"My Sister, My Friend"

I have had a lot of time to think about this. Both Stacey and Erin leaving the area that we all called home at the same time; leaving me behind. But, with all of the time and all of the hype, it still isn't easy. We all have grown up. I moved away TEN years ago, off to an adventure [understatement] in Louisiana. My adventure path brought me to UT, back to LA and back to UT. My sister's paths brought them straight to UT. Stacey and I had 3 years together here in UT. I LOVE thinking back. What fun!!! Then it was time for Erin to head this way. And I left. Leaving Erin and Stacey to enjoy one another. Then I came back and we had one fabulous year together. And now they are gone and I am alone. Erin is off doing wonderful things in the great potato state, and Stace made her way back East to join Jeff in his quest for PHDDOM in the great state of Michigan. Best of luck to you both. Stacey, you will gain a greater perspective of motherhood, as now you will truly have unlimited amounts of time to do so. Erin, I hope you find in Idaho what you didn't see in Utah. You will both be sorely missed. I love you with all my heart and I long for the day when we can all be together again. Time to pull out those webcams!!!! Love and hugs....Jamie

Thoughts

Yes, yes, I know. I haven't been blogging lately. Well, that's okay. My MIL was in town early on in the month, and we were busy with that. And then, well, I just didn't want to blog. At all. I'm sorry, I haven't been reading all of yours as well as I normally do. And my family in various places in the country is missing out on the goings-on of my life. ARGHHHHHHH!!! I'M SORRY!!!!



There is just so much to do in life. A few Sundays ago, our AWESOME ward Emergency Preparedness Specialist gave a little 15 min lesson and while she was speaking I thought to myself, "There is just so much work to be done." Not only is there a lot of work physically throughout a day, but emotionally, spiritually, etc., etc.



I don't know about the rest of you, but there is always laundry, dishes, toilets to be scrubbed, picking up after kids, teaching the kids to pick up after themselves, breakfast, lunch, dinner, exercising that needs to be done, floors that need mopping/vacuuming, kids that need bathing AND IT IS A LOT OF WORK!!!



In addition there are church callings, I currently have FOUR, three of which are heavy at the moment. And all kinds of things going on for all of us. I literally do not have enough hours in the day. So for now, I am backing off of blogging, it is just not high on my priority list, which is why I took so long to start one in the first place, and here I am back at the same thoughtful perspective. I will continue, mainly for the benefit of family and friends that really never see us, but I am sorry to say, I will be backing off of reading friends' blogs that I see regularly. It will not hurt my feelings if you do the same for me, because let's be real this blog thing is competitive...
(at least for me it was...truth be told.)

BUT, most importantly I often reflect on Dallin H. Oak, member Quorum of Twelve Apostle's talk and insightful thoughts:

"We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families."

While I love my extended family and friends, I must think first of my little ones and my good husband. The computer at this stage in life is not the best place for me to be at any given time of the day. Signing off for now with love,

Jamie

Cakes I Make

I made these Spaghetti and Meatball Cupcakes
for our annual cul-de-sac Fourth of July bash. They were a hit!!!
This is Jason's Father's Day Cake.
My kids insisted that he have a baseball cake,
since at the time, LSU was playing and doing well at Baseball.
Geaux Tigers!!!

I Love To See The Temple, I'm Going There Someday

A few weekends ago, our family traveled up to Idaho to see my cousin, Kendall and his beautiful bride, Traci be sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple. I love my cousin so much. He and I were so close while we were growing up. He is a fine example to those around him and I'm proud of all that he's accomplished. I was grateful to be a part of his very special day. Everytime I attend a sealing, I am reminded of the powerful promises and covenants made in the temple. I am grateful that I too, was sealed in the temple for time and all eternity.

THREE OF MY...

joys

1. Performing. I LOVE an earned audience. Particularly acting. I'm a great actor. I really am. I always knew I had it in me, but didn't believe it enough until I didn't have anything to lose. So, after Mykee was born, I let it all hang out and was cast as Maureen the Hen in HONK! Shortly after that, Alice in Bye Bye Birdie, shortly after that the Ugly Step Sister in Cinderella. In college, I minored in theater. I was also great at improv. I am quite funny in a pinch. We also did some dramatic improv that leaned more towards the serious side, I was REALLY good at that. Ahhh....one day....

2. My children. I would have a dozen of them if I thought for a second that that would make sense. Kirby, Mykee, Tys and Fallon are my everything. Without them, I don't know who I am today. It's funny, before them, I really thought I knew myself, now it amazes me that I didn't really live until they were here with me.

3. Music. The Spirit of God truly speaks to me through music. I have felt love and compassion and faith and freedom and joy and triumph all through music. "If it sounds good, it is good." -Duke Ellington

fears

1. My children leaving this world before me. I've read one too many Drama in Real Life articles out of the Reader's Digest.

2. Driving. My sweet Myklin prays for me [out loud] every time I get behind the wheel.

3. Germs. I alone could sustain the Purell company for decades to come.

goals

1. To travel to New York and see a real Broadway show. Would you believe, I haven't been to New York City and we lived just hours from there my entire childhood. But, here's the clincher, everyone else in my family has been. I'm sickened.

2. To learn to dance hip-hop like a hip-hop dancer and not like Elaine from Seinfeld. There is a young man named Shane Sparks. Basically the hottest choreographer around right now. I took a hip-hop master class for three days from him. I am forever ashamed of how ridiculously hilarious I look(ed.)

3. To reach my ever-present goal of weighing 110lbs. YES YES YES, I just had a baby, we all know. Well, so what. I have a neighbor who just had a baby two weeks ago and weighs less now than I did BEFORE puberty hit.

obsessions

1. Finding things that are lost. I'm getting better. I really think all of that therapy has helped. Wait, I'll BRB, we just lost a Polly Pocket Shoe..............................................

OK, I'm back.

2. CingTR. I try. In fact, I try harder than anyone I know to constantly reevaluate myself. I'm always searching for answers. Trying to do what is best in every situation. And undoing what I've done that I think has been wrong. Ahhh, the never-ending search for perfection.

3. My body. I want to be my best, but not bad enough to stop eating that cake. Darn it!!!!!

random facts

1. I was the Goalie for the Women's Lacrosse team in high school. Go Hornets!!!

2. I've bungee jumped before, while singing Amazing Grace.

3. I've lived in fourteen different houses. Home Is Where The Heart Is, right?

I now tag Alicia, Tiffany, and Emily

The Company Jason Works For Won This From Ernst and Young...

Riverton Arts Festival

On June 7th, we loaded up the crew and took them over to Riverton where Kirby performed her ballet number once again. We had a blast. It was great that we were able to sit on the front row. Before the festival started, the kids were all dancing around on the stage. It was fun to watch them all have a great time.