Lots of 3's TAG

Cami, I can do hard things:)

3 Joys- Happy family, road-tripping, The Spirit

3 Fears- My kids being offended or hurt, migraines, forgetting my locker combo...still! lol

3 Goals- Finish degree and interpret for the Deaf, 15 lbs less, and be in the temple with my whole family

3 Obsessions- cookies, music, my bathrooms to be clean

3 Random- I drove a VW bus and biked all over USA, I owned snakes in high school and college and I pierced my nose on my 23rd birthday!

3 Tags- Alexis, Monica(Cuca) and Autumn

20 Year Tag

20 Years ago...

I was music and boy-crazy! U2, Tears for Fears, Thompson Twins, INXS, HoJo, Erasure, Yaz, and Depeche.

Camo pants, peace sign sportin', and yes, BIG HAIR!

Hitting all the Church dances and Stomps.

Dance Company and hurdles for the track team, fave: relay 440 m.

Best friend twins, Rach and Bec.

Worked at an ice cream parlor- Farr's Firestick and Chocolate Peanut Butter!

Driving!!!

I drove a Fiat Strada (never heard of it??) Had to turn the wheel like a bus.

Movie Faves: Some Kind of Wonderful, Prince's "Under the Cherry Moon",

and Tears of Endearment- bawled every time.

Journal quote from 1988: "My mom and I got into another one of our

little quarrels this evening about how inconsiderate I am. Well...

I should say lectures cause I didn't talk, she did."

10 Years ago...

Married 2 years to Rob in Salt Lake Temple. One year old son, Harrison is

the light of our lives. And we're so excited to announce there's another

one on the way!

Live in Sandy in a mobile home- it's nice.

Super happy mommy time: I read with and draw for Harrison

probably 3 hours a day and we love it. We sing

learn, nap and enjoy eachother.

We also have wonderful foster boys, Mike and John.

Brought them to live with us from the Utah Boys Ranch

where Rob and I worked for years. We still miss them both.

Journal quote 1998:

" I stop most things for a hug or cuddle, I listen when they speak and speak when they are listening.

I learn/know what they like and don't like.

I foster what they love. I slow down for them. I get down on my knees or sit to talk. I wink, I wave, I tickle, I tease.

I smile...I love. Jessica"

5 Years ago...

2003
This is our sweet family of 5! Harrison is 6; Donovan is 4 and Ivy is 1.

Still in Sandy. I want to freeze my family right

where we are: Boys love sis; We're happy, but we miss

Daddy who works so hard for us on the

night shift.

I love volunteering in Kindergarten, Donovan is so happy in preschool.

I enjoy scrapbooking & quilting,

playgroups,

classic novels- wanting to reread everything from H.S. and college.

I drive a Mercury Villager- love the minivan!

Quote from journal- 2003:

"I'm looking at my nightstand with its many distractions;

• "Thinner Thighs in a Flash" article;
• Political party pamphlet
• novels
• notebooks
• neglected things to do

and what stands out? The scripture written on a scratch piece of paper MATT. 11:28-30

Rest. Peace. Hope. Calm."

3 Years ago...

We're building a house in Saratoga Springs!

Stress- Loving the exciting dreams of settling and beginning new lives with new friends-

on a circle. Love our new neighborhood and our new ward.

I begin exercising at the local gym with friend, Kim and love it.

Good year. Glad it's behind us.

Jornal quote 2005:

"'It's not always rainbow and butterflies, it's compromise that moves us along.'-Maroon 5"

1 Year ago...

I got an all-expense paid trip to Germany and Italy

from a dear friend, Judith & hubby, Burkhardt. I spent 2 weeks

touring- had Berlin to myself for about a week then

traveled from the top of Germany (camping at Baltic Sea)

all the way down into Austria, driving from Berlin

to Austria by myself. Navigator Bliss!

Highlights:

I was by myself for 2 weeks!

I am in Europe!

I hiked in Germany and the Italian Alps

I ate amazing food

Saturday Market

Thai massage in Belin (my face is still puffy as I stand here next to the Berlin Marathon -"Big 5")

Talking the Gospel at Oktoberfest with a Jew from Israel-we have so much in-common!

Touring a concentration camp. Freedom and the Spirit are present.

Journal quote 2007:

"Has 2 weeks ever stretched on so long?! In a way it's great.

I am in Europe and when will I get back? But I hunger for my family.

I was so comforted this week as I spoke with Rob and the kids.

Yesterday was the food to my spirit I required to lift in energy. They are such a huge part of me even as an individual.

Everyone could benefit from making a solitary

journey and discovering themselves. It's 3:41pm, October 4, 2007 and all I have to do is meditate, pray and plan

my improvement. This is a good life."

So far this year...

I'm not going to lie, it's been an emotional roller coaster. I'm always working on myself and improving so this is always on my side. And I fully intend on having everything figured out by the end of 2008 :)

Yesterday...

I played, acted silly and learned so many things. I am loving better than I ever have before.

Today...

I bought new running shoes. The $60 bargain internet shoes weren't what I needed for support. Lesson learned...again! I am going to run again and have fun with Kati, my partner (in crime!)

I fixed the best dinner for Ivy and H, but Donovan thought it was horrible. How is this possible?

I waxed my face and did my toes. Life IS good.

Tomorrow I will...

Walk and run.

Love and be loved.

Weed some more.

Talk to friends.

Read more Anna Karenina.

In the next year I will...

Buy a raft and teach myself more so we can rock the whitewater waves! I've always wanted to be a river guide- had a job the summer Rob and I got engaged and didn't go- got married instead :)

Continue to read more classic novels.

Finish Ivy's quilt I started when I was pregnant with Donovan. Oh! He needs one too!

Tag: Sandy, Alexis and Anna D. Big Hugs, Jess

Major Facelift...

So I'm over at Kati Price's, watching my brother's video

because you can't watch a video on Lame-o dial-up...

(Jody is a massage therapist and if you want a few tips to give a good

chair massage to your spouse, here's your video!)

And this is what happened...

We have too much fun.
Aw, isn't she cute?

No idea why she likes this one-Thanks for editing my zits:)

Do you like the new interface? I do. So it's not exactly what I would pick to say, "Jessica", but it will have to do until I find what is me.

Kati showed me how to do many fun things. Thanks for a super day and an education...in everything! You're a hoot.

Here's Johnny!

John Mayer here we come- July 21, 2008 at USANA amp. KABOOM! I'm so excited.

And now, the end of the story

Engagement Photo- May 1996

The big day- June 26, 1996. What a fun day! What a fun party! What great pics!

Yeah, that's a fake surprise face.

But the biggest surprise? 12 years later, it just gets better. Love you, Rob

Did any of your moms listen to Paul Harvey like mine did? He always said, "And now, for the end of the story." I couldn't figure out why he didn't just tell the story from beginning to end. Does anyone know what was going on there? I have memories of sitting in the white Pinto hatchback smelling that black, fake interior bake till I was nausiated and listening to Paul Harvey. Aahh, sweet memories.

So no more services at the JSM, but we went to SL 2nd branch and hung out with missionaries from the Family History Library. It was awesome. We were younger than most everyone and another thing that set me apart: They were all wearing comfy footwear. But not me, oh no! I couldn't just wear comfy sandals, I had to wear heels that gave me 4 blisters while we walked block after block trying to find a ward to go to.

Anniversary getaways rock! Now onto the family vacation in (drumroll please)....Yellowstone!

Camping (showers, laundry and toilets, mind you), our first family float down the Snake River and my long-awaited road trip. I'm very excited. Rob's not the camper, I am. I had to convince him, but I think he's going to do great- matresses in the tent and lots of favorite snacks.

B&B for R&R

Although I cannot reveal our secret location, Rob and I are celebrating our 12th anniversary at an historic mansion in Salt Lake City. Massages, shopping and great food sum up a relaxing getaway close to home (thanks for the babysitting Gma Greenwell!) This is exactly what I need.

I'm going to sip my hot pear ginger tea and read a bit of Gulliver's Travels before we check out and go to Sacrament Meeting at the Joseph Smith Memorial- where we may catch a glimpse of an apostle or the Prophet. We've done this before and ended up in Gordon B. Hinkley and Elder Oakes' ward:)

Tuesday Pot Pourri

Anna B, This Jack Handey is for you:

"I wish a robot would get elected President. That way, when he came to town, we could all take a shot at him and not feel too bad." It matches your blog photo. Thanks.

Well, Donovan's oral surgery is over. I won't say it went super well, just over. Versed is an oral sedative like Valium (only better according to Dr. Smoot.) He went into the procedure like a drunk and came out like a boxer! Talk about angry. It's all over now and maybe we can move into the more pleasant phase of braces for both of the boys. LOL!

Now our clothes washer is broken and the drier "screams" (Anna B, would you ever attack yours?) when we start a load. Repairman comes over tomorrow thanks to a recommendation from a neighbor. It's getting laughable. Thank heavens we have faith and live for a much greater purpose, because this earthly thing is starting to be a drag:)

We're actually doing better than ever, just battling "things." We'll deal. It's for our experience, right? :)

Well, the good news? Made salsa tonight and I worry no longer...