Bubble gum bubble gum in a dish

Jake is a fan of gumballs. He bought this giant one and we had to take pictures. It was huge. By the time I was able to blow a bubble my jaw was sore.

Sleeping in a bed!

My room is finally done! After sleeping on a couch for about a year I get to sleep in my own bed tonight! Hooray! I absolutely love my room! Thank you Mom and Dad it looks amazing!
This is the quilt currently on my bed. It is my graduation quilt Mom made me and it is the first time it has been on a bed. I have been too nervous especially with all the white fabric. I love the quilt but white gets dirty very quickly. Mom came to look at it and laid on my bed, well Little Miss Danika thought she should go to bed too so she also jumped on the bed!
This pic is for Jake. I was telling him about my new sheet set that I bought. I got it at a really good deal and it is the softest cotton. I really like the colors.



I obviously haven't had a chance to hang anything on the walls, but my stuff is moved in. I am so happy to have it done! It is perfect!

simple things of joy

I had asked Holly what shoes she wanted us to wear with our bridesmaid dresses. She said she was easy going but wanted them to be WHITE and FLAT. She described a ballet flat. Well I ordered these shoes and they came in this weekend. Our dresses are a baby pink color.
This picture makes me laugh. I was definitely blessed with Dad's massive veins, both in my hands and my feet. I took this picture so you could see the detail of the shoe, but I can't believe how veiny my feet are. Crazy.
As you can see they are definitely flat. NO heels.
Today during church I was pleased because my legs were as dark as Mom's were with nylons on. I showed Barrett who said, "You are tan! That is the first time ever!" Haha. Oh well.

Happy Father's Day

This year really makes me smile, especially if you know my Dad. Dad always gives us grief with his pity pool of how “Nobody remembers me or my birthday, I always get ripped off on the holidays. I am lucky if I even get acknowledged.” We usually tune it out or roll our eyes. A couple months ago Mom responded, “Oh Honey what day is Father’s Day this year?. . . and what day is your birthday?. . . Talk about getting ripped off.” They are the same day this year! P.S. The following photos are all ones Dad has taken of himself. If you leave anything that has a camera and memory on it, in the open you will find either pictures of the photographer himself or videos. Haha

I have to say that I am extremely grateful for my Dad. He is just amazing! Throughout the years I feel bad because I think sometimes I don’t always show my gratitude nor my appreciation for my dad. My Dad has always been my protector and my teacher. I loved when I got asked out by somebody that scared me, to respond with a, “You will have to ask my dad.” They obviously got the hint because the response was, “Yeah right. Your dad will say no way.” I remember my dad telling me that at anytime I could get out of a date, etc by simply saying, “My Dad won’t let me.” There usually wasn’t any questions after that. Haha. When I was in trouble I knew Dad could always help me, even now I will go to him, usually with an attitude, with questions with insurance, etc. Dad impresses me because he always has a plan, especially with money. He prepares for those rainy days and tries to teach us to do the same.

He has taught me so much:

EDUCATION—Even if it is through competing with grades or hearing who made the Dean’s list again this semester Dad has made it very clear that a continuing education is important for everybody. He has also taught me that it is never too late to follow your dreams and to always continue to make goals. I am very proud of him. We have had a good time while Dad has been at school. I got a B in my math class and Dad got an A. He was rubbing it in my face. I replied that the difference was that mine was “calculus and matrices, not plus and minus.” He made me laugh with his response, “In college we call it addition and subtraction, it is arithmetics.” Haha.

KINDNESS—Dad can sometimes look like a bully to most people, but I usually describe him as having a heart of gold. He has given me so many examples of patience and kindness. He was always willing to serve those around him. One of my earliest memories with Dad, must have been when I was around four if that because the dress I wore was very tiny. Anyway I remember him rolling up my little tights and letting me hold on to his knee to balance myself as he helped me put my white colored tights on before church. Dad bought us a poster that said, “It is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice.” I still remember when he brought it home and explained what it meant. The more I have grown the more I have realized the truth of that saying. It is one that I hope to carry on to my children. I also remember when I was in primary at church. Dad took Barrett and me with him and guided us to our class. As we came down the hall he greeted those around him and I remember one incident where Barrett made a comment to Dad that one of the bigger guys stunk. Dad must have been embarrassed but he explained to us that sometimes people that are bigger can’t clean themselves very well, but that we need to be nice to them too. Dad was always kind to those around him and it stuck with me.

WORK—During the summers we knew there would be a list of things for us to do around the house. It didn’t matter how much we hated it, it had to be done and we learned that the sooner we got it done the better it would be. We also learned if our assignments weren’t done that we would have some consequences. We learned to work together as a family and to work in general. As much as I might have hated our remodeling projects, or our candy boxes or whatever the event may be, I am so grateful for those experiences because it brought our family close together as well as taught us to work.

TESTIMONY—Through watching my Dad I came to know the importance of having my own testimony of the gospel, but to learn it for myself. I was always impressed by Dad’s willingness to answer questions, but also his pride in his beliefs. He was never embarrassed, ashamed, nor shy about teaching the gospel. I decided that I wanted that for myself and decided to gain my own testimony and it is something I have never regretted, instead it is something I will always cherish. I know what I believe in and as a result I am also not ashamed nor embarrassed to share it with those around me. I also got a kick at how well Dad knew his scriptures. He taught me that scripture study wasn’t something to dread, but rather something to enjoy over and over again. He would do his research of the facts, but also have fun with it. I remember one morning when Barrett toasted the whole loaf of bread and stacked it on his plate for his breakfast. Dad saw it and asked Barrett, “Have you not read the scripture ‘Man cannot live on bread alone.’” It was perfect timing. Dad taught me many things through example and especially with the church. I learned the importance of serving in the callings you receive and the importance of the priesthood. I am very lucky to say that anytime I needed a blessing I knew I could always ask Dad and he would be worthy and willing enough to give me one.

MUSIC—If you know my Dad, then you know he has an incredible voice. I sometimes wish I could record it so that my descendants will know it and appreciate it like we do. Dad has a beautiful voice and he can sing. I remember Mom having a recording of a song Dad sang. At the time Dad was a truck driver and would be gone for periods of time. I remember coming into their room to listen to Dad’s singing. He has a confidence when he sings that I am jealous of. He can sing with such ease and if he has any nerves, well you can’t really tell. He brought music into our home and helped me to understand the importance and enjoyment of music, of all genres and decades. I also remember dancing with Dad when I was younger. We used to have Daddy daughter dances when I was in primary. I remember the dance when I was eleven. Dad canceled dinner with some work people so he could come with me. Haha I even remember him telling me not to let go as he swung me over his back, I let go and fell to the ground. After that incident three other dads dropped their daughters. I also was lucky to have my parents at the youth dances. They were a lot of fun with Dad’s chicken dance, but I always thought it was so neat to watch the two of them dance together. I really love my parents.

LAUGHTER—Dad has a quick wit and is the sarcasm king. He can sometimes push buttons, but he is funny. He showed our family the importance of a sense of humor. We always tease eachother and if you step foot in our house you are fair game to Dad. Sunday dinners are usually pretty entertaining. On the way home from church Benny and I were laughing as we were reminescing some of the “stupid lectures” we received growing up. I said how they were so dumb but I could see myself repeating them to my children:

We would complain about having to work when we were out of school. Dad would respond, “This is not summer vacation, it is a break.”

No tv til after 5PM on Sundays (unless of course we are celebrating East coast time, which is only celebrated during the Tour de France-imagine that.)

Dad would tell me to do something and I would automatically say, “I know.” He would go on, “I know that you know that I know that you know that I know that you know that. . . “

Saying no with an attitude so it was, “NO uh!” Dad would respond, “Noah built a boat!”

Saying well with an attitude, it was “Wul!” Dad would respond, “Wool is for sheep.”

Dad = alarm clock. Always appreciated! I think some of the best times was Dad taking us to school and seminary. I never remember hearing him complaining about taking us to seminary, but I am sure he was tired.

I remember one time when Benny was a baby and I was going into my room. I was upset because I couldn’t find my pink panther. It was a stuffed animal of the pink panther cartoon. Mom suggested I look downstairs. When I came back upstairs I was empty handed and Mom said she would look for it, but that I could crawl into bed. TO THIS DAY I do not know how I missed the BUMP IN MY BED, but I pulled back the covers to find Dad in my bed and he scared me so bad that I cried and went downstairs. Mom came and comforted me, even though she was part of it, and helped me find my pink panther and get back to bed.

I also remember watching Arachnaphobia with the family. All I remember was this part where the spider is in the tent crawling up this guys chest. Dad was sitting behind me and he grabbed my shoulders and screamed, scaring me and making me cry. Haha.

Benjamin thought he was so funny when he was probably one or two. He had the spray bottle and he would spray Dad with it. The funny thing was that Dad had turned the top so when Benjamin squeezed the “trigger” he would spray himself in the face. Dad would act like his breath was taken away (like he got sprayed) and Benjamin would laugh and laugh even though he was the one dripping wet! Parents are EVIL!

Barrett and Dad decided to have a shocking contest with Weasel’s dog collar. Barrett took odd numbers, while Dad had even numbers. Lets just say that Dad had the controller the entire time and he is a good actor.

FAMILY---Dad always emphasized the importance of family. He always made sure we were trying to treat eachother well. If I had to pick two things that I think Dad tried to teach us was to be unified and to love eachother. He always tried to bring us closer as a family. If we were mean to eachother we had to apologize and then give eachother a hug or a kiss. It usually made us laugh so then the tension was gone. I have to say he did a good job. We have had some obstacles, but even as I look at them i have to say I am very proud of my parents because we still have family dinners, we still know we are loved, and my brothers and I are close and we talk. That alone is something to be proud of. He has set a great example of how a husband should treat his wife and I have made note of many things. He has also been a great provider for all of us. He has made a home that has always had the things we needed as well as fun things. I know he has made several sacrifices to provide for us and I appreciate it.

Even though I am the only girl, I was never the stereotypical daddy’s girl. I actually feel bad for Dad because I think sometimes he gets to see the worst of me. I sometimes feel like he is getting after me, when he should know better that my goals will be fulfilled, or sometimes I wonder if he thinks I am really irresponsible or incapable of doing things on my own, he is somebody I don’t want to let down so I take it to heart sometimes, but I have to remind myself that he is getting after me with intentions of trying to help me to be successful and happy. I used to think that Dad and I had nothing in common except our curls (which I absolutely love), but I have since learned that I am more like my dad than I realized and I am okay with that. I love my Dad and know there isn’t a better one out there for me. I do not give him enough credit but he has shaped my life and impressed me enough to make me the person I am today through the things he has taught, by action or word. He is an incredible person and the best Dad! I love you Dad!

Jake's nephew

Congrats to Danny and Tammy on their baby boy Karsin james. He was born June 15 at 3:15AM and weighed 8 pounds 8 ounces

Road block

I got sent home early from work due to our floor being over staffed. It had been a rotten day so I decided to go driving to cool off and calm down. I love the rain so I rolled down my windows and drove my usual river drive. As I was heading towards 9^th street there was a goose in the middle of my lane. I am too much of a softy to honk my horn at it and make it move out of my way so I just slowed down. I realized it was honking to its fellow geese who were coming up the side of the road getting ready to cross the street. I counted 102 geese and goslings that crossed the street. They created a road block. I was the front car in my lane and the opposite lane’s line began with a semi. If there were any gaps between the group a single goose would stand in the middle of the road and honk at the group it was waiting for. I thought it was the neatest thing to watch. It brightened my day and made me appreciate Heavenly Father and how perfectly he has pieced all the puzzles together and made organization in everything, including a flock of geese crossing the road.

Jordan David

June 11^th was Jordan’s birthday. We celebrated it Sunday, so I am thankful for my brother Jordan. He and I have had some interesting memories, but I am so grateful to have him as my brother. He has always been one of my more sensitive brothers, and sometimes I have to remind myself of that trait. He was dibbed early on as a charmer and boy did he take the name to heart. He was the dare devil of the family and I remember a time when we were very young, visiting in Utah, Jordan gave our babysitter a heartattack because he decided he wanted an apple from the tree. The problem was there was only one apple in the tree and it was at the very top. He jumped from another tree to the tree with the apple. Nothing ever seemed to phase him. While we were younger, Jordan was my first victim of me trying to make my brother a sister phase. We have a picture somewhere that always makes me laugh. Barrett, Jordan, and I are out in the yard and Jordan is dressed in a pink jumper dress with a big smile on his face! He used to let me tip his hair and he was the other sibling with Dad’s curls, well in Jordan’s case waves. He has quickly grown taller and bigger than me, but he will still be a little brother to me. I love him and I am always excited to get hugs from him. He sometimes sneaks in a DISGUSTING wet kiss on the cheek and steps back fast enough before I can hit him for it, ew! However I am always happy to see him and to catch up with him. I hope the best for him in his future and I hope he doesn’t always decide to learn the hard way haha. I give him a hard time, but I wouldn’t even change him for anybody. I love ya Jordan! Happy Birthday!!

Grandma's only complaint

I have started a new fetish this summer. Grandma said, “If the only thing I can complain about you is your tanning then I think we are doing pretty good.” Haha. As you can see from the picture though I am finally getting some color. Yay!

Yay for a room update!!

Last night when I came home from working at the hospital, I was fuming when I came home, but then I found that the blessing of little siblings is to have the joys of finding that they go through your stuff. It has been occurring for awhile since I haven't been in my room, but last night was my breaking point: dirty clothes thrown on top of my clean clothes that I just washed, coins I have had since elementary school from China and New Zealand being taken, my makeup getting played in (I have BROTHERS!!! this shouldn't be a temptation), pictures and electronics getting broken or wrecked, and then there was the piece of pizza that was placed directly on my laptop, no plate or anything. I was ticked so today I went and bought a doorknob with a lock and key to go to my room. I had all these big plans of just moving my stuff into my room and then the little stuff could get finished whenever. I have been trying to be patient, but I don't like my stuff getting ruined or having stuff scattered across the house. I also like being in my own space, instead of the living room. Haha as much as Dad thinks I love the couch, I will be glad to get back to a bed. Anyway I wasn't able to get to any of my moving plans. It kind of put a blue note on the evening. When I came home from work I discovered that Dad had done one of the "little things" that were left in my room. He put my new light up. It just made my whole night! I think I will be able to move in this weekend which will be such a relief! Here are pictures of my room as of now with the new light fixture! It looks so good!

Hot Eats Cool Treats

Well due to some goals that I have set my mind to, I figured a little extra money wouldn't hurt. My old boss Theresa hired me back again at the Dairy Queen. I work there when I am not working on the hospital and I am enjoying it! There is a whole new crew and although I find myself remembering the old crew I am having fun with the new ones! The uniforms have changed since I last worked there three years ago. When I worked there in highschool I worked drive thru and loved it and this time I am working frontline, which has been slightly different but I really like it! If you get an icecream craving on Friday nights come in and visit me!

As Jake says, "You will find any excuse to add to your shoe collection." Well I needed some shoes that would be practical for Dairy Queen and I found these ones that matched perfectly and they are also very comfy!
This is my visor, but I don't usually wear it. My hair is always pulled back, but the back of the visor is velcro, which pulls my hair and causes a headache so I tend to leave it home.

Our shirts and the new DQ symbol.

Me and my DQ attire!

Jacob Dean

Danika (our pitbull) ended up using a blanket and pillow of mine as a litterbox so I had to throw them in the wash. It was pretty late at night and I wanted to go to bed so I grabbed this pillowcase from the cupboard and put it on a pillow to sleep with. It was about 7AM and I was just going to bed so I sent Jake a text telling him to please make sure I was up by 12PM. He came over and got a kick out of my pillowcase. While he was telling me to wake up he was saying, "Jessica you have to hurry or you're going to get stung!" I remember wondering why a bee would be in my room. I also told him, "I am not afraid of bees." When I opened my eyes and saw my pillowcase I had to smile, but told Jake he was an idiot. He then joked around telling me, "I came over instead of calling because I was hoping to brighten your day, but I can see your pillow does that for you everyday." You can't really see from the picture but the pillowcase is definitely a sun yellow. Haha.

cardmaking

Cardmaking just isn't my specialty. I just can't seem to get very creative with different designs, but I am motivated by experience, because I LOVE receiving handmade cards, so I try to make them before I buy them. However time seems to be a large factor. Well recently I made a couple birthday cards and hello cards. They are pretty simple, but I am determined to practice on my cardmaking so I will enjoy it more!