Happy Mothers Day

Its been a busy time in our lives. I havent been good at updating my blog, but being so busy has not made it any easier. By way of update this winter was eventful. Jake got accepted to some law schools. At this point were thinking of going to Florida Coastal Law School in Jacksonville Florida. We are planning on movin towards the end of July. Jake also had a bunch of health problems, suprise, suprise:) He was feeling good but went in to get his blood checked and some of his scores were high. After a lot of time, tests and money spent (of course:)) We found out that the right lobe of his liver is three quaters of the way scarred up. The result will be a need for a liver transplant someday in the future. Hopefully not for at least ten years. Jake has gotten serious about excersizing and eating healthy to help his chances of prolonging the process and then getting a transplant when the time comes. I started coaching softball in January. Its been a chaotic few months with that and work. I dont even know what happend to March and April, although during those months I thought it would never be over. Life was truly crazy but I do love softball and it was fun to see my team improve so much. We won one game last year, this year we won 9 games. The improvement has been immense, and next year is looking good as well. But of course I wont be here because we are moving to Florida. Jake and I had our 5 year anniversary in february and we booked a cruise for it. So we will be leaving to check out the law school in Jacksonville, and then off to the Bahamas. We are both very excited. We bought a new minin van in anticipation of our move. We love all the space and the girls love the automatic sliding door. Malynn turned 4 in march and is so creative and smart and fun and softhearted. She is the oldest child and keeps things fun for everyone. Kenna is 2 she is trouble in her terrible twos. She stays very busy and loves to give her big sister hugs. They are the joy of our lives. We are grateful for our girls, our temple marriage, our full and busy lives and the many blessings the lord has given us. Today is mothers day and I was asked to speak on the righteous influence of mothers. I took more time than I usually do to think of my own special mother and the example her righteous life has been to me. I wish I could have gotten to know her, but I feel sure she is watching over me and my family, and I am grateful for that. Happy mothers day to all those righteous mothers whose influence for good is felt by not just their own children, but so many others.

Just a quick and way to brief update about our summer for anyone who cares. Softball, Softball, Softball, job hunting, more softball, sister trip to a cabin in Wyoming, a little fund raising for softball, some more softball, Olsen family reunion that included softball, and then finally I found a job-yeah! and then fall softball. Its been a hard and busy and fun summer. I am working at Rehabilitative Health Services as a Psycho-social Rehab worker (PSR worker as its commonly called) Ive been there since this monday and I am learning and trying to get it figured out. The fundraiser that I did was to raise money for Bonneville's new softball field. It was my idea and I did most of the work. We raised about $800. Not quite as much as I was hoping for butI guess I cant complain. Jake and I coached softball for my JV team and then we played on two different teams. It was really busy, but we love softball. The trip to the cabin was so much fun. We ate and 4-wheeled and floated rivers and streams :) and hiked mountains. It was way to much fun. Anyway it was a fun summer and were looking forward to football season-GO DEVIN!!!

So I am not a cat person. But Jake and I have been thinking about getting kittens for a long time. We thought the girls would really like them so we finally took the leap. We asked Malynn what we should name them and she came up with Chunk and Thomas almost instantly. We love the names and we love our kittens. Malynn loves Thomas and often carries him around the yard. Kenna is a little scared of them, but I think she is warming up. Its fun to have them around.

Thomas and Chunk wrestling.

Thomas

Chunk

So I havent Blogged for a long time (which is how I typically start my blog out) I recently finished with coaching the JV softball team @ bonneville. We had a very young and inexperienced team. We finally got our first win at the end of the season, the very last game. The girls were all excited and it was a good way to finish up. We had a party for my team. We played water volleyball and roasted hot dogs, it was fun. Now were on to coaching a summer team. We will be playing in the 18u leaugue which is basically the varsity level. We lost a few girls and picked up a few others and were looking forward to having a good time and hopefully winning some games.

Playing Duck, Duck, Goose.

I tried to get everyone in the shot.

Sharon, Malynn and Kristy

Action shot of Nichelle and Becca.

Mikayla and Chloe

Jordan and Teresa

Nichelle and Becca

Yesterday was Malynn's third birthday. I cant believe how fast the time has gone by. I know its trite but it seriously seems like just yesterday I was thinking my water was breaking. (Whoops it wasent Ha Ha.) I thought that Malynn was never going to get out of the infant stage. It was so hard and stressful for me. I cried pretty much every day for four months. Then it got a little easier. Then she entered terrible two's and it was hard again. But through it all its been so fun to see her development and growth. She is so smart. She is so softhearted. She is so fun. She has always had the best hugs, she holds on so tight, you always know she is giving her all to you in that hug. She is the natural big sister. She loves to help with Kenna. (and she loves to tell Kenna what to do) She is so alive and in love with life. She is such a great little girl. It has been one of the greatest things in my life to see her change from a baby to a girl. So to my little three year old I say Happy Birthday, I love you and I cant wait to share this life and the next with you.

I just wanted to update everyone on Jake's medical activities. He got his gall bladder taken out two weeks ago. He did have stones in there, which the doctor was not expecting. He is feeling much better. He is almost back to his full energy, it is quite a relief. We are so grateful for prayers on his behalf. We also found out that his liver is doing pretty well. Were anticipating (and hoping for) a long period of good health. He is applying to law schools and looking for a job in the meanwhile. I am still coaching softball at Bonneville and still loving it. We just had a clinic for a fundraiser today and it went pretty well. Life if good, were blessed and grateful for it.

My Political Rant

I am really alarmed at the direction our country it heading. I am very worried about our president Barak Obama wanting to "reshape America" We have a crisis on our hands. Obama knows what that means, after all it was one of his advisors that said you never let a crisis go to waste. There has been a lot of talk lately of two periods in time the first is the great depression when Roosevelt was our president and the second was the economic downturn of the 80's when Reagan was the president. Both of these periods of time have things in common, most markebly the stock markets downturn. (I realize that I am oversimplifying things to make a point) The point that I want to make is that we see when we try to "reshape America" as Roosevelt did during the Great Depression with his New Deal, the consequence is a long period of depression and economic instablity. On the other hand when we return to principles of conservatism and capatilism we not only go through a period of shorter instablity but at the end we experience a long period of growth, development and prosperity. History does in fact repeat itself, do we really want the Great Deppression to repeat itself? Why are we trying to reshape America and try a new, new deal? Its so frustrating to see what is going on and see the leaders trying to turn away from proven methods to put forth their agendas. Agendas that will lead to the continuing of the economic downturn. I know that I have a very limited voice. I know that very few people will read this post. I know that it wont change anything but I have to vent my frustrations. I dont know how to change things, I dont know how to make my voice heard and honestly Im unwilling to go out on the streets and yell threw a megaphone my position. But this matters to me, conservatism matters to me, the principles of the constitution matter to me, capatilism matters to me and most of all America matters to me.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
How did we meet:I played softball with his brother Dave. He and his friend Jeremy would come to watch My sister Cami and I play. I saw him and that he was good looking, but I would never initiate. He finally worked up the courage to approach us. His opening line was "so how long have you two been twins" we didnt know what to say because were not twins and even if we were the answer would have been forever-right. So we just looked at each other and there was an awkward pause. But he caught my attention and its been good ever since.
How long we dated before we were married: depends on who you ask. We met in August and had a "DTR" in october then we got engaged in December and married in January. So I say we started dating in October but Jake say's we were dating in August.
How long we have been married: 4 years this month.
What's my favorite feature about him: his smile and his eyes.
What's my favorite quality about him: His honesty and ambition.
What's his nickname: Jake
What's his favorite color: I think blue?
What's his favorite food: I dont know but not for lack of trying. I always ask what he wants me to make or what his favorite food is. He's not picky and seems to like everything I make so were okay.
What's his favorite sport: definently football, and he is a awesome quarterback, definently something that was very attractive to me.
Who said the L word first: definently him.
First kiss when and where: He tried to kiss me and I told him I wasent ready, mostly because my first kiss had been akward and weird. I wasent looking forward to doing it over again but Jake made it relativly easy and good. It was on College Ave. and it was in october of 2004.
Favorite couple thing to do: I like to talk to him, especially about politics. We are so like minded politically.
How many kids: two beautiful girls, Malynn and Kenna.
Hidden Talent: Jake is the best dad ever.
Favorite music: I dont know in his former life he like Led Zepplin and Beastie Boys but when i met him it was more like Jewel and Sara Mclaughlin. (I dont know how to spell her last name) He listens to the same stuff I do mostly but he likes those dumb twangy country songs.
What I admire most about him: His spirituality and what a great dad he is. What is more attractive than that?
His favorite past time: Lately watching Devin in his sports. Back in the day it was football.
Will he read this: Yep.
Jake I just wanted you to know that I think your amazing. Your such a great person. No matter what life throws at you, you take it in stride and try to make the best out of it. Your a deep thinker and ambitious and smart and hard working and studious. I am thankful to you for supporting me in coaching softball and Im thankful that your such a good father to our girls. Thanks so much for loving me. Your wonderful and so much what I needed in a husband. Father in Heaven really knew what he was doing when he put us in each others paths. I love you.

Malynn and Kenna

my girls and I

Malynn and Kenna opening presents

Christmas 2008

our girls

Malynn

Malynn's first time sledding

Malynn playing in the snow

Kenna eating cereal for her first time

Malynn drinking her juice

Jake and Malynn Christmas 2007