Can't We Go Back to 1999 and Do it All Over Again?

I asked my Husband this question the other day. He responded, you would go through it all again? Yep! Of course challenges and all, these have been the best years of my life. Don't get me wrong, I love our life now, Jade is even more fun than ever, but I would love to do it all over again just one more time, then go forward from here. This is a Snapshot of what life looked like then... When I think of 1999 one of the first things that comes to mind is Mary Poppins and Tarzan and the Movie Dinosaur. Not quite yet two year old Jade would announce "she'll come back" as Mary flew away with her par-a-sol. We played Tombraider on our computer and Jade would point at the girl and say "mommy" Thanks Jade, and Myst was another favorite after Jader fell asleep. I could run pretty well and I still drove my mazda mx6. I went to my sister's home in south Jordan once a week for play dates and I taught the four year olds in primary. Christy Parker still lived in our ward, gosh I miss that girl! I remember going to mcdonald's a lot just so Jade the gravity defier could be the tiniest thing booking it around the playplace. I spent a fortune on binkies and did not care, I loved those things, they seemed to solve any problem we had! I had heard of autoimmune disease but that was about it and we were starting to talk about the next child. We were going to have three maybe four. I was a frequent shopper at kid to kid and it was a delight to Jade to pick a toy at the dollar store. Scrapbooking was new to me and my friends and I did all nighters faithfully for the next two years. I had one purse. I had not seen a dvd yet. I did not own a cell phone. I took all the girls in my family to Disneyland with the last of my $10,000 my company gave me when I retired from my marketing and advertising career. My mom was thrilled. The next few years brought many challenges and happy experiences and I would do it all again. Life with Dar and Jade has been the sweetest experience of my life. Maybe my fear of the future I never seemed to have before has something to do with it. Jade is going to go to young women's, date, drive, and graduate from highschool all possible in the next six years. In the next six years I could be on the waiting list for lungs (well at least I will be able to run again) and we may not even live here in my dear sweet home where all of this took place. Dar thinks I need a rambler. It is going to be a roller coaster ride I'll bet, and I am excited so bring it on but let me relish this time that my little girl is still little and I still haven't been to Paris. I love that because I haven't seen it all. I am still young they love to tell me at the U Hospital. I think I will play Barbie's with Jade when she gets home from her friends and watch King of Queens with Dar because it is soooo us! I will leave flowers for my baby Autumn this memorial day weekend, who waits for us. There is a saying "The good old days are gone forever, but, these are the good old days". I hope everyone enjoys this weekend with their families, Jude

Still Dating After All These Years - What a Guy!

The Text on my cellphone read,

I have taken Wednesday off, why don't we take Frontrunner downtown and go to lunch at Typhoon at the Gateway and maybe catch a movie! Needless to say I was thrilled and so off we went! This was a couple weeks ago but I just got the photos from Dar. We had a great time. I felt like the last person on the planet that hadn't been to Typhoon and I have a thing for trains. We were some of the first to ride the Front Runner which I will probably tell my grandkids and the day just seemed to be for us. I ordered firecracker chicken and Dar ordered Thai Filet something and we ended up trading dishes. A first for us. I took my new bag and it was free icecream day at Ben and Jerry's. At one we decided to live dangerously and sneek in a movie before we had to get back to Jade coming home from school and saw the film about the Harvard students that count cards, the moral is nothing worthwhile ever comes easy. We just missed the train heading back and then the next train was delayed and then they switched trains but we had a great time and Jade held down the fort like a pro as we did not arrive home until six p.m.

I was exhausted but she was so good I let her have an impromptu trampoline pizza party with two of her friends and then quickly regretted it. It was great though, definitely one of my favorite things is holding my husband's hand in the movie theater and still discovering new places with him!

As long as I am on the subject he really is great! He cleans for me, does most of the laundry, lays out my jammies, puts up with my bag fetish and is a great Dad! He is very involved in Jade's school work, he knows all her friends and used to babysit them all day one summer. He also knows the boys that are calling, plays tennis with her, takes her on adventure's, even a trip to Moab when I went to see Wicked in LA. On the weekends he makes breakfast and brings it to us in bed. He picks up scrips for me when I get tired of doing it and he is the one to tell me just go back to bed and sleep when I haven't slept the night before, "it's not like you have a toddler" our only consolation to losing Autumn. He thinks I am beautiful, I think he is blind, and he is fun to be with. When I explain I have to go to the school to volunteer, he crosses his fingers hoping I won't catch anything and he compliments me when I do something new with the house. He really like my new iron "star" collection like rodworks and he teases in a very cute way about my interests in girl stuff. Just yesterday he used a british accent to announce the latest royal wedding.

He likes to make me laugh by putting funny pictures on my laptop background. We are both Democrats in Utah. One night I told friend's it would be great to get Hillary because we would get Bill back and when there was an awkward silence Dar piped up, I agree with Judy! I was proud of him for backing me up and being brave about our political views (we would probably vote for Obama). This past weekend we all happily went flower shopping and Dar planted them for me as I feebly pointed where they should go. I was really weak this weekend and it was a triumph to plant a big pot of flowers and start a roast on Sunday when all my friends were running marathons. But you wouldn't know it. We are doing great thanks to my Husband's great attitude, and gratitude.

Oh ya and He loves my Mom and Dad and always attends stuff for them or brings up visiting them. Thanks honey for being super cool! Love Jude

Oh, What Fun We Had!

Oh Mama Mia Mizethra! We have been fortunate enough to have many Wonderful life experiences and some have involved food. I have eaten abalone as a six year old with my Dad on Catalina Island, Enjoyed authentic Jumbalia and benets in New Orleans with my husband Darren at 27 to celebrate building the home we thought we could not get and still love! I sheepishly sampled Frog Legs in an Old Southern Restaurant complete with fireflys outside in Nashville on a business trip during my marketing career at 25, Feasted on a hospital Thanksgiving Dinner when I had Jade on the same day at 28, Savored fresh steaks on a visit to Houston during college at 22 , Devoured Cheesecake at the first Cheesecake Factory in Chicago, spooned Chowder in San Francisco many times (our favorite city to visit)2o,24,27,35 and loved vinegar on fries in Vancouver, Canada at 24. We first experienced Poi on our Honeymoon in Maui at a great Luau, and discovered a thing called a Gyro in Toledo, Ohio he, he, when I was there for a debate camp at 17. I decided Pralines were the perfect taste in a green salad at the Blue Bayou inside Disneyland's Pirates of the Carribbean and Sampled Salmon on a beautiful Cruise Ship in Alaska. I will never forget our Favorite Mexican Restaurants in Phoenix with our Nana, all the food was great! Or the Bar B Que We enjoyed in Jackson Hole and Durango, Colorado. Tiramasu was a new thing for me in Seattle at 24 and I remember the yummy chicken I made with my boyfriend's mom in a dutch oven at their ranch in Idaho . I have even had cheese in Wisconsin on a business trip and finally, I have had Pasta with Princesses at Disneyland. But nothing, nothing, nothing, can compare to eating Mizethra Cheese and Meat Sauce on Spaghetti right in my home town of Salt Lake City with my family this past weekend. The occassion was Mother's Day Eve and just recently sunk in that Our little family will go on with me included and we are OK for all the TRAMA and DRAMA we have been through. We sat in the Trolley, received flowers and laughed our heads off at twilight in the Jetta on the way to Sugarhouse Theaters while I tried to check the listings with 1-800free411 to no avail. I got Enterprise, Utah and several other strange listings and listened as Dar and Jade rolled with laughter as I slowly pronounced S-U-G-A-R-H-O-O-O-U-S-E into Dar's Blackberry like thing! Boy, did we have fun! We opted not to do the show, we were having too much fun talking and laughing and Dar treated us to a quick trip to Nordstrom Rack where I found a pretty silver and amethyst ring for under ten bucks in ten minutes. We drove down our familiar route to the University for both of us and took the route through downtown on the way home. It was just one of those times when life feels really, really, sweet and you are glad to be there! Oh and you won't see me apologizing for long blogs, they are for us and our prosterity and everyone who wants to listen and doesn't mind!

A tribute to more of my Gal Pals in Honor of Mother's Day!

Jade--Yes, I am her Mom first but I love having a Daughter to make fun of celebrities with, shoe shop with and do girlstuff like scrapbooking ,sewing,baking andGardening. Every year on Mother's Day Weekend we go to the nursury to pick out our flats of pansies and petunia's, I love it. It was she that I wanted when I had to have an invasive heart test done, usually I want my husband but that time I would have given anything just to hold her still tiny hand in mine. She has the best sense of humor and she is really fun to tell stories to. It's the best and one of the consolations that she is no longer three, or five or even eight. My girl is growing up way too fast. She makes a big deal about Mother's day too! She picks the gift weeks in advance and pays for it herself and drags my husband to wherever it is she is getting it. It is really fun! This is a pic of us at the Davis Fair last summer with our winning scrapbook entries. Oh ya and she makes a mean cup of Herbal Sleepy Time Tea! Love you Jade! Mom

Jenn Jenn-- My little sis was the most constant visitor when I went through chemo, she has told me several times how she looks up to me (although I am not sure why) recently she popped in unanounced with a bracelet from Brighton. It is one of my favorite things but seeing her smile and how excited she was was the best gift! She and my other sisters also surprized me and paid for my expenses when we went to see Wicked in LA last spring. She held my hand during the significant parts. I just love having sisters! Especially you Jenn Jenn!

Kel Kel-- K by now you have figured out we still use the names we used for each other when we were little it sounds cheesy to those around us but oh well. It goes like this... Kel Kel, Ju Ju, La La, Davey, Jeffy, Jenn Jenn, Tommy, Any way back to Kel. I have been awe of my big sister for as long as I can remember. Her home and her personal style are truly impeccable and she is a ton of fun. Her tastefully decorated Halloween House was featured on the channel five's morning news complete with interview. Then, she throws a party for all of us with tons of food, games and surprizes. This last years party was all pirate and the gift bag included fun stuff from disneyland. I was Kel's nanny during highschool but I still cannot believe she did so much for me. I always had cute clothes to wear and a lot of support. It was she that noticed Darren's qualities first. She has practically furnished my entire home, one time showing up unannounced with a beautiful curio cabinet but most of all I love just being around her and soaking up her positive energy.

Michelle- is my good friend from Highschool. She was my best friend actually and we have a lot of great memories. Over the years since then she has kept our group in touch and recently she called me on a particular difficult day and told me I was going to see her holistic doctor and then she paid for it. We listen to each other vent and support each other but she has always gone above and beyond and I am so grateful she is my friend!

Jeanne and Nacole- are my "talk scrapbooking and medicine" gal pals, my quality of life literally would not be what it is today without Jeanne and Nacole and I shared each other's agony for several years while we waited for babies. She called me in San Francisco when I lost Autumn and brought Angel statuettes to me recently. Then one day I realized we were not in the same boat that I had Jade and was so Blessed. I started praying harder for her and gave her both glow in the dark binkies I was saving in my drawer for us when we adopted twins, he, he,. Last fall her dream came true and she adopted a beautiful baby girl. She has helped me make sure Jade is ok and happy. She is a Great Friend.

April- how many times have you taken Jade to school in the snow or not, baby sat her, invited us up to roast marshmallows, helped me with my last day of school water party and let me pretend Easton and Kenz are my kids too. Oh ya and on the worst storm this past winter you hiked to the bottom of the hill get my car and lectured me about getting a car cell phone charger so I could call you. My phone was dead. You are a great friend girl, love ya!

Jamie- Thanks for all the times you entertained Jade since they were five and rearranged the plans for Sawyer's party because Jade was hungry. We have shared our desire to adopt internationally and you've made sure Sawyer takes care of Jade at school and because of him she will always have a friend. I love it when you let me know about sales you've heard about and I love that we don't even plan our kids parties who were born exactly one week apart until we have consulted each other. I love that I can always trust Jade with Sawyer even now that they are getting older because you are such a good mom!

Heather- we started out just quickly chatting when I would come in to Blockbuster and then we realized we have two mutual friends. Now you are getting Married and that is soo cool. Thanks for noticing when I haven't made it in and being so great about the recent past status of our account. Did I really keep love story that long. Anyway, you are one of those people that make me want to be a better person. I am so happy for you and cannot wait til you're a mom!

Trina- You are also one of those girls that is calm and always seems to have it together! I am super glad Connor and Jade have been in primary together, thanks for the cookies when I was sick and thanks running stuff to the school for me and watching Jade at the skating rink. When you told me how good she was and what a great mom I was it meant the world. I love to see what Capri is doing now because she and Autumn would have been almost exactly the same age. It was you who helped me be brave and get a cat too! Love ya Trin.

Mandy and Rachel- Mandy Jade just love's coming to your home for piano and to see the girls. I never have to nag her you have got her so motivated and you are such a cute visiting teacher! Rachel, thanks for all the things you thought were little but meant a great deal to me!

Megan- You are sooo cool! I am proud of you for training for this marathon and for all your other endeavers. Thanks for keeping me up to date with our visiting teaching and doing it for us for practically a year alone. Now that we are both blogging I see even more similarities between us and wonder why we are not closer. Hmmmm we need to work on that! Happy Mother's day!

Every Girl Should Have One!

This is my BFF Heidi Christensen. She is a great friend! We met when I called her as my Secretary for our brand new split ward's" Sunhills" Young Women's Presidency. Heidi really is pretty much a sister to me now and our kids are practically cousins, which is fine with me. Our husbands are friends too and Brent has been Jade's Nursery leader, babysitter when Heid wasn't available and my car fix-it guy when Dar is far away in Salt Lake. This is a pic of us taken last summer when I was very ill but in good spirits. I was on o2 all the time and in bed a lot but all was well. Heidi bought a big pool for the kids and a WII system and Lagoon Passes and that was Jade's summer. I would give orders to Heid like, don't forget sunscreen, make sure she eats and Heid took it all in stride! We had a blast serving in the Young Women's Presidency and did a good job so we are both perplexed the Lord has not put us back there together, he, he. We are in touch with many of our girls from that time and sadly she called me this morning to let me know one of them had just passed away. Heidi has always been there since I have lived here. When Jade was born she brought the first dinner, an outfit and a "new" product, hand sanitizer. When Jade was two I was diaganosed with Auto Immune Disorder and had to go to the hospital. That morning she took Jade, fed her , bathed her and french braided her hair and called me that night to make sure I liked it. The day I learned the disease had gone into my lungs she said come over Jude. There she was, researching on the net, calling nurses she knew and made one of my favorites, seven layer dip. As I sat receiving chemotherapy she was texting me and sending pictures of Jade happily doing her homework. We laughed at funny movies when I was stuck in bed at Christmastime after that. Heid has helped me with about everyone of Jade's birthday parties including writing a very clever treasure clue game for Jade's pirate luau birthday and she went with me to pick up 25 bags of live goldfish for her enchantment under the sea birthday! Now that's friendship. One night recently she called me to treat us to burgers at Chili's and after we went shopping at the new Ross in Layton. I wanted a patent leather purse, well I said though, I don't have the shoes for it. Yes you do Jude they are right in your hand (I hadn't planned on getting both) we giggled and ended up splurging a bit. It was Heid I was with to go out to lunch for the first time with oxygen on, acting like nothing was different and convincing me it was no big deal socially. We have bought barbies together, for each other and for our little girls. She was the one who told me "you know we are not going to get out of here without Poe (from teletubbies) "when one year old Jade held feircely to the toy. Our families love to get together for mexican food and I never tasted nirvana until she had me try a thing called a rainbow (icecream in red slush) Two weeks ago she helped me build my blog during finals week! When she recently started school I cried to Dar saying I would never see Heidi again. I was her cheerleader though and she found time to still do stuff together, three kids, dog, husband and all. Another thing about Heid I love is she is ALWAYS upbeat like me. Even when we freezing in the cold at four in the morning waiting for toys r us to open the day after Thanksgiving. She cracks me up and can literally make my day with her phonecalls. And, she is quick to forgive. I have yelled at her a few times and she just yelled back and we make up quickly. She has even been known to make certain treats and dinners just for me. She is a great cook! Oh ya and she was there when I was sure I could start my own scrapbook business. I love you Heid, I hope you have a very happy Mother's Day and here is to many more antics together, you and I. Love, your BFF Jude:) "keep holding on cuz you know I am here for you, what was meant to be will work out perfectly... Just Breathe, Avril Lavigne

Sisters and Girlfriends and Nieces and Moms and Grandmas and Daughters ...This Week's Blogs are dedicated to you!

This is My Sister Laura in her backyard in Sandy. She and I are Irish twins because we are only eleven months apart. We have been through it ALL together and we decided we definitely share the same brain. Last week I called her on Monday with that tone in my voice like "where have you been"? She is a Busy Gal but I can always call and she is there. She also has a great Testimony which helps a lot. Anyway, she filled me in and then I told her Jade and I would like to come down and make dinner together. I had Mother's Day gifts for her and she had some things to show me. I love my sister's spaghetti sauce and though I offered to bring everything and did she already had it simmering on her stove. We stood in her kitchen while Jade and Lauren, my neice hugged and giggled and revelled in each other's company. I gave her the Ann Taylor earrings I had bought for her on clearance in Las Vegas and then I presented her with the rest of her Mother's Day Gift. She began to chuckle," oh my gosh! We do have the same brain" I gave her the Mother's Day Barnes and Noble Tote and a set of Happy Hands Massagers I had bought two of in Vegas. She said Jude, I have the tote and I got these when I was in Vegas too but I love the earrings! We then tried to decide to which of our other two sisters to share the loot with, we still haven't decided but it was a good laugh. After dinner we went to South Town Mall with my older neice to check out a new handbag vendor as her surprise for me. They had the Coach Knockoff and Giraffe Dooney Knockoff I wanted. Laura helped me choose and waited patiently while I negotiated with the seller. I negotiate almost everything, well at least I try. Happy I followed her to Claires where she bought perfume on sale for our three girls and we talked about our Mom and the latest news in our family. We had a great time and I felt that secure feeling I always get when I am around her, I cannot remember a time when she wasn't there and it's great! So, here's to you Laura, my darling sister, Happy Mother's Day this week, I love you!

Adventures in Disney World!

Here are just a couple pics of our trip to Disney World. I bought the $125 photo CD and Lo and Behold I can't seem to upload them, where's Heid? but they are the cutest so they are on the way! We had a great time in Disney World and Dar totally spoiled his girls. It was great. When I was a little kid I had a huge desire to go there as did Jade before we went but as an adult I thought, what is the point? Why fly across the country to go to another Disneyland. Boy was I wrong. We stayed on site at a Disneyworld Hotel which was also a thrill and we got to spend a day with my brother and his family as they were in the magical kingdom the same day we were. Jade just loved cooing over her baby cousin Jett and holding Raegan's hand and teaching her the finer points of pin collecting! Best of all I got off the plane and realized I did not need any o2, it just also happened to be my birthday, what a gift! This is a pic of us in epcot where we went on the Nemo ride and toured all the beautiful country exhibits Paris was last and the pic of Jade and I in front of the Eifell Tower (sp?) did not work out. We sacrificed Europe for the 4th time so we could go as a family to Disneyworld. We highly recommend it, especially epcot and the wild kingdom where I actually got Dar to wear mouse ears, it was fantastic!