This Week in Review

This week in review consists of a few events that make you go mmmm?
1. General Conference-This created a good mmmm! I always feel so much hope and resolve to try to be a little better (even though I need to be a lot better). I loved the first session when we had the privilege of sustaining the new President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints. What a monumental event this was. I will always remember the spirit bearing testimony that he is the prophet on the earth today.
2. Attending General Conference- This was also a good mmmm! Since Jay has waivered and now coaching at the U, I had the opportunity to take Chaz and Zion to attend the afternoon session on Saturday. They were so cute. Chaz was dressed in his gray suit with a white shirt and tie. Zion was in her pretty maroon and velvet dress. I was so pleased that they would come (not that they had a choice) with me. My sister, Nathele and her husband and a new convert and his girlfreind were all there with us. I hope they will always remember this experience-being in the same building and meeting as a prophet of the Lord.
3. Attending a funeral on Monday-This is what makes you go mmmm?! I do not do well at funerals. I'm a cry baby anyways but at funerals...it's not good! A friend of ours and her baby passed away from complications of her preganancy (amniotic embolism). The baby was taken c-section but with no brain activity and mom fell into a coma. She passed away on April 1st and baby was taken off life support after he was given a name and a blessing. She left behind a husband and 3 adorable children. The oldest is in Chaz's class and I know he felt really, really sad for his friend, Dakota! So much so that he was adamant that we attend the funeral to support Dakota. Brother and Sister Pemberton were also Zion's primary teachers at one point. It was a wonderful and sad funeral! There was so much support for the family! Imagine not having the assurance that families can be together forever...it's unimaginable! Even with the understanding that we do have I still am so sad and broken-hearted for the family! I remember when Sister Hinckley passed away and how sad President Hinckley was. He was very vocal about how he felt so much lonliness and sorrow. So I guess it's an emotion and event that comes with this life. I guess the only thing we can do is to continue to have faith!
4. The birth of a newphew- This was a good mmmm too! Our nephew Jarom was born on Monday morning. What a beautiful child he is! He was born to such wonderful parents who will love and care for him! He looks just like his brothers. Love you Jarom!
5. I got my visiting teaching done already-that right there is a miracle in and of itself! That will really make you go mmmmmmmmmmmm! What is going on with Jo?!

Have a great rest of the week!

10 Things About Me

So I'm trying to be loyal to this whole blogging thing but I just am not creative and really can't think of topics to expound on. So I stole an idea from Aundrea's blog and modified it from 100 things about me to 10 things about me (seems a little overwhelming to try to figure out 100 things about little ol' me.) So here goes...

1. I was named after my dad's foster sister-Joann Hunt ( I actually think she spells it differently). My dad was really big on foster children. He had foster brothers and sisters growing up. I also had over 50 foster brothers and sisters at different times in our home. Everyone deserves the opportunity to be loved!
2. I am half hawaiian (well as far as they have traced the geneolgy back) and half mutt-sorry mom. I think we have english and irish and about 10 generations back- a little bit of mohawk indian from the state of New York.
3. I grew up mainly on the Navajo Reservation and loved every minute of it! Ya'ate'eh (translation-Hello)
4. I got in a fight with some kids from Monticello when Iwas in 7th grade because they were calling my Navajo friends mean and racist things. I probably thought I was Navajo then.
5. I've had stitches 5 times and beautiful model legs-NOT!
6. I love to laugh even though my personality doesn't let me sometimes. My husband's family plays this game called Make Me Laugh (MML). There is a person in the middle of the group. He/she has to try to make the others laugh. You can't even show teeth so I guess it should be called-make me smile. Anyway, he (Jay) is the king of the game! I don't laugh at him much during our everyday lives but get us in a MML game and I laugh uncontrollably accompanied by tears. He has a couple of characters-Jose and pantalones, Karate Kid, and Building Inspector. If you have a chance to play it with him you will die laughing! Remember when I thought I was Navajo? Well, it's carried over into my adulthood...I have a special character named Navajo Nita.
7. I love to clean but you wouldn't be able to tell when you come to my home lately. When my kids were young and I didn't work outside the home my house was spotless. I vacuumed, dusted, and cleaned bathrooms daily. Now that life has progressed and I work, my house seems to be a little more neglected-but when I have the time and energy, I love to clean.
8. I love to eat! I remember a time when my family thought I had an eating disorder...wish they still thought that! I think I ate my first steak in college and loved it! I first ate shrimp about 6 years ago-love it! Hence the lack of my family thinking I have an eating disorder.
9. My junior year in high school I was the student body vice president, my sister was the president, my best friend and foster sister was the treasurer and my dad was the principal. Is that a monopoly or what?
10. I hate (excuse me-"don't like" as dad would say) fish and milk! Both cause an involuntary muscle spasm that makes me to upchuck. In second grade I distinctly remember the mean old lunch lady make me drink my milk. I told her that I would throw up and she said, "drink it." Guess what? The spasm happened and she never made me drink it again!

So there it is-me in a nutshell.

Are you truly converted?

How do you know when you are truly converted? Do you waiver when your beliefs are tried or do you stay true to what you've always known? When an opportunity comes that will bring you temporary and immediate gratification do you give up the very things that you've always fought against? If any of you are wondering...I am still true blue. I have not followed my husband as he must have never been truly converted. He is now a Utah Ute...I know it must disappoint some of you but I never thought I would have to deal with this kind of division in my family. It's hard! I hope that we can make it through this and he will not be lost forever!

I actually really love my husband but I will continue to pray that he will find his way back! He is helping the Utah staff with the defense! I know that it was hard for him as his brother Matty is back from his mission and playing for the cougars! Rise and Shout! Because he has chosen this path he can't even watch his brother practice...the things you'll give up for immediate gratification!

But really, we hope this will help him in his coaching career! He came home with all the red gear on one night. I looked at him and said, "not sure if I'm going to be able to get use to that color!" He laughed. I will try to support him as much as possible but will always be TRUE BLUE!

Parental Paycheck

Have you ever had a parental paycheck? No, it's not a huge amount of money although that would be nice. It's the thing that makes you feel like you must have done something right because your child has done something that makes you so happy? Well, I just got one yesterday...

Chaz and Zion have been bothering us for the last couple of weeks to get their bikes ready so they can ride the 1 3/4 miles to school and then back again. A total of 3.5 miles-wish I had that desire and energy. Anyway, eventually we got it done and their first ride was yesterday.

So as I was driving home from work I thought I would check up on them and see how they were doing...yes, I was a little worried. They had almost made it to the 4 way stop when I spotted them. I pulled into the strip mall and watched them as they stopped. Chaz hopped off his bike, threw his backpack on the ground, and hunched over as if he was about to drop dead. He was huffing and puffing. Then I noticed Zion was missing her backpack. I yelled out to them to see if they were okay and asked Zion where her backpack was. She said, "inside Chaz's backpack." Chaz walked over to the car and I asked him why he had Zion's backpack inside his. He replied, "her backpack was so heavy for her so I put it inside mine. I also have both of our locks (Jasen bought them bike locks that weigh about 5 pounds each) and my sweathirt in it." It probably weighed a good 20 pounds. I was so pleased with him.

There probably isn't a better feeling or parental paycheck than for a parent to know that her children are taking care of each other on their own free will and choice. I love my children and are grateful for the sacrifices that have allowed me to be their mother.