Is she really only 4?!

As you can tell from previous posts Haley has been on a roll lately. Well the fun has yet to stop! The past two weeks of dance have been a blast! The girls are finally getting the hang of their routine and are learning the song they have to sing. During break last week, Haley ran out to me jumping up and down yelling, "I did it Mommy, I did it, I DANCED!" As gratifying as it is when I see the light bulb go off for my students, seeing the light bulb over Haley's head just about made me cry. This week she was even more confident. The parents were invited in to see the kids progress this week, and while they were all more interested in just smiling at their parents, it was SOOOO cute to see them try.

Today has been almost non stop laughter from the time Haley woke up. The morning started with a discussion about what to wear. I was informed she could only be happy if she was wearing yellow, because yellow is the happiest color. We compromised....she got her yellow shirt and I got cute Capri's that matched the yellow shirt. On to hair... "Mom, I want my hair straight and down." "No Haley, you have to have at least one pony so your hair doesn't get in your face." "Ugh, Mom!" "Haley, one or two piggies!?" "FINE! 2...but they have to be high and they have to be yellow to match my shirt." "Works for me Chicky-d." I'll let you decide what the D is for. :-)

After school we went by the new house to measure windows. While we waited for the windows to be measured we cleaned the bathroom counters together. Haley decided the mirrors needed cleaned too. I didn't have Windex, but I decided that regardless of how messy she made them, at least they would be dust free. It was about time to go so I told her we needed to wrap it up and I started to help her wipe down the mirrors. Haley's response, "Mom this is my job...nobody cleans mirrors like me!" True that--how do you argue with that kind of logic? hahahaha

Next stop...Costco. "Mom, I'm absolutely starving, my tummy is rumbling, I really need some pizza" "After shopping we can have pizza." "Ok, but we have to hurry, and we have to have ice cream after pizza, or it just won't be fun." "Ok Haley, we'll see." Shopping went well. My students should be happier with me tomorrow when the Pop Tart and chip supply is back in full swing. This is where things got REALLY entertaining. After shopping, Haley said, "Mom, can we may we please have pepperoni pizza." "Yes, do you want cheese or pepperoni pizza?" "I want pepperoni with cheese pizza, I want pepperoni with cheese pizza!" "Ok, are you sure you want pepperoni?" "Yes." DONE! 2 slices of pepperoni pizza and two drinks. The second we get to the table..."Pepperoni!? Mom, you RUINED my life!? I can't have PEPPERONI!" In my head..."are you freaking kidding me?" Out loud, "Haley, you said this is what you wanted. Eat." "But mom, you ruined my life." I wanted to bust out laughing, but instead just ate my pizza while she sat next to me with her back turned towards me and her arms folded across her chest. Of course she got over herself and ate her pizza. Final words before getting back in the cart..."I don't get ice cream cuz I threw a fit, huh, mom?" "You are correct, but if you are good on the way home, maybe you can have some at home." "That's a good deal." ME OH MY!

After cleaning up the house, taking a bath and eating ice cream, I sent her in to brush her teeth while I vacuumed. While I was getting the vacuum ready, I asked her if she had gotten her bed ready for tuck in...she told me yes...here's what I found..

Looks to me like she's tucked in her bed...blankie and all! :-)

Then I told her it would time to hop in bed just as soon as I finished vacuuming her room. Her response, "Mom if there's anything left on the floor, just pick it up." "Haley, I thought that was your job?" "Nope mom, it's yours. Don't vacuum up any of my stuff, k." SERIOUSLY?! If I hadn't already laughed at her so much today I would have had other words...instead I just vacuumed.

But, as sassy pants as she can be, her sweet little spirit showed up again when we sat down for bed time prayer and she earnestly asked me to pray for her friend Kennedy that her knee would feel better and be able to sleep.

I ADORE THIS KID! I'M SO BLESSED TO HAVE HER.

The Diva, Spring Break & Ribbert

This past week has been the lovely reoccurance of Spring Break!!! Much awaited, much needed, and ever entertaining. Haley and I started out last Friday meeting Sean at Famous Sams for haircuts. Haley is very emotional when it comes to haircuts (she gets that from me), so when she says lets get a haircut, we STOP what we're doing and GO! Of course there was a wait before it was her turn to get her hair cut...in fact, Sean was done before it was even her turn. While we were waiting she got a hold of my camera...as you can see, she's totally ready for her own Myspace/Facebook account! Check out the lady in the background on the second shot...she's trying soooo hard not to bust out laughing at the crazy 4 year old with a camera!

Friday night I slipped out for a couple of hours and got my monthly massage. I left feeling a little sore but the stress was definitely relieved. Saturday, I felt really tired so I decided to lay down and take a nap while Haley was napping. 2 hours later...I felt so much better. The nap was definitely needed and well... much deserved. Sunday was great! Primary went well and I made a pretty delicious roast beef with homemade rolls, etc. Monday, I went to Ikea with my friend Jenny. I felt a little "froggy" but I was totally excited by all the possibilities of the new house. In fact, I spent 2 hours at the new house measuring the kitchen and thinking through the cabinet possibilities. It's going to be awesome!!! By Monday night...I wasn't sounding so hot.

By Tuesday I was not doing well. The stinkin flu decided to kick my trash! That's what I get for slowing down and taking a nap! Well, poor Haley just couldn't understand why my voice sounded so funny. I kept telling her I had a frog in my throat. She kept looking down my throat looking for the frog. We decided the frog was just way to far down there to be seen and was just going to stay there until he decided on his own to hop out. Later she decided the frog in my throat needed a name...she deicided his name should be Ribbert. So, Ribbert has been the main topic of conversation this week. According to Haley, "Ribbert is an obnoxious frog that needs to get out of my throat so mom can talk right again." It's now Friday night, and mom now agrees, "Ribbert is a terribly obnoxious frog that needs to get out of my throat NOW...I have a Primary Activity in the morning."

While Spring Break has not been nearly as productive as I needed it to be, Haley has once again kept the energy alive and kept me laughing ALL week.

Bring on the boxes!

We're MOVING!

Yep, we're moving. We really hadn't planned to move and overall were settling in nicely where we are, but apparently there's more in store for us. One afternoon while I was procrastinating grading I decided to see if I could find out what houses in my area were selling for and I happened across a house that's in my school's neighborhood. It's nearly twice the size of our current house and has A BACKYARD!!! We're very excited...I think I'm more excited than anyone, but that's just because I'm a neat freak and this place has REAL closets and a GARAGE! Haley loves the new house, she's picked out her bedroom and fondly calls it the "red light green light house" because we played red light green light one afternoon while I was stalking it. hahahaha

I'm sad to leave my current ward, calling (never thought I could grow to love being Primary President this quickly), friends, and family, but I know this is the best thing for my family right now. We have room to grow...not that growing is in the near future...but the possibility is there.

The house needs LOTS of LOVE, but I love projects so it's all good. I have plenty to do this summer! Tina's also coming to visit for a few weeks this summer from Holland and now there's plenty of room for us hang out. I just know she'll have some fun ideas for decorating too.

Soooo...bring on the boxes and let the packing begin!!!

IKEA here I come! Moving day will be here before we know it.

If anyone knows of someone looking for a house to rent, we're looking for renters beginning May 1st.

Taking a Breath

A recent pic taken by Haley

Not that I ever expect life to slow down, I don't, and honestly, I like it that way. I like knowing that there is always something that could be done or someone that I can help. Apparently, that little spirited idea led me to a church calling.

One week before Sean and I were married, we got to enjoy the annual Primary sacrament program. It was GREAT!!! The kids were priceless. My little Haley and her Sunbeam friends were too funny for words. My heart was so full as they belted out I Am A Child of God. The spirit was so strong it brought tears to my eyes. At the conclusion of the meeting my bishop asked to speak with me. I figured he just wanted to visit with me once more before the wedding...WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!! Nope, he had a new calling for me...Primary President. I laughed at him...openly laughed at him. I really thought he was kidding, but he just kept staring at me. Of course I accepted...then I spent the rest of the day crying. We've had a few hiccups along the way, but my counselors and I are finally getting the hang of things. I've barely even served in Primary, so to be President is a bit overwhelming. However, I'm really learning to love the kids, the teachers, and my counselors. I'm learning so much and my testimony of Primary is really being strengthened. Having never been a child in Primary, I'm at quite a disadvantage to just about everyone else, but hey, someone sees this as a good place for me, so learn and grow we will.

My classes this semester are...interesting to say the least. I'm not having as much fun this semester as I'd like, but at least I have a job.

Haley began dance classes in January. She's SOOOOOO cute!!! She amazes me!! She just jumps right in without so much as an afterthought of me. She's been measured for her costume for the summer recital, and I just can't wait. At night she likes to "practice" with me, so we practice our ballet, tap, and tumbling. It's so cute, I'm so glad I found something that is helping to build her confidence.

Haley getting measured for her recital costume

All the girls curtsey at the end of class

We also have a new member of our family. A puppy. Her name is Zoey, she's a black lab Australian sheppard mix. She's a great energetic match for Sam our Jack Russel. Together they are quite a pair. My biggest issue with Zoey is her constant desire to chew EVERYTHING including my SHOES!!! Sean and I have a new understanding since she was his idea...for every pair of shoes she chews I get a new pair :-) . So, her new name...Zoey BOGO Jenkins!

Buddies

Zoey
Sam...the lover

One last tidbit...my mom GRADUATED!!!! Yep, that's right, she's now officially received her AA as a Medical Billing and Coder. I'm so proud of her. It has been a true struggle and I'm so proud of how much she's grown through this experience.

Just some other random pictures from my camera...

Haley's Friends

Sean & I at Disneyland

My Wonderful Grandparents

photo by Haley

The Wedding

It's been a long time coming, but I'm finally sitting down and writing a few notes about the wedding. I am so blessed. Both of the ceremonies were beautiful, and I of course cried during the whole thing. I truly took the words of the ceremonies to heart. Never again will I take a relationship for granted. Nothing is ever set in stone and it will always be work. However, if we can just remember the happiness we felt in these pictures, we will have the motivation to work through anything. I adore my husband and will never be able to thank him enough for keeping life fun and reminding me not to take myself so seriously. I love you Seany!

5 Days to Go

I can't believe it's only 5 days until the wedding. It's crazy how fast the time has flown. I'm so excited. I'm excited for the day of course, but also for it to just over. I'm SOOOOOO tired! There is still a lot to do, but most of it is just small tedious stuff. Sean of course is out of town for the week and so not much help, but his being around isn't much help either hahahaha. I'm actually glad he's out of town so I don't have to feel guilty about not giving him enough attention.

Speaking of attention...I think that's going to be my greatest challenge. I'm really going to have to work on how to balance all my time. I still have to give myself a couple of minutes a day, Haley needs my attention, my family needs my attention, friends need my attention, my students demand A LOT of my attention, I'll have a husband that needs my attention too, along with church callings. I don't know how it's all going to work itself out, but I can only hope that there will be much patience practiced by those old enough to practice it, while I learn to balance my time and learn my roles.

I know that this marriage is right, but none the less, I'm terrified. What if I fail AGAIN? I've learned so much the past few years, but still I can't help but be fearful. I fear the uncertainties, I fear being alone now more than ever. I don't think I could survive another broken heart. These are probably just unnecessary thoughts, but they've been trapped in my head and I needed to get them out. So...there they are.

Yesterday was the Primary Program at church. It was ABSOLUTELY adorable. Haley was so excited and performed so well (for a 4 year old). The Sunbeam version of "I Am a Child of God" was priceless. Even with the hilarity of their version, the spirit of those sweet children brought me to tears. Thank you so much to Sis. Noble for all her love and attention to these little children. Thank you to Sis. Bickerstaff for her time and effort in teaching the songs and instilling a love of music in my daughter. Thank you to Sis. Hedgecock, Sis. Booth, and Sis. Conover for helping Haley to learn to to love primary. You all have been such a blessing to our lives. Your own children (and future children) are lucky to have you.

Come one Come All!!!