First Week of June Highlights!

Cross Country, Soccer, Work, and Parties!!

Josh joined the high school Cross Country team. I am really happy about that! It was quite a bit more expensive than I remembered though! They train every morning at 6:00 so Josh has to get up at 5:30 in order to ride his bike to the school for practice. I am proud of him for being disciplined enough to get up on his own and get there. I went to the parent meeting and was so impressed with all of the coaches and the overall feeling of the team. In fact, the meeting was so motivational that I decided to start running again too! (Just not at 6:00 a.m.!)

Josh also tried out for club soccer again. Both teams (05 and 06) offered him a position on their team but he decided on the 06 team instead of "playing up." They suggested that he double roster on both teams but I was worried about him being too busy -- especially if he is also doing Cross Country and maybe track. He usually C-passes on the 05 games anyway.

Josh had a belated birthday party (Pickleball party) Friday at 9:00 a.m. He made it early so that it wouldn't be too hot. Jared agreed to supervise, so I didn't even have to go, ha ha! They then swam at our house and then went to one of the other boy's houses to continue the fun. So they partied all day long and well into the evening! These boys are all the same age -- as you can see Josh is the smallest one in the group. What he lacks in height he makes up in speed and agility! Hopefully he has a growth spurt within the next couple of years! 

Jaiden went to Mariposa's birthday party -- swimming at her cousin's house. They then watched a movie Friday night.

Jenna had TWO birthday parties today. Her friend, Clarissa, and her friend, Lindsey, share a birthday and so they always have to coordinate their parties every year so that they aren't at the same time! Lindsey's party was a High School Musical Party in the afternoon and Clarissa's was a glow stick party in the evening.

Rick and I went on a date -- dinner at Pizza Pie Cafe, some errands, and then watched a movie together. It was really good -- "Mao's Last Dancer." Josh and Jenna might find it interesting because of the Chinese language and culture.

Other events: Jared got a job at Caption Call (even though we had some reservations -- some like it, but others hate it). Jared is so social and so good with people that this type of work (monotonous and behind a screen) might not be the best fit for him, but at least he can start earning money and then later he can look for something else when the economy has recovered somewhat. Janelle has been working a lot at Papa Murphy's and Jaiden applied for a couple of jobs.

I started back up at one of my jobs -- just a few hours a week. This quarantine has really hit the deaf and interpreting community hard and there has been almost no work available. So I am grateful that one of my jobs started up again and that it will be continuing throughout the summer. I had trouble finding a "communicator mask" with a clear plastic window so that the deaf person can see my lips, and so I was grateful that Janika connected me with someone she knew who could make some masks for me. Thankfully it does the trick -- although I hate wearing a mask! Wearing a normal mask is annoying enough -- wearing one with plastic is even worse! But at least I am able to work a few hours a week!  

The neighbor boys are loving having Jared around again to play with them! 

Josh Pickleball Party

Since Josh wasn't able to have a birthday party in April due to Covid, he decided to have a party in June. It was very simple and I didn't even have to do anything for it -- except send some drinks and snacks. He had his friend text out the rest of their friends and they just met at the pickleball courts. They had it early before it got too hot. Jared said he would go and supervise. The boys played pickleball and then came to our house and went swimming and then went to Caden's house.  

Zach Buck, Kyson Goates, Tavin Guerisoli, Josh Jensen, Caden Morris, Mason Ballantyne, Eli Paulson

Southwest Dance Party

Jaiden had fun at her Southwest Dance Party tonight!! 

River Tubing and Jaiden's Birthday Party

Jaiden went river tubing down the Virgin River in Zions with the Williams -- Fun! 

Tonight Jaiden decided to have a simple birthday party with her three best friends, Emily, Mariposa, and Lizzie. They watched Frozen 2 while belting at the top of their lungs. Jenna, Clarissa, Audrey and Lindsey gave the older girls pedicures and made and served them brownies. Perfect party!

Daddy Daughter Date for our 16 Year Old!

Rick has a special tradition of taking his girls out on a special date for their first official date when they turn 16. They dressed casual for bowling at Dixie Bowl and then changed at the Seminary building for dinner out at Cliffside restaurant, and then for a walk around the cactus gardens! I sure love these two!!

Your First Date

Good morning sweet girl,

Are you ready to be seen?

Because today is the day

You’re turning sixteen!

These white roses are yours

On this special birthday.

They represent purity and virtue,

Something you show every day!

Many privileges happen

At this magical age,

But driving and boys

Seem to be all the rage.

However, dating is where

All the fun begins.

Dating  is what bring

The biggest kind of grins.

I’m the lucky one who gets to take you

On your very first date!

Date training is my responsibility,

So I’ll make sure I do great!

We will first go bowling,

And have a fantastic time!

We’ll work up an appetite,

And I’ll feed you on my dime.

We’ll then go to dinner

At the fanciest place in town,

I hope dinner at Cliffside

Won’t make you frown.

When dinner is through

And the night is still warm,

A walk in the gardens

will make the perfect forum.

We’ll talk of your hopes

Your dreams and desires.

As you think about your future

And joys that will transpire.

So, my sweet, beautiful girl,

I hope this makes you glad

To have your very first date

With your dear ole’ dad.

Happy "Sweet Sixteen" Birthday to Jaiden!!

We had a full day today! We sang "Happy Birthday" to Jaiden and she opened her presents (the ones that had arrived -- there are a few more packages arriving this week). Rick gave her a dozen roses for her birthday and a sweet poem (see next post) asking her out on her "first date." (This was the note that caused the fire -- see next post!!)

Jared taught the lesson for Come Follow Me and did an awesome job! We had a great discussion and took lots of notes in our scriptures. Then we had the sacrament administered by the men in our family.

Rick then attended another ward's sacrament meeting (first time back since the quarantine) as part of his High Council responsibilities. He is not thrilled about returning to church, but had somewhat of a change of heart after hearing the speaker in church. He said church was very different! There was no singing -- the organist just played the organ for the sacrament. There was a 15 minute talk given by a single lady. He said it was very good and opened his eyes towards people who are alone during the quarantine and really need the blessings of being able to attend church meetings with other people. We practiced the musical number that we have been working on and went and sang it for a few people in the ward. They got emotional and really appreciated the gesture.

Jaiden's friends, Mariposa, Emily, and Lizzie brought over a bunch of gifts for Jaiden -- a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a big package of "Crumbl Cookies," a pre-dating pampering kit, and several treats and little surprises. Emily had a whole box of hand written "open when" notes. So sweet!

Rick fixed a delicious meal of shisk-a-bobs. We haven't had that in years and it really tasted wonderful! We had home-made ice-cream for dessert. It was a bit runny but still very yummy! We then all played "The Resistance." Between the flowers from dance concert, the roses from Rick, and the flowers from her friends, Jaiden had three beautiful bouquets to brighten our home!!

After our family games I worked on putting Jaiden's birthday collage together! Here is what I posted on Facebook/Instagram:

Jaiden Jensen is sweet sixteen today!! Jaiden is beautiful inside and out! She is intelligent, optimistic, compassionate, energetic, athletic, talented, and a wonderful friend to others. Jaiden loves to be involved in everything and is always up for a challenge! She is a talented dancer and singer, a straight A student, and a member of the student council at SCHS. Jaiden brings so much joy to our family! Happy Birthday, Jaiden! We love you!!