Good bye, Dear President

Sunday night around 9:45p.m. I received a text message from Carl VanHoose telling us that President Gordon B. Hinckley, the President of our church had died at 7:00p.m. MST.

It came as a shock to both Bruce and I. President Hinckley was 97 years old. Although he was becoming feeble, and it our heart of hearts, we knew the time was not far off that we would hear such news, it was none the less upsetting.

We never had the opportunity to personally meet him. I can testify that I know he was a prophet of God, just as Moses and Noah were in days of old. I am so grateful for modern day revelation. I know that under the direction of Heavenly Father and the Savior, through the promptings of the Holy Ghost, another Prophet and President will be selected and He will continue to lead this church in the direction of righteousness.

I know that President Hinckley must be overjoyed at being reunited with his wife and loved ones who have gone before.

I conclude by saying thank you Dear President for your example and leadership. I only pray that I can live up to it.

Another disappointment

Well, I didn't get the job with Parents as Teachers. I really thought I had it this time. I was led to believe so until Patty interviewed one last person and chose her instead. I guess it isn't meant for our family right now. We're doing pretty well. We just really have a goal to get off of government assistance. It may have to wait until the fall of 09 when Logan starts school. I hope not.

Logan and Aurora are having tummy issues tonight and Joy is coughing. I think I'll be staying home from church tomorrow, but if not, I better get some sleep.

Jennifer

Cavities-EEEEEK!!!

Yesterday I took all four children to the dentist. I received a good report on all three girls, but Logan, not so much.

He has beginning cavities on 6 teeth. Therefore, he will be having his first surgery. On Feb. 7th, we have to be at the hospital at 6am. They will put caps on his molars and fill two of his front teeth. It will be a long morning. We will be there a minimum of 4 hours. Poor Daddy will have to get the girls off to the bus. Thursday's he usually gets to sleep in, poor Daddy.

Patience had a similar surgery when she was a month shy of 3. All three of the girls have had their tonsils out. I am sure this will go smoothly for Logan, but any time your told your child is going to be "put under," it is a little nerve wracking.

Please keep him in your thoughts.

PAT is trying to decide if they have to interview me again or not. It has only been 6 months since my last interview. Patty said that she would be asking me the same questions, and wasn't sure it was necessary to interview me again or not. Interviews will be taking place this Wed and Fri. Hopefully by this time next week, I'll know if I'll be a parent educator or not.

I need to get on to other things.

Take care all,
Jennifer

Good Grades

OK-So I am going to be a shameless mother for a moment and brag on my children. Please forgive my moment of pride.

Grade cards came home this week for 2nd Quarter. Joy and Patience both have strait A's. Aurora is meeting or exceeding expectations in her studies. Logan and Aurora are both close to reaching the goals that have been set for them from their speech therapist. We are very pleased.

Today I worked in the morning and then I caught up with Bruce, Joy and Patience and some other people who were working in a group to help with the debris clean up from our ice storm. There is still a lot of yards that need to be done. It was nice to put a smile on the face of an older, single, lady.

Parents as Teachers is hiring again. My Parent Educator, Ms. Elizabeth is moving to Texas at the end of the month and they want to fill her position in the next 3 weeks. I'm going to update my resume this week end, or it would be more realistic to say Bruce is going to do it for me. Graphic designer that he is.

Well, there's not much else to say. My eyelids are getting heavy.. Have a great weekend!

Jennifer

Wow, a New Year!

Hello Everyone! I hope you enjoyed the holidays. I apologize for not keeping up better on my post.

My first day at work went well. It has been nice being around adults more and for the children to interact with others. Especially for Logan.

We went to my Mom's for Christmas. It was a quick up on Christmas Eve night and a quick back the following afternoon. We had a nice visit with Mom, Grand-ma and Bob and Sharon. Mom really enjoyed the "treasure box" I had made her. It had pictures of our family members as well as my siblings and Beth's children.

I forgot, we went to Silver Dollar City on the 22nd of Dec. It was a lot of fun. We had 17 people in our group of family members and friends, including the Pagan's and Matt Towns with his friend Jeanne. The children really enjoyed it.

Bruce made a neat observation while on the train ride. In the beginning of the ride you are singing carols together and you see light displays of commercialized Christmas items, Santa, presents, reindeer, etc. Then, when you get to the middle of the ride there is an old man there that tells the story of Christ birth from the book of Luke. Then you go back around past the commercial stuff again. His observation was how Christ truly is the center of Christmas. I appreciate so much when he shares special thoughts like that with us.

On the 29th we went to Springfield and had Christmas with the VanHoose's. Both of Bruce's brothers were there and one of his sisters. We had a fun time playing a white elephant gift exchange game with the adults.

Our friend Matt came by to see us too and gave us a bread dipping kit. It was yummy. I especially like the Rosemary and Garlic herbs in the olive oil. He's a very dear person to our family.

Before we went home we also stopped by to see Bruce's oldest and dearest childhood friends, Daniel. It's always nice to see him.

On New Years Day we had the missionaries and the Pagan's over for lunch and grazing at a finger food table all afternoon. We had fun playing games together.

The children go back to school on Monday. It has been a fun couple of weeks, but as it is winding down I think they are ready for some space from each other.

I hope all is well in your part of the world.

Jennifer