Dear Baby Trey,
One of your future best buddies, Coby Miller entered the world today. I think it's about time you did too...just sayin' :).
Love,
Your hugely prego Momma :)
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Get off the Bus!
Every year I read my class a book called, "Piper Reed: Navy Brat". The little girl in the story has a dad who is in the Navy and they have to move around a lot. Piper's goal is to spread the phrase "Get off the Bus" to all 50 states. It's her fancy way of saying, "No Way!" When I read it to my class I have them count how many times she says it in the book. They get a kick out of it :).
I'm not really sure why I like this book so much- maybe because my dad has been in the Army my whole life...guess I feel some sort of connection to Piper :).
I've been thinking a lot about the military lately. Probably because we just said goodbye to my dad and brother, who are both being deployed to Iraq for a year.
My dad and brother
This isn't the first time they've been over that way. The last time my dad was there I was a Senior in High School. It's been almost 10 years- now it's my little sister who is the Senior in High School. My little brother served in Iraq around 4 years ago...before he was married and had 2 little kids.
Jared and his sweet wife Amanda and darling kids Brodie and Brooke
I love this pic! Jared and Brodie :)
The week before they left our entire family got together for a BBQ. We talked, reminisced and laughed until we cried, remembering the crazy adventures we've had as a family...like the time we were cutting down our Christmas tree and our van almost got swept away in an icy river...or the time we went canoeing and almost went careening down a raging river of death :). Good times!
It was a bittersweet weekend. I loved that we were were all there together, but hated that we were there to say goodbye. I don't think any of us wanted to see the night end. I am grateful for my wonderful family! Thanks for serving Dad and Jared! I love you both!
I'm not really sure why I like this book so much- maybe because my dad has been in the Army my whole life...guess I feel some sort of connection to Piper :).
I've been thinking a lot about the military lately. Probably because we just said goodbye to my dad and brother, who are both being deployed to Iraq for a year.
My dad and brother
This isn't the first time they've been over that way. The last time my dad was there I was a Senior in High School. It's been almost 10 years- now it's my little sister who is the Senior in High School. My little brother served in Iraq around 4 years ago...before he was married and had 2 little kids.
Jared and his sweet wife Amanda and darling kids Brodie and Brooke
I love this pic! Jared and Brodie :)
The week before they left our entire family got together for a BBQ. We talked, reminisced and laughed until we cried, remembering the crazy adventures we've had as a family...like the time we were cutting down our Christmas tree and our van almost got swept away in an icy river...or the time we went canoeing and almost went careening down a raging river of death :). Good times!
It was a bittersweet weekend. I loved that we were were all there together, but hated that we were there to say goodbye. I don't think any of us wanted to see the night end. I am grateful for my wonderful family! Thanks for serving Dad and Jared! I love you both!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Love Story
**Warning: Ridiculously long post!**
This month Dale and I will celebrate our 3rd Anniversary! 3 years of eternal bliss and happiness.....okay, so this may be a SLIGHT exaggeration, we all know there's bound to be bumps along the way, but I wouldn't trade it for the world!
We've talked a little about our anniversary this month, but haven't planned much since it's pretty close to my due date. But, I've dug up a bunch of pictures from when we were dating, and apparently now is the perfect time to compile them...
So, without further adieu, here's a blast from our past...our "Love Story" :)
The Summer of '07...this was one of my all-time favorite summers. But I guess I should start from the beginning. In December of '06 I started feeing antsy about where I was at. I was living with my sweet grandparents in Murray while teaching out in Herriman, but it didn't feel right anymore. I knew it was time to move. So, I started going to a Singles Ward out in Herriman, found some roomates, and moved to Riverton at the beginning of February.
Little did I know that Dale was feeling the exact same way at the exact same time. Dale was living on the other side of Murray, and also decided it was time to move. So he packed his bags and moved home to his parents house in Riverton.
Fun Fact: We moved on the EXACT SAME DAY! :)
I loved living with my new roomies...we had lots of fun together. And, it was through them that Dale and I first met. My roommates had met Dale at a wedding reception, and were convinced that he and I needed to date. So we schemed and decided to invite our friend Brett over to teach country swing dancing lessons for FHE. Dale and Brett "just happened" to be good friends, and they both were good dancers :). So Dale came to help. The plan worked :). We met and Dale stayed and talked for a while. A bunch of us went to Dale's house a few nights later and roasted marshmallows and played games, but nothing really came of it.
A couple of weeks later a group of us went dancing at Studio 600. Dale was there too, and he flirted with me all night...but then he asked all of my friends to dance, but not ME! At least not until the very end, right before we left. What was with this guy? :) He told me later he did this to "keep me wondering if he was interested". Gotta play the game I guess :). He came with us to a fireside the next night at our Bishop's house, and we talked for quite a while afterwards. He also got my number that night. Sounds promising, right? That's what I thought :).
A couple of weeks after THAT, I hadn't heard from him at all. Then he randomly called one night while I was at the dunes with my friends. I didn't have any service, and I got his message the next day on our way back to town. He wanted me to go get ice cream with him and some friends. I remember feeling a little disappointed I didn't get to talk to him, but I was glad he called!
Getting ready to ride the 4-wheelers!
2 of my roomies...Jessi and Ellie
More 4-wheeler fun!
A couple of MORE weeks went by without hearing anything from him. I was dating on and off, and didn't really expect to hear from him again. Then Dale came to our ward and did a musical fireside. As it turned out he had moved down to Provo during the past few weeks. He also brought 3 or 4 girls with him that night to his fireside. I decided right then that I was done being interested :). That resolution lasted until the end of the night when the girls left and Dale stayed behind and talked with me for hours. I invited him to our FHE the next night, and he came, and we talked for hours afterwards again. Things seemed to be SLOWLY progressing.
In the next couple of weeks Dale came to a Stake BBQ with me. He made a little wager with me that whoever lost the game of "PIG" we played together had to make the other cookies. Amazingly enough, Dale lost :). He brought me cookies later that week and he stayed pretty late just talking and goofing off.
The next weekend we went to the Manti Pagaent together. I had fun with him, but wasn't really sure if he was really that interested. I decided I wasn't going to invite him to anything else, and just see what happened.
Being goofs at the Manti Pageant :)
Apparently he was more interested than I thought, because he called the following Monday and asked me out on our first official "date". Good thing he called early too, because 2 other guys asked me out the same day...I like to tease Dale about it :).
Our first date was somewhat of a marathon date. He picked me up at 2:30, and the adventures began! Our date consisted of:
- tandem bike riding
- skipping rocks
- eating a picnic lunch/blowing bubbles/making chin videos (a very Dale thing to do :)
- going to a rodeo
- eating ice cream at Sub Zero
First date...after the bike ride
He drove me home around 11:30 that night. It was the longest date of my life...but not in a bad way :). To complete the evening, Dale DTR'd with me on the way home. He pretty much just laid everything out...he was interested...he was pretty sure I was, and let's see where things go.
So there you have it...it took us awhile to get there, but we finally did! Things were still a little touch and go at times. Dale still wasn't completely 100% "IN" until after the 4th of July. We had done an all night hike up MT. Timp. the night before the 4th and I was super quiet on the way down (I was super TIRED on the way down!) and Dale wasn't convinced I was the girl for him.
Roomates!
Didn't quite know what I was getting myself into!
But luckily the next night we pulled ANOTHER all-nighter with his ward at the BYU parade and things turned around. Apparently I had a little more to say :). This is where everything changed for Dale. He was "IN".
The 4th of July! Sparks flew :)
That summer was the best. My roommates were all dating too, and we did a TON! Here's the pics from our incredible summer :).
Going to see the play, Mama Mia for Lesser's B-day!
At Lagoon for my Birthday :)
My birthday...the big 23!
Dale's KILLER fish
Ward Campout
The Zoo
The Zoo Crew
Gone Fishin'!
Dale's Birthday...the BIG 25!
Utah State Fair
The Fort Date!
The 24th of July...our first kiss :)
Prank War! The sticky-noted car...
This is the Place Park
Hanging out...usually playing Guitar Hero!
And, while I'm at it, I might as well post the pics from the rest of our dating :). We dated for a year- and were married almost exactly 1 year later from our first date.
Halloween
Valentine's Day...gotta love the full body PJ's! I was nervous to give them to him, but they were a huge hit! He still wears them sometimes :)
Bowling
Road Trip to Cove Fort
St. George Trip!
Milking cows at Thanksgiving Point
Watching "Wicked" in California
California Trip...
The Beach!
Disneyland
This month Dale and I will celebrate our 3rd Anniversary! 3 years of eternal bliss and happiness.....okay, so this may be a SLIGHT exaggeration, we all know there's bound to be bumps along the way, but I wouldn't trade it for the world!
We've talked a little about our anniversary this month, but haven't planned much since it's pretty close to my due date. But, I've dug up a bunch of pictures from when we were dating, and apparently now is the perfect time to compile them...
So, without further adieu, here's a blast from our past...our "Love Story" :)
The Summer of '07...this was one of my all-time favorite summers. But I guess I should start from the beginning. In December of '06 I started feeing antsy about where I was at. I was living with my sweet grandparents in Murray while teaching out in Herriman, but it didn't feel right anymore. I knew it was time to move. So, I started going to a Singles Ward out in Herriman, found some roomates, and moved to Riverton at the beginning of February.
Little did I know that Dale was feeling the exact same way at the exact same time. Dale was living on the other side of Murray, and also decided it was time to move. So he packed his bags and moved home to his parents house in Riverton.
Fun Fact: We moved on the EXACT SAME DAY! :)
I loved living with my new roomies...we had lots of fun together. And, it was through them that Dale and I first met. My roommates had met Dale at a wedding reception, and were convinced that he and I needed to date. So we schemed and decided to invite our friend Brett over to teach country swing dancing lessons for FHE. Dale and Brett "just happened" to be good friends, and they both were good dancers :). So Dale came to help. The plan worked :). We met and Dale stayed and talked for a while. A bunch of us went to Dale's house a few nights later and roasted marshmallows and played games, but nothing really came of it.
A couple of weeks later a group of us went dancing at Studio 600. Dale was there too, and he flirted with me all night...but then he asked all of my friends to dance, but not ME! At least not until the very end, right before we left. What was with this guy? :) He told me later he did this to "keep me wondering if he was interested". Gotta play the game I guess :). He came with us to a fireside the next night at our Bishop's house, and we talked for quite a while afterwards. He also got my number that night. Sounds promising, right? That's what I thought :).
A couple of weeks after THAT, I hadn't heard from him at all. Then he randomly called one night while I was at the dunes with my friends. I didn't have any service, and I got his message the next day on our way back to town. He wanted me to go get ice cream with him and some friends. I remember feeling a little disappointed I didn't get to talk to him, but I was glad he called!
Getting ready to ride the 4-wheelers!
2 of my roomies...Jessi and Ellie
More 4-wheeler fun!
A couple of MORE weeks went by without hearing anything from him. I was dating on and off, and didn't really expect to hear from him again. Then Dale came to our ward and did a musical fireside. As it turned out he had moved down to Provo during the past few weeks. He also brought 3 or 4 girls with him that night to his fireside. I decided right then that I was done being interested :). That resolution lasted until the end of the night when the girls left and Dale stayed behind and talked with me for hours. I invited him to our FHE the next night, and he came, and we talked for hours afterwards again. Things seemed to be SLOWLY progressing.
In the next couple of weeks Dale came to a Stake BBQ with me. He made a little wager with me that whoever lost the game of "PIG" we played together had to make the other cookies. Amazingly enough, Dale lost :). He brought me cookies later that week and he stayed pretty late just talking and goofing off.
The next weekend we went to the Manti Pagaent together. I had fun with him, but wasn't really sure if he was really that interested. I decided I wasn't going to invite him to anything else, and just see what happened.
Being goofs at the Manti Pageant :)
Apparently he was more interested than I thought, because he called the following Monday and asked me out on our first official "date". Good thing he called early too, because 2 other guys asked me out the same day...I like to tease Dale about it :).
Our first date was somewhat of a marathon date. He picked me up at 2:30, and the adventures began! Our date consisted of:
- tandem bike riding
- skipping rocks
- eating a picnic lunch/blowing bubbles/making chin videos (a very Dale thing to do :)
- going to a rodeo
- eating ice cream at Sub Zero
First date...after the bike ride
He drove me home around 11:30 that night. It was the longest date of my life...but not in a bad way :). To complete the evening, Dale DTR'd with me on the way home. He pretty much just laid everything out...he was interested...he was pretty sure I was, and let's see where things go.
So there you have it...it took us awhile to get there, but we finally did! Things were still a little touch and go at times. Dale still wasn't completely 100% "IN" until after the 4th of July. We had done an all night hike up MT. Timp. the night before the 4th and I was super quiet on the way down (I was super TIRED on the way down!) and Dale wasn't convinced I was the girl for him.
Roomates!
Didn't quite know what I was getting myself into!
But luckily the next night we pulled ANOTHER all-nighter with his ward at the BYU parade and things turned around. Apparently I had a little more to say :). This is where everything changed for Dale. He was "IN".
The 4th of July! Sparks flew :)
That summer was the best. My roommates were all dating too, and we did a TON! Here's the pics from our incredible summer :).
Going to see the play, Mama Mia for Lesser's B-day!
At Lagoon for my Birthday :)
My birthday...the big 23!
Dale's KILLER fish
Ward Campout
The Zoo
The Zoo Crew
Gone Fishin'!
Dale's Birthday...the BIG 25!
Utah State Fair
The Fort Date!
The 24th of July...our first kiss :)
Prank War! The sticky-noted car...
This is the Place Park
Hanging out...usually playing Guitar Hero!
And, while I'm at it, I might as well post the pics from the rest of our dating :). We dated for a year- and were married almost exactly 1 year later from our first date.
Halloween
Valentine's Day...gotta love the full body PJ's! I was nervous to give them to him, but they were a huge hit! He still wears them sometimes :)
Bowling
Road Trip to Cove Fort
St. George Trip!
Milking cows at Thanksgiving Point
Watching "Wicked" in California
California Trip...
The Beach!
Disneyland
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Kids say the darndest things!
Last Friday some of the parents of kids in my class threw me a classroom baby shower. They did cute fun activities with my kids, and made me a darling book about what my 2nd graders say Dale and I should do to take care of our baby. I thought I'd share a few of my favorite responses...
Trey will weigh...
- 3 pounds
- 58 oz.
- 2 pounds
- 10 pounds (I hope not!)
- 00.0 (Not quite sure what this meant!)
- 5.3 oz.
- 1 pound
If Trey cries, Mrs. Jessee should...
- Put his binkie in, if he spits it out feed him with milk
- Help him
- Sing
- Pat Trey on the back
Trey's first word will be...
- Mom
- Jennifer
- Jessee
- Trey
- Bee
- Baaaa (Not sure what this meant :)
- NO
How can Mrs. Jessee get Trey to go to sleep?
- Let him stare at a mirror
- Hug him
How can Mr. Jessee help with the baby?
- Do the same thing as Mrs. Jessee
- Buy food
- Help Mrs. Jessee
- Get it dressed
- By watching him
What songs should Mrs. Jessee sing to Trey?
- Hawks of Herriman (Our school song :)
- Beach Boys Songs
A good mommy ALWAYS...
- Be's nice
- Pats his back
- Feeds her kid sugar
- Loves him
- Changes the diaper
- Makes them food
- Helps the kid
A good mommy NEVER...
- Be's bad
- Pokes the baby
- Yells at a kid
- Takes bad care of her baby
- Ignores her baby
- Lets him go somewhere with a stranger or alone
- Drops him
- Throws it
- Eats the baby food
Trey will weigh...
- 3 pounds
- 58 oz.
- 2 pounds
- 10 pounds (I hope not!)
- 00.0 (Not quite sure what this meant!)
- 5.3 oz.
- 1 pound
If Trey cries, Mrs. Jessee should...
- Put his binkie in, if he spits it out feed him with milk
- Help him
- Sing
- Pat Trey on the back
Trey's first word will be...
- Mom
- Jennifer
- Jessee
- Trey
- Bee
- Baaaa (Not sure what this meant :)
- NO
How can Mrs. Jessee get Trey to go to sleep?
- Let him stare at a mirror
- Hug him
How can Mr. Jessee help with the baby?
- Do the same thing as Mrs. Jessee
- Buy food
- Help Mrs. Jessee
- Get it dressed
- By watching him
What songs should Mrs. Jessee sing to Trey?
- Hawks of Herriman (Our school song :)
- Beach Boys Songs
A good mommy ALWAYS...
- Be's nice
- Pats his back
- Feeds her kid sugar
- Loves him
- Changes the diaper
- Makes them food
- Helps the kid
A good mommy NEVER...
- Be's bad
- Pokes the baby
- Yells at a kid
- Takes bad care of her baby
- Ignores her baby
- Lets him go somewhere with a stranger or alone
- Drops him
- Throws it
- Eats the baby food
Tomato-Watermelon Salad Goodness
Dale and I are in love with this recipe. When we were first married I was watching the Rachael Ray show while I was off-track, and she made this delicious dinner. Of course I had to make it! It was then our tomato-watermelon salad fetish began to blossom :). The funny thing about it is that no one else seems to like it! We've taken it to several BBQ's, dinners, and had people over to share it with us, but we've only gotten a mediocre response at best. I realize it's kind of an odd combo- tomatoes, onion, and watermelon? But it is truly delicious! I dare you to try it!
Rachael Ray's Tomato-Watermelon Salad
Salt and pepper
1/2 small, seedless watermelon
Heirloom tomatoes, 3 medium or 2 pints small
1 small red onion
1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley tops, a couple of handfuls, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup mint leaves, finely chopped
1/4 cup EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1. Cut the watermelon into 1/4-inch-thick slices then in large bite-size pieces. Gently slice the tomatoes in a similar shape. If you are using smaller tomatoes, halve or quarter them.
2. Peel the onion and quarter it lengthwise. Thinly slice the onion and combine with the watermelon, tomatoes, parsley and mint. Dress the salad with lots of salt and pepper and about 1/4 cup EVOO.
3. ENJOY!!!
Rachael Ray's Tomato-Watermelon Salad
Salt and pepper
1/2 small, seedless watermelon
Heirloom tomatoes, 3 medium or 2 pints small
1 small red onion
1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley tops, a couple of handfuls, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup mint leaves, finely chopped
1/4 cup EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1. Cut the watermelon into 1/4-inch-thick slices then in large bite-size pieces. Gently slice the tomatoes in a similar shape. If you are using smaller tomatoes, halve or quarter them.
2. Peel the onion and quarter it lengthwise. Thinly slice the onion and combine with the watermelon, tomatoes, parsley and mint. Dress the salad with lots of salt and pepper and about 1/4 cup EVOO.
3. ENJOY!!!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Fish Drama
So a couple of weeks ago we started "Mini Society" at school. My class comes up with their own community...they have their own money, flag, and each student has to create their own business. There are 2 days when they bring their businesses to school and get to sell things to their classmates. Today was our 2nd business day. One of my kids set up a bean bag toss for his business. If you threw 2 beanbags in a bucket you won...a fish! Yes, a live goldfish. Last week the fish were gone within the first 10 minutes of Mini Society. Apparently this was a smart business! This week kids lined up again to try their hand at winning a fish. Well, once all of the fish were won, one of my kids discovered his fish had died. So he did what any business minded 2nd grader would do...he sold it to someone else :). Yes, the student who purchased the fish did realize it was dead. Why did he want a dead fish? He wanted to show his mom. Lucky mom! So at the end of the day my kids all left my room, dead fish and all. I was relieved to see them go. LONG DAY! They'd barely been gone a minute when half my class shows back up telling me that the kid who bought the dead fish had tripped and his fish bag smashed all over the floor. Of course he couldn't have made it another 10 feet to the playground. So I walk out of my classroom and around 50 2nd graders are all gathered in the middle of the hallway staring at this dead fish lying in a puddle on the carpet. Nice. Guess who got to pick up the fish? I never thought that as a teacher I'd have to deal with dead fish...or any fish for that matter :). Guess it was my lucky day! Needless to say, I'm SO glad tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Mr. Mom
I've always loved that song by Lonestar about the Dad who loses his job and becomes "Mr. Mom." I've gotta admit that even though we don't have kids YET, my sweetheart hubby has really stepped up and taken over on our household duties. I sometimes can't believe I've been blessed with such a helpful and incredible husband! He takes care of all of the laundry, does the dishes, helps out a TON with dinner- often times making it and cleaning up afterwards, vacuums, cleans the bathroom, and does just about everything else around our apartment these days. I sure appreciate and love him! I honestly couldn't ask for anything more! :) Baby Trey is sure lucky that he'll get to spend some quality time with his daddy when he really DOES become "Mr. Mom" :). Only 11 more weeks!
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