HACKED! Happy Birthday Jeri!

Once Upon a TIME 
              There was a little

And she had a very nice

(not actual childhood family although a close representation...)

Who wanted to wish her a 

The problem was, she was already so 

far over the

That we couldn't catch up! So we hacked the BLOG instead!

SOMEONE IS 40!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4,   0. wow.

(Thats her in the middle- even pioneers need a Majorette...)

She was born the oldest, and therefore THE BOSS

(But I don't actually remember fighting with her- not once)

She received the brunt 

of my parents micromanaged parenting

(BY THE TIME THEY HAD EMILY THEY TOSSED HER A SUCKER AND HOPED FOR THE BEST)

Jerianna was a natural babysitter and VERY responsible (we won't mention the whole water-hose-in-the-house incident...)

She paved the way and wasn't afraid

to take a RISK for one of her

siblings...

(Remember when you cut Lisa's hair into that trendy half-short-half-long style? Awesome) 

I remember once in middle school I had to write a paper on my hero.  I choose Jeri.  She was so nice to everybody. She took JOY in doing good things.  Everybody liked her. I wanted to be her.  I still do.

Remember, Jeri, once when Julie and I were just sitting around Video Pizza wishing for an icecream? And you just bought us some?  We didn't even ask, that's just how you were.

HOW we LOVE you JERI!

And want to wish you an amazing

Happy Birthday!

(Because you are an amazing person)

BUT 

You don't have to take my word for it.... 

Congratulations! You are 14,600 days old (but who’s counting?)

I can’t believe you are 40. Remember when we were girls, and we would come home after school and watch The Chipmunks, then The Brady Bunch? Remember Saturday morning cartoons, and Reed Drug milkshakes? Remember our boat play house? Remember tomato macaroni and cut-out cookies? Remember running down the lane to catch the bus because we waited till the last minute to leave the house? Remember perms, and curling our bangs? Remember adventures with our kittens and riding the lawn tractor? Remember exploring in grandpa’s horse sheds? Remember Annie-I-Over? Remember long trips in our suburban with Lucy always throwing up? Remember roller skating and riding our bikes? Remember when we lost that snake in the basement? Remember playing in the snow until our fingers were frozen? Remember roasting hot dogs in the winter?

 Remember being best friends?

I remember once in high school when I was eating lunch and I dropped my tray. All my friends scattered because they were embarrassed. I was embarrassed too. But then you saw me, and came to help. I will always remember that story. You were always there for me. 

Thanks for being a wonderful big sis! Happy 40^th Birthday!  Love, Lisa

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe

She had a big birthday and didn’t know what to do

So wrinkled and grey, we don’t know what to say

Except Happy Birthday from us to you!

Three ladies were discussing the travails of getting older. One said, 
"Sometimes I catch myself with a jar of mayonnaise in my hand, while 
standing in front of the refrigerator, and I can't remember whether I need to put it away, or start making a sandwich."

The second lady chimed in with, "Yes, sometimes I find myself on the landing 
of the stairs and can't remember whether I was on my way up or on my way 
down."

The third one responded, " Well, ladies, I'm glad I don't have that problem. 
Knock on wood," as she rapped her knuckles on the table, and then said, 
"That must be the door, I'll get it!"

_____________________________________________________________________

As a psychological experiment intitled, "How to tame and control my pesky little brother or at least trick him into being my personal and eternal Butler," Jerianna took me, and treated me to McDonalds. (Almost like a loving sister would.) She got the idea from a psychology class she was taking at the time. I thought, "Gee this is strange," but I decided to just roll with it. So to McDonalds we went and we had a wonderful time and lo and behold she decided I wasn't all that bad and it brought us significantly closer. I don't know how tamed or controlled I became, but I sure felt like I had the nicest sister in the world. I love her very much and am happy that she is my sister.

LOVE ADAM

__________________________________________________________

-Remember when you had to share your room with your baby sister? I do! I wanted to be just like you. 

-Remember that Christmas when you bought me an old run down bike? I do! You repaired it and repainted it so look like new. I didn't know until many years later that it wasn't new. I have more memories about my time spent on that bike then any other bike I ever owned. 

-Remember when you took your baby sister out a date with your then boyfriend Paul? I do! We road bikes to the pizza place in Hyrum and you bought me an ice cream cone.  It was my first and lasting impression of what dating was and what kind of boys it should be with. 

-Remember when you made your baby sister and Aunt. I do! I was only 11 for Heaven's Sakes! Spending time at your house hanging out with Lizard (Lizzy, Liz, Elizabeth) made me feel like I could be the inspiring big sister to her that you were to me. 

-Remember when you lived clear across the country...dropped everything... picked up and left to fly eight hours back to Utah... just to spend 5 minutes in my hospital room letting me know that you loved me in my time of need?  I DO!!! I will never forget that you did that just for me. 

-Remember that time that your sisters hacked your blog to tell you that they love you and to wish you a HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY? I do! Here's to the next 40 years of cherished memories. 

I LOVE YOU JERI, 

Thank you for being my sister!!

LOVE EMILY

_______________________________________________________________________________________

September 1991

Jeri has now graduated from high school and has been awarded a scholarship to USU and Ricks.  She has chosen Ricks College in Rexburg.  She has a friend, Sara Lynn Wilcox, who has a grandmother that lives across from the college and they are going to live there for the winter.  The rent is only $500.00 per year and they did not even want to charge us that because Jeri and Sara Lynn will help the grandma.

     However, a boy named Paul Keeley, just got home from a mission and happens to be the brother of one of Jeri's best friends, Becky, and he and Jeri seem to have hit it off quite well.  He said he has never dated the same girl twice.  He and Jeri have been out together almost every day for the past week.  Oh well…….

October 18, 1995

Jeri.  Everyone is given talents. Some are given many some are give few.  Some are given extreme talents that far exceed others.  I am always so inspired and in awe of the talents of my children. You kill me with your ability to write and to make people look and feel good. You bring tears to my eyes each time I read and see how you headline each of your children in your “Hey, Nellie” editorial.   You did it again with Mayli.  What a sweetheart; both you and her. Again your photo choices were heavenly. Thank you for your inspiration.  Keep it up.  Love, Dad.

8-20-13

Jeri, those are a couple of paragraphs that I took out of my journal.  Sincerely, I wish you a happy birthday and I really do think you are extremely talented in many things especially in wit and writing.  God had given you a great talent and you have improved upon it.  Keep going. 

 Love Dad

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Yeah well, too bad you don't remember any of these things... BECAUSE now you are

 40!

WE LOVE YOU!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

To My Jerianna

My tiny, my firstborn, your sweet little face.

I am falling in love as I pause from life's race

I carefully study each expression you make

Free from my womb, new stretches you take

The wisdom of spirit I see in your eyes

seem out of place for a girl your size.

Those stretches reached for became your style

In all of your efforts you go the extra mile

Good choices have blessed you all of your life

with your own challenges as mother and wife.

You have given me so much as you've grown.

What beautiful babies you made of your own!

I am ever so grateful I was given the chance

to be your mother in this life's dance.

Forever I'll love you and watch you progress.

Your covenants and choices ensure your success!

LOVE MOM

______________________________________________

                    40 reasons we love Jeri:

Jeri plays pin the tail on the donkey* Jeri has a pet rock * Jeri makes pinkie promises

 * Jeri matches her clothes *Jeri gets regular dental check-ups 

* Jeri helps old ladies cross the road *Jeri was captain of the chess team 

* Jeri buys girl scout cookies * Jeri supports world peace * Jeri is an avid bee keeper 

* Jeri is kind to bears * Jeri has new socks on (wanna see?) * Jeri doesn’t step on worms 

* Jeri can fit 10 large marshmallows in her mouth * Jeri believes in Santa Clause 

* Jeri can flip 2 pancakes at once * Jeri sleeps with a pirate patch 

* Jeri eats macaroni without the cheese * Jeri mows the lawn with goggles 

* Jeri makes way for ducklings * Jeri sings Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star in the shower 

* Jeri eats peas one at a time * Jeri can draw a liger (probably the best we've seen) 

* Jeri has a pet dust bunny * Jeri can cross her eyes * Jeri adopted a highway 

* Jeri is friends with Captain America *Jeri prevents wildfires 

* Jeri does-not-open-till-Christmas *Jeri eats M&Ms for breakfast 

* Jeri turns frowns upside down *Jeri has a pet sock monkey 

* Jeri helps old ladies buckle their motorcycle helmets * Jeri messes with Sasquatch

 * Jeri manages the band “Maroon-ish 5," * Jeri will bake you brownies 

*Jeri chews with her mouth closed* Jeri isn’t afraid of clowns 

*Jeri is 18 with 22 years experience

* JERI WILL NEVER BE IN HER 30's AGAIN!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER!

Rocky Mountain Shame

Dear Friends,

I am writing this e-mail/blogpost to let you all in on what has been going on for the past two years with the power company, and to give you a heads-up that have HAD ENOUGH, and taken action.

For the past two years, since we moved here, about every two or three months, Rocky Mountain Power has thoughtfully sent us letters and e-mails informing us that we use considerably more power than our neighbors.  They have employed the use of charts and graphs, and have been trying to shame us into more responsible power use.

You've all seen us in public--it takes a lot more than a little letter or e-mail, even if it's got a colorful pie chart--to shame us.  But they did manage to annoy us, (which it turns out is relatively easy).

So, we rounded up the usual suspects:  the 50 year old geezer-freezer and his companion in the garage need to be replaced.  (Don't tell them, though.   We don't want them to kick the bucket until the energy efficient young'uns come.) The threat of "Death by Laundry" will never end.  There's just not much we can do for that one, and the neighbors who drive across town just to get free sock, underwear and beach towel laundry service will soon turn into the neighbors who leave wet jeans and mittens.

But I think we found a partial solution.

Handsome came home from work talking about a co-worker who is doing a bunch of remodeling.  He just had RadiaSource installed, and then spent a 100* weather weekend without air conditioning.  The house stayed 80's cool.  The guy's brother in construction is putting it in all his homes now.

We researched the stuff:  http://www.radiasource.com/

We talked to Zane (One of the owners) and     another guy whose name I can't find or remember, but who is the creator of a new movement that is taking off on Facebook called The Service Journal.  He'll have a blog www.theservicejournal.com  up and running soon, along with a book, I think. (Go like him on Facebook--it makes him really happy.)

Anyway.  This is a good company, a great product, and awesome people.

WE HAD IT INSTALLED LAST SATURDAY, AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A DIFFERENCE.

It was fast, affordable, and we are very happy.


Don't be alarmed.  Chances are you won't be getting any shame mail from Rocky Mountain Power anytime soon.  

We'll still be takin' one for the team, I'm sure.  

The new insulation blanket won't stop the heathens from leaving the doors open when it's 100* outside, or -20, either.

Ma and pa Frigidaire will still limp along in the garage, and the washer and dryer will spin endlessly.

But our house is a lot more comfy, and our air conditioner has stopped screaming for mercy.

If you decide to call Zane, tell him you heard about Radiasouce from me.  I told him I'd blog about our experience, (I know, right?  I've got a blog, blah, blah, blah...)  And he said if anyone read it and said that they were referred by me he'd give me $50.  

I'll then use some of that money to pay it forward and support the Service Journal stuff his partner is doing.  (I LOVE that idea!  Can't wait to follow his blog; hint, hint.  I've started a service journal.)

We're really convinced that this is making a difference in the heating/cooling of our home.  We love this product!

This is the first and probably only paid advertisement you'll find on this blog.  (And I only get paid if someone uses it and mentions me.)

Book Review: Callie's Rules by Naomi Zucker

I don't do this very often, but I really liked this book by Naomi Zucker*!  Callie is an eleven year-old who is a little bit different.  She's smart, and comes from a big family, and pretty much has to decide whether to try to fit in, or to embrace who she is and be true to herself.

This book is exceptional on several levels, and I wish I had more time to spend here, but I'm gonna have to make this my "3rd Grade Level" book report.  (Not my best work, but better than nothin'.)

I liked this book because:
It was clean
It promoted big families
It discussed friendship
Good teachers making a difference were involved
The main character had two parents who cared
They ate dinner together as a family every night
Boys and girls interacted in age-appropriate ways
The main character learned integrity
Topics like forgiveness were addressed
It was fun to read, funny, and  very well-written
The main character learned to adapt to adversity, but not at the expense of "stupid" adults, (mostly)
Social rules are examined thoughtfully
Intelligence and Creativity were promoted

It will be our next read-aloud with the little girls.  If I were teaching, I would do a unit around it in my classroom, and have several copies available, maybe a classroom set.

It would be a great springboard for quite a few discussions.  One of my best friends doesn't celebrate Halloween with her family for several of the reasons mentioned in the book, which I totally respect.  We do celebrate Halloween, and I think it's important for kids to understand that there are different points of view in the world about different issues, and a lot of ways to work around those without hurting others.

This book also works with the discussion that arose earlier on Goodreads about "fitting in" vs. "belonging".

I wish Disney would do a sitcom about Callie, and stay true to all of the characters--let Naomi Zucker direct and write the screenplay.  We need less glitzy drama and more stability in our world.


*Naomi Zucker doesn't know me from Adam, and I am not being compensated in any form to write this.  It's just for my own personal entertainment, and yours.  Also, it's a stalling technique.   Dishes and laundry.   You're welcome.  ;)

Almost 21 Years and Still Gobsmacked

I'm floating in a stiff Victorian chair,
Gandalf the Grey has just become White--
And frankly, I don't care, I mean that's great for him.

After a quiet walk with my love, 
A long, luxurious, shower with some bayberry soap;
This lovely bed and breakfast inn we have all to ourselves,
Biblical knowledge repeated in a such a spectacularly familiar way,
And then together to watch poor Bilbo and Samwise trudge.

These Twenty  some-odd years, and all I know is he.
I marvel that my baby toes could tingle like they do.

I Hope

I Hope That When My Children See Me, They See:

Me on my knees,
That I light up when they enter the room,
A life of quiet generosity.

I hope they remember that I took care of myself, 

And of them.
I hope they understood that I set goals, made mistakes, forgave others and myself, fell down, got up and tried again.

I don't want to be the mother who was too busy, who wouldn't listen, who despised her own body, who was selfish, unforgiving or gossiped.  I refuse to be the one who was critical, unapproachable, who betrayed trusts.

When a child leaves my home, I hope it is with the knowledge that they are loved, that life is good, that there is a place for them, that they can have peace.  That it is OK to try and fail and try again. That they are a person of great worth.  That Charity, Wisdom and Humility are great foundational building blocks.  That God is real and He hears and answers prayers.