Visit with Aunt Jean and Uncle Harold

After Mom and I spent the morning at Body Worlds, we joined Missy and went to visit Aunt Jean and Uncle Harold. (They are my mom's Aunt and Uncle) It was a humbling experience and our heart ached for Uncle Harold as he is getting old and confused. However, he still has his humor and was quick with his remarks!

THINK SNOW...

Where is the snow??? Tanner found some in the mountains, but not much! After a long summer of hard work to pay off his ski equipment, he spent his first day on the slopes of Alta trying out his new gear. He was so excited!!!

Time with Mom...

The past few days we spent with Taylor. After we picked up my mom from the airport, we went to Gardner Village. (She loves the restaurant there.) Taylor was a great sport looking through the stores. He is living in a better place and seems happier. Next year is a big year for him with graduation, turning 18 and maybe another HAIRCUT!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I am thankful for family...

I still can't believe it's Thanksgiving!!! This year we spent the holidays with my Mom and her brothers along with a few cousins. My uncles cooked the turkey, mom made the extras and I decorated the table. This is exactly how every Thanksgiving should be!!!

Uncle Steve and Uncle Larry cooked two turkey's at their house and brought them over. I never had a smoked turkey before and it was incredible..

Missy and I observing in the kitchen...that's really all we did in the kitchen...observed!

And this is what a real Jeppsen baby looks like. My cousin Steven J (Uncle Steve's son) has this cute, yummy baby that looks very similar to a photo of my mom around her age. They both had the blue Bug eyes!

She also resembles her Grandpa's (Uncle Steve's) lack of hair. He was so cute with his grandbaby!

Two More Weeks!!!

It's almost here...we leave in 2 weeks for Lake Placid, New York!!!

Reuniting...

The past few weeks have been comforting as Taylor has increased his time with us. He is living in a better place and making better choices. Of course, I want to scoop him up and keep him home but it will take time for him to decide what is best for him. We have shared wonderful talks and it feels good having him reach out to us. I found out last week he attended sacrament in a ward near his house by himself. I asked him, "What did you wear?" He said, "Don't worry Mom, I still wore my tight jeans (that don't cover his butt) but I tucked in my white t shirt..." I asked, "What made you want to go?" His response, "I just felt like it, maybe next week I can go with you guys." I thought, "OK" and left it at that...

Last night he called and asked to come over, he needed some help with a problem he had. We had a great time together and the plan was for Jason to drive him back to his friends house to sleep over. Jason was ready to take him when he asked if he could stay longer and just hang out. A few hours later, I found him curled up next to Jason sleeping. Jason stayed with him for hours, then left him on the couch for the night.

We have had some tender moments in the Home of King's...

Tagging...

I was looking through Carin's and DeDe's blog and noticed they were both tagged to go to their pictures and click on the fourth folder, fourth picture and post it on the blog...I typically don't respond to tag requests so lately I haven't been tagged because many of my blogger friends have given up on me. Tagging is right up there to the Facebook sending "hugs", "Christmas Ornaments", "drinks" etc. I can never figure it out. Even though I wasn't tagged, I was curious to see what was in my fourth file, fourth picture to post and look what I found...Carin and Tiff

Our senior year in high school at Disneyland!

It was Carin's first and so far only trip to Disneyland. The park is closed from 11:00pm-5:00am for only the seniors to attend. Boys had to wear shirt and tie and the girls were required to wear dresses! I wonder if Disneyland still offers that??? My fourth file is labeled "OLD PHOTOS" and the fourth photo was this photo of Carin and I. I must have scanned it LONG time ago...Sorry Carin, we are now labeled "OLD".

Happy Birthday Jason!!!

Happy 42nd Birthday!!!

I can't believe I have known this cute little red head for over half my life.

Fun Facts about Jason...

1-He loves to sing in the shower, fortunately he has a terrific voice, so many of us don't mind!

2-He is very forgiving and loyal friend.

3-He loves sour gummi worms, coke and renting movies at Blockbuster...then never returning them until I nag him. (I think he likes my nagging!)

4-He can sleep ANYWHERE at ANYTIME!!!

5-Sometimes I don't think he is human...maybe one of the characters from Twilight, he is definitely my Edward...but he does things that absolutely amazes me. He endures more pain than the average human with his brittle bones but yet will always have a positive outlook. He can stay up all hours of the night to accomplish a project and look refreshed in the morning. Jason can also survive on coke...the soda drink!

6-He is one of the best Dad's around!

Healing...

I was dreading today...would I stay in bed and cry, would I trace back every hour and think about what my Dad was doing this time last year, would I be angry or so sad that it hurt? I was surprised to end this day with a healing heart, no anger or sadness.

Through out the day, I thought what have I learned this past year...

1-My Dad still teaches me about life, even though he is no longer here.

2-I have a deeper understanding of spiritual communication...

don't worry, it's not like he is talking to me or I hear voices...

instead I feel his love. I feel his humor and comfort.

3-He has taught me about grieving and how you can't rush it.

4-My body does not come with a shut off valve for tears. I have yet to run out of tears.

5-I don't loose weight from crying, which I think you really should.

6-I like to eat when I miss my Dad the most...

which may explain why I don't loose weight from crying...

7-I still miss his nachos!

8-Losing my Dad and raising teenagers has brought Jason and I closer than ever.

I love growing old with Jason!

9-I am excited for Heaven and I dream about reuniting with him one day.

10-What I have gained this past year is how to heal...

it takes patience, acceptance, love, forgiveness and faith.

Today I woke up with all the kids at home. I made a huge breakfast before school (which is very strange for me) and had a nice morning with Taylor. At noon, Tanner was being honored for winning a short film contest in Midway. It was a state wide contest for students to make a short film about the importance of financial education for the youth. The organization is called Jumpstart. At the luncheon, they played his short film, presented him with a certificate and $300.00 dollars. Jason and I had a terrific time with him.

We should have dressed up but Tanner never discloses information until the day of the event or when we arrive. I was surprised how many people attended and how nice the luncheon was at the resort in Midway.

Jason returned to work, I came back to check on Jordan at the rink and then returned back to Midway to attend a bridal shower for one of my old high school friends. Amy Hutchins is an amazing lady and I had a wonderful evening catching up with old friends from Novato.

I can't remember everyone's married names, but the photo is of Nan Hutchins (one of my young women leaders), Amy Hutchins, Kathryn Taylor, me, Holly Hutchins, Lisa Hutchins and Christine Taylor. (I remember babysitting Lisa and Christine!) As always, Amy kept us laughing, really laughing and I am so excited for her new chapter in life! After looking at this photo, I realized I am really short...

I thought after the late night and excitement of last night's game, Taylor staying over, Tanner's luncheon, and having the 45 minute drive back home listening to my music and thinking about my dad, I would fall apart and cry...instead I just smiled and enjoyed knowing he is still teaching me lessons.

GO UTES!!!

What an amazing evening!!! I have waited for such a long time to spend an evening with my family, which means spending an evening with Taylor...and what better place then the TCU vs. UTAH game!!!

We had the best tickets, North Endzone, Row 1...

We had leg room, a comfortable fold out chair, and room to jump up and down each exciting quarter!!! No one blocked our view because we were ROW 1!!! Five of the football players worked at the Sports Complex during the summer with me and the boys. It made watching the game even more exciting since they played defense!!!

I know, Tanner and Taylor are in need of a haircut...I offered to take Taylor for a haircut and he agreed! He even respected my uneasy moments with his lip and nose rings and took them out while he was with the family. We have all lost our voices from so much cheering!

It was BLACK OUT game. Everyone wore black, including the players. Taylor and Tanner rushed the field. They were somewhere in this photo...One of the players that worked at the complex, who is one of the sweetest college kids, Robert Johnson, made the final interception in the last few seconds...My Boys...I can never stop loving them! Taylor decided to sleep over since it was getting late. On the eve of my father's one year death, I am grateful I have this evening to have all my boys home and to finally sleep knowing they are all safe for at least this one night. It's been a long year adjusting to losing my Dad and the horrible distance between Taylor and our family. Tonight gives me hope and comfort that I have not felt in a very long time...