It could get wrecked, stolen, scratched, breathed on wrong...

Sis. Layton gave the best sacrament talk today that I've ever heard. She talked about trials and faith. Several things she said really struck me and after she said them, I passed a note to Chris and asked him about it. She said that life is full of changes and trials and they NEVER END (such a true thing!!) She also said that she prays really hard to align her will to the will of the Father. What I wondered about that is, then do we not pray for specific things we need or want? Do we just leave it all up to the Lord? Chris wrote back on my note that he doesn't know but that he is going to do more of that kind of praying, the aligning to the Father's will kind. Then he said, "I guess being poor isn't such a bad trial; just think of what is coming next." I sat through the rest of sacrament thinking of those things we could be going through. We could be struggling to accept the loss of a child, we could be badly injured or ill, we could be struggling with a chemical dependence or a pornography addiction, we could be struggling with the death of a family member, we could have wayward children...it goes on and on. Not being able to have 2 cars right now and the other financial sacrifices we are making right now don't even compare to these things. It's still hard and it hurts sometimes but it's going to be ok. For the first time in a long time, I feel like it's going to be ok. I'm so grateful for Sis. Layton's talk!

Random Thoughts by Jennifer Vos

The n key on my keyboard is broken. I apologize in advance for any spelling errors.

On Thursday, I went out to get the mail around 2:00PM. I was walking back up my driveway, thumbing through the pile, when I noticed broken glass on the ground. I thought it was really strange and so I looked up to see that the back panel window on my van was smashed to bits. The entire window was shattered and bits of the glass were falling onto the concrete driveway. I was shocked. At first I just couldn't understand who would do something like that. I assumed that someone hit it with a baseball bat or something very hard. It was a very disconcerting feeling to think that we were the target of violence and vandalism. I called the police ad the insurance company ad the process of fixing it happened very quickly and smoothly. In fact, I was oly without a car for about 12 hours total. It wasn't too much of an inconvenience. Our neighbor came over and said that he was edging the lawn next to our van and perhaps a rock flew off the edger and hit the window. He said he didn't see aythig, but it seems like a good explanation and makes me sleep easier knowing I'm not being vandalized.

This weekend is Art in the Park in Plymouth. I really like Art in the Park when I have money to spend on useless crafty things and fair food. That's not this year.

I really want to make a directory of people's talents and hobbies and abilities for our ward. For example: Tony O. does bike and computer repair, Kip K. writes resumes, John V. is an attorney, Marshall M. will sign kids physical forms for sports, Melissa F. makes really great chocolate chip cookies, etc... I think it would be really helpful to have.

I really really really really really love my sister.

Thankful Thursday 7/09/09

1. Free Slurpee day is coming!!

2. Liam and Colin.

3. Reruns

4. Google Talk Mobile

5. A Full Freezer

You have a girl. Unless I cut the wrong cord.

My little Lizzie is nine months old today. Hard to believe! Seems like she was just born about two days ago. She is still as sweet as can be. She smiles and giggles and babbles all the time. She has gotten the hang of eating solid food as long as it isn't baby food. She will pretty much eat anything we are eating. Her favorite is dessert just like me! She is crawling like a pro. I can't believe how fast she picked it up. She only spent about two days doing the crawling prep (rocking on hands and knees, scooting backwards) and then she was off. When I put her down, she heads for the kitchen because she knows there is probably food bits on the floor she can eat. Last night during family prayer, she was zipping around between all of us and finally pulled herself up on me. She reminds me of a doll my mom had called "Baby That-A-Way." My mom bought it at a used toy convention and named it Emily because she said she always wanted a baby named Emily. (Hence, my use of the name.) It was a little doll that crawled and it's tushy wiggled back and forth as it moved. Lizzie looks just like that! Liz is still a little bitty thing. Her hands and feet still look like they are from a newborn. There isn't much pudge on her anywhere. This past week was her first time in the pool and she LOVED it. It was fun to see her so happy, splashing and playing in the water.



To know Lizzie, is to love her!

Weekly Top Five 7/6/2009

Top Five Smells that I hate that Most Everyone Else Really Likes

1. Vanilla perfume or room spray or candles

2. Powder

3. Gardenia

4. Most men's cologne

5. The fancy Tide laundry detergent

You think he's funny? You think this is cute?

Sometimes I get the giggles at inappropriate times. Usually it's at church and something will hit me in a funny way or a child will say something funny. I'll have to breathe really slowly and read the hymnal to get myself under control.

This Thursday, I had the giggles at the ultimate inappropriate time. Anna and I were sitting together waiting for our temple session to begin. She looked at me and whispered that she really needed to wash her socks. I looked down at my slippers which have a strange red streak on the side of them. I don't know where one would encounter anything that would put a red streak on their slipper in the temple, but nevertheless I have a red streak on my slipper. So I say (unable to think of the word "slipper"), "I really need to wash my booty." Just typing that made me giggle again. Anna starts giggling and then I am giggling and trying so hard not to burst out in loud laughter in the session room! All I have to read is my card so I start concentrating really hard on Jane Brewer born in Canada in 1873. My head keeps thinking "booty...booty...booty." Finally, I get myself under control. It was pretty silly.

Thankful Thursday 7/2/2009

Blair Ballard Edition

1. Thankful that my dad liked to teach me about stuff...smelt, kites, plants, pop can heaters, etc...


2. Thankful that my dad loved my kids.


3. Thankful that my dad could touch his nose with his tongue.

4. Thankful that my dad had a never ending supply of patience, forgiveness and love

5. Thankful that my dad helped me recognize and nurture my testimony of Jesus Christ.

I miss you.