CRAZY Weather

We've had such crazy weather this Summer. I'm beginning to feel like I live in Seattle because of all the rain we've received. Today the sirens went off, not because there was a tornado, but because of the high winds and hail. There was a lot of damage ranging from roofs being torn off, to very old trees being uprooted. I also just found out that there has been two deaths from the storm. Very tragic! I guess quite a few areas are still without power. I'm very thankful our family was once again protected from the storms.

The week without Mark

For those who don't know, Mark has been out of town for 8 days on a High Adventure Trip with the scouts. This was an adventure for me since this is the first time that Mark has ever left for such a long period of time. We've been apart for this long before, but it's usually me who leaves to go visit my family. This time I was the one to stay behind with the kids to act as mom/dad. I have to admit it's easier to be the one who leaves. :)

We've had a wonderful week, but it's definitely had it's moments. The day Mark left I found out my sister was getting a divorce. I was depressed for a couple of days and even got sick. I'm thankful for my sister-in-law and her husband for having our little family over for dinner on Sunday. On Tuesday night LeAnna helped out by playing racquetball with me and then going to TCBY for a little treat. On Thursday night they invited us once again to join them for pizza and games at their house. I'm thankful for their friendship, love, and support. We love you guys!

Our little family has had fun swimming, playing with friends, having a sleep over with Mama and Papa, and a sleep over at Jim and LeAnna's. We've been shopping, we've watched movies, and we've stayed up late. Over all it's been a good week, but we are looking forward to seeing Mark tomorrow afternoon.

I thought it would be fun to post the many faces and emotions of Jana during the week of Mark's absence. :)

The happy face

The sad/depressed face

The pulling out my hair face

Yeah! Mark's home!!!! face

Kaleb's 4

My baby is four! It seems like yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital. Out of all my children, his baby years went by the fastest which makes me sad. The youngest should go by the slowest. Even though Kaleb has been up for sale the good majority of his life :), he still brings a lot of joy into our home.

Happy Birthday Kaleb!

For Kaleb's birthday he received a tool kit

His favorite present was his DS. Now he can play with Kaden.

Kaleb the tool man.

The Sink Hole

After living in our house for 7 years, our front yard decided to acquire a sink hole.
Jim and LeAnna happened to be landscaping at the same time, so they gave us some of their dirt to help in our sink hole project.

Here's Mark standing in just a small portion of the hole.


Kaden helping us out.

Kaleb helping us out.

Some of our handiwork


Our beautiful roses!

Princess Jana

You Are Aurora! (A.K.A. Sleeping Beauty.)

Thoughtful and loving. Authority figures probably have been sheltering you all of your life. Thankfully you're a very tranquil person who is content with what life has given you, but secretly you want to know how the outside world works.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Of course I'm the most beautiful princess there is. :) After reading all the results about each princess I think I have some Ariel in me. Fun and silly quiz!

Ahhh Utah!

Last week I was afforded the opportunity to travel to Salt Lake City, Utah to lay to rest Grandma Grace. LeAnna has posted some fantastic pictures and chronicled the event quite well in her blog so I will direct you there for that.

The part of the trip that only I could put a face on was the unique landscape of Salt Lake City itself.

Being a reasonably active, meeting going member of the LDS church, and a closet apologetic that has not grown up or lived in Utah, I find parts of Salt Lake City odd. It looks strange to me that there is a LDS meetinghouse on nearly every street in this valley. I remember a street between Bountiful and Ogden where there are 2 chapels on opposite sides of the street. (There are more LDS meetinghouses then 7-11s in SLC anymore!). I aslo find it odd (yet understandable) that a large % of people walking around downtown are dressed to the nines and carrying a small suitcase. But I find it equally odd when non-church related business in town uses the churchs name as well. Here is my case in point.





Points of interest:
"This is the Place"
It is not open on Sunday? Jack Mormon indeed!

Salt Lake City is a place that we wanted to move to for the recreation and proximity to family. Upon returning home the words of a familiar cliche' ring true

"Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home"

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was such a wonderful day. It started off with Kaden demanding I have breakfast in bed. The only problem was that we were having brunch that day and I didn't want to stay in bed that long. I appeased him though and stayed in my room until brunch was made. They made me eggs and little orange muffins. YUMMY!!!! Thank you Mark!

I love going to Church on Mother's Day because we have Relief Society for two hours with refreshments in between. Mark says that it isn't fair because on Father's Day they don't get anything like that.

Kaden bringing me breakfast and his Mother's Day card.



The girls and I happened to match so we had to take a picture



For dinner we went over to Leanna and Jim's for a barbecue. Here is a picture of the all the mother's. The one on the left is my WONDERFUL grandma.