Jessica and I had a fun day yesterday celebrating our birthdays. My best birthday present ever, without question, was 20 years ago when Jessica was born the day I turned 29. It has been so much fun celebrating each birthday together every year.

We didn't think of taking this picture until several pieces of cake had already been served. . .

Kylee and Brody (with some help from Mike) slaved away in the kitchen all afternoon preparing our yummy meal of shisk-a-bobs, special potatoes, kung pow soy beans, rolls, and strawberry glaze cake. It was a great day. I loved receiving phone calls, voice messages, texts, and facebook wishes from many family and friends.

And now, on a totally unrelated topic, I'll bet you'll be surprised to hear that both Mike and I are running for the U.S. Senate. I know, you didn't think we were that politically minded. It's true, but we just decided it was time for us to do our part. We've had fun campaigning together, and feel like we have quite a bit of support. We encourage you to check out our platform, and see if we're the right fit for you. Please vote for us!

Haha. We couldn't pass it up!

Jakes Eagle Project

Jake's almost three month long Eagle Project came to an end on Thursday. It was so fulfilling to see how it turned out and to have been a part of it from the start. I'm proud of Jake and how hard he worked on it and how willing (for the most part) he was to do what he needed to. He wasn't afraid to talk to people, make phone calls, and do whatever else Mike told him to do. Mike did a great job working with him on almost every little detail, and keeping it all going. Jake lined up 4 pickups and two trailers to deliver the 61 bikes to the apartments buildings where the Burmese people live. It was so cool to arrive there to see probably about 100 people waiting there for them. The lady he had worked with (and who suggested this project to our bishop, who is the President of the Rotary club in Logan) at the English Learning Center had lined up the Herald Journal to come and do a story about it. It was great to see Jake being interviewed and photographed, and to hear him talk to the crowd of people (through an interpreter) to explain why he had done this project and where the bikes had come from. It was also really neat to see the happy looks on the faces of the adults and kids who got bikes as they picked out the one they wanted and then rode it around. It was a happy day for them. And for me to arrive home and be able to park my car in the garage after not being able to for the past two weeks as that's where we've been storing the bikes that had been fixed up. Way to go Jake! And good job Mike on spending many, many hours with Jake on this project.

An article about it appeared in the newspaper today. To check it out, click here.

Vindicated!

I've been dreaming for the past 6 months or so that someday I would be writing this post. Many, many times I feared I would not. But I'm thrilled to say today is the day. . .

This story started almost 9 months ago on a lovely fall evening. Jessica and two friends were driving the Chrysler Cirrus home from a Logan High Football game. They were going west on 400 north through a green light, when a guy going east and turning left on 100 west didn't yield to her, and the two cars collided. Happily no one was injured (there was just a lot of screaming on the part of the three girls) and I hurried down after getting that phone call no one wants to get "Mom. . . I've been in a crash. . . but it wasn't my fault!" Our car was towed away, and we learned several days later that it was totaled. We were just hoping to get a fair price on the car, collect the money, and buy another car for Jess and Jake to drive. That was not to be. The guys insurance company came to the conclusion, after speaking to Jessica and the other driver (but not after reading the police report that states that the other driver said it was all his fault, and he was cited for failing to yield) that she was 40% at fault because "she could have stopped, thereby avoiding the collision." Don't you think if she could have stopped, she would have??? Duh. So, instead of paying us $5000 for the value of the car, they were offering $3000. I'm sure they have experience where if they make it difficult enough, people will eventually give up, collect what they can and move on with their lives. They kept encouraging us to just file with our insurance company to collect the other $2000. We could have done that, BUT, we would have had to pay our $500 deductable, plus have our premiums go up by up to $50 a month because of Jessica's prior crash and two speeding tickets. So, we REALLY didn't want to do that. After much time spent talking to the insurance lady back east, and to several attorneys, Mike decided to take it to small claims court. To make a LONG story a little shorter, after countless hours and much frustration, and 4-5 trips to small claims court, we found out several weeks ago that the judge found Jessica 0% at fault, and today WE GOT THE CHECK IN THE MAIL from the guys insurance company for the whole $5000. Woo hoo

It will be so great to pay off the Mazda Protege that we bought in October, and finally have that headache over and done. I'm so grateful to Mike for the time, effort, energy, patience, and smarts it took to stick with this project. The moral to this story is: sometimes good guys do finish first!

Memorial Weekend

We had such a fun-filled Memorial weekend. On Saturday night, we had a welcome home party for Kylee and Brody with some of my extended family. Sunday we went to the cemetery in Clarkston then visited with the Romneys. Monday we started the day with a big breakfast outside on the patio. We all then went on a bike ride along the Bonneville Shoreline above our house

with a little detour to climb up to Castle Rock.

We then proceeded on bike to the Logan cemetery where we enjoyed riding around checking out the graves and seeing a bunch of balloons released with messages to loved ones.

Home to clean up and play a little croquet before heading out to the Searles for a BBQ.

Home again- walked over to Lundstrom Park to do a variety of things: slack line, baseball, frisbee, and catch with Sal. It was great fun.

We finished off the day with popcorn and a DVD- National Treasure 2. I couldn't have asked for a better day.

Second half of May

The second half of this month has sure been a lot more busy and fun-filled than the first half. And that is mostly because of the return of Kylee and Brody for the summer. I have absolutely loved having them around, and look forward to the whole summer being one fun activity after another. Everything is just not fun and games however. They've both been a great help around the house and yard. Kylee has been motivated (after watching the food network in Europe- since that was the only thing in English) to try new recipes, so she's been busy in the kitchen making some delicious meals and treats for us. It's been awesome! I love coming home from a hard days work (haha) to find her (and sometimes Brody) slaving away in the kitchen. I could really get used to this. Brody's been great to help with a few odd projects- including assembling a new canopy in the backyard and helping repair some bikes for Jake's Eagle project.

We had a fun family party at Tom and Freda's the weekend Ky and Brody got home. They had gone to a lot of work to plan Survivor/Fear Factor/Amazing race type games. We first did an obstacle course at the park which was easy enough, so to make it more fun, we had to wear some funny animal noses. Next we had to try and keep 3 balloons in the air for 1 minute while staying in a confined space. Then each team had to race to a store and buy some type of dessert and come the closest to $5 that we could. And last, but certainly not least were two fear factor activities: one being putting a netting over your head for a minute containing 25 live crickets, AND, eating a bit each of pickled pigs feet, smoked herring, vienna sausage, and liver. No thank you. It was quite entertaining watching most everyone else do it though. I was very impressed with everyone who did it- esp Ky with the crickets because she was FREAKED out, but did it anyway. It was a fun night.

For Jake's Eagle project, he's been collecting bicycles over the past few months to donate to some Burmese refugees here in Logan who have no form of transportation besides the bus. He's rounded up over 60 bikes! He had some friends, leaders, and all of us help him two different times to get them cleaned, oiled, and tires repaired and, for about 15 others, a lot more than that. It's been a great project, and he's done a terrific job of taking the lead and doing what he's needed to to make it happen. Mike has also spent hours helping and encouraging him. Tomorrow is the day we deliver them to the apartments where most of the people live. I can't wait!

I LOVE MY NEW LIVING ROOM! It's been so nice to have some new, nice couches and to totally change the look of the room. If ever you're looking for furniture in Cache Valley, may I recommend Ashley Furniture? They have great prices if you pick up the furniture yourself instead of having it delivered.

I'm still waiting patiently for spring to arrive and stay around for more than a couple of days. I really don't mind the rain, because it makes everything so green, and I know before long we'll be sweating it in 90 degree weather. It will be nice to wash my car and know it will stay clean for more than two days, to leave the house w/o a jacket, and to sit outside and feel the warm sun on my face.

And finally, Jessica has started a blog! Check it out at jessicanjensen.blogspot.com

The Best day of the Year!

My favorite day of the year has come and gone, and as always, it was the best! The top 5 reasons why I love Mothers Day so much: #1. I don't lift a finger all day. I'm waited on hand and foot- no cooking or dishes! #2. If there gets to be the beginnings of anything I don't love (fighting, knuckle cracking- or any other annoying repetitive noise) all I have to say is "it's mothers day" and it immediately stops. #3. My kids and Mike (and even Freda and Mom) all write me the sweetest, kindest, most loving cards and tell me why they love me. #4. Gifts! I always get spoiled by Mike and the kids, and by Freda, and lately my mom! It's great. #5. I feel like a queen all day long and I love it!

Here we are having our first cookout of the year, and actually being able to spend the afternoon outside enjoying the WARMTH. It's been in short supply this spring (it was great to have Jessica's boyfriend Brad join in the festivities).

The only thing missing this year (and this was a BIG miss) was having Kylee and Brody with us. Talking to them on SKYPE was the next best thing. . . and also knowing I'd be seeing them in three short days!

We had a great, competitive game of croquet with it coming down to me and Brad in a shoot out with me being the loser. He didn't take my pleading that it was mothers day seriously enough!

Thanks family for making my day so wonderful! I love you all so much.

This and That

Jessica took a country swing dance this past semester at USU and enjoyed going country dancing most Monday and Wednesday nights at the fun park. Here she is with her friend Jason showing off her moves.

Jakes last lacrosse game was today. It was played on the football field at LHS. Too bad it was raining and freezing cold for the spectators. . .

The other day I was at Lee's Marketplace and saw this Lee's plumbing truck park in front of the store so I just had to take a picture of the three Lee's. haha

And finally, what you've all been waiting for. . . pictures of Jessica's newly decorated bedroom. It was so fun to put together with much help and suggestions from Lindsey. I really appreciate all her time and great ideas. I love how it turned out.

Tune in next time for pictures of my newly remodeled living room!