Special Tricks and Announcements

So I am updating my blog per my mother's request. My family has been here in Utah since June. I kept blogging up for a while after they got here, but then kind of tapered off, because let's face it (no offense to anyone else out there, especially those who have the stamina to update their blogs regularly) pretty much the only reason I had maintained it before then was because I wanted them to have a way to know what was going on with our family.

Occasionally my mom will ask, "Have you updated the blog yet?" I say "no" and the coversation ends. Today however, when she asked and I gave my usual answer she responded with, "Jennifer Lynne, do I have to move back to New Jersey just to get regular updates on the blog?" I was flabberghasted. I honestly didn't even know what to say because I hadn't realized she'd enjoyed them so much. So here I am.

So how is life? Busy and wonderful.

I can tell you that since September I have been working full time from home as the Director of Curriculum Development and Training Supervisor for Eleutian Technology. It's a pretty fancy title for just saying I develop all their training materials and manage a team of trainers. Working is fine. I don't love it with all my heart, but it is a good job, pays well, and we get great benefits from it, so for now it is meeting our needs.

I am still the Primary President in our ward, which can be very exhausting at times, but I know that the Lord is blessing our family. I learn things in Primary that help me be a better mom. I learn things in Primary that help me be a better me. There is something so pure about the testimony of a child, which really brings to you back to the basic doctrines of the Church. The doctrines are so simple and when they are simplified, they help build and solidify a testimony. I have amazing, wonderful counselors really magnify their callings. That has made everything easier.

Joe graduated from UVU with his degree in Psychology in December! We were so excited! He'd worked so hard and got great grades. Grad school might still be in the works but we are still trying to decide if that would be the right thing. We want to make sure it would be a good long term investment (the reason we aren't quite sure yet is because he's not really sure he wants to be doing therapy). So for the time being he is still working for his dad, which has been a good job for him.

Clara had her first day in Nursery today! She turned 18 months yesterday. I was a little nervous about how things would go, but when I carried her in there, she jumped down from my arms, ran straigh over to the group of kids and started playing with toys. She didn't even look back to make sure we stuck around. She was a champ! That little girl loves her independence. Quite honestly, I think she thinks she's an adult.

She does several new tricks that make us, the goofy parents, glow with pride.

She finally blows kisses! (That may not sound like a big deal to anyone else, but we've been trying to get her to do it for almost a year and she never quite got it. Now, she does it full out--kissing her hand twice and throwing out her fully extended arm with a big cheesy grin. I love it!)

Her favorite words are Jesus, cheese, shoes, baby, and up. She understands everything we say, but she's been a little more stubborn about actually saying words. Instead of saying yes or no she just vigorously shakes or nods her head. Usually she just points to what she wants and jabbers. Then when you verify what she wants she emphatically nods her head and grins.

She can make the following animal sounds: monkey (my personal favorite), lion, dog, kitty, and cow. We are working on sheep, bear, and bird, but usually she just makes the same high pitched whine for all three.

She has learned to frown, do a cheeser, a surprised face, and throw her head back in boistrous laughter on command.

She and Joe are the fastest wheelbarrow team any other kid 4 and under could compete with. She is a strong little thing. She got it from her 10-pound-baby father who was walking by 10 months old.

I am continually amazed by this little girl. For example, tonight she was carrying around one of her favorite books. She was a little bit hyper and was running around the living room, when I said, "Okay Clara, it's time to go to bed. Let's go read scriptures." She immediately dropped her favorite book, went sprinting for her room, and when I picked up the Book of Mormon reader, she settled into my lap and sat entranced for an entire chapter. At 18 months my daughter is teaching me what it means to really "hunger and thirst" for righteousness. Being a mother is such a blessing.

Well, if you've lasted this long, you now deserve to hear our big annoucement. We are adding another baby to our family! We are so excited! I am about 13 weeks now. Clara and the baby will be almost exactly two years apart. Clara turns 2 on the 15th of July, and I am due the 23rd. Should be a pretty exciting summer! We couldn't be more happy. There is a very special spirit that a baby brings to your home. Clara still has that special spirit, but it's changed a little as she's grown.

Well I'm exhausted, so I am going to bed, but hopefully the post will do for now. Here are some pictures as well.

Filling Papa's boots

Wearing Mama's Hat

Halloween! Little Red Riding Hood

13 weeks pregnant!