Dear Vic,

...and Sam, Joy, Wendy, Paul, and Peggy,

I thought about you while running. You popped into my mind around mile 9 when Tom Petty started singing on my Nano "well I started out down a dirty road, started out all alone. And the sun went down as I crossed the hill. And the town lit up, and the world got still. (are you singing yet, because I was) I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings. Coming down is the hardest thing."
Did you know I have that CD? It's probably yours. It reminds me of when we roomed together and I have great memories from that. I thought about all the things I've learned from you, from all of you. The important lessons you all teach, and the kindness you give when you allow me to learn things on my own, even when you watch me being clueless. Sam, I think about your struggles alone and wish we could all relay with you, taking turns sharing the strain. Joy, I am so sorry that you had to quit track in High School. I get how fun running is now, and I wish that I had taken you to DQ and commiserated together on the way life works out sometimes. I wish we could do that now, when we have hard days. ( I overheard Mackay telling someone "Sometimes I have a nice mommy, sometimes shes mean!") Yep, days like that. Wendy and Peggy, I heard stories about things you did with your roommates and wished I could have been your roommate, at least, longer than I was. Wendy, we are making up for lost time. Peggy I hope I get the chance. Paul. You are too cool for me, but hanging out with families of our own was super cool and I loved the ideas you came up with for your family. You play and hard as you work. I'm learning to do that too. Running has done that for me. I also thought of Lucy, and of Molly's marathon mantra and of the influence of in-laws.
Elder Bednar gave a talk that I really loved. Read it when you have a moment. He states that "Our physical bodies make possible a breadth, a depth, and an intensity of experience that simply could not be obtained in our premortal estate. "
We “accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize [our] divine destiny as heirs of eternal life.” ¹ Please note the primary importance of obtaining a physical body in the process of progressing toward our divine destiny."
I'm noticing my own growth in learning through running. There are times when I think, I'm gonna run an 8 minute mile today and then I get out there and realize, I don't run that fast! Then there are times that we've planned a 9 mile run and I think, 'I can't run that far', and then I do! It's as if having really physical experiences, enhance our intellectual growth as well.
Growing up in our family gave me, gives us, so many chances to learn. Running gives me more time to reflect on what I'm learning. It's a good mix.
I love you all. Thanks for withholding judgement ( to my face) and for talking, blogging, sharing your lives and experiences. I'm so lucky to be a part of all of you. I just wanted to let you know that, and that I thought of you all for at lest 3 miles, ...until I stopped thinking and sprinted to the finish line!
Love, Jenny

Some More Art

We all know how much mothers love the art their children produce (we have all been to Grandma's house and have seen the art wall). I know that sometimes we may be the only ones who appreciate these works of art. It is just so fun to see what is in their heads. But I think you will get a kick out of them.

First of all... does anyone know which park this is? Anyone, anyone? Do you recognize it? I love that Luke (and all of my kids) have happy memories of this park. Click on the photo to enlarge:
And this just made me laugh:
By the way, that is a fake tattoo on his forehead... which looks like he ran into wall.

Just made me Smile

Mom's post reminded me of this. It made me smile, maybe it will make you smile too!

Babies are just proof God loves us and trusts us. They mean life and future.

Did I ever tell you your kids are precious little people? They are noisy and don't always follow rules and make messes, and you have to let them run in the hall, but I am excited for you new additions.

I always used to wonder when my kids were born, who is this person? I ran out of patients and went to bed early sometimes,except when Jenny came and jumped on the bed, but you are the wonderful people I have dreamed about. So,

we wait to see the grandchildren develop and wait to see who they are. Don't you just love it?

Did You Make the Cut?

And the last page...
... ya. Neither did I.

Happy birthday Molly

Happy Birthday Molly! You should be eating a cake this nice! But since you are in California (and who wouldn't be for their birthday if they could) we'll have to skip the cake and just wish you a great day. Enjoy yourself

Thoughts that I should probably keep to myself

I have been thinking a lot about Lucy lately. As we approach Allie's baptism next Saturday I have a lot of mixed emotions. I am so excited and proud of her because she really wants this, it really is her choice. Part of me though also realizes that this marks the end of her innocence so to speak. She is accountable now. And WHAT IF she decides to make choices in her life that we are not happy about. What if she chooses not to follow the Savior later on. That is a real possibility and in the end it is her choice. Part of me feels... maybe a little of jealous of Vic and Molly? Lucy is theirs! Now all they have to do is their part. If someone gave me the option of living my life without Allie... well that is like asking "would you rather have you arm bitten off by an alligator or your leg bitten off by a shark?" Well, hellllooo- neither! There is no answer to a question like that. I am sorry about these morbid thoughts. This is a joyful time! Allie is going to be baptized!!!

But there you go. I just shared them with you.


This is a sculpture in Slovakia at a memorial for unborn children.

...And My Daughter Too.

(She always has to have the last word.)

I love my boys

Nuff said...

Allie's journal entry from school

Let me know if you cannot read this. I thought it was so funny. I love the tear-jerker beginning coupled with the joke at the end- which was a true story.

Kid History Sightings!

This story might only be interesting/cool to Jenny and the boys, but here it is. As some of you know, Thad and I are on an indoor soccer team. Tonight, we had a game. As we're standing there waiting for the team who had just finished their game to come out of the "dugout" we noticed some familiar faces! ALL of the guys from the "Kid History" videos were on the team right before us! I nearly shouted out "RANDY!!", or "I'll take 2 completos!!" Thad had to hold me back from rushing up to them an asking for autographs! Anyway, cool story of the week?

What the...

I went out this morning and saw this in my driveway... I have no idea how Jango got there or how long he had been in the car. Near as Jen and I can figure, he snuck in when she got home from an errand 40 minutes earlier and was quietly devouring a burrito Hailey had left on the back seat.

The funniest part was when I opened the passenger door, Jango politely moved over to the driver's seat. "Oh, you're going to sit there this time? Okay, I'll drive." Nice.

Dear Family,
We took a little trip to Mesa to see our Hailey baptised. It was wonderful and Hailey you were radiant and I know Heavenly Father knows you were baptised and now are in his fold.
We retured home and to our surprise a secret pegnancy has taken place. I suppose it happed at night but we didn't know it. It was kept secret and we couldn't see signs of it comeing , no large belly did we notice. We hope it's not an unwanted event but who can tell. We have taken care not to spread the secret until now. You know some things are personnal. However, we do not know who the Dad is. We hope we will know soon. We hope he is a fine unstanding citzen that can provide for his family.
The secret is out now. We have a new baby fish! He is tiny and cute. His job now is to not make any adult mad and eat him. I guess that's what happens when the kids get out of hand.
So, I didn't eat any of you and you turned out fine. Hope to hear from you all.
Love Mom

Tonight like several nights before have been emotional and long. This journey to the "other side' has been going on for awhile now and when Mom was in the hospital I thought it was at an end. It sure looked and felt like it and I started grieving then. Then we brought her home and she rallied and we could talk and she was a littler slower but almost her same self. I can't think of a better gift than to have a loved one approach death and then get a repreave and have them back for awhile. You appreciate and devote your time to them.
Monday, Mom fell. Hit her head. It was going to be sore but she didn't need stitches. Then Tuesday morning she fell again. It was hard for her to get up. I had to have your Dad help me. She is sliding into that next curve of her journey.
Tonight I was in the TV room, reading, and she sat up in bed and said,what? I went in to her. "What's wrong Mom. Someone called my name", she said. " Was it Dad", (your grandpa) no, it was a women's voice, it was as clear as can be". She has two sisters and her Mom, grandma Price, on the other side. Well, I guess they are trying to encourage you, I guess." " Yes, I guess they are waiting".
I bent over and said, Mom, I love you and I will miss you,I said.She put her arm around me and told me she loved me and I don't know what I would do without you".
I treasure these momments. Of course we are ready because she is tired of her afflicitons. But, you don't always get to have this time.
I had a friend tell me I wouldn't regret this time. It has been 4 years and not easy. I missed being with my kids sometimes and taking off. But, I will never get a chance to tell my mom I will miss her and I love her for a long time.
I hope by sharing this that you hold each other a little closer and remember all the family that you have. We miss our Lucy and can't wait for this time to hold her again. It hurts doesn't it.
So, to all of you, I love you and I miss you tonight. Each phone call and post is a reward to me.
Good night, Love Mom

Book idea

Since many of us (all us girls it seems) have read "The Help" and liked it, here is another book I thought sounded interesting. Especially for us! And I know Vic has lots of good books to recommend too! Shall we do a little book club together?