Random Dozen

Saw this on another blog and thought it would be a good way to update the blog since it's been awhile... sorry :)

1. Define a great relationship.
I've actually been thinking a lot about this lately. I see some of my friends getting married and it makes me realize "Wow... I'm actually old enough to be married..." And it makes me examine the relationships around me and figure out what I want in a relationship... which is how I will answer this question (prepare yourself, I feel this may be a long one). I've learned from past experience that I deserve to be treated well, like a princess, and nothing less. That may sound obnoxious, but here's how I look at it... I am a daughter of God, a king... does that not make me a princess??? I think it would upset my Heavenly Father to see me not treated like one. I don't need much, but the small and simple things win me over. I've learned that I want someone with a resilient attitude... someone that when unfortunate things happen, they figure it out and move on, it doesn't keep them down. I want someone who lets and wants me to be myself... even when I'm having a bad day and being horribly stubborn. I want someone that doesn't see my health problems as just that, a "problem". Because not to brag, but I think I handle them very well and they've made me who I am. I want someone who thinks I'm funny. Someone who thinks I'm pretty when I disagree. Someone who makes me want to be better. Someone who respects me. Someone who doesn't mind my insane ideas and ridiculous imagination. Someone who doesn't mind doing chores. Someone who loves to cook. Someone who wants to be a father. Someone who loves their family. Someone who shares my beliefs and wants to be married in the temple for time and all eternity. And someone who loves our Heavenly Father and has a great relationship with Him.

2. What was the last food/drink you purchased at a drive-through?
After a bout with food poisoning from Taco Bell a while ago, I don't do fast food. I will say that the 2 times I have craved it since then... I ate it... and quickly regretted it. Did you know that fast food restaurants bleach their chicken to make it "white meat"? And usually most of the ingredients in fast food are not natural... tell me, when's the last time you went out to your garden and watered your Sodium Phosphate?

3. What is your favorite breed of dog?
I don't really have a favorite. I just like little dogs that don't shed.

4. If you had to move to a state besides the one you currently live in, where would you move?
This is a hard one because I know I will always end up where my family is because I don't like to be separated from them (extended family included). But I love cold winters and warm summers. So, I don't know!

5. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?
That's a hard one. I don't really know... I'd have to think about it and I'm too tired to think.

6. Who's the funniest person you know?
My friend Megan is pretty funny and when you get the 2 of us together... don't be surprised when your abs ache from laughing so hard :) BUT I think my nephew Jake takes the trophy here! He's hilarious!

7. Did you get enough sleep last night?
Nope. But I'm young, I can handle it........ right?

8. What's the first thing you thought about this morning?
Probably that I was hungry because I didn't eat dinner the night before.

9. Grilled or Fried? --HONESTLY
Definitely grilled. It's healthier and I think it's tastier.

10. Are you afraid of the dark?
Horrified... seriously.

11.When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
It changed fairly often. I can remember wanting to be a teacher, doctor, gymnast, animal trainer, make-up factory worker (don't ask, because I honestly don't know), and I always seemed to be inventing things.

12. If you had one word to describe yourself , what would you choose?
Dreamer.


Those are my thoughts for the day...
Love,
~Jordan

Catching up! And a little testifying, too!

(Photos are from our day today at the Dallas Arboretum - amazing! Look for a surprise video at the end!!!)

I publicly stated that I would start trying to do a better job at updating my blog, so here is another feeble effort towards that goal! I actually really love to write, so I am not sure why I don't do more of it via this blog.

Life has been crazy at our home here on Birch Street. This last year and the beginning of this year have been a little crazy, but all and all, we are doing just fine, thank you! We have had a little bit of everything, and we are still standing - I am so proud of us!

By far the hardest thing we have done, beyond job changes and issues, life, and health stuff, is having to let my Mom go. It is getting better each day, but it is still so hard. I still find myself wanting to go over and visit her, or pick up the phone and tell her something. I think it's because I still feel her presence. I feel and know that she is so close. Af first, I couldn't feel that closeness. I think my grief was just so profound I was unable to feel anything but that. But now, it's so different. I KNOW she is there. And it may seem funny to some, but I get the feeling that even though she has moved on and is in a different place, she is still that same person with the same personality and all! I don't think we do that much changing once we get to the other side - at least as far as our personality goes. Of course, a lot changes, and we do grow and progress and learn, but we are who we are, and we will be forever!!! I find a lot of peace in that!

I would be remiss if I didn't testify that the Holy Ghost - in the form of Comforter, has been ever present - especially in those first couple of weeks. I can't deny it and I would never try. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and it is real. Isn't that wonderful! What a great thing that is to know that. It is because of that comfort and my testimony that has gotten me through losing my mom, and all of the other trials and challenges that we have had. I have managed to hardly fall apart at all (!) and it's all because I know that the Lord has a plan for us! He knows us by name, knows our desires and our needs, and stands ready to bless us when the timing is right.

So, on a positive note, here are a few things that have been on my mind lately!

- Trying to reconnect with friends that I ignored due to taking care of my mom. I just didn't have a lot of time to socialize!
- Trying to spend as much time as I can with Jake before they make their big move to Utah.
- Spending quite a bit of time handling the administrative/financial part of my mom's estate. Ugh. Enough said about that!
- Trying to not let anxiety rule my life!
- Catching up on my sleep - I can't get enough of this lately!
- Going to the temple! I even volunteered in the cafeteria last Friday - and I had a blast! It's so cool back there!!!
- And last but not least, and oh so important! Taking time to stop and smell the roses, or at least the flowers!

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Funny Jake-ism's

As always, Jake is constantly keeping us in stitches! So here are a few of his latest Jake-ism's...

Nana: "Jake what's your favorite thing in the whole world?"
Jake: "Planets, Stars, and Yard Birds (yard birds are chickens, just so you know)"
Um... Great Jake... ?

At church, there was a girl behind them making a little too much noise for Jake's liking. So he turned around...
Jake: "Hush, girl!"
Amber: "Jake! Don't tell her to be quiet. Let her Momma do it."
Jake again: "Be quiet!"
Amber: "Jake that's rude stop it!"
Jake frustrated: "DONK IT GIRL!"
Amber: "Jake!!"
Jake: "I didn't say be quiet I said Donk It."
Well... when you all figure out what "donk it" means... let us know.

Mom and Amber were being silly after a long night of shopping and Jake was annoyed...
Jake: "Momma, Nana, shut..."
Amber: "Excuse me!? What were you going to say?"
Jake: "Uhh... I was just gonna say... Shut Down."
You know... the opposite of shut up... great :)

The other day he decided to take out EVERY single piece of our Life Game and Candy Land and then came up to me, said, "T, you should pick this up for me." and went to watch a TV show... Gee... thanks!

Jake asked last Sunday what we did last night and my Mom said that Pop Pop took her on a date and Jake said, "Oh! Good Job Pop Pop!"

Fort Worth Water Gardens - My Happy Place!!!

Everyone should have a place where they can go and just totally relax. Here is mine! I love it here! Especially in the summer. You can't get into the water, but you can surely put your feet in it and melt the stress away! Today I had a picnic there with Brent, Amber and my little Sugar Bunny (sorry Jake, I know that someday I won't be able to call you this anymore, but for now....!). What is it about the sound of flowing water? Is it just me or does it de-stress everyone else too!!! These pics. were taken a couple of years ago when Jordan was with us. See what it does to you!!!!!

Grammy's Memorial Service

Grammy's Memorial Service will be this Saturday, February 20th at 2pm. It will be held at our church (3882 Quail Run, Flower Mound, Texas, 75028) in the Relief Society room. All are invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served after.

Rest In Peace Grammy

I'm sure that my Mom will post something later, but last night (February 13th, 2010) at about 5:40 my Grammy passed away. She was doing well so it was pretty unexpected. She was on some medication that can make you drowsy so we thought she was just tired. I was alone with her as my parents were out to Valentine's dinner. It was very peaceful, quick, and no struggle or pain that I could tell. We are sad, but are comforted by all the out pouring of love and prayers. Thanks so much to everyone who has helped in the last day and throughout her life. She chose to donate her body to science and we are comforted in knowing that she has provided a vital source of information to medical students.

~Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away~

I have a family here on earth.
They are so good to me.
I want to share my life with them through all eternity.
Families can be together forever, through Heavenly Father's plan.
I always want to be with my own family and the Lord has shown me how I can...
The Lord has shown me how I can!

We love you Grammy Groo and will never forget you!

More Snow Pics!

This is Jordan now just so you know :)
So I believe at final count we got about a foot of snow in about 20 hours! We just kept saying how it looked like movie scene! It was gorgeous! It didn't even feel to cold! My heaven will have snow, but of course only the not cold doesn't make you wet kind :) We've been passing around a yucky respiratory infection. I have it right now, but despite that it was a fun night. When Amber, Kevin, and Jake came over they brought snow cones! Not from outside, but from the snow cone shop. Why you ask? Because they punch your 'free snow cone card' quadruple the amount because it's snowing... so you can get a free snow cone after buying just 2 rather than 9! Good deal huh?! I made homemade wontons or as we call them "long johns" because that's what I called them when I was little. They were really yummy! We played outside and as you can see from my Mom's posts, we built a huge snowman! 10 foot 3 inches to be exact! Then we came inside and played wii and watched Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. Then they left because Jakey wasn't feeling good.
Sorry my posts aren't as fun and witty as they could be! I do it mostly for the sake of journaling :)
But here are some of the pics of the crazy snow from my camera: