Category: Family

Aloha, it’s me, Julie. I decided I needed to totally redeem myself after my trash talkin’ in the comments section of the last blog. Yes, I am an avid, emotional Jazz fan! But for the record, I was not attacking other teams merely defending my right to cheer on the Jazz! I’m cooking up a Chimichanga party for tonights game with some new ideas–thanks Sheri! We have some Hawaiian girls at our home–or at least our best efforts to be some. Last week was Western Day and then there’s crazy hair day, and school spirit days—I can’t keep up! All I know is we are running out of days and Abigail lets me know on a daily bases. Today she chimed out that, “There are only six days left of school!” (in distress). Most children would be excited and giddy about this–not my girls. They breath school and reading.

Abigail seems to be getting a little too much schooling and education for her Father’s likes. Saturday we were driving around the neighborhood in the hills (as I call it) where Brian would really like to live. Abigail says out loud, “Now why would someone go and ruin a perfectly good habitat to build homes like this!”. I just sat in the front seat jiggling trying not to laugh out loud while Brian says under his breath, “Tell me she didn’t just say that, please tell me she didn’t say that!”

I won’t even try to explain our housing situation so I’m going to be lazy and cut and paste from an e-mail I sent my sister-in-law, Ali recently to explain the situation. “So here’s the situation…all I can really say is that I have NO WORDS and NO PATIENCE. Here goes my run-on sentence. We have gone the full gamete from looking at the 220k piece of garbage, or the shoot the moon what-we-want but-shouldn’t-get, in the middle range but squishy, renting eternally, the infamous Spring Creek new build, more expensive/ fixer upper type, outhouse, cabin, tent, camping indefinitely, and my favorite, trampoline (fun and entertaining by day–great table, bed, net, strainer, and giver of shade). In the end, bless my dear husband, I love him, but I may shoot him! We do see the beginnings of a significant shift in the market SOOOOOOOOO I think we will continue to rent until A. Spring Creek house is built or B. until we find a home that we feel is worth what they’re asking. Enough said and PRAY for me/us!” There, that was an ugly run-on sentence with horrible grammar–but you get the idea!

On a lighter note Gwenyth is showing signs of walking. She’s almost 15 months and 15 pounds and has been our slowest walking. She is feisty and has everyone doing everything for her on her terms. Thus the walking late–it’s all on her terms. Can’t wait to potty train this one! Speaking of potty training, I found these great new plastic pants/underwear pack of three at Target in American Fork–I can only find them at that location. Lucy hates wearing them so bad she’s quit wetting her bed at night. They are a Godsend!

I took the tiny tots to Lucy’s music class today. She is still attending Art City Music Academy and loves it. Aunt Marilyn is in Cozumel, Mexico, so Gwen got to study music with Miss Leslie too. I wish I would have brought my camera because there was a lot of clapping, pounding, & squealing on Gwen’s part. She loved it! When it came time for the keyboard she wasn’t about to share it with Lucy and was ticked off she didn’t have her own bench and keyboard. We went with all the kids after to McDonald’s and they got their fill of playland for at least another six months (I have an aversion to buffets and also playlands or any sort).

I have been officially told that my turn is over on the computer by Grace. She is the networker. Networking friends, money, computer time, food, playtime, you name it. I can’t resist those brown eyes on occasions and this, my friends, is one of those. So it’s a scramble to get the Jazzy Mexican fiesta going and the house somewhat picked up before my luvy gets home. Aloha & Go Jazz!

Here’s a (long) video of Lucy:

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/midder/

This is Jules. It has been one party after another since last Wednesday! We started off Wednesday evening right, watching neices Melissa & Megan in Suessical. It’s a Dr. Suess musical. Megan did a fantastic job as Thing 2 and Melissa truly captured the audience as Gertrude McFuzzy. We left the babies (Gwen & Lucy) at home for a change and took the two big girls. We sat center front row with Jim & Eliece, Dave & Marilyn, and the Crosby Clan. I watched as both girls eyes became saucers and they sat on the edge of their seats. On the way home, I could overhear them in the back saying, “When I’m on stage, I’m going to be Jo Jo (grace)” and Abby, “I’m going to be Gertrude!” They were all about it! Looks like we’ll be signing up this fall.

On another note, I had a good getaway with the sisters in sunny Dixie or St. George. It’s amazing to me that we can be away from each other for months at a time and somehow we pick up almost on the same sentence after being together five minutes. When we get together we don’t plan to do much or go many places because we are so content with gabbing, laughing & catching up, we have a hard time getting places at all. I can see why many brother-in-laws migrate to bedrooms, downstairs, bikiing, hiking, sleeping whatever they can do to steer clear of the crazy Jenkins sisters! We talk about our kids, our troubles, our joys, we watch movies, cackle & stay up late. Whatever we do, we do with zest (pools, trampolines, concerts, walks).

Unfortunately the synchronized swimming was a bust this reunion but the trampoline tricks were a nice save! It’s always a whirlwind of late nights, candy, sore stomach muscles (from laughing), and sunburns. We really get some looks from people especially when we tell them we’re sisters. There were some highlights like listening to Dad, Lisa, Amy & Bonnie play on the large Grand piano in the St. George tabernacle. Another was listening to Peter Breinholdt & Sara Sampler sing Growing Old With You to my parents under the star lit sky @ Tuachan (nice touch, Nan). We always think that it needs to be one day longer but are nervous of the men at home watching the kiddos. It was unanimous that we would be getting together sooner than later–four years is just too long.

Even though it was so nice to be able to think clearly, shower and dress MYSELF, eat in peace, lay by the pool, & sleep-in until 8:30, I found myself missing those noisy car rides, hectic mornings, and chubby fingers and toes. Didn’t miss the diapers too much–I will admit. Just grateful I have a husband that is willing to let me go occasionally on these excursions. He steps up to the plate and does a great job as full-time Daddy. Thanks Brian for making it possible! Enjoy the Pictures. http://www.flickr.com/photos/midder/