting for the underdog, the Cardinals. By the last quarter, we were all on pins and needles!! Congrats to the Steeler Team and Fans.)

100 Days of School

This year in 2nd grade at Heritage Elementary they celebrated the 100 days of school, not by bringing 100 items to count during math (thank you! I always stress over finding something for the kids to bring that was unique, yet wouldn't be eaten by the time they needed it at school). They celebrated it by dressing up as if they were 100 years old. I thought this was a fun and different way. Kids love to dress up and Natalie really got into it. Hat's off to the 2nd grade teachers at Heritage!!

(Side note to all parents: This means that the school year is more than half over. School is only 180 days a year! YIKES!!!)

Thursday Thought and Theory

Thought: How many things do our children learn from us through example, or simpling by telling them?

This thought came to me the other day. This time of year, we all hear coughing and sneezing on a regular bases. My son Porter is no exception. I noticed a while back that whenever he sneezed, he would bless himself. "Bless me"., he would say. I of course thought that it was a cute response and never corrected him that someone else should be the one blessing him. However, like I said the other day I got thinking, how come he blesses himself? He didn't learn that through example of anyone I knew. The more I thought about it, I soon realized that young children not only learn from our example, but also by what we tell them to say or do. Often they don't know why we tell them to do things, they just do it. For example I have seen parents, myself included, tell a child to "wave good-bye" or "Say your sorry." And other small demands that will teach children. So I can't help wonder if that is why Porter says "Bless me." whenever he sneezes. Instead of me teaching through example which was intended, he was taught through a demand. "A-choo!" From Porter, I would then respond, "Bless You!" Porter's young mind then formed what I had just said as a demand. Therefore he soon learned that whenever he sneezed he should bless himself because that was what he was taught to do.

So I wonder...Why is it so hard for a teenager to learn the same way? Why can't they just take your small demands and just do what we say without asking questions, and just do it?

Wednesday's Words with Ellie (my dog)

Setting: Janalynn has just peeled an orange and sits down to eat it. Ellie the dog comes mosey in. Instantly she sees that Janalynn has something in her hand, and whatever it is, it is making it's way up and into her mouth. Instantly she goes from "woe is me" attitude, to, "I'm getting me some of that". (Actually it's pretty hard to tell facial expression on a Basset Hound).

Janalynn:(a little irritated) No Ellie! You wont like it! So stop begging and leave me alone!

Janalynn: (resignation in her voice) Ok, but I promise you wont like it!
(Janalynn holds the orange just above Ellie. Ellie jumps as high as she possibly can, maybe 5 inches off the floor, to snag the orange slice. She sits then spits it out. Sniffs at the orange, looks at the orange. Pushes the orange with her nose. Then finally leaves the orange and returns to Janalynn).

Janalynn: (frustration and disbelief in her voice) "Really Ellie!!?! C'mon, It's the exact same thing I just gave you, and you obviously hated it!!

9 Goals for 2009

Me and my dog Ellie (I got her for my Birthday in 2008)

9 Goals I want to Accomplish in 2009

Listening to a lot of experts on how to accomplish goals, I was repetitively told NOT to make too hard or unrealistic goals, that would be impossible to achieve. So this list was very hard to come up with, but I managed to come up with 9. I figured that being "Being more healthy" was a given, so didn't even bother listing that goal, because for as long as I can remember, that has been my ongoing goal.

1. Get out of debt (Pay off my credit card)

2. Take the kids to Dreaded Disneyland (I have a phobia of Disney-anything)

3. Paint and Redecorate my entire upstairs (ok maybe just livingroom, entry, and possibly kitchen)

4. Make a Memory Book of my Sister Bonnie

5. Read the BofM and D&C again

6. Visit the Temple more often (I'm trying for at least once a month)

7. Give up Pepsi (at least cut back)

8.To unspoil Porter (this one will by my hardest)

9. To spoil Jared (this one will be easy)

Wish me Luck!!

Favorite 8 of 2008

8 Favorites of 2008

8 Favorite Books read in 2008
1."Jackdaws" by Ken Follett
2."Austinland" by Shannon Hale
3."The Other Boleyn Girl" by Gregory Philippa
4."Innocent Traitor" by Alison Wier
5."Hornet Flight" by Ken Follett
6."A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Hosseini Khaled
7."Cane River" by Tademy Lelita
8."The Host" by Stephanie Meyer

8 Favorite Activities in 2008
1.Playing games with friends
2.Shopping with daughters
3.Surf'n Swim with kids
4.Lunches with girlfriends
5.Going to the Temple with mom and Sister
6.UofU game with friends
7.Working in my Flower Bed
8.Saturday dates with Jared

8 Favorite Foods I ate alot of during 2008
1. Cafe' Rio Salads
2. Pei Wei Mongolian Chicken
3. Rooster's Ravioli
4. California Kitchen's Thai Salad
5. Maverick's Cheesy Bread
6. Campbell's' Chunky New England Clam Chowder
7. Turkey and Swiss Hoggie sandwiches
8. Home Grown Garden Tomatoes

8 Favorite Purchases in 2008
1. New Furnace and Central Air
2. Basset Hound named Ellie
3. American Eagle Jeans
4. Tires for Jared's Car
5. Area Rug for my Living room
6. Leather Couch, Chair and Ottoman
7. Custom made Mother's Ring
8. Camera

8 Favorite Songs in 2008
1. Shattered, by O.A.R
2. Stop and Stare, by One Republic
3. Calling You, by Blue October
4. Apologize, by Timbaland
5. Rise Above, This by Seether
6. Viva La Vida, by Cold Play
7. Paralyzer, by Finger Eleven
8. Pork and Beans, by Weezer

Wednesday's Wall Words

Wednesday's Wall Words With Daughter Kailey

setting: I'm downstairs watching a movie. Kailey yells down to me.

Kailey: "Bye Mom, I'm going."
Janalynn: "Be sure to check in."
Kailey: "I will!"

(three hours later, Kailey returns home)

Kailey: "I'm Home"
Janalynn: "How come you didn't check in?"
Kailey: "I did!"
Janalynn: "No you didn't"
Kailey: "Yes, I did!"
Janalynn: "Don't you think I'd know if you checked in with me?"
Kailey: "Don't you ever read your text messages?"

(Janalynn goes upstairs and down the hall into a back bedroom where her cell phone is on it's charger, because unlike all teenagers, Janalynn does NOT carry her cell phone on her body at all times. Janalynn checks her cell phone. Cell phone has little picture of envelope floating across screen.)

Cell Phone Text from Kailey's cell phone says: just checking in