Date Story #5- First Date Part 1

There really isn't much history before the first date. J.D. had only been home from his mission for almost 2 months. If you don't want to read this post that's fine. It's extremely long because I tried to put all the details of what I remember in it.

Now, I thought I would make sure I had enough time to get ready. So basically since J.D. had called at 4 to let me know we were going to the Utes game, I started getting ready right away. It seems like if you plan time to get ready then you end up having too much time, and you end up ready 40 min. early. Well, I had just cleaned up my apartment, picked out my clothes, did my make-up ever so slowly. I kept running scenarios in my head of how to act, things to say, how to smile, and things not to do! But, then I started to relax, and decided that I just needed to be me. I spent all summer trying to find that person and now was my chance to show this extremely hot guy who 'me' was. So I wore red & white to support the Utes, instead of finding a super cute outfit. I wore my hair the way I love to wear it, straight with a little poofing. I decided to not try anything cuter with my make up, and wore some simple earrings. I had also decided I was NOT going to kiss him if the opportunity presented itself, even though I knew I would want to. lol!

5:30 sharp, J.D. rings the doorbell. My heart jumped from my chest. Here Goes! I opened the door and he was smiling so big. I was too.! lol! (If you know J.D. he never stops smiling. People refer to him as the guy who is always smiling. This is funny because that's what everyone called me growing up, the girl who never stopped smiling). J.D. opened my door to the truck, held my hand to help me get in, and slid in next to me. We rode with J.D.'s roommate and his date. The ride up from Orem to Salt Lake was so cute! I sat in the middle back seat and J.D. was next to the door. While we were all chatting away, J.D. kept leaning on my leg to try and listen to the people up front better. (Of course I totally remembered this because in my mind I was thinking, he is just trying to stay close to me... you can hear just fine.)
Turns out I was right about this. I asked J.D. later on during our dating days and he said he could hear, he really was just trying to be closer. lol!

We ate at Rumbi's in Salt Lake before the game. Now this sounds so dumb, but I have this thing about guys paying with cash on a date. I love seeing that I'm not a credit card date (debt date). Well J.D. had cash- I was totally taken. Then, we went to sit down...there wasn't any tables left. So, being me, I said we should sit with the guy all alone at a table of 4. I asked and he said yes. J.D. set down the food, and pulled out my chair for me. Oh my gosh was I totally falling. We are eating and talking to this guy. He worked for a news station or newspaper place. He then asked us, "So how long have you guys been married?" J.D. about choked on his food while I replied, " Oh I don't know.. how long have we been married J.D.?" I was laughing just trying to play along. BUT J.D. then got his throat cleared and said, "Actually this is our first date." We all just laughed! Then the guys replied, "Wait til I go home and tell the wife this one." We just had the best conversation with this man. We got up and left, J.D. opened my door again. We were off to the game.

Date Story #4- Are We Going

J.D. had told me he was going to be calling me during the week to let me know when he'd pick me up. Well every night I would constantly be checking my phone, making sure it was up loud for me to hear, and fully charged in case we ended up talking for a long time.
Monday...nothing
Tuesday...nothing..
Wednesday....nothing... I knew the game was on Thursday and kinda felt anxious to know if I was still going on a date? Did J.D. forget? Should I call him? I didn't want to seem too into him because I knew that scared most men away. Especially if they weren't into you that much and I didn't know how much J.D. was into me. So many thoughts, and questions. It's ALL I could think about. I was so excited to go and now I was getting discouraged. In the end around 9:30 ish Wednesday night, I decided I would give him a call.

The conversation was short and more discouraging. I thought I had totally ruined it. J.D. was SUPER sweet on the phone, and basically said he would call me tomorrow and let me know what time he'd pick me up. He still wasn't sure about tickets for the Utes game and was at a old mission companion's family's house eating dinner. (This mission companion Elder Moss, well his family lived in Utah Valley and would invite their son's companions that had come home before him to eat dinner every Wednesday night and watch Lost. Their son was still out, but this way they felt he was close to home.) Anyway,  J.D. let me go and that was it.

All night I just couldn't sleep. WHY did I call!! WHY couldn't I have just waited? I kept thinking of all the things I had done wrong, replaying the minute in a half phone call over and over again in my head. I sure hoped he'd call Thursday and still want to take me. I can't explain how dumb I felt.

Thursday started as normal. And around 4 pm J.D. finally called!! I was so excited! He said he had gotten tickets and he'd pick me up at 5:30. YES!! He still wanted to take me and sounded not annoyed that I had called him Wednesday night. There is a CRAZY story on J.D.'s side about why he didn't call til 4, and all the stress he went through to get tickets. He knew he'd take me out no matter what, but really wanted to take me to see the Utes.

The story behind why he didn't call me until 4 that evening is the fact that he really didn't know if he could get tickets. He also didn't get paid and so he called his mom for $50 and said that he would pay her back as soon as he got paid. He called the Utes ticket booth and finally was able to get some tickets and they would hold them at 'Will Call.' Now, he was supposed to get free tickets from his friend. Well his friend ONLY got tickets for himself and a date! So he threw J.D. under the bus to fend for himself after he had already told J.D. he would get tickets for him. J.D. spent all day trying to get tickets and enough cash because his pay check didn't come. All so that he could take me to a Utes game.

Date Story #3- The Phone Call

So after conference I told Jefferson, (my blind date), I was just going to go home with my roommate. Two reasons, First, I just wasn't having a really great time and second I didn't want to be alone with Barb while J.D. and Jefferson went to the priesthood session later that night. A quick hug and thanks, and I was off. I didn't even want to say goodbye to J.D. because I didn't think it was really necessary to see him with Barb again. Plus, I was being stubborn about him setting me up on a not so good date.

I met my roommate and drove home. I just couldn't let my day be filled with a not so good date, and the jealousy of seeing J.D. with Barb was consuming my mind. SO I called my friend Jessica and some other friends and we went clubbin' that night in Salt Lake at Studio 600. We picked up some boys at one of the clubs and decided to go to The Pie to eat. We got to the car to head to The Pie and I noticed a missed phone call....from J.D.!! AND there was a voice mail too! I immediately got all giddy inside. I listened to the message and J.D had asked me to go to the Utes game with him on Thursday and wanted me to call him back!

YES! I was going to steal him away from Barb AND we are going to go see the Utes! He remembered that I had told him I was a huge Utes fan!

Well I didn't realize the time. J.D. had called around 9:30pm and it was now 2:30 AM! So I called him back at 2:30 AM! lol! He was TOTALLY asleep, although he denied it when I asked if he was sleeping. We spent the next 30 minutes chatting. It was kind of weird because J.D. said he wanted to take me to the Utes game and there was a possibility that he was going to get free tickets from one of the players...it was a long story. So he said he'd call me during the week to let me know for sure. I finally told him I was about to go eat with some friends so I needed to go. I was so excited, but didn't know for sure if I was going or not to a Utes game.

J.D.'s explanation is that he just wanted me to keep Thursday open for him. So there I was left waiting for a phone call during the week.

#1- Barb & A Blind Date

History of J.D.: He has always had a girl friend since 3rd grade. He didn't not have one up until he married Jenny and had a wife instead of a girl friend. He is a very VERY handsome/hot guy, so I dont' blame him. lol!

J.D. went to college for one year before his mission to Utah State. It was there where he broke up with one girlfriend from high school and he met another girl. He says she was nice so he started dating her. He also says he wasn't WAY attracted to her, but he didn't think she wasn't cute. So because of a certain high school buddy who wanted to date her friend, J.D. started dating this girl. We'll call her Barb. J.D. left for his mission and came home August 2006. Just in the knick of time to go to school. Barb wrote J.D. faithfully every week, and needless to say, he loved getting letters and fun packages.

J.D. claims he knew he wasn't going to marry her, but if he didn't find someone else within a couple of years, then he would just marry her anyway. She did have some qualities that he liked, and she was really good to him.

One Sunday, J.D. was riding home with Chet and Bobi Sue back to Orem. J.D. recieved a phone call from his buddy Jefferson asking him to go to conference with him since he had an extra ticket. J.D. was already going with Barb, but knew a girl (Jenny) that he could take instead. They could all go together since they all had tickets to the same session.

J.D. called me up and asked me to go on a blind date with Jefferson to  the Saturday afternoon conference session.

Now you are asking yourself- WHAT THE CRAP!!?? You don't set up a blind date with a girl you are interested in... and to go on a double date while you are with another girl (who could maybe be a future wife!!) That's what went on in my head, and Chet and Bobi Sue's heads. Probably everyone else in the world was thinking the same thing.

J.D. hangs up and tells Jefferson it's all a go. Chet then goes on to tell J.D. what an IDIOT he is! Thank you Chet. I'm glad someone had the guts to tell him :-) Then J.D. realized what he'd done. Oh shoot! ...Well, J.D. didn't call it off, he just went along with it and figured he could pull it off as him and Barb not dating.

In J.D.'s defense, he was thinking it was a good opportunity for him to get to know me better and spend time with me.

J.D. didn't think to get dressed that morning when Jenny and Jefferson showed up to watch conference at Barb's house. I'm not sure how he was thinking he was going to pull of him and Barb not dating when they both are wearing pajamas at Barb's house... don't ask.

During the session, J.D. was leaning away from Barb the entire time on the couch. He also had paper and pencil so he wouldn't have to hold her hand. If he leaned forward, Barb would put her arm around him, so J.D. stayed leaning back and away from her. Even though she found ways to still be all over him. haha!

Jenny and Jefferson were sitting as far apart as they could. (another story- Jefferson had just gone on a date with a girl,  Ashley, the night before and was really wanting to move forward with her and not me. He is now married to Ashley!) Barb and J.D. then finally got dressed and we headed off to the conference center.  Jefferson and I walked in front of Barb and J.D. So when I wasn't looking, J.D. would hold Barb's hand. If I looked back, he'd let go. However, this didn't work, I did catch him and saw him let go. lol! It was here that J.D. didn't want to hurt Barb's feelings, so he was glad we didnt' sit next to each other. Not even close.

We didn't talk or see eachother after conference because I just left. J.D. was kinda bummed, but glad he didn't have to play two parts anymore...lol!

#2- The History (Jenny's Version)

I have a friend who has started posting about the history of her and her husbands story from them meeting, to dating, and then to getting married. I am going to start doing the same so I don't forget and can share with our kids when they grow up. (Sorry for copying Sarah- I hope you don't mind :-) )

My history: I have never had a boy friend. Some may say I did have one, but I don't count holding hands 3 times with a guy actually dating and given the holding hands did not happen consecutively. I definitely had crushes, but nothing close to a boyfriend. It wasn't that I didn't want to date anyone seriously, I just stuck to having really good friends. To this day, J.D. and I are really close to many of them and their wives. So in college I went on SO MANY first dates. No second dates-literally. I had so much fun on the first dates though. :-) I moved down to Orem in 2006. This was a changing point in my life. I roomed with my sister Kortni, and we lived in the same complex as my brother Choc. We all were in the same ward. Naturally, like a wonderful, protective older brother would do; Choc announced in sacrament meeting that if anyone wanted to date his little sister Jenny (he then pointed me out), they would have to ask for his permission. In my mind I was thinking, Thanks Choc...I won't ever get a date in my ward now. And it was true, NO ONE in our ward ever asked me out. :-( So I spent my summer working, and realizing who I wanted to be.

Like I mentioned, this was a life changing summer. I spent a lot of time with my sister Kortni, going to Utah Lake, doing crafts, and playing softball. Every Thursday I had a brother-sister date with Choc. We would go bowling at Fat Cats and eat Costa Vida. It was the best dates EVER! We never missed one Thursday until I had my first date with J.D.; which was October 5th, 2006. I spent a lot of time to myself that summer and kept having this weird feeling that something big was going to happen. I wrote in my journal on June 14th, that I got a message/strong feeling that something BIG was going to happen and I needed to basically straighten up. I wasn't doing anything bad, but I just didn't really read my scriptures, pray often, or even go to church. I started going to church on my own and actually wanted to go on my own. I went to all my meetings and loved it. I can honestly say I truly gained a start to my testimony that summer.

Now, school was going to start soon and I hadn't figured out my financial aid all the way like I thought. It turns out I had to pay tuition and I didn't think I could finish my financial aid. School was extremely hard, I didn't like any of my classes. I had transferred from the U of U and being an architect to Utah Valley University and MAYBE try photography. This was a wrong path for sure as far as photography. My sister Kortni was having serious medical issues. My work was overwhelming while going to school. There was SO much that went wrong in the month of September except-I met J.D. I consider him the only good thing that happened that month. But even that didn't turn out in the month of September. It wasn't until October that things started looking somewhat UP. Please watch the date and times in my time line and you will see that September was just not my month and October changed my life even more.

August 9th-J.D. returned home from his mission. I didn't know this at the time, but I put it in the time line so you can better understand how fast this was for him, but how slow it was for me.
September 2nd-I met J.D. at a reception, however he was with another girl who had written him his whole mission and they had dated before his mission. Naturally-I didn't look.

September (A bunch of STRESS and drama)

September 12th-I see J.D. at munch and mingle for institute and we exchange numbers. (I thought this was good until I received a phone call on ...Sept 24th.
September 24th-J.D. calls to set me up on a blind date with his buddy to go to conference.
September 28th-I received my answer that I was not supposed to go on a mission. I had prayed and fasted for 7 months about this. I also couldn't understand how someone could get an answer "no" about going on a mission.
September 30th-My blind date picks me up at 9 AM, and we head to conference...did I miss something.. I thought we were going to the afternoon session. OOHHH wait a second, we show up at this girl's house (the one who was with J.D. the night I met him). They open the door in their pj's!!! AND we watch the morning session at this girl's house and then we head up to the conference center for the afternoon session. We don't sit next to them, which was super awkward. First date and conference didn't really mix good..to me anyway. At the end, before meeting up with J.D. and his girl friend, I said goodbye to my date and rode home with my roommate.
*they wanted me to hang out with this girl while the boys went to the priesthood session that night. UMMM I don't think so! 2 girls liking the same guy hanging out.. I didn't want to, so I left.

To make up for my not so good date, I went clubbing that night with friends.
September 30th @9:30pm-J.D. left a message on my phone asking me to go on a date. Of course I missed the call because I was clubbing.
October 1st @ 2:30 AM- We head off to The Pie to eat and I saw my message and missed call from.....(drum roll).. J.D. I seriously freaked out with excitement! Without thinking about the time, I called him back instantly. J.D. was sleeping, but he lied and said he wasn't...haha! He asked me to go to a Utes game (I'm a big fan, cuz that was my school). I of course agreed and we talked for about 30 minutes. I went to bed grinning that night.

Here is my journal entry from December 19th. I wanted to put it in here because I think it's really neat to know what I wrote back then.

"Well I have a long story for you. It's about my true love, J.D. Stevens. On September 9th, I met a guy at Troy Jolley's reception. I had driven down with Devan Stevens who lived across form me during the summer. Both Troy and Devan actually lived across from me in the summer. The reception was at Devan's parent's house in Holden. That night I went on a date with Devan to go bowling. Juste before it, I met a guy named J.D. I didn't take a good look since he was with another girl, Lauren. Well J.D. and Lauren went to the movie and we were supposed to go with them, but we decided to go bowling. So anyway, that was a Saturday. On Tuesday, juste barely sitting down in biology, this guy looked at me and said, "Jenny right?" My first thought when  I looked up was- Who is this HOT guy that knows my name.... Well I did remember after he reminded me that we met at Devan's at a reception. He didn't tell me his name. I remembered. After checking him out as he walked out I was like... he's so mine. But I thought he a a girlfriend. Well then thursday came, then tuesday came.. then Thursday night he saw me at institute. He got my number and I got his. I also found out he didn't have a girl friend! He called Sunday night! I was so excited. But come to my dismay, he set me up with his friend Jefferson Coats.... ya... what the heck?! I thought by that he just wanted to be friends. What else was I supposed to think.so 1 week later we all watched conference together. We watched th morning session at Lauren's house.... ya.. that's what I was thinking, this girl again!? Well, then we went to conference at the conference center Saturday afternoon. We didn't sit by each other. Afterwards, the guys were all gonna go to the priesthood session. I did NOT want to wait. So I left with shannon. God thing my roommate was there. I didn't want to wait at Lauren's house because I liked J.D. too! That would have been weird. So me thinking we're just friends.. that night I went dancing at Studio 600 with friends. Afterwards, we went to The Pie to eat and I noticed on my phone that J.D. had called at 11:30. It was 12:45AM so I called him back. He called to ask me out to go to a Utes game. So at 12:45 AM I called him back and we talked for 30 minutes. Anywho, Thursday came. We went to eat at Rhumbi's in Salt Lake. It was so cute because he paid with cash and opened all my doors. We went to sit down and there were no empty tables so we sat with this guy. He said to us, "So how long have you two been married?" I laughed and said, "Ya J.D. how long have we been married?" J.D. choked on his food and said, "Actually this is our first date." The guy about died.

Anyway, we got to the Utes game and we didn't want high seats, so we just sat in a random spot. At half time he gave me a hug and I dropped my hands AND HE GRABBED MY HAND CLOSEST TO HIM!! I got cold chills all over!! So we held hands, he put his arm around me, and walked to the car holding hands. It was so CUTE! I had an experience on the date. I thought 'Could I marry this guy' and I had feeling come over me. Some said, "You are going to marry him." So on the walk back I asked, "Okay Lord, if you want to marry him, let me know if he's right. I'm coming to you for confirmation. This is the guy I want to marry, is it right?" Again, I had this profound YES. Right when we got to the truck he pulled me into his arms and kissed my forehead. I was going to marry him. We cuddled up on the truck on the way home and from then on it's never stopped. He didn't kiss me goodnight that night. Sunday came and he came over to watch a movie because I called him and invited him over. Well had to finish appear for his English class. When he got done he held me in his arms and I looked upend he kissed me on the lips! Wetotally made out and oh my gosh... he was the most amazing kisser ever! Had butterflies for sure, but it was a mixed feeling because I was head over heels for him and wanted to kiss him. It was in the middle of a movie called Glory Road. Thatnight I told him that I called why mom and told her we were getting married. I wasn't scared to tell him because Knew we were really getting married. That was October 9th. First kiss, October 5th was the first date. Then that Tuesday we went on a walk down provo river. It was so sweet. Anytime there was a sound in one direction or a scary something he would switch hands and put himself in between me and the sound. It was the sweetest thing and he made me feel safe and protected. That weekend was fall break. Friday night I drove to Holden to meet his parents and stay the weekend. I was freakin out and I wanted to turn around. But I got there and he was dressed up cowboy. He was so dang cute! That night he took me on a horse ride up the canyon. About 45 minutes later his family showed up and we had dutch over, amores, and just had fun. We got back, showered, 7 went to watch a movie called8 Seconds. I had my head across his lap and he said, "Jenny." I looked up and he said, "I love you." I melted. I had waited my whole life to have someone love me for me. I wanted torch, but instead I waited and then told J.D. that I loved him too. He held me until I fell asleep that night. I felt so protected.

J.D. is so wonderful.He always opens my door, has a smile that makes me want to smile.  The most amazing part is his love. When I look into his eyes and he looks back at me, I just feel it all over. My heart just beats so hard.

End of Journal entry.

June

June was such a fun month. We had all sorts of fun family things going on. 

We got to go to Rock Springs Wyoming to see my brother Chad. We got to see his girls dance, and watch Chase play in a baseball game! 

I watched all the kids one day and we went to a park right near their house. 

 We also had a picnic! Monty's best friend was Bressie :)

Monty also got a quick X-ray for his foot at my brother's new office! It was so fast and so easy! We were in and out with no crying! So not worth ever going to any other doctor for a foot problem. He was cheaper and it was a much better experience! 

Next, my brother got married to my best friend growing up, Brie! I can hardly believe her name is Brie Shelley now. It's been 18 years since my brother Chad got married and Jamie has been our only sister in law for so long. Finally we have another sister in law and another niece and nephew. For me, they have always been so close like family. Brie and I have stayed such good friends all of these years. It still kinda weirds me out to watch them kiss. haha!

Thursday while packing, I had written down to check and make sure we had our temple recommends on my list the day before. I went to do that and realized both of our temple recommends were expired! J.D. was on his way home from work, it's 4 pm and he is calling to figure it out while driving. A bishopric member would meet with us as soon as J.D. got home, BUT it was stake temple night so not one member of the stake presidency was home. They all went to Manti. However, I am so grateful that the stake president holds the power of discernment so he doesn't HAVE TO interview. He felt that J.D. and I were both worthy and called the temple for us so we could watch my brother get married.

We drove down Thursday night, stayed in Primm, NV and then drove the rest of the way early Friday morning. With Hazyn and Monty, we needed to stop so they could get a good rest. The kids were so so good on the way down. I am so blessed to have such amazing kids pull through when I am worried the most. We all went to Sea World the day before the wedding. Our kids could not get enough of it. We went on rides and saw all the animals. Hazyn just went through the whole day calm and happy.

We got to see the Killer Whale show one last time before they shut it down...

It was SO fun seeing our family all over the park. Sea World was so much more fun than Disney Land. So many cool (shady) places to sit and chilled exhibits to walk through. With a 2 month old baby, it couldn't have worked out better.

This is Blake and Monty watching the killer whales swim.

We got a picture of Dawson at this age when we went to Sea World before, so had to get one with Monty :-)

That night we had a HUGE BBQ by the ocean. Our hotel was right on the beach and ocean! Everyone walked over and had a chance to visit and get to know each other. Our kids didn't even make it to that, they were so tired they fell asleep as soon as we got back from Sea World. J.D. and I switched places, one watched the kids while the other went to the BBQ to eat and then we swapped after a bit. It felt like home having a BBQ so chillax.

They got married June 11th in the San Diego temple. It was so perfect. We had a photographer that knew our whole family and took pics so fast. The sealing was definitely for choc and Brie. He related marriage and family to a basketball team. SO CHOC! Brie kept pulling faces that were hilarious! When the sealer said "eternity" she got big eyes and a scared faced, then she would cheese it so big, laugh, and so on. Choc would wink at her and smile so cute. The sealer said afterwards, "I've never had a couple winking and smiling at each other before" and we all busted up. It was a pretty neat thing to watch Choc get married finally. Especially to the girl of his dreams. She was almost too close the whole time growing up we all missed it that they were going to be sealed one day.

Matt making faces at Monty!

Rylee, Sari, and Jessi waiting in the cold wind. 

My Uncle Dennis and my dad (two out of the three kids- Uncle Gary died age 13)

Mrkynlee and Monty playing while we wait for Brie and Choc to come out of the Temple.

And here I am- my mom went around taking pics of everyone....

We went to eat pizza afterwards and then it was just more relaxing after that. J.D. took Dawson to the ocean to play. I tried to nap which didn't happen. 

Once Monty went down for a nap, Hazyn woke up... I visited with my Grandma and took some pics.

Later that evening, I went out to the beach by myself since I hadn't been down to the ocean yet. I wanted to put my feet in the cold water once again. It was so peaceful. So many people just sitting and watching the waves roll in.

.D. and I even got a date! Saturday night, at 11 pm, my brother Chad sat with the kids while J.D. and I walked the pier. It went about 300 yards out over the ocean. It was so nice and peaceful. 

Here we are, out over the ocean and San Diego behind us.

We went to bed and the next morning J.D. took both boys down to the ocean. 

Monty said the water was too cold so he just played in the sand. 

Dawson couldn't get enough of the ocean!

 It was cold, but the idea of being in the ocean was so worth it!

 Dawson and Carson spent most of their time looking for seashells. Dawson found a sand dollar!

We then packed up around 1 and headed home. Chad had to drive clear to Rock Springs, so we needed to get going. I wish we could have spent just a little bit longer down there, but 2 days was all we got and we made the most of it!

We had Hazyn's 2 month check up! She got a couple shots and is doing so good! She is in the 23rd percentile for weight and 80th of height. She is in the 40th percentile for head circumference. She is smiling more and more everyday. She can hold her head so well and is the best sleeper. She is getting to know Dawson a lot more since he watches her while I get things done. He loves to watch her smile. The boys are always arguing over who gets to hold her. They love her so much.

The rest of June we have been trying to do more summer fun things. Dawson does his Summer Bridge  book and reads every day. We went swimming, working on the garden, mowing the lawn, watering everything, running through sprinklers, sleeping on the trampoline, camping, and baking lots of goodies and bread. Oh! and sleeping in!! 

We headed up the canyon again and had some dutch oven potatoes! It was so stinking' hot even up there, we didn't stay long. 

Monty found the pepsi's!

 I got a selfie with Dawson and Hazyn!

 J.D. watched the potatoes most of the time and was teaching Dawson as well how to cook this heavenly meal.

 We did finally get to eat, and then we were ready for a nap!

 Monty has this thing with his ears... noise or even water from a bath bothers him so bad! The bugs were flying so close to him, he would scream from the sound. So we put on some headphones and he was a much happier kid. 

J.D. was headed to work on the morning of the 20th. I woke up at 3:40, fed Hazyn and then went to pump the other side. I was just finishing and I heard my phone ringing. I ran to answer and said, "Hey hold on." I had to finish putting myself back together and putting the pump away. I get back on the phone and I say, "are you okay, whats up?" I was just thinking he needed someone to talk to because he was tired. He said, "No, I just rolled the car." My response, "Are you serious?" J.D. "Yes, I don't need a guilt trip." lol I said, "I'm not, I just didn't think you were serious. Are you okay? " J.D. "Yes, but do I call the police? I mean, I'm okay and totally fine." Me "Um yes. (lol) we need the police report for the insurance. So call 911. Then call your boss. Then call me back."

We hang up. 15 minutes later I still haven't heard from him. So I call, and call, and call 3 more times. No answer. My heart was racing. I thought he passed out or something from shock. Finally J.D. calls back and we just chatted while the cops came. He had just looked down for a split second and looked up to see the road had turned and he was going straight into a post. He swerved and ended up on the other side of the road and the car on its side. He hit sage brush which tipped the car on its top and he finally came to a stop. We realized afterwards that a bunch of tools were in the back seat and not 1 came flying towards the front seats. I think there were many angels watching over him at that time.

So, that has led us to a new car. With our budget, we decided to get two cars under 10,000 so we can be more secure financially. So we got two used vehicles and pray everyday they will last as long as our sweet malibu. We came into that car one day as our Saturn stopped running. We literally rolled into the car dealership and left with this joy. It gave us 150,000 miles and no major problems at all. She cost us only$10,000, so were are hoping the same luck with what we have now. We had so many wonderful memories with that car and we will miss her so much. We brought every baby home in that car. I guess since we are done having kids, we are forced to be done with the malibu.

We had Choc and Brie's reception in Cedar City. I didn't take any pics, but we had a lot of fun!  Two days after that, Hazyn ROLLED! I caught it on video!! 

The entire month J.D. worked so much. He worked his regular job, and then did tons of Handy Man stuff. We hardly saw him unless we worked with him finishing a house here in Holden. J.D. and I were making enough to pay the bills, but we were on a really strict budget for gas and food. We just weren't comfortable with the situation and kept trying to figure out a way we could cut back, but there just wasn't anything else we could sell or cut back on. The day J.D. prayed for opportunity to come our way to better our situation was the day he got a phone call to come to the finish work on this home here in Holden. It has truly been a blessing. We have been able to get the tires needed for the car, go to San Diego, and get a few necessities that we needed to build our food storage back up in case we find ourselves tight financially again. It has been a major sacrifice for J.D. to not be able to spend very much family time with us, but it's something we are learning to get along with. Dawson is will go and work with J.D., and I'm finally getting to a point with the baby that I can go and help him finish the work a little faster and we get to spend time together. We thank Heavenly Father every day for these handy man opportunities that come our way.

We did swim a few times. However, we could not take our eyes off of our little dare devil Monty. He went bolting towards the big pool and was leaping into it as the life guard caught him. She saw me running and yelling stop, and caught him in the knick of time. This has led us to swim lessons for the little rascal. I know he is only 2, but we are going to start him with me teaching him when J.D. can come swimming. Next year we will probably pay for real swim lessons. He loves the water and is so fearless.

We spent many evenings sitting with Grandma Marjorie and talking. She loves to hold Hazyn and see her outfits. The boys give her lots of loves and Dawson always kisses her cheek when we say goodbye.

 We love dressing up Hazyn in summer clothes! She is so cute and her hair is to die for! 

 Our favorite is to see her smile and scrunch her nose! She really makes you feel so special when she smiles at you. The boys love getting her to smile for them and telling me about it. 

 This outfit is from my friend Kathy in Glendive. It's a moo moo from Hawaii!! I love it!! 

 While Dawson is out playing with friends, we sit in the living room and watch Hazie Bug. Monty will sit and talk to her for what seems to be a long time. He is always so proud of her and every little movement she makes. 

June flew by and then July flew by faster!

May

May flew right by us... I can't believe it's over. Now onto the summer! We didn't see J.D. very much this last month. He was hired to do some finish work on the Lemon's home here in holden. It was an answer to our prayers as we try to pay off our medical bills. He would leave at 3 am, work 8-9 hours at his regular job, then come home for1-2 hours to nap, then go work on the Lemon's until 9. By that time we were all in bed. It's been a struggle not seeing him, but the money has helped us. We hope he can find more work after it's all done so we can continue getting things paid off.

Dawson's last month of school he has done amazing. He was sent home with scores telling us he is well into a 2nd grade reading level, and is testing beyond average for his age. He is one of the top ten in his class academically. He loves getting 100's! We are so proud of him and who he continues to become. He makes so many friends and is always pushing for good sportsmanship. He started baseball and is already progressing so much there. He loves baseball and loves to here more about Babe Ruth. lol! It's pretty funny to watch him get so into baseball history. Dawson has also been a HUGE help with the kids. He will hold Hazyn all the time while i get things done, and he has been so good to teach Monty new things. Just this morning, they both woke up early and Dawson knew not to wake me. So he woke up J.D. and asked if him and Monty could go out on the trampoline. They went out with blankets and pillows and watched the sunrise. I can't wait for Monty to get older so he can do more things with Dawson.

This is all of Dawson's certificates and projects he brought home the last day of school.

Dawson did have his school program this month and danced to Foot Loose. It was AWESOME! He is such a dang cute kid and dancer. My mom made it up to watch and was so impressed with the whole program. I only recorded the dance, and it wouldn't up load to here because of the length :(

Monty is as crazy as ever. That kid is so dang active, I can hardly keep up by the end of the day. Let's just say I sleep so good once I'm asleep because I'm so tired. Every night he loves to put on his 'jammas' and he will sleep in his bed all night! Such a difference from Dawson when he was that age. Once in bed he will say, "I need twinkle twinkle" which means he wants me to sing Twinkle Twinkle little start to him. He wakes up and will say, "I need a change! I pee'd!" lol! He loves to brush his teeth and get his vitamins. Then he says, "I need my dress" which means he wants clothes on so he can go outside and play. He is such a good kid. He is definitely quick to change his temperament and when he's mad he keeps saying "I not! I not!" or "I didn't! I didn't!"He is super quick to repeat everything we say. It's so much fun listening to him talk more and more. He loves his Hazyn and always wants to help burp her, feed her (which he can't and hasn't figured out yet), and hold her. He loves to do EVERYTHING Dawson does.

Hazyn is doing so good. Next month she has her 2 month check up and we will get to see where her stats are at. She seems so long to me. She is wearing 3-6 month clothes which seems a little early for a 1 month old kid. She has SO MUCH hair too! She sleeps at night and only wakes up 1 time! I can't believe I finally got my sleeper baby. I need it that's for sure. She wakes up every morning at 7 and is full of so many smiles. Then the rest of the day, it's not likely to catch her smiling. Hopefully she will start to more and more as time goes on. There is just no way J.D. and I could have a non smiley baby. haha! We were both known as 'the kid who never stops smiling' growing up.

We celebrated Grandma Marjorie's 101st Birthday! She is such an amazing person and continues to teach me more things every day. She is so patient and kind. I love being around her and the peace that follows. 

 Loni made her cake and there was plenty for everyone! Seeing Grandma so happy is the best.

 

We had Hazyn's blessing this month on the 15th, and most of the family was able to make it which made for a big blessing circle!  

Before we got to the church, J.D. and I wanted to stop and see Grandma before anyone else did and before all the craziness of the rest of the family wanting to hold her, being at church, and getting through the luncheon. 

When Grandma saw J.D. I and the baby come in, she immediately started crying. It's one of the moments I won't ever forget. She was so happy and it meant so much to her that we would come before church and think of her. She shows her gratitude so much and is so genuine. I hope I can be like that someday. 

What I remember from the blessing is that she would come to know the atonement and the love Heavenly Father has for her. She was blessed to be happy and make those around her happy, and the word peacemaker was mentioned. 

On a side note, I love thinking of a stream of light coming down from Heaven when the men place their hands on someone's head for a blessing. It truly is Heavenly Father speaking right then and there. I'm so grateful for the gospel and all the guidance we receive.

After the blessing we dressed Hazyn in the cutest white outfit that my sister Amy bought for her. She was so good and she was passed around so much! She hardly cried. 

We had the luncheon up at the church and everyone was so willing to help bring food. It helped J.D. and I so much. It was so nice to visit. We had so much help cleaning up. Our boys were in their glory with so many cousins to play with. 

After the luncheon, we had to deal with a flood in our basement. I will say, if it was going to flood I'm grateful it was on a weekend when everyone was here to help. lol! It was cleaned up in no time, and it jump started our renovations for the room. 

Memorial Day was a great day  for us. We went up and took pictures at the cemetery- some of my favorite. 

 Here are all of my kids' feet! I love it!

And then we went up on the mountain to have lunch and get away. 

It was so peaceful and no one else was up there!

Hazyn LOVES it outside. (All of my kids do)

We just had sandwiches and watermelon. 

J.D. took the boys for a little walk and Dawson went picture crazy.... If I would post all of the pics he took with a phone in 10 minutes, it would be over 100 photos...

 Later that month, Lucas called J.D. and wanted to go for a horse ride up the canyon. Dawson begged to go.

Tilden and Dawson rode the same horse and crossed over 15 streams! There was so much water coming. We are so grateful for the moisture we received. It helped us having a water share so we could jump start our garden.