28 Things

In celebration of my 28th birthday, I decided that I'm going to divulge 28 little known facts about myself.

1. I crashed a three wheeler when I was three and landed on a barbed wire fence causing me to need a ton (I don't know the exact count) of stitches under my left arm. I still have a nice scar from this

2. I broke my left elbow when I was 7 yrs. old. I was playing on top of our pool table and rolled off. (Don't ask what I was doing playing on top of the pool table, because I really couldn't tell you).

3. I was on the high honor roll all through school, and had almost perfect attendance (my senior year wasn't so great on the attendance).

4. I was editor of my middle school and high school newspapers and considered majoring in communications in college.

5. I played volleyball for 4 yrs and basketball for 1 in high school.

6. I was in the Miss Cinderella pageant (where I won Miss Photogenic) and the Miss Hurricane pageant twice.

7. I learned to play the piano when I was younger and then took up the clarinet in 6th grade. I was even chosen to play in the honor band when I was in 9th grade.

8. I went to college at BYU-Hawaii where I graduated with a major in Biology and a minor in Biochemistry. I finished my degree in 3 1/2 yrs.

9. I went to Tulane University for graduate school where I earned Masters' Degrees (2) in Human Genetics and Neuroscience.

10. Some day I plan on going on and getting my Ph.D and studying the genetics of psychiatric disorders (This is what I did for work while at Tulane).

11. I was a life guard/ swim instructor at the Hurricane City Pool for 5 yrs, and was Head Life guard for 3 of those years.

12. I love to dance, and took dance lessons from the time I could walk until I was in 8th grade.

13. I lived in the same house my entire life, until I graduated high school and left for college. My parents built that house when my sister and I were little and they live there still.

14. I tore the ligaments in my right ankle playing volleyball in high school, and if the damage wasn't as bad as it was, I could have played for BYU-Hawaii's team.

15. I love to read, and have read every book in my house, and every book in my mom's house. I was ready actual books by age 5.

16. Hurricane Elementary (where I went to school) offered to let me skip 2nd and then 3rd grade, but my parents declined because they knew it would be hard for me to make new friends since I was so shy.

17. I was so shy when I was younger that I would rapidly blink my eyes when I got nervous, and I didn't like talking to my own grandparents because I would get nervous.

18. I have two sisters (one older and one younger) and one younger brother. All of whom still live in Hurricane.

19. I've lived in Hurricane, Utah; Laie, Hawaii; New Orleans, Louisiana, and now Humble, Texas, but I've visited places across the country I've been coast to coast, and almost border to border (the closest I've been to Canada is the Cleveland airport, other than that it would be Spokane, WA)

20. I spent a week in Ireland with some girl friends before I moved to New Orleans.

21. I became PADI (scuba diving) certified in high school, and originally went to Hawaii with intentions on becoming a marine biologist (I wanted to study sharks)

22. I'm 5'11" tall, and while I was growing, my spine grew faster than my muscles could compensate for and I now have slight scoliosis. (I only notice it when I try to use my back too much and then it becomes painful)

23. I never like to run growing up, but while in college I got into the habit of running at least 6 miles a day (sometimes I'd run about 3 in the morning and then another 6 in the afternoon). I keep wanting to get back into that habit, but can't seem to make the time these days.

24. I enjoy quilting. I have made several "rag" quilts and made a "Grandmother's Fan" quilt for my mom a few yrs ago.

25. I'm a neat freak. I believe that everything has a place and every place has a purpose. Having a very active, very messy little girl has been one of my greatest challenges in life.

26. I love to cook and am always looking for new recipes to try. I never make the same recipe twice in one month, and actually, there are only a handful of recipes that I've made more than once since we've been married. (and not because the other's weren't good, it's because we're always trying new things.)

27. I've had a variety of jobs in my life. I was a lifeguard/ swim instructor, I worked in the cafeteria and the science supply room in Hawaii, I was a traffic control supervisor (I set up the road signs on a construction site), I did research on the genetics of psychiatric disorders, I worked at a sporting goods store and a GNC.

28. I have a strong love and testimony of my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Even though I grew up in the church (and in Utah), I did't gain my own testimony until I was in college. One semester I was having a hard time, and felt very alone. It was at that point in my life that I learned that I could always turn to my Heavenly Father and that He would always be there for me. I learned that I have an Elder Brother, Jesus Christ, who loves me and came down to this earth to atone for my sins. I learned that if I kept Them close to me at all times I'd be okay and that I could make it through anything that this life throws my way. I still struggle, I struggle frequently, but I can never deny the feelings I had that day while praying, pleading for someone to be near me, and to comfort me. Those feelings of comfort and love still burn strong in my heart today. I hope and pray that I may be able to pass this love on to my children that thay to may come to know their Heavenly Father, and that they may turn to Him during their times of need.

It's Party Time!!!

On Saturday, we had Jordyn's FIRST birthday party! It was small, but we had fun. Grandma and Grandpa Wilson were there along with Joel, Christina, little Joel, and Isaiah (the family across the street). We put up the canopy, set up chairs and tables, Erik pulled out his grill, and we filled up Jordyn's swimming pool. The weather was nice, and things couldn't have been better (well, fewer love bugs would have been nice). While to food was cooking Jordyn went swimming, and then she played in the sprinkler. Once the food was done, she sat down and enjoyed a hot dog (the rest of us had hamburgers and sausage) and then she sat back and relaxed with her bowl of Cheetos. After we ate, we went inside to open presents (and take a break from the heat). Jordyn had a ton of gifts, but she was more interested in playing than in opening her presents. After a LOT of coaxing from Erik, she started to pull the tissue from the gift bags, one piece at a time. Once she saw the gift, she'd stare at it while it was in the bag, and then she'd stop and play with it before moving on to the next present. Once we got to the wrapped boxes, she was no help at all, so I sat her on my lap and unwrapped them with her. She ended up with a doll cradle (made by Erik's step-dad), a doll buggy (thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Stratton), a Fisher-Price vacuum AND lawn mower, Little People's Noah's ark, lots of clothes, a sand box (from Erik and I), and a pearl necklace from her Great Grandma Quefflec (Erik's grandma, the necklace was put in her hope chest until she's old enough to take care of it). Taking advice from my friend, Charity, don't be surprised if you see some of these gifts under the Christmas tree. After presents it was outside for the cake. I decided that since Jordyn would most likely just tear apart the cake, I wasn't going to go out and buy her a fancy one, so I just made the cake for her. I thought it turned out cute, and that it was the perfect cake for her first birthday. There was a slight breeze outside so Erik couldn't get the candle to light, so it was back inside for cake. Erik got the candle lit and put it in front of Jordyn who decided to put out the flame by grabbing it, smart child, I know. Then, in perfect 1st birthday form, Jordyn leaned over and took a bite of cake. After trying to eat the cake with no hands, she decided to dig in, and dig in she did. Once the cake was good and squished, she politely waved for the camera, and then she leaned back and surveyed the damage. And so the day ended with Jordyn being, tired, happy and full of sugar. We had a great time and hope that the pictures will help Jordyn to remember her first birthday and all the people who helped her to celebrate this special day.

Jordyn's Party

To All Our Friends In New Orleans

With the possibility of evacuation in the next few days, we wanted to extend an open invitation to all those planning to leave NOLA. If anyone is planning to drive to Houston (or just doesn't know where to go). Our door is open. We have plenty of space and would love to offer shelter for any and all who may need it.

New Adventures

This past Monday, Jordyn and I embarked on a new adventure. We have get to play with Jordyn's friends Joel and Isaiah at our house for a few hours everyday. Joel (4) and Isaiah (3)started Pre-K at the school in our subdivision, and since both their parents work full time, I was asked if I'd watch them until their dad gets home. They're at our house for 5-5 1/2 hrs Monday -Thursday (Dad has Friday's off). It's been an adjustment for me to go from 1 kid to 3 kids in a few days, but it's been fun. Jordyn loves to play with the boys and they are so kind and gentle with her. Sometimes, she gets tired of them trying to help her. She is Miss IndependentI have seen a huge boost in Jordyn's confidence over the past few days. Before the boys came, she wouldn't leave my sight, and most of the time, I had to be sitting there playing with her. Now, she'll play outside with the boys while I'm inside, and even after they've gone home, she'll wander upstairs to the playroom and play by herself. I'm love having these boys in our home, and I hope that throughout the school year we can all learn from each other and that through their interactions with our family, they can feel their Saviors love and encourage their parents to come unto Him.

In Our Prayers

As stated by the Associated Press, on Friday evening a small plane leaving Moab, UT crashed, killing all 10 aboard (read entire article here). One of those on board was Mandy Johnson from Hurricane, UT (my hometown). Mandy was a good friend of my little sister's and her family was in my ward growing up. I ask that everyone please keep the Johnson family (along with the families of all killed in this crash) in their prayers, I know that we will.

PS. A blog has been set up in remembrance of the victims

Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails...

...that's what my little GIRL is made of. Don't get me wrong, Jordyn can be a girly as they get. She loves playing with her babies, and wearing pretty necklaces, but she's happiest outside playing in the mud. We've had quite a bit of rain this past week so every afternoon, if the rain has eased up a bit, Jordyn and I will go outside to enjoy some fresh air. These outings usually end with muddy clothes and a soggy diaper. Jordyn inevitably heads to the run-off water in the gutter where she walks up and down the street and looks for rocks (which she takes back to the porch for safe keeping). She usually ends up sitting in the water and starts splashing around. Yesterday while playing outside, we found a baby frog. We made a home for it inside a glass jar. Jordyn sat on the porch and just looked at the frog for the rest of the afternoon. She was so excited to show her Daddy her new pet. They took the frog out of it's home and held it before returning it to the yard. The glass jar is still sitting on the front porch with mud and grass in it and every time we go outside Jordyn looks inside to see if the frog is there. Isn't it the best to be able to watch your children as they learn and discover new things!