A Year of Good News! Come back to hear some more

Hello blogging buddies, I am back! Sort of. I am shopping for a new laptop so it may be slow going. We had a great time in Disneyland for Christmas, my husband is happier and it is the ski, snowboard season and I am going to get back on the sticks with o2 in a very cool backpack. I have joined facebook and cannot believe all my old friends that have sought me out. It is very touching. I decided my blogs will have a theme. It's called a year of good news. I have about two weeks of things to tell ya all but I will work them in with each blog going forward. For example, my good news from two days ago was a cute girl named Aubrey at Old Navy. I worked hard to get some great deals for my family and sub for santa project 09 and then my walet was missing. She said, don't worry no one has ever had anything stolen. She was a polite sweet teenager who went and searched the store for me. It had slipped in between the seats of my car. I got 300 dollars worth of stuff for $40 dollars. That is the other good news. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to gaze at the stars with Jade and our bud Sawyer on the way back from snowboarding. They were stunning near Eden. We had fun. Today's good news is amazing, I spoke with todays Oprah skype guest who is hosting an inaugural ball for people like me who have been through a lot in the last few years. Yes, this really happened. Anyway, His daughter asked for my address so you never know. Thanks Heid for taking Jade to Salt Lake, Dar and I are sitting here eating chinese out of boxes. Well, a couple bites. We are losing weight, yay! Well hope you are all well and had a good Christmas! Ours was amazing. Love, Jude

Things couldn't be suckier and yet I am so Happy, Another Gratitude Post

Ya, it's pretty bad, and ya I am quite cheerful! Maybe it's a little denial, LOL. Or, Jade just made herbal tea for me last night and wrote a cute note saying she appreciated me for making her bonnet for school. Boo (my puppy) has been so perceptive to my plight and licking my hand or cuddling up to me. I was out with my girl Heid and we saw the most amazing, huge, falling star right over the base runway. I made a wish. Or maybe it's because my DH and I looked at homes and my heart and a huge weight on my shoulders was lightened. I realized I could iliminate a lot of pain and frustration for all of us with one level living. I had just prayed for help with our layout and the grief it causes when Dar made the suggestion to look. I had this great feeling when we toured one model. We could swing it and in one flail swoop I could have a main level master suite I loved. Laundry, granite countertops, island, built ins and formal dining. We could even have this on the main level and still have an upstairs with guest bedroom, room for Jade an office for Dar and studio for Jade and I. Pretty tempting when I don't let myself think about leaving my dear home. Maybe I am happy because a girl movie is out (twilight) and my sis invited me as well as my dear friend Nicole. It may be too late to get a ticket now but Nic was so sweet because my friends in this group all work together, it just touched my heart.
I am also having fun planning Jade's primary buds birthday bash, because it calls for creativity and I love to try to be creative, and I love birthdays, they are so happy, even for me. I just read Marley and Me in one day, no energy to do stuff, and it is a great book and gave me a lot of renewed faith in life. I recommend it to all. Recently I have been watching Good Things Utah and Oprah because they are so positive and informing and inspiring. I have learned soo much from design shows on HGTV and have tried to do some stuff for low cost or free in our home and WoW how fun! Jade's long time P.E. teacher suggested Jade do the reflections Wow contest on me, that was nice, even though it is not Jade's style to attract attention. We ARE going to Disneyland for Christmas which I think will be a pretty great experience, I just love that happy land. Finally, Jade did a great home evening lesson complete with songs, visual aids, typed hand outs and an she used one of my easel's, how cute is that (not to brag).
As for the bad stuff, well, I do not exagerate. I have so many BIG challenges right now and some I should not even deal with for 30 years from now, I can only shake my head, let my jaw drop and laugh (a little histerically) and cry. Now, do I have a thing on my forehead that says give this girl a hard time and take out your stuff out on her, she LOVE'S it! Because that, has been happening A LOT! Oh well, we've got to give a little, take a little, and let our poor heart's break a little, that's glory of, that's the story of love. I prefer to focus on being happy, yep, I am still grateful, bring it on!

Gratitude In November

As we have smiled and laughed through another tough week (reminds us of fall 2006), I also reflected upon all that we have to be grateful for. I am Grateful to my Heavenly Father who is always there, and understands our joys and challenges like no other . I am grateful to my DH for his ever present help, love, security and commitment. I am also grateful for his patience and clean up of Jade's farm, (1 mini dachtson (sp?) ) 1 cat and four adorable kittens, even though he is alergic.

I am very grateful for my darling daughter, born on Thanksgiving, very fitting, she is such a blessing. This week she was my little nurse, taking my temp and making me cocoa and feeding me suckers for my throat, despite all the work she needed to do. She is so strong and beautiful, caring and funny, I cannot wait to celebrate her eleventh birthday (my favorite number) on Thanksgiving day. She also gave me the best career after my career (Mama)...

I am also grateful for our pets who make us smile and laugh and keep Jade company on the rare day their are not other kids here.

I am grateful for our extended family (especially my sisters', brothers', Parents' and Jade's cousins') because I will always be part of a girl group because of my three sisters, because Jade will always have them come what may and because my Mom always has time to listen and is positive and my Dad always makes me laugh, is always upbeat, and makes me feel safe and important. I also love it when they all need me.

I am grateful to my girlfriends always Heidi, April, Michelle, Lisa, Meegz, Trina and my girls' at Mountainview Cindy, Nicole, Jill, Myndee, MaryJane, Kath, Kath, Kristie, Tibby, Tracy.

I am very grateful to be an American, to vote and affect change, to have access to excellent medical care, to be blessed financially even though I am very expensive.

I am grateful to be blessed with strength, courage, resiliance and optimism.

I am grateful for my beautiful, spacious home even though it is the worst floor plan for someone like me. I am grateful to have raised Jade in such a place with beautiful views, fresh mountain air (most days) a room for Miss Jade, a scrapbook studio, my pretty bedroom with it's bay window that looks out on the golf course (if I would remember to pull the blinds), my little, cozy, bathrooms' and my kitchen we have family dinners in (they are soooo important). My family room filled with Jade's barbie's and friends', and April Ward two houses up, Kenz is Jade's age and she is GREAT, the salt of the earth. I have learned a lot from her.

I am grateful for nature, especially here in Utah. It is always beautiful here no matter the season and is always uplifting.

I am grateful for my education, I use it every day.

I am grateful for my desire to be creative, never said I was good, he, he.

I am grateful for my opportunities to do service, volunteer, do fun things like our upcoming Christmas trip to Disneyland from Dar's parents.

I am grateful for our friendly little community. It is so fun to be greeted at the grocery, blockbuster, tennis club, etc.

I am grateful to live in these times of craziness, if it were twenty years ago even twenty years ago I wouldn't be here. And I am getting better, Amazing Grace. I am grateful Jade will be fine.

I am grateful for my little german engineered Jetta in the garage, turned down the suv Dar wanted to buy me in the spring...but now that gas is going down...hmm. Most people in this world save their whole lives to buy one car, ya we are spoiled.

I am grateful for laughter! Wow, Tina Fey as Palin though I hate to admit it makes me laugh every time I think about it!

I am grateful for blu-ray technology and my hd flatscreen. I am sorry, this is shallow, but I Loooove Movies and adventure and it really is like being there it is so clear and realistic. Plus I love when extra info pops up about History or the World when we watch National Treasure or Nim's Island.

I am Grateful for the Priesthood and Blessings for my family and I. This includes our current great Bishoprick and my doctor's that share my faith, that has made a big difference. I am grateful for exercise, it makes me feel the best out of all the medicines. I swear I will make it to church soon.

I am grateful for every calling I ever had that allowed me to work with the great kids in our ward. I adore them! I have been Primary Teacher several times, Nursery Leader with Dar (precious), Activity Day Leader (oh my girls, I miss you!) and Young Women's President, Wow, that was Awesome! I have always been most inspired around our kids.

I am most grateful for the Gospel. Without which none of the above would be remotely possible and my little life in Layton never would have happened. It's a wonderful, challenging, heartbreaking, awesome life to live.

Thanks, Jude

Witches Night Out, Family Party & Boo, Hoo, We didn't get boo'd! Oh My Dear Goodness! As Jade would say...

Here I sit blogging surrounded by little objects of love from family members and friends who know I love Halloween. (Not a big fan of the scary stuff, just the family and friend stuff) And yet it still stings that up and down my street in every one of my ward member's window's is a boo sign to let everyone know they have already been boo'd (Except for us). I knew I should have been the one to start the boo thing this year (He, He)! The signs are all over the neighborhood too, everyone I know and love has been boo'd. Boy, I need some cheese to go with this whine:} Trust me, I know these girls love me, they are awesome! But where have I gone wrong, we are a prominant family at the school and I always took for granted we would be in our ward. I have always been blessed to be well liked (despite my many flaws) Highschool was the first time this was pointed out to me and boy was I surprized to be voted this and that. I still did not know I was considered popular until my senior year when I made Senior Standouts. I am in close touch with all my friends from then, three are bishops. At my recent class reunion I was given an award and our class president, my good friend, got teary eyed when he talked about my health struggle to our class. I also enjoy close, great friends at Jade's elementary school and have served on the PTA board several times. I was invited and once participated on the Layton Community Action Council, and we have the dearest, most amazing best friends in the ward (The Christensens) So why can't I let it go that except for Heidi, Megan, Janean, Candace and Mandy I am not (in the loop) so to speak. Why is it so important that we be boo'd. Well, maybe it's because my daughter asks why, my dogs name is boo for heaven's sakes. Isn't that a big clue? I am sorry but we are sooo darling (he, he, tongue in cheek) and very faithful, active members. You get what you give so obviously I am not doing enough in this neighborhood and that stings too. I better get with it, because Jade deserves to know her family is well liked and thought of in her ward. It will strengthen her testimony, teach her to love her ward family, to serve and be served with graciousness. That is another thing, I need to accept service more graciously. I haven't let my ward family (except for poor Heid, who does a lot) do much for me. And I need to do a lot more for others too. This is a great wake up call. And if anyone out there has felt the same way let me know and we will make a bigger effort together, and make sure everyone in this ward feels loved and gets boo'd for pete's sake :} Happy Halloween everybody, I love ya tons, and be prepared for a different sister Marchant from now on.

Witches Night Out, Cackle, Cackle, Cackle

Boy did we have fun! Our big sister Kelley surprized us with a Limosine to take us to Witches Night Out at Gardner Village. She dressed as Glinda the good witch and every little witch and some big ones had to have their picture taken with her. We cackled, we shopped the amazing bargains, we danced to monster mash and gave each other little presents before we left. I made bracelets, Kel gave us black licorice (actually carmelly) candy apples, yummy! We took pictures by the limo and the witches around us smiled as we cackled our way out of the limo. I made some friends when I had to stay inside from the night air and the manager at anastasia's attic wants me to bring bracelets to buy for their shop, boy was I surprized. Our three little witch cousins also had a great time at home carving pumpkins and telling each other not so spooky ghost stories, Jade was so happy telling me about it on the ride home. I even found a great frame with a great saying for Dar's parents for Christmas, can't wait until next year!

Family Halloween Party!

My sister Kel goes all out for our family halloween party at her beautiful home in Murray. She helped raise me ( I lived with her in high school to help her with her kids) too so I try to make something fun for her each year on Halloween. One year I made a Halloween stocking, stuffed and shaped like a witches boot. This year I made her a "Queen of Halloween" witches hat with a tiara, lights, candy and bubble gum on the brim. It sat on a plate and underneath hid a bag of chocolates. We won the pumpkin carving contest, and the cousins had a blast playing with the toddler cousins. There are seven of us, I am so grateful to my Mom for giving us each other. She was an only child and always tells us to cherish each other. I love my siblings, my baby neices and nephews, my older nephews and the ones in between. I really love my sisters-in-law. They are all great gals. It is soo great to have family and get together like this, we are truly blessed.

Priceless

Finally, I am blogging again! Ya, I was starting to get actual threats from my blog buddies, he,he! So, obviously Jade has started school and it's pretty great! This pic was taken by Jade's and my good friend Jill Chambers when Jade was in her kindergarten class. As for this year, I shamelessly adore her teacher Nicole Marchant. What can I say, she is organized, talented, creative, inspiring, fair and strict in a good way, warm and caring and stylish. I just love her darling classroom and outfits. Oh and we clicked like Jill Chambers and I did in kindergarten. Each of Jade's teachers have my utmost respect and love. Yes, I have loved each of them, Jill of course with her angel's patience, smiles and ever present camera. Sunny who adored Jade and my DH as he took over my great voluteer spot doing centers for the whole year when I took a new part time position. Jade jumped two and a half grade levels in reading and at teacher conference she said keep up the good work, there was nothing negative. Mrs. Larsen was very kind and assured me Jade had to be in Spectrum or be bored. Myndee asked me to be on the Spectrum Board as classroom coordinator and was very patient when I got very ill, had to drop out to do chemo and helped me keep Jade on track and active in third grade, Jade was the spider queen in their opera. We became great friends too! Mary Jane and Kath challenged Jade to the max and cheered our little family on and always told me how good she is, and again, lots of patience, thanks guys! And now, Nicole. We are only into the second month of school (really) and already Jade has blossomed! She has organized her binder with tabs and page protectors and is handling the work load well. I credit Nicole's calm, organized classroom. Nicole has helped us avert friend problems, Jade's been sick twice (lying right by me now), and helped me see Jade's place in student council is fine. (No, Jade is not getting everything she wants, which is how we like it) So ya, Nicole, maybe you are not the quintesential wife but you are an amazing mom, teacher and human being. No wonder your DH loves you, it will be just fine. And now I know so will Jade, thanks to you all. It gives a mom with a cheery but risky future feel safe and secure. Cute teacher outfit, $50, cute classroom that's inspirational $probably a few hundred, extra school supplies $100, warm smile 0$ (except cute lipstick $8) = Having your child in the classroom of an outstanding gifted teacher, Priceless. Thanks, Nicole , I know it is going to be a great year!

Last summer blast and missing Jade already

It has been a Great Summer ! We just got back from visiting the Grand Canyon with Jade and a her cousin Ashley, who is a great, easy kid. I hiked just about everything "ouch" and the girls had a blast in their matching pink bandanas. We were in heaven, I remember thinking as I watched the full moon, the canyon and the lightening storm while the girls giggled nearby, it can't get better than this. It had been a looooong time since I felt that good though I make an effort to be happy most of the time. We had dinner in the beautiful lodge restaurant at sunset and Dar was grinning ear to ear. He really needed this break! We stayed at our ranch a couple hours away in the new home our parents built for us kids when we visit. it's plenty big for us and friends but still cannot imagine having that kind of money so it is quite a blessing. We watched phelps win his eighth gold medal in our new living room, spent time with my parents and cousins and everyone went on Dad's pontoon boat and rode tubes behind it. My mom liked my new fossil sunglasses I got for dirt cheap so I gave them to her, I only have one mom after all. For several days before Jade was in a lot of pain with a new tooth and after four appointments and seven opinions and me hunting down through primary children's hospital, the best pediatric dentist Jade had her first root canal. I had to hear the word Rare for the third time in our lives, what are the odds? I burst into tears thinking Jade had autoimmune disease because mine also started in my teeth. It turns out it SHOULD be unrelated, she has a tooth within a tooth and no roots. It is right up front, if she loses it she loses the bone and she has a lot of difficult procedures ahead of her including an implant and moving teeth and they cannot do the implant til she is twenty. I need to be here to help her. She was a trooper until it was over and then she collapsed in my arms and I picked her up. I don't know where I got the strength to hold her but I did not even lose my breath, tender mercy. I took her home, she finally got an appetite and then she slowly started acting like herself again. We hurried and packed thinking the trip was cancelled til then and left the next morning. We went home through zion's nearby and we took the kids to big rock candy mountain. Last night I peeked at Jade sleeping, we never made it to more swimming lessons but we had a great summer. I cried again. I will lose her on Monday. Even after school she will be in her own world of friends, homework, tennis, insecurities about fifth grade politics and her boo bear. Once in a while she will seek me out and tell me she misses me a lot and I will get to see her for an hour or two. She is my best girl friend in the world but she has her own life and that is how it is supposed to be, so I better quit blogging because today is a gift, that is why they call it the present, and Monday will come all too soon.