Nothing beats…

A small town 4^th of July!

Here we are at the parade. 

We had such a fabulous weekend. We left as soon as Brant got home from work, and we lost an hour crossing that Utah line. My mother-in-law is the best, even though it was a late dinner she had my very favorite, her homemade Lasagna coming out of the oven when we got there! It was so delicious and she is too good to me. Even though Brant wants me to tell her, sweet rolls are my favorite, everything she makes is super yummy but her lasagna made me feel extra special! The next day it was summer hair cuts for Brant & Heath, and then off to the Park for Brant's 15 year reunion mingle with classmates and the kids. Heath and Rianne were soaked from the splash park and we had a great time visiting with OLD friends!

Here is the lovely Brooklyn who sparkles and shines, thanks for watching the kids so much, you are the best babysitter!
Kristi's kids took Rianne and Heath swimming and partied with them, while we went to the reunion Luau dinner. It was nice to see everyone and hear where they are and what they are all doing now. The dinner was delicious as well!   
Next was the 4^th of July celebration which started with a parade.  
Heath said "we got more candy than Halloween, I love candy", when asked why he said "because it makes me hyper-active". Then it was up to the park for games, food and fun! Again the splash park won the prize for entertainment Heath loved Karate chopping the water!

 

No 4^th of July is complete without

a backyard BBQ!

Heath really is Mr. Independent and he thinks he is just as big as all of his cousins. Here is Brandon Pitching to Heath.

He got in on the baseball game and even pitched a few! He was certain he was a key player in the backyard football game as well, only stopped for a minute when his foot got stepped on by "someone with shoes but not Morgan".

Kristi also made a Fancy Flag Birthday cake for Julie and I (We share a birthday)!

We went to Grandma Great's (Calvin & Anna Johnson) to watch the town's firework show and celebrate a little bit of Grandma Mary's birthday with her! Of course, we had to do a few of our own too! No better way to celebrate our independence than being free to run with fire and blow things up J Here is Heath enjoying the fireworks with Cousin Emily.

 On Monday Brant was able to trim a tree for his dad and of course no trip to Grandpa's house is complete without a pull in the wagon Grandpa style! We also got to try out a little patience test you can ride now for 5 minutes or wait and have a longer ride (15 minutes). We are pleased they waited patiently for the longer ride! 

I thoroughly enjoyed this weekend. We did seem to have a lot of conversations and heard a lot about divorce, death, suicide, addictions, crisis, etc. It really did make me grateful for my own problems. It is a blessing to be part of this remarkable, obedient, faithful family. I am grateful for the Johnson's and the Brown's for taking me in! Matt (Brant's brother is the Stake President), took a call and came back sat down and said "Keep the commandments" Emily said whenever he comes home from a church meeting he reminds her "your decisions don't just affect you". Maybe it is just that simple we are free to choose but our Heavenly Father Pleads "keep the commandments in this there is safety in this there IS peace." There are a lot of things that I don't like which are going on in this great nation but I am so grateful to be an American and for the privileges I so FREELY enjoy because of the sacrifice of so many!

Whew finally 32

So I had been saying I was 32 and one day in April Brant said Jana your 31. How do I get back those lost months? Something magical happens when you are a kid and you reach an age, I remember when Heath turned 3 and we wished him Happy Birthday, he asked if he was 3 now when I said yes he ran to his sister's room got a jump rope and tried to jump rope after a couple of tries and realizing he wasn't able to jump rope he threw down the rope and said I guess you have to be 4. As if you gain some new ability with each year. Heath came in and wished me a happy birthday and informed me I was 32 then asked "what can you do now that your 32?" I thought for a minute and told him I now had the ability to tickle with my toes, and I tickled him. I wish I woke up with the ability to can or sew, or better yet if I woke up and lost a dress size or 2 and gained a cup sizeJ. We determined that those magical birthdays end at 21 and don't happen again until 55!

My Birthday morning did bring me a surprise, my husband (who never misses a day of work) called in to spend the day with me. He had quite the agenda planned, I didn't know anyone could make a to do list longer than me. J I think he realized why I never seem to get everything done on my list either. He made me Breakfast, baked me a cake, did the dishes, and a few small projects around the house including cleaning and organizing cupboards. He spoiled me with compliments and a few gifts. (Thanks, Michelle for the Cupcakes,! You know me too well). He took me out to dinner and a walk and provided me great company and easy conversation not to mention butter mints, which I love. Then we had Cake with the kids and the Udall's.

I do have to post these pictures although I'm not thrilled about how I look, check out Heath's devious face, and notice how far away he is and then bam he's blowing out my candles. Sorry about the Root beer dust JordanJ. I had a very relaxing day and I felt very, very loved.

I agree with my friend Kamille your birthday should be celebrated all month. In addition to my splendid birthday; I also had a FHE spot light, which involved a flashlight in my face and several questions to answer. We looked through my baby book, and enjoyed homemade cantaloupe sorbet and watched a movie, of my choice.

I was also taken to out dinner by some friends. While we were having a fabulous girl's night out I couldn't help thinking. When we first moved here they were over the top too good to be true nice and I was shy and scared to death to get to know them. Now I am ridiculously attached to them. They really are that nice, which is especially surprising because now they really know me and they still chose to make some sacrifices and spend an evening with me. Thank you all so very much! These beautiful women are amazing they have watched my kids countless times. They are wonderful mothers who are so talented. They sew, cut coupons, can, garden, and bake; well they can pretty much do anything and

everything. There are so many things I want to learn from them and they are probably patient enough to actually teach me! Here they were spending an evening with me. I'm not sure how I can be surrounded by these strong and amazing women, who somehow make me, want to be better but accept me as I am. At some point I'm sure the realization will occur that I'm not contributing much and they will kick me out but they might even be too nice for that. At any rate I loved that evening!

Time really does move so fast 16 years ago yesterday my brother, Chad was taking me out for my sweet 16^th birthday, we went and saw the movie Speed. I was old enough to date and that same summer I would meet the man I would marry. (At the time I had no idea). And just last year so many things were up in the air we had sold our house, Brant was interviewing but nothing had happened yet. I have sure learned a lot this year and Looking back I realize there are a lot of things in my life I would have done differently but right now at 32, I'm heading in the direction I want to be going and I like who I am beco

ming, at least for today. Hopefully this year brings us to a new home, finds me expressing my gratitude more, and becoming a little more thoughtful like so many of my friends. And I wish for more magical moments as a mother and wife. And maybe, just maybe, this will be the year we will have our next baby placed in our arms! I don't want to end this too incredibly sappy. So just remember the smoke you see coming from Flagstaff is not from my birthday candles, I can tickle with my toes and if birthday wishes come true I'll be needing a new bra!

Look at that cute Root Beer float cake

    

PB & Daddy

Heath was set on matching Dad on Father's Day, before & After Church.

When Rianne was little she started to call Brant Honey, in my efforts to correct her—"you don't say honey, you call him daddy" when asked if she wanted jelly or honey, she answered "Peanut butter and Daddy?" Brant and the kids go together like peanut butter sandwich, perfect match. 

He is such a great dad! My kids don't even know how lucky they are to have Brant for a dad. He always keeps his priorities straight and puts his family first. I love that every bad dream, tummy ache or whatever wakes them up has them calling Dad or landing them on dad's side of the bed.

My kids believe Dad can fix EVERYTHING! His night stand currently holds a kids pencil sharpener, stuffed raccoon, tic-tac container (which was stepped on) and glass horse, missing a leg and a toy car in need of a wheel. Brant is not what I would call a handy man but he does seem to make everything better. I know that is certainly true of our home. I even tried to make his favorites for father's day and he started adding a little here and doing what he does. It tasted so, so good!

Did I mention he makes EVERYTHING better! Life is better when Dad's home, since summer vacation the most asked question… "When's Dad going to be home?" From the moment he walks in the door, they are all over him, Heath ready to wrestle and Rianne to tell him everything she has done that day. Sometimes I get a little jealous and want my turn with Dad, but I am so grateful that they adore their dad. I do too! 

I asked the kids what they thought of when they thought of each grandpa

Grandpa Funny Fred

Heath said: I think of cows and his swing, Ria said: I think of him at the table, when we eat, and giving me rides on Pepper. My dad would do anything for anybody! He is honestly the most generous man I know. He has made countless sacrifices for his kids and grandkids to have what they want. He totally shares my sense of humor, so my kids don't miss a beat when he calls them Sam or hides their plates.

After Rianne was born my dad drove 2 hours just to see her, (this is a real sacrifice for a dairy man) then he was too scared to hold her. We made him anyway and it is one of my very favorite pictures!

Grandpa Jeff

Heath said: he let me feed the fish, Ria said: I think it is cool I have a grandpa who is a REAL cowboy, I also like to sit on his lap and watch shows. He can dream as big as the kids and makes anything seem possible. Rianne just said this week "when are we going to see grandpa Jeff? "I have a few ideas I need to run past him, business stuff".

Grandpa Brown

Heath said: I like that he goes with grandma Brown, I asked where does he go with her? Heath said "to set the table so we can eat what we picked grandma to make". Funny kid! Ria said: I think of his shoes, buying things from my store, and paying me to pick up sticks in his yard.

I love love love this man, I sincerely hope that Brant will grow up to be just like his dad and he is well on his way. He is absolutely the most patient man ever! Grandpa makes the best Donald duck sounds. He can be found pulling the kids around the yard in the wagon attached to the lawn mower. He is great to be right in there playing with them, making great memories. I also love to hear him pray, they are so powerful and profound to me. I also love how he is always saying how lucky he is to have his wife and how good she is to him. He has a great sense of humor. He gives the best hugs! Every time we leave Grandpa's house Ria and I are in tears! He is a wonderful Grandpa, but I am grateful every day for the example Brant saw in his Dad to be the Dad he is!

We had a blazing Father's Day-- Here is what the fire looks like from our house on father's Day.   

Scream and Shout

School is out! I finished first with my finals the first part of May. After my first year on my masters, I am pleased to report… drum roll please….a 4.0! I can't believe it myself.

Heath was next with preschool closing ceremonies, which does make me think of the Incredibles and that we really do celebrate mediocrity! So this kid,

Yes, this kid pictured, got the award for being Mr. Responsible. That is Incredible! Here he is receiving his award.

I don't know when the kid I drop off becomes that responsible kid but I am pleased he did so well in preschool.
Rianne's final day of 2^nd grade was June 2^nd. She didn't receive any major awards, just good grades and advancement to 3^rd grade. But this is no mediocre kid. I was walking with her to the bus stop one morning and I said I can carry your backpack for you, then when I put it on I asked "Ria, why is your backpack so heavy?" her answer "Oh that's my scriptures" Our conversation went a little like this: Mom: Ria why are you taking your scriptures to school?
Ria: we get free reading time.
Mom: how long?
Ria: 15 minutes.
Mom: No, I mean how long have you been taking them to school?
Ria: a few weeks now.
Mom: So, what are you reading about?
Ria: Joseph and his brothers
Mom: What do you think?
Ria: They were pretty mean, yesterday they put him in a pit.
Mom: Oh.
Heath: ha, how could he fit in a pit?
Ria: it's in the scriptures Heath so it's true!
Heath: Was it a peach pit?
I explained how some words have more than one meaning. I feel so blessed that I get to share those little moments with my kids and that they walk in truth! I don't know if I would have been brave enough to take my scriptures to school. Ria continues to amaze me, with her unwavering faith. Even with a recent disappointment she said "we should thank Heavenly Father because it must not have been the right thing." I often wonder who is raising who? The words to a song come back to me, "Come little Child and TOGETHER we'll learn". I think I'm doing more of the learning.

Now for the scream and shout: What a wild school's out party at the park! My kids had such a good time!

Eating? doughnuts on a string. I wondered how they would handle the shaving cream fight. They loved it and both got right in the middle of it. Although I got this picture of Ria at the beginning

by the end her hair was covered and she was even going after the fire fighters and getting soaked with the fire hose.

Heath said, "it hurts when it gets in your eyes". I said, "next time you'll have to wear glasses". (Not that Ria used her's) Heath: "No, they should use silly string!" What a blast, Bring on the summer!

Weekend wanderings

Brant knew I was missing family and really wanted to be somewhere else. He went to great lengths to make sure I had some fun! First he packed an awesome picnic to be enjoyed after our hike. He took us on a hike inner basin and even let the kids bring along some friends. (as you can see, we had to carry them all the way :)!

He knew I would love all those aspen trees, it really was beautiful. If that wasn't enough we got to have a BBQ and summer baseball game with friends. He also went to work pleasing me by working on some tasks that have been on MY list for awhile. We also got to enjoy another BBQ on Monday and it really was fun!

I still wish I would have been at family events that weekend but I did have a great time. I appreciate all your efforts, Brant you are the best!

Howdy

We FINALLY traveled down to St. Johns and visit my cousin Travis and his family. After so much fun we are certain that will happen again soon and we'll stay longer too! If the kids have their way they will be sick of us. Heath was very disappointed that we didn't get to see Tyler jump with a stick (Pole Vault). His sadness was quickly forgotten once he was on a horse all by himself.

I must say it cracked me up to watch him, he would move the reigns and kick that horse was so gentle it would not run and it kept going right back to the gate! Ria's horse took off on a run as soon as she got on but she stayed on and didn't get too spooked. She REALLY REALLY wants to be a cowgirl! They rode for a few hours and I think they could have stayed on all day. Good thing Trav is so patient!

Even Brant's inner cowboy came out. He is still talking about the hamburgers they made us for dinner. Thanks for a great day!

MOM day

Manager Of Messes

My official title for the most part I'm okay with it. I'm going to vent about motherhood, then brag about my mom's and follow it up with motherhood isn't so bad.

It is the monotony that I don't like, maybe that is why I love holidays so much it breaks up that monotony. Have you ever thought here I am again at the sink, doing the same dishes, switching a load of laundry or reminding a kid again to do something? And there it is again "MOM".
"Mom where are my… " The funny thing about this question is; if I put it somewhere, it would be where it goes and if it's not where it goes well what makes them think I would know where it is?
It may come as a complete shock but while you are at school I'm not home playing with or hiding any of your things." "MOM"
"Mom Heath is in my room" or "mom I'm thirsty" While occasionally I like information, kid statements are a nuisance to me, and are usually followed with, really do you have a request?

Heath also let me know this week that dad is awesomer than me and that he loves me to infinity and beyond but he loves dad more. This display of affection was brought on because dad went on a school field trip with Ria and Heath was stuck with me.

Here is Ria on the field trip

I know it could be worse, those are just my current frustrations which led me into mother's day. Which I often refer to as Guilt Sunday.

Both my kids like to talk (I have no idea where they get that J) Heath can talk nonstop, Ria actually made a request for ear plugs this week! This competing to talk to mom has been a little draining. I can remember as a kid getting off the bus and literally following my mom around, talking and talking and talking about who knows what, I have no memory of my mother turning around and saying "Jana give it a rest" maybe she did but I don't remember it, hopefully my kids won't either. This is my amazing mother Grandma Silly Sally

I've always said if I can be half as good as her I would consider myself a success! I am amazed at her patience. On those tough mom days, I have asked her if she ever wanted a break, "I don't remember, I always enjoyed having my children around". I love you Mom, thanks for liking to have me around even when I was talking non-stop!

The other one, who after all boys took me in, my mom2. Wow, I'm sure she never heard so many details, I know I've tried talking with her boys! Here she is on a hike she is so great to get us together

Heath likes to ask questions like "if we had a nice pet tiger would dogs still come in our yard?" If I ever answer "I don't know" to any question he always suggest we ask Grandma Mary. I guess she does know pretty much everything and we do have a pile of rocks just waiting for Grandma to tell us their REAL names. She can solve any problem and gives the best advice. I usually end up wishing I would have asked sooner and listened more. Sometimes I see a little glimpse of her in me and I smile it gives me hope. I am eternally grateful she took me in, for the me she helped to discover and for the husband I met along the way. She gave me some very personal advice about motherhood and she will probably never know how many times I've come back to those words and how they have strengthened me. I love this amazing woman of Faith!

My mother- in- law is truly super woman! I don't know if I can even articulate the admiration I have for this incredible women. Not only could I live next door to my mother-in-law, I'd love to! On my best day I couldn't keep up with her, she lives the words GO and DO. She is an incredible cook. I received the greatest complement a few weeks ago when I made potato salad and Ria stated (in complete surprise) "This tastes a lot like Grandma Brown's". Heath refers to her as "the grandma who lets me climb her wall".
Here she is with Heath

I'm blessed everyday by the man she raised and I am so grateful he doesn't expect me to be like her, otherwise disappointment would be a big part of his life. No matter where we are the kids are always asking "how far away is Grandma Brown's house from here." Yes, we've even been asked how far grandma's house is if we were in a rocket ship on the moon.

These women and their mother's no matter how far away, continue to bless our lives. I hope they have the mother's day they deserve that they are reminded that all those sacrifices are worth it, we love them and are grateful for their influence in our lives every day!

Kids in the Kitchen my favorite mother moments

A couple of weeks ago I left my list at home pulled into the store and thought I couldn't remember what I needed. Heath suggested I say a prayer, I said good idea so I bowed my head and started a silent prayer only to be interrupted with a sigh followed by "Alright I'll say it, Heath prayed he asked Jesus to look on the list at home and tell mom what she forgot. It was pretty cute and I thought maybe he does pay attention, so when I remembered, I thought I would use it as a teaching moment "Heath I remembered what was on the list" to which I received "yea mom we said prayer!" DUH.
Here is Heath & I with his surf board cake

I also have some current joys of motherhood. I love to hear Heath say the articles of faith he knows 1-6. He also gave a talk today in Primary, it was so cute.
It is complete therapy to raise a daughter who I see myself in but is not me, she handles situations so much better. I love that my kids love to help, that they are independent. I must be doing an OK job, because Brant although joking said I needed to not be so good to the kids or they would never want to leave home, and said "eventually we need them to move out." I feel truly blessed to be mother and like it more than I ever thought I would!

We went hiking yesterday and we had a blast check out the kids just before we headed into the Lava River Cave.