Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween!


Leprechaun eating Dino-Bot...


It was his calling in life to be a Leprechaun, don't you think?



Iit only cost me 1.27$ to make. Can't beat that!

Jack decided this year that he wanted to be a dinosaur/robot for Halloween... For the longest time I could not figure out how I was going to come up with a costume for that..So, this is what I came up with. He thinks it is pretty awesome, he also thinks he is really scary when he wears it. Jack loved his costume so much and I think a big reason why is because he helped me make it.

I knew I wanted Nolan to be a Leprechaun for Halloween for a while, but my sewing capabilities are slim to non. My friend Kristen totally helped me and it turned out amazing! I couldn't stop laughing when I first put it on him...I think he needs to be a Leprechaun every year of his life!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Tagged...4th Folder, 4th Picture


When I found out I was tagged I was tempted to look and see what the picture was before I posted, but I didn't...I PROMISE! I hope he won't mind:) Now the whole world knows that he likes to take pictures of his muscles....he he he. Lookin' good J!
I tag all of my Tulsa friends!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Jack-man...


Since I'm claiming this as a journal (kind of) I wanted to document a couple of things that Jack says to remember how cute he is...because he has been pretty sassy these days!

1. When I go to the Fridge to pull out the milk Jack always asks me, "Mom, is that happy milk?" ( I think one time I had told him that the milk has gone bad, so he has to ask me now if it is happy now)

2. We have a Jack Johnson CD in the car that we listen to sometimes. He loves the song that has the phrase, "where'd all the good people gooo.." and he sings to it every time. It's so cute.

3. Jason put Jack to bed one night and I was sitting out on the couch...Jack came out of his room and Jason gave him the get-back-in-your-bed look Jack said, "But dad, I need to tell mommy that I love her"

4. Jack has heard me say, "whatever" on several occasions. But he has his own version I guess. The other day I was telling him that we were going to his soccer game and he needed to focus while he was playing and he said, "notever mom" I said, "what do you mean notever?" He said, "Mom, you say whatever and I say notever..."

Sunday, October 19, 2008

A Good Sunday Read..

This article was published by the Church News. My Grandfather is Gary Jenkins. I'm so proud to be his granddaughter.

An eternal gift

A knock on the door by two missionaries forever changed Sister Harriet Uchtdorf



October 18, 2008

By Jason Swensen
Church News staff writer

The remarkable story of Sister Harriet Uchtdorf's introduction and conversion to the Church includes a friendly prologue.



President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, at right, have maintained contact with Gary and MaryAnn Jenkins, at left, for over a half-century. Brother Jenkins and his missionary companion, Richard Kowallis, taught Sister Uchtdorf the gospel.

Photo by Tom Smart/Deseret News
Several years before two American missionaries unexpectedly knocked on her family's apartment door in 1954, young Harriet experienced a seemingly trivial encounter with another young stranger that would have lasting significance.
Germany, at the time, was taking its first steps of recovery following the devastation of World War II. West Germany was under occupation by the U.S. military. Life was hard and lean. Harriet Reich was still young enough then to sit atop a small handcart that her mother, Carmen Reich, would push through the streets of Frankfurt as she went about her daily business of caring for her small family.
On one occasion, the mother and daughter passed a young U.S. solider. The American G.I. smiled at the little girl, tossed her a foil-wrapped stick of chewing gum and continued on his way.
"I had never seen chewing gum, I didn't know what it was," said Sister Uchtdorf, wife of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency.
After receiving permission from her mother, little Harriet unwrapped the gum, placed it in her mouth and began to chew. She was amazed to find she could chew, chew and chew — but the small, flavorful gift would not dissolve and disappear!
"I had this precious thing now," said Sister Uchtdorf, relishing the memory. "So I took it from my mouth and put it back in this beautiful silver paper, wrapped it up and kept it. Each and every day I chewed it a little bit until there was nothing left. This was so special to me at the time."
Years passed and times remained tough. Harriet's father, Iwan Victor Reich, passed away, adding to the challenges of Sister Reich and her two daughters, Harriet and Carmen. In the fall of 1954, the family was living in a top-floor apartment in Frankfurt when a knock was heard at their door. Harriet, then 12, answered and saw two young American men dressed in coats and ties. They asked in accent-tinged German if they could come in and share their special message. Immediately, Harriet's mind conjured the memory of the friendly American soldier and his special gift.
Mrs. Reich was hesitant to invite the missionaries inside — but her daughter proved persuasive.
"I said to my mother, 'Let them come in and let's listen for awhile,'" Sister Uchtdorf said. The missionaries introduced themselves as Elder Gary Jenkins of Pendleton, Ore., and Elder Richard Kowallis of Logan, Utah.
Recalling that moment, Brother Jenkins said he knew instantly that the humble family was ready to be taught the gospel.
"They were a golden family from the word 'Go'," he said. "They were interested in the message we had and they wanted us back soon. We were eager to do that."
The elders shared the Book of Mormon with the Reichs and taught them comforting lessons about eternal families and the plan of salvation. They introduced them to the friendly members of the Frankfurt Branch. Four weeks after answering that unexpected knock, Harriet and her family were baptized.
President Uchtdorf said that smiling American soldier gave little Harriet a kind gift that lasted a long time. "But (the missionaries) brought something she will have for eternity."
Recently, the Uchtdorfs spent a warm autumn afternoon with Gary Jenkins and his wife, MaryAnn. The Uchtdorfs and the Jenkins have remained in touch over the years, exchanging Christmas cards and updates on their respective families. More than a half-century has passed since Elder Jenkins and his companion, Elder Kowallis, knocked on the Reichs' door. But the gratitude and love the Uchtdorfs feel for those missionaries remain strong.
President Uchtdorf said his life has been forever blessed because two diligent missionaries taught the gospel to his future wife. He cannot imagine being without Sister Uchtdorf, serving in the Church together. Missionary work impacted their lives, and the lives of their children and grandchildren who have grown up faithful in the Church.
"And it's all because the missionaries were guided by the Spirit and did what they needed to do," President Uchtdorf said. "They were at the right place at the right time and said the right things."
Brother Jenkins recognizes that much in his own life would be different if he had not accepted his mission call to Germany. Whenever he sees a photo of the Uchtdorfs performing their worldwide Church service, or listens to President Uchtdorf deliver a conference address, his mind returns to that top floor apartment door in Frankfurt, Germany, 54 years ago.
"You just never know what the next door will bring. Who will be there. Or what they will become."
The enthusiasm the Uchtdorfs feel for missionaries has never waned. Recently, Sister Uchtdorf spoke to a group of full-time missionaries in Panama. She counseled them to keep in contact with one another and the people they come to love. Find joy, she said, in preserving precious memories.
On President Uchtdorf's office desk is a small bronze statue of two young missionaries atop their bicycles. The sculpture reminds the Church leader of his own two grandsons who are serving missions — and the missionaries who found, taught and baptized his loved ones.
The two figures don't pedal leisurely. They stand up off their seats, anxious to reach their destination.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Pumpkin Patch..





So you Think you Can Dance..Dance Dance Dance





I have the coolest friends! Natalie and I went to the So You Think You Can Dance concert the other night and it was so much fun...We were tempted to go out and go Dancing after the concert...and then we realized we had kids and a husband to get back to...and we were dang tired...ok fine we just thought about it. Thanks Natalie for a fun night!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Watch out David Beckham..

Goin' Strong!


Chase and Jack ...I'm not sure what they were doing here..looks like they were watching their team do all the work!



Taking a quick water break


Here he is hangin out by the sideline..

Jack is playing soccer this year and so far has really enjoyed it! The practices are his favorite he is one of the youngest on his team and pays attention and follows directions from the coach pretty well. He likes the games too....until about 30 min into it...then he gets a little tired towards the end. The last game we only had 5 players show up (you have to have 5 to play) so they had to play the whole game. The last few minutes Jack just hung out right on the edge of the sideline....I was ok with that as long as he was on the field we didn't have to forfit..

Look who is One!






My little man turned One this week. Since the day he was born he has made me so completely happy. His smiles and kisses melt my heart. Don't get me wrong, he can be sassy sometimes (but I blame that on his red hair) but for the most part he is a peach. I love having my two little men at my sides and want to be as blindly naive as I can about the day that they will like other girls besides their mom! We love you Nolan..

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Birthdays, Showers and Football...



Blowing out my candles on this bomb birthday cake! (Made by Fig)



The Gang..Love Them!



Me Kessa and Rachel at the shower..



The 3 Lacey's and the
Fig after the shower..


Enjoying a lovely night of football!


Last month has been full of fun eventful things to blog about...but I didn't blog anything...I was in a blogging funk. Iv'e started to come around again and decided to start with this past week. I turned 25! It feels really good and for some reason I love getting older, I'm sure that will stop soon. My wonderful friends put together a dinner for my birthday (Jason lucked out) so we went over to McLaceys for dinner and dessert. All day I felt so loved and so grateful that so many people cared about me. ( I know cheesy) It was a great night. We also had Lacey 3's baby shower on Sat. she is being induced on the 9th and will have a baby boy. It was so fun to help out with the shower, glad it was a success. We are all so excited for her!
Football has taken over and I love it! We have a friend that plays on TU this year and it has been so exciting to watch him play. Jack is really enjoying the games this year too..Nolan just wants to climb up and down the stairs.
Ok there is the latest...till next time!