There are good things about Birthdays!

I haven't had the camera out a lot lately, but love the pictures that provide a few of my birthday memories.  Although I don't love getting older each year, I do love being reminded what great family and friends I have!  I'm so blessed to be surrounded by so many fabulous people!!!

Pizza in the Cul-de-Sac... One of the Stranger Sites I've Seen

Tonight after coming home from Stake Volleyball at 9:00pm, I pulled into the cul-de-sac to find Lauren, Kenzi and Kaylee sitting in the dark in the middle of the circle eating pizza.  Pizza?  In the middle of the street in the dark?

"The grass was wet" was their only response.


So I parked my car by them (protective mother) and Cam and I joined them.

Lauren Sick -- Yes ... Dead -- No

Health is one of those things you really don't appreciate... until something makes you pay attention to it.  A couple of weeks ago Lauren was prancing around the house flexing her muscles and telling me how great she is!  Now my poor little baby Lolo has been sick... really sick for almost a week now.  Fever up to 104.7, no food, no moving and just generally feeling awful.    

Really sick, but not dead!


Funny story -- I was at a soccer fundraiser on Friday night for Lauren (who was home sick) and she had also missed a soccer game earlier -- and she never misses soccer games.  One of her teammates and I had the following conversation:
Sadie:  Is Lauren ok?
Me:  Yes.. she is starting to feel a little better.
Sadie:  I thought she was dead.
Me:  What?
Sadie:  There was a rumor going around at CJH that a girl named Lauren from Millcreek had died because she was so sick from the flu.  I thought it was true and thought it was Lauren and I was freeking out!
Me:  Laugh, laugh, laugh.
Lauren:  Later that night -- not in a good mood from being sick.  Didn't think it was funny.  I told her she will think it is funny when she is better.
Me:  Still thought it was funny.



It is just as awful to worry about your 13-year baby as it was when she was 6 months old and had her first awful ear infection.  I'm grateful for her nice friends who have brought her Kevas and homework, her nice siblings who have done all of her jobs and been so sweet to her, and her wonderful dad who gave her a priesthood blessing.


So Lolo, hurry and get better and start prancing around, flexing your muscles and telling me again about your great physical health!!!  It is much funner that way. 

New Reading Spot ... Oh My!

Kenzi and Cameron and Zoe found a new before bedtime reading spot.   Not sure if you can tell by the picture from Kenzi's ipod, but it is a little tent on the tire swing, with a flashlight coming through the center.  Zoe just laid there while the kids did their reading.  Funny how excited they were with their new hangout!

9-11: Mormon Tabernacle Choir Tribute

The kids and I just watched a special Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast with Tom Brokaw.  I can't add anything to the beauty, the sacredness, the sacrifice that this program made me feel.  I just wish I had taken my kids down to the broadcast this morning.  If you didn't watch it -- please find a rebroadcast and watch it with your family today!!

******************************

The kids asked me if I remembered the day.  I was laying in bed with Lauren and Kenzi and turned on the TV and saw all of the images.  I wasn't really paying attention so I called Dave and asked him if there was an anniversary of some tragedy that day.  I was sickened when he said no -- it is real and it is happening now.  Like everyone else sadness, fear and disbelief took over... I hardly even dared take Lauren up to preschool that morning. 

You are very, very kind ... and very beautiful!

I forget sometimes how much a few kind words can mean to someone... even to me.  


I was having a grumpy morning yesterday (sorry kids and Dave) -- long story and mostly just a feel sorry for myself -- but later in the day I was playing on a swing with a little 6-year old girl I had just met.  


As I was pushing her she looked up at me and said, "You are very, very kind and VERY beautiful!"  Her sweet and genuine words stayed in my head all day long.  It reminded me that a little bit of kindness is what we all need and that I need to be grateful for the little things in my life.  Lately I feel like I am not being a very grateful person and I need to focus on blessings and gratitude..  


If anyone would tell you the shortest, surest way to all happiness they would tell you to make it a rule to thank and praise God for everything that happens to you. For it is certain that whatever seeming calamity befalls you, if you can thank and praise God for it you turn it into a blessing.  William Law

Triple Sneeze, Super Smeller and Interrupted Sleep Boy... Hess Kids Physical Phenomenons

We all have quirky little things about us -- funny but in the last week I've been reminded about 3 quirky physical features of all 3 of my kids.  


Triple Sneeze:  Lauren only sneezes in threes.  She can't do a single sneeze -- she says they always come in 3s.  Fortunately they are very polite sneezes, but I don't think I've ever heard her do a single sneeze.


Super Smeller:  Kenzi has the world's most sensitive nose!  One of her 1st sentences was "You have smewwy breath" as she would climb in bed with us in the morning.  She can pick out spices in food, she has duct taped her nose at dinner because the smells bothered her and honestly she can smell things I have no idea are even there.  She reminds me of Gus on Psych.  


Interrupted Sleep Boy:  Cam is now 7 1/2 and I honestly don't know if he has ever slept through the night.  This started at conception.  The entire time I was pregnant I didn't sleep through the night -- I was up for at least 2 or 3 hours every night so apparently this started when he was a little zygote.   He ate once a night until he was weaned at 1 and as anyone who knows of my baggy circles, he hasn't slept through the night since.  Many times in the morning I find him in a different sleeping location, he exercises, we wanders, he has strange dreams and more.  

Labor Day Weekend... Not much labor, lots of soccer, food, circus and fun.

A busy Labor Day Weekend ... Wednesday, Thursday, Friday soccer games for Lolo -- incredible win on Monday morning against La Roca who has dominated us every tournament this summer -- and an amazing last second lost against Sparta in overtime in the finals this afternoon.  Our girls were classy and worked their behinds off and almost beat the team who again has dominated us all summer.


Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning for a couple of people to see the house.  Can I say how much I hate this whole process?  (Although I do like how much cleaner the house always is.)  But, seriously not sure how much longer I can do this.  We just need to find a house we like that includes a home office for Dave and sell ours, or bag the whole thing and just enjoy life here.    Unfortunately neither the staying or going feels like it is the right thing right now... why does it feel like the answer is not going to be coming soon and why can't I be like Dave and just really not care one way or the other?


Awesome circus produced by Kenzi -- performed by Cam and Lauren Spencer and Kenzi.  Complete with magic tricks, levitating animals, lion taming, water balloon juggling clown, tight rope walking, treats and "the hussle."  I love imaginations!


Yummy BBQ with great friends, awesome BYU win and a fun, relaxing quick trip to the cabin with Walls -- complete with tons of games... I love playing games.  I hate that summer is over!

Singing at the Top of Snowbird

For the past few years Kenzi's choir has performed at the top of the Snowbird Tram as a part of the Cancer Wellness House benefit. 


The kids and families ride the tram up and sing as people are hiking up, and then sing as a part of the program.  It is very touching to see the yellow flags waving in the wind and hear the stories of the speakers.  Thinking of my mom, Beki and my many family and friends affected by cancer -- while listening to sweet Kenzi sing a solo always make me teary at this event.   


The kids have been in an August snowstorm singing ... this year it was perfect weather -- we even hiked part way down after and rode the chair lift to the bottom. 


Here's to another of my favorite choir performances!

Kenzi's Big Day -- 2nd Trip to the Temple

It started with breakfast in bed... crepes with Nutalla.

A great day at school with a Keva for lunch and tortillas at Cafe Rio for dinner.

The highlight of the day was baptisms at the Bountiful Temple. Dave, Lauren, Jacque, Grandpa and I all joined her. They were so sweet to her making this first time very special. She looked so tiny in her little white jumpsuit. I'm so grateful to our great nieces who helped us create this as a Hess 12th Birthday tradition.

It had been 11 1/2 years since we first took her there -- March 3, 2000. A great 2nd trip for all of us. Kenzi you are the best!!!

... Smile on Kenzi's Face Looking at her Tangled Birthday Cake ... Priceless

1 Challenge

Kenzi: Can Aunt Jenn make me a Tangled Birthday Cake

Me: You don't even like cake.

Kenzi: I know, but I want a cool Tangled Birthday Cake

Me: I'll make you one.

Kenzi: You'll just make a flat cake and stick a Tangled doll in the middle.

4 Great Morleys

* Becca for offering to help me and go above and beyond the call of friendship

* Luke and Tessa for letting me monopolize their mom for a few days and being so patient.

* Barrett for not caring Becca did nothing but birthday caking for a few days

3 Cake Mixes

3 large bottoms, 4 middle small (and one cracked middle -- of course it was me making it)

1 Batch of Rice Krispies

For the top 2 towers

Lots of Fondant Frosting and Molds

Research & Design, 2 Hours of Baking, 1 Hour of Fondant Frosting Making & 6 Straight Hours of Becca and Steph Decorating

Fake Yummy/Unattractive Brownies

When Cameron looked at "That is Kenzi's cool Tangled Cake?) Cam and Laren knew I was doing the cake -- but Kenzi had no idea.

Look on Kenzi's Face = PRICELESS!!!