Jenna's Month

A large part of Jenna's month has been homework and volleyball. She has been inspired by her art class from Freshman year and continues to experiment with sketching. She doesn't see her talent, but I think it's amazing. As for volleyball, we are sticking with the mindset of being grateful she is on Varsity. She isn't getting the playtime she started out with. In fact this month, she had people come to watch her play, and two of the three times they came, she didn't play.  At all.  We're not sure why except that maybe the coach is getting pressure from the other parents or she's trying to give the older girls some court time. We can't ask. We just have to be patient. Jenna feels like it's a reflection on her which we continually reassure her that it's not. Sometimes you just don't know. She is having great practices setting and hitting. The iron of the month was that near the end when we played Los Al, Jenna was a starter for three of the four games in the match.  She went from not playing to starting. We are not sure why, but she is grateful for the court time when she can get it. It's all good experience in the end, and she is keeping a positive attitude. She really likes the girls on her team, and she loves working out with them.  We'll take that.

First Week In Rexburg

Heather called me on her first day of class to let me know she was eating under the willows. I loved knowing exactly where she was because I had seen it and walked the area. It is such a beautiful place for a break, and she had packed a lunch and was relaxing waiting for her next class.  How lucky is she? Unfortunately, within a few days time, Rexburg weather took a little turn, and Heather was quite chilly.  Jenna had given her a cashmere scarf for a graduation present, and Heather was using it! The wind is chilly and the temperature dropped almost 30 degrees in the day time. I spent some time on-line this week ordering warm sweaters and under layers as well as other things she might need to stay warm. We need to get this kid outfitted for some chilly weather!

The Rest of July

The rest of July went like this...Heather got her wisdom teeth removed. We learned that the US Men's Volleyball Team practices at the gym where Jenna takes setting lessons (Jenna loves Patch).  My friend, Rhonda, came for a LuLaRoe convention, and she, Casey and I had dinner near Disneyland before riding the tram into shops at Downtown Disney for a bit. And Heather got a fabulous hair cut. It's time for August!

Track Banquet 2016

Heather was looking radiant and beautiful at her track banquet tonight! She had another successful year. She came back from a fractured tailbone injury, missing the first few months of training, to PR in both the 100m and 300m hurdle events. She is exclusively a hurdle runner now, and this picture is missing Coach Knowels and Coach Krissy who are the hurdle coaches. Good work Heather! You continue to amaze us with your strength and endurance through the "hurdles" in life.

Houston, We Have a Driver!

Heather and I went to the DMV today so she could get her permit. She passed the test and is now officially allowed to drive a car. Well, after she completes her six hours of behind-the-wheel training. But she's on her way! Awesome job Heather!

Cleaning Out Dad's Place Part 3 and 4

Work at my dad's was put on hold after Michelle's last visit in October. We needed a break. After finding out that Michelle wasn't going to be able to return until next May at the earliest, I made a plan to try to get the rest of the stuff down the mountain. On December 5, Heather volunteered to go with me to be my assistant. We donned masks to protect us from the dust and nicotine smell. She was a trooper helping me put things in boxes and load the truck. Once again, I thought I could get everything in one load, but the truck filled up fast. When I realized I wasn't going to get it all in one trip (we were working on the back room that was filled to the brim with stuff), we called it a day and headed down the mountain. We had a yummy dinner at the farmhouse before heading to Grandpa's new place to unload. Kelly and Jenna helped unload.

On 12-19, I made a trip up myself. Heather had had enough, and it felt like my burden to bear, so I went alone. I was pretty confident I could finish up. I had told Dad that I wanted to get him moved before Christmas and before the rain and snow started. I stopped along the way to take pictures since it had snowed recently. It is really pretty in the mountains, and I can see why people like Idyllwild. I finished the back room and collected everything from the living room, kitchen and other rooms that I could. I left my dad to pack the bathrooms and whatever else he wanted to take explaining to him that he needed to make this a final trip. With another loaded truck packed to the brim, I headed down the mountain. There was a storm coming in so I hit some clouds on the way, but otherwise made it down just fine. Kelly, Heather and Jenna helped unload again.

My dad followed me a few days later with his car packed also. He informed me he left his television and cable box along with a few other things for his "next trip." I don't understand what he's thinking. He has a buyer, and they want to make a deal. The weather is going to be bad the next several weeks which makes travel unsafe. I guess it's a hard transition, and he isn't ready to say good-bye yet? I don't know. He doesn't communicate all his thoughts even when I ask questions and give him my thoughts on what I see that needs to be done. He's been alone and independent for a very long time, and I guess he isn't used to communicating. I guess he'll make another trip up when the weather clears.

Miscellaneous December

 12•3 Jenna is doing a PE football unit at school and loves it. Kelly threw the ball with the girls this afternoon. Jenna has receiving skills, and Heather has throwing skills. Who knew? I actually loved our flag football unit when I was in 6th grade. Kelly would have joined the team, but his mom wouldn't let him. Too many injuries.

12•8 Went to Costco and grabbed a hot dog before going in. Look at the sunset dinner view we got from the Costco patio tables!

 12•9 Sariah doing her Super Dog pose

Decorating for Fall

As I packed up the Halloween things there wasn't enough room to keep everything. I decided that the girls' Kindergarten items probably needed to go since they were starting to disintegrate. Before tossing them, I took a photo so I could remember their cuteness.  The spiders were from Kindergarten in Mrs. Crandall's class, and the pumpkins were from Ms. Dillon's class (2nd grade for Jenna, 3rd grade for Heather). I then piled the Thanksgiving decor on the fireplace which looked quite festive. I'm getting slower at decorating, but not sure why. I used to love it, but now the getting boxes out and putting them away seems daunting. I'll probably be purging more in the season to come so that there isn't quite so much stuff to deal with.

Unfortunate Events, Blessings and Amazing Women

 Driving home from Jenna's school today when I heard a thud and knew something was wrong. Luckily I was in the right lane and could pull in the Taco Bell right next to our house. Michelle came to wait with me for the Auto Club to come change the tire, and good thing! She drove me to Home Depot when the AAA guy told me I needed bolt cutters to cut the chain off the spar tire. She was a saint and so amazing to help me out. Kelly arrived shortly after to rescue me (I was walking distance from the house, but I didn't know how badly the tire or truck underbelly was damaged), and he finally got the chain off about the time the 2nd AAA guy showed up. The second guy was much more efficient and got it changed for us. No damage to the truck. The tires were fairly new so we only had to replace the spare, another tender mercy. This was such a bummer, but the hand of the Lord was everywhere today with my friend available to my husband able to leave work.

Later that night at YW, we had a great panel of women come and speak about their careers and schooling necessary to get there. We had nurses, physical therapists, marketing directors, a teacher and even a rocket scientist! These ladies were amazing! And I think the girls gleaned a lot. Jenna wasn't able to get there until the last bit, but that's when our engineer/rocket scientist spoke. So awesome to have a female math whiz talk about her skills. The ladies were all very impressive.

Things One Does Not Normally See

 9•15 Curls on my longer-length hair...styled by Tracy at the salon

9•17 Jenna in a hot dog costume...she tried it on at Target. We were having a silly time.

Weird Weather Continues

Did we talk about the weather before Facebook and Instagram? I'm sure it was weird, but now that I have the ability to snap a photo and share my weather frustrations, it seems like we have more weird weather to make and occasion of.  This week has been HOT.  It's not the only hot week, but it's just miserable and muggy, and that makes me grouchy.  I usually say, at least once a year, that I don't live on the East Coast for a reason. Humidity stinks!  We've had 90 degree temps, it's rained, it's been 80+ degree temps in our bedroom (while it's raining outside)...just yuck.  They sunsets are usually beautiful, so there's a plus.  And our dear neighbor invites us down to swim which we love her for. We're trying to stay cool and hoping the heat wave moves on through.

8/13 through 8/24 Miscellaneous Fun Stuff

8•13 Taking Jenna to Costco resulted in her purchase of a bear. The $35 price tag was great, and she made the decision to purchase after listening to my caution about the bear being so big it would eventually be in her way and become annoying. Life lessons.

 8•14 Our desire to make Heather's 16th a huge celebration has just been split into all kinds of pieces. There was dinner and gifts on her birthday, the trip to Phantom of The Opera the following week, and the OMAM Concert this month. Today we finally got some brownies and her #16 candles on them. We'll just have a new hashtag that says, "Celebrate all year!" Luckily she's a happy girl.

8•15 Jenna was able to go to the temple to do baptisms with the Young Women today.

 8•20 Jenna grabbed some new chalk I purchased and created a driveway masterpiece. We were seriously impressed. Our neighbor was impressed too and asked her to recreate it on her driveway for an upcoming girls' retreat being held at her house. Go Jen!

 8•24 Our friend's son was married last week in Utah and had a California reception here.We met Smith and Tricia and their two kids, Jordan (age 12) and Rachel (age 8) when they moved into our neighborhood and ward.  That was eons ago when Jenna was just a baby. Jordan met a wonderful girl named Danielle, and after they both served missions for our church, they decided they were meant to be. We were so happy to help them celebrate!

Lots of June

 Mimi's for brunch 6•20

Swimming at the Carr's house for YW 6•17 and 

Hungry, Hungry Hippos with the YW/YM 6•24

Sisters having a lazy summer day 6•25

Beach Day 6•26

Sarah's new kitten, Ginger 6•28

 Before and After shots of the painting project in Jenna's room 6•29

Random Animal Photos -  Sariah seems to be watching us this month 

The ducks came back to the neighborhood and had chicks!

Movie day and window shopping with friends 6•30

Jenna's style this month included playing with red lipstick (she's growing up too fast!) and another intricate, multi-color design. Amazing! p.s. The red lipstick was just for fun, done at home.