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I did this test, apparently it's not even worth a new car - sorry Jason

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I love you Bo Bo

Today has been hard. We've known for the last year that my parents dog, Bo, was going to pass away. It didn't make today any easier. Last night my dad decided to have Bo put to sleep (that seems so harsh to say). This morning he called one of his friends in animal control and had them come to his house to do it. My dad also had a neighbor make a cedar box to bury him in. The neighbor was so sweet, he even lined it with some nice soft red fabric.

Gosh, this is so hard. Bo has been with my family for 13 years. I grew up with him, he's my dog. He cuddled with me when I was sad - he made me laugh so many times.

I think the best way to memorialize him is to tell you about how we got him.

One day when my mom was out running errands my dad had been talking to one of his friends in animal control and they told him about a pair of ShihTzu's that he had just picked up. The elderly woman who had them just couldn't take care of them anymore. We instantly fell in love with the male, Bo - while the neighbors fell in love with the girl, Gidget. My dad told us not to mention anything to my mom until he got to talk to her - well, we didn't. As soon as mom walked in the door we were asking her if we could have a dog. She knew something was up and gave my dad that look like, what did you do? So, with all 5 kids and my dad in love with Bo, how could she say no? My dad cut a hole in the fence in between our house and the neighbors so that Bo and Gidget could spend time together. They would run back and forth in between the 2 yards and pretty soon got used to their own families and spent more time apart. I think that even though my mom didn't want a dog, she loves him and really loved having him around - even if she did complain every once in a while.

So, now today I am in mourning. I never thought that an animal could make such an effect on my life. He grew up with me. I love him and I will truly miss going over to my parents and not hearing him whining at the top of the stairs, wanting help down the stairs.

.

Utah's Pioneer Day Celebration

Oh my! What a relief! The float is done and it was a huge success! We even had quite a few people tell us that we had the best looking float of all 100+ floats! Many of the floats were made by professionals and we did this as an all volunteer group! We have some wonderful people who were in charge of it and made sure everything got done and they spent countless hours getting it ready. Jason and I added our approx 30 hours - but that was nothing compared to what they did. The people are made out of chicken wire, sheets, and lots and lots of glue & paint. The flowers are made out of foam and wire and we spray painted them.

For those of you non-Utahn's - here's the low-down on Pioneer Day. On July 24, 1847 LDS President Brigham Young looked down upon the Salt Lake Valley after a long trek across most of the US and said his now famous words, "This is the right place". We celebrate our state's pioneer heritage every 24th of July. It's a wonderful time to think back because I have pioneers in my family line and it's great to have a reminder of what they did for me. Some of my relatives we not even "Mormons" when they crossed the plains, but joined later.

So, for everyone out there...HAPPY 24TH OF JULY!!!

What song was #1 on your b-day?

A friend of mine gave me this link...thought it was fun

http://www.joshhosler.biz/NumberOneInHistory/SelectMonth.htm

Oh, mine is "I Will Survive"

Thanks to everyone

I wanted to thank everyone for their prayers and condolences this last few weeks. It has been a week since my aunt passed away. It was a wonderful service. It was short, just like my aunt had asked. My dad conducted the services and also gave a talk - he did an awesome job! My aunt, Judy also talked - she wrote this poem that I want to share.

You could find her in their trailer in the mountains near the stream.
You would see her beauty radiate, her smile a perpetual beam.
Her laughter made us happy, as her mouth she timidly hid,
And we loved to watch her face glow, embarrassed by what she did.

She loved to be with family, and friends that she held dear
in times of joy and times of sadness, she knew they were always near.
Her zest for life was evident in the way she tackled the dream,
And when it all seemed too difficult, she walked squarely down the beam.

She collected pigs, you may not know this, but they were everywhere.
They were in the kitchen, on the shelves, and in every here and there.
With her faithful dog named Shadow, in peaceful tending they sat,
Hundreds of them I'm telling you, she got them from this and that.

Karen was a JAZZ fan, but not the kind like me,
She didn't paint her face and act a fool like Jean.
She loved to go and watch us but stood some feet away,
But then when it was game-time, she'd go, but a distance she would stay.

When in Hawaii for treatment, with her first time cancer bout,
I went to visit for a while to see if I could help out.
We'd gone to the beach to get some sun, some young boys saw us there,
Thought she was Sinead O'Conner, got her autograph, and we did snare.

Another time while shopping, her head from chemo was bald,
There were those in the clothes shop talking, their words to me did scald.
But Karen wasn't offended, rather went straight-way to the mirror to dress,
And exclaimed "Judy, why didn't you tell me, my hair was such a mess?"

We laughed at all those experiences and shared so many more,
And now she's gone ahead of us, she's no doubt opening the door.
We'll all be there soon you see, our challenge is to prepare while here,
And when our time to graduate is come, there will be no reason for us to fear.

Now, Karen is not so far away, she's only around the bend,
And we'll be with her in twilight and in the morning glen.
The tears we shed, the heavy hearts, are just because we've loved,
She's free from pain and suffering, she sits with family above.

The circle of life is now complete, tho' her departure from us, too soon,
But we'll see her in the flowers, in the flow of the evening moon.
She'll touch you softly on your cheek, just as she did in life,
She goes in peace, she is content, your daughter, your mother, our sister, your wife.

My aunt, Karen

As I posted earlier this last week, my aunt Karen has been battling cancer. I found out this morning that she returned to her Heavenly Father during the night. I've never had a family member die from a terminal illness - it has been hard. I didn't see her much in the last year because she was so sick. I am really going to miss seeing her at family get togethers. I'm going to miss hearing her laugh and seeing her tease all of us. I know that she is in a much better place and that she now feels no more pain. She is with her mom and she is happy.

I've been tagged again

My friend, Kerstin, tagged me...so I'm playing

4 Jobs I've Had:
1. Carnie (so DH says - my family owned rides and I helped run them)
2. Mattress Warranty Lead
3. Desktop Compositor
4. Scrapbook paper collator

Movies I Can Always Watch:
1. Where the Heart Is
2. The Cutting Edge
3. Memoirs of a Geisha
4. Rocky & Bullwinkle Seasons

4 Places I've Lived:
1. Ephraim
2. Clearfield
3. Bountiful
4. West Point

TV Shows I Enjoy:
1. ER
2. Scrubs
3. Medium
4. Crossing Jordan (although I heard it was canceled - I am so sad)

4 Foods I Love:
1. Chocolate
2. Rolls
3. Apricots
4. did I mention chocolate?

4 Websites I Frequently visit:
1. Friend's and Family Blogs
2. Scrapjazz.com (I think I live there)
3. Postsecret
4. SLC Mommies

4 Places I'd Rather Be Right Now:
1. my bed
2. Hawaii
3. laying on the grass listening to the sounds
4. my mom & dad's backyard

ok...ummmm...I will tag MindySue, lesfitz, and inspiration

The 4th of July parade & carnival

I am so glad this week is over

It started out with an emotional Saturday last Saturday - which I don't want to get in to, but I'll just say it was adoption related. (No, no news to report)

Then, on Weds my aunt, Karen, was taken to the dr to see how her cancer was doing and they found more fluid, this time around her heart so they sent her to the hospital. They told her that the fluid around her heart was cancerous and at this point there was nothing they could do - so they sent her home the next day so she could die at home. Karen is so great and has always been so supportive. She is married to my dad's brother. We have a joke in my family about being the favorite aunt and who the favorite aunt is - that's how they all sign their cards & stuff. It's been really hard & emotional. I'm worried about my uncle and my cousins. They don't know what I know - they don't know for sure that they will see each other again and that she will be ok. I know they believe in heaven, but they don't know that families can be together forever and that is so hard. It's going to be a long time before I get to see her again and that makes me sad. I will miss her and I wish I could give her one last hug, talk to her one last time. As of tonight, she has not passed.

On Thursday, the neighbors had some friends over and one of the friends little boys put his hand through our fence and Fez bit his finger. There was one small puncture wound and then some scratches, but nothing really bad. To me, it looked like a definite warning bite. Well, the parents of the little boy felt like they needed to take him to be seen by a dr so they took him to the ER and they of course had to report to animal control. So, now Fez is under a 10-day home quarantine. Which means that we can't just let him out in our backyard to play or go potty - he has to be on a leash. The animal control officer will come by 2 more times to check on him to make sure he hasn't started to get sick or anything (to watch for rabies mostly). We also paid for the ER copay. And, next week we are going to start putting in privacy slats in our fence. We have probably over 200 feet of fence to put slats in and it's $35 per 10 feet! Thankfully since my parents yard and their field is the back part (the largest part) - we won't have to put them there.

So, that has been my week in a nutshell - we did get to go away camping again for a night and my dad and brothers watched Fez for us. It was definitely nice to get away and Jason was so good to take care of Jenna since I had been taking care of Fez and had such an emotional week.

darn those taggers

I have been tagged by MindySue on Scrapjazz and she will pay for this...so, I have to say 7 random things about myself and then tag 7 other people

1 - I went to the state high school tennis tournament - played second doubles
2 - I have had over 10 surgeries
3 - I have never broken a bone
4 - I am completely out of random things
5 - I am deeply upset that Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip has been cancelled
6 - I have worked at some weird places that all having something in common - see if you can pick it out...Dick Kearsley, RC Willey and POS
7 - I would love to visit the Netherlands one day (and not for the reasons some of you may think)

ok, I have no idea who to tag, so I will take nominations at this time

bad blogger...

Sorry for the long overdue update. We have been pretty busy.

For Jason's birthday we went camping for 3 days. Yes, I even slept in the tent. Jenna brought her cousin Landon with her and they had a lot of fun together. Jason was fly fishing and Landon asked him to teach him how to fly fish, so Jason took the time out to help Landon learn to fly fish. Jenna & Landon spent a lot of the time playing with Braydon, Jenna's 2nd cousin. They loved "fishing" without hooks. And get this...Jason and I went on a 2 hour hike! We were so worn out and hot by the time we were done, but it was so great to accomplish that.

I have been so busy at work - Basic Grey released a new line and started discontinuing 4 other lines and then in mid-July they will be releasing more lines...so, I've been working as many hours as I can. I've never done manual labor before and it kicks my butt.

Well, it is late, and I am getting tired - I will try to be more diligent about updating this blog.

Oh, guess what? I have been writing in my journal lately - up until these most recent entries, my last entry was made 5 years ago!!!

Full of updates

Wow! This week has definitely had it's ups and downs.
Jason was called to Elders Quorum secretary and was set apart today. He has been in primary every since we were married pretty much. It's going to be a BIG stretch for him because he hates, despises, fears the telephone...well guess what the secretary does. He has to call people to make sure they got their home teaching done, make appointments, etc. Oh, will this be good for him.
Jason also sold his first painting ever! They put their paintings up at the university he works and someone emailed Jason and wanted to buy it! No, we're not millionaires - or thousandaires. But, how about $75-aires!

In other, not so happy new, my really good friend gave birth to her little baby daughter, Chloe, this last week. She wasn't due until October, but somehow managed to live about 30 minutes before returning to her Father in Heaven. My friend and her husband were able to bless her before she died, so that does give them some comfort. They are such a strong family and I am amazed at how well they are doing. Tomorrow will be hard, they have to meet with the funeral home and get a spot at the cemetary. I could never imagine having to do this - how hard. They will be having graveside services later on this week.
My friend's brother also has a child that is a little over 1 week old that is struggling to survive. She was also born premature and is in the local children's hospital.
Please, pray for this family - they are struggling so much right now and could use all the prayers available to them.

More than ever, I love Jenna and am so thankful for her blessing in my life. She is not always easy, but she brings so many smiles to my face and makes me laugh all the time. She is learning and growing and is healthy. I couldn't ask for anything more. I will never understand why it is that I have been so blessed to not have such trials as others. I am blessed to have a Heavenly Father who loves me so much - that he knows what I can and cannot handle. He and His son, Jesus Christ, are my rocks, they comfort me, they carry my load. I am grateful to know that no matter what happens, I will have my family forever - that if anything were to ever happen that I will be able to live as a family again with them. No matter what, I know this and am eternally grateful for this. I love all my friends and am grateful for you. Your thoughts and prayers are always so wonderful - they comfort me. I wish I could repay each of you for your kindness. I hope by reading this you will know how much you mean to me and how much I love my Heavenly Father and his son, my brother, Jesus Christ.

Arthur and the Backstreet Boys

Boy, in the last few weeks Jenna sure has been getting her fill of Arthur on PBS. Not so much that we are actually catching when it is on the TV, but her G-ma Mary has been bringing home episodes from the library for Jenna to watch. A few weeks ago Jenna fell in love with the Backstreet Boys because there is an Arthur episode with the Backstreet Boys as cartoons (by the way, it's hilarious to see what they look like). The girl, Francine (I think), is in love with Nick from the Backstreet Boys, so now Jenna is in love with Nick. Now, I was in college when the Backstreet Boys, so I never got into the whole "boy band" craze, but now Jenna is. She wants to know who my favorite Backstreet Boy is and is unrelenting until I tell her who it is - ummmmmm...I have no idea. I will admit I liked a couple of their songs when they first came out, but they really got old FAST! Here's a little link to the Backstreet Boys visit to Arthurs town.

We finally got Jenna to give that one back to G-Ma Mary (ok, I snuck it back over and told my mom she had better take it back). So, this week G-ma Mary gets another Arthur movie for Jenna - something about scary stories. Now, mind you, the stories themselves are not meant to be scary, but to teach children that there aren't monsters in their room. Thankfully, Jenna got that point. Unfortunately, one of the characters is embarrassed that he sleeps with a nightlight and doesn't want anyone to know. The point of the story is that most children sleep with nightlights. This point was lost to Jenna, who now keeps making Jason and I promise that we won't tell anyone she sleeps with a nightlight. This is her major concern right now. Thanks G-ma Mary!

And my last thought on Arthur. You know his friend, Buster, who has his own TV show? Well, Buster is Jenna's imaginary friend and we thought we had gotten rid of him, but apprently not. He came to visit yesterday and then his parents went on a date so he had to spend the night. I guess I should be thankful that Barney isn't her imaginary friend.

Poppy Seeds....

First off, here's my official disclaimer
DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU ARE SQUEEMISH

OK, I love poppy seeds and this experience will probably not change my mind about eating poppy seed muffins, but I really have to try hard not to think about it.
Yesterday my mom made poppy seed muffins and Jenna loves muffins so she ate one. Well, about 2am this morning Jenna woke up screaming that her tummy hurt and before I knew it, she was throwing up all over her bed. Of course, being that poppy seeds really don't digest fast (as I found out) - she had little black dots all over everything. Of course I went and threw all of her bedding and pj's in the washer and remade her bed. I went to change the laundry a little while ago and there are little black dots all over her mattress pad, those darn poppy seeds don't wash out apparently. Grrrrrrrrrr.
Jenna is not eating much today - she has probably only eaten 2 saltines, which she normally loves. She still complains that her tummy hurts, but she has had a little bit to drink, so hopefully it was just a 24 hour flu kind of thing.
So much for falling asleep early.

At the Zoo

On Friday we went to the zoo with Suzanne, Landon, Alia, g-ma Mary, Crystal, and Charlotte. We had a blast! We watched the elephant program and saw how they are trying to help the elephants adapt to their new surroundings (they made their area much bigger and it has water now and seems more fun for the elephants). As they were working with one elephant, the other would be on the side doing the same things trying to get food - it was so funny to watch it trying to get the attention. By the elephants is a large iron elephant that sprays water out of its trunk every so often, sometimes it's sounds like it's going to sneeze and other times it sings a song. Landon loved playing by this elephant and enjoyed cooling off.
We also got to see the white alligator. The picture I took shows it, but it's through glass, so it's not the best picture.
Landon wanted to see the snakes and Jenna was crying that she didn't want to, but when we got in there, she loved them - she even touched the glass (something her mommy won't even do).
My favorite animal isn't there anymore, the polar bear. I guess they are going to be re-doing their habitat so they aren't there right now.
We also some some baby geese swimming with 2 adults. They were pretty cute.
Even though the zoo has overhauled the children's play area, I found the egg that we put Jenna in when she was just a few months old and took another picture. I'll be fun to compare the 2 to see how much she's grown in 4 years.

Way to go Utah Jazz!!!

The Jazz won the Golden State Warriors 100-87 to win the series 3-1!

We are now in the Western Conference Finals with our opponent yet to be named (either the Spurs or Suns, both good teams). I went to the game last night and it was awesome! What a nail biter! I barely have a voice anymore. Funny how you yell and scream at the refs, the other team, your team and you know very well that they can't hear you. Most people know me as a pretty quiet person (sarcastic yes, but quiet), but put me in a sports arena - especially with the Jazz playing and you will see a whole different side of me.

I didn't have time to grab my camera to take to the game because I got home from work as my ride was pulling up, so I got some pics with my phone, they aren't the best quality - but I told my mom she needed to invite me to another game so I can take better pics. I did get up close to the floor while the teams were warming up, but our seats for the actual game were in the nosebleeds - where the REAL fans sit! I am so tired right now, we didn't get home until 1 AM - the game ended around midnight.

the first pic is of the Jazz warming up
2 - the Warriors warming up
3 - The view from my seats
4 - the celebration

A friend in need

I have a friend who has a little boy name Owen. Owen needs a service dog, but his family has to raise the funds in order to buy her. Today is Owen's b-day and so in honor of him, I wanted to post this website - where if you want, you can donate even $1 to help fund Owen's service dog!

http://www.realitycharity.com/view_item.php?listing_id=238

mother's day/anniversary

yup, I couldn't get into blogger and then when I finally got it the internet went down. If it's not one thing, it's another.

Anyway, yesterday was not only Mother's Day, but also our 8th anniversary! I can't believe that we have been married for 8 years. We made it through the 7 year itch (with no itches). We celebrated on Friday night by going to see Blades of Glory and eating at Chili's. The movie was pretty funny, but had a ton of adult humor - I don't think it will be one that we buy, but we sure laughed a lot.

For Mother's Day, Jason gave me a framed picture of Jenna that he had taken for his class. I attached it to this post. I promise, I was very close by Jenna when he took the picture and the roof was actually not that high, it just looks higher than it was. Jason got a new camera not too long ago so he's been having a lot of fun with it.

Jenna has a new friend, Lexi. Lexi's g-ma lives next door and she comes to visit often. And whenever she does, the two have been playing. They play so well together. It's kind of sad, my baby is starting to become independent.

Well, I actually cooked tonight, and for those who know me, this is a miracle. Jason is home so we will be having dinner now - hamburgers & french fries & Kool-Aid. Have a great day!

A request

They say that the internet is an amazing force in today's world and I got to thinking...with the friends I have who read this who also have blogs, websites, and myspace accounts - I bet they could help our family grow! So, this is what I'm asking. If you can put a link on your websites to our adoption profile maybe, just maybe our child's birth parent(s) will find us.

The birthparent(s) don't have to be LDS, just want their child to go to a loving family. They can contact us directly through our profile on the contact page and we can get them more information. There are chapters of LDS Family Services (our adoption agency) throughout the US as well so things on their end can be done on a local level as well.

I only have one request, please don't give out our last name or any other identifying information. This is for our safety and so that we can decide with our child's birthparent(s) what type of adoption situation is optimal. We are looking at a semi-open adoption, meaning we will continue contact with the birthparent(s) if they are comfortable and want that.

Here is the link.

Easter

We had such a wonderful Easter. Jenna had 4 Easter egg hunts and made out like a bandit - she really knows how to hunt for eggs now.
The Easter Bunny also visited our house and left Jenna 4 goldfish! She loves them so much. Here are some pics of Jenna taken by Jason and his new digital SLR