Heart on Sleeve

If you know me then you know that like my Mom I wear my heart on my sleeve.  My emotions are very close to the surface and lets just say poker face and Jen they don't go together.

I'm actually not really embarressed by this and I've always loved it about my own Mom.

You can tell right away if you look at her what she is thinking!

So, without further ado - I present to you this weeks Heart on Sleeve Moments - since you weren't here to see them yourself.

Gavin in his big brothers shirt and his Dad's hat.  He melted me the minute he walked into the room in this. He's growing up way to fast and I have to run the Ragnar before I can have another baby.  I love this spunky little guy.

I know, again with the baby!   I went to get him up from his nap and I found him sleeping with glove on hand!

This girl radiates the light of Christ out of every pore.  To me she does.  She's going into the 6th grade next year and here in Boise that is middle school.  I'm not Ok with that and it has been keeping me up for nights on end.  Is it Ok to Home school one of your children.  You think I'm kidding!  I'm not. 

80's day at school.   OHHHHH I wore that!  Yes, I did, and I rocked it too!  Dad used to say , "how is it that you put half a bottle of hairspray in your bangs and didn't even finish drying the back of your hair?" OHH Dad I wish you could have saved me from my ugly 80's self.   When dressing my kids I realized how much of the 80's are back.   Skinny jeans, leg warmers, leggings, converse (they never really left)!  I find so much joy in seeing my kids do things fun like this.  Life is fun!

I wish you could see this picture better.  Can you even tell that it is my Zander man up there in the front of that gym?  Zander got the character trait award at school last week for Kindness and Compassion.  It comes as no surprise at all to me.  He IS his fathers child.  All the way! Kindness just bubbles out of his ears. What a blessing it is to have a Dad that is Kind and Compassionate. A Dad that you can model your life after. What a blessing it is to have a child that at 5 years old knows how to be kind to all around him.  

Thanks for letting me share.

love you!

Getting Ready for the Big V-Day & Some Show & Tell

I just thought I would share this super cute idea that I found. Hello, this just makes giving Valentines sooo so much more fun. Don't my kiddos look super duper cute too! I edited the pictures in Picnik - if you don't know picnik - well , you should - it is soo easy and super fun to use. I even upgraded to premium membership because i love it so much and now when I say that I LOVE YOU more than Picnik you will know that the love I have for you is big time love. Right? Right! So , with that being said -   I LOVE YOU more than Picnik - infact I love you more than Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting! Yikes!! Tis True!!!

*Oh and don't forget to imagine the big ole sucker we will stick in their hand for their classmates!

OK, now for some Show & Tell! 

For my birthday this year my good lookin hubby made me this beautiful dresser.  It's amazing - just like him!

Oh and I just wanted to share a picture of the blanket I just finished for Paige's teacher.  She just had a baby boy.  Thomas James.   I'm loving the little doggy! 

Here's my V-day decor! 

 Kar, if you read this - possesion is 9/10ths of the law -  Right!  

Karen made most of the stuff you see in this picture and she said to display it at my house while she was out of town - she wanted someone to enjoy it!  Thanks lady!  You might not get it back.

xoxoxooxo ,  JEN

I'm YOUR Aunt Jenny

I know that Amy just recently blogged about this but I don't think it's a coincidence that about a week ago I was filling inspired to do the same.  I have been an Aunt for more than half of my life - this happens when you have an 8 year difference between you and your next oldest sister.  To say that I adore my nieces and nephews would be a slight understatement.  I feel a strong responsibility towards them, as their Aunt Jenny.  I want them to know that I love them,  I accept them as they are.  I hope they know that they can talk to me that they can count on me.  I want them to know that I pray for them by name and they are in my thoughts always. More importantly I want them to know that I have a testimony.  I know that I have a Heavenly Father that loves me and that I am HIS daughter.  I have had rough patches in my life and I have carried that knowledge with me and it has given me the strength to make it through. 

My parents are expecting their 30th grandchild!  My Holyoak parents have 12 grandchildren.  What a legacy.  What a responsibility. 

Last Sunday I was set apart as the Young Womens President in my ward and I have felt an overwhelming feeling of love for the Youth of the Church.  My thoughts really have been turned to them and the things that they are facing and how they are standing strong against it all.  I admire them and their desire to do what is right. 

This is what I would say to you if you were here in front of me:  Don't be so hard on yourself,  have fun, date (alot), go to church,  listen to your parents -they love you,  call your Aunt Jenny & when you see her squeeze her up, don't wory about it so much - it will work out for your good, your Heavenly Father has a plan for you - stick with him - he wants to help you but you have to ask.   I love you! I always have!    OHHH and listen to this song please.  Mmm-kay then thats all!

Big Big Love and Smooches

Aunt Jenny