Life Lessons

Well first and foremost.... WAY too long since my last post!  I will have to take some time to catch up here in the near future.  But until then you get to read what is on my mind.

In these past few weeks I have made mistakes that have affected people around me.  Being confronted with my statements and how it was perceived made me realize that I am the one in the wrong.  I have no excuses for my behavior and if I have a difference of opinion I need to thing about what I am saying before it is said so that I can be more aware of those around.

In the four and a half years that I have spent my life with a wonderful man, he has periodically reminded me of a simple part of being human.  As humans we are not perfect, but by living here on this earth we have the option to either continue in our ways and distance ourselves from our Heavenly Father, or to learn from our mistakes and change our ways for the better.  Sadly I have not taken this in stride and my ways are far less than perfect.

I am grateful that I am surrounded by people in my life that are there to help me in many ways.  I have wonderful friends that are honest and open with each other.  I have wonderful parents that have given me the tools to shape me to who I am.  And I have been blessed with a larger family that I married into that have shown me new ways.

In saying all of this, I would like to apologize if I have ever done wrong to you or someone you know.  My past actions can not change, but using those actions, good and/or bad, as a stepping stone in my life to realize what kind of person I want to strive to be.  I look forward to the future near and distant.  Thank you all for being in my life no matter how small.  You have made an impression.  And thank you for being who you are.

Advice Please...

Ok... So this is a sensitive post, but I need help on what to do.  I keep wracking my brain with several possibilities and just don't know what is best for the time being.  

In just a short time we are going to be attending a funeral of someone in our family.  I am at lost as to how to approach this with Aubrey.  I don't know if it would be ok to take her to the funeral and let her see the person "sleeping", (I can totally see her asking when is she going to wake up while we are there and then for hours after... that is just her personality), or if it would be better to not even bring her and not make it (death) a part of her life yet.  She knows who this person is when we see them, but does not ask for them by name when we aren't around.  The idea is kind of "out of sight, out of mind." 

A little more on Aubrey... we have had things die in our home... they were fish and she saw them go down the toilet to "a better place which we call heaven."   So it is not a total foreign subject to her.  But I don't think a fish and a person are on the same level, especially since it is someone in our family.

So any imput would be appreciated.  I would like to have a plan of acction on how to handle it before the time comes.  Thanks in advance.

Honest Reactions

Last Sunday Don and I had a meeting with the first counselor in the bishopric.  

When Don told me on Friday, I almost instantaneously became nervous and 

petrified of the calling that that they were going to ask us to.  

Thoughts were running through my head of two major things...

1- I have always been afraid of callings.  With this the fears include, but are not limited to: believing that I don't know enough, can't get my messages across the way they should be taught, not being knowledgeable enough to answer the questions that are brought up spontaneously, etc.  

and 

2- In college I had a roommate that said to me. "She would accept any calling that was asked of her, because they wouldn't have called her to that if it wasn't a calling from God, and he knows what she is capable of."

So needless to say whatever was called of me I wanted to accept, but was PETRIFIED!

So on to the calling... Don and I have been called as Ward Missionaries!  

At first when they called us I was even more hesitant to accept... I believe that missionaries do great work for the church,

But...................... and I am even hesitant to write this............

while growing up in my home, missionary work was not accepted, understood, or even appreciated.

So accepting this calling I am stepping into a whole new territory.

The next step was sharing the news with our families... 

While I am looking forward to sharing the news with Don's family, with my family I am scared out of my mind. 

This morning I shared the news with my family and even though I had expected the reaction that I received, it was hurtful.

I am still excited about the calling and am looking forward to all that it has to offer not only our family, but all those in the ward. 

We will not only be spreading the work and word of the Lord, but we will be able to know our neighbors on a more personal level.

So on that note:

And WE ACCEPT!

We are excited for this journey.  Thanks for listening.

Will Power...

So lately I have had absolutely NONE!!!
I see something I want,
I think of something I could use,
I look at something I don't need...

And I buy. With money that I don't have,
has not been saved, and is promised somewhere else.

I need to find a way that I can improve on this,
yet it seems as though I always can find a loop hole that justifies what I am feeling.

This has gone on for some time now.
What I wouldn't give for better control of myself.
As I am writing this it feels like I am doing nothing.
I am hoping that by admitting this to myself publicly on my blog...
(yeah I know it is all so very public), that I am helping myself.
I will be able to check up with myself and hold myself accountable for my actions.

I see TODAY as the LAST day that I will let my impulse reactions
over run my will power.
Budgeting and saving is now a top priority in all that I do.

So in the end I would also like to ask any of you that are reading...
and that have read this far...
What is your strategy?
What ticks and tips help you in this matter?

I look forward to the beginning of my better managed self - control.

Tree help needed...

Hey all you people out there that read my blog... I am asking for your help.

My parents own property up on the East fork of the Bear River.  They recived a notice from the power company that if in the winter the power is disrupted because of the trees on their property, they will be responsible for the cost to fix the problem.  We are looking to see if there are any guys out there would be willing to go up Friday the 30th in the evening around 6:00 and stay there Saturday and Sunday to help cut down trees.  You are welcome to take firewood for free.  You would need to provide or arrange with us your sleeping quarters and bring your personal items.  We will provide the food as long as we have a head count by Wednesday the 28th.

We know that this is short notice but we are looking for 2-4 more people to go up with us.  If you can't head up Friday, but can Saturday we can give directions and arrange for to meet you at the gate.  Thank you for your help if you can.  Call me if you have any questions, and if you don't have my number leave a comment and I will get back to you.  Thanks!`

More than one update!

Alrighty so I may have only posted a few days ago, but it seems
that i have been on a non post high... so as long as I am
on my post high, I thought I would share. 

Rebecca found her new favorite toy...

Toilet Paper!  And as you can plainly see... she is 

OH SO Proud of herself!  :)

We went to American Fork's Steel Days and Aubrey 

rode her first roller coaster ride...

At first we weren't so sure of it at first... 

And then the smiles came...

and stayed.  

And last but not least, last Tuesday we had  

Rebecca's One Year Pictures taken. 

The lady who took her pictures this time, also took her pictures 

when she was born.  She stated that she couldn't believe

that it has been a year already!  I can SO TOTALLY 

agree with her!  This year seems to have gone by SO fast

and I look back and think... Where did my baby go!?!?!?  

My baby girl born at 5 lbs 10oz is now a whooping 28 lbs!!!  

I love all those little rolls, CURLY hair (where did that come from?), 

two teeth, and brown eyed -browned haired girl!  I so 

couldn't imagine my life without this precious little babe here. 

For more pictures from her photo shoot, 

check out Hatch Photography  

Have a great evening everyone and 

Thanks for staying caught up with the Jordans.

Park Day

Oh how I LOVE a good park day!  We go every Wednesday 

and enjoy at least an hour... maybe two or three!  :)  

Sisterly Love

Aubrey did a pretty good job taking this picture, don't cha think?  

I LOVE those smiles that I get every day! 

My two beautiful girls!  What a great day it has been.  And so many more to come. 

I can just say... I LOVE BEING A MOM!   It is the greatest job in the world!

4th of July weekend!

This weekend was a great one to say the least!  Lots of fum, family and food!  

We started off on Saturday, (which wasn't so great all day because... I had to work :( ... but that evening my parents came down and my dad watched the kids while my mom took Don and I to... Stadium of Fire!!!  I was SOOOOOO excited to go and see Carrie Underwood.  She is such an amazing singer I couldn't say no when she offered to buy the tickets.  Came home with some amazing memories to add to the stack of memories from previous years of Stadium of Fire.  

Note to self:  Self Portraits usually don't turn out that well... have someone else take them.  :)

Mom, me and Don

Our surprise quest host Lou Diamond Philips.  I didn't know he was going to be the host... but it was really exciting cause Don and I watch him on the new show, Stargate Universe.  

Our second surprise was that Carrie Underwood sang the Nation Anthem... and OH BOY was it GREAT!!!  We not only heard her then, but the for 45 minutes before the fireworks started. 

We then really didn't do much on Sunday, but it was really one of the first Sunday's that we... as a family... got to relax.  Then Monday came and Don was able to take that day off since the 4th was on a Sunday... so we headed to the Provo Freedom Festival on the lawn of the Provo Tabernacle.  It was a blast.  I was able to get so last minute shopping done for Rebecca's 1 year pictures tomorrow... YAY!  We took a short break after the festival for naptime, and then headed out to get Aubrey's first fish!  She has so loved having a fish.  She is so proud to show any person what she got.  

We then ended the night with Grumpy and Grams and Robyn and Tyson heading to our place to watch fireworks.  We ended up creating our own little neighborhood show, and it turned out great.  I believe a great time was had by all.  I also do believe the glo sticks were a hit!  I hope your 4th was a great one as well.  

Playing Too Hard...

A Day Full of Surprises...

Ok so the day started off with a slow start... nothing much to report, and then by the time I got my shower in the latter part of the morning - it all started to go down. :)

So I jump in the shower and Rebecca likes to come and plan inbetween the the inside plastic sleeve and the curtain - no biggy - yet just a few short second later I was joind in the bathtub by a fully clothed baby. Having just jumped in a few minutes ago, I was no way ready to get out, so she played for awhile. When getting out I just left her in there while I went and got dressed, (note my bedroom door looks right into the bathroom door so I could see her the whole time), and she was enjoying being able to just play. I got her and and got her changed... not before taking some pictures :)

Above: Rebecca in all her cuteness.
Below: Aubrey getting in on the action.



The day really went off without a hitch. The girls napped when they were supposed to, they ate really well for lunch, they played really well today (not that it doesn't happen everyday, but today there was minimal fighting), and it just seemed to be a GREAT day! Then during dinner the next greatest event happened... Aubrey left alone at the dinner table! GASP :) I had finished and gotten up from the table to go and water the garden, while Don was resting after a hard day at work. We were both within ear shot of her the whole time... I came in and sat next to Don to talk, and after a few minutes Don was getting ready to go do dishes. He got up from the bed, walked into the dining room, said "I'm not going in there," turned around and walked back into the bedroom and laid down. On his way back I just kept asking "What? What happened?" He never answered. Then Aubrey, our oh so sweet little girl, walked into our where we were, and started to say... "I was pouring..." And I just grinned and said, "No Way! Really?!?!?!" I believe I will let the photo talk for itself.

Above: A plate of spaghetti with just a "little" parmisian cheese.
Below: our daughter so proud of what she has accomplished. :)

Father's Day Weekend

What a great time we had this weekend!  We started the weekend off on Saturday morning getting up at the loverly time of 5:30 am to go to our 5k that we signed up for.  We ran the Running with Angels 5k.  We love this race with a pashion!  It may only be a 5k but memories are timing are great!  We laugh and joke about it becuase 6 years ago when the race was first organized, I ran the race with my friend Jackie, and little did I know Don's mom and two sisters ran the race that year as well.  Don and I didn't meet up until about 3 months later...  good karma right?  :)  Anyway so we ran the race.  Getting not the best time in the world but a time that we both can work on improving.  We have decided to make this a yearly thing from now on.  I con only hope to improve my time each year. 

 Don, me and the girls

Tyson, me, Don, Kristy, Suzy and the girls.  Paula, Don's mom, was there as well... she is the one taking the pictures.  Thanks for a great run this year guys!  Looking forward to next year.  :)

We then invited friends over for a BBQ, and had a blast catching up.  I love the wonderful friends that are in my life.  They are very supportive, understanding and helpful.  I can't imagine my life without each and everyone of them.  A public THANK YOU for all that you do for Don and I and our family!  

We ended the day with the dads staying home with the youngest children while Danielle and I took our oldest to see Toy Story 3... in 3D.  Now and good as it was, Aubrey really didn't keep her glasses on the whole time, and it was fun seeing the improvement on the screen... but from now on I will not waist my money with kids seeing something in 3D.  On the other hand, the movie was wonderful!  I loved the story line and humor in it.  It was a great way to end the Toy Story line.  I do think it is one movie that I will be getting when it comes out.  I especially loved the moral to the story line.  

Sunday was move of a relax day.  We are lucky enough, (if that is what you call it) to have the one o'clock church so sleeping in was a must!  But the girls had other plans... so Don slept in and we got up and did our thing.  Around eleven, I had Aubrey go in and wake him up.  She is so cute with trying to wake him up... she whispers.  Then went to church.  When we came home the girls totally crashed.  Rebecca usually has 2 naps in the day and by the time we got home at 4:30 she had been awake for 7 hours... WAY too long.  So needless to say they were ready for a nap.  Aubrey was so cute and crashed on the couch in the living room... and not ten minutes later, Don's family called and invited us to dinner.  So Don went and spent some time with his family on Father's day and celebrated their dad while the girls slept.  I am glad that he got to spend time with his family. 

I am so grateful to have a man in my life that chooses to provide for our family, help with the home and family, be a worthly preisthood holder and love us with his whole heart!  You are amazing in all that you do!  Thank you for choosing me to share our time left on earth together and then for eternity!  Happy Father's Day Don! 

Kids post

How can I update all the things to do with the house and extended family and not 

update you about the kids...  Here are some recent pictures of the girls. 

Aubrey fell asleep downstairs while watching Wall-E and talking on the phone... Priceless

Running through the sprinklers... trying NOT to get wet.  :)  

I love my baby girl and all her quirks.

We spent the evening with friends from out of town and this was the only picture that I got.  

I love it though.  We miss you guys already.  Can't wait for you to come again... 

and maybe we will get on that road trip finally.. :)

And finally my two girls together.  Oh how I love them so much!

Bathroom is at 90%

Oh how I would love to say that the bathroom is done, and it is for the most part, it is more or less the finishing touches that need to be added.  We are looking into upgrading all the hardware to match the shower, and then to upgrade the mirror.  I still have to paint behind the toilet... But here are pictures from our new bathroom.  I am posting a lot of pictures cause there is so much that I love about it!  Here we go...

 This shows the bathroom as a whole.  You can't really see it, but we picked the new shower head in the brushed nickel look and eventually all the silver in the bathroom will become the brushed look. 

Here is a close up of the tile in that shower...

Here is a close up of the floor...

This is to show that the medicine cabinet is GONE!!!  We then painted the walls in a brown cream hue, and replaced the outlet and switches so that all the trim is white.

Graduation

Last Friday Don's youngest sister, Robyn, graduated from Orem High.  We had a great time!  I was sad that I was unable to see her walk across the stage, no excuses but with young kids there are some things that just happen.  :)  I am so lucky to have joined this family and am grateful for watching them grow up.  I am so proud of Robyn for completing this step on her journey.  She is now set to go up to Logan and attend Utah State University in the fall.  Congrats Robyn!

All of the siblings there.  Brian was working, sadly. 

Playing with pine cones.

Latest Project Idea...

So in doing this half remodel of the bathroom, I am looking at what I can do to the other half to help it update the WHOLE thing... without costing an arm and a leg.  So my delema is this mirrow....

Sorry I know not the greatest picture... but anyway.  These are so old school in my book and they really aren't that effective in their use.  So Seaching the web I ran across this blog.  She had this great idea for making over a mirror... cheap and easy.  Here is her after look.

 She started with a plain mirror and used some polyurethane molding and corner blocks to add to it.  So simple and so practical.  I can't wait to get mine done... it may take a few months but it will get there.  (Note that although the ribbon is cute, I don't think I will be using that idea for attaching it to the wall).
 

New Contest.... Baby Blankets...

I love these contest!  I love seeing what other people can create with their talents.  This blog mother just had a baby a few months ago and has a great talent.  She is making minky baby blankets, the perfect size for car seats.  Check out her Etsy shop HERE.   She is doing a give away, and with babies in the house you can never have too many blankets.  :) 

Tic Tac Toe!

I am pleased to announce that Don has started his company.  He is working for Aquaveo full time and in his spare time he is programing applications and games for the Android phones.  He started back in November, so a simple project has been perfected and RELASED!!!  He has a website for his company... to check it out go HERE.  The company name is Crystal Studios... the website however is that name without the U.  One day maybe we will have the correct website, but for now help spread the word.  I am so proud of my hubby for such an accomplishment.  He is a wonderful programmer and has a talent to be proud of.  I look forward to the many more projects that he chooses to create with his talent! 

Bathroom Mysteries...

WARNING:  There will be some unpleasant pictures in this post.  If you don't like that stuff view at your own risk!

Before I get started there will be more to come, but here is the start.

When we moved to our home in Orem last January, we made a list of things that we would like to change and update... some of those updates have had to be moved up to a more recent date because of the mysteries. 

The perfectly knowledgeable person... HA, that put in the bathroom, decided that it would be a great idea for the shower to put laminate over partical board!   Needless to say that didn't last.  We found this wonderful surpirse....

Ok so it may not be all that gross, but showering with it is not very pleasant.  We also found some black mold growing and feared it was growing in the walls, so we decided to update the bathroom.

There will be before and after pictures posted but right now we are down to the bare minimum.  We have insulation, and the drywall is being put in tomorrow, tile comes in on Tuesday, and Wednesday they are starting to lay the tile.  I am way excited to see how it turns out.  We are still trying to see if we can replace the floor, but if not, at least we will have no fungi growing in the bathroom anymore! 

Girls Room Finished!

Recently I posted about the girls room with repainting and all that.  Well I have finished all that I can think of for now.  So here are the updates.

I took this fabric:

And made curtains for the closet.  With having a dresser in the closet we are unable to have the closet doors on.  So this was the solution that I came up with.

Also I finally got Rebecca's name done for the wall.  So now both of the girls have their names on the wall.  I really love this simple, yet decorative accent to the room. 

The last thing was a bow holder for all of the girls bows.  We have so many and the bow holder that I had, just wasn't cutting it.  I have had my eye on this type of bow holder...  

...but haven't figured out a way to do it yet, so I came up with this cheap and frugal solution. 

I think it will work for awhile... until I get tired of it and think it isn't working.

The First Part of April.

We started off April celebrating with our friends Jon and Crystal, their youngest turned one conference weekend.  We are very blessed to have many friends that have kids the same age as our kids.  It makes getting together with people easier… because we all understand the many distractions that can happen in such a short time.  Anyway, during the birthday party Rebecca had only had a VERY short nap before we arrived, and we ended up being there long enough that she was tired!  Don started to keep her attention with a balloon… and this was the result: (this is a still picture, but if I can get the video uploaded I will share it)

I can’t believe how blessed I am to have two great kids that are so easy going. 

We also got to go bowling with some other friends one weekend and the kids had a great time.  Here is B and Aubrey.  They are only a month apart in age so it makes for some great times when we get together.  Just the other night they came to our house and Aubrey was tucking B into bed.  It was so cute to watch them interact.  I loved seeing them play together in roles.  

We had taken Aubrey bowling a few weeks before so she was a “pro” at bowling.  When we started, I went up to help her carry the ball, and she would put her hand out at me in the “talk to the hand” position and tell me, “Mom, stay back.  I do.”  And then when she got the ball up, she would look back just to make sure I was still standing back.  I love how she is growing up and becoming more of a big girl every day. 

Here are some fun pictures of the girls… I love spending time with them.