And so begins the new chapter in our book...

April 19, 2011

Well, I got the last "chapter" in a book, so we're on to the next.  That was a fun book, just "Elder Jake Man to Mrs. Rasmussen".  The past few months has been a bit of a whirlwind of things, monumental things I might add, in my life.  I'm not sure what my thoughts are at this time, but writing them down always helps.

I've decided that I'm not convinced that the whole missionary program was truly inspired by God.  (Not really... but I kind of feel that some days!)  It really was more fun to BE a missionary than to have one out.  I know he's doing what he is supposed to now, but I find myself sitting by the mailbox waiting for a letter like some silly school girl waiting for the phone to ring.  It's really a painful thing at times.  I could have sworn to anyone that I wouldn't have been like this.  I hear the silence in this home and my heart aches.  So much has changed and I'm not a big fan of change.  I am, however, a big fan of adventure.  So that's how I look at it now.  It's a little adventure for us.  Jake is having an experience that he will cherish for the rest of his life.  I am learning to give and to be patient and I'm learning to be me.  Without the kids to cover up who I am.  (Scarey thought, huh?)

Watching Jessi turn into a wife has been a delight!  Who is this young woman who cooks, and cleans and shops at the grocery store?  I seriously have never met her until now.  She is a good little cook and she loves to pamper Alan and they both just giggle all the time and talk this whole language that is theirs alone.  They spend time together and time apart... just like it's supposed to be.  My little Jessi Bean is Mrs. Rasmussen and she couldn't be happier... and neither could I.  What a joy it is to know that your daughter has married the man she loves, her best friend.  She married a man who loves her and treats her right and is kind and a hard worker.  She is the same to him and that gives me peace.

Kaycer Noodle Nose enjoys the time with Robert and I and she keeps us smiling.  I wonder at times where her life will lead and then I stop.  Why do I really need to know?  I try my best to let her grow and learn and develop.  We never thought she would progress to where she is now... so what's the limit?  It's really a blessing to wonder.

Sometimes I think that we have all these goals and hopes and dreams for our kids.  We want them to do good in kindergarten and learn to spell their names.  All the "R"s facing the right way and the "T"s with the line properly placed.  And don't forget to brush your teeth and say your ABC's and remember your phone number and where you live.

Then comes the rest of the grades and dating and cars and soccer and everything else that we fill our planners with.  And really, none of these things are bad.  They actually are quite good.  But the dream we have for our kids is there... always.  We want them to go to college, go on missions and get married.  We want them to be happy.  That is good.  But what if we just ARE.  How does that fit into our plan?

Just being.  Every day.  Not knowing what our potential really is.  What should we do?  What should we BE?  Why do we always need a plan?  When do we just BE?

I've thought about that alot lately.  I'm a planner.  I like to check things off my list and I'll write stuff down that I already did, just to check it off.  It's like some glorious surge of adrenaline to make that little line down followed by the big line UP!  What's that all about, really?  Could self worth be tied to a little check?  Could I sleep at night knowing that my list isn't done, with check marks properly placed? 

I think I was blessed to have Kayci in so many ways I can't possible know.  She gets stuff done, no misunderstanding there.  In fact, if we DON'T do it... a small meteor will fall from the sky and life as we know it will soon cease to exist.  (Ummmmm hellooooooo.)  But being her mother has broadened my "being".  We really don't know what our potential is.  That is endless and so beyond our capability to understand, that we really couldn't possible know.  But it's human nature to never be content with mediocrity... well, at least it's my nature.  I want my children and myself to aim high and grasp that golden ring, but then... wouldn't you want to get another?  Wouldn't you then,  have just one more to give?

So this, to me, is the conflict.  Is it ever OK to really not have a plan?  That goes against all the road map analogies we've had ingrained all of our lives.  But when we have a new chapter in our lives open, we don't always need to have a plan.  Sometimes we can just continue on the new road that awaits.

Although on this new road of mine, I'm going to stop at as many "scenic overlooks" as I can find.

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!

November 24, 2010

It's Thanksgiving and I'm not very Thankful today.  Jake goes into the MTC 3 weeks from today.  It really hit me hard today and I am going to miss the heck out of him.  He's such a great kid that has grown into a great young man.  I love his sense of humor and the way he always finds the good in everyone and in everything.

It's been a though few weeks here.  Jessi and Alan are waiting for their temple papers so we can get those two married.  We had to cancel the December 11th date and they just can't go through the waiting game again so they just aren't planning anything until they hear.  It's been really tough on all of us.

I am thankful for some things, and I shouldn't be so selfish with my sadness of missing Jake.

I AM so grateful that I have such good kids.  They are making wise choices that will have an effect on their eternal lives.  They are good... not perfect, but very good!

Jessi is going through the temple on the 4th and at least Jake will be able to be with her there.  That will really be a good day.

Also, I have a few days off before Jake leaves and I'm going to enjoy spending some time with him then.  I can learn to share with the people of Washington.  But I only have to like it on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Cutest Little Coug Ever!

WOW!!! It's time to get caught up with my blog!

August 3, 2010

It's been an interesting summer, to say the least. To start things off, around February, we decided to join a riding club with Tana and Jake. Robert and I want to do more fun stuff together and a planned event one night a week with friends on harseback was just the ticket. We paid our dues and joined up. That's February.

Now March comes along and Robert's partners decide that they no longer want to keep the company around. This is Robert's baby... he's worked very hard at this company and the relationships he has built along the way. So WE decide to be partners... that way we will REALLY spend more time together. So in I go once or twice a week to do the books and marketing.

Well, now it's May... time to start doing hay. Well, the boys have moved on to pursue some adventures of their own, leaving my cute farmer doing hay with me... more time together. The only catch is... I have a full time job at the hospital. I have 3 kids living at home and a much bigger home than I would like to dust. (Granted, it's not very big... it's just REALLY dusty!)

Now jump to July... Robert buys me a Harley for our anniversary. I have it a total of 33 seconds and I pop the clutch, hit the gas and jump the curb at the church parking lot, landing in a pile of rocks on my back. I was stuck under the bike. I had 3 broken ribs and major soft tissue damage to my Right leg. Not a good maneuver.

This broken rib pain" is not the type of pain conducive to alot of things... like breathing, let alone riding a horse. It's been very painful to do my job as a nurse and just get the house clean.

I was called to be Girls Camp Director and was so excited about it, that I had to go anyway, pain pills and all!

I guess the moral to the story is... be careful what you wish for, but just be grateful for what you got.

Is this what getting older feels like?

May 15, 2010

So, I'm sitting in the doctor's office waiting for someone who would prefer to go unmentioned gets his colonoscopy and this moment gives way to some mindless thinking that is highly overdue. (WOW! That was totally a run-on sentence that would have gotten me a less than stellar grade in English. Anyway...)
As I flip through the magazine, my "cheaters" well placed on the tip of my nose, I glance up to see that all the other people in the waiting room are OLD. I mean, like really OLD. LIKE 50!!! Good thing I'm not nearly as old as this geriatric crowd that I'm spending the afternoon with. Then it dawns on me that I'm almost 50 and I'm married to someone who is 54! YIKES! (Like I said when I married Robert, I don't mind being a grandma... it's sleeping with a grandpa that bugs me bad.)
I pop a couple Ibuprofen for the lingering aches in my shoulders and I notice the cute lady next to me doing crossword puzzles. You know... they are good for your mental status. I guessed that the term "perky" relating to her physical status probably stopped a couple of decades ago, but I thought to myself, those 24 year old swim suits models have nothing on her. She was wearing orthopedic shoes and hat a snazzy little cane that kept her steady when she was walking. When she smiled, she smiled with DEPTH. Her life was good... you could tell by the wrinkles in her skin.
The couple across the waiting room held hands. They were at least 112, but still holding hands. I could tell that there was some worry in their faces, but they were there for each other. Together. Holding hands.

I start thinking about my own life and how lucky I am to have what I have and know what I know. And WHO I know. I'm grateful to be married to such a good man who loves me and treats me well. I have wonderful children and step-children who bless my life. This is such a pivitol year. I had a feeling it was going to be a new beginning for all of us. That feeling is proving to be true.

Jake is doing great now. His grades are improving and he's staying on task. He received his Eagle Scout and has re-committed to graduating from Seminary. His Seminary teacher told him that there are two places you can't serve a mission if you don't graduate from Seminary. True or not, that comment has motivated Jake to "be sure" he can go wherever he is supposed to serve. He's planning on leaving around his birthday at the end of October or early November. His biggest concern now is saving money over the summer for his mission.