Random Childhood Memories

Today I was kind of just pondering on things, and somehow I remembered this random childhood memory.

While still living in Oregon, I remember having a very friendly neighbor who lived across the street from me. She was an older lady who lived with her husband, and if I'm not mistaken they were both retired.
Well I would sometimes get locked out of my house for various reasons, but when I did, she would let me into hers to stay and talk with her. I got to play video games on her old console, my favorite was Monopoly. Although, I don't think I ever won. I also got to play with her St. Bernards and eat cookies that she would bake for me. Occasionally Richie(RJ) would join me. I had so much fun at her place.


Another memory that comes up quite often actually have to do with the two best friends I had when I had moved there, up until I left. Since then we haven't really kept in touch.
Melissa is my brother's age and lived kiddy-corner from my house. Angie lived next to her and she is a year or so younger than I, she moved in when I was about 6 or 7, I think.
The three of us girls spent days on end together. We would make up dances to Brittney Spears songs and Spice Girls, and watch the Spice Girl movie almost every day! We would just sing and dance all day long. Richie and Adam (Angie's older brother) would peek their heads over Missy's wall and spy on us. During the hot summers we would go up the street to Centennial High School and go swimming in their pool. It would cost $2 a person and sometimes I remember Missy would pull it from her dad's coin bottle in the living room. During the Fall we would rake all the leaves and then arrange them to outline the workings of a house and play house for a few hours. Missy was always the mom and I was the whiny baby, with Angie as my big older sister. My favorite part was after we were done playing house we would rake up the leaves again and jump in the huge pile of them. Then we would rake them AGAIN and put them into bags for trash. During the winters we would all take our trash can lids and go to the top of the street and sled down the hill (if there was snow) if there wasn't any snow it was usually raining so we would go out side and just play in the rain for hours on end. Especially when it flooded.


During the breaks from school the girls and I would go down to Lynch Meadows, the Elementary School that Missy and I attended. We would play on the play ground, and climb in and around the apple trees, we would collect some apples to take home (although I don't think they ever made it home. We always ate them, then didn't want to carry them home).

When we weren't going to the park we would be either taking a walk to the A.S.A.P. store for some candy or up the street to visit our Two favorite Huskies! The guy who lived up there was very nice and would always let us play (harass) his two huskies. Sometimes he would invite us in for treats and to talk. (Our parents were not ok with that and didn't let us go back after they found out about us going into his house).

We had a neighbor, a sweet older lady who grew a garden in her front yard. She let Angie and I plant our own strawberry plants there and when they were ripe we were allowed to go in and take them and eat them. YUM!

One year Angie and I or was it Alecia and I took two of my dogs (Honey, and skeeter) to the park with us and had them slide down the slide for us. Poor things didn't stand a chance. They got scared out of their lives. Jordan (our other dog (RIP)) we took a different day.

Alecia (my best friend from Elementary school) and I would take the bus to a bunch of places. We also like to go to the near by Chinese Restaurant, where we would always order Egg drop soup, and Jasmine Tea with extra fortune cookies.

During the summers my dad would pull out the tarp and the hose to make a Slip & Slide on our font lawn that also happened to be a slight hill for Richie, Emily, Angie, and I and whoever else wanted to join us to play on. We have several home videos of this =)

Now-A-Days I love taking a trip down memory lane while I'm home and watch all of our Family Home Videos.

One year when Richie and I were very young we were on the Ramblin Rod Show Which was a Local Oregon TV station. They have a contest during their show and I won the "Best Smile" contest. I was so cute back then.

ANYWAY, if there are any random childhood memories that you remember growing up, write them down and share them. Not only is a good laugh for everyone else, but a great trip down memory lane for you.

Spoiled for my birthday

Andy COMPLETELY spoiled me for my birthday. The weather for this week is in the single & negative digits, so Andy felt that I needed a warm jacket, 2 hats, and a scarf to keep me warm through all of this. So for my birthday he took me to Maurice's to buy them! He ahead of time had them picked out for me to try and see if I liked, which I actually loved. Funny how he knows me so well already. He said that it looked like my style except the cuffs have a small bow on them and the buttons are a little big, otherwise it looked like me. He was right. He then tried several hats on me... and ok, I look terrible in hats, but these didn't look half bad. He loves the England style hat the most, and I like the bill hat. Of course I wear them both to make him smile, and I love to! I am so grateful that he did this for me I'm still feeling spoiled. What a sweetheart!

ALSO, He got us our first puppy, named Paisley, he is so adorable! Andy has the job to feed him, and it is my job to sleep with him. More pictures to come, after I get him his birthday present (coat etc). His birthday is Jan 27th. I love the hollidays!

2 in one day =)

Well I realized this my second one within 24 hours but thats ok lots have been happening. A new semester has begun which means new classes, but since I've changed my major to Child Development and added two clusters Photography & Dance it means a new start on classes as well. Although graduation is still quite a ways away this just means it's going to be longer. Which is ok, I'm glad I'm switching now and not years down the road. so I plan on becoming a Parenting Counselor and a dance teacher on the side and maybe a pro photographer. But as things normally go, only time will tell. I've been keeping pretty busy with 15 credits and 22.5 hours of work a week I still manage to have some social life. I have grown to being more outgoing and spontaneous, which leads to more friends and dating opportunities. I think at this point in my life I am just looking for some stability, then again a little change never hurt anyone. Anyways, just a short update, I hope ya'll are doing good and enjoying the warmth while it lasts. Love ya'll! Bye for now =)

The begining of Fall 2009

So many might know already, that I was involved in a freshmen orientation showcase. I was part of a ballroom team that performed the day before classes began for all the new incoming freshmen. With no past experience in this I had about 2 weeks (12 hours) to learn and perform. Many said I caught on quick, others said I still need a bit of practice. I will agree with that. Anyways, here is a link to most of our pictures(the rest are up on facebook)
http://www.picnik.com/show/id/5652188833_dDJb5
and this link is to a very ROUGH draft of our performance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnQdapNr68c

I hope you enjoy! I know I had a blast!

Summer Session

Here is the new apartment,
much more room than I had before, but quaint. I love my roomies! They are the best!

Quick Update

So I've been really busy with Finals and fun life stuff. But I thought I would take a minute and give a quick overview. I am currently dating Timmy Criddle who is an RM from Northern California. It wasn't long after we met that we started dating. I was definitely not planning on it, but it happened anyway.

Finals are finally over and I will be starting Summer Session (7weeks of class) on Monday, taking American Sign Language and Child Development working minimum of 25 hours a week. The Library is not open as much during the 7 weeks as it is during normal semesters so I won't be getting a lot of hours, but that is ok. It leaves time for a social life.

I have also recently created two new blogs. 1 of them was for my Family History class, it is my electronic Book of Remembrance, but it still needs lots of work.
2) my photography has been taking off. I will soon have my own high-tech camera for magnificent photos. I will also be taking pictures of my Girlfriends weddings so this page is for that and so much more. Feel free to take a look at them and tell me what you think.
http://learylineage.blogspot.com/
http://servicephotography.blogspot.com/

Hair cut and happenings

As some of you know, a lot has been happening lately.
1) I got a hair cut
2) I'm single.. and NOT looking
3) Finally past mid-terms and semester end is quickly coming
4) My new best friend is AMAZING!
and lots more.. so here we go *(temple, pres. eyring, rs fireside)

1) yes I got a hair cut... 6.5 inches!! Its feels so short, but I love it! My hair finally looks good in a ponytail haha. pictures Available on Facebook! My dad was quick to call me a sinner regarding to his love for my long hair and how he thought it to be a sin to go against his word of cutting it. I love my dad he keeps me going.

2) Yes, Jared told me that he did not want a relation ship while he was on his mission, and I 100% support him on this decision. I am so proud of the man he has become and how he wants to be completely dedicated to the Lord for these 2+ years.
It is just as well, I plan to do the same. I am here at this university not to date or to be dating, but to get an education and that is what I plan to do.

3)YES!! Midterms are finally over and I am that much closer to the end of this semester. My family plans to stop by and say Hi at the end of July after the Family Reunion in Oregon I am so stoked and can't wait! I have enrolled into the Fall semester and I'm not entirely sure how I am supposed to get my two other credits to keep my grant, but somehow I will find a way.

4)Ali is a senior this year and graduates in July =( She is amazing and so much fun to be around. She keeps me motivated and concentrated on what is important. She has also been a shoulder for me to lean on in these trial times, but I am quickly being able to stand on my own with the aid of my God. Ali Is an Art major with a cluster Business and Oil Painting. She is recently looking into an Airline Job - Flight Attendant - so if you know of anything please pass the word along. =)

5)This week I had the opportunity to go do baptisms for the dead inside our Rexburg Idaho for the first time since being back. It was wonderful and I loved being able to feel of the spirit so strongly. The only downside, was I had to miss President Eyring's talk at devotional, because that is the only time the temple isn't packed, in fact NO ONE is there! Its amazing and I loved being able to just take my time and get lots of names done and having time to meditate with the spirit.

This week I have been able to strengthen my love and gratitude for my Savior and my Father! I have gained an appreciation for the temple in my life and the chance to do my family's genealogy. I look forward to fulfilling my responsibility in doing the temple work and saving the souls of my family. I love all of you and I hope you are all having a wonderful week/weekend!

Health video for 3rd graders

So recently in my Technology class, we had the assignment to create a video about health for 3rd graders and present it to the class. My video I worked on for more than 5 hours. After editing, and creating, putting music to it, and making it fun, I uploaded it to youtube for my teacher, but youtube deleted my adio due to copyright songs. So I added some of their choice music, but there is no talking in my video due to that. I hope you still find it enjoyable. It was fun to make. Enjoy.

Here is the link to my page, my video is my most recent. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhUz9xKD3fY

RJ's Letter

Jenny, May 18, 2009

Good to hear from you. A lot of talk about God though and barely anything about yourself. What's up? What's new? Looking for a new job hu? What's gonna happen if you don't find one? Do you have a vehicle to get around? Probably just walking everywhere still. Dad thought Boot Camp sounded like Scout Camp. You guys have no idea. Up at 5am to yellong and screaming, "Get up!! You have ten seconds." You gotta jump from bed into shoes and stand at attention. "Lock and load." Push-up position. Then everyone (all 88 of us) have to share 4 sinks and we get a total of 5 min to shave and brush our teeth. Five min, 88 guys, 4 sinks. Yelling, swearing, spitting. Marching everywhere. If Petty Officer gets real mad he throws chairs and flips tables over. He even held a gun to the mouth of a recruit for not holding it correctly. It's brutal. They'll make you do pushups till your eyes bleed for having something in the wrong pocket. I've seen it. Fortunately I'm real good at following directions and "Paying attention to detail." As they say, that's just the morning. I've been here three weeks but it feels like two months. The first week was all paper work so it didn't count so technically were in the middle of week two of eight. I'm sure Band Camp was fun. When we do good we get rewarded with music. I'm strong enough to pass all the physical tests they have.

So what are your plans for the rest of the year besides school and work? How do you like your roommates? Last time you said you never see them. Is that still the case? Have you seen any of the new movies that just came out? Just curious. Well hope to hear from you soon.

Love ya sis

Seaman Recruit Service

RJ-



As some of you know, my brother is in the Navy. Right now he is in boot camp in Illinois and this is the first letter he has written to me. If you have the time or would like to right him I know he doesn't get much mail and any encouragement he can get I know would help him so much.
His address is :

SR Service, RJ Alan
Division 229 Ship 07 USS Chicago
Recruit Training Command
3510 Illinois ST
Great Lakes, IL 60088

Mesa Falls

This Memorial Day weekend we are out of school till Tuesday, so to keep those of us without a car from going bored, we took a trip to Mesa Falls about 30-45 minute drive from here. The scenery was beautiful. Here are a few pictures we took out there. Enjoy =)

The pictures of the trail are a hike some of us took from the upper falls to the lower falls. We walked very briskly to be back in time before they left without us, so we were a bit out of breath and a tad sweaty when we arrived back at the car.

Blake's High School Graduation

This afternoon was quite eventful! Blake Steven Service Graduated from Rigby High in Rigby Idaho. The ceremony took place on BYU-Idaho Campus in the Hart Building at 2pm.
Here are some pictures and a video of the Cap throwing! (Blake is the one on the screen!)