Bah- humbug! To You and You and You!

We put our tree up this year On Wednesday. We put on lights up a week before. Does it makes sense that we got a live tree or endure the amount of the electricity bill next month? It does not make any sense at all. Or does it?

I had a few moments in the past couple weeks where I was thinking, I wish that we could skip Christmas this year...It did not help when my dad and Dria were saying they didn't want anything for Christmas this year, nor are they going to put a stupid tree, or waste their power putting up lights. All that talk just made me mad. I didn't want to hear it. So then I thought, maybe they are right. Maybe we should skip all that extra stuff and find our selves a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. But I changed my mind. ( remember I like to rebel?) I just refuse to let them be right, I refuse to feel sorry for ourselves and ruin my kid's Christmas. So I wanted to skip Thanksgiving, I decorated my blog and I set my alarm clock to Christmas music when I woke up. My kids got so excited to see the lights outside and when we got the tree, I let them put whatever ball they wanted up, instead of what I wanted. I am also going to make a effort to mail off Christmas cards, which I haven't done in a long time. I am even making the kids watch Christmas shows on TV. I want to surround my self with Christmas, is that so bad?

I took the kids, reluctantly to see Santa arrive at the mall, like we go every year. Three of them know the truth about Santa but it's the point to get into the Christmas spirit. It was a sad arrival, he was late, it was cold, and only half of the people came as they did last year. I thought it was depressing, no one waved but me, Sabrina, and another mom! He was looking at the people and they weren't excited at all. I told the kids to not make him feel bad, wave and smile! So Sabrina started jumping up and screaming SANTA, SANTA! He had a huge smile when he saw her, and when he came over, he gave her a big hug.

I know some people have gone overboard with Christmas, and have you ever wondered why? Some people even keep Nativity's and trees up all year round! Do you think they do it because they are lazy? It's because it the spirit of Christmas they wish they could feel all of the time. It has become something more that just of Savior's birth, it has become a time where people should give a crap about other people. A time to be with and think about family. A time where kid's can be hopeful, and dream happy dreams. The lights are a symbolism of the Christmas spirit, and when I see them, it makes me happy. I think it would be easy to be down with Christmas when things look bleak, when loved ones are gone, when your in financial peril, or even if your sick. That is when you have to fight back, and let a little bit of Christmas in your heart.... It can do a body good, so pass it on! Don't let the news ruin it for you, there is always going to be bad people and bad things happen to good people. And sometimes we will run into a Scrooge or two, that will try to damper our day. So get revenge! Tell them Merry Christmas and just smile!

I Survived Twilight!

I wasn't going to do this, run home a write about Twilight, but then thought why not? I stayed up until 1am looking for reviews or information on it. I couldn't find much but the reviews I read were either really hateful or extremely positive, there was no in between.

I am going to miss all the hype, it was fun to talk about something that everyone seemed to love with your friends. I felt that it brought us closer, the books I mean. I haven't quite been this excited about something besides the election, with a pack of people like this before on this level. I am not one to be gitty, jump up and down, to scream, or rock back in forth in my seat like Jennie L.. I sat between Shawna and Meg, there were 15 of us in all. Shawna was super excited, I wasn't sure if she was able to drive to the theatre safely! I told myself I wasn't going to clap, but when roller coaster screen came up, people clapped and I found myself doing it out of instinct. (how corny, I thought) I hope the girl's didn't think I was a party pooper because I was unable to show my emotions that way. Trust me, I would be calm if I won the lottery, and I have been when ever Christmas came. I am very excited in my own way.

I am not going to tear down this movie, I believed it served it's purpose. To visually give us Edward, Bella, Jacob and the others That is what we wanted to see right? It wasn't the best made movie ever, but I liked it. I would like to see someone do better. It wasn't exactly the easiest book to bring to film, since it was so unbelievable. People are going to gripe, I say, "SHUT UP!" Give me a break, give them a break! I have to admit though, there were some really funny moments, well more like looks, like Billy driving by, Edward in class, Edward sucking out the venom, and of course Bella going cross eyed while dying! I am trying to resist telling Jason all about it! I want to go with him when he goes, I just wish it wasn't so expensive! I just have to see this movie again to believe what I saw.

I thought Rob Pattinson did a good job acting, because people believe he is really Edward. In real life, he is such a dork! His hair, well, it's awful, he can't keep his hands out of it. When he was on Ellen, he touched his hair and it stuck up the whole time in a funky way. I feel for the kid, his 15 mins. of fame has turned into more. He doesn't know what to do. I just hope he handles it well, I hope he doesn't turn to drugs or alcohol to overcome this insanity! Poor guy! He has young girls, gay men, hot chicks his age, and old ladies throwing themselves at him! That would be freaky, if I were in his shoes. He is too nice, he puts up with a lot.

Do you want to know what was my favorite part? The prom of course! It was basically the whole movie which I loved, though it was different from the books, I think of the movie as another companion piece to the book. I certainly hope they make the other movies, if anything, to just see the actors enter act again. After the movie we all went to dinner to a Thai restaurant, it was my first time. I am a very picky eater and so I didn't eat much, in fact the lady didn't make me pay anything because I had some white rice with a couple drips of sweet and sour sauce on it. I think we all could have talked forever, it was a conversation we could talk and talk about. I am glad the girl's had fun, and I am glad I was part of their Twilight click, it will be something to always remember. Thanks girls, and thanks to Stephanie Meyer!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow

My first thought of every morning is, has it snowed enough, so that Seminary and school will be canceled? I often wish it would snow, though it has happened many times of the past, a dusting gets everyone excited here. If it snowed a inch or two, you would think that they would declare a state of emergency! I often remember what a real snowfall was like, it has been so long time. Sometimes I tell the kids how it was when I was a kid. The snow had to be removed on your roof top with a shovel, and when we did that, we would a make pile we can jump in. The snow would completely make our parent's car disappear, and if they were on the curb side, the plows would make it unbearable to dig out. I even remember having the snow up to our windows, and my dad would make a tunnel like path to our door, how cool is that? I love the snow because it makes everything clean, white, and quiet. (Until it starts melting, then ugh!)

When I lived in Alaska, we never had snow days! The cars would all have studded tires with chains on them. In Fairbanks, we sled to school, I think I already wrote about that. We still had recess when we had school too. The plows would create a mountain for us to tunnel in by the end of the parking lot. As kids, we would spend all of our free time perfecting a cave or tunnel. And if it got boring, we played a real rough and mean game of King of the Hill.

No one could tell if I was male or female. I wore a hat with a face mask underneath. I would wear a coat under my one piece snow suit, that my dad put reflecting tape on. It had to have that tape because it was always dark in the winter, and I loved to play outside. I always wore Long Johns under my clothes, and two pairs of socks. I remember it being so cold that my eyelashes would stick together if I didn't wear goggles. I wore a pair of mittens inside of my gloves too. That was real snow, and occasionally, since I have moved, I got to experience some good storms in Wyoming and in Salt Lake. Here, the ice storm are pretty scary, but I have yet to experience anything worth mentioning. It is sad when the snow disappears the next day, or even on the same day. It does scare me to drive around people who don't know how to drive in the snow though. And one thing that drives me mad, is the fact the forecasters can not get anything right! Last year it seemed like they cried "Snow", a few times, and everybody would run to the store in a panic. I laugh! But I am guilty of going along with their madness, I didn't want to be the only one with out a extra milk! The stores must love it!

Jason, I told you so!

It is no secret that Jason was once a terrible driver! In 1992, on April fool's day, he caused a four car accident on the way to school! He wasn't paying attention and he rear ended his shop teacher, which rear ended someone else and also cause someone to rear end him! He was okay, the air bag was deployed but the car was a total loss.

Then one day while driving his brother Dan's Jeep, he backed out too quickly and got hit by oncoming traffic. Then another time, we were in his brother Kevin's car, when he got too close to someone in front of us on a hill. I told him, why are you so flippin close, back off! He said he was fine. But the light changed, and the car in front of us, had no choice but to hit the front bumper, when they took their foot off the brake. I told him, I told you so!

When I met Jason he had the biggest, ugliest 70's style brown striped van, with a huge dent in the side. I guess his parent's felt it would be safer for him to drive. When I moved away to WY, after he had graduated in UT, I still had my senior year to finish. He would come and visit me up there, while driving his red hard top Jeep. I was deathly afraid of his driving when I rode with him in that. When it snowed, it was even worse! One day, on the way up my parent's windy road, he took a turn too quickly on the ice. I told him to slow down! But we ended up over the curve on someones lawn, and then I told him so! I should have known that this was a warning sign!

He moved up to WY in January and worked for my dad at his shop. He lived in the apartment above, rent free. My dad always gave him a hard time about his driving mishaps, and swore that he would never ride with him! Until one day, I heard that Jay was coming over for dinner, and that he was going to give my dad a ride. At that it time, the streets were snow covered, and it was dark out as usual. My mom begun to get frustrated because they were late! And I walked outside to wait for them. Then I heard the sirens, and then rushed towards them, to look over the hill, down to where one of the curvy roads which lead to our street. There was a accident. And I quickly got in the car to check it out.

When I got there, I had to get out to see beyond the emergency crews surrounding Jason's red Jeep, on it's side! The first thing I saw was my dad's feet hanging out the window! HOW? Jay was wearing his seat belt, but not my dad. They ended up being cut out of his Jeep. My dad was never going to let this one down! They ended up okay too, you would think after this, Jason would be a little more careful!

But again, there was another told you so moment! A year later, we were married and I was five months pregnant. When he decided to take the steeper icy drive way out of our apartment complex, instead of the safer one. I told him not to. He didn't listen. He got up half way up the drive, when the wheels spun out. The the right of us, was the curve, and a steep hill that led to our apartment on the bottom floor. After trying, and trying, I got scared and told him I was getting out. So I unclicked my seat belt, and suddenly at the same time, the Jeep quickly learned to the right side and slid into the corner of our building! He used super human strength to pull my body over him, so I wouldn't get hurt! The whole passenger seat was caved in! If I had wore my seat belt, who knows what would have happened to me or Erick. I did go to get checked out but I was fine. Thank goodness for insurance, and for Heavenly Father watching out for us! I wish I could find the picture I have of this accident, it was crazy! But finally after that, he started listening to me!

A baby for Thanksgiving...

Sabrina was born two weeks early, on November 25th. The day before Thanksgiving. It wasn't planned to have her early. I had a cesarean with Erick before but I really wanted to try having her the right way. I didn't have much choice, but the doctor's assure me that she was going to be fine.

I was a bit nervous, of course they didn't try to stop it at that point, but after my water broke, my labor stopped. I had to have the c-section, and on top of everything, I had a team of medical students that I let be a part of my experience. Was I going to tell them no, when they are all standing there? I couldn't remember how many there were, at least eight of them. They came in the operating room at the same time, and one of them took pictures for me, in graphic detail! She was born at 11:11 am. Officially they said 11:12, but they waited a minute to call it. I felt this was a sign, because as a kid, and even now, 11 was my favorite number. I used to make a wish, whenever I saw the time was 11:11 on a clock.

I had her name all picked out before she was born, and I knew what she would look like. I wished and prayed for a girl who had curly hair like Erick, and I wanted dimples! The day she was born, everyone told me she was the most beautiful baby they ever saw. She had dark brown hair, it was slightly kinked at that point. And of course she smiled, and was able to lift her head up off the nurse's shoulder, showing off her dimple. (I have a pic of that) I was so pleased! I couldn't stop staring at her, she was so quiet, and she had one small flaw when she was born, one of her ears were folded, but it was still cute.

The day after, it was Thanksgiving. Jason missed out on the big dinner with the family, but my mom came and brought us some of it. My room was really big and nice, it had a wooden floor. Jason slept in the chair next to me, he was very sweet to be with me all of the time. By this point, I barely went anywhere, because I had a history of blood clots in my legs, and I had this thing on them to heat and massage them. On that night, I was dozing off because of the pain killers, I was on, and at that point, Jason was holding the baby up against his shoulder. I didn't realize it, but he was very sleepy too. When I had my eyes closed, all of the sudden, I heard a loud smack on the floor....Yes, it was the baby! I knew exactly what it was, when I heard it, and I hopped up so fast, and I bent down to get her, she wasn't crying!

Even then, as I was screaming for the nurse, he acted as if he didn't know what had happened! Two nurses came, and they rushed her away to check her out, I was left there, with him alone, because they wouldn't let me go. I tried to limit talking to him because I wasn't going to say anything nice to him. He felt very bad. When people came back to talk to me, they said she was fine, and it was luck that she hit her head where she did. She just had a slight bump. BUT they weren't going to do anything else about it but watch her! I told them no way! I want a cat scan! So after insisting on it, I was allowed to go where the radiologist was and watch the images download. He pointed out that she was fine. I prayed and prayed that she would be.

Afterwards, I wouldn't allow Jason to hold her. And I was even worried about my own ability to do so. So I left her with the nurses as much as possible. When it was time to go home two days later, after I got dressed and signed the discharge papers. I was waiting to go, when I was laying on the bed, and I suddenly felt a gush of warmth down my legs, and to my knees. I looked under the blanket and it was blood! It was a lot of blood, and it was coming from my belly! They were panicked! So was I! Because of my sudden jump up when the accident happened, and because I was taking shots in my stomach for clots, I tore my belly open!
(Okay at this point, you're thinking, Jennie's blog is just too gross to read anymore, but it really happened!)

To make a long story shorter, I wasn't healing very good. I had to be readmitted and I was put on the surgical floor, in a room the size of a closet! I felt left alone there, and because the baby was discharged, they bent the rules to let her stay with me, but they weren't going to take care of her! I was not allowed to have anyone else stay either, nor was there room, because the bed was against the wall, they had to pull the infant unit they let me use, out into the hallway, to even walk on the side of the bed! I really tried to fight depression, and when they thought I was ready to go home again, when I stood up, the blood would come rushing out! Before they could glue it, they treated it like a wound, and they packed the holes in my belly with white gauze. I had to watch them remove it, and feel it, when they stuffed it in and out! It was a horrible two weeks! I felt so alone.

But I got through it, and even when I came home, I was on restrictions, and I had to give myself shots in my belly for a while. But Sabrina was fine, she slept through the night like a pro. I dressed her up like a doll, and even though some people say it was gas, she smiled at me everyday! I know Heavenly Father blessed me with her. I know people have those jokes about being dropped on your head as a baby, but that is nothing to joke about. I would have never told anyone, but I feel it was a true test of spiritual strength during that time. My faith was sort of weak, but my prayers were answered. I didn't care what pain I went through, I would have done anything to have gotten to her sooner. Accidents happen, it could have happened to me, or even a nurse. I forgave Jason shortly after, I trusted him with her and all of the rest of my babies. It was just a lesson we had learned through the hard way, unfortunately. Nevertheless, I was grateful things turned out okay, and it was certainly a Thanksgiving I could never forget.

Stranded...

Through the years we have had our bits of car problems, and I think just about everybody has. Sometimes it may be because of something stupid, such is driving on a empty tank, and the worst is losing a engine or transmission in the middle of no where! That has happened to us, more than once. Because we love to drive and we push our vechiles to the limits sometimes, like passing people going up a steep mountain like Parley's, in Utah and losing our transmission on the way, so stupid! Or taking the risk driving with a engine light on, and ignoring it. What ever the reason, it has happened to us, and it sucks when it does. There has been that rare occausion, where we had minutes on our cell phone, it was not out of range, and we had AAA to bail us out. One particular time where I was extremely grateful was when we had to rely on the kindness of strangers.

We lived in St. George at the time, about six hours away from South Jordan, Utah, when we took our old used van to go visit my in-laws for a few days. We left on a Sunday and missed church because of it, and we hadn't planned on breaking down on the way. We had our large white husky mixed dog with us, named Lightening, he took up his own seat, when he rode with us. We couldn't leave him down in the deseret heat for days. So we went, and on the way there, without warning, we lost the engine when we were between towns. (if you ever took that drive, you would know that there are plenty of vast land between towns) We didn't have a cell phone with us, and it was too hot to stay in the van. We didn't even have any extra water either. So we decided, let's try to walk to the next town. We said a prayer and we began walking, away from the road, in tall weeds going north. We figured we had a hour or so of sun left and possibly we would get somewhere before long, but there wasn't any building in sight, either way!

As we walked (this must of been a pathetic sight to see), we had walked for only like 15 mins. at the most, when suddenly a small compact car stopped and honked at us. In the car, was two old ladies, who were sisters and they told us to jump on in, without even discussing our sitiution. The dog too? I thought, and top of everything else, in the back seat where two large coin filled water cooler containers that took up a bunch of space. They tried to stuff it in the trunk, but they would not fit. So Jason and all four kids stuffed themselves in back seat with the coins. As for me, I sat in the front area, sharing a seat with the lady, and the dog on both of our laps! To make everything worse, he was really panting, because he was hot and he weighed a lot! The ladies were as nice as can be, they were on the way home from Vegas, going to Park City, and they stopped because we had a dog! Usually people thought he was a wolf when they saw him, bright white fur with his pale blue eyes, when he stared at you, they looked mean. But he wasn't, he was just a big furry baby.

We were extremely grateful to the ladies, they drove us to the nearest town, and since this was still so far away from where we were going, they did something even nicer. They bought drinks for us, and offered to take us the rest of the way! Jason and Erick stayed behind though, so they could wait until help could come get our van. Luck was on our side, because Jason's brother owned a repair shop. We never heard or seen the ladies again after they dropped us off at my in-laws house, I even offered to pay them for gas. But I feel like the Lord did indeed answer our prayer and ever since then, I have felt compelled to stop and offer help to others when they are on the side of the road broke down too.

November is the Time for Thanksgiving...

After I first got my blog rolling, people may have noticed that I enjoy changing it as often as I can. The colors and designs are endless, which reflects my many moods, any special events, and seasons of the year. I try to control myself, and limit it to a once in a month thing, but something new always comes up! I am excited about Christmas coming up soon, I wish I could just skip Thanksgiving altogether. (the stores already do it, why can't I?)

But that's not going to happen this month, because I have had plans since the beginning to have blog themes, like the one I am going to have this month, "November is the time for Thanksgiving". This month will be filled with stories, things, and people that I am thankful for. There are many stories to share, because though I may not show it, I actually pray to Heavenly Father everyday to thank him for certain things and people. I have a lot to be thankful for, even when it seems like I am going through one of these poor me moods. I still will not deny that I am cursed, and people around me are starting to believe it for themselves. I just have a hard time getting past that, and thinking positively like I should. Because of this, I have tried to be prepared for life's problems, almost expecting it. When it does happen, I try to get a grip, and take a step back. Sometimes hearing another person's problems, makes your so minor. And that makes me for grateful for what I do have to deal with. But of course, there is only so much someone can take. And truthful right now, I am just about to that point.

I just want to make a shout out to the people that I am grateful for this week, that tried to make my frown, upside down when I tried to to lie with a fake smile, and say I was fine. And that is my neighbors, the Coiners who are like a second set of parents, whether they wanted to be or not. Micah who helps out more than he knows.

I am thankful for the understanding by Erick's teachers, counselor, and nurse, who I think show they care quite a bit when they are meeting with me on a non conference day, when they are so busy.

I am thankful for my sister Ann, Jay and her kids for coming all the way out here from California just to visit us for a weekend. Which wasn't long enough, but I was so happy to get what I could out of it, even if we had other problems going on at the same time. They didn't judge me, and they were so fun to be around. I just love them!

I am thankful for the manager I spoke to over the phone, who finally believed me, and helped me after I spoke to several people for him, that wouldn't. That really means a lot to me, and I am thankful for my status, even if it's may be short lived.

And finally, I am thankful for my parent's, even when sometimes telling them I have a problem, may lead to more. They usually have a unique way of dealing with things, and working angles that I never thought of. The thing about them is they would really do anything for their kids, if it was in their power, and I know that. I try to return the favor whenever I can. I am thankful for their love, and their resourcefulness.

Burnt OUT!

When you read my title, please understand that I am not burnt out on life, or any other of my responsibilities, just about election related stuff! I am sure like a lot of people, has been so caught up in the experience that now that it is over, you want it to be over. I can compare it to things like, when you invite someone over for dinner and then after you have cleaned, prepared, cooked, and entertained, you feel like, enough is enough, goodnight! But then they won't leave, they linger behind, still wanting to have the same conversation. I know it's strange, for me to be saying all this, because I have been looking forward to a win for so long, after being lifted up and inspired twice before and only to be knocked out once, and conned another time before that. I should be happy and thrilled!

I am sort of...I am hoping now, not be let down, and I am hoping for Obama to be a Superman, to do all he promises, and to prove to all those who doubted him, to never doubt him again. Does that ask for the impossible? I know I am not the only one who feels this way. I know how Republicans feel about losing. (it's about time, lol) They think this country is going down the toilet, they think they rather now live in Canada, and it's a sure sign of the Apocalypse! The country has already gone down the toilet, and now, we have hired a plumper, hopefully he can do the job.

I worked the polls yesterday, and was so thrilled to do so, even though I was sick, and was working with one, particular annoying person, who caused some grief during the most busiest time of the day. It's a long story, but without problems, it would have been completely boring! Before the election, I attended a meeting the week before, and they gave us more worries to think about on our big day, than before. The county sheriff came in and briefed us on about some threats that had been received, regarding the election. Besides dealing with obsessive party fans, our lives will be in danger? Sweeping for bombs, and possibly expecting crazy people to try to vote with guns, that sort of thing, hardly makes the pay worth it. Why is race make people so crazy, I hope now, people will move on about that, and just people!

So my other comparison about how I feel, is what someone might feel on Christmas morning. After months of waiting, talking about, singing the songs, and dreaming about want you want, it's finally here, and you wake up, and you got what you wanted. Just about the day after Christmas (I have to control myself from doing it on the night of), I want to put everything away, and I am then totally sick of all that is Christmas! I don't want to hear the tunes, or see the decor any more, I just want to everything to be clean, and I am ready for the new year. That is how I feel.

Go Out & Vote!

People in America take so many things for granted. One thing in particular is our right to vote for a new leader of our country. It doesn't take watching Jay Leno's Jaywalking bit, to see some of America's finest citizens in action. We are surrounded by people who are clueless or just lazy when it comes to politics, people in the line, parents at the games, people in our own homes, etc. Do you know what got me teary eyed, a while back when I watching the same old news about the war in the middle east? It was when I saw woman cry because she was allowed to vote for the first time for the President of her country. Besides braving the thought of riots, bomb scares, and prejudice against her, she had dark blue or black ink dyed on her fingers, which she wished she could never wash away. Woman are still treated like second class in some countries, some had never had such a opportunity. Of course I recognize the reason why she was allowed to vote in the first place, and that was because of our own country. It makes me feel proud that we care about others.

I think everybody knows by now that I am a election officer. NO big deal to some, but I take it very seriously! I feel like I am doing my part, to contributing to our country. In which, some people don't seem to really care about their right to vote. They just figure it's all in the delegates hands, or their vote will be canceled out by the friend or spouse who is voting for the opposite candidate. But it's the purpose, the right that we get to do so, that is one of the most important things. What if only a small percentage of people only chose to vote? What if the government realized that, and decided to give the responsibility to only a handful of people who are dedicated to doing it, so they stop wasting all this money on paying election officers , voting supplies, & machines? Don't you think that it would save a ton of money for the government and candidates who spend a ton of money trying to influence your vote? I am sure someone has thought of that and maybe prefer that. Maybe some dictator or party that wants to be in charge. What does that remind you of?

Just go and do it, it's not like it's such a chore, though this election may make you wait a bit, with other people who are just as anxious. That's no different than standing in line at Wal-mart at Christmas time. (or anytime,lol) Just be patient, especially if you come to my precinct. But that's another story for my blog...