Just like my mom

Recently my mom and I went to the movies. Down the row from us there was a lady who really liked the movie. She was laughing, quite loudly, and her laugh was a little funny. (REALLY funny if we are being honest) 

I looked over at my mom, to see if she too had heard this laugh. She was already looking at me, with an expression I know so well. Her eyes were open wide saying "Jessica can you hear that woman laughing? Do you think she knows how loud she is laughing?" Her hand was cupped over her mouth and nose because she always feels bad when she is laughing at something that isn't meant to be funny. I started to smile at the familiarity when I noticed , my eyes were open wide. My hand was cupped over my mouth and nose, just how it always is, when I am laughing at something that isn't meant to be funny. In that moment we mirrored each other perfectly. 

Funny how the ones who raise us rub off on us. 

It may seem insignificant. Like how we both love Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew. Maybe if I can mirror her in enough of the little things, I'll start to mirror her in the big things too. I'd be pretty ok with that. 

Want to see something terrible?

Wednesday morning Parker calls me and leaves a very calm message that went something like this...

"Hey Jess, it's me. I am going to swing by the hospital- I am probably going to need a few stitches. Cut my finger at work. Totally fine. Love you, I'll call you later..."

My first reaction was to get all worried. But then, I thought to myself, I am not going to freak out about this. Just a few stitches, not a big deal. He said it wasn't a big deal. He would tell me if I needed to be worried.
So what did I do? I finished my book. I folded some laundry. I started to get ready to go to work. Finally he answers his phone. I learn that he didn't just cut one finger, he cut three. OH and he had cut through his tendons. He still protested that I didn't need to come. But when I got to the hospital this is what I saw.

Lets just say no matter what he says the next time he gets hurt.... I am going to freak out anyway. Ended up with 12 stitches in all.  Lucky for us he took his wedding ring off right away or the doctor would have had to cut it off! Look at how swollen those fingers are!
Don't worry the swelling went down and he is all splinted up. But this is going to be one long recovery! Complete with help from a plastic surgeon and lots of hand rehab.....

Not a lot of use out of that hand right now. Don't worry Park, I've been there. Remember this?

We should probably try to be more careful. 

The worst part of all of this? We had one awesome Laser Tag birthday party planned for Parker next week... Wish me luck for a last minute birthday re-plan. 

Camping, Moving, and the in-between

Life has been a whirlwind lately! I feel this way every summer. My birthday comes and the next thing I know, school is starting.

We are packing like crazy getting ready to move (again) (already). 

We just got back from a really fun vacation with my family. We went camping in Sand Hollow (almost like a mini Lake Powell - red rocks warm water- near Saint George).... it proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are not campers. I have never been on a trip with so many disasters (example: a truck breaking down in the middle of no where, red ants attacking our camp site, 110 degree heat, a rolled four wheeler,a massive windstorm in the middle of the night that whipped tents out of the ground, snapped poles, and was followed by pouring rain) and still had so much fun. Needless to say we ended up in a hotel. 

We surprisingly had no issues with the boat. Thank goodness! My parents used to have a boat, but haven't for several years now. It was a real treat to be back on the boat with my sisters. 

Sand and water = hardly any pictures. 

I'll see if I can steel some from Jill. But for now....

Yep. That is a picnic table out in the lake. 

I was in charge of the games. I split the family into 4 teams and they all had different color bandannas. That is why Parker is wearing a pink bandanna in the picture. The games were a huge hit! 

We spent the summer crashing in my parents basement, both of us working for Security National Mortgage Company (along with my dad and all four of my brother in-laws) Parker worked at the Corporate Office, and I worked in the Draper Branch. We both really loved our jobs and we got to do this....

Company Softball Tournament 

My parents are probably excited to get us outta here! Can you blame them? But I am pretty sure if my dad had his way Daxter would stay right where he is. 

I don't know who will miss who more. These two are BFFs. 

Busy week. Next post we will be back in Logan. Thanks mom and dad for letting us stay! It has been a great sumer. We crossed our 1 year mark and had all sorts of adventures. 

Caden and Me up in the Park City area. 

It was supposed to be our practice run camping for Sand Hollow. But it didn't really prepare us at all!

Back when Dax was little. He still likes to sit like that. He just doesn't fit as well. 

The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel

I picked this book up for a quick fun summer read. And it was. So I picked up the second book in the series  and liked that one too. Maybe I read all 6 of these books over a couple weeks because I got so hooked. (Maybe it is a little sci-fi a little fantasy and a little historical fiction, perfect for nerds of all ages)
I finished book six tonight.... and was just a little sad. Not because of the ending, just because it ended. Do you know the feeling?
Now I am on the look out for another good summer read. I have a few more weeks of summer and a vacation coming up to read to my hearts content. Suggestions?

My Dog the Bully

Remember that sweet little puppy we got a bit ago... while still sweet he got big and fast!
Tonight my Aunt left her little dog here while she went to a concert, and Daxter really threw his newly acquired weight around. Little dog Boston was fine, and having fun. He was actually really aggressive, I don't think he knows how little he is!

Transition

"We will live next door to each other." It wasn't exactly a promise, more of an assumption. It just made sense, it was supposed to be that way. So we didn't make an official plan, but we hoped. As we grew up, I guess I figured we might not live next door, but at least near by.
"Our kids will be close in age. We will sit on a porch swing and watch them get into all kinds of trouble like we did."
Well , not all of our plans are working out. Life happened. And things that we thought would didn't.

My sister is moving to Arizona. My best friend. I know, I know. It's not that far. We might be moving too. This shouldn't be that big of a deal. But try telling that to the huge lump in the back of my throat.
I have four older sisters, and while they are all wonderful in their own ways, there is just always been something about Lisa. Something about the sister who taught me how to shave my legs, and would drive me anywhere at anytime.The sister who would fast forward to then end of "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" so that I could make sure (spoiler alert) Freddy Prince Jr. didn't die before I would watch the whole movie.

Lisa, I feel like you have been sharing your kids with us until we have our own. Last time you left them here Gracie kept calling me "mommy Jessica" we are really going to miss them. Soccer games, dance recitals,  and the everyday kind of stuff.
 I am dreading the  first time I am at family thing and all those sisters we have ( you know, the ones that live in the same city, have kids the same age that go to the same school and play on the same teams) start talking about teachers and coaches and people I don't know. I'll look for you out of habit and you won't be there.
I will bawl my eyes out when we pack you up and send you on your way. But I know I will see that spark in your eyes, because you have always been hungry for adventure. It doesn't surprise me at all that you are the first one of us to venture out on your own. You have always been brave like that.
Life rarely goes the way we plan. Fighting it doesn't work, so instead, we transition. We talk on the phone, a lot, and I mean a lot a lot.  I start looking forward to when I can brag to friends in the dead of winter that I will be going to see my sister in Arizona. We focus on how exciting it will be when you come back for Christmas, and I will teach your kids how to build forts in the snow they don't get to play in at home. Before you know it we will be used to the distance. At least that is what I will be telling myself. I feel pretty lucky I have a sister that I will miss this much.
Life rarely goes the way we planned,  but it usually goes much better.

We will make the most of these last couple weeks! Get ready for some awesome late nights and packing parties.
In our family we don't say this enough, in fact we hardly ever say it, but I love you Lisa. You are a wonderful sister and friend. Make sure you have enough floor space in your new place for us to come crash.

Aging just a little

About a week ago Parker came home with an early birthday present. He had figured out how to get all of my pictures off a ruined hard drive. All of my pictures from London, that I thought I had lost forever. I was so excited! And I will always back up my hard drives from now on!
 London was a hard time for us, being apart for that long. But it was such a wonderful experience for me and those pictures are priceless.
Anyway... I guess we just stuck with that theme. I had a blow out British Birthday Party. And it was the greatest.
The night went down like this: fish and chips, face paint, football, a dance party under a canopy of blue and red ribbon, an intense FOUR rounds of Fugitive, and delicious Nutella Pie.
It was amazing. Don't believe me?Take a look for yourself.

 

Whenever we play games as a family, Parker and I have to be on opposite teams because all of the kids fight over us. It makes us feel pretty cool. 

Sarah and I had a bit of a collision. 

This is my niece Maddie. She is growing up so fast I can't believe it. We were on a team for a few rounds of fugitive.( A super fun night game that involves running all over the neighborhood. )And I couldn't believe how fast she is! 

Trying to get all of the kids in a picture is a mess. Everyone fights over where they are standing, who is touching them, and everyone is complaining, they do not want to be in a picture. However.... 

Tell them to make a funny face, and they are more than happy to be in front of the camera. 

Parker made me a Nutella pie with a peanut butter crust. It was so GOOD! He worked so hard to pull this whole thing off for me. Thanks again Parker. 

Trick Candles... took me a while to get them out. 

It was so much fun! Thanks to all who came and celebrated with us! 

Sunday (my actual birthday) was much more low key. We had a yummy brunch with the Hustons. When we came home we retreated to the cold basement where we had a little read-a-thon. (my very favorite) 

Parker and I are reading the same series right now, and I am a couple books ahead. We spent a few hours wrapped up in the same characters and stories with Parker every so often putting down his book and asking me what was going to happen next. 

 We ended the night watching the season finale of Bach that I have been so excited for. 

 It was a perfect day with my best friend. It was quiet and calm, giving me time to feel an overwhelming gratitude for everything, and everyone I have in my life. 

(Did you notice I cut my hair? 8 1/2 inches!)