Our new camera is awesome

Six Things About Jill

1. Jill has always dreamed of being a rockstar. Sometimes I catch her in the shower singing at the top of her lungs, usually Kelly Clarkson or High School Musical songs.
2. Jill is very clean and organized. She has to wipe down grocery carts and restaurant high chairs with antibacterial wipes. And Jenna's clothes are organized by size and type (pants in one drawer, onesies in another and jammies in another. Secretly, I love it.)
3. Recently Jill has become quite the photographer. She loves to snap photos of everything, especially Jenna. I really enjoy coming home from work when she shows me her latest slide show.
4. I leave for work at 4:30 in the morning. Everyday Jill asks me, "Did you say good-bye to me this morning?" And I always say, "Jill, I say good-bye to you every morning." Obviously her grunted response that early in the morning is not coherent.
5. Jill says she loves surprises but anytime I plan something she asks, "So, what are we doing?" I always say, "Do you really want to know?" And of course, she says "No."
6. Jill is a really good writer. In fact, she's helping me write this right now.

Six Things About Jake

We've been "tagged" again but this time, I'm writing six things about Jake and he's writing six things about me.
1. Almost everytime Jake sits down to eat he says "I love food," especially if eating any form of bean: refried, baked, chili, etc.
2. Jake is not afraid to show his emotions and cries often, mostly while watching "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
3. Jake is a saver. When in high school, he always went out to eat with his friends, but never actually ordered anything. A few weeks ago I asked him if he wanted some new shirts. "No, I want a house." He also recently told me that he is going to start putting away $15 every paycheck for a plasma. Which leads me to....
4. Jake is goal-oriented. I always catch him looking at dream homes (mostly in Ohio). And he often says, "When I build our house it's going to have ....." Before we were married I called him to come over but he declined because he had homework. I gave him a hard time about it until he said, "The reason I work so hard in school is so I can get a good job and my family doesn't have to shop at D.I."
5. Jake LOVES anything with a remote control i.e. cars, helicopters, plasmas. He is very much into electronics and toys and even subscribes to a Tower Hobbies magazine.
6. Jake LOVES Jenna. It is very cute to watch him play with her and he is definitely the more favored parent. It's easy to see why....

Today I went to Kohl's and found some awesome deals on stuff for Jenna. I bought five shirts, a pair of pants, a sweater and a skirt for $23. I couldn't believe it. I was finding things for 70, 80, even 90% off! I got one shirt for $1.00! I love days like that. I could have bought so much more but I had to restrain myself. So after picking out a gazillion things, I put everything back that was over $4.00. Because, you know, that's expensive! But the most exciting thing of all today is that Jenna let go of the coffee table and stood on her own for about 15 seconds! Jake and I were clapping and cheering so hard and she was laughing and squeeling too but I don't think she had any clue what was going on. I couldn't get to the camera in time but hopefully there will be other opportunities soon! Jenna is really into books right now and I've found her several times turning the pages and "reading." I hope this means she will enjoy books throughout her life. I try to read to her often, especially at nap and bedtime, and it's funny how she has developed clear favorites. Among others, she likes "Chicka Chicka ABC" and "Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?" but she does not care for "Pigs Can't Fly." She pushes it away and looks for a different book. I love her little personality!

Christmas Festivities

Christmas was not just a day for us this year but a whole weekend! We started out at Jake's parent's house on Saturday where we enjoyed going shopping, ear candles and a great ham dinner. (Don't ask about the ear candles!) Jenna had a bad night so we left pretty early on Sunday, which turned out to be a pretty low-key day. In the evening, Jake's brother Tim and his friend Will came to visit us for the first time and it was really fun to show them our new place. Jake and I watched "Christmas with the Kranks" and geared up for more holiday fun on Monday and Tuesday. Monday night we headed over to my parents house for our traditional Christmas Eve snack-fest which always includes Li'l Smokies! Jenna wore her special Christmas jammies Aunt Missy sent and Jake and I had fun playing "Santa" even though Jenna had no idea what was going on. We were so excited for her to open gifts this morning that we forgot to give her a bottle! She didn't seem to mind. She was pretty focused on some curling ribbon. She did rip the paper off one gift and didn't really understand why we cheered her on because we usually tell her NOT to rip paper. After getting cleaned up, we headed back over to my parents for some traditional cinnamon rolls, basketball, football, and lots and lots of cookies and goodies. My Grandma Brooks came over and it was nice to see her. We really appreciate our parents being so generous and making Christmas special. We love this time of year and our dragging our feet as we head "back to life, back to reality" (that's a song.... I don't know who sings it but it always pops into my head after a vacation....)

I need to add to the list of things that have not been working properly:
My CELL PHONE!! For some reason, people can't hear me. I bet there is some gunk up in there or maybe it's really broken from all the times I let Jenna play with it and bang it on the coffee table. I do not know what else could possibly break. I think we're going to get a camera on Saturday, which I am very excited about. Yesterday I called Best Buy because the $50 gift card we were promised hasn't arrived yet. I called them on November 28 (the day our washer & dryer arrived) to tell them that the delivery guys scratched the top of our washer when they cut the plastic off. We were told a gift card would arrive in 10 business days as compensation. Great. Well, it's been three weeks. I was told yesterday that the gift card had not been sent out yet and that it would take another 7-14 days. The man who helped me was very polite and I tried to be nice too, which is why I prefaced my outburst with, "I know it's not your fault but....." He wasn't really able to help me because he was just the poor guy answering phones and everyone he needed answers from was out of the office for the day (it was 8:30). So I'm calling back today and you better believe I'm going to get $75!! Seriously.

I know we've all had songs stuck in our heads but have you ever had a word stuck in your head? For some reason, for the last couple of weeks, "Peep toe slingback" keeps replaying over and over in my mind. Jake and I have been watching "What Not To Wear" quite often, and in my quest to be more stylish I have been looking for some pumps but come on! I can't stop thinking those three words! Jake and I have made a joke out of it. Every time we hear a fashion word, or when Stacey London says "empire" (om-peer) Jake and I turn to each other and say "Peep toe!" It such a funny word. And since I've been shoe shopping a lot lately, I make a mental note every time I see such a shoe. Sometimes I even shorten it to PTSB. I need to stop.

Now for some non-psycho news... Jenna has a new trick. She will stick out her tongue when I ask her what a lizard says. Also, last night she kept looking toward the door and saying "dadadadada" as if she were wondering when he was coming home. I was wondering the same thing, especially after he called to say he had to work overtime. He got home two hours late! Normally, I wouldn't have minded so much but because Jenna didn't sleep ALL DAY it was definitely a "Put-her-down-early-and-get-me-a-pizza-so-I-don't-have-to-do-dinner" kind of day.

New toys for all!

Last night Jake and I were lounging in our jammies on the couch, searching the internet for Christmas gifts when we heard a knock at the door. It was about 8:30 and I figured the only people knocking on our door that late would be our neighbors. We're pretty comfortable with them, so I didn't bother to go throw some jeans on. But, no. It was our BISHOP. I was so embarrassed. But he was coming to bring Jenna a wooden rocking chair that looks like a little bear. He made it himself and it is SO cute. Jake and I were floored. He was delivering them to all the little kids in our ward! It was the nicest thing ever and made us feel so good. We are saving it for Christmas morning and Jenna is going to love it. And, when I apologized for being in pajamas, he said "I wouldn't expect anything more this time of night." What a great guy.

We've had a few major things break or not work properly this month including, but not limited to, our camera (which Jake said we can replace before Christmas. Yeah!) our car (which Jake said we can replace sooner rather than later. Double YEAH!) our garbage disposal, our garage door (both of which have been fixed) and our computer. Our computer has been going downhill for a while now but when Jenna finally got to it and pulled the X button off, we knew it was time. We're looking into an apple computer. Jake's computer-guru cousin said apples never get viruses and I used apples in school and really liked them. So, we've got a few major purchases coming up but instead of looking at the huge cost these things will be, I'm going to be excited (man, I use that x more than I thought!) about all the new toys. So hopefully, I will finally be able to post pictures of my cutie little Jenna.

"It's (not) beginning to feel a lot like Christmas..."

For some reason, it just doesn't feel like Christmas. My tree is up, I've got an apple cinnamon Glade plug-in plugged in, Sunny 102.3 has been playing Christmas carols 24 hours a day since Thanksgiving and the weather has finally dropped below 65 degrees. But, I don't know, it just doesn't seem like Christmas! Maybe it's because we won't be with a lot of our family members. Jake's sister and her family are staying in Florida. And my two sisters are staying in Ohio. And for this reason, Christmas is a love/hate holiday. I love giving (and getting!) gifts, but it's a family holiday and for the past two years, we haven't all been together. I wish everyone (all 17 on my side and all 14 on Jake's) could line up in the hallway from youngest to oldest and walk single-file into the living room then sit around the tree while our dads and grandpas pass out gifts. I guess it's time to start our own traditions with Jenna but I guess deep down I was really hoping one of those traditions would be walking down the street to spend Christmas with cousins.

The Best of Times, The Worst of Times

The Warriors game on Friday night against Miami was so exciting. The Warriors were down by at least 10 the whole game and at one time, as much as 23. I feel sorry for those who left early because the last 4 minutes were the most exciting. I don't know what happened but the Warriors were on fire!! They came back to win it 120-113. I have never screamed so hard in my life. And Shaq really is huge. Even from far away, his feet looked giagantic.

But a few people there kind of ruined it for me. A very, very large group of junior high kids were sitting directly in front of us and were quite possibly the most obnoxious bunch of kids ever. I only hope I wasn't like that as a 12 and 13-year-old. If I was, sorry Mom. They kept standing up, wrapping tape around their wrists (with the help of one of their chaperones!), fighting over seats, flirting, and wearing very large balloon hats that ended up right in Jake's face. My brother finally told them to sit down. Also, a guy behind me kept saying the F word, so much that it really started bugging me. Typically, I never would have said anything to a large, gangster-looking man but two things crossed my mind: 1) I've been told several times that I need to be more assertive and 2) Why should I have to listen to that??! So, the next time he said it, I just turned around and gave a look like, "Excuse me?" He didn't look at me but the two girls sitting with him saw and told him. Then it was every other word out of his mouth. I told myself, "The next time he says it, I'm going to ask him to stop." Two seconds later, I mustered up the courage to turn around and in my nicest voice ask, "Would you please stop using that word? Please." He looked at me like I was the stupidest thing he ever saw and said, "What?" like what I was asking was so ridiculous. And the lovely girl next to him said, "You're at a basketball game, girl. Get some ear muffs!" I just turned back around. I heard them call me a few things and then it got really bad. He kicked my chair a few times while the we were all chanting "De-FENSE!" but basically was screaming profanities the rest of the game. My brother said I made it worse by saying something and that I just have to ignore those things. But why? Why should I have to put up with that? And what about being more assertive? I was just so upset by the whole thing. So much that I couldn't stop thinking about it even after the game ended. Those people were so rude. What great examples they were to the junior high kids in front of us.

The rest of the weekend kind of stunk too and I felt bad for Jake because it was supposed to be his fun birthday weekend. Jenna is either feeling the effects of her flu shot or getting another tooth but she was up most of the night Friday night. We didn't go to the temple on Saturday morning like we had planned and Jenna was so grumpy and miserable that I had to call Jake to come home from his cousin's playoff football game Saturday night. We got home from Fremont around 10 p.m. and then had to give talks yesterday. I do think those went pretty well. But now I'm just looking forward to Christmas and our anniversary. Hopefully we can have a more enjoyable anniversary weekend!

Happy Birthday Jake!

Jake turns 25 today! It's weird to think I've known him since he was 18. (Not much has changed... hehe!!) We have a really fun weekend planned to celebrate. I guess it actually started last night when we both got haircuts. Nothing too drastic.... although, I did cut bangs! Love 'em! Jake only had to work until 10:30 because of his company Christmas luncheon. Nice that it fell on his birthday! Tonight we are going to another Warriors game. We have been following their season and are really into it now. They play Miami tonight so we'll get to see Shaq! Tomorrow morning we're going to the temple then in the evening we are going to Jake's cousin's section playoff football game at the Oakland Coliseum. The only not-so-fun part of the weekend are the talks we have to give on Sunday. Ugh. We have a good start on them so we don't have to stress too much over the weekend.

So, following my sister's lead.... I'd like to dedicate this blog to my husband on his birthday. (My brother-in-law's birthday is today as well). I am so grateful for Jake and appreciate his constant positive attitude. He is always finding the good in people, even when it's difficult. He worked extremely hard when he was in school and has carried that work ethic into his job. Even though his job isn't his dream one, he gets up every morning at 3:30 with a willing attitude and drives over an hour to work so I can stay home with Jenna. And as soon as he gets home, he takes over as "Mr. Mom" so I can have a break. He always makes sure to ask me how my day was and really listens to what I have to say. I tease Jake a lot about being so cheesey and goofy but really.... I think it's great that he's comfortable sharing his emotions and being himself. I hope he has a great day today.

I did it to myself yesterday and I did it to Jenna this morning. It was bound to happen. I had pinned her to my lap with my left arm across her chest and used my left hand to keep her hand still. She was so squirmy, though. Then it happened. I cut her thumbnail too short. Little droplets of blood came oozing out as she cried in pain. And I know how painful that can be because, as I said, I did it to myself yesterday. Now anytime I press that finger I get stabbed with the memory of my carelessness. Good thing Jenna's nails grow faster than mine.

She's Gone Country...

For some reason, I had this song stuck in my head the other day. Thought I'd share. Too bad I couldn't find "That Ain't My Truck." Hehe!!

Update

Well, we're finally moved in to our "dupe" as Jake likes to call it (a.k.a. duplex). It is a life-changing experience. Seriously. I never knew having two extra cabinets in the bathroom or more countertop space would make such a difference in my life. We also got our very first washer and dryer thanks to Jake's grandma. (It was her wedding gift to us.... three years later.) I washed everything I could on the day they arrived. I was washing bath mats and the boppy (individually!) and a small load on the delicate cycle - loads I never would have done previously at the cost of $1.75 each. Those quarters are precious. I always crammed everything I could into one load. A couple days ago when Jake took a load out to the dryer (in the garage) I almost slipped and asked if he needed quarters. It is so nice not to have to make trips to Save Mart to "buy" a roll. And Jenna is loving her new room and Jake is loving that he doesn't have to tiptoe around in the morning so as not to wake us up. So we are really enjoying living here and are also really enjoying our neighbors who are in our ward. The bad news is that our camera is completely dead so I can't take pictures of our new place. This irritates me because I had video on it of Jenna cruising around the coffee table. I guess a new camera will be our Christmas present to each other.