an easy way to serve

as a mom with young kids, I want to serve but I have found that I can't really do service projects or structured things like that. I do find that I can make dinner for those who need it. a friend in my ward just had surgery, so I made dinner for her. Simple and easy. Yet, I know that when I get a dinner brought to me it is a lifesaver. Takes so much off my mind to not worry about dinner. I hope that this is way I can serve others. I just hope they like my cooking. And I plan on doing it more and more. (unless someone tells me to stop with the terrible recipes!!)

a new calling

I recieved a new calling in church this week. I am a Sunday School teacher. I have to say I am really excited about it. I have never taught sunday school before and I am not really great at teaching but I am happy to feel apart of something and be able to serve. I have struggled with where I fit in at my ward. We have lived here for six years and at times I have felt like I am starting all over. Let me explain. My first calling in this ward came six months after we moved in. That was hard on me. I had just come from a ward where I was the 2nd counselor in the Young Women's and I really didn't want to leave the ward. I loved it! I was trying to figure out a way to stay in that ward. Trust me I tried. Back to my calling. I was called as a primary teacher to seven 9 year old boys. Yep! And I was alone. It was the hardest thing I think I have ever done!! (those boys just left Eric's deacons this last year!) The new year came and I was moved to a new class (nicknamed the dream class) and they were angels. I was also called as an Activity Days leader. I enjoyed all that until I was called to be the primary secretary. I loved this calling. It was great! I think I met more people during that calling then I have in any other calling. It was great. The hardest thing for me was to ask to be released after the birth of Savannah. I just couldn't do it with her. She was very difficult her first few months and I had very little support from Eric. I don't blame Eric, it was our first kid and he was busy too, but I felt very alone at church because he had something to do and I had to take care of Savannah. I was then called to Activity Days. I had this calling for two years. It was great, I loved the girls I worked with. They were so cute! (Two are now in my sunday school class!) After two years, I was feeling forgotten. I know that is terrible but I was. I knew what I was doing was important but I just felt like I could do more. I was then called to the Activities Committee. I loved this. Parties are right up my alley! I loved this calling. Unfortunately, I was joining the committe when I was pregnant and the leader was about to be released. We had two amazing parties. And that was it. A new leader was called. And not a lot was done for the ward parties. Actually only the Pioneer Day breakfast and well that is another story. A year later here I am. I hadn't done anything except cut fruit since Olivia was born. I know it is hard with two small children to give your all but I know that I can. I also know that I need Eric to support me in this calling. I cannot do it with out him! Sorry for the novel but this has been on my mind. I felt like I have so much to give yet I was stuggling for a place to give it. This calling came at the right time. I am really excited to teach for so many reasons. This year is the Book of Mormon and I am so excited to learn and study and teach others about the importance of this book and how it can change your life. I can't wait to get to know the 12 year olds of our ward better. (they might be sick of Jorgensens though since Eric gets the boys the first hour for Deacons.) I think the only way I was able to get through the last few months of not feeling relevant in this ward was the I knew my Heavenly Father loves me and has a plan for me. I just had to keep telling myself this. I also knew that my job was to support my husband as he is serving in the young mens. I feel like I do that. He is away a lot with them, especially in the summer, but I know that he is needed there. So sorry for the long ramble. Many thoughts running through my head right now.

i am thankful for.....

these are a few of the things I am thankful for:
(in no particular order)
my family
my mom and dad
the gospel in my life
eric
savannah
olivia
freedom
my house and it being finished
my health
warm showers (when I get them!)
friends, near and far
the ability to learn and be taught
my camera
bedrock and all its success
sleep (I will be even more thankful when I get a full night!)
my sisters
cell phone plans so i can talk to my sisters ALL the time
so many more things....

new bishop

I don't usually share such personal feelings, but I am trying to get over that.

today was a sad and happy day in our ward, after over 5 years our bishop was released. I really can't remember the last time I was in church for a new bishopric meeting. (We weren't at the last one for Bishop Farr because we were in Hava Supai!) I was even sure what to expect. It is hard to believe that we have been in this ward long enough to be here for an entire Bishop's calling. It was a very spiritual meeting. I think that if you didn't feel the spirit there you must not know what it is. The stake president (who is from our ward, he lives one house away from us.) started the program by asking anyone who has ever had a blessing from the bishop to stand up. I am pretty sure every single adult was standing. There were a few more questions like this. It made you realize how fortunate we were to have such a great bishop and how much he will be missed. On the other hand, the new bishop is going to be great. LIke you could really say someone is going to be a bad bishop. John Swallow was the bishop in a singles ward and was just barely released. We are all excited for the changes and sad to see a great bishop be release! It was really a happy and sad day for our ward.

I have to say that I teared up even before the meeting. One of the counselour's came up and gave me a hug and told me that one of the most touching blessings he had ever given was to me. I was being set apart as the secretary in the primary and in part of the blessing he said that I would be a mother. At that time I was struggling with infertility and I don't think that there was a dry eye in the room after that blessing. I had forgotten this blessing and I am so glad that he told me about it. I have blocked out a lot of emotional things during this time period, so I am really grateful that he shared it with me. It helps me remember that my Heavenly Father knows and loves me.

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Okay this got long. Be ready.

Last night we went and saw Olympus High's production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. My dad bought tickets for all of us. Stewart, who works with my dad, has a very talented family and his daughter was Millie. Savannah and I left Eric and Olivia at home. So it was a great mommy and Savannah time. We even practiced clapping in the car. It was a great time. Savannah was loving it. She was on my lap for most of the time. Towards the end she started dancing in the aisle. I was trying to control it without too much noise. Kids are kids, but well I guess there is more below. Unfortunately Savannah and I left at the intermission. This was for two reasons. One was because it was almost 9 pm and I thought I would need to go and feed olivia. The other has a story.

Two older ladies were sitting behind me. Old Lady 1 was directly behind me. Old Lady 2 was behind the empty seat Savannah should have sat in if she wasn't sitting on my lap. This their converstation at the intermission.

OL 2: Isn't this great. The singing is so good.
OL1: I don't know I can't tell and I can't see.
OL2: Oh the dancing is so great, don't you think?
OL1: I don't know I can't see.
It goes on you get the point, I think you know where this is going.
A minute later, OL1 taps me on the shoulder. She asks me is there is anyway I could control my daughter. She tell me how cute the dancing is and how it is great the she is excited but she really needs to be still. And she really needs her to be completely still. She needs to be able to see the show because she is judging it. Yep judging it. How is it that my luck is so great that the woman judging the show is directly behind me. I was so caught off guard that I decided the we should go home. I wanted to stay but I couldn't handle someone making me that my parenting skills are not good enough to control my 3 year old who was loving the show.
The funny thing is that this is not my first run-in with older people. It happened once before at bajio. An older couple YELLED at me for the kids in our group being loud. It wasn't even Savannah. Is is just me the old people look for or what? Have any of you ever had this happen to you?

General Conference Weekend

As a kid General Conference Weekend meant that we didn't have to go to church and we could play all day. I remember many times where we would set up a whole huge play area on our back patio and play for hours. Since I met Eric, this weekend is so much more.
It starts out with the The Newquist Group breakfast. All go to Little America for a breakfast and a meeting with a political flair. The idea is that this group is looking for like minded individuals and for bringing attention to different social and political issues. Eric's dad is in charge. My attendance has been sporadic since Savannah was born. Kids will do that. We all race home to catch the first session of conference. We used to watch a couple of the sessions at his parents house but with kids we just stay home with our own chaos. For the priesthood session, all the brothers and his dad will go together to their parent's stake. Last night was a special night since Craig surprised us with a visit so all the boys were with their Dad. (Except David who is serving his mission in Michigan!) Then we all have dinner at the parents house. Last night we had chili and pigs in the blanket for the kids! On Sunday we all gather together after the last session and have dinner. Eric's mom will usually say something about how another conference has come and gone. She passes out treats during conference like granola bars or trail mix. It is this weekend that I really miss Katherine. I have so many memories of hanging with her and Vickie and April while the guys are at priesthood. Conference time is really a special time for us. It is all about listen to the leaders of our church and spending quality time with our family. I really love being part of a family that makes conference a priority in their lives. So every six months you know where I will be!

My Getting Ready Theory!

Okay, I have been meaning to post this for a whole week and well I just haven't! I have no excuses at all. I have this theory. It started while I was a student at the U of U. I shared it with friends and they would agree. If you get ready and look cute you will see no one! I mean you may run into people you see all the time but not really anyone you haven't seen for a long time. If you choose not to get ready (wearing sweats, no make up, hair in pony but not really combed) you will run into some one you haven't seen for quite some time! This happened last monday to me. I decided to run to Sonic, I needed it and I hadn't gotten ready that day. I was home with the kids for most of the day and I knew I was going to make jam that night. Nothing really pressing and it is nice to have a day off. I thought who would I see at Sonic except for the blonde boy who will bring me my drink. WRONG! I was ordering and right behind me pulls up a dear friend that I served in the Young Women's with in our first married ward. (She was YW president) I see her here and there. Well, once again, my theory was proven. This has not been the only time this theory has been proven. In fact, I think that it has been proven so many times that I am almost positive that is the reason I try to at least put make up on every day. That way I am faking the getting ready part of my day!

I made jam!

I made jam. I think this is the first time in about 10 years. I used to help my mom and dad make jam all the time. I loved to make raspberry jam. I have never done the whole process on my own. ( I did do strawberry freezer jam once.) But this is real jam! It was Peach Strawberry Jam. I got the recipe from my sister Kris and she had gotten it from her friend Cami. It is yummy! It was a lot of work to peel the peaches and stuff but I enjoyed it. I am quite proud of the fact that I am trying new things everyday. I also wonder if the Utah girl is me is coming out. Canning and what not. I never thought I would be a mom who would be all into this kind of stuff but I do enjoy completing a project and making things that can help us save money and live a better life. Okay maybe that is taking it too far, Jam & Salso won't necessarily save the world, but it will help me save a few pennies later on!

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom & 911

Many have done it. Kami has done it. Liz has done it. Danielle's friend Joslyn wrote about it on her blog. Now I have done it. All of my family (except me) has simillar cell phone numbers beginning with 913. I was calling kris in a crisis over a book, that Lexi and Savannah were fighting over. Lexi brought her book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Savannah thought it was hers and I couldn't find hers. I got the first call right to Kris. Then I went to call Eric. Being frazzled and just trying to get 2 girls ready for preschool, I misdialled. I started to call Kris and wouldn't you know it the second 1 stuck. I called 911. I tried to hang up but it started ringing. I hung up anyway. The operator was nice enough to call back. I explained the situtation and avoided the patrol car visit. I tell you these numbers are painful and embarrassing! The book was found on the kitchen counter and crisis was over! I just wish I hadn't had to involve the authorities!!

Burns & Aloe Vera

Last night we had fish for dinner. Found a great new recipe for baking fish. More on that later. So I put the fish in the oven to start baking. And I was cleaning up a little before actually eating, forgot that I had the burner on the stove on and was wiping up some green onions up that had fallen. You guess it! I wiped my bare hand over the burner that was still hot! (We have the smooth surface stove top!) It hurt so bad! I iced it for about 30 minutes. I was laying down because the pain was just so intense. I am not being whimpy but it really hurt!! I had Eric get the home remedies "Bible" that his mom gave us after we got married. I looked up burns and it said to put aloe vera on it. I tried it . Immediately the pain started to go away. The burn just seemed to be soaking up the aloe. I kept applying for a couple of hours and soon it no longer hurt and could actually move my hand! I never would have thought of this on my own! i just think of aloe for sunburns and not much else! So next time you have a kitchen burn use aloe vera! It also makes me wonder what else is it good for?

No time to blog!

Sorry, I haven't been blogging lately. I know you have all missed me so much! I just have been doing so much around the house. Okay, Ihaven't been cleaning. I know that is what I should be doing. I have done lots and lots of laundry! It seem like Savannah goes through 3 or 4 OUTFITS a day! I have been finishing craft projects and stuff like that. I will update you all on what is going on in our little lives and post pictures of what I have been working on!

Salsa Time!

Every fall since I became a stay at home mom, I have been making salsa. It is a great way for us to start the harvest season out and to eat A LOT of chips! On Friday Evening, I decided to start my salsa. I was going to wait until Mondaybut after gathering all the ingredients from the Farmer's Market on Friday morning, I decided to get a move on it. That and my mom offered to do the canning process on Satuday night if I had my salsa all done. This is the first year that I did most of it (excluding the canning part) at my own house. I usually go and spend the day at my mom's and do it there!! I did the tomatoes and all the peppers,onions, etc all on my own. The only part my mom helped me with (besides the canning) was she cut the onions up so I could put them in the food processor! I feel like I accomplished so much! My mom has been doing salsa for close to 30 years(since the moved to Utah) and she has had help (wanted or not) from my dad! They have perfected the recipe and it gets better every year!!! Thanks mom for teaching me how to do this!

the saddest day of the year...

To me the saddest day of the year is labor day. I know of some people who love fall and can't wait for Halloween and everything that comes with the season. I am not one of those people. I love not wearing socks (even if my feet are dried and cracked). I love the barbeques and the night walks and sitting on our tiny front porch (in our next house we are having a porch we can sit out on!). I love it all. I am not sure if it has to do with my birthday being in the summer or that there isn't a lot of structure to my day. I just love it. I like fall okay. I used to love being on campus at the U in the fall with the crisp days and starting of a new school year, but lately I just mourn summer until it comes again and I can take off my socks and not worry about whether I need a jacket or not. I am just happy that the weather doesn't know that today is labor day and it was still in the 90's! Good bye summer! I can't wait until we meet again!

Ruth Chris Steak House

Last night we went to Ruth Chris Steak House. It was fabulous! We went with the Bedrock Clan. It was a mini party / celebration of recent events! It was great. I had never been before but every has raved about how great the steaks are. they were great. There were 8 of us. We had our own little area with 2 servers and a buser. The service was amazing!! I had the chopped salad, a filet (oscar style! the best!) and the apple tart. Steve had the creme brulee and we all agreed that was the best! It was a great night. I didn't take pictures because well I forgot. It was Dave & Laurel, Alan & April, Steve & Becca and Eric, Olivia & me! Olivia slept for about the first 10 minutes!
Special thanks to Danielle for watching Savannah! It was hard to find a sitter on young women night! I owe you big time!!

making jewelery and potty training

i know, i know, those two things don't really go together. since we are potty training we have been staying home a lot! in the kitchen mainly. savannah is doing better and better. eric wants to go back to work, he thought today was too hard. he even volunteered to go to the store so he didnt have to stay home with savannah. that is desperate for eric! since we spend so much time in the kitchen, i brought out my beads and have been making bracelets and earrings. savannah loves this, she was wearing tons of bracelets and being the usual princess. i think all my family member will be getting a pair of earrings because i just keep on making them. so make your requests now! can't wait for her to be totally potty trained. eric asked if we could just go back to diapers. too late!

pink laundry

okay, i was doing laundry the other day and i realized i practically do a whole load of pinks. seriously, that is a lot of pink. i know that with two daughters there is pink but come on. i think we need to branch out a little. the funny thing is that i don't think savannah wears pink all that often. and i hardly ever wear pink since i have that whole red hair looks bad with pink (it used to be red too!!) i remember a friend who has 4 boys once told me that she does a whole load of plaid. i am not sure which is worse!

Long Day

Yesterday was a long, long day! Olivia woke me up at 6:30 am. I fed her put her back to bed. I crawled back in bed for 20 minutes and Savannah woke up at 7:30 am. She was in a good mood for about 10 minutes, then it all fell apart. We partied at Chuck E Cheese's, part for Savannah's birthday, part for Jamison returning to Virginia on Monday. We went to the grocery store right after. Then Savannah and Olivia had naps. During the time I made cupcakes for Savannah's birthday. Then I got ready for dinner with my family (adult style) and the babysitter came over. Savannah freaked out. Then we had dinner at Franck's. To read more on that go http://claytoncrew.blogspot.com , Danielle summed it up pretty much. Then we came home and I fed Olivia and put her to bed. Then I cut up five big white tupperware bowls of fruit for the ward breakfast this morning. I am on the activities committee and my only job is to cut fruit. (The Leader told me to stay home and watch my kids so the my husband could come and help. Not sure if I should think that is wierd or not) Then at 12 something, Jacque came over and we went to Walmart to buy the new harry potter. It is a surprise for Eric. Shh don't tell! There are a lot of wierdos out there and I think most of them were at walmart. I came home finish the fruit. At 1:30 am I was finally able to go to bed. Savannah woke up at 3:30 screaming for us. I tell you it was a crazy 24 hours!!! I will be glad when today is over!!!

One of Those Days!

I just read my sister, Danielle's blog. She had a hard day! I totally know how that is. I went to the grocery store this afternoon. First mistake. But that part was the easy part. I had to take some vanilla wafers to Kris since she was making banana pudding. So I start heading to Kris's house. Well, Olivia falls asleep on the way. Good! Then Savannah falls asleep. Great! Things are going great. I realize I should probably get gas. So I head to the Holiday Oil to fill up. Well, just my luck, all the pumps are busy. Since its happy hour at Sonic I head over to get a drink. Well, 20 minutes later.... (Apparently, they were so busy that they forgot that I had ordered and that the people behind me got there food before I got my drink!) ... Olivia has now woken up. I was going to get gas but I could tell she wasn't going to last much longer and we still had to go to Kris's house. So, we get to Kris's and drop the wafers off and then I try to get home without breaking every speed limit between our houses. No such luck, Olivia is crying so hard that she wakes Savannah up. How quickly my afternoon of sleeping kids disappeared. Olivia didn't go back to sleep and either did Savannah. It was a long afternoon until Eric got home at 7 pm. All that being said, I think I have it easy. I have a husband that loves me and two great kids, even though they didn't sleep!