as the words turn

Thursday, December 31, 2009

A Letter to 2009

Dear 2009,

This is a very special year. Not only is it the end of another year, but it’s the end of a decade. Wow! Ten years have already gone by. Remember when we were welcoming in this new decade? Y2K? Computers blowing up? Cars not starting? I know more than one person that had canned heat on hand. Thankfully, the world did not end. I, for one, enjoyed many wonderful memories and adventures in this first decade of the 2000s.

This decade brought many changes to my family. I gained two sisters-in-law and two beautiful nephews. I never knew how incomplete life was until 2004 when the CMan came into our lives. The day I became an aunt was by far the greatest day of my life. My heart expanded to include a new little one into my circle of love. And when Mr. Mster entered our family in 2007, my heart grew again. I love these little guys so much and I look forward to many more years of sharing and learning with them.

I also had some amazing travel adventures the past 10 years. Two trips to Europe, New York City (twice), Disneyland, and many local adventures kept my passport busy and my suitcase well used. I am always amazed at how beautiful our world is. My travels and adventures make me realize how much I have to learn and how much I have to experience in life. And each time my travels bring me back home, I am again reminded of how truly blessed and fortunate I am.

I was also able to continue my education this decade. I reached a goal that I wasn’t sure I would ever reach when I received my master’s degree. One of the proudest days of my life is the day I got “hooded.” I love school (but not the homework) and sometimes contemplate more education. Maybe this new decade will bring more educational opportunities. (Oh help us all if I go for Ph.D. Some of you may want to stay clear of my path during those years…and you know why.)

I bought a house this decade. Me, a homeowner! And with that homeownership comes bills, and repairs, and maintenance, and cleaning, and sometimes a lot of pain! But in the long run, it feels great to have a place to call my own. Wow, I think I might be a grown up now!

Loves were gained and loves were lost. Friends were gained and friends were lost. Jobs turned into careers and my 20s turned into my 30s. There have been many wonderful opportunities and discoveries these past 10 years. Some good, some not so great. But overall, I’m grateful for the past 10 years. I look forward to 2010. My dad asked me the other day where I would be in 10 years…I wonder? Will I find my eternal companion? Will I become a mom? Will I go back to school? Climb a mountain? Travel to India? Who knows, but I am very excited for the future. One of my favorite scriptures says, “If you are prepared, ye shall not fear.” I’m prepared for the future and I’m ready for whatever director my Lord wants me to go.

Thank you 2009 for a great year…and for ending a great decade. I look forward to 2010 and the many experiences, loves, friendships, and calluses I’ll gain.

Love,

Jen

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Monday, December 7, 2009

Santa's Wish List

Last night, I asked the nephews what I should ask Santa to get me for Christmas. You know, now that Mr. Tiger has disappointed me so, I’ve taken him off my list. And seriously, how many years in a row do I have to ask Santa for a red convertible Mercedes? Just deliver already, would ya! CMan told me I should ask for a cherry picker truck. Mr. Mster told me to ask for a tow truck. You know, as fascinating as those gifts are, I’m not sure how it would look to have a 33-year-old woman driving Tonka trucks around her house. I said I was going to ask for a niece, but I got the death look from my brother and a sarcastic “good luck” from my sister-in-law.

Back to the drawing board, I guess.

Which got me to thinking about gifts. I love presents! But mostly, I love unwrapping them. This comes as no surprise to my mother, but I love unwrapping my gifts. There’s just something about the pretty wrapping paper and the lovely bow. It’s thrilling! But I digress. After my conversation with the nephews I thought about the Christmas presents I’ve received in my life. And there are three that stand out more than others.

1. My Barbie dream house. I was about 7 or 8 and believe me, this thing was freaking awesome! Loved it! Loved it so much that I let my dad take a picture of me Christmas morning in my Strawberry Shortcake pjs with matching robe. My hair was wild (that’s what happens when you have naturally curly hair). But I stood there beside my dream house and smiled the hugest grin known to man kind. All of my Barbies got married in that house. Ken lost a head or two (thanks to my brother). Those were the days. I loved it.

2. My first Book of Mormon. It was one of those mini triple combinations. Remember those? I was 10 and I was thrilled to have my own scriptures to take to primary. I had a matching Bible too.

3. Pearl ring. This was the Christmas I was 16 and my grandma passed away the summer before. For some reason, I equate this ring with my grandma. She wasn’t there to buy it or give it to me, but Christmas at grandma’s house was always a big deal and our first Christmas without her was also a big deal. We missed her. That ring reminds me of my grandma.

So, CMan and Mr. Mster, any ideas for Santa?

Thursday, November 26, 2009

How My Family Celebrates Thanksgiving

This is what it's like around the house on Thanksgiving Day .

1. First, Dad hangs Christmas lights from roof while dancing around like the Great Cornholio.

2. Brother burbs. And mom gets real mad and says, "Coach, I do not appreciate that at the Thanksgiving Day table."

3. Brother 1 and Brother 3 fight over who has to say the prayer. Dad forces Brother 3 to pray.

4. Dad's Thanksgiving meal consists of a peanut butter sandwich, Reeses peanut butter cups, and a Diet Pepsi.

5. After his Thanksgiving dinner, Dad has a dinner roll, a Reeses peanut cup, and cranberry sauce...all together. Later he says, "That would have been great with a piece of turkey." He claims it's delicious.

6. Two minutes later Dad exclaims, "That wasn't so tasty."

7. Daughter (me) tries to set the table on fire by taking matches to the cranberry centerpiece.

8. Mom gets mad. Real mad.

9. Daughter, Mom, Brother 1 drink beverage with lemons harvested straight from the tree. Delicious.

10. Mom wonders how she's survived this family.

11. Brother 3 reminds Sister (me) that he has a paper due. He says, "I promise, I will not leave this to the last minute." It's due Monday.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

I'm in Love with Twilight

I admit, I love the Twilight series. But not for the reasons you may be thinking.

I’m not in love with the “ideal” man. I’m not fascinated with a teenage werewolf (even though I’ve always been Team Jacob). And don’t even get me started with the spelling and grammatical errors, holes in the plot, and overly sappy writing. But I do love the series. And here’s why:

“Stephenie Meyer graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor's degree in English. She lives with her husband and three young sons in Phoenix, Arizona. After the publication of her first novel, Twilight, booksellers chose Stephenie Meyer as one of the "most promising new authors of 2005" (Publishers Weekly).” (From Stephenie Meyer’s website.)

As a fellow English graduate from Brigham Young University, Stephenie Meyer gives me hope. So to you Stephenie, thank you for pursuing your dream. You’ve given me the hope to do the same.

And that is why I will always love Twilight.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Act I

Place: Neighbors House

Actors: Me (Jen), 5-year-old Nick, 1-year-old baby Mattie

Scene: Changing Mattie’s diaper.

Nick: “Do you know how to change a diaper?”

Jen: “Yes, Nick, I do know how to change a diaper.”

Nick: “Do you have any kids?”

Jen: “No, I don’t have any kids.”

Nick: “Do you have a husband?”

Jen: “No, I don’t have a husband.”

Nick: “You need a man!”

Jen: “Yes, yes I do. Do you know any men for me?”

Act II

Place: Driving in the car

Actors: Me (Jen), 5-year-old nephew the CMan, 2-year-old-nephew Mr. Mster

Scene: Driver in the front seat, nephews in the back seat.

CMan: “Jen Jen, you’re not an adult.”

Jen: “I’m not CMan?”

CMan: “No, you’re not because you don’t have any kids.”

Jen: “So, you’re only an adult if you have kids?”

CMan: “Yes, adults have kids.”

Jen: “Is Uncle Kenny an adult? Because he doesn’t have any kids.”

CMan: “Yes, Jen Jen, Kenny is an adult.”

Jen: “But he doesn’t have any kids, CMan.”

CMan: “But he’s married. And when you’re married you’re an adult.”

Jen: “So, I’m not married and I don’t have any kids so I’ll be a kid forever?”

CMan: “Yup, that’s right.”

Jen: “Good to know.”

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The Berlin Wall

Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since that remarkable day. In my lifetime there have been a few life-changing world events that leave a mark on you forever. The fall of the Berlin Wall was one of those events for me.

I was only 13 years old when the wall fell and I don’t remember much. What I do remember was sitting in my 8th grade German class 20 years ago today and talking about what had happened the day before. We talked about freedom, we talked about democracy, and we talked about a country uniting. I remember, even at that young of an age, feeling hope for the world we live in.

The fall of the wall gave me the opportunity to travel to Russia, to set foot in a communist country (much to my mother’s dismay), and experience a culture that was kept from me before that time. I was only 15 years old when I took that trip, but I still have vivid memories of a beautiful culture. I look forward to the day I can return.

Now, I think back on that time of the Berlin Wall and what the fall really means. The fall of the Berlin Wall came peacefully. No shots were fired, no lives were lost, and freedom was gained. East Germans walked across the border they were never allowed to cross and were greeting by their fellow countrymen. The people in West Germany willingly gave their money and their food. Children were given candy and the parents were given money to buy goods. With welcome arms, the East Germans were welcomed to their new freedom. Kind of makes me think about how my country treats those who come across the border…but that’s a discussion for another day.

In today’s world, with violence everywhere you turn, I like to think about the Berlin Wall. What an example of peace and democracy. When I lose a little faith in the world, in my country, and in the future, I’ll think of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the hope that day 20 years ago gave to the world.