February 8, 2011


Wow! It's been a crazy few months here at our house! I've spent the past few days finishing up putting away the remaining Christmas decorations! Literally, they have been up for months!

It's been a little different around here without Jake and Jessi. Kayci and I have been able to spend some "mom time" and Robert and I have been able to spend some "couple time" as well. I have noticed the two biggest differences are the lack of drivers and the fridge is full of food ALL THE TIME!!! Where are Jake and his friends when you need them?!!! (We also joke that Jake's not around to pick up poop and take the garbage out... boy we miss that kid!)

Jessi and Alan were still waiting for their letter from the temple for the few weeks before Jake left. We scheduled Jessi to take out her endowments on the 11th of December and they got the letter that morning! As much as we had hoped Jake could be there for the wedding, it really worked out best that they were able to have their own special day and that Jake had his, too.

 Jessi took out her endowments at the Oquirrh Mountain temple and Jake was able to be there, too. Brandon, McKay, Tana, Sheri and Robert's family and Alan's family were all there. It was so wonderful to have such great support. Bob's sister, Connie, had a tough time in the celestial room and my heart went out to her. I know her beautiful daughters were there, just like mine. It's wonderful how close you are to the people on the other side of the veil when you're in the temple.


The next day was Jake's farewell and we had a wonderful turn out. Jake did a great job and there was a million people at the house for lunch. (Seriously, we had standing room only people on both floors!) It was so fun.




The drop off at the MTC was really less than painful. I had heard such horror stories of how your missionary just kind of does a "tuck and roll" at the curb, but it really wasn't that bad. The night before Jake left, the Stake president came by and set him apart.


It was a really nice evening with just Robert, his mom, Alan, Bob and the kids. We sat around and visited for a moment and then President Nielson asked us if anyone had anything to say or advice to give. I told Jake not to come home. I told him that all the wisdom and whatever he needed is inside of him. I really felt that. I want him to finish what he starts and not come home... for two years at least!


After Jake was set apart, the Stake President left and I just felt peace. I felt a Spirit in our home that was undeniable and I knew that everything was going to be OK.




The pictures of Jake at the MTC are my favorite. I have put all of the updated info on his blog, so follow that link!!!


Jessi and Alan had a wonderul wedding! They closed on their home in Lehi a few days after she went to the temple. They chose January 8th as their wedding date and so we went to work! We had done alot of the ground work before and had the invitations addressed and everything, so off we went!


We decided to do white lights on tree branches and snow flakes. It was beautiful. Jessi's colors were red, chocolate brown and sunflowers. That was a hard combination for January, but we did accents of sunflowers in with white and it turned out great. Sue did the flowers, so we had fresh flowers everywhere and the bouquet was sunflowers. She did a great job.


Robert was a saint! He helped me do the trees so we put aver 20 tree branches in 5 gallon buckets with cement. Luckily, not much happens at the church the first week of January, so I got to have the church for a few days. I started hanging lights on Thursday morning and by that night, over 10,000 lights were hanging! It looked pretty when all the lights were low.


Sue came by Friday afternoon while Jessi and I were getting massages! She did the tables and of course, it was all beautiful. Kristie Broadbent did cheesecake "shooters" and we had costco cake along with the wedding cake. It all was perfect... simple, but perfect!


Friday night, we had a bachelorette party at the nail place! We all got pedicures and ate chocolate and had sparkling apple cider! Jessi wore a "veil and tiara"! It was super fun.


The morning of the wedding, we got up and started on Jessi's hair arund 6:00! Between Weed, Sheri, Tana, McKenzie and Jamie, we had enough caffeinated beverages to have our own Maverick store! We had makeup strewn all over the kitchen and it was the perfect "girl time"!


We were starting to run a little late, and Alan called to see if he was getting left by the altar, I think! All of a sudden, Jessi decides we needed to get going! So, off we go! (It really was cute, though. Miss "always late" sure got her move on when we were running late to her wedding!!!)


I loved the time I had with Jessi in the bride's room. I gave her a letter with a package with "something blue". It was a beautful bracelet that Sara had made with just a hint of blue in it.

Jessica was the perfect, most beautiful bride I had ever seen. She was truly glowing. The Spirit in the celestial room was something I will never forget. Everyone was in tears. You knew that these two people were supposed to be together. Alan told his sister that he had never felt like this before, and he was so sweet and tender with Jessi as they were kneeling across the altar. He was crying so hard that it really made an impact on us. I know my daughter will be loved and taken care of. They are so good for each other and to each other. They both are so much wiser and more mature than I was at that age. I was so proud of them both.

Everything went perfectly the rest of the day... well except for the part where the bride and groom were missing for a few hours, but hey, it's all good! We still got pictures done and the reception was great. I promised myself that I would enjoy the day and I did a good job of that... there were little things that could have stressed me out, and a couple of things that weren't good, but the day was perfect and I loved it! We even had Jake in the family pictures... his cut out was in all the shots and he had the same smile every time! (go figure!)


Time flies so very fast... enjoy each moment while you can. I have, and do, love every stage of my children's lives. What a wonderful time to be alive!