Our Year in Review for 2008

This year has been a good one. We have had some good times, small changes, and new experiences as we gladly trudge our way through the world of marriage, parenting, and just trying to survive and enjoy life. We are grateful to all of those who have been along for the ride. We love our family and friends who so graciously bless our lives, and look forward to many more great years spent together with our 3 sons and eachother.

January- The new year came, Jami hit her fattest point in her entire life (remember......the BIG 1-9-3 pounds !!!!!!! GrOsSSSSSS) Chase learns to snowboard with dad.....AwEsOmE!!!!!

my large self

February- James turns 30 years old on the 21st and sadly kisses his twenties bye-bye. (I still get to enjoy another 2 and a half years of mine, hahahaha.............sucka!!!) But my-oh-my, My husband is still just as handsome as the first day my eyes met his and I am sure will always keep his "youthful" personality.


Jami decides to get serious about losing weight and starts her journey to lose 45 pounds (with 25 more to go, more to come on that). She blogs about it, and introduces "Bob" to the world wide web of bloggers so that others are now fully aware of just how gross she really is yet also how dedicated!


ViVa Las Vegas with our good friends the Beveridges, We had a rockin good time with them and are counting down the days till we get to do it again.

Us with the Beveridges, rockin' it out in Vegas

March- Me and my boys learn that we did indeed inherit Grandpa Weight's "green thumb" and planted our very first garden which provided much needed food to the family food storage.


James starts a new job as a civil engineer with Parson's Transportation Firm.


April- Chase becomes an amazing soccer player and gives a try at his first team sport! He RoCkEd !!!! "David Beckham, eat your heart out."

Mason, Stockton & Chase, the 3 soccer studs

May- After many years of being a school widow, Jami finally gets her husband back after he completes his degree at the University of Utah, "Go Utes!!!!!" Way to go baby!!!!!!

James surprise party I threw for him.

Jami runs in her first 5K with a 10.038 minute mile and loves it. She also has the pleasure of attending Women's Conference with her darling sister in laws. The spirit was strong, the talks amazing and the company even better. Thanks girls, love ya all.

Me after my race with some of my sisters and brother in law who also joined in for the fun

Me and my darling sister-in-laws at BYU's Women Conference

June- Another blonde is added to the Weight Family. My cutie-pie nephew marries his high-school sweetheart. Welcome Carissa!!!! We are so glad to have you. That makes a whopping 4 blondes in an ocean of brunettes. Blondes do have more fun by the way!!!

Announcing Mr. & Mrs, Spencer & Carissa Brooks

Jami contemplates potty training the twins, but why rush, no hurry, although she is so excited and looking forward to the task, Yeah right,.............as exciting as sticking needles in my eyeballs.


Jami runs her 2nd 5k and knocks 2 minutes of her time. Yahoooooo!!



July- 2nd Chase turns 5, wow my baby boy is getting so big.

4th the annual Blake family 4th of July sleep over is always a major highlight of the year.

Daddy with his twins at Grandma & Grandpa Blakes 4th of July Bash

18th Jami & James celebrate an amazing 8 years of marriage.






6th Grandma & Grandpa return home from Finland after serving there 3rd mission there and then a few days later, celebrate there 50th wedding anniversary !!! Way to go Grandma & Grandpa.

Grandma & Grandpa Weight freshly home from the mission

August- We had a great time hangin' with the Weight's at Bear Lake. Uncle Greg taught my kids how to make a "big pile of sick", James rocked at sand volley ball, and picked up on a new sport, surfing behind a boat. The twins love for the water grew, and Chase ate his weight in smores.

Uncle Greg and my boys with their, "Big pile of sick"

Chase is officially thrown into the public school sytem as a kindergartener. Wow, when did that happen? he can't be old enough for school....................CrAZY!!!!!!! I'm getting so old.

Chase and Mrs. Reusch, his new teacher.

Jami attends her 5th Girls Camp as a camp leader and loves every minute of it!

Jami and Jordan at Girls Camp 2008

September- Jami is called to serve as the First Counselor in the Young Womens Program and is super excited to be serving along side her amazingly awesome friend Dana (The Pres.) and all of the other wonderful leaders and advisors.


James watches the boys so Jami can make her first attempt to attend infamous Swiss Days up in Midway, Utah with some girl friends. Not sure is she'll be venturing out again to do that or not. Loved the company though.

me, my sis & some family & friends at Swiss Days 2008

Yet again, another girls trip, this time to Vegas with Keelee and a bunch of awesome girls. Loved this trip. Discovered red lipstick, learned that my best friend has a serious gambling problem, and that I will never drive the 6 hours to Vegas again when you can fly there in an hour for under 100 dollars. Let's do it again, girls!!!!

Love that red lip stick; MAC Pro Store, Ceasar's Palace. Cat, Tiff, & me.

October 16th Jami turns 27 years old. Wow, am I really almost the big 3-0 ?????? It can't be. Only 3 more years of my precious twenties. Hangin on to them, oh yes I am.




November- The Holy War; Utah kicks BYU's trash, Oh Yeah Baby !!!!!!!

"that's the way, uh-huh, uh-huh, I like it, uh-huh uh-huh" Way to go Utes !!!!

Our country chooses socialism as its new form of government by electing Obama.



Thanksigiving comes and goes with much to be grateful for, including the fact that Jami finally gets the guts to potty train her two twins and suprisingly is successful after only 4 days!!! Way to go Jagger and Jett, my pee-pee- warriors!!!!



19th Jett & Jagger turn 3 years old. I can't even believe it!!!! My babies are big boys now!



And there you have it folks. So long 2008. Hello 2009. I hope it's a good one!!!!

"I'm done having babies, so........can I borrow yours?"

I have to give a big pat on the back to my friend Char, for sticking through with me and not turning me in to CPS (child protection services) or the police for that matter, because of my obsession with her baby Bennett and all of the rest of her cute kids.

Ever since I spotted that cute little bundle of blue-eyed baldness my heart hasn't stopped beating for him. I think it is safe to say that we both have a little thing for eachother. I can't keep away from him and I am pretty sure he digs me too. Afterall the kids first true laugh was with me (correct me if I'm wrong, Char) and he will sometimes laugh when he sees me and will even cry when i have to leave. (I can't tell you how much that breaks my heart)

-Baby Bennett-

Can you blame me? come on, just look at his cuteness!

It all started when he was first born........I would see this little darling bundle of joy at church and wanted to hold and kiss and snuggle his little cheeks right off, but never could because I was battling Chase, Jett and Jagger.

Oh how I longed to hold that little guy and play with him...............

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. It was a Sunday evening. Me and James were sitting around not doing much and i wanted so badly to hold the baby!!!!! But, how exactly do you go about doing that. I mean borrowing an egg or a cup of flour from your neighbor is one thing, but come on,............... a kid?!?!?!



Besides, I wasn't sure how Char would take it. I had met Char and gotten to know her mostly because my son Chase and her son Keller had become pretty tight little buddies. (P.S. I love and am obsessed with that little guy too) I hadn't actually hung out, at least, officially, with Char yet, so I wasn't quite sure if she would be comfortable "lending" me her baby. You know?

Anyways, my desire to hold him and kiss those sweet little cheeks got to the best of me and before I knew it I found myself meandering on over across the street towards Char's house. I was now knocking on the door! What am I going to say?


"Oh hi Char, nice weather tonight, huh???, by the way, I was just wondering if I could borrow your kid for a couple of hours because I am an obsessed Psycho-path?!?!?!?!"

So i got to her house and knocked on the door

Char answers the door: "Oh, hi Jami, what's going on?"

Jami: "Hey Char, how are ya?"

Char: "Good"

Jami: "Cool"

(a bit of awkward silence)

Jami: "So, what time does Bennett go down for bed?"

Char: "Around Ten."

Jami: "Cool,.............................................................................. can I hold him?"

Char: "Sure, here ya go" (hands me baby)

(again, a bit of awkward silence as i try to get the courage to ask if I can borrow the baby)

Jami: "So can i like hold him for a while, like, at my house. Like maybe......"babysit" him for a few hours?"(i'm pretty sure I had a huge cheesy grin while saying this)

Char: "Are you asking if you can borrow my baby?!?!?!"

Jami: "Yeah, pretty much"

Char: "Of course!" (as she laughs at the thought)

I grab Bennett and walk back to my house relieved at how chill Char was about it and how easy that really was (Thanks Char). I walk in the front door, James asks me where I went, he looks up and sees I have Baby Bennett.

James: "Oh Please tell me you did not just borrow the neighbor's baby?!?!?!"

and that folks, is how my relationship with baby Bennett officially started.

Now i have no hesitation at all to borrow him, in fact it is safe to say it has become a Sunday night tradition. I get to hold him in Sunday School, sometimes even a little bit during sacrament if my kids are behaving, and around 8:30 p.m. until about 9:30 p.m. on Sunday evening. I love that little guy, along with all of the Coester kids.

Keller feels practically like he is mine and I find myself missing him when he hasn't been around for a while (which really amounts to a whopping 2-3 days). I'll have him come over without Chase even knowing that I invited him over for Chase to play with him. I can't get enough of his mild, sweet temperament, and silly giggle, along with his cute little talk.

Campbell, is Char's other son, whom i had the joy of teaching in nursery. He has my heart in his hand too. After nursery would get over i would confess to Char that after a quick lesson about Jesus, I pretty much made-out with her kid! I can't quit hugging and kissing those sweet little chubby cheeks!

Macy is a doll too. She is Char's only daughter. She will come over and entertain the twins, who are completely taken with her, by the way! We like to turn on "Hairspray" and dance to the song, "Without love". She makes me wish I had a girl.

My other kids

-Cambell, Macy (holding Bennett) & Keller-

Yes, I do indeed love all of those kids, and my boys love them too! I still hold true to my word, Char, that if something ever happened to you and Brian, I would gladly, willingly and lovingly be their "God- Mom" and adopt all four of them as my own. So, put it in the will. In the meantime, I guess I will just have to continue borrowing them.

One more week left.....

If you want to keep to tabs on me and my fam, you best be leavin' your e-mail, cause I am going private in approximately 6 days and 12 hours.......

fat is back

It's been too long since we've heard from Bob, hasn't it? I am still the same, (#@%$ IT !!!!!!) I flucuate between 146 and 150. I am sucking right now at will power and motivation, but am profusely trying to re-motivate myself. AHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Son of a BiScUiT!!!!! I hate Weight-Loss, it can Kiss it! Anyways, I am at a loss for words here. Don't know what else to say except that I am a big Fatty Loser, who is 15 pounds from her goal and can't seem to do it. Someone shoot me please!!!!!

My man is back on the big screen

I'd like to welcome back Daniel Craig to the big screen, of course playing an impecably wonderful interpretation of James Bond in his new Bond movie, "Quantum of Sollace", due out November 14th. I promise you I will be front and center in the theater on opening night with my Diet Coke, Popcorn and Drool rag by my side. Can't wait!!!! "Keep em' coming, Mr. Craig, keep em' coming."

"Good-Bye Democracy, Hello Socialism."

Barrack Obama is our new President as you all well know. All I am going to say is this, Jesus is now for sure well on His way to usher in His second Coming, and if I wanted to live in a socialistic government, I'd move to Canada or Finland. Everybody pray for our leaders.

I will say this, I think it is great to see an African American in the White House. I am not in-love with John McCain by any means either. I guess when I voted, it wasn't so much who I liked more, rather than who i felt was the less evil out of the two.

I hope he does a good job.



P.S.
Dear Oprah,
Thanks for endorsing Obama and for all of the tax money you will be paying to the country with the new policy that citizens who make 200k plus will be taxed heaftier than those who don't. "SuCkEr !!!!" What were you thinking?

going private

i will be going private. if you would like to read my blog still leave your e-mail address and i will add you as a reader.

Tagged

Keelee tagged me to put the fourth picture in the fourth folder of my picture files and tell about it. Here it is:

This is a picture of my twins when they were probably 4 months old. We went to visit Sam's (Keelee's, Dad's wife) horse, Rockstar! As you can tell I think, Jett was a bit intimidated by the enormous horse. But it was a fun day!

I tag Char, Lindsey Kemmethmueller, Sara Coombs, Lizz

"What happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas!" (does that mean all of those cute little desserts I ate at the buffet, didn't really count?)

Keelee, Tiffany, Liz, Brooke, Cat, and Me.

I had a lovely opportunity to join some of my friends, (old and new) on a girl's weekend trip to Las Vegas. I had such a great time. We ate, shopped, laughed, talked, slept in, stayed up late and enjoyed each other's company.




We flew out on Friday the 26th and came back Monday the 29th. It was a fun time and I am so glad I got to hang out with some great girls. Tiff, Cat, Liz, Brooke, and Kee, you guys are AwEsOmE. Love you all, let's do it again next year!

Me, Tiff and Kee out to lunch

Cat, Brooke, and Liz

One of the greatest reason we go to Buffets....the desserts!

I am pretty sure Brooke and Keelee were a little excited about the desserts

Especially, Keelee

But then again I guess you could say we ALL got a bit carried away,

oh well, that is why God created Gyms, right?

One of the best reasons to visit Vegas is to shop at the MAC Pro store

where I finally bought my red lipstick. Me, Cat and Tiff had a blast here trying on and playing around with make-up.

We had to get a pic with the make-up artist who helped us pick out our make-up

Liz looked so HOT for a night out on

the town and to see the theatrical production of Mamma Mia.

Me and Keelee went to see a movie and dinner while the rest of the girls went to Mamma Mia.

Keelee was bored so she decided to stop by the Paul Mitchell Salon and chop off her hair.

She looked Adoreble! (can you tell she was getting a bit nervous at this point, check out thhe look on her face)

Finished Product (I love it Short)

Quick words and fun memories that you will only get, if you were there;

• "Wow, look who is on the plane".
• "Cat, I love you, are you sure you completed driver's ed?"
• It is okay to put , fuzzy Edamame in your mouth.
• How many girls and how much luggage can you fit in a PT Cruiser?
• Brooke, you are going to love Mamma Mia!!!!!
• Steve Wyrick is the all time greatest magician that Jami has ever seen. She loved the show!!
• Does it really feel good to pull hair out of interesting places?
• I need to work on being kind to greasy, old, grey haired pedofiles, who are trying to pick up on me.
• "I have a dream, a song to sing..........." (Jami's singing, girls, you know you are going to miss that)
• Nights of Rodanthe (whatever it is called) the new movie with Richard Gere is not, "Knights of Rodanthe" which means it is not a movie that takes palce in the 1600's and is not a epic war/love story. You will however, bawl your eyeballs out and look like a complete idiot doing it!
• remember where you parked the car
• always carry around cash in case your shoe breaks and you have to buy a new one
• Red lipstick looks hot on EvErYoNe, including you Tiff!!!
• Vegas girls need to learn that shirts aren't menat to be worn as a dress and that it is not okay to show your bumb cheeks or breasts.
• Be on time to check-in
• Don't eat mexican food for dinner and then share a bed with Jami
• Bring plenty of clothes in case we are stuck in Vegas for the month.
• You can never shop too much

If you think of any more, please do share!

NkOtB !!!!

New Kids On The Block; late 80's

NKOTB Now (way Better!!!!)
Joey, Jon, Donnie, Jordan, Danny

I am so excited that NKOTB (a.k.a., New Kids On The Block) are back in action. I dreamed of these studly young men every night in my dreams as a little girl. I owned the Barbie Dolls, jammies, T-Shirts, I even had a beach towell with them on it. You know you loved them too, with great songs like, "The Right Stuff", "Cover Girl", "Please Don't Go Girl", and "Hangin' Tough", just to name a few.
I was at the gym today and saw thier video on the screen as I ran on my treadmill. I was so excited to google their new video and watch it on YOUTUBE. So ladies and Gents, after a long waited reunion from a girl who has reamained a fan through the years I hope you enjoy this clip of the new, "New Kids On The Block".


Enjoy!

I have to say as a side note, they all look pretty rockin' for pushin their 30's. I used to be a Jordan fan but I think I would say I am more for Joey. What a cutie-pie!!!

So this video, makes me bit uncomfortable, because it of course has a bunch of half naked girls dancin' up on the boys, so use some viewer discression. PG -13 rated.

In loving memory....

Shawna Romero 1977 ~ 2008 Shawna Romero passed quietly in her sleep on September 17, 2008. She married Michael Tomas Romero on September 27, 1997. She loved her kids, scrapbooking, decorating, shopping, and entertaining family. Her ultimate purpose in life was providing a happy home for her family and anyone who entered her doors. She is survived by her husband Michael, two sons Hunter and Zander. She also leaves behind her mother Candy Olson, her uncle and aunt Bill and Sharon Larson, her Reeder, Romero and Olson families. She was preceded in death by her grandmother Ethel Larson, uncle Eddie, aunt Shirley, also her grandma and grandpa Olson, grandma and grandpa Schoening, great-grandma and grandpa Romero. Celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20, between 10-12 p.m. at Redwood Memorial Mortuary, 6500 S. Redwood Road, West Jordan. Donations for her boys in lieu of flowers would be greatly appreciated.

Take time to realize....

I love my life and realize that I am blessed and grateful to be where I am at. I found met and married my best friend, who is my match in everyway. We enjoy each other's company, look forward to seeing eachother in the early morning before he heads off to work and in the later day when he comes home. We share a love of family, friends and the gospel and were blessed to be given 3 wonderful children whom we adore with all our hearts, and whom I can't wait to hear in the morning, yelling, "mommy, where ahhh ooo". I get to pull them out of there beds and kiss their sweet little faces and rub the hair on their heads. I make them breakfast, usually eggs and toast, send my oldest one to Kindergarten, while i, back at home, get some one on one with the twins, usually baking something that is sweet and is sure to raise their blood sugar!



When Chase gets home we play outside for a bit. Tag, kick ball, batman, pirates. And then time for lunch. (it seems as if we are always eating!!!) Sandwhiches and chips, a slice of fruit, tall glass of milk, but not until we argue who gets to say the prayer. Then one of my boys utters a sweet (and sometimes silly) prayer to the Lord asking to bless the food, for Jagger to fold his arms, and that daddy will come home safe, and that maybe we'll get to go to the park or Grandma's house today! I love their prayers. They are just how prayers should be. Short, sweet and simple, to the point!



They eat their lunch and then we pick a story, the twins go for Elmo or Dinosaurs and Chase ventures more towards an educational selection such as "My first Encyclopedia". I have a bright child, who takes after His handsome father. After story time, which somehow I find getting suckered into more than our usual one book policy, i lay these sweet boys down for their nap and have some quiet time to myself. Normally I read, bake, clean, or fold laundry.

Not today.



Today, I reflect. I reflect on what really matters. A dear and sweet life of one of my neighbors and friends, was returned home yesterday to a loving Heavenly Father, and although I never went to lunch with her, took her shopping to my favorite store, or had a "girl's night" with her, her passing has impacted me more than I was prepared for.



She was a young mother like me, with 2 of her own sweet little boys to raise, and a darling husband, like mine who adores her with all his heart. I think about how much there life has changed in a matter of one night and my heart breaks for them.



Upon hearing the news I had to do something, I think it is the mother in me wanting to "fix" things and make them better. I made a Lasagna, sugar cookies, wrote my thoughts and sympathies down in a note and took it to there home. I was nervous! Not of them, but of the unknown reaction to give, what to say, how to keep composure.



I walked into the home full of family members I did not know, for the husband had already left for the mortuary, handed somebody my lasgana, saw my friend, who had passed aways, child, and lost my composure! I cried. I didn't lose it, but I was close. The family came to my despair and hugged me!



I told them I was sorry for their loss, and that I would love to give any kind of help that was needed.



On my way out the door, I needed a moment to fall apart and take in all that I was feeling. My heart broke for the children. My friend has an 8 year old son along with a 3 old son, kind of similar to our family. I imagined what I would do and how I would feel if Heavenly Father had called me home at such an early age and I was asked to leave my little ones behind at such tender young ages when the need for "mommy" is so real. It made me cry.

I needed to find somewhere fast or I was going to end up a blubbering mess on their front lawn, and so I walked quickly across the street to my dear bishop's house where I was glad to find his wife, Jen home.



She grabbed me and we hugged, and that is where I lost a hold of my emotions. We talked about the situation, she told me all she knew, and as I listened to her replay the events of our friends passing, the spirit filled the room. Although some of us are never sure why Heavenly Father calls some of His children home earlier than others, we can find solice in the tender mercies He provides at their passing from this part of our life to the next.



Jen shared with me how the events of that night played out. Our friend's husband was supposed to have been working the graveyard shift the night she passed away, and wouldn't usually have been home from work until the later morning after she and the children had awoke. He came home early from work that night not feeling very well. When he came home he found his wife rocking their sweet 3 year old son, just hours before she would pass away into the next stage of her life.



What a blessing, that her last act on Earth would be for her to rock her youngest little boy, one last time. The thought makes me cry.



Even now.



She went to bed and passed away not far after, in the early morning hours on Wednesday. Her sweet husband was the one to discover that she had passed and was able to take care of the situation promptly and tenderly with the help of family and loving neighbors, as their children stayed sleeping in their beds. Again, another tender mercy from the Lord.



We will find ourselves faced with many different experiences in life, similar to this that will bring much, sorrow, grief and leave us with many un-answered questions, I am sure. But it also provides an opprtunity to reflect on our lives, maybe even giving us the chanec to re-evaluate what really is important to us. Family, friends, and our relationship and love for the Savior.



I am always humbled by these experiences. I find them to be bitter-sweet. Bitter for obvious reasons and sweet, because of the peace and comfort the spirit brings, the love and kindness that is felt from family and friends as they rally around those in mourning, and the joy in the knowledge that families are eternal! I am always impressed with the faith of those left behind to endure without their loved one near.



Some of my sweetest and most spiritual experiences that have solidified my testimony of the gospel have come from the experience of losing a loved one or watching someone I love dearly lose a loved one.



I have been there when my sweet sister-in-law wept as she said her Earthly good byes to her sweet 2 month old baby son, Nathan. It was a moving experience to see her faith in the plan of salvation give her strength to endure her heart ache. She strengthened my testimony more than she'll ever know and instantly became one of my heroes.



I cried with my best friend at the passing of her beautiful mother. The day she passed away I had a special opportunity to visit with her and the family at their home. The spirit of the Lord, along with her mother's, resided in that home as we comforted one another and cried. We went up into her room where we found her journal. Keelee read some of the exerts she had written months before. In them her mother had written a letter to each child of her hopes and wishes for them and also took the time to tell them each her unique love for them and her testimony of the gospel. What a blessing for her to get to say her final good- byes without even realizing that her time was drawing close, in her own way that I am sure her children will cherish for the rest of their lives.



Alongside her journal was her patriarchal blessing. Keelee was kind enough to share with me a paragraph from that blessing, where the Lord had promised her mother that "she would only live as long as life was sweet to her." It was apparent the latter years of her life weren't as happy as they should have been, considering how spunky, energetic, and fun her mother was. Her health was holding her back from being the best she could be and so the Lord took her so she could reach her full measure on the otherside of the vail, where I know she is exuberantly working and touching the lives of those who didn't have the opportunity to learn of the gospel in their Earthly life.

One of the sweetest experiences happen to me when years after her mom had passed I attended my best friend's, little brother's missionary homecoming. I sat in the congregation listening to this young man, who was once just a little boy, give a wonderful talk about his experience on his mission. He declared his testimony with such sureity, it made me sad to think that his mom was not hear to listen, or see her son be such an example of Christ after what I am sure was many years of hard work, love, and consistency in teaching him the gospel. As soon as these thoughts came in my head, they were immediately dismissed. My heart was full, my eyes teared up and I knew........I knew that indeed she did get to see and hear her son, this amazing young man, because indeed she was there.



From that experience I learned that our loving Heavenly Father allows our loved ones to look in on us from time to time. I am not fully aware of how it all works but I cannot deny the feelings I felt that day. I looked over at Keelee, she saw me crying, I told her her mother was here, and she knew it too! It was amazing and I am so grateful I got to feel her presence.



I myself lost a dear Aunt who had courageously battled cancer for four years before it finally took her. She was so positive and had such an amazing attitude. I have never met someone who faced adversity with such humility and courage. I remeber her telling us that she was thankful for her cancer because it had strengthened her testimony of the Savior in a way that nothing else could have. She was diligent to the end. And I love her so much for it!



Life is precious and fragile. We are never certain what lies ahead for us or our loved ones, what storms we will have to weather, or the mountains we will have to climb. But there is so much to be happy about and to be thankful for. Love more deeply, kiss your children more times than they'd like and tell your loved ones you love them as much as you can.



I put the boys to bed just now and kissed their little faces. I am looking at my wedidng band on my ring finger and am so grateful to be reminded that whatever comes our way, those amazing, dirty, darling, rambunxious, precious children are mine forever.



No matter what. Because of the blessings that the gospel brings through the everlasting covenants made in the temple, death will never part us. It fills my heart with Hope and peace.



I am so thankful for the these wonderful experiences in my life, although sad and trying. The Lord knows each and every one of us and has a plan for us all. It is my hope that I can live in a way that I can touch the lives of others as the people I have come to meet and love have touched mine and my family's through their Christ-like example.

Sunday's Words of Wisdom; September 14th 2008

Yesterday in church 2 of the High Council were there to speak to us. Here is one little tid-bit that stuck out to me in one of the talks that I wrote in my church journal to focus on for this week. It is a quote from Joseph Smith found in the introduction to the Book of Mormon.


"the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion, and a man [will] get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book"

I sometimes find myself wanting to learn as much as I can or read as much as I can about the gospel to strengthen my testimony and knowledge. I have read biographies on Joseph Smith, attended Women's Conference, watch the BYU devotionals on T.V. etc.....


These have all been great resources to help me, but in the end, all I really need is to study THE gospel itself (a.k.a. The Book of Mormon) It now seems kind of silly to me that as much as I desired to learn more about the gospel and saught it out in other places, all I needed to do was look at my night stand and open up that book that has sat there sometimes way too long, and has collected a little too much dust and READ it!!!! How simple is that!!!



Goal for this week/year/life:

Read my scriptures every day!!!!

-Jami

Cookies

Mixing up the ingrediants

I wanted to do something fun with Chase and he has been begging me to make "frosting the snowman cookies" a.k.a. SuGaR CoOkIeS! But since I am doing Phase One of the South Beach Diet, (which basically means no sugar, white flour, or refined carbs.....yeah so pretty much SUGAR COOKIES!!!!) again to try to get over my plateau, I have put it off.

Well, I finally got the guts to just go for it and bake some darn cookies for him. He invited his best bud, Keller (I love his stinkin' little gutz) over and together we made the cookies, decorated them and ate them (only a little nibble for me). It was fun and messy, but FUN!

Chase rolling out the dough

the cookies all ready to go in

Jagger loved licking up the mess

the best part: licking the spoon

Jett enjoyed eating the cookies

the finished product

-Jami

Sunday's Words of Wisdom........

(as long as you don't forget the Cheerio's, coloring books, crayons, file folder games, quiet books, cookies, markers, stickers, duct tape, ..............)

So, anyone of you who have children under the age of 5 (or even older) are fully aware that Sacrament meeting on Sunday's can be quite the challenge! Well, try having a 5 year old and 2 twin 3 year old boys to keep reverent. You can imagine how fun that is ! We have the usually things that all of us parents have; cheerio's, mormon file folder games, crayons, coloring books, quiet books etc....You name it, we got it! (by the way, any fun suggestions you have to keep kids quiet in scarament, feel free to lend me a hand......pLeAsE!)

I found that wrestling with my kids all sacramnet to keep them reverent and busy, usually means I haven't heard one thing that was said. So, to help me be better about actually paying attention to the speaker's, feeling the spirit, and strengthening my testimony, I have decided to take a journal to church. I try to listen for at least one good point that I can apply to my life (although there are always many good points, I just happen to have time for usually one), I write it down, try to focus on that for the week, and then I don't feel so guilty about not learning anything in Sacrament meeting!





Here is last Sunday's great "word's of wisdom" from Brother Allen, a member of the bishopbric.

"Worship Heavenly Father throughout the entire week and not just on Sunday"

That is something that I will work on. Show Heavenly Father that Me and my family love Him every day by choosing the right. Some things I came up with to do that:

• make some treats with my boys and take them to someone who needs a "pick me up".
• Read my scriptures every night with my family before bed and then personally on my own.
• Allow only up-lifting music, video's, T.V. shows in my house (no more Nelly, unless clean, which pretty much means,...... no more Nelly)
• Spend QuAliTy time with my kids.
• Prepare meaningful Family Home Evenings for my family. (again, suggestions would be lovely!!!)
• Quit swearing! ( i really gotta work on this one, %$#! it !)

Reader's of my blog,

Look forward to "Sunday's Word's of Wisdom" every Monday morning. I tag you ALL to post your own word's of wisdom you heard in your sacramnet meetings. I look forward to it!

"Who needs girl's anyway?".........................

I always wanted a little girl, so I could buy her cute clothes, teach her about tampons and lip-stick, paint her toe nails, do her hair up all cute and spunky, ...............but instead God (in all His wisdom) blessed me with 3 pretty AmAzInG little boys. I am totally okay with just having boys. I wanted a girl but I don't need a girl. Some people need either a boy or girl and I am not one of those people. In fact i always said if I was to have all of one gender I would for sure want boys.

I grew up with only boys; Nate Rothe, Danny Wright, Tyler Hansen, these guys were my little buddies when I was a small child. I also have decided that I do better with boys,.....when someone ticks them off they don't whine about all day and cause drama, they just slug whoever ticked them off and are done with it! I LOVE THAT!!!

Point of the story..................Who says you can't have it all. I get the dirty, sweaty, busy, beat down, knock em' around, scraped knees, boogery nosed little stud muffins, but also, the sweet, cuddly, tender, kisses and hugs, little sweetie-pies in my boys.

One minute they are making mud pies in the dirt and beating the crap out of each other, and the next minute they are sitting at the counter putting on lip gloss and blush or mixing up a batch of chocolate chip cookies with mom. I love them dearly!

BOYS ARE THE BESTEST !!!!!!