Today's fun

I love taking pictures of Haylie and Hannah together. It is not too often we get a picture where they look so identical, but I think I may have got one today. There still are differences but, what do you think?

Lauren was so cute swinging her little legs "reading" the DVD cover like a book.

Lastly while I was away Haylie started doing a Star Wars Dance. The kids watched one movie a day so they were able to watch all six movies. I guess the theme song went to Haylie's head. Usually it is more like clog dancing with Haylie's feet but you can never understand the tune she is saying. Here the feet aren't as active but you can distinctly here the "dun-dun-dun-dun-da-dun" Darth Vadar's Theme.

It snowed...

in August...inside Jeremy's office...

OK it didn't really snow. They had a bridal shower for a co-worker at his work last night and Jeremy had to be elsewhere. So the two in charge got visited by 3 little helpers who "lightly dusted" their office with "snow" or as the rest of the world calls it Toilet Paper! I am sure this may actually be in reference to a few bathroom clean-ups that Jeremy has had in the past...good stories, but are so much better when he tells it. OK I may be reading into the toilet paper thing too much, it was probably an answer to "How do we entertain 3 youngin's with no toys on the premises?"

It made for a good laugh and I am sure Jeremy had it cleaned up in a matter of minutes, then put every picture, paperclip and pencil right back EXACTLY where they were when he left the night before!

Share the wealth

Having a blog is fun, even if no one reads it I feel better about putting exciting information out there. It is so helpful when I stumble across info on other people's blogs too. I was thinking of trying a fun, not organized, sort of pre-school and I came across this website http://www.preschoolexpress.com/. It has lots of really simple activities for the kids. I think it may be more fun for Haylie and Hannah to have the competition factor since they will be working together. Anyways, if this is something you are interested I hope it helps give you some good ideas.

Health Report

Monday was a little crazy! It was Jeremy's first day back after a great vacation. Lauren and I had doctor appointments about 20 minutes apart in two different locations. Jeremy and I divided and conquered. Since I was the only one who could go to MY appt. I took Logan and Miranda. We got to hear the heartbeat of little Jackson. Miranda helped by holding the controller part and got to push it off and on when the doctor told her to, she loved it. Logan thought it was pretty cool and the heartbeat sounded like "wow, wow, wow..." pretty close, but it is definitely WOW! Everything is going well I am right on track for measurements at a little over 21 weeks. I shared my concern about a large baby and he said we will keep an eye on how the baby is growing starting around 34 weeks and see if we can stir things up if necessary. I was on cloud nine especially after the last doctor appointment.

Then Jeremy took Lauren to her doctor appointment with Haylie and Hannah. Lauren has gained about two pounds in the last 4 weeks, weighing in at 20 lbs! She has moved up from the 3rd percentile to the 11th. She is a little above the 50th percentile in height and 60th for her head size. She is growing well and our doctor was pleased with her growth. She was supposed to get her shots but Jeremy waited for about 15 minutes with others and no one was called in so I get to go back and live the terror. About her walking, Lauren cruises all over the place and is walking with us holding her hands and with her little push toy. The doctor watched her cruise and said her legs are looking strong. So we feel she will be walking in the next month or so. If she is not walking by 18 months we will look into physical therapy. I am not worried though, she is doing well.

I do have to say that with all things you have to find what works best for you. I am so happy with these two doctors. Neither give me more than I need but they hear my concerns and make note. They even give possible future decisions. It was a great medical day in the Jacobs home!

Logan sense

So I did the good mom thing and grilled Logan about his first day of school, I can't remember all the questions but the answers were pretty similar to Miranda's answers on her first day of school. Yes, Yes, Yes.... He did let me know he met three new friends...what were their names I asked "I don't renember" good friends eh? He then informed me that they played a game in a circle except it was really a triangle. Lastly as we were crossing the street to go home he said with a little tinge of disappointment and frustration "Ms. Z didn't teach me how to read today" I guess we have made reading seem like an easy process that happens over night. I am glad though that he is excited to learn more new things and be like his big sister.

Education Week

In Jeremy's family Education Week is a tradition. It is a 4-5 day spiritually uplifting experience. There are 55 minute classes all day long on various topics ranging from habits to history to encouragement, cooking, music...there are over 1,000 classes offered. Every year Jeremy and I trade off one stays home with the kids (only 14 and older can attend) and the other gets to go. This year was my turn. I was introduced to some new yet fabulous speakers. People, their testimonies, knowledge and experience amaze me. I know I am not to compare since I have my own gifts and strengths but how they inspire me to want to do better!

We drive up on Saturday before it begins. It is a long drive but the company makes a difference. And I can honestly say Nevada is not that bad. Sunday we visit Jeremy's Grandma Jacobs. She is an amazing example of living life to the fullest. It was an enjoyable visit. We were also surprised when LuJean came in, she lives in Idaho and sometimes we get lucky enough to get a time when both trips align.

A funny experience that day...we went and attended a random ward, they are everywhere in Utah so it is not hard to find the best time and location. For part of the Sacrament program a group of 4 boys sang a beautiful song. Their voices where fabulous, I could have listened to them all day. I was so impressed that these young boys sounded like men when they sang. As they were done I watched them sit down...NEXT TO THEIR WIVES! I realized how old I am getting.

On Monday we go to Salt Lake City and visit Temple Square. We got to see the movie Joseph Smith: the Prophet of the Restoration. It is such a fabulous movie that will make you cry. One thing that stuck out to me is an often repeated phrase. "Whom the Lord calls, he qualifies." I have heard it a lot but at times, which is natural, it is easy to think I am not good enough at this, for this, etc. In this film the quote was a little more specific "The Lord calls us in our weakness THEN qualifies us." Oh how much better it is to think of it that way. We are most teachable when we are humble! We can serve him better when we turn to Him for strength, encouragement and guidance.

We always get to play a couple games of May I? (although our rules are a little different)

Although you can hold two more cards Mom J. has a LOT of cards in her hand! Then starting on Tuesday we get to attend classes. I love every morning walking to my first class and seeing this:

I am sure it has a name but it is a little canyon in the Wasatch mountains that are pretty much the eastern Border of BYU campus. The sun peaks through and you can see the rays starting to shine through the mountains.

Tuesday I got to see Pride and Prejudice the Musical. I have been spoiled in the past to see a few Broadway quality plays. This was more community theater but it was still very neat. I enjoyed the voices of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley.

I learned so much this week and was so lucky to get to go. Jeremy stayed home with the kids. He had a blast and got lots accomplished. When I came home there was a cake on the table with flowers and a card, along with pictures that the 4 oldest had drawn along with what they like best to do with me. Much to my surprise, Jeremy took the kids to get pictures taken. They turned out so adorable. We should have them up on the Internet soon. I also got a coupon book from Jeremy with various dates and more girl time. I am truly lucky and spoiled.

First Day of School

Logan's first day of school. Logan was very excited to find out he has the same teacher as Miranda had for her first year of school.
Miranda was very excited when she received a call from her second grade teacher last week. Miranda was also excited, her teacher has the best heater and the best air conditioning. She also said "my teacher sounds like she has a lot of fun stuff planned. It is going to be a fun year." I love that she loves school.
It was not as sad to leave Logan at school as I thought it would be. It all happens so fast that I forget to revel in the moment. You could tell he is extremely curious and unsure, but he is very confident and independent. He walked right into his classroom, put his book away and was sitting in his desk ready to learn.
While is wasn't sad to leave him, it is kind of lonely without him. Haylie and Hannah both asked when we get to get Logan. They miss their big brother. I am so proud of both my kids, they are pretty easy going and excited for school, I look forward to another exhausting year of getting to know more students that will surround my kids and help shape them. I have already been asked to be a co-room mom with another mom from Miranda's kindergarten class. So who knows what I will get to do with the kindergarten class. Here's to happy thoughts and lots of fabulous experiences for the oldest kiddos!

Checking out the Room

Logan got to meet his teacher and visit his classroom. For some reason I didn't get a picture of him and his teacher either day. In my defense I didn't get a picture of Miranda and her teacher on the first day either... well except Miranda was in the front of the line. Here are a couple of pictures.

Logan found his name on the door along with his good friend Caden. We used to think that it would be a bad thing for the boys to be in the same class, just because how boys are not that these are bad boys. They actually do very well together. They have the same teacher and are both "early friends."

Mr. & Mrs. Klekar

That is right Klekar is my maiden name! pronounced kle (short e) car. My dad married his perfect bride last week. It was a perfect wedding it fit my dad's personality, informal and fun. Of their nine grandkids, 7 were there. My niece was here visiting her dad so I was able to take her to the wedding. The people who don't know me that well thought I had six kids. They were right just one is still in utero. I put together a little clip of photos, their vows and lots of dancing. Logan was a dancing fool and boy does he have moves! I couldn't remember the song that they danced to so it is a silent video montage except for the background music of the kids dancing. To Dad and Janet Congratulations!

Updating

We took some pictures of the girls and I have uploaded them from the camera. Here are a couple recent pictures of my stellar young ladies!

This one is not too recent but I had to have my little man be represented. Everysunday he would dress in his Sunday clothes, and put on his missionary name badge. Oh, if I could bottle up those feelings just incase he needs reminding later on!

I was going to try and find a good picture of Lauren but then I thought Lauren gets lots of pictures so she can just deal...besides would she even understant the unfair representation anyways?!

A day on the boat

We went with some friends on their boat on July 5th. We don't do it as often as we are invited, but boy did we have a good time. Logan collected shells all day and insists next time we bring bigger bags and bring two! Lauren as always just went with the flow. Miranda and Logan both loved the "Banana Split" It was a very fun day, and was a great way to end an exhausting weekend...good thing we had Sunday to re-coup...Jeremy needed it. On our way out we had an incident, Jeremy tells all about it here. That part was not fun but then we went to dinner and continued to laugh and joke about the good things! Thank you Rossi's for including us!

Fourth of July

I got some cute pictures from the fourth but haven't taken the time to post them. It was a crazy day. We came home from a fun sleepover, then family came to visit, then we went to a friends house for a barbeque and swim. All of our kids, including Jeremy got in the pool. We laughed alot and enjoyed the company. Then we went to Concord High School to watch fireworks.

While waiting Jeremy and Miranda raced.

At the very end you can see Logan stop Miranda, Logan got knocked over. If only I paid better attention to the camera it would have been even more funny!

All the kids loved the fireworks. We then loaded Haylie, Hannah, and Lauren back in the wagon. Before we were of the field we had three sleeping beauties!

Logan and Grandma June

Jeremy's Grandma was over for dinner last Sunday. Her and Logan were talking and Logan asks "Grandma, how old are you?"I thought it was kind of a funny question but the conversation that followed cracked me-up.

Grandma June "How old is old?"

Logan "Ummm??? I don't know maybe 105?"

Grandma June "Oh, that's good! I'm not old then! I'm only 91."

Although this picture wasn't taken during this conversation, I think it is cool. Grandma just finished her 6th round of chemo (3, then surgery, then three more) she is doing pretty well although she has some troublesome aches and pains. It is good to see her out and about.

Quote

I read this book of quotes a while back and as I was reading I thought "a lot of my friends need to be reminded of this" as encouragement not as criticism of course. The book is One Bright and Shining Hope Messages for Women from Gordon B. Hinckley. I thought since I have a blog and most of my good friends read maybe it will remind them how special they are to Heavenly Father. Sometimes life seems overwhelming and we, as women, feel like we are sinking in stead of swimming merrily along. Here is the opening quote on page 1:

It is so tremendously important that the women of the Church stand strong and immovable for that which is correct and proper under the plan of the Lord. They must begin in their homes. They can teach it in their classes. They can voice it in their communities. They must be the teachers and guardians of their daughters. When you save a girl, you save generations. I see this as the one bright and shining hope in a world that is marching toward moral self-destruction.

Although this is geared towards mothers, I know a few remarkable and outstanding women who work with the youth in our church. They are amazing and you can tell how much they care for these girls and want them to gain a strong and immovable testimony of the gospel. So I think this applies to all women. Even women of sons. As women we get to wear different hats. Some get to be full time mothers, others need to work outside the home, we all get to be teachers whether it is at home, church or as a career. What opportunities we have to teach by example! I know that I have a small group of friends who I talk to regularly and we get to inspire each other. I don't know that I spend too much time talking and inspiring those outside my comfortable little circle. Another thing to add to my ever growing list of things to do...consistently.

Back to the point, I am so lucky to be blessed with 4 wonderful daughters. The part that touched me the most in this quote was the end when he says "When you save a girl, you save generations." Wow is that pressure. I know at times being "just" a stay-at-home mom it is difficult to feel that you are doing your part. According to President Hinckley our part is to nurture and raise our children, in this particular quote our daughters. Someday it will be their job to "save" ot teach the next generation. They will be the teachers in their homes while, hopefully, their husbands work and support their family. Will I have done a good enough job? Will I have been strong enough and immovable that my daughters will be the same way?

As women we are so important in Heavenly Father's plan, we can't belittle our divine destiny just because we are women. Jane Clayson Johnson has a book that is called "I AM a Mother!" It is a statement not a description. This woman gave up a successful career because she was strong and immovable and knew what she needed to do. The world called her crazy, but she did it. She has no regrets. What a wonderful role model.

So I am off to save generations by being "one bright and shining hope" one daughter at a time...

Book Review

Hopefully I will be evasive enough that I won't ruin anything about this book. Yes I am talking Breaking Dawn. Here's my breakdown of the first three:

Twilight...loved it couldn't put it down. Some may say they fell in love too quickly but sometimes it happens that fast. they were made for eachother and I fell for it hook, line and sinker!

New Moon...The meaning of the title was on www.stepheniemeyer.com. It made me appreciate the story more. It is my least favorite, the first time was hard to get through but the second and third time it was a lot better and I could understand it better.

Eclipse...again the title is so perfect and it explains it in the book. This was my favorite! I couldn't get enough of Edward and Bella's love story, at the end I couldn't help but want more!

And the grande finalle:
Breaking Dawn...before I read this I knew what I wanted to happen, I just couldn't figure out how it was possible. Stephenie Meyer did everything I wanted and more. She got it all done! As I was reading it I felt disturbed by the plot, it went in such a weird direction. The love was still there but it was miserable! The end ties it up really nice. I am glad I read it a second time though I got to pay better attention to the "banter" between characters. At the end of the story it was finished, as with all good stories you would like to read more and it would be possible. All problems were addressed and solved, more or less. By the end the love and passion was back. Although it isn't my favorite of the series it is still really good.

Things I love:

• Jacob and Edwards relationship. They crack me up! Pay attention!
• Hopefully this isn't too much but the book is broken into three parts, the first told by Bella, the Second by Jacob and the third by Bella again, the story is continuous just different point of view. That is just info but if you read the titles to the Jacob chapters they crack me up.
• I love that I can hear their voices in my head, how they would actually say things to each other
• The pride Edward has when he looks at Bella, She feels he can see her the way she has seen him all along. Bella finally feels equal or "good enough" for him!
• The relationships~all of them

What I didn't like:

• The misery, it does help the story come together but it is still hard when you can't see the happy passion you are used to.

So in a nutshell I did love this book too!

I have a secret!!!!!

Well it really isn't a secret anymore! Today we had a lovely viewing of our precious little tyke. We didn't have to wait long until the technician told us it is indeed a baby BOY!!!!! We are so thrilled. Not to say we wouldn't be as happy if it were a girl as we know they are lots of fun, but we knew our family needed one more boy.

When we came home we told Jeremy's mom that we couldn't see so we would have to go back. She is so trusting of her son to believe just about anything he says. So the kids were waiting to hear the news, we told them we didn't know. Then we showed them this ultra sound picture:

And informed them it was indeed a boy and we can continue calling my tummy "Baby Jackson." I don't think Logan has ever got that excited before even with Santa! He ran over to Jeremy (I know I am chop liver when it comes to gender determination, but how does a 5-year old know that!) and squeezed his leg with a big hug. I think he was not only celebrating having a brother but also so ecstatic that there would be three males in the house to balance out the hormones of 5 women. He is a very intuitive young man. So there you have it news you can use...or not.